Interview with Jackie Mae, author of 'If...Lost or Found'

Jackie Mae is an award-winning author. She writes in several genres including new adult, women’s fiction, contemporary romance, paranormal, mystery/thriller/suspense, science fiction, and juvenile fiction for the middle grade.

In the “If…” series, what-ifs will be taken to a whole new level. What if you knew your future? What if you could change your destiny? What if you couldn’t? Faced with choices, what would you do?

In addition to the “If…” series, she also writes a series called, THE DARKEST SERIES, which chronicles women who struggle with their new found psychic abilities while trying to stop an invasion.

Jackie Mae's children’s chapter book series, A Taylor and Alan Adventure, is co-authored with her young granddaughter, Alison Taylor. In the Taylor and Alan Adventures, where faction meets fiction, you will meet Taylor and Alan a sister/brother duo, who are called on to help the good wizards of the land. Artfully weaving rich history into the story, it instills the concept of being mindful and respectful of the environment while appropriately thrilling the young audience. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Caitlin Dunbar Nature Center to help support Girl Scouts. This juvenile fiction series for the middle grade is sure to please readers.

Jackie also finds time to volunteer within her community. “Giving back is a big part of who I am.” When she is not volunteering she is writing, gardening, or spending time with her grandchildren.

Her latest book is the New Adult/contemporary romance/paranormal, If…Lost or Found.

For More Information

• Connect with Jackie on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book:

Title: If…Lost or Found
Author: Jackie Mae
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 72
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Paranormal

Traveling abroad, Sabrina’s grand adventure is about to change. Needing to go home and rectify the wrongs that are hovering ever constant around her, she finds herself thrust into a whole new set of truths she must confront. What if she had chosen differently? What if she had followed her parents’ guidance? Acceptance, freedom, being a worldly woman, had all seemed so important. Now, however, her path will lead her into the unknown. On her own, she must confront her fears head-on. When she meets “dream man,” she dares to hope, but life has its own plan. Is she strong enough for what destiny has in store for her? What will the cost be this time?

For More Information

• If…Lost or Found is available at Amazon.

Q: Welcome to The Writer's Life!  Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process.  Can we begin by having you take us at the beginning?  Where did you come up with the idea to write your book?

The If… series was born near the waterfront of downtown Annapolis, Maryland. Having pulled the car over, I feverishly jotted down the thoughts running through my mind. I honed in on the idea of what one might do if one knew his or her destiny. That led me to the theme for the If… series. Although all the novellas have the same theme they each have different characters and can be read independently of each other.  If… Lost or Found was developed out of my need to have a character that would have seemingly insurmountable circumstances, then throw in a prediction by a psychic, and you’d have the fixings for a mega struggle. I love Sabrina; the question is, will she be able to overcome her personal demons?

Q: How hard was it to write a book like this and do you have any tips that you could pass on which would make the journey easier for other writers?

Writing is not easy. It’s not. It can be gut wrenching or a long drawn out process that is crazy beautiful. Setting, plot, point of view, character development, then there’s editing; copy editing, line editing, all sorts of editing. When your baby is finally ready for delivery, wait, there’s marketing. Cover reveal, book blitz, blog tours, social media, book festivals, networking, you name it. But, having said all that, I don’t want to discourage anyone from pursuing their dream of being a writer. If you want it so bad you can taste it, you can do it. My tip for a new author would be to network with other authors to pick up tips and tricks; you would be surprised how many authors want to help you with your journey.

Q: Who is your publisher and how did you find them or did you self-publish?

I self-publish.

Q: Is there anything that surprised you about getting your first book published?

Yes. I used a vanity press with my first book. I choose self-publishing these days. The ease with which you can self-publish and maintain all creative rights fits my style at the moment. It’s not to say if offered the right deal I wouldn’t entertain it.

Q: What other books (if any) are you working on and when will they be published?

To date, I have published seven books. I will be publishing the fifth book in the If… series soon. I haven’t picked a title yet but the protagonist, having led a harsh childhood, will be faced with a rescue and providing a love she doesn’t know how to give.

I am also currently working on the next juvenile fiction book in the Taylor & Alan Adventure series with my co-author, Alison Taylor. Our third book will take Taylor and Alan on a mission to Mount Vernon, home of Martha and George Washington. Our second book in the series called, The Key: A Taylor & Alan Adventure has won three book awards to date.

Q: What’s your favorite place to hang out online?

I have a lot of favorites. Definitely Goodreads, then there’s Facebook, Twitter, and just recently I started being active on Pinterest.

Q: What’s your nightly ritual before retiring for the night?

To check my various online accounts; places where I either hang out with other authors, or where I have my books listed. You have to check the various sites where you have your books listed for inconsistencies on a regular basis. Finally, I make sure my “fifteen year old puppy” is comfortable. 

Q: Finally, what message (if any) are you trying to get across with your book?

That life’s challenges can be overcome. That accepting the bad with the good is the only sane thing to do. Remember, your insignificant gesture can be a life changing event for the person on the receiving end.

  

Q: Thank you again for this interview!  Do you have any final words?

Sure. I wish to thank everyone who supports my work from readers, reviewers, social media marketers, to those who attend author-held events, who share my posts via social media, and write to me. I appreciate you and am humbled by your support.