Meet JD Estrada: Puerto Rican Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with JD Estrada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JD, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think that any and every bit of success I have comes from me being true to who I am and my creative vision. What you get in a BookTube/AuthorTube video is the same you’ll get at an event in real life and the same you’ll get if you know me on a personal level. I have no interest in creating an alternate persona and I let my work reflect that creative hunger. I’m also pretty curious by nature and love exploring the different soul wells I have within. Some people want to be the next Stephen King, JK Rowling, or Stephanie Meyers. I always pursue my passions and I have a varied taste so my work reflects that. So far, I’ve written urban fantasies, middle-grade fiction, short story collections, poetry collections, bilingual collections, and non-fiction. One of my greatest fears is to ever be a one-trick pony and if you see the variety in the 16 books I’ve published, I think it reflects that desire to explore and create. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of my biggest influences in how I go about my projects is curiously, David Bowie. Beyond the fashion sense and style, if anything can be said about Bowie, it’s that WHATEVER he did, he ALWAYS sounded like Bowie. That’s what I strive for. It doesn’t matter if I write a non-fiction to have a positive impact, a middle-grade story without violence, an urban fantasy adventure with vampires that don’t sparkle, song lyrics, or poetry, the goal is always for it to feel like an Estrada creation and for no one to be able to imitate it. Once upon a time, I thought I was weird in my approach, but it is much more in the vein of random, seeing connections in things that strike as odd initially but that with very little effort people can understand and relate to what I’m saying. Professionally, I do need to maintain a day job, because in regards to books, it’s not sustainable just yet, but having that security means I never write for the market and instead remain 100% committed to my vision. Every bit of success has been won and nothing’s been given to me. I’ve also learned that although risk is something you have to face, more than that, it’s getting out of your own way. Some people ask me how I’ve gotten on a panel at an event, done an event in a book store, been featured in a magazine, gotten invited to contribute stories and poems to collections, etc. and it’s a combination of luck, kind people who give me an opportunity (like this lovely Shoutout Feature), and just asking. You’d be amazed how quickly you can book an event if you can have a normal conversation with a manager from a book store. Also, one of the most important bits of advice I can genuinely offer is that you have to be stubborn for the good stuff as well. If you believe in it and it’s worthwhile, prove it with your dedication.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well during pandemic times, I’m sure the answers would definitely be different, but I’ll speak as if things are back to functional, if not normal. The main cliché for anyone visiting Atlanta is to take them to the aquarium, and why not? It’s stunning in so many ways and seriously, the type of place I’d love to have “A Night at the Museum” type of adventure in. The Belt Line is also a must with a stop at Ponce City Market, though when it comes to food, I have my local haunts I adore. Stockyard Burgers and Bones is a place I’ve taken no less than 20 visitors and they always deliver. I’ve explored about 70% of the menu and their drink menu is also magnificent. Silla del Toro is another choice I’d highlight, and again, I’ve explored 70-75% of the menu and it hasn’t been open that long. A curious tidbit is that the executive chef for both those places is the same, Jaime Vicente. Brilliant chef and a fellow Puerto Rican, a fact I learned a full year after I frequented Stockyard so this isn’t the Island boy talking. If it isn’t good, I won’t take you just because I like someone and I ALWAYS let the food and drink do the talking. For sushi, Sushi Nobo in Vinings always delivers for me and Don is a sweetheart. Jimmy’z Kitchen is also brilliant in their menu, as well as Super Pan at the Battery. And if pizza is your jam, seriously, Mellow Mushroom might be a chain, but man are they good. Another thing to highlight for when things open back up is the sheer amount of concert events. I’ve been spoiled so much in this city that part of the challenge becomes choosing what you’ll watch in a year, because you’d need a full time job just to go to all the concerts you’d like to and more often than not, you’ll have to pick one over the other. The best type of happy problem to have. Another curious place I’ve taken people to is Criminal Records in little five points, btw nearby there’s a Vortex burger joint…and oh lordy. As you can see, there’s no shortage of food or music in this city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are definitely a lot of people who have been instrumental in my success. Two that jump out at me are the organizers of the Puerto Rico Comic Con and the Go Indie Now Network and its founder Joe Compton. As for people, my Mom was an epic supporter and her inspiration lives on through my brothers and myself. Actually, all efforts I do to support charitable organizations are in her honor and are always done with a #CheersMamaEstrada. My wife also offers unconditional support, allowing me to indulge in my randomness while offering plenty of love and encouragement and as for life friends, the list is very long and my concern is always that I’ll miss someone. To give you an idea, one of my novels has an acknowledgment section longer than some chapters and the people I’m thankful for might be thousands of miles away, but they live in my heart. Truly, the blessings are daily and I try to show everyone how thankful I am and pay forward that love.

Website: https://jdestradawriter.blogspot.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jdestradawriter/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jd-estrada-a47955181/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/JDEstradawriter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JDEstradawriter
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JDEstrada