Bill Arnott's Showcase Interview: Bestselling Author Jeanne Ainslie

Let me start by sharing a story. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting author and editor Jeanne Ainslie (pronounced “Genie”) when I was interviewing editors to work on my first manuscript, a nonfiction book called Wonderful Magical Words. Some call it self-help, but I prefer the term empowering. To our delight it was popular, with sales raising money for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada (granting wishes to children with life-threatening illness), and we generated enough to grant wishes to quite a few children. Jeanne was integral to the book’s success, and I’m forever grateful to this talented friend for improving a great many lives.

Jeanne, welcome to the Showcase! Please let the gang know who you are.

(Jeanne) I’m a published author of novels and articles and an experienced editor. I was born in Toronto, Ontario and lived most of my life in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. Since my father was an army doctor, we moved a lot and I attended seven different schools, including three high schools. I graduated from Carleton University in Ottawa with an Hons BSc in geology and an MSc in geochemistry. While working as a geochemist and government consultant, I pursued my lifelong ambition to be a writer. I now live and work in White Rock, BC, as a writer and editor.

(Bill) What do you feel you’re best known for?

(Jeanne) As a person, a good friend and loving mother. As a writer, my bestselling erotic novel, A Country Girl.

(Bill) What brought you here?

(Jeanne) I’ve always loved to write. I wrote my first poem at 14. I continued to write poetry in my teens and short stories and novels into my 20s. Finally, I had a breakthrough when a well-known writer recommended me to his New York agent. Three weeks later I had a contract with Dell Publishing. When I asked my agent how the book was doing, he said, it’s a bestseller—it’s selling at the rate of 15,000 copies a week!

(Bill) Outstanding! I’d say that’s a ton of books but it’s actually over seven tons! And who’s a role model or mentor to you?

(Jeanne) That’s easy! James Salter. His novel A Sport and a Pastime was a breakthrough novel for me. His honest, sensual and lyrical portrayal of a love affair gave me the courage to write Angela, which later became A Country Girl, published by Blue Moon.

(Bill) What’s your advice to others?

(Jeanne) Fulfill your potential. Be compassionate. Respect yourself and others.

(Bill) I love that advice. Tell us what you’re currently working on?

(Jeanne) A nonfiction book, First You Have to Learn to Live Alone: A Compassionate Guide to Living Alone and Aging.

(Bill) I’m so looking forward to this book; a timely, timeless subject. On another note, what’s your favourite: book, album, and movie?

(Jeanne) Favourite book. Two favourites: James Salter’s A Sport and a Pastime and Albert Camus’ The Stranger. Favourite album. No real favourite. I love blues, jazz, country, rock, bluegrass, boogie woogie—I could go on. Favourite movie. I can’t really pick one. I’ve loved so many movies over the years. Probably my favourite is Last Tango in Paris. I loved Heaven’s Gate and Raise the Red Lantern. Some of my favourite directors are Robert Altman, Fassbinder, Lina Wertmuller, Bergman, and Woodie Allen.

(Bill) That’s a great array, talk about diverse! And now for our trademark Quirky Question. Make a choice: peas or carrots, and why?

(Jeanne) Raw peas. I developed my love of raw peas shelling them at my aunt’s farm. Love them! Cooked is OK, but not mushy.

(Bill) Well friends, there you have it: in the raw is best, cooked if need be, and never, ever mushy! Jeanne, thank you for taking time to swing by the Showcase. Having you here’s been a pleasure.

Find Jeanne’s books A Country Girl, Caribbean Moon, and the short story collection Stranger at Herring Cove at booksellers online or through Jeanne Ainslie’s author page at Barnes and Noble.

Bill Arnott

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Bill Arnott is the bestselling author of A Season on Vancouver Island, theGone Viking travelogues, andA Perfect Day for a Walk: The History, Cultures, and Communities of Vancouver, on Foot(Arsenal Pulp Press, Fall 2024). Recipient of a Fellowship at London’s Royal Geographical Society for his expeditions, Bill’s a frequent presenter and contributor to magazines, universities, podcasts, TV and radio. When not trekking with a small pack and journal, Bill can be found on Canada’s west coast, where he lives near the sea on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh land.