Conversations with Jualeeah Allison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jualeeah Allison.

Hi Jualeeah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was one of those kids that kept a Lisa Frank diary with a lock and key. Ohhh how I miss Lisa Frank! I’m so glad it’s coming back in style. I tried my hand at writing my first novel when I was eleven years old. I remember sitting on my mom’s couch, having an all-out fistfight with myself just to get the descriptions of what being punched would feel like. I was so embarrassed back in the day. But I had to make my own fun. My only sister is twelve years my senior. She was not checkin’ for my young ass! I stopped writing in college. I actually dropped out because I was more interested in a career as an exotic dancer than a broke college student. Now that I think back, I wish I would’ve kept a diary about my first year in the strip club. I have some wild stories on all the amateur contests and awkward lap dances…what a time for an eighteen-year-old track & field running tomboy!

Fast forward to getting married to a Virgo that I met at a strip club in The Valley, running away from our marital home about 8 months later, and relocating to Atlanta, Georgia. But truthfully speaking, I was severely homesick. I missed my support system. I missed the best Mexican food in THE WORLD. I missed snapping photos and taking observation notes on the sand in Hermosa Beach. Inglewood was loudly calling me home.

So I hopped on the ten freeway and headed back west! The best decision I’ve made. I started my first business and ultimately completed my first book. Writing “Caution: Dating in LA May Cause Excessive Drinking” drove me crazy! All those dates, all that writing, all the exposing of myself. The process was really a wild ride but in the best way possible. It still gives me chills to introduce myself as an author. Next up, New York Times best-selling author. I’m claiming it! That’s been my dream since I was eleven, beating myself up for content creation in the living room.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m massaging my temples just thinking of how rugged the road really was! So I wrote a book. Okay, now what? I had an idea about editing, the gatekeepers at these publishing companies, vanity press pitfalls, all the time and money that needed to be allocated. It’s really a lot that goes into one book. It’s also possible that they taught these lessons the day I dropped out of Orange Coast College. At the time, I only knew of one author who really couldn’t guide me, being she was navigating these rough waters just like I was. I had no choice but to go back to school. I think in all creative spaces, coaches and a strong support system is imperative. Having knowledge builds confidence. You really can’t put a price on that.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
All of my homegirls will tell you that one thing I know how to do well is tell a story! Paying attention to detail and having a clear view of what’s going on around a story is my specialty. I love the backstory. To me, it helps with putting all the pieces together. So that’s what I do for my readers. I was at a bar a few months back and I was approached by a young lady who asked “Are you working on any new pieces on your blog? I love hearing your travel stories!” I hugged her so tight. My coach recommended that I curate some original stories on my website to let people get to know me and my writing style. I never felt more seen than that day I was approached simply for my gift. Those moments make me the proudest. “Caution: Dating in LA May Cause Excessive Drinking” is my first love, but trust, there are two more novels being put together by me right now. I can’t wait to share them with everybody! I’m funny by nature, but my third book is totally me flexing my writing abilities with a crazy fiction thriller. We need more thrillers from African-American writers.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
More books turning into movies. Personally, I prefer books over the big screen, but I love to hear that a certain novel is being turned into a movie and/or series. One of my favorite things to do is go buy the book(or reread it) and do a little comparison with my Facebook group on which was better and what was left out. I’m also seeing more bookstores popping back up these days. I was sick when Borders shut down. But now, I can pop into Salt Eaters Bookshop, which is walking distance from me here in Inglewood. Things are really looking up for my field!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JualeeWorld.com
• Instagram: @jualeeworld
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jualeeah-allison-888b8b1b8