J.D. Barker an Acclaimed Master of Suspense Thrillers Blending Mystery and the Supernatural
PHOTO: J.D. Barker, renowned author of suspense thrillers that captivate readers with mystery and supernatural elements. Credit: Ruth Ganev
Exploring the Life and Works of a Literary Sensation
J.D. Barker discusses his early influences, career milestones, and the creative processes behind his bestselling novels, offering insights into his journey from a bookish child to a renowned author.
J.D. Barker is a masterful storyteller whose ability to weave chilling suspense and compelling characters has cemented his place as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary fiction. With a repertoire that spans pulse-pounding thrillers like The Fourth Monkey, a haunting homage to literary classics with Dracul, and cutting-edge modern tales like Behind A Closed Door, Barker has captured the imaginations of readers and critics alike. His ability to skillfully blur the lines between horror, mystery, and psychological depth has made his works not only bestselling but unforgettable.
It is no surprise that a writer of his caliber attracts the likes of literary legends and bestselling partners—whether it’s receiving Stephen King’s blessing, co-authoring with the Stoker family on a prequel to Dracula, or teaming up with the powerhouse James Patterson. What sets Barker apart as an author is his fearless creativity, his meticulous research, and his genuine respect for the art of storytelling. Few authors can toggle seamlessly between solo masterpieces and collaborative juggernauts, yet Barker manages this with finesse, crafting stories that resonate deeply with his audiences.
We are proud to feature J.D. Barker on the cover of this month’s Novelist Post because his body of work epitomizes the relentless pursuit of storytelling excellence. As an author who bridges the gap between literary ambition and commercial success, Barker represents everything that excites us about modern fiction. In our in-depth and candid interview, Barker opens up about his journey from boyhood tales of witches and ghosts to writing for national publications, ghostwriting for aspiring authors, and reaching global bestseller status. He shares the trials, triumphs, and serendipitous moments—like a chance connection to Stephen King or a casual dinner conversation inspiring a bestseller—that have shaped him into the writer we admire today.
This issue is a celebration of a writer whose stories not only entertain but linger, pulling you deeper into their craft even after the final page. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist, a longtime fan, or someone discovering his work for the first time, J.D. Barker’s words—both in his books and this interview—are certain to captivate and inspire you.
J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.
How did your early life in Crystal Lake, Illinois, influence your writing, especially your fascination with witches and ghosts?
I grew up in an English Tudor-styled home built by my father at the end of a long, winding drive that cut through the middle of a large oak forest. You couldn’t see any of the neighbors and the house sat up on a hill. Although it had been newly constructed, there was something ominous about it. Local kids claimed the woods were haunted and when those stories began to include our house my sister and I did little to dispel the rumors. I think we liked the attention. We were both avid readers and had no trouble coming up with ghostly stories to help fuel the fire. Where there’s ghosts, there must be a witch, and for that we pointed at the little old lady who lived up the street in an equally creepy abode. As children, our imaginations can run away with us. They’re near impossible to contain. I like to think I’ve managed to hold onto that, if only a little bit.
Can you describe the impact of relocating to Englewood, Florida, on your creative process and career development?
My father was a contractor and could no longer handle the harsh Illinois winters. I was thirteen when my family made the move. I did not adapt well. I missed having seasons. I missed my friends. I missed the spooky house in the woods. In many ways, I felt alone and I retreated into myself. Looking back, it was clearly a catalyst. It was when I began taking writing seriously. Had we not made that move, it’s very possible I might not have started my first book. I might have gone down a very different career path. All things happen for a reason. I firmly believe that.
What was it like working alongside Marilyn Manson at 25th Parallel Magazine, and how did that experience shape your writing style?
This may come as a shock but he was honestly one of the smartest, nicest people I knew. A fantastic writer too. I still remember sitting with him in a bar called Squeeze when he told me a guy named Trent Reznor had agreed to come by and check out his band. I had no idea how big things would soon get for him but he deserved every second of it. Don’t believe the negative things you read in the press. Scandal tends to sell more papers than the truth and they’re in the business of making money. 25th Parallel actually sent me on my first writing assignment—I interviewed Davy Jones of the Monkeys. From there I branched off and spoke to countless other celebrities. Everyone from Madonna to Guns n Roses. I Also quickly learned everyone working in media had a novel in a desk drawer somewhere. It was “nearly” done and they’d ask me for my input. That turned into a side-hustle as a book doctor and ghostwriter.
How did your time as a book doctor and ghostwriter prepare you for writing your own novels?
I’d often get hired by agents or editors to fine-tune someone else’s manuscript and they were extremely candid with me. While an editor might wear kid gloves when speaking to an author, I was brought in as a hired gun. They told me exactly what worked in a book and what didn’t. I saw many of the same mistakes and learned to correct them. When a book hit the market, I got a clear understanding of what resonated with readers. I quickly learned what the publishing industry wanted (and didn’t want) and incorporated that knowledge into my own work.
