Tag: books

  • Black History They Didn’t Teach You (Launch April 18th)

    I am so excited to finally reveal the cover for my upcoming book, Black History They Didn’t Teach You, officially launching on April 18th. This project has been a labor of deep research and a personal mission to shine a light on the figures who have been tucked away in the corners of our history books. When you look at the cover, you see a hand literally peeling back a vintage map of the United States. Underneath that surface, there are scientists in labs, leaders in regal gold, and everyday heroes standing their ground against a backdrop of fire and struggle. It smells like old parchment and feels like the heavy weight of a story finally being told.

    But this isn’t just a collection of dates. It is a journey through the moments that shaped our narrative but were somehow left out of the classroom. I wanted to capture the grit of a 19th-century lawman on horseback and the quiet intensity of a researcher over a microscope. These are the hidden leaders and crucial moments that deserve more than a footnote. I can still hear the rhythmic scratch of my pen late at night as I tried to do these stories justice.

    April 18th is right around the corner. I can’t wait for you to hold this in your hands and discover these forgotten lives with me. Seeing the final design on my MacBook Air today made it all feel incredibly real. It is a bit nerve-wracking to put something this personal out into the world, but these stories are too important to keep quiet any longer.

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  • Let’s Make Your Manuscript Unputdownable: Editing Slots Now Open

    The difference between a “good” book and a “must-read” is often found in the edits.

    As indie authors, we wear a lot of hats. We are the writers, the marketers, the project managers, and the visionaries. But the one hat that is almost impossible to wear effectively for our own work is the Editor hat. We are simply too close to our own stories to see the plot holes or the subtle prose hitches that pull a reader out of the moment.

    That’s why I’m excited to officially remind you that I am opening my calendar for professional editing services!

    Whether you are writing a Psychological Thriller that needs more tension, or a Memoir that needs a clearer emotional arc, I’m here to help you bridge the gap between a finished draft and a polished masterpiece.

    How I Can Help You:

    • The Blueprint Critique: A “big picture” structural review of your plot and characters. Perfect for fixing the foundation before you build the house.
    • The 3-Chapter Kickstart: A deep-dive line edit of your first 10,000 words to ensure your Amazon “Look Inside” sample converts browsers into buyers.
    • Full Manuscript Editing: Comprehensive Line Editing and Proofreading to give your book that industry-standard shine.

    I only take on a limited number of clients each month to ensure every manuscript gets the meticulous attention it deserves.

    Ready to level up your prose?

    You can view my full list of services, transparent pricing, and booking details right here on the site:

    Not sure where to start? I still offer a free 1,000-word sample edit for all new clients. It’s the best way to see if our styles align before you commit to a full project.

    Let’s get your book ready for the world.

    ← Back

    Thank you for your response. ✨

  • FLASH PROMO: Get “My Husband’s Secret” for FREE (Today Only!)

    If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive into the secrets, today is the day.

    My psychological thriller, My Husband’s Secret, is available as a free download on Amazon. This promotion is a “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” deal—it’s only running today, so make sure you snag your copy now!

    To be completely transparent with you all: this was my first published book, and looking back, I know I rushed the process. I was so driven to finally get my work out into the world that I prioritized “done” over “perfect.”

    Since then, I’ve been obsessing over my craft. I’ve been refining my writing style, my pacing, and even the visual aesthetics of my work to give you a much more polished experience.

    I still love the twists in My Husband’s Secret, but I am already lightyears ahead with my current project, The Apology Architect. If you think this one is intense, just wait—the next one is taking everything to a much deeper, more calculated level.

    Grab the freebie today, and stay tuned. The best is yet to come.

    — J.C. Janson

    I have one small favor: If you grab the free download today, please don’t forget to leave a review! It helps me so much as an indie author and helps other readers find the story.

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  • “They Don’t Start With Accusations. They Start With Patterns.”

    She walked in without knocking.

    Tajia only does that when something feels wrong.

    “You didn’t answer me,” she said the second she stepped inside.

    “I had detectives here,” I told her.

    Her entire posture changed.
    “They came here?”

    Lucy glanced around the apartment — the untouched coffee, the scattered papers, the quiet TV screen still glowing in the corner.

    “What did they want?” she asked.

    “Questions about Michael,” I said. “Work. Travel. Clients.”

    Tajia watched me too carefully.
    “I don’t like this.”

    “You don’t like anything involving Michael.”

    “That’s not true,” she said quietly. “I pay attention.”

    Then she said something that stayed with me long after the conversation ended.

    “They don’t start investigations with accusations,” she said.
    “They start with patterns.”

    The word hung in the room.

    Michael always checked in.
    He always knew where I was.
    He always stayed calm — even when I handed him divorce papers.

    Tajia folded her arms, studying me.

    “If he calls tonight,” she said, “tell me.”

    “Why?”

    “Because something feels off… and I don’t want you handling it alone.”

