Featured Interview With Josiah Akhtab
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’ve been writing for over ten years and have completed fourteen works, publishing my first novella in 2017 and self-publishing my first novel in 2019. My hobbies include Martial Arts, Calisthenics, Hanging out with my girlfriend, writing poetry for my blog site, and posting content on social media.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and I’m currently living in Binghamton, NY. I’m planning on moving back to California as that is where my heart and soul are. I’m sorry to say I’m not a pet person but I do think cats are pretty cool and chill. Dogs? Well, I have some mixed feelings about.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
My fascination with writing started in high school advisory class where we were tasked with reading a book and writing a report about it. I stumbled upon Percy Jackson and The Olympians by Rick Riordan and from there my dream was born. The storytelling, world-building, the character development all enthralled and captivated me to the point I would read in my room, on the way to school, on the way home from school, etc.
I started writing immediately after I finished the whole series because it became my mission to do for others what that series had done for me which is inspire and chase after my dreams.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My top author would be Stephen King without a doubt. He has the most infectious style of writing I’ve ever seen and there was even a point where I realized I was beginning to sound like him in my own work, which forced me to stop reading so much of him for risk of being unoriginal.
Other authors that inspire me would be Leigh Bardugo, V.E. Schwab, Pierce Brown, Rick Riordan, and Tom Elliot
My favorite genre to read is Fantasy and Science Fiction of the dark variety along with horror. I will also read short stories and general fiction from time to time.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest novel, The Adventures of Fleeting Grace, is a work in progress set to come out Christmas this year, making it the perfect holiday gift for those looking for new reads. I started this novel just after college and have been on and off for a couple of years.
The summary, if you will: Fleeting Grace, a child of Moorish descent adopted by European parents, dies at the age of thirteen and becomes a tangible spirit accompanied by a magical cape. She is guided by the cape into the king’s castle across the river where she finds a library and picks up a book, a magical book. This book opens up a portal to another dimension where she embarks on a series of adventures and meets many people, sees many strange places, and gains powers beyond her wildest dreams.
From facing down Wind Gods to being part of a magic group that fights to save their dimension to taking down thousand year old kingdoms, Fleeting Grace becomes an experienced adventurer that goes where the universe takes her and takes the twists and turns and obstacles as they come while journeying through various realms of wonder.
This novel started out as an idea in college that wanted to stick around until I decided to write it. I think it was my second year when I finally decided to put pen to paper and start creating this expansive, massive, adventure filled novel which is The Adventures of Fleeting Grace.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles