Meet Janae Marie: Author & Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Janae Marie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janae, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I found pursuing a writing career to be extremely rewarding. I love to create characters and fictitious worlds. It allows me to escape reality for a bit. I love being able to express myself creatively. I am better with the written words than expressing myself through direct conversation. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a self-published author of 5 books. I write urban fiction. I believe what sets me apart is how I am not afraid to touch on topics that aren’t usually talked about in the world less known the literary world. I started writing stories at the age of 16. I would write all the time. As I got to college at Wayne State University in Michigan. I’d write in between classes or work. On the bus, on my breaks from work. Writing is my life. I decided to step out on faith and publish my 1st book Flirting with Temptations at the age of 25. Soon after 3 more followed before the age of 30 and now in 2020 I published 2 in one year. Which has now brought me to a total of 5 books. It’s never an easy journey as a self published author. You are plagued with self-doubt and overly critical of your own work. The hardest thing to get over is your own voice holding you back. Then it’s ok. I wrote the book. How am I going to sell it now. Who’s going to buy it? How am I going to get support? You ask yourself this. But when you are new. And even still you have to get out your comfort zone and hit the streets. You gotta make friends with the barber shop, hair salon, gas station and dollar store workers. Those are the people who will take a chance on your work. The lessons I learned is that you have to get out of your own way. Give yourself permission to be great. Not to dim your light for anyone. Stop worrying about what others may think or do about you. Keep going. Most importantly be happy and have fun. I want people to know that I bring drama from the streets with books by Janae Marie.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely travel all over Los Angeles. Or maybe Las Vegas! I don’t know. It would be somewhere fun! I really like museums and art galleries. I love learning new things. Have to stop at Hard Rock Cafe. Maybe go to Hollywood and look at the stars on the Walk of Fame lol!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family is very supportive. I would like to shout them out. They all play a pivotal role in my success. My daughter keeps me going everyday. While my mom is always pushing me to aim high.

Website: www.janaemariebooks.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/authorjanae_marie5
Twitter: Twitter.com/JanaeMarie5
Facebook: Facebook.com/AuthorJanaeMarie4519
Youtube: YouTube.com/c/authorjanaemarie

Image Credits
Nick Hunte, Photographer Marion Designs/Keith Saunders Graphic Design