About the Author
Elayne Palmer, a retired teacher, lives in Abilene, Texas, with her husband Phil and bordoodle Finn. She lives near her grown children and grandchildren and loves the happy chaos that occurs when they are all together.
She has had the opportunity to live in the Middle Eastern country of Palestine and in Larnaca, Cyprus, and has traveled to Jos, Nigeria, and La Romana, Dominican Republic. Meeting children in all of these contexts, she has been encouraged by their strength and resilience.
Jameel’s Plan (coming soon) is her first book, and she hopes that it will inspire all children who read it to know that each of them has an important role to play in their own homeland and their own education.
Author Interview
How did your journey as an author begin?
I believe it began with the first words I ever read and continued as I read every book I could get my hands on until now. It’s a never-ending journey!
Was it something you always wanted to pursue?
No. It was a happy accident.
Who or what motivated you to write?
As part of my continuing education requirement as a teacher, I participated in the New Jersey Writing Project. Jameel’s Plan was a result of that experience.
Do you have a tip that you can offer your peers (poets and writers worldwide)?
I wrote the book in 2003 and sent it to a publisher (refused), put it in the closet, checked on self-publishing (too expensive), back in the closet. Then, this year I connected with Winn Publishing, and they accepted it! So my advice is to never give up.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Living in Abilene, loving on my grandkids, and possibly doing a bit of writing.
What does being an author mean to you?
It’s such a new idea to me, that I have no words.
What’s your favorite quote and who’s it by?
“Joy is peace dancing. Peace is joy at rest.” F.B. Meyer
If you could co-author with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be and why?
Timothy Palmer, my son. He’s a talented speaker, essayist, poet and song-writer. Working with him on a project would be awesome!