Authorsday: Jennifer Wylie

Happy to welcome a fellow Echelon Press author Jennifer Wylie.

1. How long have you been writing?

I started writing when I was in public school. I have always had a very vivid imagination. Writing was something fun, and helped get the stories out of my head. I wrote more in highschool and afterward, though took a break when my kids were born. I've been at it again the last few, actually jumping into it more than when I was younger.

2. How did you pick the genre you write in?

Writing fantasy is the only thing I've wanted to do, so there wasn't really any picking. :) I love how this genre can incorporate a little bit of anything. Everything and anything can happen, you're only limited to your own imagination. Of course, it didn't hurt I grew up reading mostly fantasy too and have a deep love for the genre!

3. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?

(Googles 'plot') ~grin~ I don't plot anything. I may sort things out in my head first, but there are no pages of notes, or storyboards or anything else. The most I may do is jot down a few notes as I near the end of the book- just to make sure I tie up all the lose ends. This works well for me, especially as I'll often change my mind or characters will go off and do things I don't expect. That is part of the fun!

4. What’s your writing schedule?

Being a stay at home mom and my fingers in many other pots, I write when I can. Usually this is in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed. I have trouble writing when there are things around to distract me. During the day I usually work on edits, marketing, blogging and of course the never ending housework.

5. Describe your book.

My newest releases are for a new short story series geared toward young readers (though adults are loving it too!) Tales of Ever is part of a new short story program being put out by Echelon Press. The series contains six short stories presented once per month as electronic downloads (eBooks), much the same as a television series. Tales of Ever is a fantasy series written for young adults (13-17 year olds). The first instalment, Banished, debuted March 1st, a new instalment will be available the first tuesday of the month ending in August. At only $.99 each, the short stories are affordable for all walks of life. #2, Fire Girl will be out April 5th. I'm half way through writing the 3rd, Shadow Boy and am having so much fun. I love the crazy and dangerous world of Ever!

Tales of Ever is full of action and written to captivate even the most reluctant readers. I'm hoping to share the joy of reading with many young adults.

6. Tell me one thing about yourself that very few people know?

I have an extreme intolerance to milk. Apparently I've had it since a teenager, though just figured this out recently and have gone off anything with milk in it. Though I feel a lot better, I'm still very grumbly. I miss cheese. And Ice-cream!

7. If you have a day job, what is it?

I have the best job in the world. I get to take care of my two boys. The house cleaning part rather sucks though. And I never get vacation. People wonder why I'm also so happy Monday comes—that's when kids are off to school and I get a little break! LOL

8. What three things would you want with you on a desert island?

Toilet paper. Chocolate. Matches/lighter to start a fire.

9. What’s your favorite food?

Chocolate. Meats I love chicken, or shrimp and crab. I love anything sweet!

10. What do you do when you are not writing?

Well if I'm not trying to be a domestic superwoman, I'm at my computer editing, or blogging, or tweeting or marketing or editing. Occasionally I'll actually have a moment to READ, which is always a super treat these days! :)

Author Bio:

Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.

Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.

Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel to be published in 2011.

Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her husband, two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife. Find out more about Jen and her work at www.jenniferwylie.ca





Banished Blurb:

My life was normal. It sucked, but it was normal. At least until I got this new power. I can control fire. It would be cool if it wasn’t so dangerous and if I knew how to use it. Pretty much my sucky life took a nose dive once I got it. Yup, everything gone. I suppose I should be thankful some uncle I never heard of took me in. Turns out the whole family isn’t normal and my power is a lot more dangerous than I thought. I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I was wrong. They banished me to Ever.

If I’m lucky, I might survive my first day.

Buy Links:

Omnilit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-banished-519511-234.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44865

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Banished-Tales-of-Ever-ebook/dp/B004Q9TX4A

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Banished/Jen-Wylie/e/2940012206961/?itm=1

Authorsday: Jennifer Wylie

Book Blurb: Jump (short story)




If you were told to jump off of a bridge would you? Perhaps it would depend on who was doing the asking. Our heroine has spunk and a sense of humor, however suffers from an extreme case of inappropriate clothing. When things take a turn from dangerous to worse what will she do when fantasy becomes reality? Warning: May include hot leather clad men, singing and demons.



1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

In my head, I've always been a writer. I started writing back in public school and have wrote on and off since then. Now a published author, that was an occasional dream. It wasn't until a few years ago I actually decided to give it a try and see what happened. I'm glad I did (and slightly irritated with myself I waited so long!)





2. How did you pick the genre you write in?

I grew up reading fantasy and science fiction from a very early age. I had barely reached my teens before my mother had me reading Pern books. So far I don't think I have the technical savvy to write sci-fi, so all of my stories are some type of fantasy.



3. Do you plot or do you write by the seat of your pants?

Plot? That word sounds familiar... :) I don't write things out, or do story boards. I will imagine scenes in my head, like a movie, until they are perfect, and then write them down. Occasionally near the end of a book I will jot down a sentence or two of notes, mostly to make sure I don't forget to tie up lose ends.





4. What was the name of the first novel you wrote? Did you try to publish it?

I had written a few books back in high school. I don't remember their names, if they even had any. They all died in horrible computer crashes. (I'd cry again, but they were probably very bad anyways) My first book I finished and didn't die a terrible death is called Sweet Light. It is being published by Echelon Press and due out in 2011.



5. What do you know now that you are published that you didn’t know pre-published that you wish you knew?

So many things! How to write a proper query letter, that you don't have to have an agent to find a publisher. A big one is how much I have learned in regards to editing. Also do your research! The Internet can tell you pretty much anything if you look. Don't just jump in, learn everything you can first!



6. How many rejections have you received?

Before I signed on with Echelon and had been querying agents I lost count of my rejections over the year and half I was sending them out. Certainly over 50, perhaps even 100. I didn't let it get me down. Obviously I query wasn't good enough (so I kept rewriting). The problem is getting someone interested enough to want to read more, hard to do in so few words!



7. Why did you pick the publisher that ultimately published your work?

I had read about Echelon Press online and found them interesting. I started following them on Twitter and had some nice tweets with Karen there and also in a comments section on another's blog. I checked out the publishers website, and also the books they'd published so far and thought they would be a great publisher for me. I have been very pleased with everything!





8. What do you consider your strengths in terms of your writing?

I am a very emotional person, and that really comes out in my writing. You will feel for my characters, which I think is the way it should be. :) Oh, and I also like to add in twists. Everyone loves a good twist! (or five)



9. What do you consider your weakness and what strategies do you use to overcome it?

I have had a number of technical issues with my writing. The last number of months I have been working really hard on learning all my proper punctuation and grammar use. I guess I should have paid more attention in English class in school. :)



10. What are you working on now?

I have a second short story, The Forgotten Echo, coming out March 1st, and my novel Sweet Light later in 2011 so will be doing edits for them. I also just finished a YA book, Broken Aro, I'll be submitting soon. I've also finished the sequel to Sweet Light and am editing it prior to submission and I'm working on the sequel to Broken Aro.





You are welcome to make up your own questions if you like also. Anything you think will illuminate what you want your readers to know.



Author Bio:



Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.

Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel to be published in 2011.

Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her husband, two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.







In case you need:

My website: www.jenniferwylie.ca

My blog: http://jlwylie.wordpress.com/



Book available for sale link:

OmniLit: http://www.omnilit.com/product-jump-493574-234.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Jump-ebook/dp/B004FPYT4O

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/product.aspx?ean=9781590807354