As Above, So Beneath: An Interview with Joshua D. Taylor
Updated: Sep 28, 2020
Joshua D Taylor is an author from Southeastern Pennsylvania who never stopped playing make-believe. He enjoys gardening, comic books, ska-punk music, Disney World, and traveling with his wife. Raised during weirdness that was the late 20th century Josh’s eclectic interests produce eclectic works. He loves to mix-n-match things from different genres and story elements to achieve a madcap hodgepodge of the truly unexpected.
I last spoke with Joshua in April of 2019. Back then he had big plans for the future as a fresh-off-the-press author. Although 2020 has become an insane inconsistency, and life has turned upside for most of us, Joshua has been working hard to bring his dreams to fruition.
His novelette As Above, So Beneath has been picked up by Black Hare Press and will be released on September 15, 2020. You want it, you need it, get it as soon as it launches! My complete stamp of approval! I don't think Joshua has written anything I didn't like, and we've worked together multiple times and been book buddies in a few anthologies. His style and author's voice are unique, and his imagination seems endless. I look forward to many more of his writings. Link for As Above, So Beneath: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GPBD978
Tell me what's new since last we spoke.
So when we talked last time I was just publishing my very first short story and I was super excited to become a published author. Since then I’ve been fortunate enough to be included in a number of different anthologies and now I have this solo novelette coming out! Hopefully, I’ve become a better writer, but I still haven’t settled on a genre. haha.
As Above, So Beneath. I am so excited about this, for you and for people to read it. When did you decide to do this?
It was originally a submission to an ocean-themed cosmic horror anthology that was open early in the year. It got declined but then the publisher contacted me and said they wanted to release it as a solo publication.
Do you have a favorite part in this book?
Well, the main character spends most of the book alone so I really enjoy that part where he’s talking with a friend. It allows you to do get an idea who he is and does some world building as well.
Also, the twist at the end, but it brings everything together.
There are lots of little bits that I really love, like the strange future food, or naming random things after stuff from Lovecraft and Poe. There are lots of little easter eggs like that(or at least half a dozen).
This is something I would love to see become a short film, even if it's independently done. Have you considered that?
I am now! I had not thought of that before, but I grew up watching a lot of tv and movies, so I think I tend to write in a format that would fit that media. It definitely has an Outer Limits vibe to it.
It has an old school thrill and chills to it, did anything from those days inspire it?
Not specifically, but we probably have many of the same influences.
What are you working on now?
A bunch of stuff!
Still doing different submissions that pique my interest.
I’ve been trying to write some longer pieces without a lot of luck finishing them. I was working on a Weird piece about a love triangle that has slowly turned into a story reality being a simulation. I got stuck halfway through. Hopefully, I’ll get unstuck and finish it at some point. I know how it ends, I just don’t know what the ending means.
I’m working on expanding a wild reinterpretation of Snow White I wrote previously. I may try to get that published as a novella at some point.
I’m part of a couple of invite-only projects right now that are top secret!
And I have a crazy idea to publish a reprint of Dracula with only gender-neutral pronouns. That one seems like a stretch though. If anyone is interested in this message me!
Do you think you will do another novelette in the near future?
I would definitely like to though I don’t have any specific plans. If I finish some of the things I mentioned above I’ll try to get those published. I wasn’t planning for this novelette either though, it just sorta fell into my lap, so who knows! If anyone made me an offer I would definitely be interested.
How long did it take to finish this book?
I honestly don’t remember. A few weeks of writing? I had a pretty good idea of where I wanted the story to go so I think I pushed through writing it without too many starts and stops. It’s always the editing that takes me forever.
Is there anything you edited out that you wish you hadn't?
No, I don’t think so. I don’t really edit much out, though I probably should. I really wish I had included a pet or animal companion for the main character. He’s alone so much of the story it would have been nice for him to have something to interact with.
Did you design the cover?
Nope, the publisher took care of that. I was shown it after it was done. Luckily it looks amazing!