Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a married mother of four boys in Dallas, TX. I’ve written many books, but only published two–one featuring my children as the SuperBrother Squad (vs. the Aquatic Carrots of Doom), and the other is the first in a young adult fantasy series, The Chosen. I’ve already finished book number two (it will be available on Amazon later this year), and book number three is well underway!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, The Chosen, was actually started almost 10 YEARS ago (embarrassing, I know) but I just recently decided to make my dream come true and publish it. I’ve always been too afraid to put my writing out there–it makes you feel so vulnerable when other people have the ability to tear apart something you hold so dear! But, that’s part of the game, I guess. I’ve been a blogger for many large outlets for years, so I have grown a tough skin–it was finally time to take the leap.
My book is really about girls of different backgrounds and races coming together to do something great (and hopefully save the world!) but the book is NOT about race. I think it is important for people of different backgrounds to see themselves represented in the pages of a book without having the book be centered around race or things that divide us. Instead, we can celebrate the universal truths we all share–in this case, like staying alive in the face of a genie bent on world domination!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I know most writers like total silence when they write, but I need a little background noise sometimes. It is too distracting to sing along while writing, so I listen to Korean R&B and KHipHop instead–so I can’t sing the lyrics!
My writing is so influenced by music. I hear songs that feel like the soundtrack to my chapters. That’s why my books (both print and ebook) come with a Spotify tracklist in the back. That way, readers can play the music that helped influence the writing, and “hear” the book come to life!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I was first influence by Bill Wallace, the author of Snot Stew. In third grade, he came to my school as a speaker and had everyone write a story intro. After reading them, he selected mine as the example for the class. I remember riding home that afternoon thinking, “I could really be an author!” I’ve loved to read FOREVER, so that moment was very important to me. I’ve been writing ever since–I have notepads with story starts and outlines everywhere.
Later, I was really influenced by Toni Morrison. Her writing has this sumptuous quality like no one else. Just, really layered and full of depth. I’ve read Beloved and The Bluest Eye countless times.
Finally, I read Twilight and knew it was time. I was like, other people are making their dreams come true–why not me??
What are you working on now?
I am in the process of publishing book two in my Into the Chambers series, titled, The Channel. It is already through the editing stage–just putting on the final touches before it goes up for pre-order and launches later this year. I’m also outlining book three in the series, The Chaos, and I’ve even begun an entirely different second series featuring an entire family of superheroes (do you see a theme here 😉 that is outlined to be a six-book series. I hope to publish the first in that series early next year.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I really like free promotion sites like Awesome Gang, but if you want to go the paid route, I love BookBub. That’s where I get most of my books, when I’m not reading and reviewing for my author friends.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just do it already. Every time you read a book that has even the slightest similarity to the story in your heart–you kick yourself for not putting it out there first. So put it out there. You can do it. And if you fail, just write something else and do it again. It seems like a waste of all that time and effort, but it is not. Not many people can say they wrote a whole book. Do it for you. Prove them wrong.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Every failure just makes you better. This is especially true with writing. Knowing what an audience doesn’t want is just as good as knowing what they do want. As long as you don’t give up, you’ll get there eventually.
What are you reading now?
I have a fat pile of books I’m reviewing for other indie authors. Mostly YA fantasy like mine. But I’m going to have to take a break from those to read the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I’m also looking forward to Midnight Sun coming out soon!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m so excited for my upcoming six-book series. Because it follows a family of black superheroes (again, where race is not a part of the plot), I hope my own sons would see themselves reflected in the story. That’s my goal–to make characters that readers fall in love with.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ooh, great question! I still love The Hunger Games, and I would have to bring Beloved as my classic fave. I’d also bring a non-fiction book by Malcolm Gladwell (probably Outliers), because I love all of his work.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jenay Sherman Website
Jenay Sherman Amazon Profile
Jenay Sherman’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile