Over your career, you’ve written like 200 books—but to lots of people you’re only known for a fraction of those. Out of all the categories you’ve written that aren’t thrillers, is there another category you’ve written that you wish more of your readers would check out?
I’ve written seven biblical novels—four based on the gospels, two on the life of Paul, and one on Joseph (earthly father of Jesus). Also, it might surprise some to know I’ve written more than twenty as-told-to autobiographies of athletes (Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Nolan Ryan, et al) and Christian luminaries (Bill Gaither, Billy Graham, Luis Palau, etc.).
Is there a genre or category you’ve never written, but still would like to one of these days?
Actually, no. I’ve written from Middle Grade through Adult, historical, biblical, contemporary, and futuristic fiction. Also nonfiction from biography to how-to and from documentary to marriage and family. I don’t write romance, sci-fi, or fantasy, but I appreciate those who do.
What are the best ways for readers to support their favorite authors?
Let me count the ways! Buy their books, read their books, recommend their books, review their books, show up at readings and signings.
But I appreciate this question, because you know what warms me most as an author? Hearing directly from readers: emails, texts, letters, comments on websites.
I’m sure this is true of my author colleagues as well. At heart we are artiste, and we love hearing from readers.
As a writing teacher, you’re shepherding a whole generation of authors. What do you hope your legacy will be? Do you prefer to be thought of as an author or as a teacher?
I would like to be known as obedient. I answered a teenage call to full-time Christian work and assumed it would mean I should abandon my writing to pursue training as a pastor or missionary. But a wise counselor told me that “God often equips us before He calls us,” and suggested my writing might be the vehicle I would use to follow my call.
As for teaching, I enjoy paying it forward, and I think it’s important that I’m not a teacher who “used to be a writer.” Rather, I’m a teacher who’s also a working writer.
Visit Jerry B. Jenkins’ author page:
https://www.familyfiction.com/authors/jerry-b-jenkins
Dead Sea Rising: A Novel
Dead Sea Chronicles #1
Jerry B. Jenkins
Worthy Publishing
Nicole Berman is an archaeologist on the brink of a world-changing discovery. During her first dig in Jordan, she believes she has found concrete evidence of a biblical patriarch that could change history books forever. But someone doesn’t want the truth revealed. While urgently trying to connect pieces of an ancient puzzle, a dangerous enemy is out to stop her…