Hello, and thanks for being here to Celebrate Pride Month with Twinsie Talk. I’m Twinsie Tenise, self proclaimed resident MM reader and reviewer over here at TwinsieTalk. Throughout the Month of June we will be sharing Q&A sessions we had with over a dozen authors who write LGBTQIA Romance or books with LGBTQIA characters. Each day will Spotlight a different author. We hope you enjoy getting to know these wonderful authors and find lots of new books to fill your TBR.
Special thanks to all of the authors who signed up and took the time to answer the questions.
Shoutout and HUGE thank you to Twinsie Jo for the amazing rainbow graphics and Twinsie Angie for her input and assistance. Love you both!
Today we are celebrating pride month with J. Lawson
J. Lawson was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2008, where she currently resides with her husband, son, and three dogs. She graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master’s in English Literature. She has been published in multiple literary magazines, and The Amulets (book one in The Amulets Trilogy) is her debut novel. Lawson enjoys reading fantasy, thriller, mystery, and most varieties of fiction. She also loves 80s-90s rock music.
🏳️🌈What’s your name and a little about you.
I’m Jackie Lawson from Peoria, Illinois. I grew up in/around Davenport, Iowa, and moved to Peoria 15 years ago. I live here with my husband, 14-year old son, and our 3 dogs. Ive been writing since middle school and currently have 6 books published and one more on the way.
🏳️🌈What made you decide to write LGBTQIA romance?
I grew up as a straight ally in a very supportive circle of queer friends. This allowed me to spend some pretty formative years in an environment that allowed me to learn who I was without as many external pressures. I owe more to that experience and those people than I could ever repay. Representation is important to me and that’s why it shows up in a majority of my writing in some way.
🏳️🌈Do you prefer to write standalones or series? Why?
I like a well developed story line and characters. Most of the time this mean a series for me. I’m working on my second standalone right now, though!
🏳️🌈Do you have a current WIP? Care to share any details?
Sure! My current WIP is written and currently in the editing stages. Its a collecrion of short stories/novellas (7500 words or less) that tell what I imagine the stories are behind paintings I’ve come across. The stories, however, are most decidedly NOT what the artist was imagining while completing the painting. It’s been a blast to write and I hope readers enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
🏳️🌈What are your must have writing snacks and drinks?
It changes and varies depending on the time of day. Lately it’s been wasabi soy almonds, string cheese, and beef sticks.
🏳️🌈If someone has never read your work, which book would you recommend?
Peculiar Lessons: Semester One. It’s accessible, representative, and well-rounded. Plus, who doesnt love college students fumbling their way through life while studying beasties!?!?
If you could recommend 1 LGBTQIA Romance (not your own) to readers, what would that book be?
Singlets and Secrets by Joe Chianakis
🏳️🌈What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Spending time with family and friends I don’t get to see nearly enough, listening to audiobooks, and making bouquets and arrangements out of flowers crafted from rescued damaged books.
Social Media Links – Amazon Link/B&N/Kobo/Etc
Website www.authorjlawson.com