About Author

JAFE DANBURY

JAFE DANBURY
BIOGRAPHY

Jafe Danbury hails from the trenches of the Hollywood production scene, where he spent decades as a camera operator, director of photography, and director. He has also worked as a teacher and is a decorated U.S. Navy veteran.

He enjoys noodling on the guitar, long road trips, likes his bacon crispy, and loves a good dive bar––especially if it happens to have a twenty-two-foot shuffleboard table. He prefers a leisurely walk to running, unless being chased by a clown with a chainsaw.

Jafe and his lovely bride currently reside in central California and are working on their exit plan. Their children consist of several rescue dogs and a couple of cockatoos.

He is the author of four riveting suspense thrillers: THE OTHER CHEEK, LEAVING PHOENIX, ??, and his latest, SO MUCH FOREVER, which is an incendiary Book 3 in the award-winning Phoenix Series. Its release date will be August 30, 2024. The Kindle ebook is available for PRE-ORDER NOW! All titles are Free with KU!

JAFE DANBURY's Books

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Book
(1) $3.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback, Signed Paperback,
SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3)by JAFE DANBURYPublish: Aug 30, 2024Series: Book 3 in the Phoenix SeriesCrime Fiction Thriller Suspense
X
$3.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback, Signed Paperback,
Xby JAFE DANBURYPublish: Jul 05, 2023Series: Book 2 in the Phoenix SeriesCrime Fiction Thriller Suspense Mystery
THE OTHER CHEEK: Boy meets girl. Girl beats boy. Just your typical love story...
$3.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback, Signed Paperback,
THE OTHER CHEEK: Boy meets girl. Girl beats boy. Just your typical love story...by JAFE DANBURYPublish: Oct 08, 2019Thriller Suspense
LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)
$3.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback, Signed Paperback,
LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)by JAFE DANBURYPublish: Aug 06, 2021Series: Book 1 in the Phoenix SeriesCrime Fiction Thriller Suspense

JAFE DANBURY's Series in Order

It's exciting to find a book series to follow! Discover the whole new world of book series created by JAFE DANBURY.
** Also, there might be other book series by JAFE DANBURY not listed on AllAuthor.

  • Book 3 in the Phoenix Series

    1 SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3) - Published on Aug, 2024
  • Book 2 in the Phoenix Series

    1 X - Published on Jul, 2023
  • Book 1 in the Phoenix Series

    1 LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1) - Published on Aug, 2021

JAFE DANBURY's Awards and Achievements

    JAFE DANBURY has earned excellence awards over time. Here is the glimpse of the accolades clinched by the author.

  • AllAuthor Cover of the Month Winner: Mystery & Thriller (November)
    2024

    SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3)

    award
  • FIRST PLACE WINNER - Cover Design: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
    2024

    SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3)

    award
  • BookLife/Publishers Weekly 5-star Review (Oct. 28, 2024)
    2024

    SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3)

    achievement
  • Readers' Favorite Five Stars Review
    2024

    SO MUCH FOREVER (The PHOENIX Series Book 3)

    achievement
  • Winner: "Suspense," Book Excellence Awards
    2024

    X

    award
  • Finalist, Independent Author Awards
    2024

    X

    award
  • Five-Stars, Reader Views Book Awards
    2024

    X

    achievement
  • Finalist, Independent Author Awards
    2024

    LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)

    award
  • Gold, Reviewers Choice Awards
    2023

    LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)

    award
  • Finalist, IAN Book of the Year Awards
    2022

    LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)

    award
  • Five-Stars, Readers' Favorite Book Awards
    2022

    LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)

    award
  • Gold, Literary Titan Book Awards
    2021

    LEAVING PHOENIX (The PHOENIX Series Book 1)

    award
  • Finalist, "Best First Novel", Next Generation Indie Book Awards
    2020

    THE OTHER CHEEK: Boy meets girl. Girl beats boy. Just your typical love story...

    award
  • Gold, Literary Titan Book Awards
    2020

    THE OTHER CHEEK: Boy meets girl. Girl beats boy. Just your typical love story...

    award

JAFE DANBURY Interview On 13, Dec 2024

"Jafe Danbury is a seasoned storyteller who brings decades of experience from Hollywood's production trenches, where he worked as a camera operator, director of photography, and director. A decorated U.S. Navy veteran and former teacher, Jafe now channels his creative energy into crafting gripping suspense thrillers. Currently residing in central California with his wife and their spirited family of rescue dogs and cockatoos, Jafe is plotting his next adventure."
You have an extensive background in Hollywood as a camera operator, director of photography, and director. How did your experience in the film industry influence your approach to writing suspense thrillers?

