An Interview with Frank Dukes Jr.

Frank Eugene Dukes Jr. is a storyteller shaped by resilience, faith, and the quiet courage of perseverance. Born with a congenital condition that required ongoing medical care, Frank’s early years were marked by frequent journeys between Garyville, Louisiana, and New Orleans – each Greyhound bus ride with his mother a testament to love, endurance, and hope.

At just six years old, Frank relocated with his mother and three sisters to Garyville, Louisiana, a move that began with his first airplane flight – a moment of wonder as he gazed out the window, wide-eyed and expectant. Life in Louisiana brought both challenges and formative memories, including a childhood accident that left a lasting impact on his health and perspective. While playing army drills on a stack of old tires, Frank fell and severely injured his nose – an event that would shape his journey in profound ways.

Through these experiences, Frank discovered the sacred strength of showing up, facing adversity with grace, and refusing to surrender. His story is one of transformation – not just of the body, but of the spirit. Today, he shares his life with the hope that others will find encouragement in their own trials and remember that healing often begins with the decision to keep going.

Frank’s memoir, The Life of Frank Eugene Dukes Jr., is a tribute to that journey – a reflection on legacy, endurance, and the power of never giving up.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I was inspired by the Lord to write this book. It’s more than a story – it’s a calling. In a world filled with lost souls, I believe we each carry the power to see one another, to offer understanding, and to remind someone that they’re not alone. This book is my way of saying: I see you. I’ve walked through pain, through healing, and through grace. And I want you to know – someone understands what you’re going through. You are not forgotten. You are not invisible. You are loved.

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

There was never a question about the title – The Life of Frank Eugene Dukes Jr. was the only name it could bear. This book is my lived experience, written from the depths of memory, faith, and resilience. I didn’t write it for recognition. I wrote it because I know what it feels like to carry a story in silence, to wonder if your voice matters.

I want people to know: you don’t have to be afraid to tell your story. Your truth is sacred. Your journey has value. And someone, somewhere, needs to hear it to believe they’re not alone.

If this book does anything, I hope it gives others the courage to speak, to heal, and to stand in the light of their own becoming.

Describe your dream book cover.

The book cover for The Life of Frank Eugene Dukes Jr. is bold, dramatic, and deeply symbolic. It features a powerful central figure – Frank himself – standing tall with large, black angel wings unfurled behind him. A glowing halo hovers above his head, suggesting divine protection, spiritual calling, or a sense of being chosen.

He’s dressed in dark, flowing clothing that adds to the intensity and mystique of the image. The background is moody and cloudy, evoking a sense of struggle, transformation, and the sacred weight of personal history. Feathers fall gently around him, hinting at both loss and grace.

The title appears at the top in strong, metallic lettering:

THE LIFE OF FRANK EUGENE DUKES JR.

And his name is repeated at the bottom, grounding the image in identity and legacy.

Altogether, the cover communicates themes of resilience, spiritual warfare, and redemption. It invites the viewer into a story that’s not just personal, but transcendent.

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

I read fantasy for comfort and relaxation. I write blogs to inspire and uplift people around the world. Visit frankeugenedukesauthor.com.

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

In the 1980s, I began my working life as a dishwasher in Louisiana, gaining firsthand experience in the value of hard work and perseverance. After relocating to California, I took on a variety of roles through temporary staffing agencies, embracing every opportunity to provide for my family and build a foundation for the future.

In 1991, I accepted a position with Diamond Walnut Growers during a period of labor unrest, crossing the picket line and earning the nickname ‘Baby Scab.’ Despite the challenges, I remained committed to the role and worked with the company for over a decade, from 1991 to 2003. That chapter of my life taught me the importance of endurance, adaptability, and standing firm in the face of adversity.

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

I’ve written poems from my early twenties. I’ve written a poem called “Destiny.” When I started getting sick and suffered from major depression, I started writing short poems or feelings down on paper. Later on in life, I learnt that my mother wanted to be a writer. Evella Mae Dukes – she became my inspiration.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I don’t have a favorite place to write. I write in the moment.

What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?

To excel in my English class back in high school.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

That the Lord is always with us. We just have to call on him. Always love yourself.

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