Jessica Mathews published her debut picture book, The Old Man and the Pirate Princess, in 2017. Since then, she has published more than twenty seven books, including picture books, early reader chapter books, and several adult works under her pen name J.L. Mathews.
Mathews began writing stories for children at a young age. Her father would write down all of the stories she told him, and they would read them together at bedtime. She hopes her books will inspire others as much as her favorite books inspired her when she was growing up. She wants her work to motivate others to create something of their own to share with the world.
Jessica is the current president of the St. Louis Writers Guild. She recommends every writer join a literary organization to network with other writers and find their people, reading as much as you can and doing what you love. Jessica lives in St. Louis with her two cats, Storm and Knight. She also recommends adopting as many cats as you can.
Q: When did you first catch the writing bug? What drove you to persist?
A: I have been writing since I was a child. I am the oldest of four girls. When I was little, I would make up stories to tell my sisters at bed time and my father would write them down. Only one of the stories survived the years. That story was called Chicken Noodle Soup. We published the book a few years ago in honor of my father’s 60th birthday.
Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I have always read anything I could get my hands on. Fantasy stories with far away realms and magic were of the most interest to me, but am such a fast reader, I would read anything I could. As a child, I liked a lot of the R.L. Stein books and read more Stephen King than I should have. As I got older, I looked to authors that were more for “grown-ups” like Zora Neal Hurston, Shirley Jackson, and Kate Chopin. I still read anything I can get my hands on, but I do try to be more selective since I don’t have as much time to read now as I did when I was younger.
Q: Does writing energize or exhaust you?
A: Both! Writing has always been something I did to release energy or frustrations, but working on a new novel can be exhausting just as much as it is exhilarating.
Q: Do you try more for originality or to please your readers?
A: I always tell people, write a good story and the rest will follow. I don’t believe in catering to the reader or writing for the market. I think we, as writers, should always write the story we want to see in the world. Some people will read it and love it and others will hate it, but that is the nature of any business. You will never please everyone.
Q: Do you have your own circle of writer friends? If so, what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
A: I do believe that writing cannot solely be a solitary effort. I am the president of the St Louis Writers Guild, and before that, a member. I also have a women’s author group I meet up with weekly to work, help each other, and support each other. When you are struggling with a storyline or even just what to write for the blurb on the back cover of the book, it helps to ask for help. Finding your writing community adds a layer of support and encouragement you would not otherwise have if you stuck to doing everything solo.
Q: Have you ever gone on a “literary pilgrimage?” If so, where did you go and why?
A: I love to travel in general. While none of my adventures have been with the goal of developing or completing anything literary, I always write on every one of my journeys even if it is just to journal what I did while I was abroad. When you are stuck on a plot line or are looking for inspiration, these journals can serve to further your story in ways you would never have thought of.
Q: Do you prefer to write stand-alone novels or series? Do you make connections between non-connected books?
A: I prefer stand-alone novels in the same universe so that the books are all interconnected but are not in a series you would have to read in order. I like connecting characters and events to other books, but I hate writing a series since I always feel pigeon-holed into completing something that maybe shouldn’t be finished.
Q: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A: Keep writing! It gets better!
Q: How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
A: It made me want to write more!
Q: What was the best money you ever spent on your writing career?
A: My membership to the St Louis Writers Guild. They taught me everything I didn’t know about writing and publishing.
Q: Do you have an all-time favorite writer, or does your favorite change over time? Who is your favorite writer today?
A: My favorite book and author change all the time with my mood. I’m currently reading adult books by Katee Robert and Scarlett St Clair. That might change next Tuesday when someone hands me another book they think I might like.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre? Has that always been your favorite genre, or has your taste evolved as you have grown as a writer?
A: Fantasy has always been my favorite because I love magic and far away places. I do read other genres, but I don’t like them as much as fantasy.
Q: How many unpublished and/or half-finished books have you written?
A: I have around 25 finished but unpublished children’s picture books, 4 unfinished YA books, an unfinished middle-grade book, and two unfinished second grade chapter books plus like 10 mostly finished but nowhere near ready to publish adult books in my to do file. I have a notebook I keep with the most interesting unfinished pieces that I carry around. I am notorious for working on multiple pieces in multiple age groups and genres at once. I cannot for the life of me sit down and just write and complete one thing.
Q: What does “literary success” or success as an author look like for you?
A: My success is going to be different from another author, but ever since I published my first book, I always want to sell enough to make the next book. I know authors do not sell millions of books and make tons of money (those that do are rare exceptions even though the media makes it seem like everyone is doing it- they are not!) so my goal has always been to just be able to keep creating.
Q: In your experience, what has been the best way to market your books? Where have you found the greatest return on your investment (whether it be time or money invested?)
A: Marketing is hard and it sucks so much! Right now, I market my children’s books via snail mail postcards that I sent to my mailing list of over 500 people every time I do a new release. I also market via social media when I have new releases and where I’m going to have a book signing table. Since I have been doing this for going on 8 years, I have regulars who show up at my tables now and ask for what’s new. That’s the best marketing I can do- put out a product so good people want to know what’s new and purchase everything I’ve done.
Q: What kind of research do you do as part of your planning process, and how much time do you spend researching before beginning a new book project?
