Debut You is an interview feature on Our Stories Matter blog. Debut authors, who have released or have upcoming releases in 2022, are given five questions to answer about themselves and their book. Currently, the questions are the same for all authors. We hope you enjoy getting to know Joy L. Smith and can offer your support. Go here for past Debut You features.
Describe yourself in five words, then expound on one of them.
Describing myself in five words would be loyal, reliable, witty, modest, and introverted.
The best thing about me, though, is my reliability. To me, it’s important to show everyone around you, whether you’re with them for 15 minutes or a lifetime, they can depend on you. As a reliable person, it has opened me up to so many new things because people want to bring you along when they know they can trust you. For me, as a quiet person, it’s my way of speaking up and saying I’m here.
Explain your book’s journey—how long did it take—from idea to publication?
Turning had a long journey. It wasn’t my plan to come up with an idea to put into the world. I would write in college just for me, and when I got the idea for Turning, it was just that an idea that I was putting into words after years of not writing. As I started sharing it with other writers for critique, they were all so encouraging on finishing it and planting the seed to really put it out there and querying it. It’s hard to quantify the time from idea to publication, but from submission to book deal, it was about two and a half years. Which is mind-blowing, but you learn a lot about publishing through the wait, and I’ll say that there really isn’t a rush. It’ll happen when it happens. I couldn’t be happier at Denene Millner Books. I have the right people behind this story. It’s such a great journey.
Belief in oneself is important; besides you, who has been your cheerleader(s) throughout this process?
It’s funny because when people learn I have a twin, they say that I have a friend for life, but I say I have an editor for life. My sister has probably read every draft of this novel and heard every idea or thought about Turning. My agent Saba is a super-agent, for sure. She really took a leap of faith in me as not only the writer of Turning but as a person who will author many books. There were times on submission I was so down, but she was always there to give me a boost about this journey. I literally couldn’t have done it without her. I have so many writer friends that have just been amazing through every step as well. I’m definitely not skimping in my cheerleading section.
Understanding your audience is essential. What do you know for sure about the audience you are writing for?
The audience is so important! I absolutely positively write for teenagers. I can’t imagine not writing for young adults. It’s such an important time in life, and I remember just wanting to read the stories of the many different teenage experiences. I write for any teen that wants to get lost, entertained, or plain curious about my character’s world.
Tell us about your book.
Turning is about seventeen-year-old ballerina Genie, who, at the pivotal time in her dance career, suddenly and tragically cannot dance anymore due to an accident. Or was it? Not only does she have to contend with the circumstances of her fall not staying in her past, but her ex-boyfriend also won’t leave her alone, her friends want back in her life, and her recovering alcoholic mother is more than worried about her. Meanwhile, she meets Kyle, a gymnast who cannot compete anymore from his own life-changing accident. Genie must come to terms with her choices, self-worth, and confronting the past if she wants to enjoy her future.
YOU did it, congratulations! Your story is going to be read by children or teens, educators, parents, librarians, book bloggers, etc. How do you feel, and are there any other projects in the works—that you can discuss?
I wrote a book! Most days, I must go through a mental checklist to say, “Yes, this is happening!” I’m so excited for everyone to meet Genie. She’s like an old friend to me, but it’s such an interesting feeling for people to read the words that were in my head. And I want it to keep happening. I’m working on several things now. Too early to say anything about it, but I hope they become something one day!
Turning
Joy L. Smith | Denene Millner/Simon & Schuster BYR | March 1, 2022 | YA | 352 Pages | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Joy L. Smith is a childcare professional and lives in Queens, New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, she has a bachelor’s degree in human development and differences, with a specialization in communication disorders. She’s been writing since she was a teenager and has been mentored by Ibi Zoboi, Radha Blank, and Emma Straub through the Girls Write Now program.
Connect with Joy L. Smith
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