Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Vallean, but Val is fine. I am graduate of Jacksonville State University where I earned by BA in communication and minor in biology. I love journalism & freelance writing about as much as I love being an author. I have written a total of 7 books including anthologies and short stories with more in the works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Adventures With Liyah presents: Colors At First Sight
I was inspired to write this book because of my daughter and the desire to want to encourage kids to learn, take adventures and not be hesitant to try new foods etc.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I have any unusual writing habits, maybe where I sometimes write maybe in the living room, closet, kitchen or in the car….where ever the juices hit me I like to get to it. Wait an unusual habit is I love writing in google docs on my phone. Like my story on working to release, the whole thing was written off of my phone. Even my latest release was done directly from my phone even down to illustration proofs.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am honestly inspired about a lot of authors almost all of them I would say because everyone is unique and their hustle to market their themselves and their books is truly inspiring. I use to be a big fan of Wahida Clark, but then I got a chance to do some work for her once, and her passion about her writing and to excel seemed just like mine and I noticed as authors we are all hungry and I love seeing that hunger.
What are you working on now?
Well currently I am working on a book I have titled “Love On Thin Ice” which relates to the urban fiction/romance genre that I love. As well as book number two for my children’s book series Adventures With Liyah.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method of promoting is networking and social media. I once interviewed someone and they said word of mouth is the best way to get things out and I have grown to witness that that is true.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be yourself and do not compare yourself to other authors. Your vision is your own and everybody might can’t see what you have in mind. Just put it out and trust it to do well.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I ever heard was to start back writing. Do not let what occurred cause you to bury your talents.
What are you reading now?
Honestly right now, I am reading a different book every night to my daughter, but they are all children’s books. Last nights read was “Hug the Pug” which was a cute little story.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Honestly, I hope to do a book tour this upcoming year as well release the books I am working on towards the end of this year or maybe the start of next year, and continue to blossom from there with the hopes of more opportunities arising for me. I want to do some tv and movie scripts.
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?
It is completely bias, but I am taking the books I wrote, my series that I first released, but have to re-release because a revamp is needed. One I have them back now and two because sometimes as the author you get so caught up in writing that you don’t get to read your own work.
Author Websites and Profiles
Vallean Jackson Website
Vallean Jackson Amazon Profile
Vallean Jackson’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account