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Jonathan Maberry
Photograph by Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, multiple Bram Stoker Award winner, and Marvel Comics writer. He’s the author of many novels, including Assassin’s Code, Dead of Night, Patient Zero, and Rot & Ruin. His... Read full bio

Author Revealed:
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. It has to be a Win-Win situation
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Jonathan Maberry Revealed
About Jonathan Maberry
  • What is your birthdate?:
    5/18
  • Previous occupations:
    Bodyguard, College Teacher, Women's Self-Defense Instructor, Jujutsu Sensei, Graphic Artist
  • Favorite job:
    Writing is my favorite job. My second favorite is teacher (I still teach 'Experimental Writing for Teens')
  • High school and/or college:
    I went to Frankford High in Philly and then Temple University
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    All-time favorite singer-songwriter is Tom Waits
  • Favorite movie:
    Even three-way tie between WIZARD OF OZ, ALIENS, and SINGING IN THE RAIN
  • Favorite television show:
    The original OUTER LIMITS
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. A wild ride through the literary landscape
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. It has to be a Win-Win situation
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. To keep writing for the rest of my life, and to share that life with my wife, Sara Jo.  (So...more of the same!)
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Wrecking the environment.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Floating on the Lazy River in Aruba. Ahhhhhhhhhh
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Charles Dickens --he wrote all kinds of stories and he loved his characters.
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. The Dalai Lama. I'm not a Buddhist, but here's a guy who does nothing but talk about peace, love and forgiveness.
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. Cool. I think it's cool to use the word 'cool', but I doubt other people think it's cool. You cool with that?
Q. What do you regret most?
A. I don't bother with regrets. They waste time. I'm a glass half-full (and the waiter's coming with a pitcher) sort of guy.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. I'd love to be able to play a musical instrument. I've tried, and I've been told to stop doing such horrible things to those poor, defenseless instruments.
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. Finding the love of my life (Sara Joe) and being a good dad to Sam.
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. I eat too much chocolate. Though...I'm not sure that's an actual flaw.
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. I won't get involved in any business deal or new venture that isn't a Win-Win for everyone.
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. An elephant. They're smart, big, loyal and they live a long time.
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. I can find something to laugh about in almost any situation. I love to laugh and to make other people laugh.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Severus Snape. He sacrificed everything to help the good guys win.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Doctor Doom (from Marvel Comics)
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. I'd love to sit down with William Shakespeare and talk about writing.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Rude behavior. No, there is NEVER an excuse for it.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. Traveling with my wife...often without a map or a plan...just letting the road unfold for us.
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. I'm in it. I write for a living. If there's a better job, I haven't heard of it.
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. A sense of fairness, moral courage, and intelligence.
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. Chocolate. (Is that a trick question?)
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. "Ghost of Tom Joad" by Bruce Springsteen, "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King, "Redemption Song" by Bob Marley, "Angel" by Sarah Mclachlan, and "American Pie" by Don McLean
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. James Lee Burke, J.R.R. Tolkien, Oscar J. Friend, H.G.Wells, Holly Black, John D. MacDonald, Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Stephen King, Kevin J. Anderson, Scott Westerfeld, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, Ed McBain, John Connolly, Michael Connelly, John Sandford, Lauri B. King, L.A. Banks, and a long, long, long list of others.
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury

I AM LEGEND by Richard Matheson

HOT MONEY by Dick Francis

PALE GRAY FOR GUILT by John D. MacDonald

'SALEM'S LOT by Stephen King
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. I read two books every year: I AM LEGEND b Richard Matheson and SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. If you love what you write, don't let anything stop you.
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. Why do you write about monsters? (I don't, I write about people who FIGHT monsters!)