New Author Interview; Janet Beasely



Hey everybody, we have another exciting author here today! Please meet Janet Beasely, the author of the Hidden Earth series! I'll let Janet tell you all a little bit about herself before we get started!

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Hi, I’m Janet Beasley; Epic Fantasy Novelist and Scenic Nature Photographer. I am the author of the newly released epic fantasy series Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly – Parts 1, 2, and 3.


Author Janet Beasely
and her ebook Maycly, vol 1

I was born and raised in Beavercreek, Ohio where I was a proud 1979 graduate of Beavercreek High School. I now reside in central Florida and love hanging out together with family and friends for food and fun.

According to those who know me, I’m outgoing, fun, very creative and always try to look on the sunny side of life. Now granted, some of these folks haven’t had the opportunity to catch me on a bad day. You know, like in my writer’s den, when I’m birthing ideas and trying to write them down as fast as they come to me it gets a little hair-raising and the dog looks at me with that “look” where they tilt their head and just stare at you like you’re crazy at the moment…which you are…but you don’t let them know that!

I’m an animal lover, with dogs being number one on my list. I love to travel. Discovering new places and meeting new people from other lands is always a thrill. I enjoy kayaking, hiking, photographing nature, and baking cupcakes

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First off, can you give us a brief little blurb about your novel, Maycly? What is the central story-line and theme?

Hidden Earth Volume 1 Maycly Parts 1, 2, and 3:

Maycly is a world everyone longs to experience, but for Iona it has become a fading dream. For you see, Iona was left alone to fend for herself, and after years of endless searching she’s all but giving up hope...but the Grand Wizard SUL had a plan. An epic tale of Good versus Evil, Maycly is filled with adventure, trials, love, and epic battles, along with fantastic flora, creative creatures, and characters that come to life. Will Iona discover her true destiny? Will she ever find her missing family? Is Maycly bound to an existence of Evil for eternity? What will happen to Earth? Only the tales of HIDDEN EARTH hold the answers.

You describe yourself as an epic fantasy writer. What interested you in the fantasy genre? What are the easiest and/or most challenging aspects of writing in this framework?

Epic is the key word. I love to create worlds, new species, and make as enchanted as possible. The easiest part for me is being creative in epic proportions. What comes as the most challenging to me are epic battles. I am not one who has ever excelled at “staying in the box” or “not coloring outside the lines.” Logic and analytics are true pitfalls. It took me eight months to write the first battle. Being my fantasy world of Maycly does not lend itself to technology, guns and tanks were out! I spent hours developing new archaic weapons and creatures to work alongside the “old stand-bys.” I studied military ranks, tactics, and strategies more than I had ever wanted to...but it had to be believable. All in all, I would have to say that the epic battles in the novel were not only the most challenging, but also the most rewarding when completed.

You recently had the opportunity to promote your ebooks, Maycly Parts 1,2, and 3, at Lady Lake Public Library. Tell us a bit about what is involved in promoting ebooks and how you go about doing it.

First off I want to say that the Lady Lake Public Library Event was outstanding! The coordinators and library staff did a bang-up job. When you walk into an event like that, the atmosphere lends itself to being able to sell your work. Promoting the ebooks always comes easy. In fact, at shows such as these it even helps promote the sales of the paperbacks. I let them know ebooks are available, but with the fantasic illustrations and maps drawn by my sis, Dar Bagby, and the amazing paginationby industry-professional and writer Connie Thompson (Author of A Fascination of Feathers), nine times out of ten the people will purchase the 744 page paperback AND the ebooks.

What have you learned about yourself as a writer throughout this writing and publishing process?

I love this question because it has a happy ending! I have learned that I am not a failure, and I truly am the creative genius those who know me say I am. In addition, I have learned that it is not a scary process, but a learning process where you get to meet so many other wonderful authors along the way. I have hurdled the barrier with much success on leaving behind the traditional publishers, and developing a private publishing company that is now a subsidiary of our established audio-visual business, Multi-Tech Productions, Inc.

What books have most influenced your writing?

In all honesty, books haven’t done it for me. I’m a production specialist of nearly 40 years. Movies, theatrical productions, and working with audio-lighting-and special effects are the tools which have added the most to my stories.

What books are you currently reading?

Right now I’m reading fellow authors’ Betty Dravis and Barbara Watkins’s Six Pack of Blood. Something completely out of my genre for entertainment...but who knew I’d be creeped out of my wits reading this wonderful compilation of thrillers! And might I add, Armand Mastroianni wrote the forward for this book, and it has held in the top ranks on Amazon for quite some time. Can you tell I highly recommend it if you’re a horror fan? 

If you had to choose, which author would you consider a mentor?

He’s not so much a writer, but his creativity, determination, passion, and attention to detail are what make this man a mentor to me: Walter Elias Disney.

Finally, what would you say to aspiring novelists?

If you’ve got a story to tell, write it! Forget about the mechanics and red tape details of publishing at the onset. Don’t get caught up in how many words, how many pages, or who your target market is at first – just write your story, the rest will fall into place...I know, I’ve done just that.

Thank you so much, Janet, for participating in my new author interview series here at Literary Legs! Good luck with your writing and future projects! 

If you would like to see check out Janet's ebooks or take a look at some of the other things she's up to, please visit her website HERE. And, as always, I know Janet would love to hear your thoughts! Leave her a comment, below!