Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda P. Jones.
Hi Amanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never wanted to be an author/publisher. As cliche as it sounds, my first book idea came to me in a dream in the summer of 2019. I wrote that story in two months, knowing nothing about how to write a book. It was awful, but I loved those characters and their journey.
I reached out to an author friend, and he pointed me in the direction of the American Night Writers Association (ANWA). In October 2019, I joined a local chapter of their organization and met a bunch of writers who pointed me in the direction I needed in order to learn the right way to write a book. Since then, I’ve attended numerous meetings, conferences, workshops, and online classes to learn how to become a better author.
In early 2021, I toyed with the idea of opening a company and publishing my own books rather than trying to find an agent and publish through someone like Penguin or Random House. I couldn’t decide if that was the right decision or not, so I focused on writing more books rather than publishing.
In September 2021, The American Night Writer’s Association was publishing a collection of short stories. I wrote and submitted two ideas. They accepted one and rejected the other. My very first publication was in that anthology titled Kismet: Tales of a Dating App.
Since the moment ANWA said they wanted one of my stories, I knew I had a real chance at making writing a career and not just a hobby. In the spring of 2022, I commissioned five professional book covers. In the summer, I worked with professional editors to get a short story, novella, and full-length book ready for publication.
All the pieces finally came together and my dream became a reality when I opened Pine Lake Publishing in September 2022. I’ve published three works so far. Owning a business is a lot of work, stress, worry, and switching plans to keep up with current trends, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love having the freedom to choose my schedule, have the final say on the books I publish, and being my own boss. I have three more books scheduled for publication in 2023.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been easy to get where I am today. Too many times, I doubted myself or allowed someone else’s opinion of my story (my form of art) to shatter my confidence, and I stopped writing and working for months at a time. Like any work of art, when you put a piece of yourself out into the world for others to rip apart and judge, it’s hard. I’m still learning how to keep other peoples’ opinions of my books from getting me down or thinking I’m not good enough or my stories don’t have value. They do. Everyone, and every story, is needed.
I also had to learn how to write a good story (not as easy as you think), use social media, market my books, handle the accounting, and many other aspects of running a business. Each skill/task was so foreign and difficult. I often felt overwhelmed and wondered why I was doing this to myself. What was the point? I was taking time away from my family. I was stressed all the time. Commitments in my personal life slid to the back burner. I was juggling so many roles; the hats kept dropping until I felt like I wasn’t doing a good job at anything in my life.
Then I remembered my “why” and I picked myself back up, and kept going. I still struggle to find the balance of being a business owner, writer, mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and neighbor. But I’m doing it because I love writing. I love the thrill of seeing a story running through my mind come to life on paper. I love holding a book I created (with the help of professional cover designers and editors) in my hands.
I’m not sure the payoff would be as euphoric without the struggles, anyway. Because of the obstacles in my way, every goal reached means more, or at least that I fought a battle and won. If the road were a smooth ride, that would be great, but would it feel as good when the wins came? I’m not sure. I’m grateful for the twists and turns I’ve endured along the way.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an author and owner of a publishing company. I specialize in sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy novels. My stories contain love, laughter, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Think Hallmark, but with better acting and amazing kisses (no bedroom scenes).
I’m most known for my Christmas in Connecticut series available on Amazon. The first book in the series is a novella titled My Knight Before Christmas. The second book is titled Jack & Frost Bake-Off. Both books share my love of baked goods, humor, love, swoony kisses, and Christmas.
I’m most proud of my Christmas in Connecticut series because those stories pushed me as an author more than any other story I’ve written so far. I love looking back to 2019 and seeing a woman who had no idea what she was doing to the woman I am now. I’ve grown, learned, and stretched myself in ways I never thought possible.
More about My Knight Before Christmas:
I’d never felt a connection like ours before.
After sharing a spine-tingling first kiss with Liam Knight, I was certain he wanted to be my boyfriend. But instead of moonlit strolls on the beach, he ghosted me. Three months later, with a sugar hangover and pants that are now too tight, Liam’s back, ready to pick up where we left off. But I don’t trust him enough to let him back in.
When my boss leaves me in charge of her bakery while she competes in a baking show, I’m literally running around like a road runner hopped up on caffeine. Until My Knight comes to my rescue. Is forgiving him and getting our second chance worth the risk?
My Knight Before Christmas is a sweet with a sprinkling of heat, closed-door romantic comedy.
More about Jack & Frost Bake-Off:
What if you had to choose between love and money?
Jack
I’m living my worst nightmare. Competing on a baking show surrounded by loud people all day. But it’s fine. I’m fine. Our family bakery is in trouble and I’d do anything to keep the memory of Mom alive since Love Bakes is the only place where I still feel her presence. Which is why I’m so determined to win the prize money. No distractions, no friendships, no having fun. It’s all about business. Until I meet bubbly Meg—someone whom I’d normally be annoyed by. Maybe life is about more than work? Meg certainly has me thinking that way. But what about Mom’s bakery?
Megan
Paying Mom back to avoid law school is the main reason I signed up for Baking Spirits Bright. I also want to expand my bakery. But when all I can think about is my number one competitor, the gorgeously grumpy, people-hating Jack, my chances of winning diminish like cake crumbs. He’s aloof, ridiculously handsome, and pretends not to know who I am. The longer we compete, the more distracted I am by him. How can I win if I’m staring at him the entire time? Although, I’m not even sure I want the money anymore. I just want Jack.
Jack & Frost Bake-Off is a sweet with a sprinkling of heat, closed-door romantic comedy. All books in the Christmas in Connecticut series can be read as stand alones but they are best enjoyed in order.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in the Salt Lake valley. Utah has been home my entire life. I love it here! I’m the youngest of five children. My siblings would probably say I was the most spoiled. I like to think my parents treated us as equally as they were able. I can say, I was the most clean and organized of us all, but they are all better cooks than I am.
I had a classic childhood. I stayed outside playing games, biking, or climbing trees with my friends as much as possible. We didn’t have a lot of money, so I never played organized sports or danced. Not surprisingly, I did great in English and history in school and terrible in math and science.
I didn’t like reading as a child, which seems crazy for a writer to say! It wasn’t until middle school when a friend of mine loaned me a book she’d enjoyed that I started liking it. From the moment I read Ariana by Rachel Ann Nunes, I was hooked. Since then, I have always had a book in my hand. I love the kindle app on my phone. With the touch of the button, thousands of books are at my disposal.
In high school, I was a member of two marketing clubs. I wanted to be a travel agent, but with the internet that career became obsolete. Since then, I’ve been a cashier at a college bookstore, a bank teller, a call center agent, and a client project manager. Out of all the jobs I’ve had, writing is my favorite.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amandapjones.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/authoramandapjones
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/authoramandapjones
- Other: www.tiktok.com/authoramandapjones
