An Interview with Jodi Hockinson of Southeast Media Productions

Introducing Jodi Hockinson--Publisher, Author, Voice Actor, Producer

I first met Jodi Hockinson on Amazon's service for recording books, ACX,  "a marketplace where authors, literary agents, publishers, and other Rights Holders can connect with narrators, engineers, recording studios, and other Producers capable of producing a finished audiobook."  She fulfills the requirements for a producer who records books. Her work in this field is impressive.

Soon it became obvious to me that Jodi is a multi-talented author of fiction and nonfiction publications. I soon learned that she makes excellent trailers (promotional videos) for books. As she and I continued to work together, I discovered she has a vast amount of knowledge about publishing and electronic production. Her educational background is astonishing. She makes few errors in whatever she does and always has a positive attitude. On the other hand, she tactfully points out the mistakes I make. Every writer needs someone like Jodi!

Jodi has a rare combination of qualities, both personal and professional. She is always pleasant, always enthusiastic, friendly, and ambitious to succeed. She has a high standard of quality. Jodi always looks on the positive side. It is my pleasure to share her with you here in the Collard Patch. If you are a writer, you'll be amazed to find a small, but rapidly growing publisher, who is willing to look at the submissions of authors working in various genres. If you enjoy reading or listening, you'll delight in the various trailers she has produced, which are entertaining simply to watch.

Here is an interview in which she tells about her business.

What is Southeast Media Productions?

Southeast Media Productions is a video production and book publishing company located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

What is your website address (URL)?

https://semediapro.com

What is your physical address?

401 E. Louther St., Suite 216, Carlisle, PA, 17013

What services do you offer?

Locally, we offer video production and podcast services.  This can be anything from a video trailer to a broadcast commercial, promotion video, instructional video or even a documentary.

Nationally, we offer book publishing services - that's my department!  We are a zero-investment publisher.  As an author myself, I understand the need to focus on writing, and not on all of the other things needed to get a book published.  When we accept a manuscript for publication, we work on editing, cover design, Kindle layout, paperback interior layout, and even a video trailer as well as posting a dedicated author page.

How long have you been publishing books?

Wow - I had self-published my first book back in 1998 and kept going from there!  Over the years, I have published 7 books that are currently in print. We started adding on additional authors early in 2019.  I'm honored to say that Mary Lou Cheatham was the first one!

You say you do traditional publishing. Why do you consider yourself a traditional publisher?

We don't require any investment from the author in order to publish.  We publish through Amazon, which offers a print-on-demand service.  Once we enter into a publishing agreement with an author, we edit, layout the interior and design the covers for a professional, quality product that can be ordered as a Kindle or paperback through Amazon or through expanded distribution (depending on trim size). 

We understand how much work the author has done to get to the finished manuscript.  After writing that manuscript, there is still a ton of work to be done, and that's what we're here to do.

How do you get paid?

We keep one-half of the royalties paid by Amazon.  The author gets the other half.  

What are some of the unique benefits for a writer publishing with your company?

Although anyone can self-publish through Amazon, there are a lot of benefits to using our company.  

• No charge for professional editing and proof-reading
• No charge for professional cover design
• No charge for videos made with stock footage and images
• More time to spend on writing
• You can promote your book any way you like  

What types of books do you publish?

We are open to works of all genres.  We have published special interest diet books (for gout and ulcerative colitis), tutorials, self-help, poetry, and an assortment of novels from historical fiction to fantasy, to cozy murder mystery, and even a suspense thriller.

Who are some of the authors who have published through Southeast Media Productions?

• Dallas Monroe
• Mary Lou Cheatham
• Jonni Rich
• Lyn Morgan
• Debi King
• Stephanie Basco Sullivan
• Larry Jorgensen
• Stormy Chalmers
• Jodi Hockinson

What are some of the ways you provide publicity?

We provide some publicity, such as posting in our newsletters and on Facebook, and we create a professional video trailer that is provided to the author.  We also create a dedicated author page that the author may use as a media kit page.  Since there are a lot of ways the author can promote via social media that are low cost, we leave that to the author.  In addition, we continuously conduct assorted promotions via YouTube, Amazon, etc.  We also provide a podcast interview for our authors, also free of charge.

