Interview with Southern Fiction Author J.L. Miles: A Northern Girl with a Southern Heart
Dorothy Thompson
November 29, 2008
J.L. Miles (Jackie Lee), a resident of Georgia for over thirty years, hails from Wisconsin via South Dakota. She considers herself "a northern girl with a southern heart". Her paternal grandfather was christened Grant Lee by her great-grandmother in honor of the many fallen soldiers on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Ms. Miles is a former D.I.A.L. Systems Engineer for Baker/Audio Telecom, one of the premier forerunners of voice mail. In addition to systems application, she provided voice tracks for several major companies, including Delta Airlines and Frito-Lay Corporation. A former Miss Racine, Wisconsin, Ms. Miles, made television, print and fashion appearances, and participated in various stage productions, including "Joan of Lorraine", "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "The Miracle Worker".
She resides in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband Robert. Her debut novel, the critically acclaimed Roseflower Creek, was Cumberland House Publishing´s lead book when it debuted in hardcover. It is also available in Trade paperback. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons called it, "A powerful, extraordinary novel."
N.Y. Times best-selling author William Diehl wrote: "The lyric prose will thrill you, the story is unforgettable, and the characters will stay with you forever."
Cold Rock River, the journey of two young women born a century apart, debuted September 2006 in hardcover. N.Y. TIMES best-selling author Dorothea Benton Frank writes: "Cold Rock River by J. L. Miles is a powerful story of family, love and loss that will keep you up into the wee hours. Absolutely wonderful! Beautifully told and straight from the heart of an exquisitely talented writer."
Miles latest project is the Dwayne Series, a three-book southern anthology featuring Francine Harper, who is under felony assault charges for shooting at her husband Dwayne and his stripper/lover Carla from the Peel ´n Squeal. Francine finds her strengths and reclaims her dignity via a trial and many errors. Divorcing Dwayne debuted April, 2008. Dear Dwayne releases April 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
When not writing, Miles tours with The Dixie Darlin´s, four nationally published book-writing belles—with a passion for promotion—serving up helpings of down-home humor and warmth. Visit the website at www.j.l.miles.com.
Thank you for this interview, Jackie. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book is all about?
Divorcing Dwayne is the first book in a three book southern anthology. It features Francine Harper under felony assault charges for shooting at her husband Dwayne and his stripper/lover Carla from the Peel ´N Squeal. Francine finds her strength and reclaims her dignity via a trial and many errors. Fans of Janet Evanovich will enjoy this series. Divorcing Dwayne debuted this year. Dear Dwayne arrives on shelves April 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
Can you tell us what was the inspiration behind your book?
The concept for the series arose almost as an act of defiance, a response to a colleague´s assertions that an author should never try to be funny in a query letter, which is what writers use to pitch stories to literary agents. I figured that I could write something funny from a character´s point of view that would grab an agent´s attention. The result, which was picked up immediately, is the tumultuous tale of Francine Harper and her comically troubled marriage to a no-good husband named Dwayne.
Is this your first published book?
The Dwayne Series is a genre removed from what I normally write, but it did provide a nice respite. My debut novel Roseflower Creek was inspired by an actual death penalty case in Georgia. It covers the short life and death of ten-year-old Lori Jean, a sensitive dreamer of a child who longs for a normal family life. Lori Jean discovers a secret that leads to her untimely death. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons calls is, "A powerful, extraordinary novel." My second novel Cold Rock River is the parallel journey of two young women born a century apart. In 1060´s rural Georgia, with the Vietnam War cranking up, seventeen-year-old Adie Jenkins discovers the diary of seventeen-year-old Tempe Jordan, a slave girl, with the Civil War well under way. Adie is haunted by the death of her baby sister. Tempe is grieving the sale of her three children sired by her white master. What´s buried in the diary could destroy them both. New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank writes, "Cold Rock River is a powerful story of family, love and loss that will keep you reading into the wee hours. Absolutely wonderful! Beautifully told and straight from the heart of an exquisitely talented writer."
How has Cumberland House, your publisher, been to work with?
Wonderful! They are very supportive and do everything possible to help get the books out there. I highly recommend them. And they accept unsolicited manuscripts, which is rare in this industry.
Do you have an agent?
