Author in the Headlights

Strider S. R. Klusman

Helping readers to find their new books and writers to reach their audience

  1. In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we interview J.D. Barker, a New York Times and internationally bestselling author known for his suspense thrillers and major collaborations.

    MAR 28

    In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we interview J.D. Barker, a New York Times and internationally bestselling author known for his suspense thrillers and major collaborations.

    What does it take to craft a truly chilling suspense thriller—and collaborate with some of the biggest names in publishing? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we sit down with J.D. Barker, a New York Times and international bestselling author known for his gripping psychological thrillers and high-profile collaborations.  From working alongside James Patterson to co-authoring a prequel to Dracula with Dacre Stoker, Barker shares his journey through the world of suspense, storytelling, and publishing at the highest level. Listen in as we explore the difference between co-authoring and ghostwriting, dive into his breakout success with Forsaken, and unpack the wildly popular 4MK Thriller series—now expanding with The First Scarlet Door.  If you love dark, intelligent thrillers, this episode is for you. 📌 Video Chapters 00:00 – Intro & early career02:10 – Forsaken & Stephen King connection05:20 – Dracul & Bram Stoker legacy07:05 – Co-authoring & collaborations10:05 – 4MK series & future projects 📚 Featured Books by J.D. Barker 🔥 4MK Thriller Series The Fourth Monkey: https://books2read.com/u/bwPeDOThe Fifth to Die: https://books2read.com/u/4XpzO1The Sixth Wicked Child: https://books2read.com/u/3yAYwpThe First Scarlet Door: https://books2read.com/u/b6N1EA 🧟 Early Work & Breakout Forsaken: https://books2read.com/u/bWD7O7🧛 JD’s, Bram Stoker Legacy Dracul: https://books2read.com/u/3ndege 📖 Standalone Novels A Caller’s Game: https://books2read.com/u/mBWj6kSomething I Keep Upstairs: https://books2read.com/u/bQLMO0Behind a Closed Door: https://books2read.com/u/m0D25MShe Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be: https://books2read.com/u/m2wp8kHeavy Are the Stones: https://books2read.com/u/3RE1En🌎 Spanish Editions (El Cuarto Mono Series) El Cuarto Mono: https://books2read.com/u/4jklR5La Quinta Víctima: https://books2read.com/u/bPPWvzLa Sexta Trampa: https://books2read.com/u/4796Gq 🌐 Learn More About the Author Author Website: https://jdbarker.com/ 📚 Explore More Books Duramen Publishing Bookstore: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-storeAuthor in the Headlights: https://www.youtube.com/@AuthorInTheHeadlights 📖 Books by Strider S.R. Klusman Stone: https://books2read.com/u/mvoe8VLuna: https://books2read.com/u/bPeLxRRecalled: https://books2read.com/u/3G0pqP 🔖 Hashtags #AuthorInTheHeadlights #JDBarker #ThrillerBooks #SuspenseThriller #AmReading #BookTube #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor #JamesPatterson #StephenKing #BramStoker #Dracul #WritersLife #BookLovers #Podcast

    14 min
  2. MAR 19

    Author in the Headlights – Dr. James R. Gregory | From Business Branding to Writing Novels

    Discover new books and meet the authors behind them.  In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we explore the journey from professional expertise to creative storytelling. Today we sit down with Dr. James R. Gregory, once a leader in business branding, now transitioned into writing novels. With his novel series, Small Fortunes, we discuss how his background in branding influenced his storytelling, what drew him into fiction, and how authors can think about both craft and audience. If you enjoy exploring new books, discovering authors, and learning about writing, this episode offers valuable insight into both worlds. Video Chapters 00:00 Author Interview – Dr. James R. Gregory00:38 From Business Branding to Writing Novels02:05 How Branding Influences Storytelling03:42 Why Transition into Fiction Writing05:10 Writing Process and Developing Ideas06:48 Business Thinking for Authors08:15 Marketing for Authors and Building an Audience09:42 Current Books and Projects11:05 Advice for Writers and Entrepreneurs12:18 What’s Next for Dr. Gregory13:05 Where to Find His Books and Work 📚 Books by Dr. James R. Gregory Small Fortunes: (3 book set): https://books2read.com/u/m0DjqA His newest thriller, Ghost Town: https://books2read.com/u/mdBp1OKiller App: https://books2read.com/u/bPPq7AZephyr’s War: https://books2read.com/u/m2wgdOStones in a Glass House: https://books2read.com/u/mYwjxx And, Powerhouse – The Secrets of Corporate Branding: https://books2read.com/u/mVEo0l 📚 Visit the Duramen Publishing Bookstorehttps://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store 🎙 And for more episodes of Author in the Headlightshttps://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights If you enjoy discovering new books, exploring authors, choosing your next read, and learning about books and authors, subscribe for weekly author interviews and new book discoveries. #ExploreNewBooks #DiscoverBooks #BooksAndAuthors #AuthorInterviews #NewBooks #WritingLife #MarketingForAuthors #BookDiscovery #AuthorsAndBooks #Authorinthe Headlights

