By: Sarah Summer

Janae has always understood the power of story. Long before vampires, secret alliances, or supernatural politics entered her fiction, storytelling showed up in her life in a far quieter way, through family, imagination, and a book read aloud.

“I remember my dear brother reading to me from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,” she says. “Little did he know that those innocent stories would ignite a passion within me to craft heartfelt tales of love and longing.”

That early spark never faded. Born on July 8 at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma, Janae grew up alongside her brother and sister in a household shaped by Louisiana heritage, humor, and a deep sense of place. Those influences would later resurface in her writing, particularly in Perrish, a fictional town inspired by New Orleans, which she describes as paying “homage to the magical essence of the Big Easy.”

Today, Janae lives in Snellville, where she balances writing with everyday life as a mother of two, sharing her home with what she fondly calls “Persephone, a feline queen who reigns over our domain.” That mix of grounded reality and imaginative reach defines both her life and her work.

A Love of Genre and World-Building

Janae writes fantasy and paranormal romance that centers on emotion, power, and transformation. Her stories are driven less by spectacle than by characters forced to confront desire, destiny, and identity in worlds that operate just beyond the familiar.

One of her fan favourites, Blood and Wealth: Beginning, introduces readers to a hidden supernatural underworld beneath New York City. The story follows Elena Castillo, a journalist “always chasing the next big story,” whose investigation leads her into the orbit of Luca Lemaire and the secretive Solstice Alliance.

What begins as professional curiosity quickly becomes something deeper. “This isn’t just another crime to solve,” Janae writes. “It’s a world she was never meant to uncover.”

Luca, a figure shaped by centuries of restraint, has spent his existence maintaining order and avoiding emotional entanglement. Elena’s arrival disrupts that balance, drawing him into a dangerous connection complicated by rival factions, ancient prophecies, and supernatural politics.

Set against a backdrop of vampires ruling from the shadows and Lycans vying for dominance, Blood and Wealth: Beginning blends romance, mystery, and fantasy. As secrets unravel and alliances shift, the line between desire and danger blurs. “Some fates are chosen,” Janae writes. “Theirs was written in blood.”

Her Shadows and Temptations series leans into academy fantasy, following Aria Brightmoore as she discovers latent magical abilities and is thrust into a world of sorcery, power struggles, and forbidden attraction. Across both projects, Janae’s focus remains consistent: character-driven storytelling and immersive world-building that rewards long-term reader investment.

Writing as a Way of Life

For Janae, writing has never been a side pursuit. “Writing isn’t just something I do,” she says. “It’s who I am.”

That mindset shapes not only her fiction, but how she speaks about the creative process itself. Through her podcast, The Scribe Vibe with Janae, she has created a space for writers to talk openly about the realities of the craft, from rejection and criticism to productivity, burnout, and resilience.

Episodes explore topics such as imposter syndrome, self-esteem, and navigating both traditional and self-publishing paths. Janae breaks down practical elements of the industry, editing, formatting, marketing, and alternative routes to publication, while also addressing the emotional toll creative work can take.

In one episode focused on rejection, she discusses the importance of learning how to analyze criticism objectively and build a support system of trusted peers and mentors. In another, she dives into book marketing strategies, covering everything from audience definition to media outreach and offline promotion.

Throughout, her tone remains grounded and encouraging. She emphasizes “celebrating small wins,” maintaining mental health through self-care, and recognizing that creativity requires both discipline and patience.

Documenting the Creative Journey

Janae is also intentional about documenting her creative life publicly, not as a performance, but as a record of progress. “I created this channel to track my progress and create a visual journal to motivate me and others,” she explains. “Writing is hard, but if you have the willpower and drive you can achieve greatness.”

That openness extends to unfinished projects and paused series. She doesn’t frame them as failures, but as part of a longer arc. “Every story I’ve started still lives in my mind,” she says. “Some take longer than others, but they all matter to me.”

Her philosophy is simple and resolute. “Determination is the unwavering flame that ignites the spirit, fuels the journey, and propels us beyond the limits of what we once believed possible.”

Looking Forward

Beyond the page, Janae speaks openly about her desire to travel, particularly to England. “The thought of embracing their rich heritage and savoring the melodic tones of the British accent fills me with an indescribable longing,” she says.

For readers discovering her now, Janae offers an invitation rooted in imagination and curiosity rather than spectacle. “Stay awhile,” she writes. “Explore the depths of my digital realm, and let my stories transport you to extraordinary realms.”

It’s an invitation shaped by years of steady creation, genre love, and an unwavering commitment to storytelling. Janae continues to write, expand her fictional worlds, and connect with readers drawn to romance, fantasy, and the emotional pull of characters navigating destiny and desire.

Deconstructing Eden: The Awakening is her latest book, another exciting adventure. 

Discover more about Janae and her books at https://janaewritesbooks.com/