Hello everyone! Welcome to another Author Spotlight! These spotlights are for showcasing author’s (predominantly women and people of color) writing talents and published works. So without further ado let’s get on with the Author Spotlight!
About the Author:
Janay’s passion for words began when she spent hours reading borrowed books from the local library where her love for words were homegrown. She served as the editor of her high school newspaper, and for years tended to her craft until she and it were ready. Janay attended Rutgers University where she received a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in Social Work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, School Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist. To date, she has held many titles but her favorites are mentor, mental health advocate, and melanin story teller.
What and when started your love for writing?
I’ve always had a love for words and the ways someone could put them together, invoking emotions. As an adult, I got into the mental health field and I began writing mental health evaluations and assessments. When one of my supervisors noted that my assessments “read like a novel,” I finally thought, what the heck. Let me try my hand at creative writing. And here we are one year later. 🤗
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
I am a School Social Worker and Mental Health Therapist with children. I LOVE the kiddos! I believe my voice is strong in the YA genre because I live and breathe it every day.
If you could meet your favorite author, who would it be and why?
My favorite Author is Eric Jerome Dickey and sadly, he passed away this past year. I had actually drafted a long email I was going to send to him detailing the impact he’s had on my reading journey and later, author journey. The way he put words together was so beautiful and I wanted to be just like him. It makes me hopeful that someone will be impacted by my words in the same way that I was by his.
What makes your book(s)/writing special?
I believe that my books and writing is special because it’s real! I try to focus on the day-to-day life of Black families and I always incorporate something regarding mental health because it’s still not touched on as much as it should be.
So…what are you working on now?
Right now, I am resting! LOL. I published two books in 2021 and I have learned so much. I am currently in reflection mode and processing everything that I have learned. I just completed Book 2 in the Indigo Lewis Series and right now I am enjoying my summer off so when I begin writing again (probably in September) I am refreshed and full of creativity.
I know Janay’s stories are just as wonderful as her book covers (seriously those covers are gorgeous). And congratulations on working on the second book! So if you want to get in contact or connect with her, you can follow her on:
Thank you all for reading and remember:
Live. Love. Laugh.
