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Writer's pictureColleen Tews

Peni Jo Captured Her Dreams

What inspired your leading character?

My first novel, Puritan Witch; the Redemption of Rebecca Eames, basically wrote itself after a cousin told me about our common ancestor, Rebecca Blake Eames, who was accused of witchcraft during the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.

How are you balancing writing, every day life, and this health crisis?

At the moment I haven't been writing and the most creative thing I've been doing is finding new ways to tie my silk scarves! But I really need to get serious and start writing again. There's nothing like writing!

If you could give advice to your younger self about this chosen path, what would it be?

Never put your writing on the back burner! Your dream of getting published (and the bonus of winning multiple awards!) WILL come true!

Do you watch tv shows? If so, what kind interest you?

There's really nothing on TV that interests me right now. I do surf Netflix for historical shows and sometimes movies that are cerebral and suspenseful.

Do you drink coffee or tea or both?

Best part is that I fulfilled my life's dream! Traditional publishing requires agents and $$$, so yes I self-published; first with iUniverse with my first 2 novels, but I only earned 20% royalties with them, so with my 3rd novel I went with Lulu, which earns me 80% royalties. Later I switched my first 2 books to Lulu also, which cost about $1000 per book!


Do you fall into the author cliché of having depression and/or anxiety? (There is no obligation to discuss this issue. It is something I struggle with and discuss on my blog.)

I have chronic anxiety; always have. Depression comes and goes. Have had these ailments my whole life so yeah I guess I am a cliché.

What is the best part about publishing? Do you self-publish?

Best part is that I fulfilled my life's dream! Traditional publishing requires agents and $$$, so yes I self-publsihed; first with iUniverse with my first 2 novels, but I only earned 20% royalties with them, so with my 3rd novel I went with Lulu, which earns me 80% royalties. Later I switched my first 2 books to Lulu also, which cost about $1000 per book!

What do you wish to accomplish with your writing?

I already accomplished it; ever since I was a child I wanted to write historical fiction, and I accomplished that and even won awards! Puritan Witch won a silver IPPY award and its ebook form won a bronze eLit award. Raid on Cochecho won a gold Feathered Quill award! I didn't write my trilogy to make money but rather to fulfill my life's dream. I can die happy now. :)


I'm so happy for you, Peni. Congratulations on achieving your dreams.


Discover her dreams for yourself at Peni Jo Renner's Amazon Page.


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