If you've found me in the vast internet universe then you probably already know I write books. I write fantasy as Janelle Gabay and YA Contemporary as JJ Gabay. I began the journey of writing in college, graduating with a BA in English Literature from the University of South Florida. I worked odd jobs and wrote odd stories that never went anywhere except my desk drawer. From there, I got married and had three children. We adopted more children of the canine and feline species.

I lived! I laughed! I traveled! And honestly, I received more of an education after college. The life I lived and the people I loved gave me the strength to pick up the pen again. To grab the dream I'd put on hold.

I wrote and self-published the fantasy thriller First Born. It did well, and received several 5 and 4-star reviews, as well as, many awards. So I continued Audrey and Tarian's journey with First Awakened. But I had much to learn. And wanted to keep learning, growing, writing. With the help of friends, family, colleagues, agents, editors, etc. I did improve and gain knowledge. As I wrote book 3 of my fantasy trilogy, a new story arose. It wasn't urban fantasy or speculative fiction at all. Dog Girl (working title) began on a plane to Puerto Rico with my daughter. We flew there for an international tennis tournament. Dog Girl found a home at the Belcastro Agency. Hopefully, it will be published in the near future. Until then, I work diligently with the Belcastro team perfecting every last detail. 

When I'm not polishing Dog Girl, I'm writing book 3 in the Guardians of Dare Chronicles and listening for the next story. Like most writers, I have a list of ideas. Some are one sentence long, while others have developed character sketches or first chapters already written. 

Florida is my home state for now. It's the best state for tennis. All three of my children love the sport, and my husband and I love to watch them play. My kids are my greatest achievement. Each one a unique, intelligent, beautiful person inside and out. My own childhood was spent in many states and overseas as I'm the daughter of an Air Force retired Lieutenant Colonel. I owe my sanity to Mom and Dad. As they say, it takes a village. It certainly does! 

Dream on,
Janelle ​