Interview with Author Michelle Jacklyn Miller
Author Michelle Jacklyn Miller is a transgender woman and a writer of fictional novels. She wrote her first book when she was eleven years old, but her grandmother threw it in the trash saying it was evil (her grandmother raised her because her mother left and her father was homeless). So, Michelle had no support at home. She was the same with her being transgender. She told her that she would go to hell if she slept with men. So, Michelle couldn’t write to express herself, and she lived in fear of her reaction if she knew that she wanted to be with men.
So, Michelle ended up getting in the army at 18 years old. That made her even more afraid to come out because she was in the army between 2003 to 2006 when “Don’t ask, don’t tell” was still in effect. She served a tour in Iraq, but always wrote poetry on the side. After the army, Michelle began writing novels again, but she didn’t publish because she was also interested in finding herself.
Michelle stumbled upon Buddhism, and she loved the fact that she didn’t feel condemned for being her. So, she finally came out as transgender. Michelle decided to include elements of the LGBT struggle in her novels. Many people are out there hurting, and there is a ton of false information about them transgender women.
Tell me more about your latest book
Tears Of Flames is about an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth and finds that humans are a viable food source. In the process of eating humans and spreading its species, it meets a transgender girl by the name of Jade. This extraterrestrial was an outcast from its own planet. It was created due to a genetic accident of cloning, and the species that created Emmy (the name of the extraterrestrial) wanted to kill it afterwards. So, Emmy sees itself in Jade and wants to help her. In this process he begins humanizing and falling in love with Jade. The problem is that there are more than 20 million of his species eating humans on Earth, and he will have to fight against them in order to protect Jade.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
This book, like all of my books, kind of wrote itself. So, I had one idea when I started, but that idea was gone by the time I was halfway through. It was originally called Eating Humans For Dinner. I changed the name when I realized that this novel helps gain better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community. There are two homosexual relationships as well as a transgender hero. A flame can be someone in love, but it can also symbolize gay people and transgender people. So, I thought Tears Of Flames was a more fitting title.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
Most of the time, I send manuscripts into traditional publishers and get rejection after rejection. So, I finally decided to stop trying to get everything traditionally published (I still have one novel in the hands of a traditional publisher). So, I researched the cheapest simplest way to get my novel published and made it happen. I was an English teacher before Covid hit, so I read my novel over and over trying to edit out typos myself. Then, I used Amazon KDP.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
I’ve never seen someone ask this question before, but for me, yes. It allows me to explore myself and human nature. I take a journey with the characters, and I am never the same person when I finish writing. I feel like writing helps me to evolve as a woman.
How many books have you written so far?
I have written 5 books, but I have only published one. Tears Of Flames is available for everyone on Amazon. Effulgent Creature is set to begin being released as a series on Kindle Vella on September 1. Then, the sequel is The Martian Phoenix. Upside Down And Falling Up is a novel that is currently in the hands of DAW publishing. I haven’t gotten a rejection letter yet, but they haven’t accepted it yet either. I also have one anthology that I want to be available by January of 2023.
What’s the best way to market your books?
I’m learning that as I go along. I’ve been trying to make friends with people and tell them about my book while maximizing social media. My book has already gotten close to becoming an Amazon best seller, so I think I just need a little push with some paid ads.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
I’m told that a very small percentage of authors can live entirely off their writing. Most of us have to have a day job, but almost anyone can have a writing career if they stay persistent. Just don’t quit your day job until you get that huge contract.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Just don’t give up. Write for yourself and not to please other people. Read a lot. What type of thing do you enjoy reading? Write that. Love others. Seriously. Listen to them when they talk. If you hate certain people, it will come across as a bias when you write. If you love people and listen when they talk, you will be better equipped to write good believable dialogue, and that is at least 60% of your success right there.
Visit Author Michelle Jacklyn Miller book links:-
Tears Of Flames on Amazon:
Twitter:
@michellejackly2
Amazon author page:
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