Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Jess Blenkarn and I am a 22-year-old author from Southern Ontario focused generally on science fiction and mystery. I wrote and self-published my first book at the age of 15 and haven’t stopped writing since. I wrote and self-published a total of 3 books, called “Irrefutable Annihilation”, “Soul Survivor”, and “West of Dawn”, but in 2021, World Castle Publishing professionally published my 4th book, called “The Sixth Book”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called “The Sixth Book”. It was actually inspired by a dream I had about a series of books that predicted the future. I then cut all the dragons and three-headed dogs out of that dream to create the book that I know and love today.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not actually sure if this is unusual, but I sure find it unusual: my first draft is usually 95% the same as the published version. I do small grammatical errors, but even in my professionally published book, the final version is basically the same as the final version, at least plot and character-wise.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Agatha Christie is probably the biggest influence on me as a writer! Yes, she writes whodunit murder mysteries most of the time, which is different from what I write, but her tremendous success as a writer is what I aspire to achieve every single day.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently finishing my last two semesters at the University of Waterloo while working part-time, so apart from promoting my latest book and writing a short story in my Creative Writing class, I am not working on any new writing at the moment. I am, however, in the process of coming up with a new idea so I can write my 5th book in the summer of 2022 after I graduate!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promotion is quite difficult. I use my own website regularly, and then try to promote my work and my blogs on my social media accounts. I really rely on my connections and my friends and family to help promote my work.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. I know it is cliche but a million people will tell you to give up, and you have to tell them that you never will. No matter how long it takes you to write that first page, no matter how many rejection letters you receive, you can’t stop trying. Remind yourself how much you love writing and the rest will all fall into place. But that will never happen if you give up.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
In grade 11, my Writer’s Craft teacher taught us to write what we know. She said that when we can write from the heart, we can truly change our readers’ lives. And she was right. Some of my most inspired work has come from writing about what I know – whether it be a situation close to home, or about a character based on someone I know, or about a simple feeling I can express in 80,000 words.
What are you reading now?
I am currently finishing up “The Tattooist of Auschwitz”. It is truly a great book and I highly recommend checking it out!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I don’t quite know what’s next for me. I know for the next five or six months my focus is on finishing my degree while promoting my existing books, and then after that, it will certainly shift to focusing on writing my next book. In the long term, I hope to continue writing before and after work every single day as I try to make a career out of my writing one day!
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?
1. “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. This is my all time favourite book and I could re-read it a million times over without being bored.
2. “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. Another classic. I don’t even know why I love this book so much, but it is just such an easy read with so much depth to it!
3. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris. This is a great book, but it only makes the list because I’m like 3/4 through it, and it would kill me not to know how it ends!
Author Websites and Profiles
Jess Blenkarn Website
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