Exclusive Author Interview: Jade Harley

Buy Jade Harley's book, The Adventures of Lola: Amazon

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jade Harley, author of The Adventures of Lola. Jade's author bio shares: Jade Harley worked in the media industry for twenty years, where she was the Managing Editor of a variety of music, lifestyle and fashion titles. She then proceeded to run a digital-media business.

The Adventures of Lola is Harley’s first novel. A fierce conservationist, vegetarian and lover of nature and animals, Harley hopes to inspire young girls to dream big, explore, and protect the environment.

Harley was born in Britain and now lives in Australia. My exclusive author interview with Jade Harley, below- enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself...
I am a Possie - half Pomme / half Aussie! I've lived in Australia nearly half my life now so it's definitely home but I still like to visit the UK to see family and friends.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Only very recently, half way through writing The Adventures Of Lola, I realised I loved writing and wondered if I could do it full time.

Can you share your journey to becoming a published author? I started writing a book a few years ago but then I started a new business, and as tends to happen I found I had no time left for anything creative, all my energy was poured into that business. Then last year that business unfortunately came to an end and whilst it was incredibly stressful and upsetting the idea for Lola arrived at the same time. I took some time off, traveled around Europe with my husband and wrote Lola during that trip.

What do you find to be the biggest challenge, as an author?  Having faith it will connect with people and reaching an audience authentically.

What do you find most rewarding, as an author? Everything really, I get to 'play' daily. I love writing and I love uncovering the story as it happens, my characters seem to come fully formed and they tell me the story. I am just the channel. Getting good feedback from kids is also amazing.

Author photo provided by Amazon author page

Share with us a daily habit of yours, that helps you reach your goals. 
Every day I exercise and meditate before I sit down to work. Then I feel grounded and relaxed and able to be creative.

What is one piece of advice you would share with an aspiring author? 
Just do it, what's the worst that could happen?

.I am most grateful for... my friends and loved ones.

If I could give my 18 year-old self one piece of advice it would be... trust your instincts.

My favorite thing about being a writer is... watching the story come to life.

My least favorite thing about being a writer is... don't have one yet.

My goals for the future are... to finish the next book and release that along with a colouring book we have in the works.

I love living a creative life because... it is what I'm meant to be doing, I feel like I'm exactly where I should be.

The last book I read was... Wuthering Heights (currently re-reading a lot of the classics).

My favorite book, ever, is... This is too hard, I love so many. But if I have to answer it would be The Magic Faraway Tree (as a kid), Little Women (as a young adult) and Shantaram (as an adult).

Outside of writing, my favorite hobby is... hiking/bush walking - anything out in nature.

The most important thing to do if you want to achieve your goals is... start, one day at a time or one word at a time

Do you have any New Years Resolutions for 2017?  No, I don't believe in them, I try to do my best every day and don't set myself up for failure.

Tell us about your books (genre, where we can find them, etc.) The Adventures Of Lola is a children's fiction book aimed mainly at girls 8-13 but parents can read to younger kids as theme wise it is appropriate. It's currently available on Amazon in paperback and kindle versions.

Where can readers find you (i.e. website, social media, etc.)? Website is www.theadventuresoflola.com
Instagram is @theadventuresoflola_books
and
Twitter is JadeharleyID

What is the book about?

"To thirteen-year-old Lola, the world is not a very magical place. She often gets in trouble, whether it’s with her parents, who find her rich imagination a bit tiresome, or at school, where the teachers see her as being far too dramatic. But Lola knows she is meant to do more in life, like maybe save the day…someday.

But when Lola and her friends realise that something disastrous is about to strike their town, they gather their strengths and are determined to solve the mystery. Their sleuthing soon brings them all the way to the King, who is less than pleased with Lola’s fearless hunt for the truth.

As Lola struggles to remain in the good graces of the people in her life, she starts to realize just how unique she truly is…and just how magical her life might actually be.
An exhilarating and heartfelt story of adventure and intrigue, The Adventures of Lola proves you don’t have to stick to the status quo to save the day. Written with wit and gripping insight into what it takes for young individuals to stand up for what is right, The Adventures of Lola is dazzling in its magic and excitement."

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Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog, on Pinterest, and Instagram.

Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare
Fiction:
Love Stories

Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books.