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Writer's pictureAdam Gaffen

Adam Interviews... J. Ann Curtis!


Well, look at this!

It's Monday again, and I have a fun interview for you today!

Grab your coffee, put down the spreadsheet, and let's dive right in!


J. Ann Curtis has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She loves to entertain people through her writing. She published her first book, Lies of the Haven, under the pen name JA Curtis in 2020. From there, she has published five more books and a prequel novella. She is currently the award-winning author of the Indie Author’s Project 2022 Best YA Fiction in the State of Nevada. She has had her work featured in the Library Journal Best Books of 2022 magazine and has received a 5-star rating from Reader’s Favorite for her first book, Lies of the Haven.

The author J. Ann Curtis - a woman with long brown hair and glasses, smiling

When she is not writing, she is working for a local publisher, Mystic Publishers, Inc., helping them with their social media and marketing. She was also a presenter at this year’s 2024 Las Vegas Writer’s Conference where she talked about the different platforms where authors can earn money with their writing.

She gives back to her community by doing book reviews on her website for mainly indie authors as well as critique and beta reading. She has given presentations to public school classrooms on writing and publishing. Working to improve her craft is also important and she participates in an active critique group and author’s group.

 

 

Social Media Links:

  

Links to Books


Star Trek or Star Wars?

Star Wars, although I enjoy both 😊


Firefly – gone too soon or overrated?

Definitely gone too soon!


When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I loved writing even when I was a kid. I didn’t determine to actually try to develop my writing skills and write story until a few years ago when I took an onling writing course.


What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?

Not as organized as I would like. Haha! I try to clear out time to focus just on writing each day until I finish the daily goal before I do other tasks.


When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I finished my first book when I was 18 or 19. I published my first book when I was 35.


Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid?

I REALLY like writing enemies to lovers. I love all the tension that it brings into a story!


The cover of Veiled in Stars and Silver - a Peter Pan Retelling - green leaves with a silver hook above them

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have 6 published books, one novella and I am in two Anthologies. And which one is my favorite is a HARD question! Haha! I love them all for different reasons! But if I have to pick ONE I will have to go with Veiled in Stars and Silver which just released. It is a short Peter Pan retelling and I just LOVED researching and writing the characters for this steamy, falling for the villain novel with a bad-A grown up Wendy and a Killain Jones-esque Captain Hook!


Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

I do sometimes and its usually from those who have nice things to say about my stories! I always love to hear from those who enjoyed my work. It makes my day and makes writing stories worth it, especially on those hard days when imposter syndrome is at its worst.


What are common traps for aspiring writers?

I think giving into imposter syndrome can be a trap. Don’t let that stop you. If you have a love of writing keep writing. And the sister to imposter syndrome is perfectionism. Especially when crafting a first draft story. Many people get bogged down in revisions before their story is even finished and so they never finish their story. Don’t let that happen to you! Write your story and then edit it into perfrection…or as close as you can get it.


What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I’m friends with a lot of other authors! The writing community is super supportive! I am part of a critique group of writers and authors and we critique each others works on a weekly basis. I am also a part of a small author support group and we meet once a week and chat online to discuss marketing and other book related things. Its supper helpful and they are all amazing!


Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you building a body of work with connections between each book?

Currently, I am writing stand-alones. Eventually, when I am feeling a bit more ambitious, I think it would be fun to write a through story within a collection of standalones. But for now, I’m hoping each work can stand on their own.


The Cover of Of Curses and Moonlight - A Swan Lake Retelling - a blue background, suggestive of night, with a full moon rising above a castle, and four white feathers in the foreground

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

It showed me how accessible the writing to publishing process was for me. It made me more confident and increased the rate that I wrote and published books. After doing it once, it didn’t seem as daunting.


What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Oh! That is a hard one! Probably on my ProWriting Aid program. Its great to have piece of mind that, even though I DO use an editor, I can polish my manuscript to a point of readability. Another great spend (and a more fun one) is on character art. Character art is the gift that keeps giving when it comes to marketing!


Are you traditionally or self published? Or both? Do you feel there are advantages to one over the other?

I love to talk with writers about this because I actually work part-time for a publishing company while also self publishing my books on the side. There are pluses and minuses to both for sure. I love the freedom, creativity and control that self publishing allows, not to mention I keep all of the profits! Haha! But that does come at a cost, a literal one. Traditional publishing doesn’t cost the author any money and an author may benefit from the marketing reach that a traditional publisher can bring to bare. That being said, an author will always have a significant role to play in the marketing of their book whether traditionally published or self published. The question is, whether you as an author feel like you can do better on your own, or you feel like you need the support of a publisher. Although it is important to note that the support from many publishers, unless your book is already doing well, may be minimal at best.


What do you have coming next?

I’m glad that you asked! So I am currently on a fairytale romance binge and I have been writing books in my Villain’s Kiss series where the roles of the traditional hero and villain become blurred. Its basically a spicy, falling for the villain fairytale series! Of Curses and Moonlight: A Swan Lake Retelling is already out where Rothbart and Odette fall for each other(after starting out as bitter enemies, of course). The next up is Of Seas and Sunsets which is a Little Mermaid retelling where the sea witch falls for the prince! But no worries, the little mermaid also has a role to play in this story! It is a fun spicy romance story with tons of heart and lots of twists. (Anyone who has read my work, knows I LOVE lots of twists!)


The Cover of Of Seas and Sunsets - A Little Mermaid Retelling - it's a red cover, witha ruddy orange sun setting into the ocean, and tentacles on either side of the sun

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