Author Spotlight: Cody Bates
By Cody Bates

We are pleased to introduce Cody Bates, the author of The Devil’s Pupil. His book is now available for purchase through the Word Alive Press Bookstore and everywhere fine Christian books are sold. We asked Cody, to share some information about himself and his book!

Cody Bates currently resides in Kelowna, British Columbia and is the lead evangelist for the Adult and Teen Challenge Okanagan Men’s Centre. He is the founder and director of The Avery Projects, a charity aimed at closing the gap in addiction from when someone wants help to when they actually get it. His passion for helping those with addictions is second only to his passion for the Lord. Cody can be contacted at www.codybates.com or followed on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or Twitter. Watch for Cody’s next book, My Fathers Pupil.

Q&A

Q: If you could describe The Devil’s Pupil in one word, what would it be?
A: Unthinkable. My life story is hard even for myself to wrap my head around. It’s such a huge testimony to God’s unfailing pursuit of my heart.

Q: The Devil’s Pupil is a gripping title. Where did it come from?
A: Most people would think it comes from being a student of the devil, but it’s not. It’s a double entendre. When I was using copious amounts of narcotics, I had many experiences with demons and the spiritual realm. In one, I would blink or close my eyes and see a set of eyes right in front of me—glossy white eyes with piercing, evil pupils. I knew they belonged to the devil. It horrified me that I had such a close relationship with the devil that I could see the pupil in his eye.

Q: Tell us about the next book you’re working on.
A: My next book is called My Fathers Pupil. This is a detailed account of how I have learned to hear God’s voice.

Q: How would you describe your publishing experience?
A: My very first publishing experience has been an amazing journey. Word Alive Press and Sylvia St.Cyr were completely hands-on throughout the process. Sylvia was unbelievable at calming my nerves, responding promptly, keeping me excited, and being a friend when I was overwhelmed. I don’t think I could possibly have asked for a better first publishing experience. I will be highly recommending Word Alive Press to everyone looking to publish a book.

Q: How long did it take you to complete your manuscript?
A: My manuscript took me ten months to finish, with an additional year of refining. The interesting thing is that I started writing when I was less than a week sober. This is why my writing is so descriptive and graphic. The experiences were still very fresh.

Q: Although you’re a first-time author, have you done any other writing in the past?
A: I had hardly written anything. I’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, so sitting and writing is next to impossible for me. So how did this book get completed in the timeframe it was? God. It’s definitely meant for something special.

Q: How was the editing process for you with Word Alive Press?
A: It was amazing. My original manuscript was 750 pages. The editor worked very closely with me and under a strict timeframe. He was informative, helpful, and sensitive to the fact that this was my first publishing experience.

Q: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?
A: The biggest thing that helped me finish in the time I did was committing myself to writing a chapter every time I sat down. It kept my thoughts together and reflected continuity in the flow of my writing. When I was working with the editor, he said that this was the most detailed manuscript he had ever read—but it was better to have too much detail than too little.

Upcoming Book Signings

• Cody is aiming to host a book launch on the last Wednesday of March. The event will be a concert/testimony with two-time Grammy-nominated recording artist Fresh I.E. and will take place at Trinity Church in Kelowna.
• On January 13, from 7:00–9:00 p.m., Cody will be the keynote speaker for a fundraiser at a treatment center called Freedoms Door in Kelowna. He will be signing copies of The Devil’s Pupil afterward, and the event will be open to the public.

Contact Cody

Website: www.codybates.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cody.bates.7967
Instagram: therealbatesmotel

About this Contributor:

Cody Bates currently resides in Kelowna, British Columbia and is the lead evangelist for the Adult and Teen Challenge Okanagan Men’s Centre. He is the founder and director of The Avery Projects, a charity aimed at closing the gap in addiction from when someone wants help to when they actually get it. His passion for helping those with addictions is second only to his passion for the Lord. Cody can be contacted at www.codybates.com or followed on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, or Twitter. Watch for Cody’s next book, My Fathers Pupil.