Meet Jualeeah | Author & Serial Accessorizer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jualeeah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jualeeah, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
I love this question! Probably because I just figured out what my ultimate goal is. I want my novels to become so lucrative that I have more than enough to purchase this building on Market Street in Inglewood, California. I’ve been walking by this place since I was ten years old. It used to be a book store, I believe. I used to run my index finger across the glass, wishing I could snatch one of the turquoise rings out of their showcase box. That building housed my two first loves: Books and Jewelry. A full circle moment for me would be to convert that structure into a space where I can host Sip and Reads, Tequila Tastings, Line Dancing, Speed Dating, Foreign Language Studies, Jewelry Making, and whatever else this brain can come up with! Trust me, a time will be had if I’m involved!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My love for writing started in elementary school. I wasn’t aware that writing could be a profession at the time. I just knew that keeping a diary hidden under my mattress and running track with my homegirl Rayn was an end all be all for me. I was so mad when she enrolled into Inglewood Christian School with me. I thought she was determined to take my spot as the fastest third grade girl at the school! I still remember how fanatical I was about running back then. By the time freshman year of college rolled around, I was so far removed from track & field. But writing never left me. Even now, when I don’t write for a while, I’ll experience a nagging deep inside myself. It won’t let up. Stories are always calling me. Turning passions into profit has never been easy for me. I remember when I finished writing “Caution: Dating in LA May Cause Excessive Drinking,” I was so proud of myself. That burst of pleasure was short lived though, because I didn’t know what my next move was gonna be. This was my only reason for going back to school. One of my goals is to be traditionally published, but that’s not in the cards for me right now. Having the knowledge on how to put my own book together holds a different type confidence for me. The completion of my second book is going to be such a breeze for me this time around.
The best lesson for me is to have more patience with myself. Slowing down just isn’t a strong suit for me. But I now recognize that rushing through life makes you miss out on important details. Pacing yourself can help you grow in way more areas than just the workforce.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If someone comes to visit me, the itinerary is never gonna include Hollywood! That’s probably why my friends call other people when they first touch down! If my hair is dirty, I want the first stop to be cocktails at Drobe Stogies Cigar Lounge. It’s always something going on up there. And every first Wednesday of the month is Ladies Night. There’s a full bar in Drobe’s and Krystal makes the most instagrammable cocktails! Tell her I sent you…Then we’re off to The Nile Bar and Restaurant for my favorite cauliflower bites and all the music my heart desires. My favorite DJ, DJ D-Love, is there on the weekends after 9PM. There are two places I love for breakfast. First, there’s old faithful Pann’s Restaurant. I’m crazy about their veggie omelets and spicy chicken links. Then, there’s The Court Cafe. This is where you can bop to some R&B music while having your catfish and grits! They also have a private room for parties. I’ve yet to be invited to one…Since we’re on food, let’s head to Manhattan Beach for a cute date night at Joey. They give you a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. It’s the perfect way to set the mood. I hear the Downtown LA location is a great place to meet men. I’ve never been so don’t quote me. I can’t say I have a favorite club, because one thing about LA, the vibes change by the hour. But when I’m looking for some good trouble, I check with The Social Collective LA to see where my folks are. They move around quite a bit, but for the most part, the turn up will be DTLA. If we somehow, someway hop on the freeway to Long Beach, you’ll only find me at two different places. 562 Pacific Grill (formerly On The Rocks LB) has hookah, strong cocktails, and a shrimp ceviche to die for! My other spot is for the people who like the hole in the wall type joints. Reno Room has an updated jukebox, pool tables, and the cheapest drinks you’ll ever find in Los Angeles County. Please know your limits before you enter Reno Room!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many books that deserve a Shoutout, but one stands out for me. “Flyy Girl” by Omar Tyree changed my life. This was the first book my mom allowed me to pick out for myself. I was drawn to the book because of the Black girl with the huge earrings and gold necklaces on the cover. By the time I finished reading “Flyy Girl,” I was drafting my very own first novel. Omar Tyree made me feel like I could be a great writer just like him. I have a strong notion that a lot of black authors feel this same sentiment for Omar Tyree.

Website: www.JualeeWorld.com

Instagram: @JualeeWorld

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