Don't Kill the Raccoons
J. Anthony Kraus is a fiction and memoir writer whose work blends satire and genre storytelling. His perspective is shaped by a diverse career spanning military service, creative leadership, and decades of professional writing.
Kraus served in the United States Air Force as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist, stationed in Minot, North Dakota. That experience instilled in him a lasting awareness of authority and consequence — elements that later emerged as recurring themes in his storytelling.
Following his military service, Kraus spent more than twenty years in the advertising industry. He began his career as an illustrator and worked his way up to Creative Director, where he was responsible for final visual and written content across campaigns. During that time, he wrote radio commercials and a nationally aired television dog food commercial, developing a strong command of pacing, tone, and audience engagement.
While working in advertising, Kraus became increasingly drawn to fiction. He began with a screenplay centered on Bigfoot and later wrote an early version of Go Xielje!, which he set aside for several years. During that time, he continued to practice writing, study the craft, and refine his voice. When he returned to Go Xielje!, he did so with renewed perspective and a clearer creative direction.
Kraus cites Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein and classic Godzilla films as key influences, inspiring his interest in exploring the monster genre through humor and satire. His work often examines what happens when control breaks down, authority changes, and people are forced to confront chaos.
