J.D. Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and THE FOURTH MONKEY.
His work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He is also a frequent collaborator with
James Patterson (their latest novel, THE WRITER, will be published on May 17, 2025).
J.D.’s books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his family.
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Episode Summary:
* JD Barker is a bestselling author, known for novels like “Dracul” and the 4MK Thriller series, and is collaborating with James Patterson.
* Barker’s journey to success was gradual, shaped by a childhood steeped in reading and writing without the distraction of TV.
* Despite a corporate career in finance, Barker pursued writing, working as a book doctor and ghostwriter, which greatly honed his craft.
* He indie published his first novel, “Forsaken,” which gained attention and led to a traditional publishing deal for his next book, “The Fourth Monkey.”
* Barker discusses the evolving publishing landscape and the advantages of hybrid publishing, including his own imprint deal with Simon & Schuster.
* He emphasizes the importance of understanding the business and marketing side of writing for success in the industry.
* Barker is involved in writing collaborations with other authors and values the creative synergy these partnerships bring.
* He highlights the significance of branding and maintaining control over the presentation of his work, even in contracts with co-authors.
* Barker’s experiences with film and TV adaptations have been varied, with several projects optioned but not yet produced.
* He advises aspiring writers to write consistently and understand the importance of marketing and brand building in achieving success.
JD Barker Interview Transcript
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This transcript was generated by AI and only lightly edited, so there may be errors or typos.
[00:00:00.000] – Alan PetersenHi, everybody. This is Alan Petersen with Meet the Thriller Author. And on the podcast today, I have JD Barker, who is a New York Times and international bests...
