Jakob Crane is a writer and visual artist who is native to New England. After graduating from Lesley University College of Art and Design, Crane worked as a writer and illustrator for numerous newspapers and publications throughout New England. As a boy, he trotted across the stone-walled landscape into early American cemeteries and battlegrounds. Though he has hitchhiked across America, Crane’s love of the tales and history of New England have been a strong influence on his work; that interest is reflected in his first graphic novel, "Lies in the Dust: A Tale Of Remorse From The Salem Witch Trials."

SIX MINUTES WITH JAKOB CRANE:

Joining LitPick today on Six Minutes with an Author is Jakob Crane, a talented writer and visual artist! The New England native is a graduate of Lesley University College of Art and Design. As a boy, he trotted across the stone-walled landscape into early American cemeteries and battlegrounds. Jakob’s love of the tales and history of New England have been a strong influence on his work.

How did you get started writing?

Right after college, I started jotting down ideas and stories. The strange tales from New England have always fascinated me, so I think this book about the Salem Witch Trials has been a part of my brain since I was a child.

Who influenced you?

Edward Gorey and Maurice Sendak, but mainly walks in old cemeteries. Reading about things that used to have a pulse and thinking about their actual lives, trying to breathe the air that they did. Walking the older streets of Boston and all of New England . . . looking out into the sea on the coast of Maine on a snowy night . . . these things make stories happen in my head better than anything else.

Do you have a favorite book or setting?

The cold bed chamber of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol when he is sitting by the fire eating his gruel. I can read that scene over and over again.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to be an author?

None. I have an observation. If you're gonna be a writer or any kind of artist, you're just gonna be that, no matter what level of success you attain. Writing and art is something that you either HAVE to do or else you're just happy to tell people that you're writing a book. It's a bit of a curse for me...I cannot stop it. People are talking to me and I'm usually not listening because I'm thinking of a story or an idea. I guess that I'm kind of a secret jerk . . . sorry friends. :) I’d be much more of an insane person if I couldn’t do this.

Where is your favorite place to write?

Above the garage at my father-in-law, Rocco’s house in Ridgefield, Connecticut. It’s my favorite place to paint, as well. I also like it out on the back porch of my parents’ house. My own house has my three sons living in it, so it’s all sorts of crazy!

What else would you like to tell us?

I hope you get a chance to look at my graphic novel, Lies In The Dust: A Tale Of Remorse From The Salem Witch Trials. I'd also like to thank Melissa and Dean at Islandportpress.com for publishing the book! They are a fantastic New England publisher that everyone should know about.

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Thanks for joining us, Jakob! It’s always insightful to see the diverse influences of authors. Lies in the Dust is a wonderful graphic novel that received a Five Star review on LitPick.