Besides publishing books, what else do you do?

I write, play piano, exercise, host a podcast show, and work as an audience development specialist for a B2B publishing group. 

What are your long range goals in the publishing business?

My goal is to reach 200 authors - and when we reach that goal, we'll set a new one!

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Houston, Texas.  I was surrounded by elegant, southern ladies who always had a smile.  I still say that Texas has the most polite people I know.

Where did you go to college?

I have three degrees - a BA in social sciences/history from Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey, an AA in liberal arts through Polk State College in Florida, and an AS as a dietetic technician, registered, through Central Arizona College.  I also attended USF (in Florida) and Chaffey College (in California). I am a CDM (Certified Dietary Manager) and NDTR (Nutrition and Dietetics Technion Registered), as well as CFPP(Certified Food Protection Professional).

When did you become interested in writing, publishing, and voice acting?

I wanted to write ever since I can remember!  I grew up in a Methodist family, and sang in the church choir since I was in kindergarten.  I performed in musical productions at least twice a year, often playing leading roles.  I also attended the High School of Performing and Visual Arts in Houston.  I always loved singing and performing, so it seemed natural when the opportunity arose to begin narrating and recording voice-overs.  Publishing became a new love - I have great fun in copy editing and project management, so publishing, for me, is the perfect outlet.

What are the various subjects you have studied and how do these help you in your publishing business?

I have studied nutrition, which has been instrumental in my special interest diet books (so far, gout and ulcerative colitis).  I have also studied history, public speaking, social sciences, literature, ethics and mass communications.  I have interned as a newspaper reporter and as a dietetic technician, registered.  I also once worked as a weather anchor.  I feel like anything I read, learn or experience helps increase my understanding of the publishing business and my role within it.  

How does your husband help with your publishing business?

My husband, Craig, has years of video production experience, dating back to the days of linear editing, which could be excruciating!  He has always been supportive in helping me achieve my goals, and he is constantly helping out with video and still shots, artistic design, and even as a sounding board for ideas.

Jodi's Crabmeat Salad

Jodi Hockinson, who is publishing my books, is an excellent cook. She is generously sharing a recipe. This looks tempting, and it is easy to prepare. Here is Jodi's recipe with special instructions:

My Favorite Crabmeat Salad

This is my go-to dish for pot lucks.  I normally use imitation crab meat in this recipe, because I like the red color accents, and because I have friends who have shellfish allergies.  If you decide to use real crab meat, switch the green bell pepper to a red one.  

Crabmeat Salad

1 pound imitation crabmeat, finely chopped

1 medium Vidalia onion, minced

1 jalapeño pepper (pith and seeds removed), minced

1 green bell pepper (pith and seeds removed), finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl and fold until all is evenly distributed.   Add a little cayenne pepper to your taste, especially if the jalapeño is a mild one. Makes about 5 cups of salad.

The pic shows a serving of crabmeat salad along with cool ranch nachos and a spring mix salad.

Thanks, Jodi, for sharing!

John's Potato Salad

Boil, cool, and peel:
6 eggs

Boil or slow cook. Cool. Peel if you like. Cut into cubes:
5 pounds russet potatoes

Mix together: (Use mortar and pestle if you wish.) 
Black pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper
About 1 teaspoon ground paprika
About 1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle
About 2 teaspoons Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning (This is salty. You won't need extra salt.)
1-2 teaspoons sugar (no more!)
Add this as you wish. You may want to use some of it as a garnish.

Chop or slice. Mix:
A bunch of green onions including tops
4 celery ribs
1 green bell pepper
1 small purple onion
Fresh cilantro as desired
Fresh parsley as desired
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed olives (Slice in half. Don't substitute ripe olives.)
1/2 cup bread and butter pickle slices
Add all these ingredients to the potatoes except celery.

Add as you stir:
1/4 cup dill pickle juice
As much Hellman's mayonnaise as you need
Mustard as desired

Finish by adding the eggs and celery.  Don't stir it too much after you add the eggs.

Cover and chill.

