About Me
My PUBLISHING STORY
For as long as I can remember, I have loved to write. Putting my thoughts onto paper has always been much easier for me than trying to articulate them in any other way. Creative writing, rhyming, and story telling has always been a joy of mine. How it developed from a simple hobby to my first published book will always be a story that is close to my heart.
My Mom was my best friend. She was more than a mother to me, she was my role model, my confidante, my comfort. I lost my mother to cancer in 2019. To say it was devastating to me is an understatement. Grief is a tough one for anybody to navigate, and I found myself struggling to cope while in the middle of raising two small children. I lost her during the time of my life, early motherhood, where I needed her guidance so much.
I wrote my first published book, The Little Peanut, when I was just 9 years old. My mom loved this story of mine. She always praised my work, but I remember her always telling me how much she loved this particular story. A year after her passing, my Dad decided it was time to downsize from our family home, the home my parents lived in for 40 years. It was a JOB but also trip down memory lane going through 40 years of accumulated "stuff". But among all the stuff, was a box of my mom's keepsakes. Cards, letters, drawings she had kept over the years, and of course, The Little Peanut.
Now I don't believe it was a mistake for me to stumble upon this story. Actually, I know it wasn't a mistake. This was my Mom, giving me that push that I needed to follow one of my dreams and publish a children's book. This was her way of telling me to do something for myself, to help me move forward and escape the cloud of grief I was living in. So I did just that.
Every author has a different publishing story, and this one is mine. I love my story because it sits so close to my heart. The Little Peanut will always be my first published children's book, and there is nothing that makes me happier. I will forever be thankful for my Mom giving me that push that I needed to follow my dreams.
WHO I AM
I am a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a dog lover, and an author. I live in rural Ontario, Canada with my husband, two lovely children, and my sweet husky named Lucia.
I have enjoyed creative writing for as long as I can remember, with an emphasis on rhyming. I love watching my stories come to life, and find so much happiness in watching others share and enjoy my stories with their children.
I love to laugh, to smile, to cook, and to eat. Oddly enough, I am not a huge reader, but I absolutely love to write. It is my outlet in so many ways.
I enjoy playing sports, particularly ringette and softball, but am the slowest runner you will ever meet. My running style is often described as "running in sand" or "running with a piano on my back". So if you're ever running from a bear...you'll probably want me by your side.
I am a McGill University graduate, a Seneca College Graduate Diploma recipient, and my pre-children career was in marketing, another passion of mine.
The motto I live by..."A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear".
So, make sure you smile today :)
Join My Journey
I have always loved to share my story. Whether it be about motherhood, health, grief, or anything else I've faced and navigated in life. Today I have a new story to share, my publishing journey.
If you're interested in bringing your stories to life, or just have a curiosity into what is involved in the publishing process, I invite you to follow along. Like all of my stories in life, my publishing journey is forever changing and evolving. I am learning as I go, and I invite you to join me on this adventure!
Follow me here on my website, on Facebook and Instagram @jessicasaundersauthor, and watch as my story unfolds.
Thank you for being here!
Jessica