J.D. Barker Interview: NetGalley Secret That Landed James Patterson Collaboration

I’ve been interviewing successful authors for a while now, but every once in a while someone sits down who completely shifts how you think about the industry.

That someone is J.D. Barker.

If you’re an author — whether you’re just starting out, self-publishing, or trying to break into traditional — this episode is one you don’t want to miss. J.D. has sold millions of books, been translated into more than 25 languages, and built a powerful hybrid career. He’s also the guy who co-authors with James Patterson and gets equal billing on the covers.

Here’s the full interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ntm6CgP8WA

From Finance to Full-Time Author

J.D. made the leap most writers only dream about: he walked away from a stable finance career to write full time. That decision led to years of grinding, smart risks, and eventually a breakout with The Fourth Monkey — a book that now sits at over 16,000 reviews.

But it wasn’t just talent or luck. It was strategy.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

Here are some of the most valuable insights J.D. shared:

• The NetGalley Strategy Most Authors Miss NetGalley isn’t only about collecting early reviews. J.D. treated it as a serious networking tool. By getting The Fourth Monkey into the right hands, it directly led to a phone call from James Patterson. (He almost didn’t pick up because it was a Florida number — thought it was a friend messing with him.) That one connection changed the trajectory of his career.
• Why “Stay In Your Lane” Is Bad Advice The common wisdom says pick one genre and never leave it. J.D. disagrees strongly. His willingness to write across thrillers, horror, collaborations, and prequels has kept his work fresh and expanded his audience. Great storytelling transcends genre boxes.
• The Hybrid Author Advantage J.D. talks openly about the economics of indie versus traditional publishing, rapid release strategies, and how he structured a unique deal that gives him both creative freedom and major distribution muscle. He treats publishing like a business — something more authors need to do.
• Ignoring the Rules That Don’t Serve You From self-publishing early work that got him noticed by big houses, to negotiating his own imprint while maintaining indie advantages, J.D. consistently followed results instead of rigid “rules.”

He also opens up about working with Patterson, writing the official Dracula prequel, building a long-term career in a fast-changing industry, and the mindset shifts that separate hobbyists from professionals.

Why This Episode Matters

The publishing world has changed dramatically. Old gatekeeper models are cracking, new tools and platforms are emerging, and the authors who succeed are the ones willing to experiment and think strategically.

J.D. Barker is one of those authors. Whether you’re writing your first book or looking to scale an existing career, his story and advice are incredibly practical.

Let me know in the comments: What’s one piece of “standard” publishing advice you’ve started questioning lately? Or what surprised you most after watching?

I read every comment.

See you at the top, Eric

ZBooks Successful Authors Podcast — Real conversations with writers who are actually doing it.