Joshua G B, the author of Kudzu Cradle & The Forgotten Creature of the Lowcountry, brings a deeply personal touch to his debut novel. At 51, Joshua draws from a lifetime of experiences that have shaped his perspective and storytelling voice. Raised in the marshes and rivers of Savannah, Georgia, he spent many years working in his family’s electrical contracting business before stepping into the world of writing. His path was not traditional, yet it is precisely that lived experience that gives his work emotional depth.
Joshua’s inspiration to write came later in life, sparked by his love for reading, particularly after discovering the Harry Potter series. From there, his curiosity grew into a creative pursuit. He believes that life’s highs and lows give a writer the ability to capture real emotions, and this belief is evident throughout his novel. For Joshua, storytelling is not just about plot. It is about feeling every moment alongside the characters and letting those emotions guide the narrative forward.
Kudzu’s World of Uncertainty and Hope
At the heart of the novel is Kudzu Cradle, a ten-year-old foster child who has spent much of her life searching for stability. She has known her parents, yet her journey through different foster homes and even a care facility has left her with a lingering sense of uncertainty. Despite that, Kudzu carries a quiet strength, holding onto small comforts like her blankie and a broken Swiss Army knife.
When the story begins, life finally seems to be falling into place. Kudzu has a clean home, two close friends, and the excitement of summer just ahead. For the first time, she feels like she belongs somewhere. That fragile happiness is interrupted when she is suddenly told she must leave and spend her summer on a mysterious island. The news hits hard, leaving her feeling uprooted once again.
Joshua captures this emotional shift with care, allowing readers to understand Kudzu’s heartbreak while also sensing the resilience that defines her. Her journey begins with loss, yet it quietly opens the door to something far greater.
The Mystery and Magic of the Lowcountry
Kudzu’s arrival at Nulle Part Island introduces a setting filled with mystery and quiet wonder. The island carries whispers of a haunted hotel, a strange creature roaming the marshes, and stories that blur the line between truth and legend. At the center of it all stands Sue Sue’s old hotel, a once-grand place that has not seen guests in years.
Joshua’s connection to the Lowcountry shines through in these moments. Having grown up in the region, he brings authenticity to the landscape. The marshes, rivers, and humid air feel alive, creating a vivid backdrop that supports the story’s magical elements.
Inside the hotel, Kudzu meets a group of intriguing characters who slowly become part of her world. Sue Sue, the owner, offers both warmth and mystery. Ms. Blanche, introduced as an adviser, hints at deeper secrets tied to the island. Then there is Nostrils, the pig who becomes Kudzu’s unlikely best friend, adding lighthearted moments that balance the story’s emotional weight.
As Kudzu spends more time on the island, she discovers that it is more than just a remote location. It is a gateway to something beyond ordinary understanding, a place where time feels different and possibilities seem endless.
A Coming-of-Age Tale with Heart
Kudzu Cradle & The Forgotten Creature of the Lowcountry is ultimately a story about belonging, identity, and inner strength. Kudzu’s journey is not only about uncovering the island’s secrets but also about discovering who she is and where she fits in the world. Along the way, she encounters ancient mysteries and a forgotten device with the power to change everything.
Joshua’s writing reflects his belief that characters and plot move together, each shaping the other. Kudzu’s growth feels natural, unfolding through her experiences and relationships. Her courage develops quietly, built through moments of fear, curiosity, and connection.
Joshua also shares that Kudzu became very real to him during the writing process. He felt her emotions deeply, which made both the joyful and difficult scenes more meaningful to create. That emotional investment carries through to the reader, making the story feel sincere and engaging.
With its Southern charm, gentle humor, and imaginative storytelling, the novel offers a warm and memorable reading experience. It is a tribute to the Lowcountry, a reflection of Joshua’s own journey, and a reminder that even in uncertain beginnings, there is always the possibility of finding a place to belong.