Yes, her name is Rachel Gardner and she is with WordServe Literary Agency. She is currently shopping my latest novel The Heavenly Heart. After a fatal accident, sixteen-year-old Lorelei Goodroe follows the lives of five people who receive her organs, including that of her father who gets her heart. Lorelei is conflicted by her untimely demise. She finds she is unable to move on without first letting go and letting go is the last thing on her agenda.
Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time Cumberland House sent the contract and the time it was released?
Divorcing Dwayne took a year to write. Cumberland House picked up the series after I sent them the first book and an outline of the series. The contract was sent a month later and Divorcing Dwayne debuted six months later. Dear Dwayne will arrive on shelves April, 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
Do you have any words of inspiration for other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?
Don´t let talented writers discourage you. They may have been born a writer, but I assure you they were never born published. And if you are determined to tell your stories, be sure and write every day. Write. Write. Write. And read. Read. Read. I like to remind myself also that many people succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.
What´s next for you?
I´m nearly finished with a novel I´ve christened All That´s True. It follows two years in the life of thirteen-year-old Andrea St. James. (Andi for short), who discovers her father is having an affair with her best friend´s sexy new stepmother, her mother is having one with alcohol, her brother is killed in a freak hazing accident, and her sister is ditched at the alter during Atlanta´s Wedding-of-the Year while reciting her actual wedding vows. It has "equal joy and equal sorrow and traces the protagonist´s poignant and sometimes laugh-out-loud journey to young adulthood, where Andi uncovers the elusive nature f truth, lies, regret, remorse forgiveness, folly and the importance of one of life´s most important gifts—discernment—so one might recognize the differences. I´ve fallen in love with the protagonist; she has the most engaging voice:
My grandmother, Nana Louise, lives at Sunny Meadows—only it´s not so sunny and there aren´t any meadows. My father put her there an hour after my grandfather died. WE take her to dinner every Friday night. It´s like a sacrament. Nana Louise has no idea who we are, but she always smiles and gets in the car when they wheel her out, which I find amazing. I mean, when old folks forget people, do they forget not to go with strangers, too?
Thank you for this interview, Jackie. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?
Please visit my website at http://www.jlmiles.com.
And check out the reviews for Divorcing Dwayne, or any of my other books on amazon.com.
Ms. Miles is a former D.I.A.L. Systems Engineer for Baker/Audio Telecom, one of the premier forerunners of voice mail. In addition to systems application, she provided voice tracks for several major companies, including Delta Airlines and Frito-Lay Corporation. A former Miss Racine, Wisconsin, Ms. Miles, made television, print and fashion appearances, and participated in various stage productions, including "Joan of Lorraine", "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" and "The Miracle Worker".
She resides in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband Robert. Her debut novel, the critically acclaimed Roseflower Creek, was Cumberland House Publishing´s lead book when it debuted in hardcover. It is also available in Trade paperback. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons called it, "A powerful, extraordinary novel."
N.Y. Times best-selling author William Diehl wrote: "The lyric prose will thrill you, the story is unforgettable, and the characters will stay with you forever."
Cold Rock River, the journey of two young women born a century apart, debuted September 2006 in hardcover. N.Y. TIMES best-selling author Dorothea Benton Frank writes: "Cold Rock River by J. L. Miles is a powerful story of family, love and loss that will keep you up into the wee hours. Absolutely wonderful! Beautifully told and straight from the heart of an exquisitely talented writer."
Miles latest project is the Dwayne Series, a three-book southern anthology featuring Francine Harper, who is under felony assault charges for shooting at her husband Dwayne and his stripper/lover Carla from the Peel ´n Squeal. Francine finds her strengths and reclaims her dignity via a trial and many errors. Divorcing Dwayne debuted April, 2008. Dear Dwayne releases April 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
When not writing, Miles tours with The Dixie Darlin´s, four nationally published book-writing belles—with a passion for promotion—serving up helpings of down-home humor and warmth. Visit the website at www.j.l.miles.com.
Thank you for this interview, Jackie. Can you tell us briefly what your latest book is all about?
Divorcing Dwayne is the first book in a three book southern anthology. It features Francine Harper under felony assault charges for shooting at her husband Dwayne and his stripper/lover Carla from the Peel ´N Squeal. Francine finds her strength and reclaims her dignity via a trial and many errors. Fans of Janet Evanovich will enjoy this series. Divorcing Dwayne debuted this year. Dear Dwayne arrives on shelves April 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
Can you tell us what was the inspiration behind your book?
