Please give a warm welcome to author Jade Thorn

Tell us a bit about yourself… 

Well, I’m in my late 40’s (that’s kind of scary) and I’m married with three gorgeous children. We live in Sydney, Australia.

Have you always wanted to become an author? 

Yes, but I thought it wasn’t possible. It certainly wasn’t until the Amazon self publishing path became a possibility. Prior to that, I just wrote stories and ideas in notebooks and didn’t think about them again. 

What was your inspiration for your current book/series? 

Most of my stories start with a dream, I wake up with a story, a scene or two replaying in my head until I write it down. Sometimes the characters just start talking to me, usually in the shower, or when I’m hanging out the washing. Either way, not when I have my hands free to start taking notes, lol. 

Jacinta’s story was a dream, but then I came across an image from NASA and things just started falling into place and I knew I had to write it. I wrote the first draft 18 months ago, and I’ve only just got around to rewriting it. (First one was absolute rubbish, lol. I like to think I’ve grown a bit as a writer since then.)

What are you working on now? 

I’m working on Book 2 of Jacinta’s story. I’m rapid-releasing her trilogy. Then I’m going back to my Brotherhood series. There’s another five books to come for that. I’m also working on learning JavaScript to help my eldest son with his homework, lol.

Do you have any quirks while working?

I need silence. With three kids and a husband who works from home, that isn’t easy. I live for the three days a week when my youngest is at preschool. Next year – next year… Just watch this space. 😉

What are your hopes for the future?

Personally, I want to do this for a living. At the moment, I’m earning a part-time wage, and putting in full-time hours. I even go all night without sleep when necessary (deadlines looming). I want to prove to my husband that this is more than a hobby. I want to be able to upload all the stories in my head directly into a computer, then sit and edit. LMAO.

I’m starting up a blurb service, because I seem to be good at it. I write concepts for a cover designer (hi Tash! Shout out to DAZE-designs.com ), and doing blurbs is similar enough that I can do it with ease. (Easier to write for others than for me, lol). Anyway, I’d like for that to get off the ground.

For my family – my eldest has learning difficulties and has just started high school. He’s really struggling. I’d love for him to settle into a pattern and find his feet. I want my middle son to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s a sweet kid – when you can get him away from minecraft, lol. He wants to be an artist. And for my youngest, she’s struggling with speech. We’re making real progress this year, but it’s a hard slog. 
Hubby – I want him to not work so hard, he never stops. 

For the world – peace. I want peace, and more understanding, and less of the self-entitled attitude that seems to be spreading like a virus. It’s a sickness that’s destroying our planet as much as global warming is. Wow, this got dark fast!

Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

Yes. 
Treat it like a business from the start. I know that sounds harsh, but hear me out.

Protect yourself. I’ve seen authors taken for rides because of their lack of experience. Get contracts for everything. I mean it, everything. Non-disclosure, confidentiality, expectations of service (PA’s/editors etc), Have an agreement with any volunteers you work with, to protect them as much as you.

Be professional at all times. Have a laugh in private, in public – you’re a persona now. Everything you do is noted and weighed. I’ve seen books plagiarised, files held for ransom, and friendships destroyed, because people found out they weren’t on the same page. Have friends, but keep it separate from what you do. 

I’m not saying become a corporate Karen. I’m saying, be sensible, prudent and most of all reliable. Have dignity, and give it to others.

Finally, reach out. The indie community, for all its flaws, can be an amazing resource. Reach out. There are very few authors who would not help you. 

Do you have anything to say to your followers?

You’re all nuts!

No, seriously, you’re all nuts. Ha ha ha. 

Ok, this time. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You encourage me, keep me going and inspire me. I can’t believe that people like my books. I keep waiting for the critics to come along and say “yeah, she’s really rubbish, here’s why”.  A few have, and it’s hard to keep going when I read what they say. So, for everyone who has reached out to me with a word, or a like, or anything positive – thank you. You are a life line and a godsend.