Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Leslie M. Jasper and I am a journeywomen electrician turned site safety manager from New York. I am currently the author of (2) books as well as (11) short stories for my Construction Tales: Told By A Woman Kindle Vella Library. Since I have many years of stories while working as a journeywoman electrician, I decided to create the #ConstructionTales series. For Volume I of the Construction Tales series, 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. My second book is a children’s book that is entitled, Not All Girls Play With Dolls. The goal of this book is to empower young girls and even boys to chase their dreams even if they are non-traditional. My two 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?
My very first children’s book is entitled, Not All Girls Play With Dolls. This book is intended to inspire young girls and even boys to follow their passion even if it is not considered traditional. 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. The book was beautifully illustrated by Anastasia Taranenko, from Tad_Art, who hails from Russia.
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?
Now that I have just released Not All Girls Play With Dolls, it’s time to think about the concept of my next book. I’m thinking of stripping down the content and making it for a toddler to be read to in the future. I believe that I will either make it under the same title but add a subtitle that says “Toddler Version” or go with a different name. I also need to finish creating the audio version of the book for Audible.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
When I released by very first book #ConstructionTales, 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 for my very first book, 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. I even have a Tik Tok channel. My use of my hashtags #NotAllGirlsPlayWithDolls, #ConstructionTales, and #VerballyDisastrous is a handy tool when sharing my books. 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?
Now that I have finished my first children’s book, I’m thinking about the concept for another children’s book. The title of the next children’s book is, “Transcend Against All Odds”. This book will be about a little boy who lost his daddy very young. The little boy grows up with his mother and goes on to do big things with his life. I’d also 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.
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
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