James and I first met over a decade ago when we were with the same publisher. Later, when he was teaching high school theater, his students took part in several productions of my play, “Harvey Girls.” In addition to being a gifted writer, James is an all-around good human! He is quietly inspirational and courageous. After our recent chat, I found a new spark to keep working on my own story. Always moving forward with positivity, James will soon have exciting news about fresh avenues for his writing.

Stories have always been at the heart of Texas author James Villanueva’s life—whether through his award-nominated journalism, his historical book about his hometown, or the deeply personal truths now shaping his memoir-in-progress. From publishing a YA novel to contributing to Texas Monthly and speaking at the AJC Decatur Book Festival in Georgia, a national premier literary event, James has explored many creative paths. Yet what makes his voice most compelling is not the accolades, but his honesty about struggle, resilience, and the courage to claim his own story. In this conversation, James talks about the realities of publishing, the freedom of writing with authenticity, and why ordinary stories matter.

Q: James, thank you for talking with me. Let’s start with your publishing journey. Where have your books found a home so far?
A: Most of my earlier work was published through a small press. One of my books came out with Wildlark Books before they went under, and another, Flick, I self-published. I learned quickly that publishing is the Wild West—there’s no magic formula, no way to buy your way in. You do the work, you release it, and then you let it go.

Q: Did the publishing side ever distract you from the writing itself?
A: Actually, I enjoyed that part. Designing the cover, planning the release, even marketing—it was creative and fun. But the industry moves fast. I had moments where it was exciting—book tours, a trip to New York City, even a positive Kirkus Review—but then it fizzled quickly. That’s the reality. At the end of the day, you get back to the work.

Q: You’ve spoken about imposter syndrome. Did you ever feel you weren’t “really” a writer until you were published?
A: Absolutely. I thought I needed publication for validation. But then I realized there’s no such milestone that makes you a “real” writer. What changed everything was stepping back to figure out who I was outside of writing. I got sober, went through therapy, and started to value my own story. Once I stopped running from it, I began writing from an honest, authentic place. That’s when my social media following grew—because people resonated with my truth.

Q: That authenticity takes courage. Was it scary to share personal struggles publicly?
A: Very. I began writing posts about struggling with alcohol and depression, and now I’m working on sharing about surviving sexual abuse. Once I let go of the shame, people responded with: “Me too.” That’s when I realized my strength wasn’t in hiding—it was in living openly.

Q: You’re now working on a memoir. How does it feel different from your fiction?
A: Fiction let me hide. I was making up stories because I didn’t think my real story was good enough. With memoir, I’ve learned my family’s flaws and struggles are part of what makes us beautiful. I’m writing in the tradition of The Glass Castle—finding meaning in the ordinary. My memoir, Little Saints Everywhere, is about embracing that truth.

Q: Outside of writing, you now work in a very different world—inside prisons. How has that shaped your perspective?
A: It’s life-changing. I work with men in recovery from addiction, abuse, and trauma. Hearing their stories reminds me that any of us could end up in places we never expected. I measure success not by changing them, but by showing up as the best version of myself. That authenticity—again—has power.

Q: With such a full life, how do you make time for writing?
A: My day starts at 4:30 a.m. I have an hour commute to think, another hour home, and by the time I reach the keyboard, the words are ready to pour out. Writing doesn’t just happen at the desk—it happens while I’m driving, working out, or even cooking.

Q: What advice would you give to writers who feel their story isn’t worth telling?
A: I used to think the same—who wants to read about a poor Mexican gay kid from West Texas? But I’ve learned that ordinary stories matter. They connect us. Don’t hide your story. Tell it. Someone out there needs it.

James Villanueva is currently working on Little Saints Everywhere, a memoir that blends family history, personal transformation, and the courage to live authentically. His journey reminds us that writing is not about chasing validation, but about honoring the truth of our lives. Contact James if you want to obtain one of his books: authorjvillanueva81@gmail.com.

