Jane Porter's Blog

Thinking, Feeling, Believing

I have the most interesting, and sometimes perplexing, conversations with my sons.  The three boys (okay, two are men now, but still) are all so different and wired differently, and respond to life differently.

My oldest, Jake, despite all, is my optimist.  He embraces life with gusto and seeks to squeeze out every bit of adventure and happiness and I support him living life his way.  He’s going to take a half glass and be glad there is something in it.

My middle, Ty, is the most well read, and is extremely articulate and analytical.  He, though, isn’t the optimist of the bunch.  He’s very loving with me, but he is definitely my glass is happy empty guy.  In fact, his glass might even be dry.

The youngest, Mac, is driven by logic, and has that engineering type approach to life.  Set steps.  Measured.  Exacting.  And what glass?  Why discuss a glass?  What does a glass have to do with anything?

Now I, as you can probably guess, am all about possibility and so my glass is never empty, and it will always have something, even if it’s just enough.  For me, there is always going to be hope, and fierce love, and even fiercer optimism.  As long as I have my family and friends, I will be okay.  I just need my people, and stories, and something beautiful to look at, whether it’s the sunset, a vase of flowers from the garden, or a beloved blanket made for me.

I wish I didn’t feel as much as I do, though.  Because if I didn’t feel so much, I wouldn’t be so emotional.  But then, I wouldn’t be so dang grateful for all the love I know.  I wouldn’t be grateful for my readers and friends, those people who are in my life not because they have to be, but because they choose to be.  And isn’t that a marvelous thing?  To belong.   To be part of something bigger than myself.  To have a world that keeps me safe and sane.

I love you all.  That’s not said lightly.  I have my faith, and then I have you.  My glue, my compass, my sunshine and star shine.  Thank you.  I believe in you.  I believe in us.

xox

The World We Live In

I wrote a heartfelt blog earlier this morning after one of my sons and I had a conversation that troubled me so much I had to say something to you, my friends, my readers, my world and then when I went to post it, my laptop crashed.  So here I am, three hours later, trying again.

The conversation I had with my son has stayed with me, and it weighs on me because he’s not alone.  He’s not wrong.

My son is afraid we’re being manipulated by powers outside ourselves, setting us up for irreversible damage and harm, conflict that pits us against each other, forcing us to take sides.

I told him we are stronger than these outside forces–whether American politics or world politics–where there are clear signs of power grabs, power not intended to bring us together but to create division.  To create fear.  To take words and turn them into weapons, so that all we see and know is violence.

I told this son of mine that we can’t be manipulated if we come together and stay together.  I told him that I have hope.  And I do.  I spend time with readers and friends outside my suburb and state, and these readers and friends are good people, people with hearts and minds, people who want the best for us all, not just a few.  People who believe in our country as much as I do.  We are Americans, and we crave democracy and justice.  We crave peace.  We crave security.

Let us not let the news, or TikTok, or sound bites from this official or that official, shape us.  Dictate to us.  Confuse us.  Let us not be swayed by voices that aren’t wanting us to be unified, but divided, because divided we can be trampled and broken.  Divided we lack strength and its easier to sow fear.

I won’t let the news tie me into knots.  I won’t let social media make me heartsick this week.  I have muted, and unfollowed, and unfriended so many ‘friends’ in the last week, not because they lie or deceive, but they are amplifying noise that may or may not be the best for this country.  They may or may not realize what it’s like to be on the receiving end of dozens and dozens of negative messages.

We are allowed to feel what we feel.  We are allowed to be hurt, shocked, enraged, grief stricken, afraid, despondent.  We are allowed to be humans, and be overwhelmed and exhausted.  Or livid and loud.

However, each of us is responsible for taking care of our mental health, and our physical health, and making sure we do all the research necessary to ensure the messages we share are complete, and in context.  We need to know what we say is true, and even then, we don’t need to flog each other with what we’ve learned.

I say let us share with love, with hope, with the Peace of God which surpasses all understanding.  (Philippians 4:7).  We don’t have to be torn apart.  We don’t have to be afraid.  We don’t have to be manipulated and played.

We can stand firm, and we can stand together.  You.  Me.  Us.  We.

 

Let’s Get Together : Upcoming Events!

I’ve spent so much time with my head down, writing and working in recent months, it’s got me excited to be doing events and seeing my readers and friends.

