Buzzing into Books
with Local Author Janice Hostetter
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
When Janice Hostetter was in elementary school, she would carry around a notebook with her at all times. She would fill the notebook cover to cover with stories, inspired by her classmates and things she overheard. Ever since then, Hostetter has wanted to be a storyteller, and now, her dreams have finally come true.
“I was like, no, if I'm ever going to do it [write books], this is the time. I just kind of went for it, and it's really exciting and something I've always wanted, so I'm really pumped about it.” Expressed Hostetter about beginning to work on her two books, and the prospect of being an author.
Now, an author of two and soon to be more children’s books, Hostetter is a self-published children’s author based out of Ashland, Kentucky. Raised in the hills of Virginia, Hostetter now lives full time in Ashland where her children keep her both on her toes and inspired, their smiles telling the stories she writes.
Her storytelling process begins with a moment or a memory that sparks something within her. Her first book, Levi Locust, tells the story of a banjo-playing mountain bug, looking for his place in the world. This story draws from Hostetter’s own experience seeing her eldest daughter graduate high school and embark on her own journey of finding her place in the world. Her second book, however, entitled An Alien Took my Cheese is inspired by her son Owen, Halloween and all things aliens lover.
From these initial ideas, Hostetter simply gets to putting her imagination on paper, and looking for a way to illustrate these stories as well. In the past, Hostetter has worked with other moms and illustrators to bring Hostetter's stories to life. For her next book, Hostetter is even attempting to illustrate it herself, and is very excited to see where this new path will take her.
“It all comes down to just kind of sitting down to write it, and then just seeing where it takes you,” detailed Hostetter.
Once she has these stories written and illustrated, then she begins the publishing process. As an independent and self-published author, Hostetter created her own LLC known as Bumblebee Bookshelf Always having loved bumblebees, and their sweet and warm nature, she knew this was the perfect mascot for her fun-loving books.
Truly, Bumblebee Bookshelf has always been about family, and for Hostetter, telling the stories of her family and children is most important. Her children Rhiannon, Ralphie, Reece, Owen, and Piper inspire her to keep writing: and she has no plans on slowing down her creativity and storytelling anytime soon. “I love the way this is bringing our family together, and into new adventures, too,” commented Hostetter.
With several events, and even new books on the horizon, Janice Hostetter has made her dream of being a children’s author a reality, and she cannot wait to keep telling her stories and sharing them with the world. For more information about Hostetter and her books, you can find her on Facebook at Bumblebee Bookshelf.
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