We were lucky to catch up with Justin Leslie recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Justin, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a story about a time you failed?

I always like to think I started my journey as a professional writer with several lessons learned, or as they are rightfully called failures. As a master’s degree toting author, there was a time when I started that I assumed I could do no wrong with my grammar. Five editors, dozens of poor reviews, and well over $7K later, I had experienced my first true failure. While I was selling books, I was losing the initial audience that I had worked hard to reach.
Of course, as with most lessons, there was a silver lining here. I was initially simply looking for someone to magically fix what I had written. When you are writing ninety thousand word novels, things like spelling and proper sentence structure can take a sideline.
I had fallen into the old I know better trap. On several occasions, other authors I know stated that a good editor is worth their weight in gold. This one learned truth ended up steering the rest of my choices throughout my writing career and also taught me an invaluable lesson.
In the writing industry, where self-publication is quickly becoming the standard, finding true partnerships with vendors and supportive networks such as cover designers, editors, and audiobook narrators is a must.
The old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ is the exact advice I give to newer authors seeking guidance.

Justin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As an author, I like to tell tales. I often tell people you can believe as much as you think I’m willing to tell when it comes to my story. I call Northeast Florida home these days, having moved here in 2000 and haven’t looked back from my days growing up in Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. To date, I have written twelve books and produced ten best-selling audiobooks. The one and only Luke Daniels performs the Max Abaddon Series.
The two main series I currently write are the Max Abaddon Series, Urban Fantasy stuff, and The Sinking Man Series, Zombie stuff. I’m not counting the space opera I have half-written sitting in a dusty computer folder.
A long and surprising path led me to become an author. I joined the army at eighteen and was able to retire after several long years. The odd thing about traveling around the world and having time to do things like read was I found myself devouring entire series. P
Plus, I needed the escape.
Before long, I had ripped through most of the major series in the Urban Fantasy genre (think Harry Potter for grown ups). Authors such as Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and Kevin Hearne, to name a few. What eventually became clear was I had somehow become somewhat of an expert in the UF Genre. I eventually started branching out to the indie titles and quickly learned that people were out in the world self-publishing books.
Needless to say, after a night of rather questionable cheap whiskey and some time in my office behind the computer, I had typed out the first chapter in what would become the Max Abaddon Series. There was of course, a motivation in me doing so.
One thing I have strived for as a successful author is to not fall into the typical indie, or traditionally published cooker cutter, cut and paste novel. This was the trap I was, and am noticing getting set more frequently for readers. Most of the authors I associate myself with are bucking the system and putting out some of the freshest new material out there for the genres I write in.
With both my current series, I have strived to bring something fresh to both the genres I write in. The Sinking Man Series is a different point of view on how to approach the zombie apocalypse. Ever wonder what it would be like to actually be prepared? I have plans for the series to get picked up for TV in the near future. Jarrett Lemaster, the actor, performs that series and is amazing! I recommend keeping an eye out for his work.
The Max Abaddon Series follows Max on his journey as the magical world comes out to the rest of society. He also likes to get into trouble.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One major takeaway from becoming a successful author is just how helpful and cool other authors are. Not only do you have similar tastes, but in most cases, similar goals. I have made friends that I will stay in contact and support for years to come. When I first started my journey, I did the typical ‘I’m a google expert’ type of research. Hours of Youtube and everything in between. Then one day, instead of reading how-to’s online, I went to my favorite author’s webpages and started reading their bios. At the end of it, I simply hit the contact button, not thinking I would hear back when I suddenly got flooded with responses from some of my favorite authors eager to answer my questions. This knowledge set me on the right path. It’s odd being the one that gets these emails now.
From there, I ended up getting through my first novel to again be linked up with a great author when I started my audiobook journey. Something I think will continue to grow. Hunter Blain, author of the Preternatural Chronicles (the most unique new vampire series out) really went out of his way to help me here.
With that all said, I used to tell my soldiers when I was a light Infantry commander a very simple bit of advice. “Get a mentor, even if they don’t fit the mold or are like you. Find someone who’s work and drive you respect.”

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Seeing people truly find an escape in the books. Reading reviews from people all over the world that have found the stories I have created makes the effort worth it. For clarification, I also enjoy reading the really bad reviews on video blogs for fans of the series. These are followed by my colorful commentary.
I believe the rest of it is obvious…..

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinleslie.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MaxAbaddonbooks
• Other: www.amazon.com/author/justinleslie