Before I get ahead of myself, I'd like to thank you for reaching out with your kind invitation to interview with AllAuthor, Mady. I'm enjoying your site very much, and I'm honored to take part in this. So, in answer to your question regarding my Hollywood background, I think it shaped me in many ways, both personally and professionally. I've always been a highly visual person, and this goes back as far as I can remember. In my youth, I used to enjoy drawing cartoons and, in my teens, I began dabbling with my father's 8mm movie camera. I was immediately hooked and as soon as I could scrape together enough money from my first job, I bought my own movie camera, a super-8 model. Communicating through a visual medium such as film was a natural for me, especially since I was quite shy when I was younger. It provided me with a nonverbal method of communicating, which suited me, and I became quite adept at it. This eventually led me to film school in southern California, where I learned my craft. After getting my degree in Film Production, I was lucky enough to wedge my foot in the door at a Hollywood production company, starting in the mailroom and working my way up to a camera position on a television show they were producing. The show filmed five days a week and it was a three-camera show. I quickly worked my way up to the lead camera position, which opened a lot of doors to me, and it was the springboard for a pretty amazing career in both TV and film production. I worked on every kind of show imaginable, really––from gameshows to music videos––Richard Simmons exercise videos to stunt movies––and everything in between. I even worked with exotic animals for a show I filmed for Discovery Channel. I was living the dream for a couple of decades...until I wasn't. By that, I mean my newly-minted marriage started collapsing behind closed doors, as I was married to a dangerously-unhinged spouse who began exhibiting psychotic swings of mood and eventually became quite violent. It morphed into a deadly scenario of spousal abuse, truth be told, but from the perspective not often discussed: abuse of a man by a woman. Nobody knew about any of this; not my co-workers, nor my friends and family. I'd explain away my bruises, cuts and black eyes as the result of my clumsiness at work. It was a slow-motion train wreck, going on for many years, and it cost me dearly––including my career––and nearly my life. I literally had to escape with the clothes on my back, go underground, and leave it all behind, or die trying. I'll touch on this more, but after a long period of processing, healing, and reinvention, I decided to muster the courage to write of the experience. I had to find the meaning behind it. I'd been given the test before the lesson, and I knew it would require pulling off the scabs in order to revisit it, to work through the shame and stigmas I felt, in order to share its truth. The result was my first novel, The Other Cheek, a brutally honest, warts-and-all account of that chapter of my life. Though it was presented as a novel, it's very much a true story––my own; I only changed the names. The experience of sharing it with the world was terrifying, and absolutely naked-making. I guess surviving a real-life suspense thriller makes you pretty adept at writing one... As I never thought anyone would be interested in reading my "desperately written burn book," you can imagine my surprise when my humble debut effort was awarded a Finalist Medal in the category of Best First Novel in the 2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. With that acknowledgement I found some validation, and writing through the pain proved cathartic. It set me on a new path, with a new set of tools, and launched my writing journey. Sorry for the long answer!

How does your experience as a teacher shape the way you craft stories or develop characters in your books?

During the aforementioned reinvention period, one of the gigs I took was as a teacher. Having hastily relocated to northern California, and severing all connections with friends and clients (nobody could know where I was as I was being stalked for a while––even across state lines...it was crazy), I couldn't seem to find any reasonable degree of success in my previous profession. The bridge had been burned behind me, through no fault of my own, and there was no way of rebuilding what I'd known, despite best efforts. So, for a period, I became a teacher. A public school teacher. First-graders, mostly, which was quite an adjustment. It was the hardest job I've ever had, honestly, but it was also quite rewarding. It helped forge my patience, empathy, and compassion for youngsters––and most of these students were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. In hindsight, maybe they taught me more than I taught them, but I'm pretty sure I left them in better shape than I found them. I've managed to incorporate some classroom moments into a couple of books in my Phoenix Series. In fact, one of the central characters, Curt, finds himself changing professions, landing in a similar stint as I had. Like myself, Curt has the right temperament for it!

As a U.S. Navy veteran, how do you think your military background has impacted your storytelling or character development?

I'm pretty proud of my military experience, but prouder of my father, who'd been a carrier-based Naval aviator. He was a night fighter in World War 2 and he landed Hellcats on aircraft carriers at night, which is probably akin to trying to thread a needle in the dark while riding a pogo stick. In the Korean War, he graduated to flying jets off carriers. As for myself, I too was in the fleet, but I mostly flew desks. I was an admin type. The experience revealed much of the world to me, and it provided me with the self-discipline I had been lacking at the time. I was barely out of my teens, and it gave me the kick in the butt I needed. There are snippets of characters in my books that may be derived from actual people I served with. I may consider writing a stand-alone book about it at some point.

