Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
For the past 29-years, I made the choice to become a journeywoman electrician by trade. My first taste of electrical work was as a U.S. Navy Seabee Constructionman Apprentice. A few years later, I joined the union and began my career within the construction industry. After quite a few years in the trench with the tools, I made the transition into the office side of my trade. After earning some office experience, I studied and earned various safety credentials. I now work on projects as a Site Safety Manager throughout the boroughs of New York City. Back in 2008, I endured massive unemployment during the Great Recession. I needed a focus to distract myself from the stress of no work. I then thought about how unique my story is and how it should be told. Over the years, I was often the single solitary woman on the entire jobsite. There are not many stories out there about women in construction. Since I have many years of stories, I decided to create the #ConstructionTales series. With my new batch of free time, I started writing. For Volume I, I covered my 5-1/2-year apprenticeship once I joined the union. This first book of the series is entitled, Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman’s Journey To Become An Electrician. I was concerned about young teens reading my uncensored content. Therefore, I have a censored version that is entitled, Construction Tales: A Young Person’s Guide To Accomplish Anything In Life. The message of chasing your dreams despite facing negative people along your path is quite valuable for young people to receive. These books are available in audio, e-book, and paperback on Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I opted to create my first children’s book that is entitled, Not All Girls Play With Dolls. This book is intended to inspire young boys and girls to follow their passion even if it is not considered traditional within society. This book is loosely based upon my own childhood and teen years and my relationship with my father. My father was the person in my life who told me that, since I’m smart and strong, I’m capable of doing anything in life that I set my mind to do. I joined the military right after high school with the motivation to do exactly what I want to do. This motivation was regardless of whether or not I received push back from people who doubted my place. This book’s goal is to empower young people to push through and past life’s mishaps and hurdles. My illustrator, Anastasia from Tad_Art, is in the final stages of creating the front and back covers and final edits. I anticipate this children’s book to be released by May 2022 the latest.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I started writing short stories for Kindle Vella since carving time to write an entire book front to back has not been feasible. My Kindle Vella Library is entitled, Construction Tales: Told By A Woman. I’m killing a few birds with one stone by writing out short stories for Kindle Vella while building the stories to morph into Construction Tales: Volume II: My Illuminated Path Continues.. and later volumes in the future. Additionally, I use my short stories and create #VerballyDisastrous podcast episodes as well. I opted to launch The Verbally Disastrous Podcast With Leslie M. Jasper and Melissa Polito back in February 2021. This podcast shares some of my stories as a chick in construction as well as discussing topics with my best friend. Perhaps this writing style is unusual since I’m sure not all people consider doing this form of writing and multi-tasking.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Sadly, I read far more books as a kid than an adult. My favorite authors who opened my mind to the imagination that stems from the wonders of a book include: V.C. Andrews, Steven King, Ann Frank, Ayn Rand, Richard Connell, and the Bible. As an adult, I finished, “Atlas Shrugged” and enjoyed it thoroughly as well as books from Malcolm Gladwell such as, “Blink: The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking” and “The Tipping Point”. I read Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In” on a whim while on vacation. I currently have a fellow Twitter connection’s book that I’m trying to read entitled, “Turning Point” by Melissa Sak. I need to just make myself read each night in sections. I absolutely love reading. My problem is that I allow the day-to-day functions to impact my capacity to read during my down time.
What are you working on now?
When I first released by book back in 2013, I learned that I needed every social media imaginable to promote it. I also opened up my first blog on Blogger back in 2013. As of now, I have (4) blogs that I share content with readers on a regular basis from around the globe. My WordPress www.ConstructionTales.com blog is considered my main blog. I created a book trailer, courtesy of the Combined Book Exhibit. I have (2) YouTube channels either under my name Leslie Jasper and Verbally Disastrous where I promote book content on occasion. My use of my #ConstructionTales hashtag is my favorite mode of sharing my book. I remind myself in my calendar of upcoming book festivals throughout the year. Once the date arrives, I will find the book festival hashtag and put my hashtag in promo tweets on Twitter. I got some people frustrated so I had to back off with that marketing strategy. I’ve signed up for blog write-ups and even given away books as promos. I’ve reached out to fellow indie authors and have sought out cross promoting each other on each other’s blogs. Sadly, very few authors share an abundance mindset with me. It’s almost as if they put another author’s book on their blog, it’s competition and not alluring. I’m open to cross promoting if an author is interested.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I first released by book back in 2013, I learned that I needed every social media imaginable to promote it. I also opened up my first blog on Blogger back in 2013. As of now, I have (4) blogs that I share content with readers on a regular basis from around the globe. My WordPress www.ConstructionTales.com blog is considered my main blog. I created a book trailer, courtesy of the Combined Book Exhibit. I have (2) YouTube channels either under my name Leslie Jasper and Verbally Disastrous where I promote book content on occasion. My use of my #ConstructionTales hashtag is my favorite mode of sharing my book. I remind myself in my calendar of upcoming book festivals throughout the year. Once the date arrives, I will find the book festival hashtag and put my hashtag in promo tweets on Twitter. I got some people frustrated so I had to back off with that marketing strategy. I’ve signed up for blog write-ups and even given away books as promos. I’ve reached out to fellow indie authors and have sought out cross promoting each other on each other’s blogs. Sadly, very few authors share an abundance mindset with me. It’s almost as if they put another author’s book on their blog, it’s competition and not alluring. I’m open to cross promoting if an author is interested.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I personally believe that you can’t sell a book, in a sea of much internet content, without having every social media out there, a blog, a book trailer, YouTube channel, podcast, and a book hashtag. You have to be willing to pound the pavement to promote your book or hire someone to do it for you. Promote your book on your social media each and every time you stand in line waiting for food, on the bus, finished with lunch, or waiting for any reason. Instead of consuming other people’s content, use that time to promote your content since time is money.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I received was to open up every social media available and build your brand and network with people in the same situation as yourself.
What are you reading now?
As mentioned before, I’m trying to get myself to read, “Turning Point” by Melissa Sak. Melissa runs the Brook Reading podcast on Spotify and other platforms.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to teach myself how to craft and write out a #ConstructionTales play and see if there is a market for it in the future. This is a goal of mine to create once I finish my first children’s book. I’d like to write another empowering book for women in the near future or even another children’s book.
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?
I’d like to pack up and read pretty much any Stephen King novel or real stories about paranormal experiences. Creepy paranormal experiences in historic locations are even more fascinating.
Author Websites and Profiles
Leslie Jasper Website
Leslie Jasper Amazon Profile
Leslie Jasper’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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