Today we’d like to introduce you to James Lewis.
Hi James, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been writing all my professional life, starting as a broadcast journalist in Washington, DC, three cities in Florida, and Stockholm, Sweden. I moved into the funds development field in public media, into station management, and then formed my own consulting company working in the not-for-profit sector. All this experience involved writing—fundraising copy, case statements for special gifts campaigns, articles in professional publications, and comprehensive client reports. I also wrote travel pieces for various publications, including the Washington Post.
After my retirement and move to Pittsburgh to be near my grandchildren, I turned to fiction, publishing my first novel in 2017 and producing one a year since then. I have also written short stories in the mystery genre. My tenth novel was published in the sumemr of 2025, and I am now working on my eleventh.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Although I’ve written news reports and other materials for years, I had to learn the special set of skills fiction requires. I don’t see this as a challenge. It’s been an interesting journey.
My first novel, “Sins of Omission,” was inspired by my experience as a young reporter in the South. A key incident centered on the confirmation process for a supreme court nominee. I had finished the novel and was trying to find an agent to present to publishing houses. As this tedious process unfolded, a parallel situation developed in real life. I feared this subplot would be seen as derivative, so I rushed the book into print by self-publishing it. This required learning marketing skills. Once I’d done so, I’ve never looked back.
Many local authors who were once traditionally published have adopted the independent route as the publishing industry has undergone an upheaval. I’m happy I selected this course, as it leaes me in control of my work, but it has presented a number of challenges. I am still learning.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In 1994, PBS recognized me as Fundraising Professional of the Year. Spurred by the nororiety I received within the system, I launched my own consulting practice with a partner. We quickly branched out from public media to other arts and cultural organizations, then to educational institutions and houses of worship. This work took me to all fifty states and communities large and small. The experience had contributed to several subplots and even forms the basis for a series of short stories on which I’m working. It also allows me to develop settings for my stories that accurately reflect the geographic and cultural aspects of these communities.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I spent a year working in the newsroom of Sveriges Radio, Sweden’s national broadcasting network. I conducted the last English language interview with outgoing Prime Minister Tage Erlander and the first with his successor, the late Olof Palme. I covered the iron workers strike in Kiruna, north of the Arctic Circle, and the first round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in Helsinki, Finland.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jameshlewis.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameshlewis_author/
- Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/JamesLewisAuthor/](https://www.facebook.com/JamesLewisAuthor/)
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pittjimlewis/
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/jameshlewis-author.bsky.social