"The Other Cheek" and "Leaving Phoenix" both reflect suspenseful themes. How does the Phoenix Series differ from these earlier works?

Where The Other Cheek is based on real experiences, the books that came after are from my fertile imagination. To be honest, after I'd written my debut novel, I thought I was done. I'd written the book I "had to" write and as a result I thought it was Mission: Accomplished. It was about a year later when somebody asked me, "So what's the next one going to be?" I hadn't been prepared for that question, as I couldn't think of what I could possibly write about. But the seed had been planted––in my subconscious, anyway––and I started getting flashes of a character in my dreams. They were quite vivid, and the more I let them wash over me, I realized I need to do something about it. The main character in the Phoenix Series of novels is a firecracker of a female protagonist. As I began forming her character, I also crafted a rather brutal backstory for her, as I wanted to present some perilous challenges for her journey of self-discovery. The result was what was to become Book 1 in a series I didn't even know I was writing! Leaving Phoenix is a dual-timeline roadtrip journey of discovery with perils around every turn. It's a visceral-yet-redemptive thriller, steeped in nostalgia, and it also has a wicked soundtrack!

What inspired you to start writing suspense thrillers, and what keeps you drawn to this genre?

Suspense thrillers seems to be my "jam" so far. Like I mentioned previously, I think having lived through my own private suspense-thriller of a life, I have a good understanding of the things that lurk in the shadows. All of my books seem to explore some very dark themes, but I always make it a point to shine some bright light into the pitch-dark corners. This makes them sustainable for the reader, and has also become a sort of trademark of mine, I guess, in that they are redemptive reads. Another author once described my books as "anchored in optimism." I like that. And, I think it's true. Without optimism, I never would have found the light at the end of the tunnel I once found myself in.

"So Much Forever" is the third book in the Phoenix Series. What can readers expect from this explosive addition?

Before I jump into Book 3, I should probably mention the second book in the series, which is simply––and provocatively––titled, X. I hadn't planned to write a series but, after the positive response to Leaving Phoenix, readers seemed to be clamoring for more of the characters they'd come to love in that one. But I'd decided I wouldn't write a follow-up to that one unless it made sense. I love the characters too much to just bust out a series of sequels for sequels' sake. It had to be an organic evolution and there was a lot at stake in that I didn't want to disappoint anyone. With book 2, I once again put the characters through the wringer, exploring every parent's worst nightmare, that of having their child abducted. To make things worse, it's their young daughter, snatched during Christmas Week, and by traffickers. That was a tough one to write because, like all of my books, I had to go down some very dark rabbit holes to do proper research. Writing of these monsters was quite difficult, but––as always––I made it a very redemptive read! In fact, there are also dollops of much-needed humor sprinkled about all of my stories, as they provide the reader a chance to catch their breath before being hit by another whammy! I can honestly say that I exercised great sensitivity in telling this story. It's never, ever graphic. The trafficking aspect is the backdrop against which the story is told, but I took great pains to spare the reader from anything too insidious. You'll see.

What was the most challenging part of writing "So Much Forever," and how did you overcome it? Which brings us to book 3, doesn't it?

Yes... So Much Forever... To be completely honest, I am unapologetically proud of this book! It was incredibly challenging to write, on several levels. Before I did any writing, I did a ton of research, which took several months. I'm a stickler for the details, and I always endeavor to get things right. Whether it's the geography or Arizona, or plumbing the degrees of madness in an antagonist. If there's an error in how I present something, it's all on me, and I respect my readers too much to just crank out pablum in order to establish a bigger catalog. It may not be the best business model, but I take my time––always––and my books tend to take between one or two years to write. Longer, if necessary. As far as challenges go, this one also had a very dark theme, and it examines the female antagonist's multi-layered mental illness, and takes a very deep dive into how the abuse she sustained in her childhood shattered any chance of having a normal life. Her resultant unraveling makes her both sympathetic––to a degree––and a fearsome monster. The story is set during Easter Week and it explores many things, really: love, loss, kindness, abysmal pain, faith, and...gratefulness! I don't want to give anything away, but readers will see what I mean by that. A great deal of research went into the story's setting as well, as there are many perils to be found in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. I love how the book came together. The characters always manage to surprise me! It's arguably my best work thus far, and the reviews are consistently amazing. I'm so grateful.

You mention enjoying long road trips. Do any of your travels or experiences on the road find their way into your novels?

