Joshua Crosson, author of LIMELIGHT
FAP: Regarding your latest work, LIMELIGHT, what aspect of this story do you feel is most reflective of your own worldview or emotional journey?
Crosson: The central theme of LIMELIGHT reflects a core part of my worldview—dealing with impermanence and questioning the significance of legacy. This idea of feeling small in the cosmos and confronting the fleeting nature of life resonates with me. The novel centers around a character who's deeply narcissistic but hides it behind a facade of generosity, and ultimately, he faces the reality that despite his fame, he might not be remembered in the future. This theme aligns with my ongoing exploration of how people wrestle with these universal existential questions, and it's something I’m continuing to explore in my current project.
FAP: Writing is often a way for authors to engage with the complexities of human nature. What is a central question or theme you feel compelled to explore in your writing, and why do you keep returning to it?
Crosson: One theme I keep coming back to is impermanence, particularly in the context of cosmic horror. I'm drawn to Lovecraftian themes, like humanity's insignificance in the grand cosmos, and the psychological impact of confronting that insignificance. I also find myself reflecting on cycles of violence, mental health, and addiction. These are subjects that I find endlessly fascinating because of their deep and complex emotional resonance. Whether I’m playing Dead Space or listening to the audiobook of Blood Meridian (as I'm doing now while driving to work), I keep encountering these cosmic themes, which continue to shape the stories I want to tell.
FAP: Many authors speak of a “breakthrough” moment in their careers. Was there a specific moment when you felt a shift in how you viewed your work or your place within the literary landscape? Can you share that experience with us?
Crosson: The breakthrough came when LIMELIGHT was published. It felt like a culmination of everything I had been working toward. I had spent years sending out novellas and short stories and facing rejection. When I wrote LIMELIGHT, I knew it was different—it wasn’t about imitating other writers like Hemingway or Faulkner or Stephen King or Clive Barker anymore. I was writing about things that truly mattered to me, things I was thinking about deeply. It wasn’t a perfect novel, but it felt real and authentic. That shift in my approach marked a change in how I viewed myself as a writer and my place in the literary world.
FAP: As you look ahead to your future projects, are there any new directions or risks you’re excited to explore? How do you envision your work evolving over the next few years?
Crosson: I’m currently working on my second novel, which is significantly more personal than LIMELIGHT. This new book, The Burnmaker, is much darker and more intimate, although it still falls within the crime/thriller/neo-noir genre. While LIMELIGHT challenged me to step outside of myself with a character who was very different from me, The Burnmaker is deeply personal, exploring darker themes and more raw emotions. As I move forward, I feel my writing evolving toward darker, more personal works, as I delve deeper into these themes that continue to fascinate me.
FAP: How do you balance the internal process of writing with the external realities of publishing and marketing? Is there ever a tension between staying true to your artistic vision and navigating the demands of the literary world?
Crosson: I'm still relatively new to publishing, having only released LIMELIGHT so far. While I’ve been writing for most of my life, it took me a long time to gather the courage to share my work. I’ve only published with indie presses, where there is arguably more creative freedom than with traditional publishing houses. However, I’m not entirely sure yet how much the publishing world will shape my process. I do hope that my next novel will be published by a larger house, as I’m excited to see how that experience might impact my creative work.
FAP: Every writer’s journey is different, but many find that certain life experiences influence their craft in unexpected ways. Can you reflect on a personal experience or a turning point that significantly shaped your writing?
Crosson: I would say one turning point was when I was in a grunge-inspired rock band. After the band broke up, I started focusing on writing more seriously. I had always written since I was a child, but it was when I realized I wasn’t meant to be a rock star, and I was uncomfortable on stage, that I turned more to writing at the age of eighteen. From then on, writing became my focus. Reading certain books also fueled that fire. One book that truly impacted me was Story by Robert McKee. It blew my mind, particularly how McKee emphasized substance in storytelling. Unlike many "writing books" that stay superficial, this one digs deep into the craft of writing, and I still read it today.
Fourteenth Avenue Press thanks Joshua Crosson for a great interview.
