Janci Patterson's Journey to Publication: A Q&A Session
Janci Patterson: A Versatile and Successful Hybrid Author
Janci Patterson, a resident of Utah, has made a name for herself in the literary world as a hybrid author, straddling the line between traditional and self-publishing. Her journey from college to published author showcases a progression into writing young adult science fiction, fantasy, romantic comedy, and epic fantasy.
Patterson's debut into the traditional publishing scene came in 2012 with her first book, Chasing the Skip. Since then, she has written numerous novels, including fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary young adult works. Her second book, "Everything's Fine," was released last summer, and it tells the story of a character named Kira who is searching for her friend's journal after her friend commits suicide.
Patterson's success as an author appears to be supported by her editorial vigilance, collaboration and co-authoring experience, versatility in genre writing, and professional engagement within the writing community. Her meticulous work on manuscripts, including helping to correct typos and ensuring quality in major fantasy projects, demonstrates her strong attention to detail and editorial skills beyond creative writing.
Her involvement in collaborative writing projects, such as co-authoring important works and participating in writing groups, highlights her skills in teamwork, communication, and project management. These non-writing competencies, coupled with her networking through writing groups, likely played important roles in her success as an author.
Patterson's non-writing skill that contributed most toward her writing is her business management skills, which she also uses as the business manager for her husband's company. She believes in treating writing like a job, showing up every day to work. This discipline is reflected in her submission (and rejection) spreadsheet, where she is close to making her 200th entry.
Patterson's favorite thing about traditional publishing is the advance she receives. However, she has not specified her favorite thing about being self-published beyond the people she works with, such as her editor and cover designer.
In addition to her writing, Patterson has also contributed to the literary community by participating as a guest speaker at writing organizations such as the League of Utah Writers and being selected to be a guest speaker for Brandon Sanderson's writing course at Brigham Young University.
Patterson comes up with ideas by imagining where a teenager would fit in a given situation. This approach, combined with her versatility and adaptability, has allowed her to produce several self-published works and sequels in various genres, further cementing her position as a successful and versatile author.
Patterson's first draft for her next book might incorporate elements from multiple genres, given her versatility, and could potentially be exploring the publishing path of self-publication for broader entertainment offerings. In the process, she might consider reaching out to her writing community for feedback, similar to her collaboration experiences with other authors.
