Blog - Jenneth Leed

Cover Design for “Up the Ladder”

JennethMarch 1, 2019Artwork, Book Covers, DesignLeave a Comment

I was able to design this cover for Pamela Collazos’s book, Up the Ladder, which you can purchase on Amazon for $5.00! She asked specifically for a simple, vector-like cover made from only artwork, as opposed to my usual style of using photography. This was an incredibly fun project, and I really enjoyed the process.

The concept for the cover came from the idea of the biblical Jacob’s ladder. Pamela described her book’s theme as the idea of climbing this ladder to Heaven to gain enlightenment from God, then bringing it back to earth to share with others. Using that idea of enlightenment, I illustrated lightbulbs hanging from Heaven. The seeker for knowledge must climb a ladder, much like she would to change a lightbulb in her home. Through this image, I was able to convey the idea of Jacob’s Ladder, the quest for enlightenment, and receiving wisdom from God.

Published In “America’s Emerging Writers” National Edition

JennethJanuary 7, 2019Books, Writing1 Comment

Earlier in 2018, my short story, “Fruits of the Spirit Daycare” was accepted by Z Publishing and printed in their Florida’s Emerging Writers, which makes up their national series, America’s Emerging Writers.

It was a great experience, and I really enjoyed seeing my name printed alongside so many other talented writers representing the state of Florida. Little did I know that there would also be a national copy set to print just in time for Christmas — and my story made the cut.

While 2,000 entries were accepted for the state-level publishing, making up all 50 states, only 136 of those 2,000 were selected to make up the national edition: America’s Emerging Writers.

You can buy a copy on Amazon, or click here to buy from Z Publishing’s website. Note that there are two volumes to this book. You can find mine in the first volume.

The Writer’s Block Syndrome

JennethNovember 9, 2018WritingLeave a Comment

This past month, I’ve been struggling with severe writer’s block. I almost never succumb to it’s cold, calloused embrace, but this month has been a doozy for my writer’s mind. What’s worse? I had a paper due; a long paper.

In an attempt to conquer this…impediment…I wrote this short soapbox rant for my nonfiction class:

Today, I have a problem. A real, big-time problem. It’s a problem every writer faces, a problem every writer fears. It comes with no warning, but strikes a quick, agonizing blow to your self-esteem, your peace of mind, and your overall sanity.

I’m talking about writer’s block. The wicked, wicked illness of every writer.

Cover Reveal and Designs for Author Zachariah Wilhelm

JennethOctober 27, 2018Artwork, Book Covers, DesignLeave a Comment

I’m about to mention Zachariah Wilhelm’s awesome new book, A Spark of Light, which is now available on Amazon and Amazon Kindle. Inside you’ll find a collection of short fiction and essays that center on the universal theme of light in a world of darkness. Also, if you want to keep up with his current projects, you can visit him on his website!

In college as a writing major, we get to the end of our education and have to compile a portfolio of all the best work we’ve done in our core writing classes. What’s even more daunting is this: we have to print it in a physical book form, complete with a cover.

Most writers are not graphic designers. We imagine all the cool book covers we’d like to see with our name on them, sure. And we might actually attempt to design a few, but for people at PCC, they typically syphon the project off to a graphic design friend to better focus on the content (since that’s the main part that will be graded).

My portfolio is next semester, but half my class is doing theirs this semester. Eager to practice and attempt a book cover myself while helping my fellow writing friends, I asked Zachariah Wilhelm, who sat next to me in Creative Nonfiction, if he had a cover designer yet. He said no, and the design was due in two weeks.

I volunteered. And boy was I ever excited.

This is what we came up with in the end. He wanted the spark to have severe contrast with the darkness around it, since that’s a strong theme he has throughout his stories: that spark of light in the darkness, that flicker of good in a world of evil. We also wanted to try to connect some of his pieces together with the cover, so we decided to rely on a dark forest and a tire swing, both of which are mentioned in the book.

Middleridge Celebrates “Night Out” (Fairfax Connection)

JennethAugust 9, 2018News Articles, WritingLeave a Comment

Click here to read the PDF version.

Middleridge Celebrates “Night Out”

The Middleridge Civic Association puts on the largest National Night Out party in Fairfax County.

The smell of grilled burger and smoking coals mixed in the air with the soundtrack of live music Tuesday night in Middleridge Park during the community’s National Night Out. Hundreds of Middleridge locals came to celebrate their community at the Middleridge Civic Association’s annual picnic and festival.

