We caught up with the brilliant and insightful JL DuRona a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

JL, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

It can be very stressful at times, but it’s a better kind of stress than I experienced at my 9-5 jobs. I remind myself of this any time I feel like quitting. It’s kind of like owning a home versus renting: it’s a lot more work, but it’s working toward something important, something special.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a fiction writer from Vermont. I self-publish my series of spooky middle grade adventures starring two tween stepsisters. THE BERGE SISTERS TOUR THE NEITHERSWARTH, my debut, is heavily influenced by the works of R.L. Stine and the movies of Tim Burton. My latest book, THE GHOSTS OF WARBLE HALL, is the next chapter in the Berge Sisters series and is coming out September 26th.

More than anything, I’m proud of the dynamic I’ve created between my two heroes. Lacey and Cal couldn’t be more different from each other, but their bond is unbreakable. “Witches face the fire together,” as they like to say!

I hope that perspective readers will see themselves in Lacey and Cal, that they’ll teach them that it’s okay to be weird and broken and just be yourself.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

There seems to be this idea, at least in America, that creatives should give away their art for free, that they’re not deserving of a livable wage. This entitled rhetoric is absurd and damaging. Entertainment is just as important as any other job. It, in fact, might be the most important to society as a whole. Would a social worker be able to get through their day without their favorite show to cap it off every night? Does the accountant not relish in his record collection?

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to write at least one new book every year. Eventually I’d like to write more than one, but I’m pacing myself. I want each book to be the best it can be.

Contact Info:

• Website: jldurona.com
• Instagram: jldurona
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jldurona/
• Twitter: @jldurona
• Other: @jldurona.bsky.social

Image Credits
Covers illustrated by Blair D. Shedd at onegemini.com