I love long road trips. After my Navy stint, the first thing I did was buy a van and, with a couple of cohorts, set out on a cross-country road trip with no real agenda or game plan. I bought a Rand McNally Road Atlas of the U.S. and earmarked some corners, highlighted a few "must-see" places and opportunities to see relatives along the way. It turned into a three-month journey of America's backroads, and we hit about 35 states, plus part of Canada, before it was all said and done. In my experience, any memorable road trip needs to have an equally-memorable soundtrack of music to help mark the moments. My soundtracks were on cassette mixtapes I'd crafted myself (I was the king of the mixtape, by the way)! This was something I began incorporating into my Phoenix Series, as the main character in Leaving Phoenix listens to mixtapes she's made, and they help guide her as she ventures out in to the world in search of herself, and to avenge her mother's killer. As I'd previously mentioned, the book has a wicked soundtrack, and I included complete playlists for every tape she listened to. I even made sure the running times properly fit the tapes! I'm a maniac for doing so, I know, but it was important to the project, and readers have really enjoyed this aspect of the storytelling!

Your bio hints at a love for quirky dive bars and shuffleboard. Do any of these experiences or settings show up in your stories?

I think there may be one dive bar scene in one of my books... Yes, Leaving Phoenix has one, in a biker bar. No shuffleboard though, but some laughs can be found.

If you had to pick one memorable moment from your Hollywood career that shaped your storytelling or creative process, what would it be?

Gosh, that's a very difficult one to answer. In the twenty years I was working in the trenches of the Hollywood media scene, I worked with everyone from Richard Simmons to Gregory Peck. From K.I.S.S. to Faith Hill. I've worked with so many A-list (and D-list, ahem) celebrities over the years. Some presidents, professional athletes, movie stars, the Rolling Stones... I was blessed to have Lucille Ball as a guest instructor for my first semester of Film school, if you can believe that. I was going to say Charlton Heston, or Gregory Peck, but for the sake of this interview I'll go with Lucy. She was so incredibly generous with us, and I got a lot out of my time with her. I still pinch myself sometimes....

How do you balance your military, film, and writing experiences when crafting characters who may share elements of these worlds?

One of the recurring main characters in the Phoenix Series is a father figure by the nickname of Pop Pop. There are often snippets of his former life as a Naval officer that pop up at opportune times in the stories. His favorite go-to acknowledgement of agreement is, "Roger that!"

Is there a particular scene in your Phoenix Series that stands out as a favorite or one you’re particularly proud of?

Wow... That's really, really, realllllly tough to answer. People who know me can attest to my humble nature and I'm not trying toot my own horn when I say that there are several scenes from my Phoenix Series that I'm particularly proud of. At the risk of sounding like a copout, I'll quite honestly say that I am incredibly proud of the entire series thus far. If it's okay to say so, I've created some incredibly awesome characters with this series. Both protagonists and antagonists! There isn't a character in my books that doesn't have a thorough backstory to them. You'll know what makes each one "tick" and this creates opportunities for some amazing interactions and scenes between them. I apologize for not providing more specificity here, but each of these stories is a rich tapestry of moments. One reviewer calls my books, "fast-paced page-turners with sequences that are the stuff of great cinema." That's the well I drink from. My books are movies––great movies––and I even design their covers as future movie posters.

As a self-described “noodler” on the guitar, do you think music influences your writing style or helps with creativity?

Music is my second language. I infuse all of my stories with music, but never gratuitously. Any song reference I use is chosen with a great deal of thought and serves a purpose in furthering the narrative. The Phoenix Series has a collective soundtrack that's amazing. It's also a TON of extra work and expense for me as a writer when I seek licenses for permission to quote lyrics to certain songs. One song in Leaving Phoenix was a song by Seal, called "I'm Alive." When I set about seeking permission for its use, I found out that there were six or eight co-writers on that one song, and spread across multiple continents, and with different publishers. It probably took me the better part of a year, and I had to get permissions for each, and pay each, for the rights to use that one song. I'm a nut, I know, but I felt strongly about it. The books' better for its inclusion.

What are your thoughts on AllAuthor? Is this a website you see yourself using for some time, even in the future?

I can honestly say that my experience with AllAuthor has been one of the most positive experiences I've had with any site of its kind. Seriously. The platform itself is very well constructed and it's obvious to me––and I'm sure all of the writers and readers who enjoy it––that the love of books is the driving force behind it. As an author, I love the layout. It's intuitive, it's so well designed and easy to navigate, it's pleasing to peruse, and an all around great interface. Add to that, your support for authors... I am so grateful for having my latest thriller, So Much Forever, be a contender in the AllAuthor Cover of the Month competition for November. Out of the 100 entries in the Mystery/Thriller category, I was blessed to have voters choose my cover (which I spent so much work on) as one of the Top 3! I thank you, and all of the voters who appreciated the intrigue my book's cover delivered. And, as if that wasn't enough, you follow-up with a request to interview me. My cup is full. Thank you so much (forever), Mady!

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