Featured Interview With Robert J. Emery (pen name R.J. Eastwood)
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Mr. Emery’s career as a Producer, Director, and Writer of motion pictures and television productions spans four decades. At a very early age, he began writing short stories and shared them with one of his teachers, who encouraged him to keep writing. His work in motion pictures and television eventually led him to begin writing books, both fiction and non-fiction, for which he has received many book awards, among them, Pen America, Author’s Circle, Book Excellence, Book Talk Radio, Readers Favorite, Literary Titan, International Review of Books.
His newest novel, “MEGASTAR,” is his 9th publication.
Mr. Emery’s film career began with writing and directing regional and national TV commercials, live local television, corporate films, network documentaries, and motion pictures. His award-winning productions include “Swimming Upstream” (feature film), “For God and Country: A Marine Snipers Story” (MSNBC), “The Directors” (91 episodes Starz/Encore), “The Genocide Factor” (4-hour mini-series PBS)
Mr. Emery was born and raised in Bristol, Rhode Island. He currently resides with his wife in Florida. When not writing or working on a project around the house, Mr. Emery can be found in the kitchen creating great Italian meals thanks to the teachings of his Italian mother and to the delight of his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
Early in my teens I began writing short stories usually no longer than a single hand-written page. I have no idea why, I just enjoyed writing short stories. I had teacher who would read and critique my stories. She said I had a naturnal talent and that I schoud pursue writing. After my 4 years in the Air Force, I had made up my mind that I wanted to be in the film business. I of no training in that field other my time with Armed Forces Radio. I would have to teach myself, soI began by directing TV commercials for the local station. I began writing screenplays and was very lucky to get my first one financed by local investors. The rest as they say, is history. I was very lucky to spend 4-decades as a Producer, Writer and Director in the motion picture and TV industry as a member of the Directors Guild of America. When I retired from active production, I turned to writing books, something I always wanted to do but never had the time for. I have been published 9 times, three of my books are novels, the rest nonfiction. I am a member of the Writers Guild. My current novel is MEGASTAR, which I spent some 20 months writing and working with my editor before my publisher released it on May 1, 2024. Of the books I’ve written, both fiction and nonfiction, MEGASTAR was the most joy of all of my books because of the unique story and characters I created. It has been very well reviewed.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
It is hard to say who my favorite author is because there are many. I read both fiction and nonfiction and enjoy all genres as long as they are well written. I follow the rule that a well-written book captures a reader with a strong first page and first chapter. I strive for that in my writing. What keeps the reader turning pages? That’s the first question every author should ask. As for inspiration, my wife is the first person to read whatever I am working on. She is an avid reader herself, so I trust her to be honest with me. Trust me, she can be brutal, which is why I trust her instincts.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
MEGASTAR came about when I thought it would be great to tell a story about one man’s life from his birth to his death. I finally settled on the idea of a young man – Addison Jordon Stone – who just turned 19. He has an incredible and unique singing voice and sings in the local church choir. People jamb the church on Sunday’s just to hear Addison sing. Through a series of circumstances, he is discovered by a New York talent agent who gets Addison a spot on the international broadcast of Sing America Sing. To his surprise, he wins and his star rises quickly. But because of a traumatic childhood, his demons come back to haunt him, and he is ill prepared for the fan adulation, the demans of stardom, and he is involved in complicated love interest. If I say anymore, I will ruin it for readers, so I will leave it there.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Robert J. Emery (pen name R.J. Eastwood)’s Website