Fluent in four languages, qualified in clinical hypnotherapy and a writer of horror, Joan De La Haye Duponsel, has a knack for grabbing a readers attention.I first started writing when I was about twelve, although my mother and grandmother will tell you I started when they first put a pencil in my hand. My first story was a Fairy tale called 'The Wonderful World of Candy floss.' Now remember I was twelve when I wrote it, so please no judgement on the title. I sent it off to a South African publisher, who promptly rejected it because my spelling was atrocious. I still have that rejection note and I still can't spell.
Somewhere a long the line I lost my dream of becoming a best selling Author and convinced myself that I needed to join the real world and get a proper job which I hated. In 2002 a colleague told me about a writing course that was being advertised in a local newspaper. I of course jumped at the chance. I guess I never really gave up on the dream. The course was a wonderful experience and I made a lot of friends including my partner in the Publishing Company, Caroline Addenbrooke.
The idea for Rebel e Publishers came about when I sent my current book 'Shadows' to the local imprint for one of the big international publishing houses. For a year they told me how great I was and then they decided that it wasn't really for them after all. Needless to say I was a little irritated. Then I started hearing stories from other writers who'd been through similar experiences. Some had their books picked up by some big names but their books were never marketed to the public and were never given a chance. Their books were simply left to rot in book purgatory.
This got me thinking that there had to be a better way. So I approached Caroline, who is a successful business woman and a brilliant writer. I asked her if she wanted to start an ebook publishing company with me. At first she was a little sceptical, but after we did the research into the business we both realised that we could do it and we could do it well.
The reason we chose ebook publishing and not the usual paper books is because we both love the environment. No tree's get chopped down for our books. It's also a lot less complicated and more money flows to the authors. Another bonus is that we can reach a wider audience a lot faster. We're no longer limited by geography. The world is our market.
Ever since I was a little girl I've had very vivid nightmares - the kind where you wake up in a cold sweat and your heart is racing. I decided to turn those nightmares into stories. It's a very cathartic experience. The opening scene in 'Shadows' is based on one of my nightmares.
The favourite thing for me about writing is that I get to share all the stories running riot in my head, it clears them out and I can then think straight. Writing is like breathing. I have to do it.
But with publishing I get to help other writers fore fill their dreams. It's an honour to have a writer come to me with a book they've been working on for years and to have them ask me for help in birthing it and delivering it to the rest of the world.
My main plan for the future is to take the publishing world by storm and hopefully write a lot of thrilling tails that will entertain people all over the world.
Visit www.myspace.com/joandelahaye and www.rebelepublishers.com.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Beth Anderson is the Editor in Chief of Chic Galleria.com and Co-Owner of Chic Galleria Publications.
Hi Joan
Well done! I am glad to hear that you are finally doing what you really enjoy and what you are very good at. Can't wait to read your next book!
All the best
Janine
Jannie;
Your story is encouraging. It helps to keep my fingers to my keyboard. The line that did this is the one on spelling. I am so glad that they created spell check. It has gotten me through many struggles.
Sounds like a great story. I can't wait to read it for myself. Best of luck to you going forward!
-Anarda Nashai
Author of School Girl
www.anardanashai.webs.com
Hi Joan!
Well done!! I also cant wait to read your next book. Keep up the good work!
Maryke
Thank you everybody for your kind words and support.
I'm so happy that my story has been encouraging for someone else.
Joan