    14 min
  3. MAR 11

    Author in the Headlights – Sandy Jacobsen | Discover New Mystery Books

    In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we sit down with mystery author Sandy Jacobsen to talk about her journey from a horse-riding Oregon girl to writing gripping mystery novels. If you enjoy exploring new books, discovering authors, and finding your next great read, this conversation dives into Sandy’s inspiration, writing process, and the stories behind her growing collection of mysteries. Sandy writes both series mysteries and standalone novels, giving readers plenty of ways to discover new characters and suspenseful stories. 00:00 Mystery Author Interview – Sandy Jacobsen 00:42 From Oregon Horse Rider to Mystery Writer 02:05 Why Authors Choose to Write Mystery Novels 03:28 The Choices Mystery Book Series 05:18 Writing a Mystery Book Series vs Stand-Alone Novels 07:04 Stand-Alone Mystery Book Recommendations 08:55 Writing Nonfiction – Dressage Basics 10:02 Advice for New Authors and Writers 11:18 What’s Next for Mystery Author Sandy Jacobsen 12:05 Discover Sandy Jacobsen's Mystery Books We discuss:• How Sandy’s life experiences shaped her path to becoming a mystery writer• The inspiration behind her Choices mystery series• Writing both series fiction and standalone novels• Insights into the world of books and authors• Advice for writers and readers interested in discovering new books If you love author interviews, new books, and discovering great mystery stories, this episode is for you. 📚 The Choices, Mystery Series: Smart Choices:https://books2read.com/u/4XpVNg Dangerous Choices:https://books2read.com/u/4DMpje Foreign Choices:https://books2read.com/u/b5yVJ1 Deceptive Choices:https://books2read.com/u/bz5MqG Conflicted Choices:https://books2read.com/u/mdB8wR 🔎 Other Mystery Novels Slumlord, Not a Millionaire:https://books2read.com/u/4Nz65G This is Who I Am:https://books2read.com/u/baeAL2 Who’s Guilty Now:https://books2read.com/u/meYE8g Never Alone Again:https://books2read.com/u/mYwd9G Turn Around & Don’t Blink:https://books2read.com/u/mKnoPy 📖 Non-Fiction Dressage Basics – For dressage riding know-how. 🌐 Learn more about Sandy Jacobsen:https://mysteries4u2read.com/ 📚 Visit the Duramen Publishing Bookstore:https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store 🎙 For more episodes of, Author in the Headlights:https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights If you enjoy exploring new books, discovering authors, choosing your next read, and learning about the world of books and authors, subscribe for weekly author interviews and new book discoveries. #ExploreNewBooks #DiscoverBooks #ChooseBooks #BooksAndAuthors #AuthorInterviews #NewBooks #DiscoverAuthors #MysteryBooks #BookDiscovery #MarketingForAuthors

    13 min
  4. MAR 6

    Author in the Headlights – Interview with Andrew Sweet (Chuck Sweet) Future History, Virtual Reality Wars, and Building Worlds One Story at a Time

    In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we welcome back science fiction author Andrew Sweet (Chuck Sweet). Known for writing future history, speculative fiction, and socially driven science fiction, Andrew explores how technology, culture, and human nature collide in tomorrow’s worlds. We discuss his major series—including Virtual Wars and Reality Gradient—along with his stand-alone novels, his approach to world-building as the story unfolds, and what he’s been working on since his last appearance on the show a couple of years ago. From virtual battlefields to evolving societies and philosophical questions about humanity’s future, Andrew’s work sits at the intersection of science fiction, social commentary, and immersive storytelling. If you enjoy thought-provoking sci-fi, future history, virtual reality themes, and speculative world-building, this conversation is for you. 📚 Andrew Sweet Books Virtual Wars Series Solitude and Retaliation:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/solitude-and-retaliation-paperback Evasion & Defiancehttps://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/d55grezqc1ra1smb8po08d8qme0p3t Inertia and Momentum:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/d55grezqc1ra1smb8po08d8qme0p3t-6wpcj Human Pride:https://books2read.com/u/mqdPRO Reality Gradient Series Models and Citizens:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/models-and-citizens-reality-gradient-book-1-ebook Bodhi Rising:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/bodhi-rising-reality-gradient-book-2-ebook Libera, Goddess of Worlds:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/libera-goddess-of-worlds-reality-gradient-trilogy-book-3-ebook Stand-Alone Novels Ordell:https://books2read.com/u/mvg8R8 Gemini:https://books2read.com/u/mdBevy Southern Highlands: Obi of Mars:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/southern-highlands-obi-of-mars-1 The Book of Joel:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/the-book-of-joel The Witch of the Isles:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/the-witch-of-the-isle Horror Novel (as Roman Hawthorne)Drift:https://www.andrewsweet.net/bookstore/p/drift 📖 Also Featured Strider S.R. Klusman’s newest novel, Recalled:https://books2read.com/u/3G0pqP 🌐 Learn More Andrew Sweethttps://www.andrewsweet.net Duramen Publishing Bookstorehttps://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store 🎙 About Author in the Headlights Author in the Headlights is a weekly podcast featuring conversations with novelists, memoirists, and storytellers about writing, publishing, and the craft of storytelling. Subscribe for more interviews with bestselling and emerging authors across every genre. #ScienceFiction #FutureHistory #SpeculativeFiction #VirtualReality #SciFiBooks #IndieAuthors #WorldBuilding #AndrewSweet #ChuckSweet #AuthorInterview #PodcastInterview #WritingCommunity #DuramenPublishing #AuthorInTheHeadlights #IndieSciFi

    13 min

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Helping readers to find their new books and writers to reach their audience