The concept for the series arose almost as an act of defiance, a response to a colleague´s assertions that an author should never try to be funny in a query letter, which is what writers use to pitch stories to literary agents. I figured that I could write something funny from a character´s point of view that would grab an agent´s attention. The result, which was picked up immediately, is the tumultuous tale of Francine Harper and her comically troubled marriage to a no-good husband named Dwayne.
Is this your first published book?
The Dwayne Series is a genre removed from what I normally write, but it did provide a nice respite. My debut novel Roseflower Creek was inspired by an actual death penalty case in Georgia. It covers the short life and death of ten-year-old Lori Jean, a sensitive dreamer of a child who longs for a normal family life. Lori Jean discovers a secret that leads to her untimely death. Earl Hamner, creator of The Waltons calls is, "A powerful, extraordinary novel." My second novel Cold Rock River is the parallel journey of two young women born a century apart. In 1060´s rural Georgia, with the Vietnam War cranking up, seventeen-year-old Adie Jenkins discovers the diary of seventeen-year-old Tempe Jordan, a slave girl, with the Civil War well under way. Adie is haunted by the death of her baby sister. Tempe is grieving the sale of her three children sired by her white master. What´s buried in the diary could destroy them both. New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank writes, "Cold Rock River is a powerful story of family, love and loss that will keep you reading into the wee hours. Absolutely wonderful! Beautifully told and straight from the heart of an exquisitely talented writer."
How has Cumberland House, your publisher, been to work with?
Wonderful! They are very supportive and do everything possible to help get the books out there. I highly recommend them. And they accept unsolicited manuscripts, which is rare in this industry.
Do you have an agent?
Yes, her name is Rachel Gardner and she is with WordServe Literary Agency. She is currently shopping my latest novel The Heavenly Heart. After a fatal accident, sixteen-year-old Lorelei Goodroe follows the lives of five people who receive her organs, including that of her father who gets her heart. Lorelei is conflicted by her untimely demise. She finds she is unable to move on without first letting go and letting go is the last thing on her agenda.
Can you tell us how long it took you to write your book and also how long it took from the time Cumberland House sent the contract and the time it was released?
Divorcing Dwayne took a year to write. Cumberland House picked up the series after I sent them the first book and an outline of the series. The contract was sent a month later and Divorcing Dwayne debuted six months later. Dear Dwayne will arrive on shelves April, 2009. Dating Dwayne to follow.
Do you have any words of inspiration for other writers who would like to be wearing your shoes?
Don´t let talented writers discourage you. They may have been born a writer, but I assure you they were never born published. And if you are determined to tell your stories, be sure and write every day. Write. Write. Write. And read. Read. Read. I like to remind myself also that many people succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to.
What´s next for you?
I´m nearly finished with a novel I´ve christened All That´s True. It follows two years in the life of thirteen-year-old Andrea St. James. (Andi for short), who discovers her father is having an affair with her best friend´s sexy new stepmother, her mother is having one with alcohol, her brother is killed in a freak hazing accident, and her sister is ditched at the alter during Atlanta´s Wedding-of-the Year while reciting her actual wedding vows. It has "equal joy and equal sorrow and traces the protagonist´s poignant and sometimes laugh-out-loud journey to young adulthood, where Andi uncovers the elusive nature f truth, lies, regret, remorse forgiveness, folly and the importance of one of life´s most important gifts—discernment—so one might recognize the differences. I´ve fallen in love with the protagonist; she has the most engaging voice:
My grandmother, Nana Louise, lives at Sunny Meadows—only it´s not so sunny and there aren´t any meadows. My father put her there an hour after my grandfather died. WE take her to dinner every Friday night. It´s like a sacrament. Nana Louise has no idea who we are, but she always smiles and gets in the car when they wheel her out, which I find amazing. I mean, when old folks forget people, do they forget not to go with strangers, too?
Thank you for this interview, Jackie. Can you tell us how we can find out more about you and your new book?
Please visit my website at http://www.jlmiles.com.
And check out the reviews for Divorcing Dwayne, or any of my other books on amazon.com.
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