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NOT YOUR AVERAGE AUTHOR
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Jennifer Valenti is a Maverick. A rule breaker. An all-together risk taker - often evidenced by her many battle scars, most of which she wears as a badge of honor in tribute to staying true to herself. She was born in New Hampshire, but didn’t grow up there. In fact, she didn’t grow up any one place in particular, having moved nine times by the time she was fifteen. But, if you put a gun to her head (and you’d have to), she’d say she grew up in Florida, hailed from Boston, but mostly was a New Yorker. Moving around meant learning to adapt quickly, which has certainly come in handy when you’ve spent the better part of the last two decades as a single mother raising two amazing young men (and a dog with separation anxiety.)

For every failure, she enjoyed equal success with careers in film and television, technology, and consulting, the latter two of which against much of her will. Turning her life now to writing women’s fiction, she hopes sharing these stories with the world will inspire others to embrace their own uniqueness, and more importantly, inspire them to find their own Maverick within. If you came here looking for permission to break the rules, consider this your blanket approval.

Meet the gang behind the scenes

 
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Julie Swearingen

Superpower:
Developmental Editor

Background:
I graduated from Portland State University’s Master’s of Book Publishing program in June 2017. Since graduation, I have freelanced for several publishing companies and a book publicity agency, performed developmental edits for independent authors, and assisted authors on marketing and social media campaigns.

My reading pleasures include literary fiction, mystery, young adult, new adult, history, and memoir. I love diving into a new book—and still much prefer physical to digital—and would happily spend a perfect day outside with a book.

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Alison Cantrell

Superpower:
Copyediting

Background:
I have a Master of Science in Book Publishing from Portland State University, where I focused my studies in book editing and project management. While pursuing my degree, I also worked with Ooligan Press and performed extensive editorial projects for four of their titles, including two literary fiction novels and two YA novels, as well as proofreading projects for two other titles.

I enjoy collaborating with storytellers to create beautiful stories, and I ensure that each editing project I tackle is thoughtfully considered and carefully completed. My goal is to help every writer I work with grow and develop their piece so that it meets both their vision and its full potential.

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Kristen Ludwigsen

Superpower:
Book Publicist

Background:
Born and raised in the great literary city of Portland, Oregon, I grew up amongst the shelves of Powell's and neighborhood bookstores. In 2008, I graduated from Lewis and Clark College with a Bachelor of Arts in English. In 2017, I took my love of books to the next level and began pursuing a Master of Arts in Book Publishing at Portland State University.

Today I'm currently working as a book publicist and marketer and loving every minute of it, finding joy in helping authors spread the word about the books they've put their hearts and souls into creating.

 
 

IN HER OWN WORDS

I am a sexual assault survivor. That sentence has been the most difficult sentence I have ever uttered in my life. It’s not the words that cut me as much as the shame that comes with them. For many years, and still to this day, it has been utterly terrifying for me to admit that I had experienced an assault. But I have. The pain and trauma that comes with sexual assault can be different for everyone. For me, my best defense was denial. Or humor. It turns out both of those are normal. At least according to my therapist, and she has a lot of degrees, so I am inclined to trust her judgement.

It has only been recently that I have felt the powerful urge to share this with the world. It has literally been bursting from me with an intensity that can only be described as profound. Those that know me will tell you that it would be easier to get my social security number out of me, let alone an admission such as this. But, guess what denial gets you? It gets you pain, depression, and feelings of hopelessness. And my friend, I am done with that shit. So, I thought now would be a perfect time to come out to the world, and tell my truth. The Jane Valiante Series, starting with the debut novel, The Maverick is my way of doing just that. Many of these stories are either inspired by my own experiences or those of others that have entrusted me to tell their stories.

Through these books I hope to find the catharsis and the peace I have been searching for. But, for now I will settle for the release I already feel for finally talking about a subject that none of us should ever feel ashamed to talk about. Our truths, our stories, our pain, our love, our dreams, our fears, they are all what makes us who we are. And, I am damn tired of hiding that. So, come along with me as I open up my heart to the world and let it all flow out. Let’s begin. -Jen V.