Monroeville author pens 4th novel
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Longtime Monroeville resident Jill Cullen began writing her first book in 2007.
“My sister told me I should write something funny, so that’s what I’d set out to do when I started,” Cullen recalled. “I started and stopped several times over a 15-year period, where it evolved into more than just something ‘funny’ eventually.”
During the pandemic, Cullen enrolled in an online writing course. It helped her finish “Flirting With a New Life,” which she self-published in October 2022, after initially attempting the traditional publishing route.
Cullen’s second novel, “Soulmates,” was actually written first.
“I had a fairly solid draft of ‘Soulmates’ that I needed to revise and polish. I wasn’t planning on doing anything with it, but once I published my first book, I was really inspired by the reactions I was receiving.”
“Soulmates” was published in February 2023 and Cullen’s third story – “Until” – was published in June 2023.
Cullen is a 1994 Point Park University graduate, where she majored in English. She has a master of library and information science degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Cullen is the cataloging and acquisitions librarian at Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, where she’s worked for the past nine years.
“As an independent author, I do see it as an advantage to have my current job in acquisitions and cataloging. I get to see and examine every book that comes into the library,” Cullen said.
“Working in libraries also has given me connections. When I published my first book, I did a mini-book tour at some of the local libraries either where I’ve worked in the past, where I currently work or where I have library friends.”
Cullen’s novels are fictional stories with romantic elements. Her fourth book, “Flirting with Celebrity,” was released on Feb. 19 and is the sequel to her debut novel. It picks up about a year and a half after the first story ends.
“I always wanted to revisit the character … but really, it was the readers. Kelly (the main character) resonated with many of them for some reason. Whether it was just that she made them laugh during times in our world that felt heavy, reminded them of a college friend or wanted to see what ridiculous things were going to come out of her mouth next.”
When it comes to self-publishing, Cullen stated that there are several advantages: “You get to publish when you want, what you want and as often as you want.”
She agreed that there are also drawbacks. “Everything falls on the writer – marketing, book layout, cover design and editing – unless you hire someone to do these things for you or have a great team of family and friends who are willing to help.”
To hear Cullen’s full story on self-publishing, check out her interview with podcaster Rob Fludder at Free4AllPod.
Cullen lives with her husband Lloyd, her son Finn and mini goldendoodle Myrna. Jill’s daughter Ellish lives in Chicago.
She has some advice for aspiring authors.
“Don’t wait as long as I did to follow your dreams,” she said. “Read as much as you can, write as much as you can, and listen to and learn from other authors as much as you can.”
Cullen will be at the Norwin Public Library, 100 Caruthers Lane in Irwin from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. on April 27 as part of a local author book sale. Her books are in most area libraries and are available for purchase online and locally at Feathers Artist Market Gifts in Irwin.