Come on, friends. Let's get happy.

My birthday occurs this week. It's a  time I like to shop for new clothes until I drop. This year I asked my daughter to take me fishing. Yes, we socially distanced. No, I didn't catch any fish, but we had a great time. At my age, why do I need so many clothes anyway? I just need to deal with the shrinkage they're experiencing from hanging in my closet.

You may think it's impossible to be happy because of circumstances. Sunday night I was thinking about writing this blog just to tell you why I'm happy. First we wanted to take a quick walk, but it appeared that a storm was coming. I came back home in time to hear on the radio that a hail storm with 60 mph wind gusts was headed toward us.  We've had two powerful hail storms lately, I'm thankful we've cleaned out enough of the garage to park the car inside.

The storm didn't come, and I decided to take out the garbage. Here's what happened next. The garbage bag popped open for some mysterious reason and dumped the garbage on the floor. So I decided to sweep up the garbage, but John had moved one of the plants and dropped the saucer under the pot. He was busy sweeping up the glass at the front door.

By then, I started thinking maybe this wasn't the night to blog about all the circumstances that make me happy, and John said something profound. He said, "I'm going to be as strong and upright as the bench.

Oh, here comes the storm.

 In this crazy time when life has a new set of rules, what are  you doing to stay happy? I'd love to hear from you.

My niece suggested we have a food service deliver us a package of meal kits every week. She and her mother have been enjoying doing this. We cook like we've never cooked before.

I'm writing more and faster than ever. Jodi Hockinson, of Southeast Media Productions, is helping me reproduce Manuela Blayne, A Life Apart, a short book about an African American girl, who endures an incredibly horrible life lacking in opportunity. She knows the secret of happiness. I first wrote this short novel in 2015, and I'm really excited that Southeast Media Productions is breathing new life into it and giving it a new cover. When it is released, I'll mention it here in the Collard Patch blog.

Also I'm writing a novel about the flu pandemic of 1918 during World War I. Conditions then were similar to what we're going through now. I've been reading about influenza and the first world war.

John is gardening and learning to play tuba. We enjoy our life together.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. (Habakkuk 3:17-18, KJV)

Seriously, I'd love to hear from you. Tell me what you've been doing. You can always reach me on Facebook Messenger. 

Deadly Black Pearls

June 30, 2020

Today, author Jonni Rich released her new book, Deadly Black Pearls. The cover is intriguing. I preordered this book, and I can't wait to dig into it. A mystery by Jonni grabs the reader with a tight grip and doesn't let go until the end.

Book REview

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite (With Jonni Rich's permission. https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/deadly-black-pearls)

“What’s happening in Ville Nouvelle?" In Deadly Black Pearls by Jonni Rich, 54-year-old Emmaline Beard is surprised by the sudden appearance of Carol Powell, a young woman who came to the LeFevre House with an urgent request - to give a package containing black Tahitian pearls to her grandmother. The next day, Emmaline finds Carol dead at the foot of a LeFevre House staircase. Amidst the preparation for a theatrical production, a nuclear waste protest by the locals of Ville Nouvelle, a feud between neighbors, and much more, chaos is slowly descending in the peaceful community. Emmaline and her life-long friend, Byrd Jeffcoat, are determined to find out the truth before more troubles arise.

Deadly Black Pearls blends small-town eccentricity with whodunit crime, colored by the personalities of Ville Nouvelle's residents and a few unwelcome outsiders. Local charms are matched by unexpected danger, resulting in tension and drama. The characters, main and secondary, are rendered well. Emmaline Beard is a resilient woman, braving unexpected problems while trying to keep her historical house tour business afloat. Her relationship with Byrd is wonderful; their amateur sleuthing adding more dark fun and curiosity to the plot. I find Helen Condor, a famous psychic, gives another substantial layer to the mystery. Clues regarding the murders become more imperative as the clock ticks, making the reading more engaging as the story progresses. An enjoyable read, Jonni Rich's Deadly Black Pearls has a subtle classic sleuth style that I love coupled with a wonderful, engaging narrative.

