Our Friday Indie Q&A is with Author Jodaéa where we chat about her new novel, A Best Laid Plan, and about her feature in Strawberry Literary Magazine. I’m impressed by her moxie, style, warmth, and ability to enjoy daily moments after this past year. If you wonder what I’m talking about read her story and her BIG WIN.
Strawberry Literary Magazine Feature
Q: Recently, you were featured in Strawberry Literary Magazine. Tell us about that spotlight experience and what it means to you.
A: It feels amazing! It makes me feel like my work is certifiable with the public and that all of my hard work is being noticed by more than just my immediate circle.We’re all out here trying to expand our brands as indie authors and it’s crowded out there. So to get noticed by someone with a platform such as Strawberry Literary Magazine to say “Hey, here’s someone to keep an eye out for” is major for me.
Do Books My Way
Q: You are someone to keep an eye out for! I love that they featured you. What brought you to your decision of being an indie author?
A: I initially thought about submitting to a major publishing house(s) but there is so much red tape and hoop-jumping especially for people of color, I just felt is wasn’t worth the effort. Plus, I wanted to do my books my way. I felt like “why waste my time trying to convince someone at a big publishing house that my stories are good enough for print when I have all the tools, at my fingertips, to do so myself?” So I just took the leap and went for it.
“I wanted to do my books my way. I felt like why waste my time trying to convince someone at a big publishing house that my stories are good enough for print when I have all the tools, at my fingertips, to do so myself?”
–Jodaéa
Learn The Process
Q: What kind of advice would you give to an Indie Author that you wish you had prior to starting on your Author journey?
A: My advice would be to learn the process of self-publishing because that’s exactly what it is. Learn the terms, copyright laws, the power of networking.
Most of all, hire an editor that:
1. has a good grasp of the English language, and
2. hire someone you don’t know, so you can get a real unbiased view of your work.
Jodaéa, Autor on self-publishing advice
There’s nothing wrong with proofreading your work but unless you’re a word scholar, leave editing to the professionals.
A Best Laid Plan
Q: Please tell us about your new novel you’re getting ready to launch.
A: My new novel is titled A BEST LAID PLAN. It’s another one of my cautionary tales; this one about justice. Justice means different things to different people; be it criminal, poetic, vigilante, or even moral. Here, we follow Detective Timothy “Coop” Cooper and Mrs. Fiona McShane in their pursuit of justice in the disappearance of Fiona’s husband and luxury antique dealer, Dylan McShane. In this fast-paced whodunit, Coop and Fiona will soon come to discover ultimate justice for Mr. McShane may just be a matter of perspective.
Family Wins
Q: How do you find balance day-to-day in order to keep writing, promote your books, and work a day job? If you do other things, please share that with us too!
A: As Novels By Jodaéa gains momentum, I am actually finding it somewhat difficult to do. I fill EVERY moment in my day with something. It could be responding to an email; filling a quick order; checking my daily e-book reports; or even updating our social media platforms. Especially, now with the release of my new novel. There’s pre-sales, printing approvals, merchandising approvals…you name it. The good part is my family works with and fully supports me. They know if I win, WE WIN!
BIG WIN
Q: What is one big win that you’d like to share with us?
A: My big win is just being able to be here to enjoy these moments. December of last year, covid almost took me out…BUT GOD! So now, I’m enjoying the little things. Even in all of the madness of business running while working a 9 to 5, I take time to enjoy things like: fresh air, colorful flowers, holding my husband’s hand, my childrens’ laughs…LIFE! That’s my BIG WIN!
Shoutout to All of My “Firsts”
Q: There are so many people that assist us along our publishing path. Who would you like to give a shout-out to?
A: I really would like to shout out all of my “firsts”.
My husband Mr. Randy White for pushing me to start writing; Dr. Courtney Davis of East of the River Bookfest (my first book expo); Ms. Tia Hamilton of Urban Reads Bookstore (my first bookstore shelving); Ms. Arilia Winn of Winn Publications, LLC.(my first online interview); Ms. LaQuisha Malone of Strawberry Literary Magazine (my first print in 2020); Mr. Nico Hobson (my first radio interview)
Find Jodaéa on these platforms:
Website: www.novelsbyjodaea.com
Instagram: @jodaeanovels
Facebook: Novels By Jodaéa
