Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Sullivan.
Hi Danielle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi. I have a pretty unique story of how I got to where I am today. I’ll try to keep it as short as possible so I don’t end up going on for hours.
I was a stay-at-home mom looking for something to do that would help me find myself outside of being a mother. I was a huge reader, I had been my entire life. I had recently discovered Facebook book blogs where readers would get together in these Facebook groups and talk about the newest book they read. I had always had this dream to be a writer one day but always thought it couldn’t happen unless I was signed by a big publishing house.
That is until one day in my book group I saw readers talking about these amazing self-published “indie” authors they were reading. I decided to reach out to one of the indie authors after reading her book and asking her how she did it. She thankfully was very kind and told me about the ways by using KDP and draft 2 digital I could publish my own books.
It took some time but I was able to find an editor on Facebook and a book designer and before I knew it I was publishing my own novels, and surprisingly to me they did really well! This was back in 2012 and now I have 25 books published, hit NYT and USA TODAY with an anthology back in 2016.
In 2017, I went through a divorce and wasn’t able to publish until my divorce was finalized so I have six books almost finished but haven’t published a book since my separation. I’m now remarried and happier than ever and excited to get back into the writing world.
I needed something to put my passion into and bring in extra income since my husband is a disabled veteran so I’m the only one working. As a pre-school teacher, I don’t make a whole lot of money, and book royalties have been minimum since it’s been a few years since I published so I talked to a friend last spring about Scentsy. A reader had introduced me to the products back in 2012 I fell in love with them. I never thought of selling because at the time I was busy being a full-time stay-at-home mom, running an online boutique making bows and tutus, and starting my writing journey. But now years later I thought it was time to give it a try.
I’m so happy I did because the company and the community inside the Scentsy world are absolutely amazing. I’m making money to support my family and enjoying perks like free gifts and travel as a consultant. That’s how I ended up in Salt Lake City, Utah. We had our Scentsy family reunion there this past June.
It was such an amazing experience and I absolutely fell in love with Utah!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a lot of bumps along the way. There’s always some kind of book world Drama happening, or people who love to bash books but you have to learn to keep your head down, stay focused and ignore the negativity.
Also the struggle of leaving a toxic marriage and going to though a nasty divorce has been hard to heal from that and find my passion for writing again.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write contemporary romance similar to Nicholas Sparks.
I fell in love with his writing years ago when I discovered his books after watching The Notebook. He writes such in-depth love stories that pull at your heart. So when I write stories I love to show all the ups and downs couples go through as they try to reach their happily ever after. I always tell people my books are like he’s just a little steamier.
I like to think my drive to write unique stories that don’t follow cliché storylines helps set me apart.
I’m proud that as a mom from a small town with almost zero support from my ex-husband, friends, or family I was able to be successful in my writing career and show that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I hope to hit director in Scentsy and another NYT OR USA TODAY list with my Books. My dream is to see my
Books come to life on Netflix or the big screen.
The book world is always changing and shifting I just hope I can make an amazing comeback after my hiatus and be as successful if not even more so than I was before.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://DanielleJamie.Scentsy.us
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/authordaniellejamie
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AuthorDanielleJamie & www.Facebook.com/daniellejamiescents
- Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authordaniellejamie?_t=8UYMM3lZgAY&_r=1
