Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenny Gossell

Hi Jenny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

All I ever wanted was to craft fantastical stories. I had no idea that desire would lead me to live a fantastical story myself.
It was at the ripe old age of six that I decided I would become a published author when I grew up. By “when I grew up,” I meant by the time I turned sixteen.
And by the time I turned sixteen in 2018, I did, in fact, have a trilogy of books I wanted to publish. But I didn’t have any idea how publication, marketing, or an author career actually worked.
I printed copies of my books and sold several to my exceedingly generous family members and friends. But I had no idea where to go from there. Why wasn’t I selling more books? Why was it so hard to land a traditional publisher? I’d been working on this one trilogy for years–how could I move forward?
In 2020, God orchestrated everything perfectly for me to join the Author Conservatory. At the time, the Conservatory was just a fledgling coaching program where authors Brett Harris and Kara Swanson helped young writers take the next steps in their careers. But during my four years in Author, it grew into a full-on virtual college where young writers receive training, mentorship, critique, and encouragement from master authors, all within a supportive community of like-minded students. It was the school I hadn’t even dared to dream of because I didn’t think anything like it could exist.
It wasn’t all hugs and flowers, though. The Conservatory worked us HARD. Especially in the most challenging assignment of the course: launching my own small business.
The thing is, most writers struggle to build sustainable careers because they don’t understand the business side of authorship. The Conservatory trains us, not just to be good writers, but to be wise businesspeople. Not just to be artists who dream of getting famous, but to be adults who pay the bills.
And the way they train us is, let’s say, hands-on.
In 2021, at the age of nineteen, I launched Life Story Book Services. Through that business, I interviewed parents and grandparents to find out their life stories, then turned those stories into books with their pictures so they could pass them down to future generations.
And the most effective marketing method for me turned out to be local business networking.
That’s right, a homeschooled nineteen-year-old girl walked into meetings full of middle-aged CEOs and asked for thousands of their dollars to create a high-ticket, professional product!
I’ve lost count of how many times I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
But to my surprise, I found that I ENJOYED hearing from elderly people about their experiences and wisdom. I ENJOYED driving all over Kansas City and discovering new locations where networking meetings were hosted. To my utter shock, I enjoyed being an entrepreneur. One of my business coaches even said I have a gift for strategic planning, which I certainly did not see coming.
Earlier this year, I stopped accepting clients for Life Story Book Services* because other adventures needed my attention. Primarily, getting married! And also finishing my senior year at The Author Conservatory.
Now, I’m using my entrepreneurial skills in a new way. My short story, “People of the Rain,” is published in Voices of the Future Vol. 1: Stories of Family and Fearlessness, which is a student showcase anthology from the Author Conservatory. It’s also a fundraiser: 100% of the proceeds go toward helping me attend writer’s conferences, where I can pitch my books to agents and editors. The business experience I gained from Life Story Book Services is making it so much more fun, efficient, and sustainable to market these books.
Even more importantly, I’m better at handling failure and frustration in business ventures than I used to be. I’ve learned to set better goals and respond better when I don’t hit my goals–although I’m sure selling Voices of the Future will teach me even more in all those areas!
Now, that’s just the entrepreneurial and creative side of my adventures so far. In the rest of my answers, I’ll share more about how my real life has turned out to be just as fantastical as my favorite stories!

*If you’re looking for someone to help you capture a loved one’s life story, please talk to my friend Ruthie Burrell with Rooted Biography (rootedbiography.com) and let her know I sent you!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

