Marcia James, Author of Hot, Humorous Romances

THE JAMES GANG

Each month I interview an author or publishing insider who has "James" in his/her name. My September James Gang interviewee is author, Jamie Lee Coulter.

1. Let’s get the most important question asked first: Why James?

My first name is Jamie. Guess that's close enough to James. Actually, it's the first name in my pseudonym -- Jamie Lee Coulter. I chose that name because the Jamie Lee reminded me of my Southern roots. (I was born in Alabama – Roll Tide Roll!)

2. What fiction genre(s) and/or sub-genre(s) do you write?

As Jamie Lee Coulter, I write non-fiction. However, under different pseudonyms I write everything from erotic romance to mystery/suspense. When my feet hit the floor each morning, I have to stop and think "Okay, who am I today?"

3. Tell us about your latest release.

My latest Jamie Lee release, Who Took My Husband? The Story Of A Drug Addict's Wife, will be available in September. (You can read an excerpt on my website -- http://www.JamieLeeCoulter.com).

It’s the true account of a woman's courageous fight to survive a spouse's alcohol and drug abuse and gives an uplifting look at how she found herself in the process.

It takes the reader through a young woman's marriage from those first happy days to the devastation caused when her spouse begins to use alcohol and drugs. Through unpaid bills, his multiple affairs and attempted suicide, the reader is led down into the woman’s spiraling depths of agony and despair.

While the husband lounges in rehab, safely tucked away from debt collectors and the stresses of everyday life, she picks up loose change from parking lots to help support herself and her family while trying to hold down a full-time job. Life for her is a virtual hell.

Finally, exhausted emotionally and physically, she begins to fight back. Using positive affirmations and a positive attitude, she gradually takes control of her own life. Little by little, she pulls herself up by the proverbial bootstraps and creates the life she plans step-by-step. She leaves the reader with an uplifting feeling and a "You can do it" attitude.

Who Took My Husband? The Story Of A Drug Addict's Wife offers encouragement to those friends, family and others who are now or have been touched by any type of substance abuse.

I also write inspirational as Mary Freeman Boardman, and you can find my latest title, And Then There Was One, on Amazon.

It’s the life-changing story of one man, one woman and God. A story about one woman's death and one man's grief. A story about God's plan. A story about how a ministry was born.

Walk through the valley of death with a husband who has lost his wife -- feel the pain and anguish that rips through his heart daily. Experience the deafening silence left when God takes the one but leaves the other.

Follow that same man as he stumbles through life without his beloved, desperately clinging to God's hand trying to get through just one more day. Watch as God begins to work miracle after miracle, time and time again, and opens unbelievable doors of hope for the future.

4. Is there a core story and/or a theme(s) in your books?

I think no matter which genre I'm writing in, the core theme running through them all is "Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans." -- Thomas La Mance.

5. Do you have a favorite hero and/or heroine in your books and why?

My favorite would be the one I'm working on at the time. Each hero/heroine I create has a special place in my heart, but each time I create a new one I get excited and I create someone who speaks to me at that precise moment in time.

6. What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I enjoy the creative process. I create my world, my people, the circumstances, everything. I also enjoy typing the words "The End"! But I think what I enjoy most are my fans. I love hearing how something I've written has helped someone else get through their day. That's the payoff for me.

7. Do you have any awards, reviews or kudos you’d like to tell us about?

I've received a number of awards from the writing associations to which I belong. I've also received a number of wonderful letters from students of mine throughout the years. I'm especially proud of a letter put together by a group of female prisoners to whom I taught a class in creative writing. Each one had designed something to paste onto the letter, signed it with their thank yous and gave it to me the last day of class. We were all crying before it was over.

8. How do you promote your books and your author brand?

Each time I pull up to a fast food restaurant, I leave something. It may be a business card, bookmark, pens, first chapter, etc., but I always leave something. I do the same if I go to a sit-down restaurant. I hand out things to people I pass along the way in malls or department stores. I'm constantly handing out things.

I never go to any town without visiting bookstores, libraries, etc. and leaving whatever material I can. I always have a box of books in my vehicle for impromptu signings. I teach creative writing classes through our adult education system as well as through our state's prison system. Of course, I'm on a number of the social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). I have my own website (http://www.JamieLeeCoulter.com).

I also belong to a number of organizations, which helps get my name known. I send copies of my books to influential people not only in the town I live in now, but in other towns I’ve lived in, too. Promotion and publicity are so important for an author.

9. What is your next project?

Wow! That's a tough question. There are so many. I want to write something about goal-setting for kids. That's something that's not really taught in schools, and I think kids really need to know how to reach for their dreams.

10. Do you have a bit of wisdom you’d like to impart or a favorite quote?

My favorite quote is "Conceive! Believe! Achieve!" I'm a great believer in having a positive attitude. If you can conceive something in your mind, visualize it in vivid detail, and believe it with all your heart, then you can achieve it. It doesn’t matter how big or small.

I have a “Vision Board” and a “Goals List” and I work on those daily. I’ve achieved a lot but there’s still so much more out there to achieve!

Thanks, Jamie! Next month I'll interview international cover model, Jimmy Thomas.

Jamieson Wolf Interview