I’ve often wondered whether authors base their romantic novels on real relationships in their pasts.
In my case, the answer is yes. A relationship I had with a boy in middle school (he was 12 years old and I was 11!) inspired me to write my own romantic novel. Even though 45 years have passed, I still cherish fond memories of this larger than life character: tall, darkly handsome, whip smart and, most importantly of all, funny. AND this handsome and smart boy used his wonderful gift for humour to flirt with me!
Virtually every afternoon for three or four months, he would walk home from school with me, always trying his hardest to make me laugh, creating cute nicknames for me and devising amusing songs about me, often snatching the little round green leather hat off my head (it was mid-winter) and kicking it across the street like a football.
I didn’t mind the teasing at all; it was good-natured, he made me laugh, and he was so gorgeous, with his curly dark hair, big brown eyes, and freckles. I looked forward to our afternoon walks home, and wrote about him in my diary every night. I still have that diary, filled with his witty comments, its cloth cover awash in the wild psychedelic colours that were so trendy in 1971.
By the end of the school year in June, he had stopped paying attention to me. He was Jewish, my mom told me, and his family probably didn’t want him to get involved with a Christian girl. Sigh.
For the next four decades, I was haunted by memories of this boy. He was such a unique individual with such a big personality, and I’ve never met anyone else like him. Then one day in early 2013, I had an important insight: unique personalities like my former boyfriend belong in novels!
Of course, nobody wants to read about the “puppy love” of two pre-teens. Well, maybe pre-teens do, but I was now in my 50’s . . . so I aged the two of us by 40 years. I kept my former boyfriend’s marvellous sense of humour but transformed him from a class clown to a professional stand-up comedian. I also kept his Jewishness; it’s an important part of who he is.
Once I established the character of the comedian, it was easy to spin a romantic tale around him and to create a host of other characters, especially the non-Jewish heroine (you’ll never guess who I based her on!). The rest of the novel is pure fantasy, the result of my overactive imagination run amuck (and some research), but its core, its heart, is the sweet relationship between a funny, outgoing boy and a shy, studious girl over four decades ago.
Kathleen Jones is a Toronto-based novelist, corporate-world survivor, and self-described “lover of words who writes from the heart.” Born on February 15, 1960, in Canada, she has published two novels to date: Love Is the Punch Line (2018) and The War on Sarah Morris (2024).
Her fiction explores midlife reinvention, workplace tension, identity, and resilience, themes that feel especially timely in an industry where authors are increasingly navigating both creative fulfillment and economic uncertainty.
Before becoming a full-time author, Kathleen Jones spent decades in the corporate publishing world. Today, as a retiree who writes not to pay the bills but to tell meaningful stories, she represents a growing cohort of writers redefining what “author success” looks like.
In this WriteStats Author Interview, Kathleen Jones reflects on her creative beginnings, her small press publishing experience, her stance on AI in publishing, and the realities of promoting books in today’s market.
Kathleen Jones: A Writer Since Grade 2
When we asked Kathleen Jones how her writing journey began, her answer was refreshingly simple:
“I always loved writing stories when I was a child. My grade 2 teacher felt that I had talent, and she encouraged me to write.”
Encouragement at an early age is a recurring pattern in author development. Industry surveys consistently show that many published novelists trace their creative confidence back to childhood validation. In Kathleen Jones’ case, that early affirmation planted a seed that would later grow into a full creative career.
Equally significant is what influenced her most:
“My love of books. I’ve always been a voracious reader. Even when I was young, I usually preferred to spend my free time reading rather than watching TV.”
This insight aligns directly with broader publishing data: prolific readers are disproportionately represented among career novelists. Reading builds narrative intuition, genre awareness, and stylistic range. Kathleen Jones’ path reinforces what we’ve observed across interviews: the writers who endure are often readers first.
Writing as Play: Creativity in a Metrics-Driven Industry
When writing becomes difficult, Kathleen Jones reframes the challenge:
“I try to remind myself that writing should be fun. I try to tap into my love of ‘make believe.’”
This perspective is particularly powerful in an era when authors are pressured to think about algorithms, metadata, SEO, and platform growth. While analytics matter, and they do, sustainable creativity still depends on joy.
Interestingly, Kathleen reads an average of eight books per year, a number lower than many full-time authors report. However, what stands out isn’t volume but intentionality. Her reading life fuels her writing life.
She also keeps her tech stack straightforward:
“I use a Mac computer and WordPerfect software.”
In a publishing ecosystem crowded with AI drafting tools and content automation platforms, Kathleen Jones remains analog in spirit. That choice becomes even more significant when we discuss her stance on artificial intelligence.
Kathleen Jones and Small Press Publishing
One of the most revealing aspects of this Kathleen Jones author interview concerns her publishing path.
When asked how she selected her publishing platform, she clarified:
“I didn’t pick the publishing platform. Both of my novels were released by small press publishers; they picked the platforms to publish them.”
