The Trilogy Universe

AUTHOR Q & A

Please reach Jon on the "make contact" page if you cannot find an answer to your question.

How long are Alpine Tide and Rogue Watcher?

Alpine Tide has approximately 370 pages. (Audible version is just over 11 hours)

Rogue Watcher has approximately 340 pages. (Audible version in process, but expected to be 10 hours)

What is the genre of the book?

The Second Moon Trilogy is classified as Young Adult Science Fiction, but I have readers from age 12 to age 82 that have enjoyed the books as it written for a mass audience.

Why do your books have no swearing or other objectionable content?

I wanted my books to be a "clean read" that families can read together. Growing up I felt like a lot of books I wanted to read had content that I wasn't comfortable with. I wanted to make something that I wouldn't worry if my own teenage kids read it. Some great books have so much swearing or profanity that really doesn't add to the story and I think the magic of books is people can imagine what they want, so why force content on them.

Who is the target audience for the book?

Almost anyone can read the books as long as they have a middle school reading ability. I just got a picture from someone in their eighties that just started the second book, Rogue Watcher after enjoying Alpine Tide. I've also had some young pre-teens who have read Alpine Tide and are now acting out and discussing things about the "Second Moon Trilogy" universe.

Where did you get the idea for the Second Moon Trilogy?

I had a dream one night about a group of survivors in the mountains trying to avoid ocean waves. When I started writing the novel, I wasn't sure where I was going to take it, but I knew it would start with a group of survivors in a high altitude cataclysmic situation.

Do you know how the trilogy ends?

Maybe. Maybe not. Most of the book was written real time with out an outline or a knowledge of what was going to happen next, which is very exciting for me as an author. I was writing almost like I was reading it, wondering what was going to happen next. I have an idea of how the final installment will go, but as of the release of Rogue Watcher, I'm still writing it, so anything is possible.

Have you written anything else other than the Second Moon Trilogy?

Alpine Tide was my first full novel. I have written several short stories and other articles, including music lyrics, poetry and humor pieces. I wrote for my newspaper in college as a reporter. My undergraduate degree was in communications, which required a lot of writing. I took a creative writing class in college that I really enjoyed and at that time I knew someday I wanted to write a novel. Fun fact: A couple other authors you may have heard of graduated from the department of communications at Brigham Young University: Stephanie Meyer and Brandon Mull.

Do you plan on writing other books after the Second Moon Trilogy?

Yes

What is your favorite food?

Depends on the day. Hamburgers, pasta, barbecue and good taco salad probably top the list.

How did you come up with character names in your books?

Some names are random, others are triggered by someone I know, but none are meant to represent any actual people. The most obvious is my actual spouse is named Miriam. I don't know why, but the main character of the trilogy was loosely based on her. She is super smart and very beautiful.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I still work a full-time business job. When I'm not working, I love hiking, running, spending time with my family, serving in my church, watching sports, listening to music, traveling, etc.

Do you ever do book signings?

I have attended some book clubs where my book has been featured. Use the "make contact" link to inquire about a book signing or book club appearance.

Who is your favorite author? Where do you get inspiration?

I don't have one favorite author, but I have enjoyed several fantasy and science fiction series. Some of my favorites that have inspired me are Dan Brown, Suzanne Collins, James Dashner, and of course J.R.R. Tolkien.