Kevin Wayne Johnson

Kevin Wayne Johnson

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"The Interview with Kevin Wayne Johnson"

THE ROCK: Who is Kevin Wayne Johnson, tell us something about you?
Kevin Johnson: Kevin currently lives in Clarksville, Maryland, with his wife, Gail, and three young sons, Kevin, Christopher, and Cameron. He is the author of the nine-book series entitled Give God the Glory! ,the recipient of multiple literary awards, and hosted a talk show entitled Give God the Glory! on the Voice America Internet Talk Radio Network
(www.voiceamerica.com), during the 2004 season. As of April 19, 2005, he is the television host of the Give God the Glory! show that is Web cast weekly on-line at www.blacktvonline.com. He attests everyday that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things!

THE ROCK: Where are you from, and currently residing?
Kevin Johnson: From Richmond, VA and currently residing in Clarksville, MD

THE ROCK: Are there any other writers in the family?
Kevin Johnson: No, just me.

THE ROCK: When did you start writing?
Kevin Johnson: 1993 on the job and 2001 for the Give God the Glory! book series. All job-related articles were published in national magazines.

THE ROCK: What prepared you to become an author?
Kevin Johnson: God spoke to my heart and it was on! Preparation came from writing the job-related articles.

THE ROCK: What inspired you to become a writer?
Kevin Johnson: God's gift as a teacher as translated onto paper. Eight literary awards later, I am still on fire to "Write for the Lord."

THE ROCK: What inspired you to write your book?
Kevin Johnson: It is a title that God specifically gave to me - Give God the Glory. It comprises of nine books initially, then on to several more books for children, youth, and teens.

THE ROCK: Tell us about your newest creation. What is the premise?
Kevin Johnson: Book #5 in the series: Your Role in Your Family.
The "Give God the Glory!" series of books and devotionals continues with book #5. A companion gift book and devotional to book #4 in the series, The Godly Family Life, Your Role in Your Family offers greater detail on the Biblical significance of the family as God intended in the beginning. It was released on Father’s Day 2005. The Godly Family Life provided a detailed analysis of what the Bible teaches and instructs concerning the roles of the father, mother and children despite man’s intention to alter God’s plan for the family. While continuing in the tradition of the Give God the Glory! books and devotionals, it offers a unique focus on the biblical purpose and role of the father, mother, and child(ren).

In this gift and devotional book, Your Role in Your Family will help its readers to clearly understand that the man is the foundation of the family, the family is the foundation of the church, and the church is the foundation of our nation. We will glorify God through the family unit and understand our specific roles within the family structure as God intended. To this end, our Heavenly Father is glorified as we, His earthen vessels, demonstrate to the world the beauty and fulfillment of The Godly Family Life.

‘Family’ is referenced 123 times in The Holy Bible. To this end, the 50-page devotional will enlighten its readers through these five chapters:
1. The role and purpose of the Godly Family
2. The role and purpose of man
3. The role and purpose of woman
4. The role and purpose of children
5. God’s plan for His family.

THE ROCK: Any publishing contracts in the working?
Kevin Johnson: I publish all books through Writing for the Lord Ministries that are sold nationally and internationally. 100% of the revenues from sales are reinvested into the ministry. This is a smart way to conduct business and ministry work. Today, when I sell 10,000 copies of a $10.00 book, the ministry grosses $100,000. If I sign a publishing contract with a large publishing house and sell 10,000 copies, I would be lucky to receive about $1.50 per book as compensation. Why would I want to be just another author signed with a publishing house and limit my earning potential? God forbid.

THE ROCK: Have you ever self-published? Why or why not?
Kevin Johnson: Yes. There are multiple books in the Give God the Glory series - probably 40 - 50 before we are done. The ministry is in complete control of its future.

THE ROCK: What are "traditional publishers" looking for?
Kevin Johnson: Sales, sales and more sales. They want lots of money that is why is so difficult for writers that cannot demonstrate mega sales. Yet, if you learn how to sell 10,000 to 20,000 copies of books that are self-published, we can earn a respectable living.