A: Depends on what I’m writing. I don’t write historical fiction, so I don’t research as much as someone writing historical would. However, I fall down a lot of rabbit holes when it comes to fantasy elements like yokai or the parts of a pirate ship, etc.
Q: What kind of music or sounds do you like to listen to as you write, or do you prefer complete silence?
A: I have a playlist on my Iheartradio app with around 4,000 songs on it from the 1970s through today. I just keep adding music that I like that sounds good, so I have all musical genres from pop to classic rock to grunge to country. I do listen to a lot of ethereal sounding fantasy music too from artists like Ruelle.
Q: How many hours a day do you write?
A: However many I can squeeze in between my day job and other responsibilities. I write a lot at my signing tables during the downtime between customers.
Q: How do you select names for your characters?
A: I love the fantasy name generator online since they have real names and all kinds of fantasy names. I also google the meaning of a name (i.e. – if I am looking for a name that means light, I google, “girl names that mean light”), and I use baby name books.
Q: If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? (Or what do you do “for a living” if you aren’t supporting yourself with your writing – yet?)
A: I would love to be a stay at home cat mom or a professional organizer and party planner.
Q: Do you read your book reviews? How do you handle those reviews, whether good or bad?
A: I don’t read reviews or take to heart anyone who comes to my tables with negative feedback. As I mentioned, you can’t please everyone, nor should you try. I do my best to write the best story I can and go from there.
Q: Do you hide any secrets or “Easter eggs” in your books that only a few people will find? Examples?
A: Sometimes. I do a lot of that in the adult novels that will mean something to the reader later on in the story. I can’t give them away with examples, but I will say that the next books in my Death Adjacent universe will have Easter eggs from the first novel, Death Adjacent.
Q: What have you written that you found to be the most fun to write?
A: Children’s books by far!
Q: Do you Google yourself? If so, have you ever been surprised by what you have found?
A: Sometimes, but my name is common so I end up seeing philanthropists and porn stars when I google myself. I don’t tend to do this regularly.
Q: What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
A: My soul but I already traded it for a cup of coffee.
Q: Does your family support you as a writer?
A: Yes, though they do not understand anything I do.
Q: How long (on average) does it take you to write a book?
A: Depends on what genre it is. It takes me 15 minutes to write a children’s book when I have an idea, but it takes me literal years to write an adult novel.
Q: Do you believe in writer’s block? If so, how do you break through it and begin writing again?
A: Yes! You have to do something else other than writing to get that inspiration back. Take a walk, read a book, watch a show, talk to a child (legally that you know) – any of that helps me come back to what I was writing and finish my work.
Q: How did you become involved in the subject or theme of your book?
A: Normally, this is just something that randomly comes to me that my little ADHD brain thinks about when it should be thinking about something else.
Q: How long have you been writing?
A: Since I was a child.
Q: What was the hardest part of writing your most recent book?
A: writing it lol
Q: What inspires you to keep writing?
A: I just love it
Q: Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How does that affect your writing?
A: Part time and that affects the length of time it takes me to finish a thing- I wish I had more time to write during the day, but I have to work to pay my rent which is my entire problem.
Q: What are some day jobs that you have held? If any of them impacted your writing, share an example.
A: I have lived a thousand lifetimes and every one of them influence my writing in some way. I used to be a licensed professional counselor which affects how I write people and relationships and mental illness.
Q: For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
A: Shatter Me is a book with my travel photography, poetry and short stories. It gives the most in depth example of my writing.
Q: How do you feel about eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
A: I don’t mind e-books or audio books. Personally, I prefer to read print books because I like the feel of the paper in my hands, but I don’t judge anyone for preferring an e-book or audio book instead. It really is about personal preference and I’m just happy you are reading.
The same can be said about independent versus traditional publishing- it really is about personal preference. One side is not better than the other and you should publish based on you and your needs only. I have read traditionally published books that were absolute garbage and were clearly not edited and I have read some of the most amazing independently published books. I read everything and have no preference.
I write books that aren’t going to get traditionally published (and have been turned down by publishing houses) and these books sell like hotcakes. It’s all about writing a good quality story and letting your work and professionalism speak for itself.
Q: What projects are you working on at the present?
A: I am writing a YA dystopian Beauty and the Beast retelling and I am working on Wounded Souls which is the sequel to Tainted Spirits. Those are my top projects, but I have so many others that beckon me in the middle of the night…
Q: What other books would you recommend to our readers in addition to your own?
A: Read everything! Go to your library and pick a book you already know you love, take it to the librarian and ask them what they recommend based on that book. You will be amazed at what you find that become your new favorites.
Connect with the author
- Author websites: Children’s books and Adult books
- Instagram: @hey_steve_its_bucky
- Buy Jessica Mathews (children’s) books today!
- Buy J.L. Mathews (adult) books today!
Now available in print and on Kindle!
While you’re here, don’t forget to check out my latest suspense novel, It Had to Happen, now available in print and on Kindle!
Book Summary
When Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is about to soar, it seems he’s traded financial gain for Callie’s life. After an encounter with a mysterious woman on the eve of Callie’s funeral, Jack wakes up to find that time has somehow rewound to the morning of Callie’s accident. Jack gets an opportunity that most grieving parents can only dream of – he saves his daughter’s life.
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