Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I made the USA Today Bestseller list last week with Hot & Sinful Nights, so now I have to update my book covers and bios. I’m twelve years into this publishing circus, so it’s exciting to reach a new milestone. Of course I celebrated – by getting sunburned at a high school soccer game and staying up late working on marketing for my release on Monday. Because author life is glamorous.
It’s hard to say how many books I’ve written. If you go by titles, I’m nearing forty. Anthologies, box sets & re-releases inflate my numbers. I’m still enjoying my twenties when it comes to how many times I’ve typed THE END.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Billionaire’s Holiday Engagement was inspired by cookbooks and Christmas trees. I’m a total kitchen nerd and read cookbooks like they’re novels. In fact, in my previous life I was a recipe developer. I work delicious treats into all my stories, but I wanted to indulge myself and play with food.
I wanted the kind of heroine you’d want as a best friend – smart, fun and friendly. Then I put her in an impossible situation and helped her find her way to happily ever after. Really, between Lauren and I, Cameron never stood a chance.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I believe in house pants. In order to lose myself in a story, I have to be comfortable in my body. Nothing constricting or itchy or stiff. If I’m working it’s yoga pants, leggings, or pajama bottoms.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
How much time do you have?
It all began with Jane Austen. I started reading her when I was too young to appreciate the prose, and simply relished the details and emotions. Now, I simply enjoy the characters like they’re old friends I can visit as often as I like. I did my honors thesis on the evolving opinion of love throughout her work. (Look for that in The Billionaire’s Defiant Fiancee in February)
My romance novel addiction started young, shifting between classics like Gone With The Wind (Only someone who hasn’t read it would think it was appropriate for an eleven-year-old. Lucky me.) and the category romance my grandmother consumed like candy. I could read the blue ones, but not the red until I finished the blue… and a fresh set of four arrived every month. I didn’t care, I wanted to slip away to tropical islands and try on exciting careers. In my small town women were nurses, teachers, moms. These women were lawyers, photographers, fashion designers and flight attendants who traveled the globe. I craved those kind of options and filled my brain with them as often as possible.
What are you working on now?
Promotion? I’ve had a crazy amount of releases this year, so I feel like a marketing machine. (13!) Everything is winding down in time for my favorite month of the year – November – and NaNoWriMo. I ditch every responsibility I can (3 kids, 2 dogs, and the husband begin complaining instantly) and dive into a story. It’s divine. I’m happiest when I’m telling a story.
In November, I’m part of the Sultry Nights box set (11/7), and my Weston Ridge novellas – Anything for a Cowboy & Captivating the Cowboy – release individually on (11/27). Previously they were only available in the Not My 1st Rodeo anthologies.
**See what I mean about exaggerated number of books? Three here, but the novellas are in anthologies and Carried Away will release individually next year. So, three THE END and six titles. I have a chart to keep it all straight.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s such a struggle for me. Promotion isn’t in my wheelhouse, so it takes me forever to pull things together. How readers find me at all is a miracle. I have yet to find a reliable method. I’ll try almost anything, but I’m waiting for something to spark.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read. Write. If you aren’t writing, you shouldn’t be taking writing classes or studying the market or procrastinating with all the books on how to write. Writing a book will teach you more about yourself and your process than any mentor, course, critique… anything. The fastest way to learn how to write well, is to write often.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you have the choice to be right or be kind, be kind. Every time.
The secret to life? Don’t be a dick.
(My kids hear these all the time. Hopefully they’re listening.)
What are you reading now?
The Power of Habit is playing in my mom-mobile. I have a mess of books on my kindle I want to get back to. But work.
What’s next for you as a writer?
2017 was my year to try everything. New publishers, indie publishing, box sets, marketing courses, new conferences and more.
2018 is my year to do what I’m good at. Lots of writing, meeting up with readers, and making the world a happier, sexier place.
In 2019 I take over the world to distract myself from my baby graduating and heading to college.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Emma. She was smart but made impulsive mistakes, and he loved her anyway.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jenna Bayley-Burke Website
Jenna Bayley-Burke Amazon Profile
Jenna Bayley-Burke Author Profile Other Bookseller
Jenna Bayley-Burke’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account