with J. S. Hawley
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J. S. Hawley
J.
S. Hawley began writing for publication three years ago. Her
debut contemporary romance novel Come With Me
released January 2007 was submitted to an editor and
accepted for publication within three months of submission.
Her second novel If You Were Mine was written in less
than eight months and was released February 2008.
As a single mother of two precocious daughters aged 15 and
6, she manages to read voraciously as well as continue
writing with regularity. Her goal is to publish in several
different genres such as Contemporary Romance; Historical
Romance; Suspense; and her most recent interest SciFi/Fantasy
Romance.
Hawley is a member of Romance Writers of America / New York
Chapter and has had the pleasure of meeting influential
writers such as Dee Davis; Kathleen O'Reily; Shirley
Halistock; Mary Monroe; Candice Dow; Niobia Bryant; and
Margaret Johnson Hodge.
Hawley has hosted 'Author Talk' workshops throughout New
York City. Her book signings at Borders and local
restaurants are more like circus events than traditional
signings. Hawley has sponsored Karaoke Nights, Spoken
Word Events, and Spa Days. Hawley has spoken at the 'Sistah's
Sipping Tea' book club Brooklyn Chapter prior to her first
release and has since spoken at events held for the
not-for-profit 'Innocence Lost Innocent Still' Foundation,
battling sexual abuse and The New York City Board of
Education Harvest Reading Fest '07 and the 'Now What?'
workshop for RWA/NYC. She is a frequent contributor to
the RWA/NYC newsletter 'Keynotes' and her debut novel is in
the running for its first RWA National award. (Check
out the site at
www.RWANYC.com for more)
Her 16 year career with Department of Homeland Security
allowed her to express her individual writing talents during
special programs and speeches as well as in recruitment
efforts, informational sessions, and career days. It has
also given her the opportunity to travel and see America
while protecting its Borders.
Hawley received a BA in English from Hampton University. She
has held various positions in the entertainment industry.
Her internships and early work history span from MSG, NBC,
and ABC to Susan Blond Inc. Public Relations Firm. Hawley
has eclectic tastes in music a love of fantasy art and
mythical creatures and utilizes the kindness of strangers as
inspiration. Despite all the experience she has acquired she
still believes she is just beginning a wonderfully
fulfilling life.
Read a synopsis of
If You Were Mine:
Click Here
Author's Official
Site:
http://www.jshawley.com
Contact The Author:
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Urban Reviews: Can you tell
us what If You Were Mine is all about?
J. S. Hawley: The easy answer is that it's an
inter-racial contemporary romance. It tells the story of
Jailyn Wyatt, a Ad Executive for a small boutique firm, in NY.
The firm is experiencing renewed growth after a slump suffered
by the passing of her father. He had been her inspiration and
strength and now he must look within herself for a passion she
did not feel. Caleb Vincent is a man with a plan. He is a
mini-real estate development mogul who has just been deeded
the family farmhouse/B & B. Truly he doesn't want to do this
but Ms. Wyatt seems worth the trip. The two hook-up and like
with real life they have personal issues that they must deal
with and outside issues. But in the sanctity of the Farmhouse
it seems so easy to forget the world until it comes barging
in.
Urban Reviews: Where did you come up with the idea
for this novel?
J. S. Hawley: What woman doesn't desire some
sexy man with the body of a God the words of a poet, the
sensuality of chocolate, the looks of her every fantasy
perfectly waiting to be her everything. I'm single and I've
stopped looked for perfect, and Mr. Right now. I've had a love
that should have lasted. It sucks that in this day and age it
is so easy to leave one relationship behind and move on as
opposed to sticking it out. Just maybe one day a man will see
I'm worth the trouble I bring just like I'll stop nagging him
about habits he won't break. Jailyn accepts Caleb has demons
that have nothing to do with her. And luckily he seems to be
more comfortable fighting them when she's around. Caleb also
lends light to where she only once saw darkness and she can
stop stumbling around blindly but ask for help.
Urban Reviews: Please tell our readers how you got
into the business.
J. S. Hawley: I stumbled blindly and fell in
face first. I got very lucky. A friend who had never read a
word I'd written, told a friend, who had a friend who was an
editor. They harassed me through thick and thin patiently
waiting for this great American Novel I'd been working on for
three years. That turned out to be a solid piece of writing if
nothing else. I thank the powers of the Universe that the
timing was right. My mother Doretha 'Rita' Washington Hawley
ascended from this earth August 07 and she'll haunt me if I
don't tell you how the mother in the book was not even close
to how great my Mom was. She was thrilled to be captured so
well and I was glad she got to read it and we had a party
discussing how to make her look even better next time. I think
I did her justice. Her dream for me was to have my dreams come
true and this one was right on time.
Urban Reviews: Are you working on any upcoming
projects? If so, when can we expect them to be released?
J. S. Hawley: I was recently signed with an
agent out of a new company called BlissLiterary. My agent, a
successful author, agent, and publicist in her own right, and
I are both 'following our Bliss' down this path together. She
inspires me to continue working and giving me the space I need
to complete several works at once. With two inter-racial
contemporaries on the shelf, I hope to put out a Historical
Romance, also with inter-racial overtones, a Romantic mystery,
a sci-fi/fantasy/romance, an urban romantic mystery and as
many others as I can get to. My next release is an
Amazon short entitled 'Another Tequila Mocking-Bird' that will
be available sometime in the near future.
Urban Reviews: What are your goals as a writer?
J. S. Hawley: I want to be a multi-genre author.
Most editors and agents want to do what 'works'. My agent
gives me the freedom to actually become a multi-genre author
right out of the gate. I'd like to do a book tour, more
signings, personal appearances, book club talks, and
conferences. Ultimately being on a best-seller list would be
cool but ideally I'd like to be able to quit my day job and
support my little family writing full-time.
Urban Reviews: Do you have any favorite authors or
books?
J. S. Hawley: 'Ira Sleeps Over' Something about
a kid and a teddy bear that you gotta love. 'Griffin & Sabine'
loved the first one I've never been big on sequels.
'Disappearing Acts' by Terry McMillan. It wasn't until recent
years I understood exactly how long she worked at making a
name for herself. But I was inspired that it wasn't her first
career, that she had a small child and she was older when
doing her thing. J. K. Rowling became my inspiration for
similar reasons. I felt like as long as I was a 'good' writer
I could write even after I retired. I love Historical Romance
and now thanks to my friends P. K. Eden and Isabo Kelly I have
had a wonderful introduction into Science Fiction Fantasy
Romance-where anything is possible.
Urban Reviews: What is the biggest lesson that
you've learned about the book industry?
J. S. Hawley: That you don't become famous
overnight. That like with any job you have to work at
recognition. You have to promote, promote, promote. And as
with any job it comes with politics. (I hate politics except
for this very historic election year! Make sure to register to
vote.)
Urban Reviews: What do you want people to know
most about you?
J. S. Hawley: That my friends and family are
always in my heart. That I still smile at strangers and say
good-morning. No I don't know the guy on the cover of my first
book Come With Me but the guy described inside is based
on a real man. When I knew ('97-'98) him he had long hair,
nipple piercings, light skin, and he (let's call him 'Leslie')
got me. I'd love to put out a national ad (and reward) and see
if I could locate him. So if you know the guy...Note: Sexy men
make the best subjects for a book and it doesn't hurt to have
an opening line like 'do you model? because I'm an author and
you'd look great on the cover of my next book...'
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Read our review of If You Were Mine in the
AA Fiction section.
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