Author Spotlight: Janet Berry
April 1, 2025 • News
CJC: How did you get started as an author, and what made you want to pursue that field?
JB: I started writing when I was 14 and was super depressed. My parents were getting divorced, I was at a new school after getting super bullied at the school I was previously at, my hormones were all over the place, and I needed an escape. So, I turned to my mom’s romance novels, and after reading them, they inspired me to write my own books. I wanted to be a librarian for such a long time (because I was already in love with books and reading!), and that just morphed from reader to writer.
CJC: What do you find to be the most rewarding and challenging part of being an author, and what hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
JB: The most rewarding is when someone tells you that their characters are in their dreams (which just happened recently and is so cool!) and the most challenging part is 100% marketing and getting views on your content and getting people to read the books. There are so many options out there, so you have to work so much harder to get eyes on your work. I feel like I’ve overcome my own introverted feelings when it comes to reaching out to people (like photographers, other authors, etc.) to network and work together as part of the community.
CJC: Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
JB: Oh, this is so hard! Each one has been so much fun, and each of them has been different experiences so far. I think it would have to be Falling For My Assistant because it’s just fun, flirty, and you get to visit an expensive penthouse, and it just feels so lush.
CJC: For first-time readers of your work, which book would you recommend?
JB: I’m going to say Falling For My Assistant for this one, too. Just because it’s short and fun and a great time.
CJC: If one of your books were made into a movie, which would you select and who would you like to star in it?
JB: Colt 100% LOL. Oh man, casting would be crazy! I truly have no idea.
CJC: For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
JB: You will not become an overnight sensation. I know, I know, everyone dreams of that immediate success, but it’s just not realistic. You need to have patience and determination to break into writing, whether it be indie or traditional publishing. Plus, Romance is not for the faint of heart. It is a TOUGH genre to break into and keep readers in, so you have to follow the HEA or HFN rule, or readers will come for you, and it won’t be pretty.
CJC: If you could co-write a book with any author, who would it be and why?
JB: Oh my goodness, I don’t know if I could. >.< I know, that’s terrible, but I have issues giving up control over the characters and writing that I don’t know if I could. If I found someone who matched my style of writing (and wrote 3rd person because I don’t write 1st), then maybe.
CJC: Favorite motto?
JB: People don’t change unless they want to. I’ve had years of experience with this, and it’s frustrating, but it’s true. And honestly, don’t expect people to change. Because the harder you push, the further they dig in their heels and refuse to change. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. Moving on is not giving up, it’s just moving on.
CJC: What do you do to overcome writer’s block?
JB: I get frustrated, I avoid the manuscript for a few days, then I usually go back and start from the beginning of the chapter I’m working on and find out what’s going on. If I’m starting a new chapter, I go back and re-read the previous chapter and workshop a few ideas on how to start the new chapter. Sometimes it takes a few rewrites to try and get it right, but it usually does the trick. I think I heard Julia Quinn say that it’s not usually block, but something isn’t working, so if you go back and fix what isn’t working, the words will start to flow again, and you’ll get going again.
CJC: In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
JB: Dialogue-heavy. I love the emotions that you can display using words, and communication is very important when it comes to romance. It’s also so much fun to write banter between the MCs or the MCs and their family/friends.
CJC: Which do you find harder to do… writing the blurb for your story or selecting the cover?
JB: Oh nooo Chris. They’re both so hard! Right now, I’m in blurb hell, so I’m going to say blurb. But finding the right cover model and cover is a tough one, too.
CJC: Do you have authors who inspire you? And if so, who and why?
JB: Julia London, Teri Wilson, Brooke Montgomery, Maggie Gates, Anna Hackett, Dee Garcia, Mariah Ankenman, Erin Page, Jess Bryant, A.K. Mulford, Katee Robert, Emily McIntire, and so many more I can’t even name them all! They are all amazing people and inspire me to work harder to get what I want and where I want to be in this career. They are also so supportive of other authors and the community. They are always uplifting other writers and sharing their work and getting eyes on their work, and helping them gain new readers. They don’t treat other authors as competition, and that’s what the community relies on.
CJC: What is your writing process like?
JB: Chaos LOL. Life of a pantser. Usually, I come up with characters first, then I come up with their occupations, and then from there, I come up with a basic plot line. Then, I start writing! Side characters, events in the book, etc, usually come up as I go. Sometimes it’s a mess, and sometimes it turns out okay!
CJC: What new projects are you currently working on, and what are your goals for the remainder of the year?
JB: Right now I’m working on The Game Plan, my first Football Romance in the Gridiron Warriors world, coming out October 27th. Along with The Game Plan, I’m working on Hunter, Hartford Place Book 2. Release date TBD with that one, as the book isn’t finished, and the cover isn’t finished. I am also looking to get back into my adventure romance that I started and have yet to work on again. It’s a fun Indiana Jones meets Romancing the Stone bodyguard romance set in Greece, so I’m looking forward to getting back into that book!
My goals for the remainder of the year?
Get at least ten pre-orders for The Game Plan (I’m 2 away!)
Finish writing Hunter and get his release date situated
Hit 50k pages read on KDP
Make at least one Author Bestie, which is so much harder than it sounds when you are introverted like me!
CJC: Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
JB: Thank you, Chris, for including me in the author interviews! I appreciate it so much! I look forward to our other projects we collaborated on, and to seeing more of your work in the future!
jberryauthor is pretty much my handle everywhere. Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, etc. My author website is authorjanetberry.com and you can subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date and get news before anyone else does!
CJC: Thanks so much Janet!
“Colt” is now available!
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