Some of my upcoming events:

Friday, September 12, 2025 – I will be attending the Lewis County AAUW’s Evening with Authors in Centralia, WA as I’m being featured along with author Patrick Hutchinson during a moderated discussion. The event is a fundraiser is a benefit for the Hope Alliance which supports victims of domestic violence. This is a ticketed event.

Saturday, September 13, 2025 – I am the Keynote Speaker at the Southwest Washington Writers Conference for a one day event and giving two craft workshops.

Thursday, October 9, 2025 – I’ll be at In Bloom Bookery in Temecula, CA for a fun book event with stand-up comedian and author Kelsey Humphreys. For more details and booking your spot, click here.

Saturday, December 6, 2025 – I’m hosting a special Holiday Reader Tea in Dallas. Seating is limited but there are still some spaces available if you can join me.

Friday, April 17, 2026 – I’ll be joining dozens of other amazing authors for An Evening with the Stars. More details to come but mark it on your calendar if you’re in the area.

Friday, April 18-19, 2026 – I’m in Florida to give a workshop at the Writing for Success 2026 Conference. It’s a small conference but my friend and colleague, Sinclair, will also be there representing Tule.

Wednesday, June 3 – 6, 2026 – I’ll be back in Erlanger, Kentucky for RAGT 2026, the Annual Reader Author Get Together. Tickets are on sale January 6th. It’s a special four days and if you’re looking for a book community, this is it!

I will be listing more events are they are locked in so do keep an eye on my events page and I’ll shout when something new gets added.

For a chance to win a special surprise JP giveaway, share if you’ve had a chance to meet Jane yet and where. Winner announced on Wednesday!

Meet Jaiden Colling: Marketing Maven and Book Enthusiast

Hello everyone! My name is Jaiden Colling and I have been a Marketing Assistant for the Tule Mystery imprint since April of last year. In an average week, you can find me brainstorming, planing and scheduling marketing for our mysteries with the amazing Mia, managing our cozy site, creating content to share on our socials, and handling author communications.

Thank you for having me, Jane!

Questions:

1.  What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

This might sound cliché, but it would have to be the people. Everyone is so kind and welcoming, and I feel like I lucked out getting to work with all of them. The authors are gems too. I love being able to help them accomplish their goals and make their release dreams come true.

2.  What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

Working remotely! I know, I know—working remotely is the dream for most people, and believe me, I’m so grateful to work from home. The only downside is that I’m a social butterfly. Without going into the office every day, I sometimes end up seeing or talking to just one person all week! Thankfully, it’s my husband, but he might not always share my enthusiasm when I bombard him with a long monologue of everything I did that day the moment he walks through the door. lol

3.  What do you specifically like to read, if you have time for pleasure reading?

Anything I can get my hands on! I love all genres and just so happen to be a bookworm (so, basically I’m living the dream working for a publishing house). I can’t help but read more than one book at a time. Currently, I’m working my way through The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin and just picked up Buried by Tule’s very own C.J. Carmichael.

4.  What is an accomplishment you’re particul arly proud of? (Could be work-related or not!)

Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to work with books. A way to explore newlands, make new friends, and go on adventures—all from the comfort of my home? Sold! It started with reading to younger kids in school, volunteering at libraries, and my mom always encouraging me to read everything. As I matured, my love for books grew. I interned with a book touring company after I graduated high school (at 16), helped edit books, talked with authors, and even became a certified proofer! Every step I took along the way has brought me to where I am today, and I’m so thankful I never stopped pursuing my dream.

On a personal level, the accomplishment I’m most proud of is the incredible blessing of my family. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by five generations of strong, wise, and loving women. The youngest is only two, yet I feel so grateful every day to be part of this beautiful legacy.

Each of them has taught me invaluable lessons, offering wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support. I’m constantly inspired by their strength, and I’m truly blessed to be able to call them my family. To know that the love and guidance I receive is part of something so enduring and precious is an accomplishment I hold close to my heart.

5.  You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?

For me, it all comes down to time management. I love what I do, and because of that, sometimes I struggle to maintain a healthy work/life balance. I learned early on that if I finish everything I need to do in a reasonable amount of time, I have the rest of the day to do whatever floats into my head. Also, working remotely gives me the freedom and flexibility my spontaneous planning craves, and on any given day, I can work from a different state, a family member’s house while visiting, or even at a café with a constant stream of coffee coming my way.