THE ROCK: If you were a publisher, what would be your niche? Why?
Kevin Johnson: Adults, children, youth, and teens that attend church regularly and consider themselves Christian. That's the audience for the Give God the Glory book series, and my niche. I also publish a "gift/devotional" book as a companion to each main title. This is quite unique for the series and my readers love it.

THE ROCK: For an author, is having a publishing contract with a "traditional publisher" important professionally? Why?
Kevin Johnson: It used to be but not anymore. For those of us who are phased by having our works "authenicated" or "endorsed" by a major publishing house, we are doing just fine.

THE ROCK: What are some of your professional and personal achievements?
Kevin Johnson: Eight literary awards (2001 - 2006) as follows:
Give God the Glory! Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life
ISBN: 0-9705902-0-2
Price: $10.99
Publication date: March 31, 2001 - Fourth Printing Now Available!
*Winner: 2001 Best Book - The Sistah Circle Book Club of NY/Houston/Dallas/Denver Independent Author’s Award
(Christian Non-Fiction), April 20, 2002
Give God the Glory! Called to be Light in the Workplace
ISBN: 0-9705902-1-0
Price: $14.95 – Second Printing Now Available!
Publication date: May 29, 2003 – [$2.00 donated to Bethany Christian Services for each book sold]

*Winner: 2003 Inspirational Authors Award – C&B Book Distributors, Flushing, New York, November 23, 2003
*Winner: 2003 / 2004 YOUnity Guild Award (Spiritual Book) – The Disilgold Soul Literary Review Magazine Awards, Bronx, New York
*Special Selection – March 2004 Book of the Month – Heaven 1580am, Washington, DC Metro Area, "Book Bytes,’ with Marsha Sumner
National Best-Sellers List, Booking Matters magazine, Atlanta, GA,
April 2006
Give God the Glory! Let Your Light So Shine - A Gift and Devotional Book
ISBN: 0-9752572-9-3
Price: $7.95
Publication date: June 2004 – Third Printing Now Available
[Published by Tate Publishing, LLC]
*Winner: 2004 New Gospel Radio Host – Memphis Black Writer’s
Conference, Memphis, Tennessee, April 21, 2004
*Winner: 2004 "The Woman in Me 2002" Book Club Phenomenal and
Outstanding Award in recognition of literary expertise and endless commitment to community
Give God the Glory! The Godly Family Life
ISBN: 0-9705902-3-7
ISBN: 978-0-9705902-3-8
Price: $13.00
Publication date: June 19, 2005 (Father’s Day)
*Winner: 2005 Christian/Spiritual Author of the Year Award – Metro
Detroit Literary Collective, Detroit, Michigan, August 27, 2005
*Winner: 2005/2006 Top 100 Author’s Award, YOUnity Guild Infusionary
"Literary, Business and Media Awards," The Disilgold Soul Literary Review
Magazine, Bronx, New York, January 2, 2006
*Winner: 2006 Best Non-Fiction Book Award – S’Indie (Self/Independent
Publishers) Award, Aspicomm Media, Inc., Self-Publishing Symposium,
Baldwin, NY, March 12, 2006
Give God the Glory! Your Role in Your Family - A Gift and Devotional
Book
ISBN: 0-9705902-4-5
ISBN: 978-0-9705902-4-6
Price: $7.95
Publication date: May 18, 2006 (Book Expo America, Washington, DC)
*Winner: 2006 Gospel Publisher of the Year Award, Amber Communications
Group and Black Issues Book Review, Washington, DC, May 20, 2006

Husband (13 years), father (three young sons), ordained deacon, adjunct professor at the National Bible College and Seminary, active in my local church, surrounded by many friends and family, knowing who I am in Jesus!

THE ROCK: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Kevin Johnson: Dr. Myles Munroe - he was my inspiration way before I began writing the Give God the Glory book series

THE ROCK: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
Kevin Johnson: Retired from my day job and traveling the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ

THE ROCK: Where can readers find you?
Kevin Johnson: Writing for the Lord Ministries www.writingforthelord.com
410-340-8633
443-535-0475

Thanks for the opportunity. Sorry that I took so long!

THE ROCK: Thank you very much, Mr. Johnson.