Can you share the story of how Stephen King came to read portions of your novel Forsaken and the significance of getting his permission to use the character Leland Gaunt?
When I wrote Forsaken I had to explain where the wife in the story bought a journal and just to get the draft done, I wrote that she bought it at Needful Things, the store at the heart of King’s novel with the same name. I fully expected to have to change that but my wife suggested we attempt to get permission first. Turns out, his Florida house is about ten minutes from my mother’s house so while on vacation in the area we came up with this crazy plan—we printed the manuscript, got in the car, and figured we’d drive over. We got as far as the second No Trespassing sign before changing our minds and heading back. I then reached out to a friend who knew King and he gave me an email address and said, “Send him the book. If he likes it, you’ll probably hear back. If he doesn’t respond let it go.” I was lucky enough to get a response a few days later with King’s blessing to use the reference. I’m extremely grateful for that and I try to keep the “pay it forward” alive by helping aspiring authors whenever I can.
What was the experience of co-authoring Dracul with Bram Stoker’s family like, and what unique challenges did it present?
I’m a HUGE fan of Dracula and have been since I was a kid. When Bram Stoker’s family asked if I’d Ike to write a prequel to the iconic novel using Bram’s original notes, I couldn’t possibly say no. Dacre Stoker, Bram’s great grandnephew was instrumental in writing that book. Much of it is biographical and Dacre is like a walking encyclopedia of his family’s lore. When I needed to know what Bram’s childhood bedroom looked like, he was able to describe it perfectly. Through reading Bram’s journals, I learned he firmly believed vampires were real. Our novel, Dracul, explains why.
How do you balance collaborating with other authors, like James Patterson, with writing your own solo projects?
Personally, I love writing with others. It brings a fresh voice and new ideas into a story. Working with Jim in particular is like a masterclass in writing thrillers. We’d be knee-deep in a new book and I’d send him pages, he’d quickly call me to tell me everything I did wrong. Then he’d tell me how to make it better and dammit, he was always right. His writing is pure genius and he produces pages at a speed that rivals the pacing of his novels. He’s often told me he’s slowed down over the years. If this is Patterson in low-gear, I can only imagine what he was like at his prime.
What inspired the plot of your Bestselling novel Behind A Closed Door, and how do you think it will resonate with your readers?
The best ideas for books tend to come when you least expect them. With this one, my wife and I were having dinner one night discussing a house she’d bought in Georgia and hoped to turn into a short-term rental. It had a lot of bathrooms so I suggested a company called Bathfitters. We’ve all seen the commercials, right? They come in an renovate a bathroom in a single day. Later that night, we both started seeing ads for Bathfitters on our various devices and on television. Keep in mind, neither of us typed Bathfitters into a device, we just spoke the word aloud. I did a little research and realized our phones are listening to us. We give the manufacturers permission to do that when we agree to the Terms of Service. That sparked the “what if” gene in the writer in me. I paired that with two characters I’d recently created, Abby and Brendan Hollander. After several years of marriage, they’d hit a rough patch. The book opens and they’re in couples therapy where the therapist suggests they download an app called Sugar & Spice to help rekindle their marriage. It’s basically Truth or Dare for adults. They’re assigned a series of tasks which become increasingly more and more taboo until they find themselves caught in a dangerous web of seduction and violence with no chance of escape unless they learn to trust one another.
“A talented writer with a delightfully devious mind!” — Jeffery Deaver, NY Times Bestselling Author
“I don’t say this lightly: J.D. Barker is a force to be reckoned with.” — Tosca Lee, NY Times Bestselling Author
“JD Barker is an author to watch in the coming years.” — Rolling Stone
“Barker’s mastery of character and dialogue is noteworthy.” — Booklist
J.D. Barker crafts unforgettable stories with brilliance, depth, and imagination. — Reader’s House
“Barker is the Mozart of thrillers!” — Goodreads
About J. D. Barker
Barker was born January 7, 1971 in Lombard, Illinois and spent the first fourteen years of his life in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A staunch introvert, he was rarely seen without a book in hand, devouring both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series by the age of six before moving on to classics such as the works of Dickens and Twain. The discovery of Shelley, Stoker and Poe fueled a fire and it wasn’t long before he was writing tales of his own which he shared with friends and family. These early stories centered around witches and ghosts thought to inhabit the woods surrounding their home.
At fourteen, Barker’s family relocated to Englewood, Florida, a climate better suited to his father’s profession as a contractor. He attended Lemon Bay High School and graduated in 1989. Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the arts but unsure of a direction, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where he later obtained a degree in business. While in college, one of his writing assignment found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson. Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture and by 1991 Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications. In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012 when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.
Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others including a New Apple Medalist Award. After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.
Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television.
He has since gone on to write numerous titles which have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. He is also a frequent collaborator with James Patterson.
Barker splits his time between Englewood, FL, and New Castle, NH, with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.
The Lies We Tell by Richard Bailey
A gripping, twist-filled thriller with razor-sharp prose, unforgettable
characters, and relentless suspense that keeps you hooked until the explosive finale.