How do you manage the work/life balance?

Meet Mia Gleason: Tule’s Marketing & Editorial Rockstar

Hello everyone!

I am so happy to be here talking to you lovely people today! My name is Mia Gleason and I am a Marketing and Editorial Assistant here at Tule since April 2023. Well, what does that mean exactly? I support all of Tule Publishing’s marketing and editorial needs for our romance and women’s fiction imprints while also collaborating in managing our Tule Mystery imprint with my marketing partner, Jaiden!

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

My favorite part of working with Tule has been the people. I was first hired on by Meghan and Cyndi and remember being so nervous about meeting Jane because, well – she’s JANE PORTER! When I met the editors, I feel like I instantly clicked and our energies were just so well blended. This team of strong, hardworking, women has been so inspiring and supportive it’s no wonder Tule’s reputation is so stellar. We truly work for each other, as well as our authors, and I think that makes the difference in our work and our team synergy. I’ve been on a lot of teams in my career and none of them can hold a candle to my people at Tule. The team is phenomenal, the authors are all SO wonderful and appreciative; the people are truly my absolute favorite part of working with Tule. 

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

Hmmm…This is a tough one! I think some of the challenges/difficulties for me in working with Tule is the fact that we always have so many amazing things going on that it’s sometimes easy as a part-timer to have to be caught up and I’ve had to learn that it’s okay (and even encouraged!) to ask a lot of questions when you’re unsure of something, or if a project task doesn’t make sense. I came from a strong background of marketing and communications, but working for Tule is my first and only publishing experience so I was very much a rookie in my understanding of process and marketing needs. For example, Jane is a MARVEL on the film front, Meghan has been with Tule and is the most senior veteran team member, Cyndi is the most phenomenal numbers gal I’ve ever met, and each of our editors have SUCH an eye for storytelling that it’s almost scary, and then we’ve got the most amazing and talented graphics director in Lee Hyat – but still, everyone wears many hats and we are all hustling ALL. THE. TIME. for our authors and for Tule. I think it’s one of the best challenges/difficulties we could have, honestly. 

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

Oh, I make time to pleasure read. Lol. I don’t think it will come to a shock to any who read my profile, especially when I share that I am a millennial, that I read romantasy and fantasy. I took a long break from pleasure reading after college from burnout (no shock, there!) and got back into it a few years ago and average about 70+ books/year while working, toddler wrangling, and being a partner to my amazing husband (who will never know just how much I truly spend on books. Lol)

I’m currently reading The Plated Prisoner series.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?  (could be work related or not!)

Truthfully…many of my accomplishments lately have been not work related and have been more about taking time for me and doing things for myself. I am incredibly proud of the fact that I’ve been able to go and experience fun and exciting things that bring me joy and prioritize myself as best as possible. In the last year I’ve been able to travel with friends, I’ve gone to Hawaii (and met the amazing Tule team!), and my husband and I took an amazing anniversary vacation to where we honeymooned six years ago. I’m so proud of myself for allowing FUN experiences to become a greater priority in my life while we’re young enough to fully embrace the joy!

5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life.  How do you juggle it all? 

Caffeine, patience with myself, and time management like you wouldn’t believe. A lot of my Tule work is done around my full-time job as a Director of Marketing so I have to be mindful of my time to make sure everyone is getting my best efforts at all times. It is not uncommon for me to wake up and get my son ready for daycare, work my 8 hour day, come home and spend time with my family, then hop on my laptop to burn that midnight oil for a few hours. It’s a busy life, but it’s my life and it gives me a creative and mentally active outlet – it gives me the challenge I need and the stimulation I crave. Is it a little wild? Yes. Is it for everyone? Probably not. But it’s the perfect balance for me and my life and that’s all that matters! Very happy to be a part of Tule!

Meet Cyndi Parent: Royalty Queen & Team Leader

Happy Friday!  I am so happy to welcome my longtime BFF, Cyndi Johnson Parent, to my blog.  We met as 15 year olds at Redwood High School in Visalia and four decades later, she’s still someone I trust with all my secrets and dreams.  Cyndi is brilliant, insightful, a true problem solver, and Tule’s team leader.  She knows how to bring everyone together and keeps us on the same page–not easy when we’re scattered over different time zones, and continents.  Cyndi was always the math girl, and I was the English girl and so it makes perfect sense that she is with Tule today, in charge of all the very important financial things, including keeping us in the black.  So delighted you get to meet someone who has kept me sane and shown me what true friendship is.  And without further ado, here is Cyndi.  