DESCRIPTION FROM AMAZON PAGE

The antebellum spring mansion tours are in full swing in the little South Louisiana town of Ville Nouvelle. Emmaline Beard, local leading citizen and theatrical producer, is tour hostess at LeFevre House, an ancestor’s former home. Emmaline is astonished when an old friend’s granddaughter, Carol Powell, arrives and thrusts a package into her hands and then flees as hastily as she arrived. Emmaline chases after her unsuccessfully. The package contains valuable black pearls.

The following evening, Emmaline discovers Carol’s crumpled body at the foot of a staircase at LeFevre House, obviously a homicide. Emmaline suspects the pearls were stolen, and they are the reason for Carol’s murder.

Emmaline enlists the help of her life-long friend, Byrd Jeffcoat, to catch the murderer and settle the question of the mysterious black pearls. While trying to solve Carol’s murder, another random murder occurs. A nuclear waste protest march led by a celebrity from the area has brought strangers into the small town.

Is a homicidal maniac at work, perhaps brought in by the protest march? Is there one killer, or two? The amateur sleuths hazard their way through tumults of theft, murder, arson, and even a theatrical production to unravel these grisly murders. 

~~~
Jonni, a north Louisiana native, is a retired retail store owner and librarian. She's a multi-published author of Gothic Suspense, Romantic Suspense, and Mystery.

Tammy Kirby--A Virtual Interview

Visiting with Louisiana author, Tammy Kirby...

What is your most recent book? 

Vengeance Is Mine Saith Mi' Lord  It is number 3 in my Haven House series set in Victorian England and Scotland

What is it about?

It is about sex trafficking in Victorian England and a group of people helping to save the women and children caught up in it. Haven House is a refuge for them that teaches them about Christ’s love and forgiveness. They also teach them different trades to help them survive in a life that would normally be considered bleak and hopeless.

Order 

What inspired you to write it?

God used Francine River’s Redeeming Love to inspire the series. He told me to write beneath the surface. That is what I have done in this series. Forgiveness is so important in our lives, but it is a choice. My characters face the decision to forgive the unforgivable in each of these books.


When did you start writing?

In my early twenties, but I hid it in my cedar chest. Lol. I began writing seriously in my early thirties. That’s been twenty years or so ago now.

What inspired you to write?
I guess God used my love of reading to inspire me. I want my readers to walk away from my books and remember them fondly twenty plus years down the road like I do Redeeming Love. I want to show the world how God can take any sin and turn it around with His forgiveness and love.

Why did you select historical romance as your genre?

Because that is what I love to read about. I like escaping to times past. Life was simpler then and who doesn’t love a good romance?

Explain the times and places you write about.

I write Victorian England Inspirational romance and Medieval Scotland time-travel Inspirational romance. I also have a Medieval England Inspirational romance in the works.

What is your purpose as a writer?

To show the world how much our heavenly Father loves us even in our sin.

Besides writing, what else do you do?

I work in a rural Emergency Room as a Registered Nurse. I am also a licensed Cosmetologist and still dabble a bit in that.

What are two other novels in the series? 

His Grace Forgiven

God dropped the seed for His Grace Forgiven in my heart with these words, 'Can you forgive the unforgivable?' I pondered the question for a while, then realized, yes I already had. Maybe that's why He gave the job to me.

I faced a lot of opposition in writing His Grace Forgiven. Some people, from editors to critique partners, wanted me to change the accidental rape to her being a willing participant. Good people have been doing stupid things while under the influence for years. This book does not glorify rape. It's about forgiveness. Apparently this is pretty important to the Lord.

His Grace Forgiven is meant to be thought-provoking. (Not my idea, that was all God.) It's about going beneath the surface in your own life and facing the hard questions.  Why did it happen? Why would God expect me to forgive this? Why would He sacrifice His life for such as them? Hmmm.

I promised God that part of the proceeds from the sale of HGF would be donated to help women and children who are forced into sexual slavery. Yes it has been happening for hundreds of years and it is still happening today. If this book helps only one person, it was worth every drop I bled to bring it to print.
