What is your most recent book? Tell us a bit about it.

My debut short story, Jump, is out through Echelon Press. It is a humorous urban fantasy that has been getting great reviews and also made the Top 10 Best Seller list on OmniLit!

If you were told to jump off of a bridge would you?

Perhaps it would depend on who was doing the asking. Our heroine has spunk and a sense of humor, however suffers from an extreme case of inappropriate clothing. When things take a turn from dangerous to worse what will she do when fantasy becomes reality? Warning: May include hot leather clad men, singing and demons.

Tell us something about yourself.

I was born and raised (and still live) in Ontario, Canada. I’m a stay at home mom and dabble in pretty much everything. I have been writing since I was quite young. After university I got married and had a couple darling boys. Once they were old enough I started to occasionally sleep again I jumped back into my writing.

What inspired you to write this book?

Jumpwas inspired by my parents. The idea came to me after I’d gotten off the phone with them, and had received a few lectures. Though ‘would you jump off of a bridge..” wasn’t one of them, that well known phrase popped into my head and then the story soon followed.

What obstacles did you encounter in getting this book published? How did you overcome them?

I seriously began looking into getting published about two years ago. I spent over a year and half searching for an agent. I never did find one, though I collected probably at least a hundred rejections. I finally came across Echelon Press and submitted directly to them. Luckily for me they were interested and I got contracts for two short stories and my novel.

Are you working on your next book? What can you tell us about it?

I have just finished a new young adult novel and have started the sequel to it. It is a fantasy novel titled Broken Aro which tells the story of 15 yr old Arowyn Mason (Aro) after her city is attacked and she is taken captive as a slave. The story begins as a gender bender, since her brothers dressed her up as a boy. The reader follows her adventures and trials, revolving around the new friends she meets who quickly become her replacement family. There is of course some subtle romance, fey, elves and much more. I will be submitting the first book to my publisher soon.

What is the best advice you could give other writers about writing or publishing?

Always keep writing. You can always improve, and practice helps this. Not only do you need to know how to write, but to edit. Research editing online, make sure you are using correct grammar and punctuation, be wary of being repetitive in your word use. If you can find readers or editors to go over your work then use them. Fresh eyes are always helpful.

If you are searching for a publisher I definitely recommend you create a web presence. Most either require this or it is an added bonus. Have a website, twitter, facebook, blog. Even if you aren’t published yet you can gain followers over time. It is also an excellent way to meet authors, agents and publishers.

Where can readers learn more about you and your book?

Please visit my website, www.jenniferwylie.ca for details on all of my published and soon to be published stories and works in progress. You’ll also find links to my facebook, twitter etc. Don’t forget to stop by my blog, I post many wonderful book reviews, author interviews and how to articles (and the odd short short too!)

Jump is currently available from Amazon, B&N and OmniLit for $0.99

Buy on OmniLit

Buy on Amazon

Have you ever wanted to submit a story for the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series of books? Or have you submitted one or two, but were never published? Here are some tips from a former Senior Editor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series on how to improve your Chicken Soup for the Soul story:

Think small. Zero in on a small event. Let’s say you have been diagnosed with a particular illness. Many people send in a story that tells when they got the news, how they told their family, what treatments and medical procedures they have undergone, and so on. This is too much detail. A good Chicken Soup for the Soul story emphasizes just one pivotal aspect of that journey.

Start the story with action. Ever notice how a good movie or book jumps right into the action? Do the same with your story. Make readers want to read more!

Use dialogue. What words were spoken? Make readers feel as if they are actually in the scene with you.

Insert emotion. What were you feeling during this event? A good Chicken Soup for the Soul story induces tears, laughter, goose bumps—or all three!

Tell a story. Chicken Soup for the Soul submissions should read like short stories, not essays, lectures, eulogies, or political statements. They should have a beginning, middle, and end.

Close with a punch. Bring the story full circle to resolve the conflict or provide a satisfying ending.

Have a moral. What did you learn from this event? What can readers take away from this? Inspire your readers.

Ready to try your hand at writing a good Chicken Soup for the Soul story? Story guidelines can be found on the Chicken Soup for the Soul web site at www.chickensoup.com. A list of upcoming books is included. There’s sure to be an upcoming book that’s perfect for your special story.

See Susan M. Heim’s blog at http://www.susanheim.blogspot.com