We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jendia Gammon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jendia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Innovation comes in all shapes, sizes and across all industries, so we’d love to hear about something you’ve done that you feel was particularly innovative.
The most innovative thing I have done in my career, particularly as a writer, is to go hybrid. This means that I have written both traditionally and self-published novels, Being traditionally published opened me up to more potential readers, and being self-published offered me full creative control.
I self-published the four-book space opera series, THE QUESTRISON SAGA, prior to getting traditional book deals. My expertise as a writer has taken me all over the world.
Jendia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jendia Gammon. I have also written as J. Dianne Dotson. I am a writer of science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, and Appalachian books and stories. I became a writer in my pre-teens but waited many years before taking the creative leap into publishing.
I am most proud of my determination to see my books through to fruition despite challenges of time, geography, and even age.
I am also a science writer and artist. I blend my world-building with rich detail and some nods to science. I am an extroverted writer as well, and enjoy interacting with people.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
I wish I had connected with a strong writing community many years before beginning my publishing journey. A writing community is priceless, reminding us that our struggles are not unique, and offering a chance for making friends and networking.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I had to unlearn that there is only one path to publication. In fact, nowadays, there are many. And we live in an era in which we have greater access to professional editors, cover designers, and the power of social media to help us get the word out about our books.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jendiagammon.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jendiagammon
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jendiagammon
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jendia-gammon-232879281/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jendiagammon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcTHErHjXILXov_2ftLwvJQ
- Other: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jendiagammon
Image Credits
Photos copyright Jendia Gammon 2024. Author headshot photo of Jendia Gammon by Tina Wilson.