In His Grace, Tammy

Order

Joy to the Earl

Miss Abbigail Thorne has no use for the Earl of Waverly. It's his fault she's been carted off to London to learn how to be a lady. She didn't mean for him to be tossed into a mud puddle. Blissfully unaware that her life is about to change, and that maturity approaches with indescribable pain, she remains oblivious and carefree, she believes herself to be a strong godly woman, but when heartache arrives in waves that continue to knock her to her knees, will she trust in God and the love of her husband, or will she give it all up to hold onto her hurt? 

Chase Montclair, Earl of Waverly rides the fence spiritually. He goes to St. George's sporadically, but he imbibes in spirits a lot. And the lovely ladies need companionship. Who is he to deny them? That is, until he admits his love for the woman who exasperates him beyond belief. Before he makes the decision to surrender to God and Abbi, in a fit of anger he has one last fling. He didn't know it would bring him his worst pain and his greatest Joy.

Order

Crime against Humanity

One of the most shameful acts committed by United States citizens--lynching--cannot be ignored. More often than we would lie to admit, this brutal crime against humanity, veiled as vigilante law enforcement, has occurred throughout the nation, but mostly in the South. Men and women of various racial groups (mostly African American men) hung from trees, sometimes with bonfires beneath them and sometimes with hundreds of gunshots fired around them.

HOUSE OF SEVEN, which is fiction, includes an account of one man's attempt to escape this hideous crime. As you read it, you'll want to run with Trousdale as he works to escape. Here's a brief excerpt. It is the early 1900's. In this scene, Trousdale has been running to get away from the men who wanted to kill him back in Mississippi. He goes to north Louisiana. Now he's outrunning the flood of the Mississippi River. He encounters Theodore Roosevelt.

“Honored to meet you, Mr. President.” Trousdale rubbed his muddy hand on his pants and extended it.

Mr. Roosevelt gave Trousdale a hardy handshake.

Trousdale brushed back the tears. He tried not to smile too much. In his life, the first white man to shake his hand was the former President of the United States.

“Joe Smith.” The other man shook Trousdale’s hand too.

“You must be starving to death.” The President dished up bacon, eggs, and biscuits on a tin plate, while Joe Smith poured a cup of coffee.

“Cream and sugar?” Joe asked.

“Yes, please.” Trousdale took the plate and fork. He concentrated on his manners. He wanted to scarf the food down in one bite. “I walked all day yesterday and all night.”

“What are you running from?” Mr. Roosevelt asked.

“Lynching.”

“Oh.” The President, who must have been stunned into silence, stood a few feet from Trousdale. “I suppose you might tell us why.”

“My boss landlord claimed I poisoned his well because his cow died, but the cow never drank from the well, and none of the people that did died. Now ain’t that crazy?”

Mr. Roosevelt nodded. “So you ran...." 

Story of HOUSE OF SEVEN Book Cover

The HOUSE OF SEVEN book cover has a story behind it. Jamie Hill Robinson, my cousin by marriage from Taylorsville, Mississippi,  received a picture from her cousin Mary Jordan, who was my classmate for twelve years. The original picture that Jamie posted on Facebook was of a house in the town of Taylorsville. Mary had found it in a shoebox of snapshots. In front of the house were some unidentified women dressed as if they belonged in the early twentieth century.

With Mary's permission, I had the picture designed as the cover. My stepson, Dan Cooke, who has artistic ability, flipped the picture, removed the people, replaced the front fence with abstract plants, added a smoke stack from the chimney, and made front door steps. Since I wanted some color, I added the words, "Covington Chronicles, Book Six," in red.

NOTE: Even though HOUSE OF SEVEN is sixth in the series, it stands completely independent of the stories that precede it. 

The old picture of the house is fascinating. Some of my friends in Taylorsville have told me they recognized the house. It must have been a lovely home in its day. This old Mississippi home has a touch of elegance, as do the lovely ladies standing in front of it.

The characters in the novel, as well as all the Covington Chronicles people, and the events of the stories are not intended to be historical depictions or accounts of anything in Taylorsville, Mississippi, my hometown. (Actually I grew up between Taylorsville and Hot Coffee.) To keep readers from looking for historical clues, I changed the name of Taylorsville to Taylorsburg.

House of Seven  -- Paperback, Kindle, Audible  