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Hello everyone! My name is Cyndi Parent and here at Tule, I am the CFO or Chief Financial Officer. I have been apart of the team since August of 2018. My day-to-day usually consists of royalty management, sub-rights management, sales reporting, obtaining and managing promotions for individual titles and series, and coordinating these with authors.

I’m so glad to be here chatting with you today and I can’t wait to jump in!

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

The community! Our team is fierce and driven and inspiring. Our authors are talented and eager. It is never boring being the one numbers girl surrounded by creatives.

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

Working remotely and with varied hours from most of the team makes my desire for spoken word and discussion over written something I have learned to lean into.

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

News, personal interest and true crime. I have a very short attention span unless numbers are involved.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work related or not!)

Being a mom to 3 strong and driven women. I think they are perfect in every way and only take a tiny bit of credit for that – haha! We encourage each other to be lifelong learners, to try new things, to cherish people and moments and to “have courage and be kind” — thanks, Cinderella! I think they might’ve learned those things from me – so for that I am proud!

5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?

I try to stick with a structured routine for work and recognize and plan for the “busy periods”. I plan ahead for time with family and friends outside of work and out of the house — I am not a fan of “staying in”. My calendar is full and I panic when it’s not. I am often accused of “running around” and trying to cram too many things into a weekend or vacation — it’s true, however I never look back and think I did too much, rather wish I could’ve experienced more!

Giveaway

I want to know about one of your high school friends.  Did you have a best friend in high school?  Are you still in touch today?  Tell me about your friend and what made you such good friends and you could win a special hometown-best friend giveaway.  Winner announced Monday.

 

Meet Julie Sturgeon: The Night Owl Behind Tule’s Mystery Imprint

Hello hello! My name is Julie Sturgeon and I am an Executive editor for our Tule Mystery Imprint. What does an Exec. editor do? Well, I help shepherd the mystery imprint, I oversee general submissions, and I work with authors to help them develop their story.

Thank you so much for sharing a bit about yourself, Julie! Let’s hop into the q&a.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

It’s on the West Coast and I’m on Eastern Standard Time, which is darn near perfect for severe night owls. No one really knows if I sleep in until noon.

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

Because of Tule’s reputation for supporting authors, we’re a popular destination for pitches. It’s physically impossible to publish all of the great submissions we get. Sending out rejection letters makes me sad.

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

On my nightstand right now, I have a self-help book, two Bible study guides, a historical saga, a mystery, a thriller, a contemporary romance, a local magazine, and my iPhone to scroll social media feeds. I’m not making much progress on any of it.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work related or not!)

I dug our household out of credit card debt back in the 2000s and have never carried a balance since. I’m also pretty proud of the fact that I found a hack to get season tickets in row 12 for Indiana University basketball games. This is a big deal to a gal who chose her dorm because it was across the street from Assembly Hall. I am pretty sure my mother knew I chose the entire university with a goal of meeting the players, which did happen because I was a student reporter in the press box my senior year. Throughout my lifetime, I’ve missed watching only four games.

5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?

I have a selfish knack for finding time for the things I want. If I don’t find time, I didn’t want it badly enough.

Traveling is a huge interest in my life. I’ve been to all 50 states and 52 countries (see
credit card debt above—airline tickets and hotel rooms were both a big part of the debt and the motivation that drove me to work 14 hours a day to shake it off). I have a loose philosophy of choosing something new over a place I’ve already been, but I make an exception for London, Yosemite National Park, and Hollywood, Florida. (I hang out at a mom-and-pop beach hotel in Hollywood every October, in fact.) And I intend to return to Israel and Buenos Aires, too.

I work hard, I play hard, and I’m all about multitasking and delegating crap I don’t want to do.

Also, I drink my fair share of Dr. Pepper.

Meet Lee Hyat: Design Mastermind and Story Genius

Good morning lovely readers and friends.  I’m happy to introduce the Lee Hyat I know to everyone!  She’s been part of Tule before Tule knew it was going to be Tule, and long before Tule, she was a close friend and assistant, helping me with my career since 2001 when my very first book was published after 14 years of nonstop rejection.

