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B.J.
Oct 11, 20187 min read

B.J. has Coffee & Cake with Harper Jewel.


Welcome to my coffee and cake time with M/M Authors.

Get to know a little bit more about your fave Authors as we chat over a coffee.

Today I have the company of the Harper Jewel.

Find out what motivates this amazing Author how she got into the M/M genre and her plans for the future.

If you enjoy these posts please share them and let me know. Big Hugs B.J.

 

Hey, I have been joined for a coffee and cake by Harper Jewel, the Author of the several books including Ripping off the Mask and Head Game. She has agreed to come along and chat with me to give us a little insight into her world.

So, whilst I sort the coffee Harper, Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to write M/M fiction?

I began writing creatively in grammar school. Writing and spelling were always my favorite subjects. My mom has saved several of my assignments that received an A+ or 100. While writing, I also read copious numbers of fiction books, beginning with Dr. Seuss (LOL). By the time I reached high school, I’d turned my attention to authors like Rosemary Rogers, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Cheryl Holt. Once I entered college, my favorite authors became Lorie O’Clare, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Laurell K. Hamilton. In 2011, I found role play and was active in that world for a short while before deciding to write for “real.”

My first three novella-length stories were all M/F oriented and they were all published by a brand new publisher that went out of business a little over a year later. After a second publisher also went out of business, I got tired of the headaches involved with getting my rights back and ventured into the world of self-publishing.

Once I self-published my fourth M/F title, I became bored, thinking the M/F market had become too saturated. In 2015, my daughter, then a junior in high school had several friends who came out. It was then I became interested in the issues surrounding the LGBTQ community and also started reading this genre exclusively.

I began donating to several different LGBTQ associations/charities and then sat down and wrote my first M/M novella, MIRROR OF OBSESSION, and couldn’t believe how much easier the words flowed and how much more my characters spoke to me. Getting help from Frank Lee, a published author himself, I was thrilled when eXcessica Publishing sent me a contract for this title. From there, I’ve stuck with this genre.

fantastic, what a history there but I'm glad you found M/M, I always find it interesting to know how writers start out in this business. What would you say is your greatest success story so far?

My title, RIPPING OFF THE MASK is by far my best success. As it was my first full-length novel, I decided to try submitting it to a few publishers once more. I scared the crap out of my hubby when I received the acceptance letter in September 2017 from Loose Id and let out a very loud OH, MY GOD! Unfortunately, they too closed their doors in May 2018, and I’ve re-released it on my own with a new cover. I’ve learned my lesson…no more publishing houses for me.

Self publishing works it does at a lot of effort to reach your audience but when you do they are great. Now we all need a little help when we start out, I have met some fantastic Indie Authors who have given me good advice and helped keep me focused.

Who in the M/M community has help you on your journey?

I have received helpful tips, some guidance, and eventual friendship from a few authors in the community. Hans M. Hirschi, Max Vos, and Jake C. Wallace to name a few.

I have Hans and Max on my friends list as well, there are so many helpful people in this community.

Do you still have a day job or are you a full time Author?

I stopped working full-time when my daughter was born in November 1997. As she grew up, I worked part-time. Mothering was very important to me. Now that she’s in college and we have college loans looming, I still work part-time (3 days a week) at a local Grocery Store. I’ve always put family first, so finding time to sit and write has become difficult, thus my limited number of titles. One day maybe...

Let's hope you can stay get time to keep your wonderful stories coming.

Whats is your favourite curse word?

Fuck! I say it often, much to my mom’s dismay. LOL

What sound or noise do you love ? ​​

I find the sound of the ocean waves so relaxing. I look forward to our vacation to Wildwood Crest, NJ every summer!

Ok, here's one that's probably not PC to ask but I'm going to anyway on a scale of one to ten, how weird are you?

I’d say about a 6, but some of my co-workers might disagree. LOL I tend to be a bit OCD about some things, so it depends on who you ask.

I think we all have a little weird in us lol.

The M/M community has its up’s and down’s. But what are some specific things you would advise newbies to watch out for in the community?

If you decide to go with a traditional publisher, be sure you read the contract CAREFULLY. Don’t go with small or new publishing houses as Amazon is putting many out of business.

Be careful not to give away a WIP’s title too early. I made that mistake, and by the time I was ready to publish, another author had already published a story with the same title. I try to choose titles that aren’t already on shelves. Never respond to negative reviews, it only makes you look bad.

Thats very good advice, I have to agree with you about reviews, they are just one persons opinion and we can't all like the same books. Let me throw in a couple more quick fire questions for you.

What is your favourite TV show ?

Picking one is difficult, but I’d say Shadowhunters. The paranormal aspect and storyline are fantastic, not to mention the explosive romance between two of the male characters!

one for me to check out.

What was the last movie you watched at the cinema?

Dead Pool 2. Hubby and I are Marvel fans and try to see every one of the Studio’s movies.

You and me both I love the Marvel movies I'm a huge Sci-Fi fan as well.

I have to say meeting you today has been good and you are doing great so far, What is coming up for you on the horizon?

I’m currently working on my first SciFi title, yet to be named. Family life and issues have, unfortunately, slowed my progress.

I will keep an eye out for that one, lastly before we say goodbye, How do our visitors get in touch with you?

Readers can find me at any of these links, but spend the majority of my time on FB and Instagram.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarperJewel1 or @HarperJewel1

Thanks for joining me and Harper for Coffee & Cake. If you have enjoyed our chat join me soon when I meet up with Harry F. Rey very soon..

 

Books from Harper Jewel

 

​​Ripping off the Mask - Harper Jewel

Blurb:

Thirteen years after high schooler Cooper Brandt suffered a life-altering tragedy, Newark Police Sergeant Cooper Brandt suffers yet another earthshaking misfortune while on duty. As a result, he lets the mask he donned because of his first grief-filled setback slip. When overwhelming guilt consumes him for a second time, an unexpected, and oftentimes unwanted, helping hand tries to force him into making a choice: face his demons and rip the mask off, or continue living a lie while his facade stays put.

Upon his move to New Jersey, aqua therapist Dr. Westley James meets his toughest patient yet when a snarly police sergeant accuses him of duplicity at the start of their first session. When he discovers the reason for Cooper’s ornery attitude, an odd, empty feeling he’s lived with for as long as he can remember begins to fill in like missing pieces of a puzzle.

As a fragile relationship between Cooper and Westley grows, an unhinged sociopath threatens to ruin everything. Will fate force the emotionally bruised sergeant to fasten his mask on even more tightly or will the couple’s blooming love and partnership be strong enough to help Cooper rip his mask off for good?

Like the Blurb Amazon Buy Link

Click the Cover

 

​​Head Game - Harper Jewel

Blurb:

Hey! Name’s Adam Darling and hustling’s my game. When I was eighteen, my parents kicked me to the curb after catching me enjoying a good romp in the sack with my boyfriend. So I took the bus to Queens, NY and used my boyish looks to turn tricks to make my rent and fund my weakness for club clothing. On the night of my twentieth birthday, everything came crashing down and, like a wuss, I collapsed and had myself a good cry. Deep in my “woe is me” fest, I knew I had to make some decisions I’d much rather not have to face. Confused, I’m not sure what to do. Should I leave the head game my life has become? Will my changing looks allow me to continue status quo? One very sexy cowboy has an offer that sounds like the answer I’ve been looking for, but can I find it within myself to take the leap of faith and accept it or should I walk away?

Like the Blurb Amazon Buy Link

Click the Cover

 

Thank you for reading this post, please share to help the Author reach more new readers.

Come back soon for more Authors who join me for Coffee, Cake and a Chat?

Thanks B.J.

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