Page 147 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2017

Johnnie Bernhard, left, gets ready to sign her novel for her neighbor, Susan Snyder, right.
Valerie Winn and Jim Fraiser
Three Mississippi Gulf Coast authors are, from left, Johnnie Bernhard, Valerie Winn and Jim Fraiser.
success of fellow law school graduate John Grisham. “I've written novels every three or four years, but the bulk of my books have been non-fiction,” he said.
Fraiser has written a series about the history, architecture and culture of the Deep South for Pelican Publishing Co. of New Orleans,
La. His latest novel, In Enemy's Country, came out in 2014. He has since written a children's book for his son, Paul, 7. Fraiser's writing efforts don't stop there. He has written plays, newspaper reviews and national law journal articles.
For the past 11 years, Fraiser has served as a federal administrative law judge. He moved to Pass Christian in 2015 after living in Jackson and Tupelo. The process of writing can be difficult when the muse hits, Fraiser said. He can get by on six hours of sleep.
“I try to write when the children are asleep or I'll go to my office on the weekends. When it comes to me, I don't want to leave it, but I've found I have to pick my time,” he said.
Getting his work published is easier for Fraiser now that he has a successful track record. “There is some degree of literary merit of
your work. But the publishers are concerned with money. If you sell 1,500 books, they will give you
a chance. If the book sells 15,000 copies, then you've written your ticket,” Fraiser said. “All my books have gotten critical reviews and sold fairly well.”
Bernhard agreed. “To get that first novel published is considerably hard work. The publisher is taking a financial risk with an unknown author,” she said.
Winn has finished the final editing of her second novel which also
will be published by
Dogwood Press. Both
Bernhard and Winn belong to an informal writing group, Women of Words. The three authors recommend joining a supportive writers group such
as Gulf Coast Writers Association.
“When you work in a vacuum, you become your biggest fan and can't grow as a writer. The members give constructive criticism. It's tough on your
ego, but you've got to
be able to take editing and pointers from people,” Bernhard said.
Once the book is published, it's important to be available to promote it to increase sales. All three authors have traveled extensively to give readings and sign books. “I enjoy doing that because of the people I meet,” Fraiser said.
With her experience of getting published, Bernhard is often a guest speaker at conferences. “Don't listen to what other people say. It's never too late to take a chance on yourself and follow your dreams,” she said.
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June 2017 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 147