The Art of Suspense: Writing, Autism, and the Business of Storytelling with J.D. Barker | Ep 21 Live Free Ride Free
Bestselling author J.D. Barker joins Rupert Isaacson for an in-depth discussion about his journey from ghostwriting and book doctoring to becoming a globally recognized thriller writer. With endorsements from Stephen King and collaborations with James Patterson, Barker shares his insights into writing gripping fiction, navigating the publishing world, and his experience as an autistic author. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring writers, thriller lovers, and anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes workings of the literary world.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- From Books as a Safe Haven to a Writing Career (Starts at [00:03:00]) – Barker recounts his early fascination with books and how reading became his refuge as an autistic child.
- The Journey from Ghostwriting to Bestselling Author (Starts at [00:10:00]) – How working behind the scenes on bestselling books shaped Barker’s approach to storytelling and publishing.
- Stephen King’s Endorsement and Breaking Into Horror (Starts at [00:25:00]) – The incredible story of how Barker got permission to use a Stephen King character and the impact it had on launching his career.
- The Business of Writing: Indie vs. Traditional Publishing (Starts at [00:45:00]) – Barker discusses his experiences with both self-publishing and working with major publishing houses, including the pros and cons of each path.
- Co-Authoring with James Patterson (Starts at [01:10:00]) – What it’s like to work with one of the biggest names in publishing and how collaborations shape his writing process.
- How Autism Influences His Writing and Career (Starts at [01:25:00]) – Barker shares how being on the autism spectrum has impacted his storytelling, social interactions, and approach to problem-solving.
- Building a Publishing Empire (Starts at [01:35:00]) – From writing to founding a book marketing company, Barker reveals his strategies for navigating the ever-changing publishing landscape.
- Advice for Aspiring Authors (Starts at [01:45:00]) – Practical tips on breaking into the industry, securing an agent, and making a living as a writer.
Memorable Moments from the Episode:
- Barker’s unexpected autism diagnosis in his 20s and how it changed his perspective on life and writing ([00:04:00]).
- The wild story of how he attempted to visit Stephen King’s house and ended up getting a personal email from the horror master himself ([00:22:00]).
- A deep dive into Hollywood’s adaptation process and why so many books get optioned but never made into films ([00:29:00]).
- The surprising impact of TikTok on book sales and how Barker leveraged social media influencers to boost his titles ([00:40:00]).
Books, Films, Causes & Contact:
Books by J.D. Barker:
- Forsaken: https://amzn.to/4jQxD4t
- The Fourth Monkey: https://amzn.to/3EzFfZ5
- Dracul (with Dacre Stoker): https://amzn.to/4jQ3d2n
- She Has a Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be: https://amzn.to/3EzAwqk
- We Don’t Talk About Emma (New Release!): https://amzn.to/3CUPcQ7
- The Writer (with James Patterson): https://amzn.to/3CA35TZ
- Something I Keep Upstairs (Upcoming Release - May 2025): https://amzn.to/3CUP579
Find J.D. Barker Online:
🌐 Website: https://jdbarker.com
📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealjdbarker
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdbarker_author/
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jdbarker_author
🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jdbarker
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🌐 Website: https://rupertisaacson.com
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Links to books and products may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. This does not affect the price you pay and helps support the podcast.
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Photo Credit: Ruth Ganev