This would surprise most people now, but I used to be terrified of conversations. Back in 2017, just telling my mom I’d written a book left me shaking like a leaf! I felt like, the instant I opened my mouth, I’d make a mess of everything.
The main thing that helped me overcome my shyness was simple practice. The more I talked to people at youth group, work, and the Author Conservatory, the more I realized I COULD talk to people. I didn’t have to be eloquent or have everything together. The main skill was showing interest in the other person, mainly by asking questions.
I also gained mentors at church and the Conservatory who helped me see that I DID have something of value to offer people with my words. And when I messed up, it wasn’t the end of the world. I could try again.
The biggest testing ground for my courage and confidence was launching my business. I had to do COLD CALLS! After just two or three phone conversations, my energy for the whole day would be spent.
But disasters kept not happening. People said, “Thank you for calling.” Occasionally, a conversation went so well that I ended up landing a client from it.
I still don’t consider conversations to be my strong suit, but they’re definitely not an area where I’m crippled anymore. I know it’s ok to make mistakes (at best I can laugh it off, at worst I can do what’s necessary to make it right). And I know it’s worth the effort to communicate when my words could be a gift to someone.

Another difficulty has been my Type 1 Diabetes. I was diagnosed at age eighteen in 2020, right after I joined the Author Conservatory. Initially, I was afraid having a chronic illness would put a stop to my dreams. Could I travel the world, build a career, and enjoy my life with my energy so low and my diet so restricted?
Well, I eventually found out that, with modern technology, diabetes doesn’t create as many restrictions as I thought it did. However, it does strongly incentivize healthy eating, frequent exercise, and abundant rest. As a result of which, four years out from my diagnosis, I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been!
Diabetes didn’t keep me from traveling the world (I spent two weeks in Greece and Turkey in 2021). It didn’t keep me from starting my career. It didn’t keep me from getting married.
This disease has definitely made my life harder and sadder. But it’s given more to me than it’s taken from me. It forced me to ask hard questions that ended up strengthening my relationship with God. It’s deepened my storytelling. It even became a key part of my Life Story Book Services origin story, since my grandfather was also diabetic and his story has been a huge inspiration to me.
Diabetes isn’t an adventure I chose, but it’s the adventure I’ve been given for now. And I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

I write Young Adult fantasy adventures where you come for the worldbuilding and stay for the characters.
If you want unique worldbuilding, but you don’t want so much dry detail that the book feels like a documentary, I write for you.
If you want relatable characters, but you don’t want so much introspection that the book feels like a drama, I write for you.
If you’re looking for a story that feels like Saturday mornings when you were a kid–endless possibilities for magic, discovery, and great deeds–I write for you.

The three things readers can always expect from me are honor, honesty, and humor.
HONOR: There are things I treat seriously because they’re real and good and worthy of respect. I won’t subvert them. I won’t use them as a punchline. I’ll bring them up as reasons for hope and courage and joy.
HONESTY: I’m not one of those internet voices who says, “Do things the way I do them and you too can be as successful and confident and flawless as I am.” Just like you, I’m frequently unsuccessful, fearful, and flawed. I’m inviting you to come with me on an adventure through fantasy stories, but it’s an adventure I’m still on myself–I haven’t reached the goal yet. As much as I’d like to pretend I have, I know that wouldn’t go well.
HUMOR: By which I mean…well, being funny. At least, I make myself laugh. And isn’t humor the natural result of honor and honesty? Honor makes us secure enough to laugh. Honesty makes us humble enough to laugh at ourselves. Besides, what’s an adventure without a double-sized portion of fun?

What sets me apart from many writers is that I don’t just write fantasy to give people an escape from real life (although my books do that, too). I write fantasy because of its unique power to give us courage for real life. As we go on imaginary adventures in our books, we grow into the kind of people who will go on adventures in the world around us.

What matters most to you? Why?

What matters most to me is Jesus. He’s the Author of the story we all live in, and he’s the Hero of the story himself. Everything I’ve ever wanted in story, I’ve found in Jesus.

It’s because of Jesus that I can have courage to go on adventures in real life. Otherwise, I’d be way too terrified. Trusting that Jesus is turning my life into a good story, even when I can’t see how, frees me up to live with boldness instead of fear.

Everything I write is to give readers glimpses of Jesus and his story.

Pricing:

• Voices of the Future Vol. 1: Stories of Family and Fearlessness (writer’s conference fundraiser) – $17 (plus $5 shipping)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jennygossell.com
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jennychasteen