Meet Featured Indie Author Julie E. Landon!
Meet her in person at the shop on Saturday, September 23 at 1pm for a Meet the Author Story Time, where she will read her book The Little Voice.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. I have always had a vivid imagination and loved to “make believe.” I have a sister, and we used to play together a lot, along with our imaginary friends. I married my high school sweetheart and we’ve been married 18 years. We have two children, Eddy (13) and Lillie (7). I graduated from Georgia College & State University with a degree in Marketing, Public Relations. I have had a few different jobs along the way and they have all brought me to the place where I am now. I currently walk dogs and bring my children with me. The walks we have together is when we generate most of our story ideas. My children play a big roll in how I have developed the story ideas and picture ideas for the books.
2. What do you do when you are not writing?
I home school my children so that takes up a lot of time. My daughter and I play pretend a lot…she takes after me with her elaborate story lines. So, I devote all the time I’m not writing or promoting my book or working on other projects to my family.
3. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I used to write a family newsletter when I was in high school and I wrote on the school newspaper. But, I’d have to say writing and publishing a book wasn’t something I thought a lot about growing up or even as a young adult. It started out as telling my son a story and it evolved into a story I wanted to share. My entire family gets involved and we have a lot of ideas for more books.
4. Do you have an upcoming book? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
I am working on a mystery book with my daughter. It’s for children ages 4-8 years old I’d say. She wanted me to tell her a mystery story once and that’s how that one took off. She’s had more input in this book and I’m very excited about it! It should be out early 2018.
5. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
The Little Voice was a story that I made up with my son. He asked me to tell him a story once and then again and again. So each time it got better. After a few years I decided to write it down. Once the timing was right, I found the illustrator Amanda Gaskins Morris, and it all fell into place. It’s all imagination except for the characters who are inspired by my son and husband. The illustrations are created from pictures of my son and husband so that makes this book extra special to our family.
6. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why for The Little Voice?
I love the “talking” frog. He represents our inner voice. He has SO much to say if we’d just listen. Of course to me, the inner voice is God’s voice speaking to us. It’s amazing how if you listen you will hear and if you follow you will be amazed at what can happen!
7. Who is an author that you look up to today?
Because I have children and my daughter loves the Berenstain Bears, I’d have to say Stan and Jan Berenstain. I love how their family is still involved with those books and new books are still coming out. I love that so many have a message of doing good for others and how to treat others.
8. What is your favorite genre of book to read?
I love to read about history, but historical fiction is a favorite because you can put yourself into that time period and experience what those people were going through.
9. What is your favorite book?
A book that really gives you something to think about is The Same Kind of Different. I read it last year and I still think about it. I’m so excited that a movie based on the book will be released this fall.
10. Who is an author that has inspired you?
At this point in my life Corrie ten Boom has become a source of inspiration. I devoured the books written about her and by her this summer. She and her family were amazing.
11. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Never give up! Listen to advice from others and decide what to take and apply. Also, seek out other authors, they aren’t so much your competition as they are your teachers along the way. It may be that you learn what not to do, or you learn what works.
12. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers?
I hope you will listen to The Little Voice and enjoy the story. But once the story book has closed, I hope you will then begin to listen to your own little voice.