Monday, September 15, 2014

Interview with Laurence St. John, author of YA fantasy 'Metatron: The Mystical Blade'



Laurence A. St. John was born on January 11, 1965 in Toledo Ohio. Laurence has one older brother and two younger sisters. Laurence along with his parents, brother and sisters moved once while growing up to Genoa Ohio, just south of Toledo. While attending Genoa Area schools, he was active in track, football and baseball. Later, after he graduated from Genoa High School (Comets) in 1983, he worked for a few manufacturing companies.

At the age of 23 and after three years of dedication, hard work and sweat, in 1988, Laurence received his first-degree black belt (Shodan) in Tae Kwon Do. This gave him the self-confidence and perseverance needed to surmount anything that came his way.
When Laurence was 25 years old he fell in love then married the love of his life, Julie in 1990. He then adopted her two young wonderful children Joe and Jan shortly after. 

Out of high school for nearly fifteen years and after persuaded by his former manager, Laurence attended Owens State Community College where he obtained an Associates Degree in Microcomputer Business Systems while working full-time. In addition to computer classes, he enjoyed composition classes where he could free his mind and write what he wanted. 

While working in the steel processing business for almost fifteen years, Laurence's place of employment changed hands, for the third time in 2006; fighting for his job, again. In the same year his first granddaughter, Kendall, "Papa's Angel" was born. He described this as one of the most uplifting moments of his life. In addition, it was during this time when his emotions were running wild; he became inspired as well as determined to write his penned-up thoughts on paper. 

Nearly four years later, he had completed his first middle grade fantasy novel, Metatron: The Angel Has Risen. His latest book is Metatron: The Mystical Blade.

Laurence currently lives in Northwood Ohio with his wife of 24 years, Julie. His son Joe is married to Cari and they have three daughters, Kendall, Sadie and Harper. His daughter Jan is married to Andrew and they have a son Eli and a daughter Evelyn. Laurence currently holds the position of Administrations Manager at Precision Strip, Inc. in Perrysburg Ohio, where he works full time. He continually writes in his spare time; weekends and after work, and is endlessly inspired by his five grandkids Kendall, Elijah, Sadie, Evelyn and Harper. 

For More Information:
About the Book:

Thirteen-year-old Tyler Thompson is on the verge of becoming a superhero, but he must prove himself so he can earn the remainder of his superpowers and fulfill his destiny.

When his grandfather, Benjamin, is held prisoner at AREA 51, where the eternal powers are presumed to be hidden, Tyler attempts to penetrate the base’s heavy security. However, Dr. Mason Payne, the evil scientist who killed Tyler's father, has insidious plans of his own.

Hunted by an unknown entity, Tyler races against the clock to retrieve the superpowers, rescue his family and help the others who are depending on him. And when all hope seems lost, help comes in a power he didn’t know he possessed—a mysterious weapon known as The Mystical Blade.

For More Information

  • Metatron: The Mystical Blade is available at Amazon.
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.
  • Watch the book trailer at YouTube.

Q: Thank you for this interview. Can you tell us a little bit about your writing background?

A: Hello and first thank-you for having me. I appreciate it very much. My writing started in my head when I was probably around seven years old. I had these cool characters and stories in my head but I never acted upon them. I was too busy playing sports and being a kid. In high school then college I took writing classes that gave me the freedom to finally follow through and my penned-up thoughts. When my first granddaughter, Kendall, was born, that was the push I needed and became inspired to write my first novel METATRON: The Angel Has Risen. 

Q: What fact about yourself would really surprise people?

A: I’m very claustrophobic. When driving through tunnels it freaks me out.  

Q: What scares you the most?

A: Something terrible happening to one of my grandkids that I can’t do anything about. That would probably kill me.

Q: What makes you happiest?

A: Being with my five grandkids Kendall, Eli, Sadie, Evelyn and Harper. They are my whole world and my writing inspirations. Whether one of them is playing tee ball, soccer, cheer, dancing, or karate the smile on my face could be any larger. 

Q: What are you most proud of in your personal life?

A: There are several; graduating from high school, receiving my first degree black belt, getting married, adopting my two kids Joe and Jan, graduating from college and publishing my first novel.

Q: What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

A: Getting published traditionally was the hardest for me. After I received over 100 “no” replies from publishers and agents, I finally received my one “yes”.

Q: Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 

A: When Jarod, a ten year old boy walked up to me after a church Christmas play a year ago and asked me, “Are you Mr. St. John who wrote the Metatron Book?”  “I replied, yes I am, did you read it?”  “He replied, yes I did and I loved the book and the story – thank you for writing it!” That is when I knew I was a successful writer.

Q: Tell us about your new book? What’s it about and why did you write it?

A: My new book METATRON: The Mystical Blade is about thirteen-year-old Tyler Thompson is on the verge of becoming a superhero, but he must prove himself so he can earn the remainder of his superpowers and fulfill his destiny.

When his grandfather, Benjamin, is held prisoner at AREA 51, where the eternal powers are presumed to be hidden, Tyler attempts to penetrate the base’s heavy security. However, Dr. Mason Payne, the evil scientist who killed Tyler's father, has insidious plans of his own.

Hunted by an unknown entity, Tyler races against the clock to retrieve the superpowers, rescue his family and help the others who are depending on him. And when all hope seems lost, help comes in a power he didn’t know he possessed—a mysterious weapon known as The Mystical Blade. 

This is the second book in the series which explains the continually story of how he received the remainder of his powers and the challenges he had to overcome.

Q: When you are not writing, how do you relax?

A: I like to watch scifi movies, or lay by the pool with a beverage or just have a quite dinner with my wife Julie.

Q: Please tell us why we should read your book?

A: It’s an inspiring story that everyone can relate to - In a race against time, who will reach the eternal powers first – Tyler or the devil’s most ruthless warrior, Black Shadow? I believe that people are always looking for inspiration in their lives. The story of Tyler Thompson will capture their hearts and minds.

Q: What kind of advice would you give other authors just getting their feet wet?

A: Start a social media following right away. Begin networking with other authors, editors and agents. And. When submitting manuscripts do not get discouraged; you will get rejected many times. Believe I yourself and rise above your doubts.

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