Available on Amazon, this debut work introduces readers to a heartfelt adventure filled with mystery, magic, and emotional depth.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Hi, thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
My name is Josh Braddy, also known as Joshua G B, the author of a novel entitled “Kudzu Cradle & The Forgotten Creature of the Lowcountry”. I was born and raised in the area where I still reside. I lived in a few other places around the United States, but I always found myself wanting to come back. The marsh and rivers, and the people around me, are as much a part of me as the fingers I use to write this. I worked as an electrician for my family’s business most of my life, except for when I lived elsewhere working on various television shows and movies. I have always been happiest creating or telling stories, and I loved being a part of the filmmaking process. In the present moment, I earn a living as a part-time teacher at a local private school. I love teaching young people, but the most pleasing part is the connection you can gain with students.
Please share your journey with our readers.
This story had been bouncing around inside my head for a ten-year period, but I never seemed to have the mental fortitude to start and finish it. I would write for three weeks or so and then stop. I look back at the time, knowing that it just wasn’t the right moment for me to write Kudzu. I guess I had other things in my life that were taking up my time and energy. But in 2024, after school wrapped up, I made a promise to myself to sit down at the computer and not get up until I got this story out there…It took the next fifteen months to finish a first draft. This was followed by four months of professional editing and formatting. I published the novel last November, but I would classify that as “soft publishing”. I wanted friends and family to read the book first, to possibly give me feedback before sending it out into the world for everyone to read.
I believe the true goal of an artist is the connection you get with a reader or an audience member. If your work touches one person, if it affects one soul or inspires someone, then you’ve accomplished what your work was meant to accomplish. This all sounds great, but it is certainly easier said than done. It bruises the soul when people don’t see your movie or buy your book.
Please tell us about your book.
Kudzu Cradle is a young adult novel about a 10-year-old foster kid who spends her 5th-grade summer months at an abandoned hotel on a nearby mysterious Island. The story takes place in the low-lying rivers and marshes of the Lowcountry. An area that curls up the southeastern US coast from North Florida into the lowlands of South Carolina. A place where I was born and raised, it’s a region that has its fair share of ghost stories, folklore, and local legends that I wanted to blend into Kudzu’s narrative.
The story also happens during the time period when I was the same age as Kudzu. These were moments of my life when I was most happy. Joyful memories of being outside all day: riding bicycles with friends through the woods and forest. Swimming in the creeks and rivers around my house or trudging through the mud chasing fiddler crabs when the tide was low. I remember always wishing to discover anything that was unknown to us… even if this meant exploring those places we weren’t allowed to go. When I set myself to writing “Kudzu Cradle,” I wanted to incorporate these memories and, more importantly, those feelings into the story. It was a labor of love for me, and Kudzu is as real to me as anyone I’ve ever known. I hurt when she hurt, and I laughed when she laughed.
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
I’ve read that some authors first produce an outline for their story before writing it. I didn’t do that. I had a loose outline in my mind on how the story was going to unfold, but really, I sat down at the computer and allowed it to unfold. This might sound strange for another to read, but it was almost as if the story of Kudzu Cradle didn’t come from me at all. In a way, it was given to me so I could write it down. I saw the story happening in my mind and tried my best to express that on paper. Being that this is my first novel, the first draft was truly a “rough cut” that needed to be refined and fixed so the book would flow properly. I think writing a novel could best be described as: having a block of marble being plopped down in front of you and knowing what it will be when you are finished. At first, you will chop large chunks from the marble with a big hammer. Then, smaller pieces. Soon, the block of marble takes the shape you have always seen in your mind. You refine it, and refine it (this process could last an eternity, I think) until the sculpture is ready to be polished and finished. I have a couple of secret strategies I used during the writing process, but I won’t discuss them here. If someone wants to know these tricks, they can go to the website or email me, and I’ll be happy to discuss them. 😉
In the end, I’ve done my best to prioritize the reasons I wrote this novel to begin with: To keep a promise to myself and finish something I started. To tell the story of Kudzu Cradle and to get it into the hands of as many people as possible.
Thank you so much, Joshua, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!
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