Their home world is gone, their planet
cut from existence. They traveled eons searching for a new home. But their new
home, Earth, was already taken. From quiet stories of longing and love to tales
of tragic nuclear war and brutal inter-species conflict, these narratives
portray sometimes startling snapshots of a new universe with the intensity and
delicacy that only flash fiction can convey. Each author's unique stories
enrich the shared, singular vision of a science fiction saga that is just
beginning….
From the highly-anticipated and newly-released collection,
These Broken Worlds, born of the
stirring imaginations of four talented authors, including my esteemed guest
today,
Jessica West.
The early response has been so enthusiastic that the authors have decided to make it
available to everyone. These Broken Worlds is currently on sale via Amazon, but you can
sign up for a free copy here. It is my great honor to share this interview with you.
It is a glimpse into the mind and heart of an amazing writer, and better
friend.
*Thanks for chatting with me Jessica, and welcome! Many writers struggle a bit knowing if/how to try to navigate social
media, connect with other writers, and build relationships. I have seen and
experienced first-hand how people are drawn to you and how encouraging and
supportive you are to them—be they fellow writers, readers, fans, whomever. My
sense is a big part of this is simply part of who Jessica West is, but how
important would you say building a literary community has been for you, and
what guidance would you offer those who are struggling in this area?
Jess: I kinda just
fell into the literary social media scene. That might sound really lame and not
helpful at all, but I already had Facebook and Twitter when I took a beginning
writer's course a couple years ago, although I rarely used the Twitter account
until I started writing. When I did, though, I was so excited about this new
journey I was taking that I talked about it. A lot. And I found other people
who were talking about writing, too. I made friends.
That literary
community has been absolutely vital to my growth as a person, a writer,
and-most recently-an editor. As supportive and encouraging as I may have been,
I've gotten that and then some from others in the community. Compassion is
contagious amongst writers, and sometimes we bond over the craziest things.
Just be yourself and find folks who make you smile. Follow them and interact
with them. If they aren't responsive, don't take it personally. Not everyone
plays by the same set of rules. Just move on until you find "your people".
Or tweople, as the case may be.
Jess: I have a new
system every day to keep up with it all. My calendars change from one week to
the next. I'm a Pisces, everything about me is flexible including how I track
projects. I like lists, that's the one thing I do consistenly-ish. It sounds
really simple, but when I'm feeling overwhelmed, I take out my journal and make
a list of current projects. Then I rewrite that list arranging each task by
categories that emerge naturally. Then I go down the list and mark top priority
items that need my immediate attention. I make one more list (did I mention I
like lists?) separated by priority (immediate tasks, short term tasks, and long
term tasks) and then by category. It's basically the same list, but by the
third draft it's organized and cemented in my memory. Making these lists by
hand goes a long way toward helping me remember my priorities.
Now, what
compelled me to stir all these pots? People. In every instance, the answer is
people. When you say Prose Before Ho Hos, I think of Ryan Williamson, Alex
Nader, J. Edward Paul, and Christopher Smith. Prose would not exist without
them. Same goes for Whiskey and Wheelguns. When you say Kosa Press, I think of
M.J. Kelley, Woelf Dietrich, Dana Liepold, and Pavarti K. Tyler. Same with
WriteDraftCritique. These people are my family, in a way. Kate Tilton, Rachel
Thompson, and Will Van Stone are like another part of my family. That's how I
think of them. Booktrope was built on and runs on teamwork. As an editor, I've
joined the "book family" of several authors. What drew me to
Booktrope? A few of my writing buddies were already there (including you). I
can't do it all (hard as I may try), but I like to be where my friends are.
When our interests align, magic happens.
That magic is what I crave, what I seek in every endeavor. And that
magic doesn't happen without people.
*You write terrific fiction and also provide astute writing, editing,
social media and publishing guidance. I have been fortunate enough to meet you
at this stage of our respective paths—what I know of you and yours is
inspiring. I know you are still early in what will be an epic and adventurous
journey: what would you like your legacy to be when all’s said and done?
Jess: Thanks, D! My
legacy? Wow, that's a big question. I don't necessarily want something
attributed to me. I don't want or need recognition. I'm rewarded daily by the
people I've surrounded myself with. What I do want is to spread the compassion
so many people have shown me. Taking a page from Terry Goodkind's book, I want
to be a pebble in a pond. I want my every kind act to inspire kindness in
others. That's totally within reason, right?
*Finding you out there in the literary universe has been one of the
biggest blessings of my life, personally and professionally. As we’ve discussed
here you are involved with several terrific projects and sites so for all those
people who want to find you too (believe me, folks, YOU DO), what is the best
way?
Jess: The feeling is
mutual, my friend. The best way to find me is to google West1Jess. I'm
everywhere! ;)
*I ask this as much for myself—as a devoted fan—as for our readers:
what can we expect next from Jessica West?
Jess: I couldn't ask
for a more loyal or devoted friend (or fan). <3
I have a few
projects coming out soon. Pavarti K. Tyler and I will be releasing Season One
of the Sin Eater serial this fall, to be published by Hot Ink Press. Kosa Press
is putting together what we call a kosalogy, our first as a publisher.
Basically it's a shared world anthology, but it doesn't end there. I'm also
working on a Fantasy collaboration, but I can't talk about that just yet. I
have several other projects I'm outlining, but these three are my main focus at
present. These and my editing projects keep me pretty busy. If I can work my
way around to meeting some influential folks in the industry, I'd like to give
other authors a leg up if I can. Let's not say "literary agent" just
yet, but it's something I think I would enjoy. If that does happen, it's still
a long way off.
Jessica West is an editor with the heart of a writer. She
keeps it in a jar on a shelf above her desk. Jess is currently pursuing a state
of self-induced psychosis.
