This past Friday, I took the afternoon off from the Day JOB to get out and about and do a little promoting of my first two books: Painted Windows and Dashboard Lights!
My first stop was WFLE Radio (95.1 AM/FM) where I sat down with Kim Hester and had a wonderful conversation about my debut novel, Painted Windows, and the recently released sequel, Dashboard Lights! In addition, I shared with Kim a preview of the third book in the series, Ruby Ring, which is slated to be released in early April! The interview will air on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 10am (EST). If you get a chance, listen in to hear what the books are about, why YOU should read them, and my mission to donate the proceeds from these books to homeless charities!
Also, I gave Kim an update on the other projects I am currently working on. My fourth book, The Woodsman, is finished and in the editing stage, and I am just finishing my last two chapters of my fifth novel, Fernlee. Additionally, I am researching and sketching outlines for additional projects in hopper! Stay tuned!!
My second stop on Friday, March 11, was the Fleming County Public Library, where I met with Mary Rushing, the Librarian, to donate an autographed copy of Painted Windows, which will be available for borrowing by patrons. Shortly, my second novel, Dashboard Lights, will also appear soon in the library for borrowing!
Below is the Press Release on the Event!
PRESS RELEASE:
Gera Jones, Local Kentucky Writer Donates Debut Novel
On March 11, 2022, local Kentucky writer, Gera Jones, visited the Fleming County Public Library to donate a copy her debut novel, Painted Windows, to the library. The novel was presented to Mary Rushing, Librarian.
Painted Windows is a charming story about a teenage girl, Ruby, who is trapped in a homeless, nomadic life. The first novel in a series of three in The Gunpowder Series, Painted Windows, lands Ruby in yet another random town—Gunpowder, Kentucky. To the real world, Ruby does not exist. Undocumented, no last name, and recording her approximate age with slash marks on her forearm, Ruby survives only with what fits in her trusty backpack. She shelters in abandoned dwellings and outbuildings, and forages for edible weeds and wild plants. Yet, Ruby wants more than just to survive. She seeks a normal life and an identity. Her story captures the pursuit of one’s identity, the many struggles to find answers, and the value of second chances. Ruby finds those in Gunpowder. This novel depicts aspects of the human condition: being on the outside of a window looking in, separate, in the shadows, versus existing on the inside, enjoying the benefits of inclusion and belonging.
Writing a novel had been part of Gera Jones’ life plan since she learned to read and write. As a child, she was an avid reader, making weekly trips to our local library on foot, each time coming home with more than the limit of books allowed to be checked out. Then, she added writing stories, “publishing” them with hand-dawn covers with crepe or tissue paper spines, secured by staples. She also began keeping a journal in grade school, a daily habit that has followed her for forty plus years.
It’s no surprise that she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English/Creative and Technical Writing; however, her professional life focused more on the technical aspects of writing rather than the creative. Working in the investment banking industry, writing business plans were her focus. Then, making a switch to higher education, she wrote grants while employed with the TRIO program, the Commonwealth Educational Opportunity Center at Morehead State University. Jones also freelanced in the 1990s for the Fleming Shopper writing articles focusing on Fleming County communities.
“It was always my dream to write a novel,” Jones stated. “But honestly, a sheer lack of confidence stalled my dream…until the character Ruby emerged.” Ruby arose as a composite based on several foster children that Jones’ kept over the years. “Ruby had a story that needed to be told, that itched to find its way into words and onto paper. The overwhelming love for my character, finally convinced me to put my fears aside, and my first novel, Painted Windows, emerged—a story about a homeless girl and second chances.” Jones’ invites you to step inside this book…into Ruby’s world…and share her experience!
Jones’ second book, Dashboard Lights, the sequel to her debut novel, has also been recently published. This novel focuses on Ruby’s continued search for her identity and struggle to leave her past in the distance. Additionally, the third book in The Gunpowder Series, Ruby Ring, will be released in early April! All of the books will be available to borrow at the Fleming County Public Library. Also, the novels are available for purchase at Amazon.com in either paperback or eBook format. Additionally, if you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, the books are free! All proceeds from the three Gunpowder Series novels will go to local charities for the homeless and the betterment of our communities.
Jones indicated she has completed a fourth book, The Woodsman, currently in the editing phase, and is finishing final chapters for a fifth book entitled, Fernlee. She has also begun researching and outlining additional projects that she hopes to begin working on soon.
“In my novels, I try to focus on a circumstance or situation in humanity and in our communities that does not get recognition or that the average citizen may not think about.” Jones’ said. “My goal is to bring greater awareness to those issues.”
Gera Jones lives in Muses Mills, Kentucky on Heaven’s Gait Farm with her husband, their three dogs and two cats. In her spare time, Jones farms, gardens, keeps bees, cans vegetables and makes homemade jellies from berries on the farm. She works full-time in higher education at a Morehead State University, attends St. Charles Borromeo Church, and is the owner of Geralogy, LLC, a business making customized jewelry and apparel items from repurposed items. Additionally, Jones has a passion for making hand-sewn, hand-crafted journal books, also from reclaimed materials, which she also sells.
Comments