Jamie Jackson, like many of us indie authors, was chosen by romance despite all her plans to go the opposite direction. She’s got a superhero series (that includes Greek Mythology), a fantasy romance and a dark romantic fantasy. But they weren’t actually meant to have too much of a romance element. Yet, that’s exactly what happened. I think that’s probably one of the most relatable things about Jamie, especially for all of us indie romance authors.
Speaking of her books, her series Adventures of a Villain-Leaning Humanoid actually sounds really interesting. If you need more incentive, here’s a part of the blurb of the first book (Fear and Fury): Meet Megaera, Meg for short. She’s like Deadpool, except for funner. For a girl with the power of fear the recruitment attempts from both sides are never-ending. A self-described not-a-hero, villain-leaning humanoid, Meg just wants to live her life, work her dead-end job and have everyone else (especially the heroes) leave her alone.
With seven books in the series (with maybe more on the way?), this is just one of the many projects that Jamie has out right now. You can find her books linked below and check out her Instagram to stay updated!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
Star Wars.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The marketing. Always the marketing. It can be such a grind and with the algorithms the way they are, if you’re not posting daily it feels like you can never get seen.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
Definitely for the control. I choose where the story goes, I choose what to listen to in the editing stage (my editor is amazing by the way and very rarely did I end up not agreeing with one of her suggestions), I choose the cover art. Plus, also time. As an indie author once I have my pieces in place I can move much faster to getting books published than traditional publishing does.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
Listen to music and pace around the house.
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
I would say I probably only have two, and those are
Trust your readers and
Consume all types of media. There is no superior medium for storytelling. Movies, TV shows, video games, comic books, music, plays, they all tell stories and can help you learn how to tell yours.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
To be entirely honest, I less chose romance as it chose me. (As I try to insert a laughing/crying emoji and fail). I initially started my superhero series with the general idea that the romance would be kind of a subplot to it, and then it evolved into it being one main couple over the whole thing. My next book I intended for it to be fantasy horror and it immediately went off the tracks into fantasy romance and other than blaming the characters, I really can’t say what happened there.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
It will always be fantasy or paranormal of some kind
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
My least favorite trope is the miscommunication trope, and I think that’s because so often it’s a very simple thing that if the characters just talked to each other, asked one question, it would be easily resolved without conflict. My favorite is only one bed.
YOUR BOOKS
Can you briefly tell me about your book(s)?
So I have an urban fantasy superhero series, Adventures of a Villain-Leaning Humanoid which includes romance and Greek Mythology retelling, a fantasy romance retelling of Tristan and Isolde, The Sparrow and the Oak Tree and a dark romantic fantasy retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Bound to the Fate of Kings.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Oh definitely, and that would be Virgil from Adventures of a Villain-Leaning Humanoid.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
Honestly, hopefully none. Lol. Meg is an asshole, a loveable asshole, but an asshole. I do not think I’m as sweet or gentle-natured as Isolde, and Aisa is a terrible person as much as you cheer for her in the book.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Sarcasm.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
I have a paranormal romance that I’m working on, and then another WIP that I think is headed into gothic romance territory but its not fleshed out yet, so we’ll see.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
Entertained. I honestly just want them to come away having enjoyed what they read, that they’ve had a chance to escape life for a while. I basically call my writing popcorn for your brain.
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks
Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense
Single and Dual POV
Standalones, series and standalones in a series
Open door, ajar door and closed door romances
Music or silence when writing
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Water, tea, coffee or….wine?
Cold or warm weather
Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?
Illustrated or photo cover?
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