J.P. Lee isn’t shy about sharing her journey to publication. With her debut novel set for release in the spring of 2026, she has opened the curtains to her writing process and sneak peeks about her YA Fantasy, Shift, over on her Instagram. But she didn’t always talk publicly about her writing.
While she’s always enjoyed reading and writing, J.P. long treated it like a hobby. After her son was born and she realized she had postpartum depression, she returned to writing—calling it a “lifegiving distraction”—but largely kept her ‘project’ to herself and her husband. It wasn’t until her son turned 2.5 years old that she decided to turn her hobby into something serious… and now her book is just about ready to be shared with the world.
Learn how J.P. Lee used her writing to help her find her way back to herself in our latest Oops, Daisies, and Dreams interview.
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Who are your favorite authors? What are your favorite genres to read?
Some of my favorite authors include Lisa T. Bergren, Ruta Sepetys, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, Suzanne Collins, and Susan Meissner. I love historical fiction and nonfiction, light fantasy, and a really good memoir!
What compels you to write?
The answer to this question is multi-fold for me. First, I’ve always loved reading. I love the way books and stories transport us to other worlds and allow us to live experiences we otherwise never would. When I read a good fiction book, that’s what I look for, and that’s what I want to give to others!
Secondly, when I started writing, I was seeking a distraction from my own difficult circumstance—a way to process and an outlet for complicated emotions. So, in that way, my experience compelled me to begin writing.
And thirdly, I’ve come to the conclusion over the last several years that being creative is a way I can reflect and image God, the ultimate Creator and Author. And, it’s a way for me to model to my son the value of creativity. Instead of telling him to go be creative, I can demonstrate it for him and do it alongside him. Those are the things that compel me the most.
Tell us about your book, Shift!
Shift is an upper young adult (YA) light fantasy about criminal shapeshifters in a reimagined, vintage-era America. Seventeen-year-old Sybil is offered a high-stakes job she can’t refuse. But all is not as it seems, and she finds herself embroiled in unknowns and secrets, including from those closest to her.
You’ll find political intrigue, survival, betrayal, loyalty, undercover jobs, a sibling duo, and a romance subplot. Shift straddles genres, pulling on elements from fantasy to history to dystopian, and avoids popular tropes, which makes it unique in YA fiction today. You’ll find the grit of The Hunger Games and the magic of Divine Rivals.
Shift is the perfect read for those wanting to just read a fun book, as well as for the reader who is new to fantasy or struggles with the high fantasies of Brandon Sanderson or Sarah J. Maas. It’s also a great option for the new adult audience looking for no spice and minimal swearing.
If you’re interested in reading an early digital copy and/or being part of my “street team” and helping spread the word, message me on Instagram! I’d love to have you on board!
What sorts of ‘oops’ (or hiccups) have you had on your writing journey and how did you overcome them?
Imposter syndrome/insecurity would probably be my #1 most limiting factor throughout this process. Being transparent here, but it took me roughly three years to recover from postpartum depression, which primarily manifested in attacking my self-worth. That was an enormous barrier as I tried to work on this story, especially once I started taking it seriously. Fear of what others would think of me (and what I wrote) was another limiting factor.
Having my husband in my corner throughout it all and seeing how much he believed in me would probably be the largest key to helping me through those feelings. Making lifestyle choices and getting the help I needed to heal from depression assisted as well. As for persisting through it, I tried to be patient with myself. I didn’t force myself to write if I didn’t want to. I took breaks if I needed them. But I never tabled the story altogether. I think taking the pressure off in that way allowed me the space to keep going and not give up.
What is the #1 piece of advice you’d give to someone who is just starting to write or publish?
Don’t copy others! If there was a formula for success, everyone would do it. You don’t have to have an aesthetic writing space or time to write every day. Don’t write what is trending (trends change, after all!) Write what is on your heart, what you’re passionate about, and what you want to read (because you’ll end up reading it at least ten times all the way through!) It’s okay to take baby steps, even to take huge breaks. Learn from others, but don’t compare yourself. Find what works for you and stick with it!
What is your latest writing project?
I finished writing Book 2 (Yes, Shift is the start of a series: the Shiftwork Chronicles!) in November. While that’s with a couple of early readers garnering initial feedback, I started Book 3! I love writing a first draft and exploring the story as I go. So, you could say I’m very deep in the world of Shift.
Anything else you’d like to share about you and/or your creative life?
When I’m not writing, marketing my books, or reading, I enjoy cooking and exercising. And of course, spend time with my family (preferably going on a long walk). I also like baking sourdough and have a foolproof, easy recipe for those who want one!
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Grab Shift by J.P. Lee:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop
Find J.P. online
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I love how J.P. frames writing as a lifegiving distraction during such a vulnerable time—postpartum depression is such a hidden struggle, and it’s inspiring to see how she turned something deeply personal into a creative outlet that ultimately led to her publishing journey. Her honesty about treating writing as a hobby for years before taking it seriously really resonates, especially for moms who are juggling so much. It’s also cool to hear her favorite genres—historical fiction and memoirs definitely sound like they shape her storytelling in meaningful ways.