No Matter What the Circumstances Are, Lena Hopes for a Better LIfe.

In the early 1900s, Lena Harvey, a bright-minded farm girl, wants to graduate from high school. She

Lena's Hope, Paperback

hopes to attend nursing school or become a midwife. Having no interest in complicating her life with intimate relationships, she plans to focus her efforts toward her calling. But in a country where people believe they can grow up to become anything they want to be, her dream is crushed. Discover how Lena resolves to make the best of what has been thrown at her, hoping that she can make a difference in the world. As she struggles through the frustrations of her life, can she ever find blessings that bring her joy? Will she ever know true love? Lena’s story is an inspiration for those of us whose lives have gotten in the way of the plans we made. For us all, there is hope….

Have you ever known such a woman? Do you have such an ancestor?
Lena never lost hope, and her hope is a legacy she has passed on to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The force of hope continues to drive her family through the generations.

Here's a link to the kindle version of Lena's Hope.

Jodi Hockinson in her recording of the novella has captured the emotion of the story.

Lena's Hope, Audible

Here's a preview of Lena's Hope:

Hope for a Future

From the Author

In the simplest of words, I'm trying in this little novella, Manuela Blayne, to evoke some thought about how other people feel inside. For example, I'm trying to paint pictures of how it feels to be African-American and how it feels to be saturated in white people's prejudices in the early 1900's.
Mary Lou Cheatham

A beautifully read audio book... 

Manuela Blayne as an Audible Book 

Same text in Kindle version...

Manuela Blayne as a Kindle Book

Again, the same text as a paperback book...

Manuela Blayne as a Paperback Book

The year is 1910.

Trudy Cameron, an 11-year-old girl introduced to listeners in The Dream Bucket, meets a 13-year-old neighbor, Manuela Blayne. Trudy and her seven-year-old stepsister, Bailey Benton, make friends with Manuela, while Trudy realizes she can never understand her new friend.

Yasmin, Manuela's mother, has given the girl to Nettie and Herschel Blayne, who were born into slavery. Manuela's grandmother, Nettie, is epileptic. Her grandfather, Herschel, an alcoholic, makes and sells all kinds of illegal spirits.

Manuela Blayne the fourth book in the Covington Chronicles. It is a complete story that stands alone. To understand some of the characters fully, however, it would be beneficial to listen to The Dream Bucket first. In first-person point of view, Trudy tells the story in her own words.

As Trudy and her siblings mature, they indulge in surprising mischief. The novella tells the struggles of young people to achieve what they hope for by overcoming various obstacles. Manuela Blayne is not primarily a romance, but it contains an unexpected romance.

Trudy sees how different her opportunities are from those afforded to Manuela. Trudy finds it impossible not to suffer some of what her friend endures. She hopes to help her friend make a difference in life, while Manuela exemplifies a beautiful new kind of hope.

Not the Pandemic Expected

Three years ago I started thinking that a pandemic was just around the corner. I was expecting a childhood disease, such as diphtheria, to return. As I talked to some nurses and doctors about the idea, they assured me that such a thing was impossible because everyone gets a tetanus vaccine, which also includes protection against diphtheria.
The subject occupied my thoughts as it challenged me to research the disease. I came to realize that a few scattered cases were showing up in different parts of the world. Because members of my family had suffered from the disease, I had a personal reason to be interested.

Courage Is a Redhead, a combination of two stories—one set in future times with a dystopian flair and an epidemic of diphtheria and the other in the early twentieth century when the epidemic of diphtheria that had been around for years continued to plague the South, even though a cure had been developed years earlier—is a book I released last year.
Since some of my readers expressed an interest in reading the historical part of the book without the futuristic section, I pulled out the history and submitted it to my publisher in a short book called Lena’s Hope.

Who could have imagined we’d be confined to our houses now to avoid the Covid-19 pandemic? I’m still not convinced that we are safe from diphtheria, and this year I plan to get my flu shot.

Both books are available on Amazon.com.

.

Deep from the Heart Featured in Book-of-the-Month Club

Deep from the Heart