Photo byAlex Stoddard
Being that I am a future self-publisher myself (releasing Book One of my steampunk fantasy series this Fall! AGH!), I have met so many wonderful and intelligent self-published/publishing authors to learn from and be inspired by. One of those great people is Jenny Bravo, a gorgeous brunette who shares my affinity for Ever After (shout out to you as well, Marissa Fuller!), among other things. For somewhat selfish reasons, I wanted to interview Jenny and learn more about her, her current WIP, and why she decided to self-publish. I hope you are all as inspired by her as I have been, as we all press on to revolutionize the publishing industry. Without further ado-take it away, Jenny!
AC: Go back to little Jenny. What was she like? Were there ever any warning signs back then that you’d grow up to be a writer? (I was a weirdo; a teacher even told my mother once she was afraid I lacked a substantial grasp of reality…)
JB: Oh, little Jenny. Growing up, the writer gene was evident. I made up stories constantly, and would tell them to whoever would listen. Fairies, princesses, mermaids, you name it. I remember when I first read A Bridge to Terabithia. I invented a whole language for my sister and me and we’d escape to our own world. Books took me places. I loved my childhood, because I lived so many different lives in my small corner of the world.
AC: What have been your best and worst experiences in writing so far?
JB: My best writing experience was in college. I had just taken the leap from a “stable” degree to pursue an English major. I signed up for a short story workshop with Chris Tusa, and I wrote my first story, my first real finished work, about a little girl with cancer who idealizes her Barbie dolls. Chris took me aside after class and told me that he didn’t do this with most students, but he saw potential in me. He said I was a writer, and that led me to where I am today. You need that validation, especially at the beginning. I strapped on that writer title and said, “Okay, let’s do this.”
My worst experience? The low points. We all have those days where we just don’t feel good enough, where we want to quit. It can get lonely, and only writer people fully understand the effort that goes into a piece of writing. Thankfully, this writer community is extremely welcoming, and that makes all of the difference.
AC: Can you tell us a little bit about your current WIP, how the idea came to you, and what you’re most excited about with it?
JB: The book I’m writing now is the book that I’ve been meaning to write for years. It’s the perfect first book for me. These are the Moments is an NA/YA crossover novel about Wendy Lake, a twenty-something straddling adultdom and her slowly slipping youth. When her best friend Vivian gets engaged, Simon, the boy she can’t forget, comes ricocheting back into her life. I’m really excited about the dual timeline. Half of the story is told in the present while the other half is told from Wendy and Simon’s history. It’s so cool seeing how the two fit together. The idea came from life, and in some ways, it’s kind of a collection of characters, events and experiences of people I’ve met. Of course, it’s fictionalized, so I get to change and manipulate it for the overall message. Writer perk!
AC: Sounds amazing! So, why did you decide to self-publish your book? Did you query at all, begin the traditional route and redirect?
JB: Honestly, I had never even imagined self-publishing until a few months ago. I had all of those writer books, you know, the ones that talk about how to get an agent and how to write a query letter. Then I found Ksenia Anske. I was so impressed by her openness with writing, and her ability to speak directly to her readers, and I wanted that. So, I did the research. Soon enough, I’d found a cover designer, then an editor, and now it’s slowly just building itself up into an actual book. What I love about self-publishing is the ability to control the future of my story. I get to do all of the marketing, the planning, the promotion, and then it’s up to readers. I think it’s a beautiful relationship, and I can’t wait to get started. On that note, I still admire and appreciate traditional publishing. If it’s right for another story, I will definitely explore that route.
AC: What tips do you have for aspiring self-publishers and writers in general about this crazy business?
JB: There’s so much to know about writing, so much that I’m still figuring out! I think that there’s a small recipe for success here. First, write. Often. Always. You learn so much from your own experience. Second, reach out. There’s an amazing community of writers and readers just waiting for you. Social media makes this so easy now! Writers no longer have to hide out in dark corners all by themselves. It’s awesome. Still, don’t compromise your writing for the glitz of followers on your blog. Balance will get you very far, my friends. Oh, and coffee. Lots of coffee.
AC: And finally: Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know. Your DEEPEST, DARKEST SECRET. Or maybe a hobby you enjoy.
JB: Ahh! Deepest darkest secret? I’ll never tell! (Because it’s probably just really dorky and embarrassing.) So instead, let’s see. A hobby. I’m a big musical theater buff. I performed in musicals all throughout high school and into college. I’ve seen Wicked three times. And I was practically raised on The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Does that work? Kind of a letdown?
AC: Not a letdown at all. Final question: what charity do you especially feel strong about, so that I can add it to my "Charity Page" to raise awareness?