We met because Lee was a romance reviewer and one of the few reviewers to actually like my first book, my debut with Harlequin Presents, The Italian Groom.  The Italian Groom had been rather fiercely panned online as well as in Romantic Times Magazine, and I was surprised by the negative response to this story that finally made me a published author after over a decade of trying.

But Lee liked my voice.  She liked my characters and story.  She got what I was trying to do, and when I discovered she lived in the Pacific Northwest, I immediately began dragging her to workshops and writing events and forced my friendship on her.  I confess that I sometimes gave Lee more than friendship, she got a lot of tough love from me, too.  The world isn’t always a gentle place or a just place, and Lee deserved better than what fate dished out, and so our friendship was sometimes forged in fire, but if I walk through fire with you, you know you’ve got me on your team for life.  And today, I think of Lee and her children as family.  Her kids are incredible (smart, smart, smart and so very kind). I was even able to attend her daughter Jeanan’s wedding in December and I felt like such a proud auntie!  I’ve known the beautiful Jeanan for years, as Jeanan and Jake were in the same grade and more than once Jeanan was on Jake’s speed dial to check on due dates for tests or homework clarification.

Now enough from me, here’s my lovely Lee!

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Hello! My name is Lee Hyat and I’m the Director of Design at Tule. I’ve been working with Tule since the very beginning.  I’ve been working with Jane for well over 20 years now and until we got the awesome Meghan Farrell to help keep us organized and on-point on everything related to Tule, I was helping Jane with all the things that needed to be done – logo design, website design, reading manuscripts, during the Spring and Summer of 2013.  If baby Tule needed it, I did it.

Today my role at Tule is that of a designer and I also oversee all things design-related whether it’s designing covers or working with other designers and meeting the authors’ graphic needs.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

The people. The wonderful, supportive, absolutely amazing team of women I work with on a daily basis. And the hugely talented authors I get to interact with. It’s a remote job so I can work from home and work late into the night if I want to. And that’s perfect since I don’t sleep much.

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

As I mentioned, this is a remote job, and I work from home, so it gets very quiet. I miss that face-to-face interaction with people.

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

I read everything fiction mostly – except horror. I’ve had a very rough few years recently on a personal level and 2024 was exceptionally painfully difficult so I’d more or less stopped reading for a long while. But I hope I’m finding my way back slowly now. Right now my favorite genre seems to be Romantasy/Fantasy (maybe because it offers a lot of escapism that I need right now) but I normally love to read all kinds of romance, women’s fiction, mysteries, and thrillers too.

Currently, I’m reading/listening my way through Brad Thor’s Scott Harvath thriller series and Rebecca Yarros’ Onyx Storm. And there’s a new Robert Crais book in his Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series that I need to get to soon. Have you read Robert Crais? If you enjoy private eye stories with a touch of humor, you must give it a try. I love it.

I love Witch stories too (Deborah Harkness’ All Souls series was AHMAZING!) and I’m always on the hunt for more stories like that. I have three books in Hazel Beck’s Witchlore series waiting on my tbr.

I recently finished Carissa Broadbent’s first two books in the Crowns of Nyaxia
series. (I know there’s a book 3, which starts a new duet, out already but I refuse to read it until book 4 is available just because I hate cliffhangers. And I’m a binge-reader!) It’s got vampires, wizards and demi-gods, and all kinds of magic… so much good stuff! I’ve also just gotten my hands on Story of My Life by Lucy Score, which I hear is hilariously funny.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work-related or not!)

On a personal level – Of being a Mom. I’m incredibly proud of my kids and the fact that they’ve worked hard their whole life to be successful and they’re thriving. (Touch wood.) They’re happy and that’s everything to me.

On a work level – I’m proud of the covers I design. I’m self-taught and don’t have any official training in graphic design. I look back at some of the first covers I made and it’s easy to see how far I’ve come by learning and practicing all the time. So when someone tells me they love my work or a cover I just made, it makes my soul happy.

5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?

With the help of friends and family. Friends who ARE family. That’s something I always appreciated, but I really came to value my friends and a good support system, personally and professionally, in the last few years. Work is easy when it’s fun. Life is easy when I do things for the people I love and those who love me back. People who understand me and support me.  Most importantly, it’s easy because I love what I do. It doesn’t feel like work. Yes, there are times when it’s hard, or maybe sometimes it can get a little uncomfortable, but that’s life. There are ups and downs. But the ups are stronger, longer, and tremendously uplifting. And that makes the juggling worth it. 100% anytime, all the time.

