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Jane Lovascio is a Boston University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York and now lives just outside of New York City with her husband Jeff.

Her past experience in elementary education combined with her passion for dogs inspired the creation of a series of children’s books based on her own two dogs, Casey and Bella.

She hopes her vibrant story will make children smile everywhere. Each book in the Casey and Bella series supports important charities that help children. Jane’s long-term goal is to start The Casey and Bella Foundation for children.

Thank you Jane for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on.

My latest project is my new book, Casey & Bella Go Green, co-authored with 4th-grader Autumn Varca. Each year I host a national writing contest for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, and the winner gets his/her story published as the next book in the Casey and Bella book series. Casey and Bella Go Green is co-authored with 4th-grader Autumn Varca last year's winner of the Casey and Bella Writing Contest. Autumn's picture and Bio will be included in the book, and the book will raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks.

Have you received any awards for your work?
 
I do not usually submit my books for literary awards. However, I did receive an award for the Central Park Book Fair and an award from Creative Child Magazine.
 
Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?
 
I speak for free at schools and for organizations. I do workshops, career days, and I am willing to do anything to help inspire children's literacy or help not-for-profit organizations.

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?
 
I graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and minor in Education. Doing field work in elementary education helped me realize how much I enjoy working with children. Learning about the mind and how different personalities develop has definitely helped me when it comes to interacting with a variety of people. I enjoy meeting different personalities, and I especially enjoy making children smile!
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?
 
I am very hands on with my approach, and my books are very interactive. I love to interact with children through events, and I love to introduce them to the real Casey and Bella doggies. I do free author visits for schools, and therefore I get the chance to interact with children on a daily basis and see how excited they become when they discover Casey and Bella are real. I also love how inspired children become to write their own Casey and Bella adventures for the Casey and Bella Writing Contest.
 
What will your next project be?
 
 When Casey and Bella Go Green launches this October, I am also going got launch a series of Casey and Bella Go Green interactive website games to teach children about going green. I am also working on an online cartoon for Casey and Bella.
 
I am also working on Casey and Bella Go Boston, and I am still deciding on the charity.
 
Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

I love Louise Hay. She is in inspirational and motivational. Anyone of her books will do!
 
What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

What makes me truly happy and fully satisfied is helping people. I know it sounds corny, but since I was a little girl, I have wanted to help people. I started the brand Casey and Bella with the best intentions. Each book raises money and awareness for a special charity that has touched my heart in some way. As I find a new charity to help, I am motivated to write another book.  One day I hope to start The Casey and Bella Foundation for Children to help raise money and awareness for smaller not-for-profit charities that need assistance. I want my brand and the characters Casey and Bella to be the International symbols for hope and love. I want the characters Casey and Bella to be the go to characters when children or organizations need help.
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?
 
Don’t give up! Whatever it is you chose to do in life, do it because it makes you happy, not for any other reason. If you follow your dreams, you will always be happy. If you are passionate about writing, the go for it! Write the style you want to write and keep pushing forward. Do not get frustrated. It may take some time to build a following or an audience for your work, but it will happen. Stay open and positive, and try to network as much as possible!
 
How did you get started as a writer?
 
I never intended to be an author, I just knew I wanted to do something creative and become an entrepreneur. About 4 years ago, I decided to write start a brand and children’s book series based on my own dogs, Casey and Bella. I found a small publisher, and when I explained the vision for my book series, they thought it was a wonderful concept.  My first book, Casey and Bella Go to New York City, was published 3 years ago. Then things began to unfold. Now my third book comes out this October. It is co-authored with 4th-grader Autumn Varca, winner of last year’s Casey and Bella Writing Contest.

Thank you Jane! We wish you great success with your Casey and Bella book series!