Today, we are interviewing Braxton Cosby. He is the author of over 16 novels, ranging from multiple genres of fiction (including sci-fi, superhero, Christian, and YA) and non-fiction (biographies and health books). He is also the CEO of Cosby Media Productions (CMP), which is a book publishing company that delivers books on the platforms of ebook, paperback, and audiobooks.
1. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
I started this journey in 2010, when God called me to write. He challenged me to share stories that spoke to not only the mind but also the soul. My love of movies and reading sparked the adventure, and now I have also paid it forward to help authors publish over 60 books in only five years.
2. Who are your role models?
My role models are the great writers and storytellers that came before me. Octavia Butler, James Baldwin, and even the likes of Quentin Tarantino. Visionaries who reshaped the way we see and tell stories.
3. What inspires you?
My family – my beautiful wife and my children.
4. Please tell us about what you do.
Through my adventures in publishing, I’ve had the honor of meeting so many great people in the entertainment industry, most of which have given me the knowledge to hone my skills as a writer, actor, and creator. Through CMP, I’ve been able to be a producer of films (shorts and features), actor, and voice actor (for 5 of my novels, including my latest release Steel Reign: Flight of the Starship Concord).
5. What’s your most memorable experience?
Winning my first writing award for my YA, Scifi novel, Protostar: Book 1 of the Star-Crossed Saga for Reader’s Favorite. I felt a strong sense of validation as a writer for the journey I had just embarked on.
6. Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
I’ve used a lot of Facebook to get reach across both Instagram and Facebook, for the releases and book trailers that we build for our family of authors. Lots and lots of coverage and views help to put our offerings in front of the eyes of readers.
7. What’s your greatest fear?
That I will come to a point where frustration takes over, and I don’t have the desire to write any longer.
8. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
Nothing. I won and failed so many times on this journey, but I don’t regret a single piece of it because I also learned quite a bit. As a company, we’ve finally started to hit our stride and now understand the pitfalls and traps of trying to use multiple promotion companies, and we’ve settled into a nice groove with one or two that really understand the business and make our dollars stretch the furthest.
9. What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
There is no price point for the power of believing in oneself. You have to love what you do and continue to push through to the finish line because of your joy of doing the work.
10. What keeps you going when things get tough?
I think like a novelist, I’ve gotten better with each book I write, and I continue to see my growth, not only in the skill of storytelling but also in the love of creating. There is so much value in being a creator because I never have to depend on anyone else for content. I’ve got multiple screenplays and novels already both completed and outlined, and they will keep me busy for quite some time.
11. Any message for our readers.
Continue to step out of your comfort zone and try to support indie authors and publishers alike. There are some fantastic stories out there that are just waiting to be unearthed before the larger traditional publishers and authors out there. Mainstream media has always done an excellent job of packaging content. Still, I feel like there are so many rehashes now, and we’ve gotten to the point where there is room for growth for fresh, new stories that challenge the imagination. I would advise that readers give them a chance to share their visions with the world outside of the mainstream.
12. How can people connect with you?
If anyone wants to find me, they can reach out to me across all social media formats. Our CMP website is www.cosbymediaproductions.com – there they can find all of our offerings and even submit their manuscripts for review if they are interested in publishing with us. My website is www.braxtoncosby.com.