Meet Janie Havemeyer

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Janie Havemeyer again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Janie, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I am a children’s book author. My young readers range in age from six to twelve years old. I write for two types of publishing markets. One is called The School and Library Market. These books are specifically designed for educational use in schools and libraries. I get assigned a topic. I research and write a book about this topic for a specific age group. I just finished a book on Haunted Houses and Mansions for students in grades 3-4. I always learn a lot when I write my books. Today I have 32 titles in the school and library market. I also write stories on a person or topic that I think of myself. These stories I sell to publishers directly. If a publisher acquires one of my manuscripts, the book is then sold through retail channels like bookstores. These type of books are called “trade books.” This August my very first, trade picture book was published. Motorcycle Queen: The Life of Bessie Stringfield is a partial biography about the trailblazer Bessie Stringfield. Bessie Stringfield rode her motorcycle through America in the 1930’s. She performed stunts and traveled cross-country by herself. She was a woman of grit and determination who defied the expectations of her time. The book is beautifully illustrated by the artist Jean Claverie. It was chosen as a 2024 Amazon Editors’ pick of best books for ages 6-8. When I started writing over 20 years ago, my dream was to publish a picture book. It was a pinch me moment when it finally came true with the publication of Motorcycle Queen.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
The publication of Motorcycle Queen: The Life of Bessie Stringfield was my biggest accomplishment of 2024. I sold the book to The Creative Company, a children’s publishing company, in 2018. Then the pandemic came. I had to be very patient and wait 6 years before the book came out. I also wrote eight new books for the school and library market in 2024. They are just coming out now. I love writing these kinds of books too. I get assigned a topic I do not know too much about and have to become a temporary expert. But I love learning new things. I wrote one book for a series called “The World of Money.” My topic was bartering. I wrote about the history of bartering, the benefits and drawbacks and how people still barter for goods and services today. The book was aimed for 8-11 year old readers. I learned a lot in the process and even began to consider bartering for goods and services myself!

We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.

Favorite Movie: The Sound of Music

Favorite Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Favorite TV Show: Friends

Favorite Band or Artist: Taylor Swift

Sweet or Savory: savory

Mountains or Beach: beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): tennis

Favorite Sport (to play): tennis

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): tennis, volleyball, basketball

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: a writer

French Fries or Onion Rings: french fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Chuck Rhodes

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Schoolhouse Rock!

Favorite Childhood movie: The Wizard of Oz

Favorite Breakfast Food: eggs

What would the perfect day look like for you? Please give us as many details as possible.
On the perfect day I would get up and the sun would be shining. I would eat breakfast and stroll down to the local market. I would chat with the barista and get my regular cappuccino. I’d walk back home and settle down to write. The house would be quiet. Four hours would pass quickly. Then I’d stop for a break to eat. Afterwards, I would go for a walk in my neighborhood. I’d pass the house covered in hyacinth. I’d walk through Sutro Forest and smell the eucalyptus. I’d think deeply about the story I am working on and try to sort out any issues with it in my head. I’d arrive back at my house in time to collect the mail. I’d sort through that. I always get excited to see what might be in my mailbox. Sometimes it is a letter or a postcard from a friend! I’d get a soda from the refrigerator. I’d head back to my office and write some more. Then I’d switch to reading a book. I love reading and am a serious reader. I read about 63 books a year. On my perfect day, I wouldn’t have to make dinner. It would magically appear when I am ready to eat and suit my fancy for that day. Then I’d settle down to watch a favorite series. The last series I watched was Seaside Hotel. It has 64 episodes. It’s about the summer guests from Copenhagen, Denmark and the staff at a small, seaside hotel on the North Sea. It starts in 1928 and ends in 1947. It is nostalgic, elegant and charming. It’s a bit like Downton Abbey but set in Denmark. After this. it’s off to bed or maybe I’d settle down in an armchair to read a few more chapters of my latest book, because I am a night owl. There would be no bad news to absorb this day, only small acts of kindness.

Website: https://www.janiehavemeyer.com

Instagram: janiehavemeyerauthor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janie-havemeyer-a60a407

Image Credits
author photo by Addie Havemeyer