Q: And there he kept her is your first published novel. What have you learned that you wish you knew previously about the publishing industry?
A: I didn’t realize how long it takes to bring a book to market. Next month I’ll be promoting the release of And There He Kept Her in paperback, prepping for the hardcover release for the second book, while writing the third book and brainstorming the fourth.
Q) A reoccurring theme in and there he kept is secrets, what inspired you to have this be a focus in your novel?
Secrets are uncomfortable truths. Exposing secrets serves as a catalyst in a story, causing characters to act and react. Trying to keep secrets or having one’s secrets revealed can drive characters to do desperate things or force them to change in unexpected ways. These are all required elements in a thriller. In And There He Kept Her, Emmett Burr has literally gotten away with murder and will do anything to keep others from finding out. Ben Packard, a sheriff’s deputy, is a gay man in a rural town who finds out the secrets he’s keeping aren’t that secret.
Q) Who inspired you to be an author, who do you read to pick up secrets of the craft?
I wanted to be a writer since I fell in love with books as a kid. I started reading Stephen King at a young age. He was the first person I recognized as an author and thought, I want to do what he does. I think there’s something to be learned about craft in every book you read.
Q) What has been the biggest moment that made you feel like a real author since publishing and there he kept her?
My book launch was attended by mostly friends and family. A day later I did an event with three other writers and sold out all my books to a room full of people I didn’t know. Signing a couple dozen books for a group of strangers made me feel like a real author for the first time.
Q) You have a day job in addition to your writing, how do you balance work and other parts of your life with having regular time to write?
If being a writer is important, you have to make it a priority. You have to carve out the time and do it regularly. In my case, having a supportive partner and no kids has definitely made things easier.
Q) Have you had any thoughts on what will be your next project?
And There He Kept Her is the start of a new series featuring Ben Packard. The second book, Where the Dead Sleep, will be out this summer. I’m writing the third book as we speak.
Q} if people want more info about you or your book where should they go?
My website is joshuamoehling.com. I have accounts across all of social media but I’m most active on Instragram @jmoehling.
Final four questions –we ask everybody
Q) When the zombies take over the world where will you be?
Taking a nap on the couch.
Q) What is your favorite Fandom
Star Wars
Q) What piece of art, be it in the form of music, a book, a film or picture, do you think people must experience before they die?
Art is so subjective. Finding the art that speaks to you should be a life goal. I’ve always liked Van Gogh. There’s a Van Gogh painting of olive trees in our local museum that I’ve looked at a thousand times. I’ve been to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. A few years ago we were in New York at the MoMA and I turned a corner and came face to face with “Starry Night”. I didn’t know it was there and the surprise brought tears to my eyes. I wish everyone an experience like that.
Q) Give one fact that most people would not believe about you?
I have ridden my bike across the entire state of Iowa—more than once.