Lincoln James remains exclusive in an era of fast trends and forgettable influencers, shaping stories that do more than write books- they are experiences seared into the reader’s memory long after turning the last page. Lincoln James’ career does not have any overnight success story attached to it; rather, it is relentless passion, early failures utilized as stepping stones, and a conscious effort to remind people that they are never truly alone in their struggles.
It is this very journey of resilience with intellectual depth, combined with an inroad into a rare jewel in emotional honesty, that caused America Inspire Magazine to select Lincoln proudly for its exclusive 2025 Collection.
From a Child with Glorious Dreams to a Voice That Moves Nations
“I started writing stories when I could barely write full sentences,” Lincoln remembers with a smile. “Scooby-Doo mysteries, monster traps-it was all about solving puzzles and revealing what was hidden beneath the surface.”
But what began as childhood play eventually took a more serious turn. Influenced by a brother who would occasionally return from Blockbuster with excruciatingly long horror movies on VHS, and his ponderings on the subject, Lincoln realized that stories did not merely entertain; they could heal, enlighten, and change.
Having graduated early from high school, Lincoln catapulted himself into the uncertain world of social media and was already an influencer before the word came into common usage. At the tender age of 18, he was mingling with A-listers at the Teen Choice Awards. “It was exhilarating but also sobering,” he explained. “You learn very quickly how society markets people like products. That realization shaped my worldview and my writing.”
By the age of 21, he became one of the youngest communication professors to be appointed at Virginia Tech, and later taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. His students, most his own peers, sharpened his uniquely uncommon way of expressing himself, which now flows in every novel that he writes.
Those Novels That Brought Change in Lives
Lincoln’s literary repertoire is uncanny. His third bestseller, All the Time, was released in February 2025. An impeccable thriller involving time travel ensnared with grief, nostalgia, and the struggle to accept change; Carter, a newly-minted high school senior from 2014, finds himself stranded in the ’90s with nothing but a glitching iPhone and a broken-down car, symbolic for all of us trapped between the past and a future we can barely reach.
Written Just For You, which came out early this May, is already preempted to showcase its talents as a gripping psychological horror. Set in a fog-drenched Oregon town in 1962, Will, a fresh graduate, starts to fall for a girl the entire town insists doesn’t exist—or worse, believes is already dead. It is a hauntingly beautiful story of trauma, possession, and the desperate cry for freedom.
Later this year, We Are Human will be his most daring novel yet. Set in 2040, this sci-fi thriller questions what it truly means to survive. While Ty attempts to free himself from his captors and the invasive experiments being carried out on him, he discovers that survival is not about escaping the present but rather shedding the restraint of the past.
“I write about people stuck in between-between worlds, between decisions, between who they are and who they could be,” Lincoln explains. “Because that’s where most of us live.”
Real-Life Inspirations Behind the Fiction
It’s easy to believe that stories so layered and complex must have been inspired by real life—and that thought wouldn’t be wrong.
Lincoln muses about his first novel: “The Vanishing Eight was about the fear of losing what feels permanent. Friends grow apart, people change, and sometimes, the things we thought would last forever just… disappear.”
The anxiety of failing to live up to expectations became the second theme between Devils Like Us, an anxiety very close to Lincoln’s heart as a young professional and public figure attempting to come of age under a spotlight.
But beyond that is a simple truth that Lincoln keeps communicating: You are enough, and you are not alone.
The Teacher at Heart, The Storyteller by Destiny
Having taught over 1,000 students throughout recent years, Lincoln channels his passion for communication right into the classroom.
“My students inspire me constantly,” he said. “I teach them how to hold attention, how to build tension and deliver meaning. But truthfully, I learn just as much from them. It’s their struggles and triumphs that shape the characters I write.”
And with his literary acknowledgments only continuing to grow, Lincoln remains refreshingly grounded. “Being featured in America Inspire Magazine isn’t just an honor. It’s a responsibility. My goal isn’t fame. It’s to make sure my stories reach the people who need them most.”
An Inspiring Perspective on Legacy and Being Human
When asked what it means to be an American Inspiration, Lincoln gives the answer immediately:
“It means daring to speak your truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about significance, not success. And it’s about holding a light for someone still trapped in the dark.”
So it is just right and fair to expect that his favorite mantra, one he passes down to every aspiring writer, is as raw and direct as his narrative style: “Shut up, and write the book.”
“It’s blunt, but it works,” he laughs. “Excuses are easy. But if you don’t tell your story, it might never be told. And the world will be lesser for it.”
As America Inspire Magazine wraps up this special feature, we leave you with words Lincoln hopes stay with his readers:
“Your story matters. You don’t need to have it all figured out to create something extraordinary. You just have to start.”
Learn More About Lincoln James:
Instagram: @lincolnjjames
Website: www.thelincolnjames.com
Featured Titles:
- The Vanishing Eight
- Devils Like Us
- All the Time
- Written Just For You – Now Available
- We Are Human (Coming Late 2025)
