Author Interview – A.A. Edwards – Porn Addiction

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, A. A. Edwards talks about overcoming depression, addiction, and cancer through honest writing, and shares the inspiration behind his memoir, Porn Addiction.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed A. A. Edwards about his life and career, the experiences that inspired him to write his memoir, Porn Addiction, and the work that went into it.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

I’m Aaron Edwards, a UK-based author who came to writing later in life after a series of experiences that forced me to slow down and reassess who I was and how I wanted to live. I’ve lived with depression, anxiety, addiction, and most recently cancer, and those experiences reshaped my priorities completely.

Writing became both a form of recovery and a way of making sense of everything I’d been through. I don’t come from an academic or literary background—I write from lived experience, with honesty and vulnerability at the centre of everything I do.

When did you first WANT to write a book?

The desire to write a book had been there quietly for years, but it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with cancer that it became urgent. Facing your own mortality has a way of cutting through the noise. I realised there were things I wished I’d been able to read years earlier—books that spoke plainly, without judgement, about addiction, mental health, and recovery. When I couldn’t find them, the idea of writing one myself began to feel necessary rather than optional.

When did you take a step to start writing?

I took the first real step during my cancer recovery. I wasn’t able to rush back into normal life, and that stillness gave me space to write honestly for the first time. What started as notes and reflections slowly became chapters. Writing wasn’t about ambition at first—it was about survival, processing, and understanding my own experiences.

How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?

From the initial idea to publication, my first book took around a year. Much of that time was spent finding my voice and learning the basics of structure, editing, and self-publishing. It was a steep learning curve, but one I’m grateful for because it taught me how to write with intention rather than perfection.

How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?

My latest book came together more efficiently, taking roughly six to eight months from concept to release. Having already gone through the process once, I was more confident in my approach and clearer about what I wanted the book to be—and what I wanted it to help readers with.

Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Porn Addiction?

The main motivation was the complete lack of books on porn addiction written from genuine personal experience. There were clinical texts and opinion pieces, but very little that spoke honestly about what it feels like to live with it, hide it, relapse, recover, and rebuild. I wanted to write the book I wish I’d had—something human, practical, and compassionate, rather than theoretical or shaming.

What were your biggest challenges with writing Porn Addiction?

The biggest challenge was emotional honesty. Writing about addiction means revisiting moments you’re not proud of and resisting the urge to soften the truth. There was also the challenge of balance—being open without being gratuitous, and personal without losing sight of the reader. I wanted the book to be useful, not just confessional.

What was your research process for Porn Addiction?

The research was primarily experiential. I drew on my own recovery, therapy insights, journals, and years of lived experience. I also reviewed existing addiction literature to understand what was missing and where personal narrative could add value. Rather than statistics, I focused on patterns, behaviours, and emotional realities that people recognise immediately when they read them.

How did you plan the structure of Porn Addiction?

I structured the book in a way that mirrors recovery itself—starting with awareness, moving through honesty and disruption, and ending with rebuilding and hope. Each section is designed to stand alone but also build on the last, so readers can dip in where they need to or read straight through.

Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Porn Addiction need?

No I did it all myself. Due to being off work because of the cancer recovery I couldn’t afford help. I had friends read it for me and I went over it multiple times to edit it myself.

What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?

Write honestly before you write well. You can fix grammar and structure later, but you can’t fake truth. Start by saying the thing you’re most afraid to say—chances are, that’s exactly what someone else needs to read.

Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?

I have just released a book called, From the cutting room floor: A cinematic guide to mental well-being. It uses lessons from movies to help improve our well-being. I also have a fictional detective novel set in the city of Bristol that will be published in the next couple of weeks.

And, finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

Absolutely. Writing these books helped me reclaim parts of myself that illness and addiction had taken away. It was difficult, uncomfortable, and emotionally demanding—but completely worth it. If even one person feels less alone because of something I’ve written, then the effort was justified.

Pop all your books, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

Amazon Books: https://amzn.to/49YYfgL