An Interview with Judy James

I am retired from the U.S. Air Force. Following retirement, I taught for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at their satellite campuses in Charleston SC, and Jacksonville FL. I also volunteered with literacy programs, teaching and tutoring adult reading and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

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

I titled Echoes to continue the theme from my first book, Whispers. When I began writing poetry, inspiration started coming to me in what I referred to as quiet whispers. Over the years, words and phrases began getting louder and more repetitive until I put pen to paper, thus the title of the current book.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

It’s always a great feeling to see what has been in your head become something you can hold in your hands. When I published my first book, I wanted the cover to represent what a whisper would look like if it could be seen. I used a picture that a friend took at the Grand Canyon which I believe does just that. I had the same thought when I published Echoes – what would an echo look like? – and Ronaldo Alves brought that image to life beautifully.

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

I always enjoyed writing, but mostly professional writing for work/school. My favorite writing was research papers in graduate school – sounds nerdy, right?? When I retired, I joined an adult learning program at a local university where, after much persuading from a friend, I attended a creative writing workshop with her. I had never read much poetry, and wouldn’t you know it, the first thing we had to do was write a poem from a list of unrelated words in about fifteen minutes. When time was up, I read my words and was pretty amazed at what I had written – and I’ve been writing ever since.

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

I am a Reiki Master, an avid yogi, meditator, and walker. I live in a beautiful, small village in Ohio that is full of artists of all kinds, the perfect place for writing poetry.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

To me, the most meaningful part of publishing is seeing the reaction on my friends’ faces when, after hearing me talk about the book, and reading my poems either on paper or online, they get to hold the book for the first time, it’s priceless.

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

Anything that sounds mystical. As a matter of fact, a couple of my poems have been sung on the spur of the moment at a festival by a young singer – quite a moving experience, and I have read a couple while a friend accompanied me on her cello, another beautiful moment.

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

My book delves deeply into the mystical and esoteric. Most of the poems are inspired by my own spiritual journey, and my hope is that others will find a sense of peace, and a new way of looking at life, especially nature, and themselves.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I am not a formally trained artist, but I do enjoy dabbling in all forms of art – making jewelry, painting, and mixed media, all for fun.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

My experience with Atmosphere Press was excellent. I appreciated their knowledge and patience throughout the entire process. Everyone I worked with had my best interest in mind and was very helpful. I would highly recommend Atmosphere to anyone thinking about publishing.

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