    For the first time since the detectives left, a thought crept in that I didn’t want to consider.

    What if the person I trusted the most… was the one everyone else was starting to question?

    My Husband’s Secret is a psychological suspense story about trust, patterns, and the terrifying moment you realize you might not know someone as well as you thought.

    Available now on Amazon.

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  • Three Knocks. Two Detectives. One Secret.

    “Are you watching the news?”
    Michael’s message appeared just as the screen filled with red markers across the city.

    Crazy world, he wrote.

    Then came the knock.
    Three slow, steady strikes that didn’t sound like a mistake.

    I muted the television.
    Didn’t move.
    Didn’t breathe.

    The second knock was louder. More certain.

    Through the peephole — two detectives.
    Neutral faces. Patient eyes. No urgency… which somehow felt worse.

    “It concerns your husband,” one of them said.

    He’s working.
    He always checks in.
    He always knows where I am.

    So why did the headline flashing behind me suddenly feel personal?
    Why did the map of crimes start to feel like it was closing in?

    And why did I need just a second longer than I should have… to answer a simple question?

    Available now on Amazon.

    “We serial killers are your sons, we are your husbands, we are everywhere.
    And there will be more of your children dead tomorrow.”

    Ted Bundy

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  • A Day in the Life of an Indie Author (It’s Not as Glamorous as You Think)

    If you’ve ever imagined an indie author’s life as sitting in a sunlit café with a perfectly aesthetic latte, typing out bestselling novels while soft piano music plays in the background…

    I hate to be the one to break it to you.

    It’s not quite like that.

    Okay — sometimes there is coffee.
    But it’s usually reheated.

    Being an indie author means wearing about fourteen different hats in a single day. One minute you’re deep in an emotional scene, crying over fictional characters like they’re real people. The next minute you’re trying to figure out why your website layout suddenly looks like it was designed by a raccoon.

    There are days when the words flow effortlessly and you feel unstoppable — like maybe this is finally the book that changes everything. And then there are days when you stare at the same sentence for two hours and somehow make it worse.

    You celebrate small victories that most people wouldn’t understand.

    A new subscriber.
    A kind comment.
    One unexpected book sale.
    A review that makes you sit there smiling at your screen like an absolute weirdo.

    But here’s the truth no one really talks about:

    Being an indie author isn’t just about writing.
    It’s about believing in something you created when no one else can see the vision yet.

    It’s late nights.
    Learning marketing.
    Rewriting chapters.
    Posting content.
    Doubting yourself.
    Trying again anyway.

    And somehow… still loving it.

    Because every story written is a small act of courage.

    So if you’re a writer too — or dreaming of becoming one — just know you’re not alone in the messy, beautiful chaos of it all.

    What does your creative routine look like? Are you a morning writer or a midnight chaos goblin like me?

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  • The City They Tried to Erase

    They built a thriving city… and then watched it burn.

    They built a thriving city… and then watched it burn.

    Before 1921, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma was one of the most economically successful Black communities in the United States — filled with banks, theaters, schools, newspapers, and businesses created during segregation out of resilience and necessity.

    Then, in just hours, more than thirty blocks were destroyed.

    Hundreds were likely killed. Thousands were left homeless. Records were lost. Insurance claims were denied. And for decades, much of the nation barely spoke about it.

    “The City They Tried to Erase” explores not only what happened in Tulsa — but how history itself can be reshaped, reframed, or quietly forgotten.

    Because sometimes the most powerful part of history… is what disappears from memory.

    From History They Didn’t Teach You

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  • Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

    Book Review: Verity by Colleen Hoover

    I went into Verity not really knowing what to expect… and wow. This book completely pulled me in and refused to let go.

    First things first… this is not your typical Colleen Hoover romance. It’s dark, unsettling, and honestly a little disturbing at times. But that’s exactly what makes it so gripping. The atmosphere is tense from the beginning, and there’s this constant feeling that something isn’t quite right.

    The story slowly builds this creeping sense of unease that keeps you turning the pages. Just when you think you understand what’s going on, something else shifts and you’re questioning everything again.

    What I loved most is how intensely addictive it is. It’s one of those books where you say “just one more chapter”… and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

    Fair warning though: this book deals with very dark themes, so it definitely isn’t for everyone. But if you enjoy psychological thrillers that mess with your head and keep you guessing, this one absolutely delivers.

    Overall, Verity is twisted, shocking, and impossible to put down. It’s the kind of book that stays in your mind long after you finish it.

    ⭐ Rating: 5/5 — disturbing in the best possible way.

    Recommendation:
    If you like dark psychological thrillers that make you question everything you’re reading, you should definitely pick up Verity. Just don’t expect a light read… this one gets under your skin.

    “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
    ― Marcus Tullius Cicero

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  • Our New Books Clubs!