“My kids are having a blast. [They’ve got] snow cones, they’ve got fireman helmets, they’ve got badges from the police,” Jenny Scherff listed, a new resident in Middleridge from Alexandria City.Read More

Published In America’s Emerging Writers

JennethAugust 6, 2018Blog, Books, Writing1 Comment

Today I’m happy to announce that my short story (Fruits of the Spirit Daycare) has been accepted by Z Publishing and is included in their America’s Emerging Writers series. You can pre-order a copy of the book, Florida’s Emerging Writers, today by following the link and get it up to two weeks before the official publication date (September 6).

As a further reason why you should check the book out, any money that I raise through this publication will help pay my way to my very first writers’ conference. Going to a writers’ conference has been on my bucket list for literally years, but I’ve never been able to go–nor felt equipped to take such a step forward in my writing career.

But now I’m ready to take a stab at it, and you can help me make it there.

Seven “Must Haves” for Freshmen Attending Pensacola Christian College

JennethAugust 3, 2018Writing27 Comments

UPDATE: Want to know more hacks, tips, and advice for your upcoming years at Pensacola Christian College? Check out my PCC blog written for incoming freshmen where I write about my experience as a college student, offer information and advice, answer questions, and enlist guest bloggers to share their stories. Check out PCC: Declassified if you’re interested. Now, enjoy the post!

So you’re about to go to college. More specifically, you’re headed off to Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. Likely for the first time, you’ll be living mostly on your own and away from your family. Your main concern? You can’t even load the laundry without spilling bleach everywhere.

Don’t worry; I’m totally there with you. When I graduated from high school, Mom had to force me to go shopping for my graduation party. Sucking back tears in Party City, I remember admitting that shopping for graduation decorations was like planning my own funeral.

Life as I knew it was about to change forever.

But don’t panic! College is legit the best years of your life. It’s the perfect category between being a child and adult: You have enough freedom to take on adult responsibilities all within the safety of your family’s health insurance.

A lot of my internet followers found me through my college vlogs (and video projects) on YouTube, and I’m constantly getting questions about PCC, dorm life, tips and hacks, and general inquiries about packing and living as a college student.

In this article, I’m going to give you seven key must-haves as a college student at PCC:

Tide Pods
Bed Shelves
Mattress Pads
Hot Pot and Ramen
First Aid
Winter Clothes
Facebook

And if there are any current students or alumni that find this page, feel free to leave your own suggestions in the comments!

Saratoga Pool a Hot Spot to Cool Off This Summer (Springfield Connection)

JennethAugust 2, 2018News Articles, WritingLeave a Comment

Click here to read the PDF version.

Saratoga Pool a Hot Spot to Cool Off This Summer

Local pool continues to be a source of community for its members

After the climatic deluge from rainstorms throughout the last weeks, Springfield had a few days of blazing sun one would expect at the end of July. Nestled between the neighborhood and Saratoga Shopping Center, the Saratoga Pool provides a respite from the heat and haze prevalent in the late summer months.

“This is kind of my kids’ first exposure to water,” said Lucy North, recently moved from New York. “It’s great because being around friends or other kids their own age has made them stretch themselves in their ability and what they’re willing to try.”Read More

Lorton Library Challenge “Takes You Everywhere”

JennethJuly 25, 2018News Articles, WritingLeave a Comment

Click here to read the PDF version.

Lorton Library Challenge “Takes You Everywhere”

Library integrates STEAM activities with reading program for the summer.

The Lorton Library is halfway through their Summer Reading Adventure, which runs from June 15 to September 1. Children and teens participate in the library’s summer reading program every year to read outside of school and win a coupon book for their efforts.

“I really enjoy working here and working with the kids and the community. It’s great especially in the summertime to connect them with books and activities while they’re out of school,” said Melissa Kariger, youth services manager.

The reading adventure at Lorton is one way the library encourages children to extend their education even during the summer. Any time during the program, children and teens can pick up a reading log at the library or register online and read a specified number of books based on the participant’s age.Read More

Seven Ways to Write Betrayal in Your Novel

JennethJuly 17, 2018Writing9 Comments

I don’t know if I’m just sadistic, or if I have some deep buried emotional trauma from my past, or I’m just a stereotypical writer who likes to bring emotional tragedy on her readers…but I’ve always loved betrayal. I love reading it, writing it–it doesn’t matter.

If I really had to guess why betrayal has always been my go-to literary plot device, it might have something to do with the way I think of loyalty. Loyalty is one of the most important qualities a person could have, in my opinion. And sadly, because we’re human, we rarely find that friend who’s loyal until the end.

We’re all disappointed by one another at some point in our lives, but luckily, it’s a common wound we all share, which makes betrayal in novels a powerful tool to wound your readers, yet still have them come crawling back for more.

I’m going to be using the following examples from TV and literature, so if you don’t want to be spoiled, run awaaaay: Treasure Planet, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 1, the Star Wars original and prequel trilogies, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Inkheart, the Harry Potter series, Legend by Marie Lu, Mean Girls, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

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