VALJEANNE JEFFERIES
Beautiful and transforming are the words that first come to her mind when author Valjeanne Jefferies describes what excites her about the craft of writing.
“It allows you to change the circumstances around you. If you can envision a world that’s better than you live in, you can create an imaginative environment and fill it with extraordinary people,” explained Jefferies who currently resides in Alabama and is a graduate of Spelman College and North Carolina Central University.
That’s the exact formula Jefferies implemented when she wrote the science fiction/fantasy Immortal series of books. The series includes “Immortal”, “Immortal II: The Time of Legend” and “Immortal III: Stealer of the Souls.”
Other novels include “The Steamfunk novels: “Immortal IV: Collision of Worlds 2nd and The Switch II: Clockwork” and “Space Colony.” Her work has appeared in The Ringing Ear; Black Poets Lean South, Revelry, and A Sword and Soul Anthology.
Jefferies chose to self-publish her novels usually through create space under the names Valjeanne Jefferies or Valjeanne Jefferies Thompson. Jefferies has had her poetry published traditionally, but found that getting science fiction published was a different beast.
“Science fiction is in a different realm. I got sick of rejection letters,” she said. “I used to troll the libraries reading science fiction and there was some bad stuff being published traditionally and I was like ‘who published this and I can’t get a publisher?’ I didn’t want to fool around with this for 20 years trying to get a publisher so I took the plunge and self published. I don’t have to wait anyone and I can have the novels edited and published.”
To edit her novels and create the covers for them, Jefferies utilizes her own company: Q& B Affordable Editing, a full service company that handles editing, proof reading and manuscript layout. She runs the company with her friend and erotic fiction writer, Quinton Veal (author of Her Black Body I Treasure and United Souls: Stories and Poetry of Seduction.).
Jefferies’ and Veal’s novels are available at Eljay’s Used Book Store on West Liberty Avenue in Dormont. Eljay’s is a mostly used book store that has been serving the Pittsburgh area for more than 14 years. It carries titles in every genre but specializes in Sci-fi, Fantasy, Horror, History or Cookbooks. Eljay’s carries a collection of new and local titles.
“I called the owner and they seemed interested in my books. My books have been there about six months and they are sold on consignment,” Jefferies said proudly.
Not one to stand on her laurels, Jefferies is currently working on two novels: “Colony: A Space Opera” and “Mona Live Long.” The first chapters of both books are on Amazon.com.
She believes the books will do thanks to her ever-expanding fan base.
“I love my fans they keep me writing. My message to people is if you see something you want to change, create change. We are all works in progress we are all influx. If you see something you want to change, change it. If you see something you want to create, create. Every human being has the ability to change whatever,” Jefferies said.
In addition to working on the two novels, her work is also be featured in the Steamfunk anthology, which was edited by Milton Davis and Balogun Ojetade.
Jefferies novels can be purchased through her website, Amazon, smashwords and Barnes and Noble.
When Jefferies isn’t writing or editing, she enjoys spending time with her grandson, Logan.
For more information on Valjeanne Jefferies and her novels, visit https://valjeanne.wordpress.com.
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