Book: Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Jonathan Andy Cerruto. I’m 42 years young and I was born in Toronto, Canada, and I’m an author. When I was little, my family decided to move to Italy, in Sicily to be more specific. It took a very heavy toll, because I had to leave one of my brothers behind, it was hard also because from a very big, modern and multicultural city, I found myself living in a very small town. It was a struggle because I had to also learn a new language from scratch.
I grew up in a very dysfunctional family, very religious, very strict and self-expression was prohibited. Since I was a little boy, I’ve always had big dreams, always had a fire inside waiting to burst out. I’ve always been attracted to art, music, fashion but something that used to give me real joy, was, is writing, writing stories, poems, and rhymes.
I remember finding myself hiding under the kitchen table to write or to draw something on one of my mother’s magazines “The Watchtower” about “god” and “new worlds”.
When I was 18, I decided to leave home and pursue my dreams. I graduated in Fashion, as a Fashion Designer in Milan, after graduated I had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with major brands in the fashion industry in Rome and Milan but, I wasn’t really happy. I started to write this amazing story, that I used to dream at night, about these two kids Joshua and Ashley. In that period, life had something else in store for me and after moving from city to city across Italy because of no jobs, I packed my little belongings and with just 80 euros in my pocket, I moved to London, a city that somehow has changed me forever. I started working in any place that needed help, in restaurants, cleaning, I was also a caretaker for an old man sometimes, working for 18 hours straight, just to make few bucks so I could invest in my dreams.
It was in London where I created few collections and had the chance to showcase them in front an audience but, I felt like something was still missing. I gathered all my strength, my will, my courage, and recollected those drafts left on the side. I continued writing, but this time I didn’t stop. What I call “The voices” started to whisper to me what path I needed to walk on if I really wanted to be happy.
So, I decided to keep writing, no matter what time it was, no matter where I was. I kept writing, until one day, I realized that I had written the first novel of the saga of Joshua Bane.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers’ book?
I had to fight against tiredness and lack of time, I was working multiple hours per day, time wasn’t my best friend, most of the time I was tired. In that period, I was working as a kitchen porter in an Italian restaurant in Soho area, in London. Joshua Bane and the Five Watchtowers it’s a fantasy book, somehow inspired by personal experiences that I had to face myself in my little life and my goal was, still is, to keep my readers entertained, so I had to work on my detailed imagination, I had to describe about the magical worlds and trust me, after working for all those hours it’s not always that easy all you think about is to rest, I didn’t rest, I kept going.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I’ve always been fascinated by Edgar Allan Poe. One of my favorite books by this amazing Author are ‘Tales of Mystery & Imagination’, ‘The gold Bug’ and ‘The Pit and The Pendulum’. I do love to experiment with my reading. I like to read not only fantasy or mystery books. I really appreciate Doris Lessing, the Author of ‘The Four-Gated City’, amazing story of how important mental health is and how has changed throughout the history.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I have visited many places, I still don’t feel like belonging to any country, however as mentioned before, London has changed me, I particularly remember a specific spot in Soho, ‘Soho Park’ which is where I first kissed my husband, so yes that is my favorite spot in London. ‘Villa Borghese’ in Rome is also another spot that I really like so, yes, I would say London and Rome are my two favorite spots. Both magical places.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
No one will knock at your door asking if you need help to pursue your dreams, it’s up to us and how badly you want something. I run my days always been grateful and repeating a mantra which is:
“Life is a test, do your homework and show up”. Discipline is a very important quality in life, especially in artistic jobs. I have the good practice to write every single day, even when the inspiration isn’t there, give its time and it will come! I think the hardest part of writing a book or writing in general is when the block comes knocking at your door. I am a “go-with-the-flow” type of guy and even though discipline is important, I’ve learnt to leave it on the side when it’s necessary and do something else.
Every author has in own way of writing, I get most of my inspirations during my sleeps, or right before falling asleep and sometimes I must force myself to wake up, if I am sleeping or get up of the bed, I write it down. I believe it’s a divine responsibility to listen to inspiration or how I call them “the voices”. I used to shut them down because of fear, now I have embraced them because thanks to these voices I’m doing what I love and most importantly, I am able to share a message of hope through my writings.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers’ book?
In total is took me 12 years on and off, from start to finish yes, 12 years.
Q7. On what all platforms’ readers can find ‘Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers’ book to buy?
‘Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers’ is available on Amazon all over the world, on my profile Instagram @jonathanandycerruto, on Austin Macauley Publishers, which is the House Publishers that published my first novel and, in any store, where they sell fine books.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Joshua Bane and The Five Watchtowers’?
I’ve always been fascinated about time and dream catchers, in this first novel, Joshua, the protagonist gets a lot of guidance from his dreams, in the book and in real life, dreams have always been a crucial part of my creative carrier path and creations. In the first book Opera, who is one of the Five Watchtowers, or Guardian, represent the element of fire, destructive but essential for everyday life, so I wanted to implement those symbolism on the first book cover.
The title has a very personal connection to me and to my life experiences. I mentioned earlier that my family was very religious. I was part of a cult, which I run off from, when I was 18 years old. “Watchtowers” is the name of their main religious magazine, which they use for their propaganda and it’s also the name of their organization or cult. I used to draw or write on top of them when I was little, as a form of rebellion to that very strict lifestyle, so I wanted to incorporate those meaningful moments on the title and throughout the books.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and you?
I love reading, listening to music, writing lyrics, and watching movies, those things have always helped me to escape from reality and somehow have helped me to develop the artistic talents that resides inside of me. I’m very active on social media, I think it’s the future for any kind of businesses. Thanks to social media I’m aware of what happens around me, this way I can find inspiration and keep things actual and fresh.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
My readers are curious with the villain character and Her identity. I can only say that on the second novel She will come clearer when it comes with Her real identity. It’s a 5-book series, I have finished writing the second volume and started writing the third, in between other writing projects. I can only tell you that it’s a series of twist and unexcepted turns. Stay tuned.
Book Is Available On Amazon
Sassy Reviews 