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It’s Jane again and I hope you’ve gotten to know Lee a bit better and you can see why I adore her.  Tule is so lucky to have her.  She’s a truly special human being and her confidence, leadership, and design work for Tule just gets better with every cover.

To celebrate Lee being featured on my blog, I have a big box of books featuring stories with covers all designed by Lee, along with a Bellevue, Washington t-shirt, a Seattle mug, and lots more fun things.  For a chance to win this special giveaway, talk to me about covers on novels, and if they influence you to buy, or not buy, a book.  I’d love to know how important you think a book cover is!  The Lee Hyat Cover Giveaway ends Friday, March 28th with the winner announced here.  Do check back to see if you won.

Meet Sinclair Sawhney: Editorial Expert and Passionate Storyteller

I am so happy to formally introduce my long time friend, Sinclair Sawhney.  Sinclair was one of my ‘real life’ friends in Bellevue, and was there through good times and bad.  We met when my big boys were still just very little boys.  How did we meet?  Through our husbands!  Sinclair’s handsome brilliant doctor husband, Deepak, was my former husband’s anesthesiologist (for these incredibly long 9 hour surgeries) and when Deepak was with Joe I knew he was in good hands.  Our husbands got along well, and one day while talking discovered each had a wife who was writing romance.  We were introduced, and we hit it off and the rest is history.  Sinclair is energy, and warmth, sunshine and joy.  She is also a Taurus (which means she’s a fixed earth sign, which means she’s stubborn but also fiercely loyal).

Sinclair has had many careers and lives before Tule.  She’s from Orange County, California originally, attended UC Irvine, became a journalist in school and after graduating, then became a teacher, and founded a preschool for gifted kids, and basically throws herself into whatever she does.  Which is why I had to ask her to consider becoming an editor for Tule when we were just a baby company of one year old.  And lucky me, and lucky Tule, she’s still here today, putting up with me, and making me laugh, and continuing to inspire with her very own brand of strength, humor, and love.  And with that, welcome Sinclair to the Jane Blog!

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Hello everyone! I’m Sinclair Sawhney and I am so excited to be here with you all and to chat with Jane. I joined Tule in March of 2014 as the Executive Developmental Editor for Tule Romance. My day to day involves working as a developmental editor with romance authors in several genres including contemporary, historical, paranormal and romantic suspense as well as mystery and thriller authors. I offer services from helping authors brainstorm series proposals, trouble shoot  plot/character book issues, developmental editing, re-reading revisions, writing blurbs. Other duties include reading through un-contracted submissions, weighing in on covers and titles, taking pitches at writing conferences, and serving as a judge for writing competitions.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

Working for and with Tule is one of my favorite jobs I have ever had. I love working with authors—discussing stories, providing feedback on their proposals and their manuscripts. I also love my colleagues. Their brains and humor.

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

I am so supported by Tule. So many times when I mess up or forget or miss something, my authors are so cool and kind about it, and my team helps me reorient. The environment is the most supportive I have every encountered, and I know for me, that gives me strength and grace and happiness to extend the same to the Tule authors and the Tule team.

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

Currently I am reading the JD Robb ‘in death’ series, as I’ve been fantasizing about writing a gritty, intensely local, dysfunctional family dynamics driven mystery series and I’m enjoying the team feel of Eve Dallas and crew. I need to start branching out more. My own writing, editing and our very small wine label do keep me busy, but I love to engage in all three areas.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work related or not!)

I am currently marveling at two things—one, I managed to live my dream. From
the age of six I wrote poetry and 6 th grade through eight grade I wrote Barbara Cartland type of romances, and then I was a journalist and I wanted to be a fiction writer and I am so that is pinchable—just being able to create two people and a world and a GMC and then a series out of nothing, still astonishes me.

The second thing, which should be my first—oops, is that I deliberately egg-headed how I wanted to raise my kids. No shade to my parents or my husband’s but man I really wanted to focus on pushing and building confidence and resilience and kindness and positivity instead of fear and anxiety and insecurity and constant second guessing. I wanted my kids to realize their power and control and the role that they played in creating their life. I felt helpless and alienated as a child—passive, and when I was a teacher, I was talking to a 6th grade boy who was struggling, and I was really trying to understand what was going on, and he had no sense of himself in his life—total external focus of control and THAT was a huge AHA moment for me. I knew my kids had to see themselves as agents and directors in their lives—seize control of what they could and drive.

