I love being able to inspire those who look up to me.”

-Jade Jones

As The CEO of Jaded Publications, Jade Jones is a amazing storyteller who took a leap of faith and pursued her lifelong dream and also helping other authors achieve theirs. I caught up with Jade and we talked about her journey is writing and film, balancing a successful career, and how she creates another writing world under her pen name, Pebbles Starr.

JADE1 — **Jade Jones** Author | CEO of Jaded Publications

What inspired you to become an author and publisher?

JJ: “I’ve always had a knack for storytelling, ever since I was a child. I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become an author, and after getting fired from my last job at Target, I finally decided to take that leap of faith and pursue my lifelong dream. “

As the CEO of Jaded Publications, what is the best advice you have for someone with a passion to start a publishing company?

JJ: “My best advice for any author or aspiring author is to never give up! Perseverance is the key to success! My first royalty check was $28 and now I write full-time. You may not immediately get the outcome you want, but if you continue to strive to meet your results, you will be rewarded in the long run. “

What would you tell yourself ten years ago that you wish you knew then?

JJ: “I would probably tell myself to not be so hard on myself, lol. Sometimes, we are our own worst critic. The upside is, I’m also my biggest advocate.”

Has a mistake or a book you wasn’t crazy about ever led you to success?

JJ: ” I took a chance by dropping a book I thought would be panned by the readers. I was so afraid to release it for fear of negative feedback that I published it under a different name to avoid backlash. To date, When a Rich Thug Wants You is one of my top bestsellers! It even managed to crack the Top 100 list on Amazon! If I’d known it would be such a success, I would’ve released it under Jade Jones. “

What do you love most about being an author, publisher, and screenwriter?

JJ: “I love the fact that I’m able to flourish from my childhood dream. I’ve always wanted to write books ever since I was a little girl and now I get to live my life abundantly because of my hard work and dedication. I also love being able to inspire those who look up to me.”

What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned in your career?

JJ: “I’ve learned so many lessons, I don’t know where to begin. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that comparison is the thief of joy. I used to criticize myself based on others’ accomplishments and I’ve realized just how toxic, draining and counterproductive that could be. Nowadays, I focus on myself, my health and my wealth.”

You turned your passions into successful careers! How do you balance it all?

JJ: “It helps that I don’t have any children. I’ve made some sacrifices, and I dedicate my life to my craft but I don’t have a shred of regret for doing it. My career is my life. I love the art of storytelling and I will continue to perfect my craftsmanship, just as long as I don’t have any distractions, lol. “

Who are some of your favorite authors?

JJ:” Some of my favorite authors are J. K. Rowling, Stephen King, And T. Styles. “

How is Jade Jones and your pen name Pebbles Starr “different”?

JJ:”Jade Jones and Pebbles Starr have two different voices and writing styles, in my opinion. One plays it close, and the other is just wild and reckless. Some people still don’t know they’re the same author, and I think that’s pretty cool. It’s nice to have an alter ego.”

What can we expect from you in 2019?

JJ: “In 2019, you can expect more releases, a Cameron spin-off titled, “My Thug in Rusted Armor” and a few fantasy books as well. I’ve really enjoyed dabbling in a new genre!”

Bio

Jade Jones discovered her passion for creative writing in elementary school. Born in 1989, she began writing short stories and poetry as an outlet. Later on, as a teen, she led a troubled life which later resulted in her becoming a ward of the court. Jade fell in love with the art and used storytelling as a means of venting during her tumultuous times.

Aging out of the system two years later, she was thrust into the dismal world of homelessness. Desperate, and with limited income, Jade began dancing full time at the tender age of eighteen. It wasn’t until Fall of 2008 when she finally caught her break after being accepted into Cleveland State University. There, Jade lived on campus and majored in Film and Television. Now, six years later, she flourishes from her childhood dream of becoming a bestselling author. Since then she has written the best-selling “Cameron” series.