Q&A With Jenni L. Walsh

Jenni L. Walsh is the author of historical fiction The Call of  The Wrens, A Betting Woman, Side By Side, & Becoming Bonnie. She also writes historical fiction for children, including Over and Out, By the Light of Fireflies, and I Am Defiance, and the nonfiction She Dared series.

Q: Jenni when did you realize being an author was what you wanted to do with your life?

A: From a young age, I enjoyed reading and writing. My writing, however, consisted of poem and short stories. Funny enough, I can credit vampires for the start of my novel-writing career. I fell hard for the craze, reading every and all vampire novels I could get my hands on. Eventually, my reading sparked my desire to pen my own novel.  It took four manuscripts until I became a published author.

Q: What do you like about writing historical fiction? What is your advice to anyone wanting to write within the genre?

A: Most have heard Lord Byron’s saying that truth is stranger than fiction. I’ve certainly found this to be true, and I love unearthing moments or people from history with fantastical circumstances. It makes for wonderful storytelling and reading. For anyone looking to write within the genre, I suggest to read widely. I’m often inspired and intrigued by a single line in a 400-page book. You never know where book ideas are lurking.

Q: What’s your advice to new writers on how to deal with negative feedback whether it’s bad reviews, online trolls, and family and friends who don’t support their writing goals?

A: I try to remove myself whenever I can. That reader, troll, friend, or whoever isn’t the right reader of my story. That’s okay. Books are subjective. And, the right support is out there. I have a number of author friends who lift me up every single day.

Q: If you’re writing a new novel now, can you reveal any details?

A: My next novel, Unsinkable, releases in November of 2023. It’s been absolutely fascinating to write. Unsinkable is the story of two unsinkable women, one of which is the real-life Violet Jessop who earns the title of Miss Unsinkable after surviving the Titanic and two additional ship disasters. She truly proves that truth is stranger than fiction! 

Q: Does Hollywood have the rights to any of your novels? 

A:  Yes *wink* *wink* I hope to have more to share soon!