J R Childress Answers FAQs
My novels aren't just stories. They're calls to action grounded in real-world environmental disasters and social issues that demand attention and action. Drawing on my background as a marine ecologist and international business CEO, I craft thrillers that combine edge-of-your-seat suspense with hard-hitting environmental truth. Let me answer some of the questions that typically arise about my novels.
Q: What are eco-educational thriller novels?
A: Eco-educational thrillers are novels that center on environmental crises as their main conflict or theme. Like traditional thrillers, they feature suspense, action, and high stakes. What makes them "eco" is that the threats come from environmental destruction, climate change, illegal resource extraction, or ecological disasters. The best eco-education thrillers entertain while educating readers about real environmental issues.
Q: Why do we need eco-thriller fiction?
A: Environmental crises like climate change, deforestation, and ocean destruction are urgent but can feel abstract or overwhelming. Eco-educational thriller fiction makes these issues visceral and personal by showing them through compelling characters and dramatic stories. Fiction can inspire people to care about environmental issues in ways that statistics and scientific reports alone cannot.
Q: How are eco-thrillers different from other environmental books?
A: Unlike non-fiction environmental books that present facts and scientific arguments, eco-educational thrillers use storytelling to create emotional engagement. Unlike pure fiction, eco-thrillers are grounded in real science and actual environmental crises. They bridge the gap between education and entertainment.
Q: Who reads eco-educational thriller novels?
A: Eco-educational thriller readers include environmental advocates looking for engaging stories about issues they care about, thriller fans who want their entertainment to have deeper meaning, students and educators seeking accessible ways to learn about environmental and social issues, and general readers concerned about our planet's future.
Q: What is J.R. Childress's background?
A: I'm an ecologist trained at Harvard University and at the University of Hawaii. I spent decades as a corporate consultant, co-founding an international leadership consultancy and serving as President and CEO for 23 years. I now divide my time between writing eco-educational thriller novels, authoring business books on corporate culture, and advising global leadership teams.
Q: Why did J.R. Childress start writing eco-thrillers? A: I've spent my life at the intersection of social and environmental issues and corporate leadership. I've witnessed how business decisions impact society and ecosystems. I wanted to use storytelling to expose environmental crises and social issues to inspire action in ways that reports and presentations cannot.
Q: What makes J.R. Childress's novels different?
A: My dual background as an ecologist and corporate consultant gives me unique insight into both the science of environmental issues and the business/political systems that enable it. My novels are meticulously researched, featuring real environmental organizations and scientifically accurate portrayals of ecological crises, while still delivering compelling thriller plots.
Q: Where is J.R. Childress based?
A: I currently live in London, after spending several years in a 13th-century château in southern France where I began my novel-writing career.
Q: What other books has J.R. Childress written?
A: In addition to my eco-thriller novels (Oceans of Blood, Desperate Measures) and my thriller novels on social issues( Pirates Inc., and The Antidote), I've authored multiple business books including LEVERAGE: The CEO's Guide to Corporate Culture (reviewed in The Economist), FASTBREAK: The CEO's Guide to Strategy Execution, and CULTURE RULES!: The 10 Core Principles of Corporate Culture. My upcoming book Culture 4.0: The Future of Corporate Culture examines how organizations must adapt to contemporary challenges.
Q: Do I need to read J.R. Childress's novels in a specific order?
A: No. Each novel is a standalone story with its own characters and plot. You can start with whichever environmental or social issue interests you most: illegal fishing (Oceans of Blood) or Amazon deforestation (Desperate Measures), Corporate crime (Pirates, Inc,), Drug trafficking (The Antidote). That said, there are thematic connections across the novels.
Q: Are the environmental crises in the novels real?
A: Absolutely. The statistics, environmental science, and ecological and social threats depicted in my novels are based on extensive research and real-world data from scientific studies, environmental organizations, and UN reports. I prioritize accuracy, even though the specific characters and plots are fictional.
Q: Are the novels depressing or doom-and-gloom?
A: While the environmental crises are real and urgent, my novels focus on people taking action and fighting back. The stories are about hope, resistance, and the power of committed individuals to make a difference. My goal is to inspire readers, not depress them.
Q: What age group are the novels appropriate for? A: My novels are written for adult readers and contain realistic depictions of violence, environmental destruction, and corporate/political corruption. I generally recommend them for readers 16 and older.
Q: Where can I buy J.R. Childress novels?
A: All my novels are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle formats.
Q: Will there be more eco-thriller novels?
A: Yes! I'm currently working on an eco-educational thriller novel set in West Africa that explores the connection between illegal fishing off Senegal and African migration to Europe. I have several more eco-thriller projects in development addressing different environmental and social crises.
Q: What can I do to help fight illegal fishing?
A: Support organizations like the Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, Mongabay, and Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Make sustainable seafood choices by checking guides from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Pressure governments to enforce fishing regulations and support marine protected areas. Spread awareness about the illegal fishing crisis.
Q: How can I help protect the Amazon rainforest?
A: Support organizations like the Rainforest Alliance, Amazon Watch, Mongabay, and WWF. Reduce consumption of products linked to deforestation (beef, soy, palm oil). Support indigenous land rights. Pressure corporations to adopt zero-deforestation policies. Vote for political leaders who prioritize environmental protection.
Q: Are individual actions really enough to address these massive problems?
A: Individual actions matter, but systemic change requires collective action and political will. The most important things individuals can do are: stay informed, support environmental organizations, make sustainable consumer choices, vote for pro-environment candidates, and most importantly, talk about these issues with others to build the political constituency needed for major policy changes.
Q: What environmental organizations does J.R. Childress recommend?
A: For ocean conservation: Environmental Justice Foundation, Oceana, Sea Shepherd, Mission Blue. For rainforest protection: Rainforest Alliance, Amazon Watch, Rainforest Action Network. For general environmental advocacy: WWF, Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, and Island Conservation. These organizations do crucial work and deserve support.
Q: Does J.R. Childress do speaking engagements or book club visits?
A: I'm available for speaking engagements, virtual book club visits, and interviews. Contact me through the website contact form to inquire about availability and scheduling.
Q: Can J.R. Childress recommend other eco-thriller or environmental fiction authors?
A: Absolutely. Some excellent environmental fiction includes: Michael Crichton's State of Fear, Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior, Richard Powers' The Overstory, Jeff VanderMeer's Annihilation, Kim Stanley Robinson's The Ministry for the Future, and Paolo Bacigalupi's The Water Knife. Each approaches environmental themes differently but powerfully.
Q: How can I contact J.R. Childress?
A: Email me directly at: john@johnrchildress.com
Q: Can I request J.R. Childress for interviews or podcasts?
A: Yes! I'm happy to discuss my novels, environmental issues, and the intersection of storytelling and positive advocacy.