Another moment happened (rather rudely I thought at the time, but it was a huge future mantra for me). I was dating this guy I was crazy in love with (not my husband so shshshsh) and his brother met me and asked “what does she bring to the party?” I wanted to kick his arrogant you know what, but later I thought about it, and it was really a valid question. What did I bring? Better be good—something that a lot of other people want because I want to come to the party. I want an engraved invitation. So I set out to live my life always bringing something to every party (metaphorically, but also literally).

5.  You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you juggle it all?

I juggle it all because I LOVE my job. I LOVE to write—not the whoo-hoo look at me– I wrote a book, but the actual act of writing of thinking and picturing and typing out the words and creating my characters and their lives and their dreams and their problems and their gotta dig deep to move forward vibe. I adore my colleagues. I’ll fight for my authors. I believe to the last bone marrow cell in the power of story, and I like to be busy and needed. Again the childhood trauma, right? Feeling expendable and wanting to not only be at the party, but to have been invited and welcomed and part of the planning.

Meet Kelly Hunter: Editorial Visionary Extraordinaire

Hi everyone!

Thank you for joining the Tule blog series as I highlight the incredibly talented team that makes up Tule Publishing.  We started with Meghan Farrell and are shifting to focus on Kelly Hunter, an Australian writer, editor, and publishing exec who also happens to be a very good friend and someone I love traveling with.  I’ve been to Montana and numerous RWA conferences with Kelly, a special trip Scotland and Ireland, and then over to the Blue Mountains in Australia, as well as to Hawaii three times now for various Tule meetings.  Kelly is so chill and undemanding, and yet razor sharp—nothing escapes her.  I love being surrounded by brilliant, good women and now it’s time you hear from her yourself!

xo

Jane

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Hello from down under! I’m Kelly Hunter, Editorial Director of our Holiday Imprint, Production Manager and Senior Editor at Tule Publishing. I joined Tule eleven years ago and was on board for the release of the first four stories. What a ride! Today, I mainly handle the editorial input and production shuffle. Helping get a high quality and highly marketable story to the reader, while keeping it as friction free as possible for authors.

Questions:

1. What is your favorite part of working with Tule?

The people I work with are all hardworking, helpful, wonderful people—core team, copy editors and proofreaders, formatting folks, and our authors. It’s such a co-operative creative space. Love it. Love it to bits.

2. What are some of the challenges/difficulties in working with Tule?

Because I’m in Australia, my day starts toward the end of the day for the rest of the team. When I open my inbox at 7am there can be a LOT of actionable emails waiting. Monster Mondays are real.

3. What do you specifically like to read, if you have time to pleasure read?

Because I read so much romance for work, I often choose something else entirely when reading for pleasure. Dystopian fantasy, space opera, and sci-fi are my current faves. I have William Gibson & Alastair Reynolds on the bedside table at the moment.

4. What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of? (could be work related or not!)

There a Warren Buffett saying that goes, “Basically, when you get to my age, you’ll really measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you.” I have people who still love me and I do my very best to be worthy. That’s my favorite accomplishment.

5. You are busy, and Tule isn’t your whole life. How do you ju ggle it all?

I work from home, so I save on travel-time. A lot of Tule time is so creative that it doesn’t feel like work, so that’s a blessing, too. I’m a lazy cook and don’t spend much effort there. When I’m on deadline, I know the housework will suffer. This, too, shall pass. I go out of my way for family, old friends and new experiences, and would rather meet out-and-about than entertain at home. I like a lot of sunshine (thank you, Aus) and I don’t need much sleep (thank you, age). Those are some of my juggling tips and tricks and I would definitely love to hear yours!

Giveaway!  For a chance to win a Kelly Hunter “With Love from Down Under” Giveaway, share some of your best juggling tips and tricks in the comment section.  The winner will be announced Thursday afternoon so do check back.

Also, keep an eye out for upcoming interviews with the Tule team.  The next addition comes Friday when we chat with the wonderful Sinclair Sawhney who has been a close friend of Jane’s for 25+ years now!