EPISODE 015: Elf on the Shelf, Writing, and ...with Jen Mann & host Dana Malstaff

In this episode you'll hear:

• The birth of Jen's blog.
• Jen's viral blog post story, how she capitalized the traffic and converted over 700,000 fans.
• The large role Jen's husband played in the process of developing her blog and sustaining her writing.
• How and why Jen protects her children's identity online.
• Jen's biggest challenges in motherhood and running her business.
• The lens that Jen filters her business through - especially as technology and trends change.
• The constants in Jen's business and where her brand is going moving forward.
• How Jen's husband helps in their business and where she goes to when she needs to find inspiration for essays.
• Why Jen keeps a treadmill in her office.
• The healing power of a good cry.
• The big book vs movie debate, what Jen thinks of every movie that was a book first and why books that are made into movies make her cry.
• Jen's book writing process and her journey from self publishing to traditional publishing.
• The ups and downs of working with a traditional publishing house.
• How self published authors can get their books in libraries.

Recommended resources and links:

• Jen's blog post that started it all: Over Achieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
• Dane Cook talks about crying
• • Movies to induce crying: The Notebook and PS I Love You
  • Books Jen is reading: Furiously Happy, She's Not There
  • Books Dana recommends: Bitter With Baggage Seeks Same: The Life and Times of Some Chickens

  Can I quote you on that?

  • I would write and vent on my blog, and then feel better about my day. -Jen
  • I am a good mom, my kids are happy and healthy and I do some magic, but I don't do crazy magic. - Jen
  • It's not enough that I run a business full time and am a mom. I ran the PTO too, because I'm crazy. -Jen
  • It was just one mom sharing it to another mom. That's how I went viral. - Jen
  • This is looking like it could actually be a thing. - Jen
  • It's a matter of seizing the opportunity. Strike while the iron is hot. -Jen
  • My kids are 9 and 11. I sleep and everyone wipes their own butts. It's great. - Jen
  • I think it is always going to be a challenge to find time to do my work and be with my kids and husband. -Jen
  • You can't get complacent. You're always looking for a new way to grow your business. -Jen
  • Find out what your stress reliever is and make time for that thing. - Jen
  • Whatever book you're looking for, a librarian has a book list. - Jen
  • I love it when my readers tell me where they've seen my books. - Jen

  Connect with Jen Mann:

  Spending the Holidays With People I Want to Punch In The Throat

  3 Things Making Her Happy

  1. Mouse Traps- I'm in the middle of a mouse infestation and it is freaking me out. Follow the saga on my Facebook page.
  2. Her book is doing really well.
  3. Her family. If my family doesn't make me happy, I don't know what would.

  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes

  Jen's Anthologies

  • I Just Want Want to Pee Alone
  • I Just Want to Be Alone
  • I Still Just Want to Pee Alone

  Connect with Dana:

  3 Things Making Her Happy