This distinction matters.
Unlike self-published authors who control distribution channels directly, Kathleen partnered with small press publishers. However, she maintained creative agency during production:
“Both of my publishers were supportive. They gave me final say on editorial changes to my manuscripts, let me hire a cover designer, and provided some information on how my books could be promoted.”
This hybrid dynamic, publisher infrastructure with author autonomy, reflects what many writers say they want from publishers. In fact, our analysis inWhat Authors Want from Publishers: The Data-Backed Realityshows that creative control and collaborative editorial relationships consistently rank above large advances for many midlist authors.
Moreover, Kathleen invested personally in quality:
“I hired a substantive/line editor, a copy editor, a proofreader, and a cover designer.”
This layered editorial process demonstrates a professional mindset. Even with publisher support, she ensured her books met industry standards.
Would she recommend her publisher to other writers?
“Yes.”
Promoting Books: The Real Challenge
When asked about her biggest challenge as a writer, Kathleen Jones didn’t hesitate:
“My biggest challenge is promoting my books. It’s very time consuming. I deal with it by budgeting an hour or so every week for book promotion.”
Kathleen’s strategy, budgeting one hour per week, reflects discipline without burnout. It also reflects her financial position:
“I am a retiree. I don’t depend on writing to pay the bills.”
This is significant. Authors who don’t rely on book income often experience greater creative freedom but may invest less in aggressive marketing strategies. The publishing industry increasingly contains multiple economic models: full-time earners, hybrid professionals, retirees, and passion-driven storytellers.
Kathleen Jones embodies one of those models: the financially independent full-time author.
Kathleen Jones on AI in Publishing
Few topics divide authors more than artificial intelligence. Kathleen’s position is clear:
“I am against using AI tools.” “I don’t like AI. It has the potential to interfere with a writer’s work.”
Her stance reflects a broader tension in the publishing industry. While AI tools are increasingly used in editing, cover design, analytics, and marketing, many writers fear erosion of originality and creative ownership.
This is not merely a technological debate; it’s philosophical. Kathleen Jones frames writing as “make believe,” as heart-led storytelling. From that perspective, automation can feel intrusive.
Yet the industry continues to evolve. The critical question isn’t whether AI will exist in publishing—it already does—but how authors will define their boundaries with it.
Legacy, Loneliness, and Literary Purpose
Perhaps the most powerful moment in this Kathleen Jones interview comes when she speaks about legacy:
“I hope that readers will relate to the characters and, since my novels deal with problems faced by many people, that they will feel less alone and more understood.”
This statement cuts through every metric.
Ultimately, publishing isn’t about platform size or algorithm optimization. It’s about connection. Kathleen Jones writes about workplace identity, discrimination, reinvention, and resilience. themes that resonate deeply in a rapidly changing labor market.
Her upcoming project continues that trajectory:
“My upcoming novel is a feminist-themed ghost story set in the 1980s.”
A feminist ghost story signals both genre experimentation and cultural commentary. The 1980s setting suggests historical reflection layered with social critique, a compelling direction for readers interested in intersectional storytelling.
What Kathleen Jones Teaches Us About Modern Authorship
Kathleen Jones represents a category of author often overlooked in high-velocity publishing discourse:
A writer shaped by early encouragement
A lifelong reader turned novelist
A corporate professional turned full-time creative
A small press author who values editorial autonomy
A retiree who writes for meaning, not survival
A skeptic of AI in creative work
Her journey also intersects with data-backed publishing realities:
She writes because she loves books. She continues because storytelling is fun. She hopes readers feel less alone.
In a publishing ecosystem increasingly quantified by dashboards and performance metrics, that clarity of purpose may be her most powerful asset.
Final Thoughts
The story of Kathleen Jones is not one of overnight fame or algorithmic dominance. Instead, it is a story of endurance, craft, and emotional resonance.
Her books explore identity and resilience. Her upcoming feminist ghost story promises thematic boldness. Her publishing experience reflects collaboration without surrendering creative voice.
And above all, her words remind us why authors write in the first place.
Because, as Kathleen Jones demonstrates, even in a data-driven industry, the heart still matters.
Posted by Tausha Treadway on Goodreads on July 15, 2025
The War on Sarah Morris by Kathleen Jones. I loved this book so much. It was so different from things I’ve read in the past. It’s the story of almost 50 year old Sarah who is a prominent editor at the book company she works for. One day she receives an email that tells her she will no longer have the majority of her duties and that they will be handed down to other people. The company has been taken over by new people and the people they have hired to do most of her jobs are paid a lot less, except for one employee who happens to be the favorite; ( I can so relate to this as I’m mid 50’s been at my job 30 years and there is a pet employee, enough to drive you mad) anyway Sarah is doing everything she can to hang on and not lose her job and that includes keeping her mouth shut. Can Sarah hold on and not lose her temper and her lifeline which is her job. It’s becoming very difficult for her to find similar employment because of her age and experience. This is such a hot topic for many right now and it’s a sad sign of our affairs. I loved this book so much because I felt like Sarah so many times in this book. I was cheering for her the whole way through.