JB: I’m so glad you asked this question! There’s a foundation called the JuCan Foundation that has a special place in my heart. Julia Cobb is a young girl who lost her life to pediatric cancer, and I had the pleasure of meeting her while working at Disney last year. Her parents are walking from Disneyland to Disney World for the upcoming months to raise awareness. You can find their website here.
AC: Fantastic! Thank you so much for your time Jenny, and I can say with confidence that we as your readers and fans are very excited about These Are The Moments when it releases.
JB: Oh, little Jenny. Growing up, the writer gene was evident. I made up stories constantly, and would tell them to whoever would listen. Fairies, princesses, mermaids, you name it. I remember when I first read A Bridge to Terabithia. I invented a whole language for my sister and me and we’d escape to our own world. Books took me places. I loved my childhood, because I lived so many different lives in my small corner of the world.
AC: What have been your best and worst experiences in writing so far?
JB: My best writing experience was in college. I had just taken the leap from a “stable” degree to pursue an English major. I signed up for a short story workshop with Chris Tusa, and I wrote my first story, my first real finished work, about a little girl with cancer who idealizes her Barbie dolls. Chris took me aside after class and told me that he didn’t do this with most students, but he saw potential in me. He said I was a writer, and that led me to where I am today. You need that validation, especially at the beginning. I strapped on that writer title and said, “Okay, let’s do this.”
My worst experience? The low points. We all have those days where we just don’t feel good enough, where we want to quit. It can get lonely, and only writer people fully understand the effort that goes into a piece of writing. Thankfully, this writer community is extremely welcoming, and that makes all of the difference.
AC: Can you tell us a little bit about your current WIP, how the idea came to you, and what you’re most excited about with it?
JB: The book I’m writing now is the book that I’ve been meaning to write for years. It’s the perfect first book for me. These are the Moments is an NA/YA crossover novel about Wendy Lake, a twenty-something straddling adultdom and her slowly slipping youth. When her best friend Vivian gets engaged, Simon, the boy she can’t forget, comes ricocheting back into her life. I’m really excited about the dual timeline. Half of the story is told in the present while the other half is told from Wendy and Simon’s history. It’s so cool seeing how the two fit together. The idea came from life, and in some ways, it’s kind of a collection of characters, events and experiences of people I’ve met. Of course, it’s fictionalized, so I get to change and manipulate it for the overall message. Writer perk!
AC: Sounds amazing! So, why did you decide to self-publish your book? Did you query at all, begin the traditional route and redirect?
JB: Honestly, I had never even imagined self-publishing until a few months ago. I had all of those writer books, you know, the ones that talk about how to get an agent and how to write a query letter. Then I found Ksenia Anske. I was so impressed by her openness with writing, and her ability to speak directly to her readers, and I wanted that. So, I did the research. Soon enough, I’d found a cover designer, then an editor, and now it’s slowly just building itself up into an actual book. What I love about self-publishing is the ability to control the future of my story. I get to do all of the marketing, the planning, the promotion, and then it’s up to readers. I think it’s a beautiful relationship, and I can’t wait to get started. On that note, I still admire and appreciate traditional publishing. If it’s right for another story, I will definitely explore that route.
AC: What tips do you have for aspiring self-publishers and writers in general about this crazy business?
JB: There’s so much to know about writing, so much that I’m still figuring out! I think that there’s a small recipe for success here. First, write. Often. Always. You learn so much from your own experience. Second, reach out. There’s an amazing community of writers and readers just waiting for you. Social media makes this so easy now! Writers no longer have to hide out in dark corners all by themselves. It’s awesome. Still, don’t compromise your writing for the glitz of followers on your blog. Balance will get you very far, my friends. Oh, and coffee. Lots of coffee.
AC: And finally: Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know. Your DEEPEST, DARKEST SECRET. Or maybe a hobby you enjoy.
JB: Ahh! Deepest darkest secret? I’ll never tell! (Because it’s probably just really dorky and embarrassing.) So instead, let’s see. A hobby. I’m a big musical theater buff. I performed in musicals all throughout high school and into college. I’ve seen Wicked three times. And I was practically raised on The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. Does that work? Kind of a letdown?
AC: Not a letdown at all. Final question: what charity do you especially feel strong about, so that I can add it to my "Charity Page" to raise awareness?
JB: I’m so glad you asked this question! There’s a foundation called the JuCan Foundation that has a special place in my heart. Julia Cobb is a young girl who lost her life to pediatric cancer, and I had the pleasure of meeting her while working at Disney last year. Her parents are walking from Disneyland to Disney World for the upcoming months to raise awareness. You can find their website here.
AC: Fantastic! Thank you so much for your time Jenny, and I can say with confidence that we as your readers and fans are very excited about These Are The Moments when it releases.
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