The Indie author world isn’t for everyone. It involves writing for hours (and hours) alone, reaching out to beta readers for feedback on your WIP, formatting the eBook, and tirelessly promoting it online once it’s published. All with little to no budget, usually. And one such author and blogger who continues to publish seemingly book upon book and, in turn, inspires me is James J. Cudney. If you haven’t heard of James J. Cudney books or read his blog yet, you’re in for a treat today.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission through any purchase made through the links below.
While I normally focus on women, why not look at who inspires this gal, me? So that’s what I’m doing today.
When someone inspires me
Let’s face it, inspiration doesn’t come from just anywhere or even daily. And exactly what makes a person inspiring to someone is a personal thing; it’s subjective.
But while the definition of “inspiring” may vary from you to me, one thing I know is that when someone influences me in a positive way, they deserve mention. Because the chances are good that they’re also sparking the spirit of other people too.
And that’s why I’m here today to celebrate the rising career of Indie author James J. Cudney, who is also known as Jay.
A career change from tech to blogger and author
Jay worked in the tech and business field of the sports, media, and entertainment industries for more than a decade. But in 2016 he made a big career change – to go after his dream of being a writer.
Soon after that, I connected with him. I wish I could recall exactly how I came across his blog This Is My Truth Now. I still remember when he released his first book Watching Glass Shatter and I snatched up a copy. This was the beginning of James J. Cudney books in my life!
Oh how I marveled at him for blogging daily while also working on his manuscript too. I later found out that he kept up both an author website and personal blog.
Yes, now you see a big inspiration for my daily blogging: James J. Cudney. I was in awe of how often he blogged and all of the comments he received on his posts.
Seeing how often he published posts and the quality of each one made me think, “I wonder if I could do that too?” And so I started to try doing that. While not every week was it possible, I did my best. And I’m still of that frame of mind.
After all, there are so many great messages to share with the world and blogs are a terrific way to get messages out there!
More achievements: James J. Cudney books
Since Watching Glass Shatter released in 2017, just a year after he transitioned to full-time author and blogger, Jay/James has published several books. In 2018, he launched Father Figure and two more books that same year!
Those last two books were the first two in the series Braxton Campus Mysteries. He has now published four books in this mysteries series and the fifth one, titled Haunted House Ghost, will release this October!
That’s great timing for the book launch with Halloween happening the same month and all the spookiness that comes with it. I’m hiding under the blankets just thinking about it ;)
And he’s reaching a growing audience with the marketing help of Digital Reads Blog Tours.
James J. Cudney books: About Haunted House Ghost
Want to find out more about the newest read from James J. Cudney? Here’s the book blurb:
It’s Halloween, and excitement is brewing in Braxton to carve jack-o’-lanterns, go on haunted hayrides, and race through the spooky corn maze at the Fall Festival. Despite a former occupant’s fervent warnings, Kellan renovates and moves into a mysterious old house. When a ruthless ghost promises retribution, our fearless professor turns to the eccentric town historian and an eerie psychic known for her explosive predictions, to communicate with the apparition.
Construction workers discover a fifty-year-old skeleton after breaking ground on the new Memorial Library wing. Could it be Prudence, Judge Hiram Grey’s first wife, who disappeared during a fiery Vietnam War protest that destroyed parts of the campus? While Kellan and April dance around the chemistry sparking between them, a suspicious accident at the Fall Festival leaves Hiram in a coma and another dead body to investigate. Kellan’s research digs up a tale of horror and pain about the true history and dastardly connections of the Grey family, forcing April to accelerate her plan to capture the elusive killer and placate the revenge-seeking ghost.
Haunted House Ghost is the fifth book in the Braxton Campus Mysteries series. You can order it now via this special link. I know I’ll be getting my copy to support this talented Indie author, how about you?
Beautiful post, Christy! Can’t wait to check out his work. xoxo from Montreal
Yes, I hope you like his books too!
A lovely post about Jay and his writing, Christy. He inspires me too. I have read three of his books to day and I would recommend them all but Father Figure really stands out for me as a truly great book.
That’s great to hear he has another fan in you, Robbie xx
Fantastic post! I have been following James’s blog for quite a while. I need to pick up one of his books, stat!
They’re great reads, Laura Beth :) Happy weekend!
Thank you! Happy weekend to you, as well!
Laura,
Thank you very much. That’s very kind and generous of you. :)
J
Or Laura Beth (I typed too quickly)
I appreciate your correction. I type too fast all the time. I do go by Laura Beth :) thanks!
Thank you for sharing James inspiring story of why we should follow our dreams and give our best effort to make our dreams come true! I understand why and how he inspires you!
Thanks Syl for always knowing what to say :) YOU inspire with your poetry!
Awww, thank you, Christy 😊 I do my best, my inspiring sister 😀
:D
🤚🏽😀
You are very kind. :)
Your story is very encouraging! 😊
Inspiring post on a definitely inspiring author!
He deserves the spotlight for sure!
Thanks, Rae! I think I’ve messaged you several times already today. Ha! It must be Rae Day.
Christy,
I am beyond grateful for and touched by this post. You are an incredibly busy woman, yet you found time to highlight me and my work today. You also shared and linked so much about me, our blog journey over the last 2 1/2 years, and the inspiration behind it all.
I’m lucky to know you. You are equally inspiring, which is evident by the beautiful leap your website and blogging platform has taken throughout the years. Your accomplishments are admirable, and people are definite in awe of you and your work. I know I am.
My journey has been wonderful. I am focused and dedicated, and I rarely let myself fall off schedule or get sidetracked by things that can easily get in the way. I’m sure I suffer in other parts of my life (I don’t go out anymore! LOL) but life is a balance, and as long as we keep that up, things should stay on the bright side.
Huge thanks to you for this wonderful post that I’ll continue to share for months.
xoxo
j
Jay, your comment back to me is so generous and I thank you for it! Your focus and determination is admirable. You will go far as hard work and persistance is really what can take you to the stars and beyond! Wishing you all the best, always.
Omg omg I got a shout out… So inspiring a post this was. I agree, Jay is all this and more. He is truly a person who works hard. I have got to learn time management from him and his analytical brain…
Jay you are going to read this… I can’t get your brain, my marbles are too scrambled. You have one of them… Or some of them 😂😂
Christy, you are an inspiring blogger, I am following you now and each post is varied and makes me be in complete awe of your hard work.
Fabulous post.
As said before, Jay is lucky to have friends like you and goodwill in the world over.
And yes…. I have to learn diplomacy from Jay..
My last comment of the day. Bonne nuit
Shalini, your comment is a pleasure to see and you’re so funny! It sounds like we are both in awe of this author who never seems to tire and is driven by the written word to go and go and… Thank you too for following here and for the support! It’s by helping one another that the world can truly become an even more beautiful place xx
Aww… I am reading it. I read the post a few hours ago on my phone, but I don’t usually respond (in length) until I’m back on my laptop. Now, I am, and I got to see your response too. This was the highlight of my day… and I am also 99% done with editing / proofreading as of today, so that’s saying a lot to Christy. :)
xoxo