We were lucky to catch up with JD Slajchert recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, JD thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you’ve thought about whether to sign with an agent or manager?

If you have love, belief, and support, then you have everything. Being an artist can be an incredibly vulnerable and intimidating career path, but there’s nothing like having your work seen and understood by professionals in your desired industry. I was lucky enough to find my literary agent, Alina Mitchell, about a year ago, and I couldn’t be happier to have someone stand in my corner. Her, along with everyone at The MacGregor & Luedeke Literary Agency, have strongly supported and fought for my work to be broadly seen and heard. Working with them is any writer’s dream. I’d also like to take a moment to acknowledge my manager, Matt Kniaz, as well as my, “Underground Manager” Neil Koenigsberg. Matt and Neil have just as strongly stood in my corner and believed in my work since the beginning. I feel so lucky to have them both and I can only hope I can continue to make each of them proud. It really is hard to lose when you get the chance to work with such extraordinary people.

JD, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

First off, it’s a pleasure to sit down with you for this interview. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and I truly appreciate your interest in my story. To get right to it, my name is JD Slajchert and I’m an American novelist, motivational speaker and philanthropist. My career really began with the publication of my first novel, MoonFlower, in 2018. Following the success of my debut project, I suddenly found myself being approached for speaking events, appearances and other exciting charitable and philanthropic opportunities. My life really hasn’t been the same since. To specifically discuss my message as a speaker, I most often aim to not only motivate, but also inspire individuals from all different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. I usually begin each talk by walking individuals through my story and the unlikely twists and turns I went through that eventually pushed me into becoming an author. I think what sets me apart is how candid I aim to be with my audience during my talks. I’m right there with you. I make it my goal for each individual to feel I’m speaking to them, not at them. I feel that’s crucial. And, truthfully, I’m most proud of the impact I’ve been able to make, especially in my community. It’s inspiring for me to speak to kids that are growing up in the same town I was raised in. It’s also quite meaningful to see those same kids holding and reading my different books too.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There’s a quote by Stephen King that reads, “Books are uniquely portable magic.” I know I’m a bit biased to that statement, but I completely agree with Mr. King on this with every fiber in me. Books have the power to change your life, and there have been plenty that have changed mine. But lately, I find myself thinking quite a lot about “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Ernest Hemingway. I would say that novel has significantly impacted my daily philosophy in how I attempt to see the magic in the everyday, mundane moments. That book helped me appreciate how lucky we are to live, to breathe, to cry and to laugh. I’m sure you can gather that I’m a pretty big Hemingway fan!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to preserve life. As a writer, I have the unique honor of spending my days telling stories—stories that will maybe outlive me and maybe even outlive you too. There is no greater privilege, in my opinion, than becoming immortalized, and I feel incredibly fortunate to try and find or create stories that I feel are worthy of becoming legendary in that sort of way. It’s the sweetest job in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jdwritesbooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jd_slajchert/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jd.slajchert
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/JD_Slajchert
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS918ww0iZr7j6i6tO7p6xQ
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/JD-Slajchert/author/B07HB5XX39?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Image Credits
Michael Ojo