About Author

Joanne Kukanza Easley

Joanne Kukanza Easley
BIOGRAPHY

Joanne Kukanza Easley, born in Chicago, Illinois, has adopted Texas as her home. She lives in the Texas Hill Country on a small ranch with her husband, three rescue terriers, and abundant wildlife. Retired from a career in nursing—with dual specialties in the cold, clinical operating room, and the intense, emotional world of psychiatric nursing, she devotes her time to writing fiction.
Her debut novel SWEET JANE won multiple awards. Her second novel JUST ONE LOOK was a May 2022 Pulpwood Queen Book Club pick. I’LL BE SEEING YOU, based on a character in SWEET JANE was released in September 2022.

Joanne Kukanza Easley's Books

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Book
I'll Be Seeing You
$4.99 kindleeBook, Paperback,
I'll Be Seeing Youby Joanne Kukanza EasleyPublish: Sep 01, 2022Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Literary Fiction
$4.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback,
Just One Lookby Joanne Kukanza EasleyPublish: Sep 20, 2022Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Literary Fiction
Sweet Jane
(4) $4.99 kindle Free with KUeBook, Paperback,
Sweet Janeby Joanne Kukanza EasleyPublish: Sep 20, 2022Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Literary Fiction

Joanne Kukanza Easley's Awards and Achievements

    Joanne Kukanza Easley has earned excellence awards over time. Here is the glimpse of the accolades clinched by the author.

  • Author Shout Top Pick
    2023

    Just One Look

    award
  • Book cover and historical fiction
    2022

    Just One Look

    award
  • I'll Be Seeing You
    2022

    I'll Be Seeing You

    achievement
  • Book review
    2021

    Just One Look

    achievement
  • Notable 100 books in 2021
    2021

    Just One Look

    award
  • The Da Vinci Eye
    2021

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • Texas Author Project Winner in Adult Fiction
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • Finalist in the Sarton Women's Book Awards
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • First Place Women's Fiction 2020 Pencraft Awards
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • “Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Literary category of the 2020 International Book Awards”
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • Readers' favorite literary fiction finalist
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • 2020 Kindle Book Award Finalist Literary Fiction
    2020

    Sweet Jane

    award
  • Finalist in the 2019 Faulkner/Wisdom Creative Writing Competition
    2019

    Sweet Jane

    award

Joanne Kukanza Easley Interview On 09, Oct 2020

"Born in Chicago, Illinois, Joanne Kukanza Easley got the idea for her debut novel, from a writing prompt. She loves watching wildlife. A real page-turner, Joanne's novel, SWEET JANE became the 2020 International Book Awards Finalist - Literary. She is drafting her third, I’LL BE SEEING YOU, based on a character in SWEET JANE."
Born in Chicago, Illinois, which is your favorite childhood memory?

Playing with the boys outside in the vacant lots. We hunted for snakes, bugs, and other treasures.

What is something most people don't know about Texas?

There is a huge variety in the landscape. It’s not all flat and dusty.

How did you know you wanted to pursue a career in nursing?

After a divorce, I had to support myself, but it was too late to go to medical school, so I chose nursing.

What inspired the story of your debut novel, SWEET JANE?

I got the idea from a writing prompt. A vision of a young teenage girl standing on the side of the road with her thumb out, hitchhiking away from her troubled home inspired me. I had to know more.

What challenges did you face while transforming the character of Jane over the time period of seventeen years?

The biggest challenge was to get Jane’s voice right for each age. She deliberately lost her Texas dialect as she got older, and her dialogue and inner thoughts had to reflect that.

When deciding your book character, do you go with a name that no one has heard before or a familiar name?

Sweet Jane is named for one of my favorite songs. I prefer the original Velvet Underground version of Sweet Jane. Other characters are named for people I’ve known, a sort of homage to them. I also research popular names in each time period I write about.

If someone were to write a book about your life, what genre would it most likely be in historical, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, or horror?

Great question! My life story would be literary women’s fiction with tragedy, joy, and lots of dogs.

As an indie author, what are the best ways to market your book and get people excited about your novel?

Authors need to actively engage in promoting their book. A social media presence is important. It takes time but is worth the effort.

Did you expect "Sweet Jane" to become the 2020 International Book Awards Finalist – Literary? What was your reaction?

I didn’t expect to be named but was delighted that I was.

Dixie is a true fighter. When and how did you rescue Dixie?

Dixie had to be surrendered by her owner because of illness. She was shuttled from the pound to a rescue group and then to the San Antonio Humane Society. We saw her picture online and wanted a third dog, so we brought our other rescues Hank and Harriet to meet her and make sure they’d get along. As soon as we entered the small dog room, Dixie announced her presence and demanded that we take her home. She was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor just four months after we adopted her. The surgery was successful, and she’s been fine for over a year. Dixie is a delight and well-loved.

What will you suggest for a successful self-published debut novel?

I am published by a small press, but the suggestions are the same for all authors: put in the effort with getting reviews, join online groups for readers, and make frequent, interesting posts on social media. I highly recommend using Allauthor.com for their excellent tools for creating beautiful images.

How hard is Psychiatric nursing on your own mental health?

I didn’t find it hard on me at all. My work made me grateful for my own good fortune and allowed me to help others less fortunate.

What is the best thing about living on a small ranch with abundant wildlife?

I love watching the wildlife. There are whitetail does who have fawns each spring right in my yard. They know me, and I look forward to their visits. We have cottontail my dogs love to chase if the bunnies are bold enough to come inside the backyard fence. Jackrabbits, armadillos, roadrunners, fox, wild turkey, and the escaped exotics from game ranches add to my enjoyment of living where I do.

How did you come up with the idea of writing I’LL BE SEEING YOU, based on a character in SWEET JANE?

Lauren Eaton is Jane’s AA sponsor in SWEET JANE. My critique group and beta readers really enjoyed this character. Lauren was a bit mysterious and never did tell Jane her story, so it’s up to me to do it. This book starts in 1940 and requires a lot of historical research.

How was your experience of participating in the Cover of the Month contest on AllAuthor?

It was exciting to advance in the contest, and although I didn’t win, it was a good experience.

Ask Joanne Kukanza Easley a Question

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      • Joanne Kukanza Easley Joanne Kukanza Easley 3 years ago
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      • I've asked my readers if they have bought a book based on the cover alone and most said "yes," so I think a cover is of prime importance. My niece brought my vision for SWEET JANE to life. The title is crucial as well and should evoke emotion.
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      • Joanne Kukanza Easley Joanne Kukanza Easley 3 years ago
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      • I'd tell myself not to let life derail my wriitng. I did put my work aside several times when I moved across the country. It's harder to restart than to keep going.
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