The Self-Publishing Insider

Author Jan Marquart

Author Spotlight: Jan Marquart

Jan Marquart from Austin, Texas is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, author, and dynamic motivational speaker.

She has authored over 25 books and has been published in local newspapers in New Mexico and California. She has received the National Self-Published Book Award for 2000 from Writers’ Digest and received the Editor’s Choice Award from the International Library of Poetry for her poem, “Yesterday.” In 2013, she won the Editor’s Choice Award from Story Circle Network, and in 2021, Jan also won 2nd place from Story Circle Network for her poem, “Old Crone.”

While most writers have a niche in which they write, Jan enjoys trying her pen in all genres. She has also taught writing for Life Learning Institute and Story Circle Network.

According to Jan, “I am my written word. Writing is tantamount to breathing for me. I write daily, teach writing to those who want to document their narrative, and publish as much as I can so others can benefit from the power of written words.”

PP: Tell us about your most recent book or an upcoming project.

Jan: My 26th book is titled Still. It is a book of Haiku. During Covid, I wrote short poems and haiku as most of my time was dedicated to my psychotherapy clients in crisis.

PP: How did you know you wanted to be an author?

Jan: I didn’t. I just wrote and wrote and one day published a guided journal for my clients. Then matters just took their own course.

PP: What do you do to get past writer’s block?

Jan: I do not believe in writer’s block anymore than I believe in eater’s block. If I am not ready to put words to paper I walk, read, listen to music, watch NCIS and let myself be. Before I know it I am heading for my pen. I do not make a big deal out of it—I know I will write when thoughts start coming at me, wanting to be recorded.

PP: What is one thing that you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

Jan: I wish I knew I could write even though others thought it was stupid.

PP: What advice can you share with other authors?

Jan: If you want to write, write. If you don’t want to write, don’t write.

PP: What projects do you have on the horizon?

Jan: I always have at least two or three manuscripts to work on. I usually write more than one book at a time. I just let my mind do its thing. Then I contact Publish Pros and they take it from there.

PP: Is there anything else you would like readers to know? 

Jan: I am full of passion, ambition, and love. I hope my writing reflects that. I don’t concern myself with what others think of me, I just aim for the best I can be so I sleep well at night with my own decisions.

PP: Where can people find more information about you? 

Jan: janmarquartlcsw.wordpress.com, or on Amazon, where all of my books are located.