Meet Jan Thomas | Author of Books for Tweens & Teens

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jan Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jan, what role has risk played in your life or career?
That’s a great question. I’d categorize myself as generally risk-adverse. I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food or travel or even, for the most part, my career. But as I think about it, I realize that there have been times when I’ve taken huge swings, always with a lot of angst, that have completely transformed my life.

I changed industries, transitioning from telecommunications to higher education to health care to independent school education. I ran a small, boutique PR/writing business for several years. I traveled to the UK solo for a writing retreat, and so on.

The last big change was in 2021 when I left my job as a school administrator to focus full-time on pursuing a lifelong dream of being an author. I agonized over that decision of months. To be honest, I still second-guess myself on occasion. But at the end of the day, I took to heart a lesson I learned from my mother. Sitting with her during her final days, I realized that there comes a point when I wouldn’t have any more tomorrows. I didn’t want to reach that point wondering what might have been.

It’s interesting and exhilarating and scary to be at this stage of life and realize that not only am I starting over, but I have so very much to learn. (My debut middle grade novel, Control Freaks, was published in 2023, so the risk was definitely worth it!)

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first book, Control Freaks, was sold at the tail end of the pandemic (in early 2021) and published in 2023. Because that book was written for children 8-13, and because it came at such a difficult period in the world, I wanted to write a story that centers and celebrates being a good human. Control Freaks deals with some difficult issues–divorce, blended family drama, deferred dreams, loss of a parent, etc.–but it also, I hope, gives readers, particularly young readers, a place to laugh and catch their breath when the world feels overwhelming.

Control Freaks was years in the making. I’m incredibly grateful to the amazing instructors at Denver’s Lighthouse Writers for creating a space to hone my craft. I’ve taken classes there since the early 2000s (possibly earlier) and would never have reached this point were it not for them. One of the most important lessons from my Lighthouse journey was to learn to listen to feedback, give myself time to absorb it, accept what was applicable and let go of the rest. That has proved invaluable during the writing and editing process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First, we’d take the train to Glenwood Springs. It’s a lovely, scenic ride. Glenwood Springs is beautiful and the hot springs are amazing.

Once back in Denver, we would take a walking tour around City Park and City Park Golf Course and through the Museum of Nature and Science. We would walk through the Park Hill neighborhood and enjoy dinner at Cherry Tomato.

We would also have coffee at Whittier Cafe, high tea at TeaLee and another wonderful dinner at Aung’s Bangkok Cafe.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ll give a huge shoutout to my former teachers at Kent Denver School, particularly Mrs. Helen Yeager. She noticed and nurtured my interest in writing, and I’ll be forever grateful.

Others who encouraged me in ways large and small are the late Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek’s original Uhura), the incomparable PR genius, Sylvia Cordy, my husband, and a small, staunch cadre of friends who both keep my grounded and keep me afloat. I love them dearly.

Website: www.jethomasauthor.com

Instagram: @jethomasauthor