Meet Jolene Campbell | Author

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

Hi Jolene, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
As an author, I have the freedom to work everywhere and at anytime. I homeschool my kids and can usually find time to write after we are done with school and in the evening after the kids have gone to bed. I also make it my habit to take my laptop everywhere. I have worked on my books at karate lessons, volleyball games, scout meetings, and at the library.

I also make sure my kids know they are allowed to interrupt me whenever they need me, that they don’t need to fear interrupting my work flow. It can be aggravating to lose that train of thought, especially when creativity hits hard, but they are more important. When they come into my office to ask me for something or to declare that they are hungry for the tenth time in a row, I fully stop what I am doing and turn to face them, letting them know they have my attention. Whatever thought I just lost will find its way back in time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The thing that has been a fortunate side effect of fulfilling my dream of writing books in my late 30s is the effect it has had on my kids. They have watched their mother chase after a goal and see it through late in life. They have learned that you can pursue your dream job at any stage in life. It doesn’t have to be done in your 20s.

My youngest, my nine-year-old son, tells me all the time with my art and with my books that I am, “A good book artist.” He is my number one cheerleader. He helps me put stickers on my books and pack up for conventions. He is a good little worker.

Then my eldest, my teenage daughter, has started her own business by helping mine. She is skilled with graphic design and had designed my stickers. She has even designed and 3D printed the bookmarks that go with my books. She sells them when we go to conventions and I teach her about taxes and the financial side of business. She’s not sixteen yet and her resume is already impressive.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a book nerd, I would have to make sure we take a trip to a local bookstore, like The Tattered Cover. And if they are any friend of mine, they would enjoy book shopping too. Then the homeschooler in me would gravitate toward the zoo and the museums. I have spent a lot of time at those places, but they are the places I known the best.

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?
When I finished my first manuscript, I couldn’t have gotten the guts to publish it without the support of my friends and family. Then I sent it off to an editor and was further encouraged to move forward with my dream. Then I found a community of authors on TikTok and learned even more about the publishing industry. I made some necessary changes and kept growing as an author. Now I give advice to budding authors.

Website: https://www.jolenedcampbellauthor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolene_d_campbell/