Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Reeder.
Hi Joanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been writing stories my entire life, but in 2008 is when I began writing my first full-length novel. What started as a hobby as I wrote that novel and edited it–what felt like hundreds of drafts–I… shelved that story and it’s still on my computer drive. I call it my practice novel.
As I wrote In Her Dreams, I was a stronger writer. It also went through several drafts and extensive edits, but in 2018 it was published. My debut novel. That year, the rest of the trilogy was published.
In 2019, I co-wrote a trilogy with four other authors. Shifted (Shifter Academy), book one, hit the USA Today Bestseller list in January of 2019. That year, I went on to write and publish another trilogy in that world called Frost Boarding House.
In 2020, the first three books in the next-gen of the In Her Dreams trilogy were published as well as another trilogy in the Shifter Academy universe that I co-wrote with Jesse Booth entitled, Reclaim.
2021 was the beginning of my portal fantasy fae series, the Raven Court. The first three books in that series were published, as well as a prequel story, entitled Courting Fae Thieves and Crowns, that began on Kindle Vella in July of that year.
2022 I focused on building my brand, my business and continuing on with my Kindle Vella Journey. Only one book, a prequel novella to the Raven Court was published in January of that year.
2023 will be another big publishing year for me. In January, the first book of Courting Fae Thieves and Crowns was published in novel form. Later this year, the Raven Court series will be completed and possibly book 2 in the Fae Thieves and Crowns series.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road for me. I focused so much on the writing craft in the beginning that I had to stumble along with way with marketing. I also had to push myself out of my comfort zone by doing interviews and being a part of a podcast. I’m constantly learning more–both about writing and the business side of it–but I feel like the things to learn are never-ending. I feel like I’ve built a pretty good fanbase with my books, but I still have so many goals I would like to reach.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
All of my novels are stories about characters who learn how to be resilient through their challenges. From time travel to shifters to faerie, every one of them has a part of their character that is tested and pushed and dragged through a refiner’s fire until they are broken but come out on the other side as a stronger, better person.
I’m actually known for the uniqueness of my stories. While my earlier novels are original concepts, for instance, In Her Dreams is about a girl who experiences the memories of the dead in her sleep… so she time travels in her dreams. And Frost Boarding House takes place in the late 18oos at a boarding house in the Pacific Northwest that is visited by shifters and vampires. Even my more mainstream subjects such as portals to Faerie (Raven Court) and bachelor competitions with fae royalty (Courting Fae Thieves and Crowns) have been described as ‘refreshingly different’ and ‘unique.’
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I had a very happy childhood, but my favorite memory that relates to living my dreams as a fantasy author was when I was in the 4th grade. At a parent teacher meeting, my teacher shared my turkey poem I had written (I imagine it was near Thanksgiving). She applauded my skills as a writer and encouraged me to enter a story into the Reflections Contest. I did, and I won the first-place ribbon! If not for her encouragement and praise that she saw a talent in me, I might not have become an author. From that moment, being a published author was what I wanted to do when I grew up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://joannareeder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanna_reeder
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannareederauthor
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoannaReederAuthor
Image Credits:
Kudriaken Abbey Kyhl Angel Leya