Indie author Malissa Chapin and I first connected on a Harvey Houses Facebook page, where we discovered that we each had a grandmother who was a Harvey Girl. We also share the dream of writing a novel inspired by their experiences. Malissa has already published a stand-alone novel (The Road Home), a cozy mystery series (Piper Haydn Piano Mysteries), and several novellas. I thoroughly enjoyed Book One of the Piano Mysteries and can’t wait to read the rest. Malissa is a natural storyteller with a remarkable work ethic. What follows is just a glimpse of our two-hour conversation—lightly edited and shortened so you can enjoy the highlights. Chatting with Malissa is just one of the conversations that remind me why I love connecting with other writers. —Rosa Latimer

Q: How did your writing journey begin?

Malissa: "I always told my mom I was going to write a book. She'd cheer for me, saying, 'You can do it.' I even promised her I'd be published by the time I was twelve. I would write these epic sagas. Things like triplets all dying on the same day, and, you know, but that's pretty serious for a 12-year-old.

Although life pulled her toward marriage, motherhood, and homeschooling, Malissa never lost sight of her dream of writing. It wasn't until 2020, after the loss of her mother, that she realized it was time to pursue it. "When my mom died, it just hit me — when are you going to follow this dream of yours to write?"

Q: What pushed you from dreaming to actually finishing your first book?
Malissa: “I signed up for a writing course that cost hundreds of dollars, and I paid for it with the money I earned selling on eBay. I freaked out after spending that much — but the good thing was it made me do it. I thought, ‘Well, I can’t waste this money.’”

That investment not only gave Malissa the tools she needed but also the accountability to finish her manuscript.

Q: Tell me about your first book.
Malissa: “My first book is called The Road Home. It’s a dual timeline story loosely based on the Appalachian Mountains where my grandma grew up. A girl finds a recipe box at a thrift store and tries to return it to the family. Along the way, they discover secrets and take a road trip that changes everything.”

Q: That first novel is an accomplishment to be proud of. How did you handle early feedback?
Malissa: “Part of the course was to get your first five pages reviewed by a published author. My review was horrible, and I cried. But I decided, this is not going to deter me. I’m going to keep working.”

That lesson shaped her approach to writing. She learned to listen to critique without falling apart: “It doesn’t mean I always agree or always change things, but I can listen. That’s probably the most valuable thing I got out of the course.”

Q: Choosing the right title can be tough. How did you settle on The Road Home?

Malissa: "I originally called it 'Recipe for Deception,' because the story is about secrets and a recipe box. My cover designer messaged me to confirm that the book was Christian fiction. She told me that I did not want that title. I had spent so much time thinking about the title and felt it was perfect. My first thought was that I had hired her to design a cover, not to second-guess my work. So, after some back and forth with her, she suggested that I go to Amazon and search for that title. I did, and the results were all smut books! Obviously, I needed to choose a different title, and I'm happy with "The Road Home."

Q: And now you are writing a cozy mystery series. What inspired that shift?

Malissa: “I’ve been a piano teacher for 35 yearsr, so I decided to write about what I know. My Piper Haydn Cozy Mystery series grew from my love of music and small-town life. Each book highlights a different composer and mixes vintage touches with a lighthearted mystery.”

Her readers encouraged her early on by guessing different outcomes to her mysteries — proof that her plots weren’t too obvious. “If everyone figured it out in the first chapter, I would’ve given up. But some thought one character did it, others guessed another. That gave me confidence to keep going.”

Q: What advice do you have for someone new to this writing and indie publishing experience?

Malissa: “Do your research before investing in courses or services. Make sure the people you’re learning from actually know the industry. And don’t be afraid of revision — even bestselling authors go through draft after draft.”

From her dual-timeline debut to her music-infused cozy mystery series, Malissa’s writing reflects her faith and her understanding of how to tell an engaging story. Check out Malissa’s books on Amazon (Malissa Chapin books) and sign up for her newsletter at https://shopmalissachapin.com/ so you’ll know when a new book is available. “I have hundreds of book ideas in my brain,” Malissa says with a laugh. “I’ve got to write them.”