Posted on Goodreads by Katie Turner, July 15, 2025
In The War on Sarah Morris, we are taken on a realistic journey with our MC Sarah. She is recently demoted to what she considers menial work after years of book editing with this well-known company. Sarah navigates this transition with feelings of frustration, hurt and betrayal towards her untrustworthy superiors, while finding her own determination and voice. But is the fear of not having a reliable income worth digging in her heels and blowing the whistle on the deceptive and corrupt behavior taking place?
I loved this story from beginning to end. It was realistic and relatable on so many levels. The feelings Sarah battled with internally are what many of us have thought and felt about our career. It was refreshing to have this reminder that we are not crazy and ‘ungrateful’ for feeling outraged by workplace mistreatment. We’re taught by our employers we’re replaceable so fake the happiness and do the work. Not Sarah Morris!
On December 11, author Kathleen Jones hosted “Surviving the Corporate Jungle: The War on Sarah Morris,” an event at S. Walter Stewart Public Library in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Kathleen read the first chapter of her novel The War on Sarah Morris and talked about the troubling social trends dealt with in the book: precarious jobs, contract and gig work, age discrimination, sexism, income inequality, bullying on the job by bosses, heavy workloads, and unpaid overtime.
The reading was followed by a question and answer session and by a book signing.
Special thanks to librarian Tara Stadius, who helped make this event possible.
Posted on Goodreads by Tammy Turner on July 13, 2025.
The War on Sarah Morris by Kathleen Jones is an honest look at what happens when Sarah’s role as editor for a publishing company gets redefined into a list of tasks that she considers grunt work. The tasks become overwhelming Sarah finds herself working hours of unpaid overtime to try to keep up. The company culture turns into one of suppression, and Sarah feels trapped. The book is written from Sarah’s perspective, and I found myself rooting for Sarah to stand up for herself. On the much broader spectrum, this book brings up some philosophical questions about why we work and about the work we do. I recommend the thought-provoking book for anyone who questions their place in the corporate environment.
(Posted July 13, 2025 by Jessie Hopkins on Goodreads)
4 Stars
The inner monologue of Sarah had me rolling. Sarah has so much going on and in order to stay employed she often has to bite her tongue and deal with it silently.
As her company continues to reorganize and downsize, as they attempt to survive during the recession. She is stressed as the jobs market threatens her way of life along with her friends and other coworkers. She tries to see the bright side, that she is still employed, but that’s difficult with how her company and job position keep changing.
This book puts into perspective what many go through at a time when they feel like their jobs and lives should be more stable. It shows the challenges that financial concerns put onto a person’s life in every aspect – family, friends, personal, professional – and makes everything difficult.
I’m giving away 5 FREE copies of my ebook The War on Sarah Morris. Just like and retweet on my Twitter account https://twitter.com/joneslepidas for your chance to win. I’ll be contacting the winner on 3/12/25. CANADIAN AND U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY.
Kathleen Jones presents her novel The War on Sarah Morris and discusses the troubling social trends dealt with in this book: precarious jobs, contract and gig work, age discrimination, sexism, income inequality, bullying on the job by bosses, heavy workloads, and unpaid overtime. The presentation includes a reading following by a Q&A.
Register in branch or by calling 416-396-3975.
Thursday December 11, 2025 – 6:30-7:30 pm
S. Walter Stewart Library, 170 Memorial Park Ave., Toronto, ON M4J 2K5
Meeting Room
If you identify as a person with a disability or as a person who is Deaf, and require an accessibility accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Accessibility Services by email, accessibleservices@tpl.ca, or voicemail, 416-393-7099, to make a request. Please contact us at least three weeks in advance.
I picked this book up due to its intriguing storyline and I’m glad I did, as it’s a real page turner. Sarah Morris has been a valued employee of the same company for twenty-one years working as a book editor. When the company is reorganised she finds her secure corporate job is suddenly not so secure. Sarah feels like she’s being pushed out of her job as her boss keeps giving her book editing projects to a ‘pet’ employee. As more freelancers are also being used Sarah finds herself unofficially demoted, spending her days tagging documents. Things at work become even worse when her boss starts bullying her, and due to the economic climate Sarah is not in the position to leave.
As the story is told from Sarah’s point of view I felt engaged with her throughout. I felt everything that she did, making me really empathise with her all to realistic situation. I like that the heroine of the story, Sarah, is a very relatable woman in her fifties. The author has created an extremely readable story out of a fairly basic storyline. The claustrophobic and stressful working environment is brought vividly to life through the narrative, which made me feel immersed in the story. As I felt invested in what the ending would be for Sarah I was kept reading way past my bedtime!
Kathleen Jones, The Quirky Novelist 