An Interview with Braxton Cosby

Braxton Cosby is the CEO of Starchild Comics and Cosby Media Productions Inc., a hybrid company that serves to tell stories in both novels and comic books. They have published over twelve comic books that have tie-ins with different stories from novels from their stable of authors. Braxton has a rotten over twenty novels and four comics himself that have contributed to the mixed format of storytelling. Braxton’s works have garnered him awards for Readers’ Favorite, Literary Titan, Litpick Teen Award, CLC Book Awards, Best Book Fall Awards, and American Legacy Awards.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

There are a lot of great dystopian stories out there that have been told, along with zombie tales. But with BROKEN, I really wanted to see if I could merge the two. A world or society that has totally diminished the value of money and strictly relies on the resources of the land to continue to survive. I also really wanted to touch on the idea of slavery, making it less about ethnicity and more about a class-based system. How would people respond to a post-apocalyptic world following all-out nuclear war was the question that I had. And I really wanted to center the story around a young teenage girl, who was patterned after and mixed emotions mindset of my three daughters and really push her to the limit of survival, in both her physical and mental health. Along with that, she has to still play the role of a surrogate parent to her brother and consider herself less.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Actually, the title speaks for itself. I thought that people and society all have things that make them broken. We are tethered to the severity of our own flaws that are created by both our environment and our heredity, and there’s constantly a tug of war to pull away and to become a better version of ourselves. In that, we have to be willing to break free of some of the chains of our mind and become someone that we maybe initially didn’t aspire to be. That new person that has risen from the ashes, willing to sacrifice almost everything to not only bring healing to themselves but also the world around them, should be our overarching goal.

Describe your dream book cover.

I feel like I’ve gotten that already in most of my books. I work closely with a graphic artist who brings out the most amazing details of the covers I envision for my writings. The same person worked on INFINITY 7, BROKEN, and STEEL REIGN. I couldn’t imagine creating anything more impressive than what I have already.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

Anything Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, John Mayer, Lenny Kravitz, or Lauryn Hill that speaks to oppression, overcoming, and the drive and desire to succeed. Self-awareness and world knowledge are key components to whole purposeful being.

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

Honestly, I’m actually reading through a lot of the new books and stories that we have from our current stable of authors. I’m really excited for a lot of the new fantasy and science fiction stories will be bringing out to you in early 2025, especially those that are censored around manga, art, and storytelling.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I work as a physical therapist by day, in the school system where I assist teachers and families with accomplishing mobility goals for students with special needs.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I was inspired to write one day as I was in church. The pastor was preaching on purpose, and he felt as though God was telling him that there were people there that day that God wanted to call to a higher purpose. I started thinking immediately, some of the things that I was doing and what I might Believe God was telling me to do. And at that moment, I heard a voice in my head say, write a book. I couldn’t believe it, because it was something that was very unexpected, but I decided to put in the research to figure out what it takes to write a book, and I created my first outline and draft based on things that I really loved about storytelling. And before you know it, after five months, Protostar was written.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Anywhere there is free-flowing water, big city lights, or tranquil nature.

Do you have any writing rituals?

I usually have one of my favorite audiobooks playing lightly in the background for writing inspiration.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

The value of remaining hopeful, despite dire circumstances. The main character of the story (Keesa) is twisted, bent, and fractured, but in the end, she remains unbroken.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.