An Interview with FREDDIE LEE JOHNSON III

THE ROCK: Who is Freddie Lee Johnson, III?
Freddie: I'm a Christian (flaws, warts, and all); I'm the proud father of two dynamite sons; I'm an American of African descent; I'm an American historian; I'm a college professor; and I'm a hardworking author.

THE ROCK: Where are you from and currently residing?
Freddie: I was an Air Force "brat" born in Nassawadox, Virginia, but raised mostly in the Washington, D.C. metro area - specifically, Prince George's County. It was the last of my father's duty stations. I'm currently living in western Michigan.

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Freddie: Not to my knowledge. But then, just because I don't know about any other family authors doesn't mean that someone isn't working on a manuscript.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Freddie: Life, desire, and determination! Ever since I can remember, I've always been chronicling events; taking notes; or writing poems and short stories to try and make more sense of the things I've seen, heard, or experienced. I love to write, and I have constantly challenged myself to excel in that activity. I love to read, and I believe that doing more of it helps to make me a better writer. I've also had much encouragement along the way from family, friends, and teachers… and a commitment to write in a way that will tell a good, captivating story that ultimately helps to build God's kingdom.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Freddie: I've always been interested in writing, and so, I've written. If anything, it was the Midwest Writers Conference sponsored by the Stark branch of Kent State University that got me to seriously pursuing writing professionally; not so much as in stoking my desire as in providing me the information for getting an agent, etc.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Freddie: My first book, Bittersweet, was written as a back reflection to the experience of divorce. I figured that there were, and always have been plenty of books that told the story of that grievous process from the woman's point of view, so I wanted to explore the issues from a male perspective; especially that of a Black male.
A Man Finds His Way, my second novel, was written to give readers a window again into the life Black men who are not just profoundly concerned with their families and communities, but boldly doing something to improve them.
My third novel, Other Men's Wives, is quite simply a tale of revenge and its futile risks.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Freddie: My newest work is entitled Confessions of a Christian Fugitive. It’s a memoir-like piece of one man's challenging journey along the highways of love, marriage, lust, betrayal, parenthood, and redemption, and how he "travels" from perceiving himself as king of his universe to acknowledging God as the universal king.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Freddie: My agent, Peter Miller of Peter Miller Literary and Film Management is at work on that issue.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Freddie: No, I have never self-published. I guess the reason I didn't self-publish was stubborness. I was simply determined to breach the wall of the formal corporate publishing community, and make my mark that way.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Freddie: From what I've seen, traditional publishers are looking for the big immediate splash. It's important to remember - ALWAYS - that publishing is a business and the competition is high and good. Thus, while it's important to write stories and books that will inform or entertain, the main thing is that they have to sell. Not all authors are going to be overnight successes. The publishers seem to have positioned themselves to market new authors conservatively; consequently, those authors have really got to get into the game and promote themselves. If they can generate enough buzz along with that created by the publisher and get some good numbers, everyone will have a good day.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche and why?
Freddie: I'd have a specific one, two, or three. For sure, I'd write for those readers who want a good, thrilling and tantalizing story where, at the end, bad, flawed people find redemption. I'd also like to explore historical fiction. As an American historian who struggles in the classroom to get students to see Blacks as major participants in our nation's history rather than being sideline spectators, I'd write novels to show and emphasize that point. And last, I want to keep on writing, from the male point of view, stories that delve into the complexities of relationship between men, women, and children… and the persistence needed to make our families work.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally?
Freddie: Having a traditional contract has proven beneficial for me. People tend to respond differently when learning that my books have been published by a major player like Ballantine/Random House. The people who discover this don't doubt that I can write, but having a major publisher backing the work adds further credibility. In academia, where so much of one's career involves survival through the written word, having the support of a major publisher has certainly been a help.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Freddie: I'll always be proud of having been an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Likewise, earning my Ph.D. from Kent State University meant a great deal, especially since I was working full-time through the whole process. In 2003, I was voted by the Hope College senior class to deliver the school's commencement address, and in 2005 the senior class elected me to receive the Hope Outstanding Professor Educator award. Those recognitions were extremely meaningful, since they came from the students who I try so hard to serve. My greatest personal joy comes from being a Christian and a father. I've been divorced for a while, so it's been hard, but the Christian part has helped me through… and my sons and I get along great.

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Freddie: Tom Clancy; Walter Mosley; Richard Wright; Ishmael Reed; Harry Homewood; Terry McMillan; James McPherson; Douglass Southall Freeman; John Hope Franklin; Ben Bova; Isaac Asimov, and so many more.

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in five years?
Freddie: Quite honestly, I'd like to be serving as a United States Senator, still teaching if there's time, and continuing to write. I'd like to influence our government to do more to help people in distress on the continent of Africa, really get serious about resolving America's education and homelessness crises, and continuing building American strength. A motto of mine has been that I have a long way to go and a short time to get there. I won't be found wasting time.

THE ROCK: Thank you Freddie Lee Johnson, III, and best wishes.
Freddie: You're welcome. It's been my pleasure.

Freddie: www.freddieleejohnsoniii.com or author@freddieleejohnsoniii.com

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