Featured Interview With Ian Johnson
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I’m currently writing from my parent’s house in Milwaukee, but I’ll be leaving for New York City in two weeks to begin work as an english language arts instructor for the fall semester. I do not have any of my own pets, but my mom has an absolutely adorable maltese.
I earned my bachor of arts degree in philosophy in 2023. I also studied political theory at Goethe University in 2022. I attended graduate school to study political philosophy and ethics at the University of Pardubice in the Czech Republic in 2023 and 2024, but I left the program before finishing.
I attended a German immersion school when I was in kindergarted and first grade. I still speak enough German to make small talk with natives. I also picked up French in 2022. My French is much better than my German.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My mother is a librarian, and I’ve always been highly interested in reading. I started writing short horror stories in middle school, after I discovered Stephen King.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I am heavily influenced by existentialist literature (Dostoevksy, Sartre, Camus, Cioran, Kafka, Richard Wright etc.). I really appreciate Plato’s dialogues as well. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is also one of my favorite books.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My debut novel, Notes from After Dusk, is an epistolary exploration of depression, sadness, and relationships. The novel also explores Liberalism, Existentialism, Marxism, phenomenological ontology, Hegelianism, and a myriad of other thought provoking themes.
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