Category: Inspirations

The Most Iconic Book Covers in the Thriller/Suspense/SF Genres

The Most Iconic Book Covers in the Thriller/Suspense/SF Genres

I’ve recently been re-reading some classic novels from my younger days, and I realized that some of their covers might now be considered iconic — some so notable that the movie marketing machines actually copied the book cover, further cementing the image in our minds. Here are some of those books.

CTV News Article on Timothy S. Johnston

CTV News Article on Timothy S. Johnston

Last week, CTV News ran an article about me and my love for the Science Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense genres and how they inspire me to write.

Horror/Sci-Fi/Suspense Influences on TSJ Before the Age of Ten

Horror/Sci-Fi/Suspense Influences on TSJ Before the Age of Ten

I recently published a blog piece celebrating my fiftieth year on the planet. In the article, I wrote about the books I read as a child under the age of ten. The intention was twofold: to inform people about the books that inspired a young boy to take on the monumental goal of writing science fiction thrillers (a task which took decades to achieve), and to implore parents to always buy books for their children.

Original Concept Art for The Tanner Sequence

The Furnace, The Freezer, The Void by TSJ

I wanted to showcase this incredible concept artwork by Nelson Housden for each book in The Tanner Sequence. Agatha Christie and Isaac Asimov inspired me to write these futuristic murder mysteries, published by Carina Press back in 2013, 2014, and 2015.  The Furnace was the first book I sold, back in 2012.

Newspaper Article on TSJ and THE SAVAGE DEEPS

Newspaper Article on TSJ

There was a wonderful article on my writing and books yesterday in The London Free Press.  The topics focused on my writing philosophy, mission, inspirations, and important themes in my new series The Rise of Oceania:  resource exploitation, climate change, and the legacy our fathers leave for us, for good or for bad.  I hope you enjoy the article (link below).  Thanks to entertainment reporter Joe Belanger.

TSJ Reviews THE FLY

TSJ on THE FLY Starring Vincent Price

Movie: THE FLY (1958)
Starring:  Vincent Price, David Hedison, Patricia Owens
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Sequels: RETURN OF THE FLY, CURSE OF THE FLY, THE FLY, THE FLY II
Writer:  George Langelaan (original story in Playboy)
Screenplay:  James Clavell! (THE FLY was his first filmed screenplay)

During this Coronavirus outbreak, I took the opportunity to watch the original film THE FLY with my 12 year old daughter.  We’re shuttered inside, and while I spend a great deal of my time writing, we’re also watching a lot of movies, streaming shows, and playing games.  THE FLY is a wonderful “horror” film from the 1950’s, part of my new BluRay package of FLY films, and has an important message for all content creators and creative writers.

The Second Cold War is Coming, and the Culprit is Climate Change

Article by TSJ at The Speculative Fiction Showcase

Here’s a new article I wrote about how climate change and the need for new resources to sustain exploding populations might trigger a new Cold War. 

TSJ Visits Cold War OBERON Class Submarine HMCS Ojibwa

TSJ Visits Cold War OBERON Class Submarine HMCS Ojibwa

Last summer I had the pleasure of visiting the HMCS Ojibwa, located in Port Burwell, Ontario, at the Museum of Naval History on the shore of Lake Erie.

Listen to TSJ on The Todd Shapiro Show — Link Here

Listen to TSJ Talk Thrillers, Sci-Fi, and More on SiriusXM Canada’s Todd Shapiro Show — Link Here

On Tuesday 16 July, I traveled to Toronto and visited the offices of SiriusXM Canada as a guest of The Todd Shapiro Show, a talk radio show on SiriusXM Canada Channel 167.