    We Started Something New for Writers (And You’re Invited)

    Okay… so we did a thing. 👀

    After a lot of thinking (and probably too much coffee), we decided to create two new spaces for writers — because honestly, writing can feel a little lonely sometimes and we wanted a place where authors can connect, learn, and just exist with other creative people.

    So we’re excited to officially introduce:

    The Indie Author Hub – our brand new Facebook page
    📚 The Cozy Writer’s Club – our Facebook group for writers

    The Indie Author Hub

    This page is where we’ll be sharing things like:

    • Writing tips and encouragement
    • Self-publishing advice
    • Updates about our books and projects
    • Helpful resources for indie authors
    • Behind-the-scenes moments from our writing journey

    If you’re interested in writing, publishing, or just love seeing how books come together, this page is for you.

    👉 Follow the page here:

    The Cozy Writer’s Club

    Now this one we’re especially excited about.

    The Cozy Writer’s Club is our little corner of the internet for writers to gather, share ideas, ask questions, celebrate wins, and support each other through the writing process.

    No pressure. No perfection. Just writers being writers.

    Inside the group you can:

    ✏️ Share what you’re currently writing
    📖 Talk about books and storytelling
    💡 Ask questions about publishing
    🎉 Celebrate writing milestones
    ☕ Hang out with other cozy creative humans

    Whether you’re writing your first book, your tenth book, or just thinking about starting one… you’re welcome here.

    👉 Join the group here:

    Come Say Hello

    We’d absolutely love your support as we get these spaces up and running. If you’re a writer (or want to be one someday), come hang out with us.

    Follow the page.
    Join the group.
    Introduce yourself.

    Let’s build something really fun for writers. 💛

    “You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.” ― Annie Proulx

  • How to Self-Publish Your First Book on Amazon KDP COMING SOON!

    How to Self-Publish Your First Book on Amazon KDP

    If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, you’re not alone. Many people dream of becoming an author, but they often feel overwhelmed by the publishing process.

    The good news is that publishing a book today is easier than ever.

    Thanks to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), anyone can write, publish, and sell a book to readers all over the world — without needing a traditional publisher.

    In this guide, we’ll walk through the basic steps of self-publishing so you can better understand how the process works.

    Step 1: Choose a Book Idea People Want

    Before writing your book, it’s important to choose a topic that readers are interested in.

    Many successful nonfiction books focus on topics like:

    • Personal growth
    • Business and side hustles
    • Mental health and self-reflection
    • Productivity and habits
    • Learning new skillsA helpful trick is to search Amazon for phrases like “how to,” “guide to,” or “beginner’s guide.” These often reveal topics people are actively searching for.

    Step 2: Create a Simple Outline

    A good outline makes writing a book much easier.

    Instead of staring at a blank page, an outline gives you a roadmap to follow.

    Your outline might include sections like:

    • Introduction
    • Understanding the topic
    • Key concepts readers need to know
    • Step-by-step guidance
    • Common mistakes
    • Final advice

    Once you have a clear structure, writing becomes much more manageable.

    Step 3: Write Your First Draft

    One of the biggest mistakes new authors make is trying to write the perfect first draft.

    Your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect — it simply needs to exist.

    Focus on getting your ideas down on the page and following your outline. You can always go back and edit later.Many beginner nonfiction books fall between 80–150 pages, which makes them easier to write than most people expect.

    Step 4: Format and Design Your Book

    Once your manuscript is complete, the next step is preparing it for publication.

    This includes:

    • Formatting your book for Kindle or print
    • Creating a professional book cover
    • Writing a clear and engaging book description

    Presentation matters. A clean layout and strong cover design can significantly impact how readers perceive your book.

    Step 5: Publish Your Book on Amazon KDP

    With Amazon KDP, you can upload your book and make it available to readers worldwide.

    Amazon handles the technical side of the process, including:

    • Printing physical copies
    • Processing payments
    • Shipping books to customers

    Every time someone buys your book, you earn a royalty from the sale.

    Self-publishing has opened the door for anyone to become an author. What once required a traditional publisher can now be done independently with the right tools and guidance.

    If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, the best time to start is now.

    COMING SOON!

    The Complete Amazon KDP Self-Publishing Masterclass

    I’m currently finishing a brand new course called:

    The Complete Amazon KDP Self-Publishing Masterclass

    This course is designed to walk beginners through the entire process of writing, formatting, and publishing their first book on Amazon KDP.

    Inside the course, you’ll learn:

    • How to find profitable book ideas
    • How to write your book faster without overthinking
    • How to format and publish step-by-step
    • How to get your first book sales

    The course includes 10 detailed modules, tips and tricks most beginners don’t know, and a clear roadmap from book idea to published author.

    📅 Official Launch Date: March 17th

    If you’ve been thinking about writing a book, this course will give you the step-by-step guidance to finally make it happen.

    Stay tuned — more details coming soon.

    LAUNCHING MARCH 17TH
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