Cavern of Dreams Publishing just released their newest publication, What About Hailey?, a preteen novel about an 11-year-old girl’s search journey to adoption, written by Brantford author R. Jetleb. This is her first novel, but not her last! She took a few moments to answer some questions for us.
What inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve always written stories, since I was seven or eight years old. Writing is a part of my DNA; it’s hardwired in.
How many books have you published?
I have published one book so far.
What is the name of your publication?
My book is titled, What About Hailey?
What is it about?
The book is written for 8 – 12 year olds. It is about a preteen girl, Hailey, and her younger brother, Dylan. They have been in foster care for several years and want very much to find their forever family. Hailey doubts anyone would want to adopt two kids like them, with health problems. Sometimes Hailey’s temper runs away with her, making her feel even more un-adoptable. Dylan settles in easily with a family interested in adopting them, but Hailey finds it hard to trust someone else to take over caring for her brother and his special needs. While she wants to be part of a new family, she worries they’ll forget their real parents.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
The idea for the book came to me over 15 years ago, when I wrote it as part of a correspondence course, “Writing for Children and Teenagers”. I have always been interested in the foster care system, and had circumstances in my life been different, would have opened my home to foster children.
Why did you decide to publish your book?
My sister-in-law reminded me of the book one day, when we were purchasing books from our favourite author at the Paris Fair. I dug it out and submitted it, now having the self-confidence I lacked a decade and a half ago.
How did you find out about Cavern of Dreams Publishing?
I found Cavern of Dreams Publishing through author Mary M. Cushnie-Mansour; I enjoyed her novels and I met her a few times at book signings.
What is the most important lesson you learned from the writing/publishing process?
The most important lesson I learned from the writing/publishing process is to remember when I’m writing a scene, I need to back up a character’s actions or dialogue with the feelings or reasons they are behaving a certain way.
What was your biggest challenge/obstacle in the writing/publishing process?
My biggest challenge or obstacle in the writing and publishing process was (and still is) finding the time to squeeze it in, between a full time job and looking after my family.
What advice would you give someone wanting to publish their work?
The biggest piece of advice I would give is to WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Scenes, characters, dialogue, all these come alive in a very real, vivid way. I would also advise having your work
professionally edited with an editor/publisher you feel comfortable with.
Are you working on anything now? If so, what?
I am currently working on a teen novel about a 15-year-old girl, Andi, who, through unfortunate circumstances, feels her only option to survive is to live in a mall. The story takes place in downtown Toronto, in the spring of 1981. Andi meets another teen, Noah, who struggles with his own set of issues. They become friends, and are able to help each other. Andi starts to realize life in the mall comes with its own problems and dangers. She must reach out for help and have faith the foster care system she feels so mistrustful of, but that can give her another option besides life in a mall. Noah learns he is not as helpless as he feels, and he becomes confident enough to tackle his issues head on.
What is your next writing goal?
My next writing goal is to develop a series of novellas, each featuring the back story of a minor character I introduced in my previous novels.
Where can readers find your book?
Readers can find my book in paperback and e-book format on the Cavern of Dreams Publishing online store. It will soon be available on Amazon, Chapters/Indigo, and anywhere e-books are sold.
