MMMM: and the music that made me was the winner in the Sexuality/Relationships category in the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Heather Joy.
“Holy moly: this is insane! First off, a big thank you to all the judges who felt my book shined the brightest in the Sexuality and Relationships category. What an honor. I’d also like to give kudos to all the other authors who submitted their talent. There are so many valuable stories out there to be read!”
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
MMMM: and the music that made me, June 2024
What’s the book’s first line?
Welp, Murder is the first chapter and it starts with: “Why not start this ish off with a bang!?”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
MMMM: and the music that made me can make a reader cry, laugh, and yell at the author for being an idiot – all in one chapter! The essays range from motherhood to men, media to motorized vehicles, and more. Perhaps there is something for everyone.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
People kept telling me that my life would make a decent book after hearing me share some of my past experiences. Finally I figured, “What the heck. Let me write this thing!”
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Even though it’s an autobiography, I consider music a main character too. There’s at least one footnote of a song on each chapter page and tons more songs listed throughout the essays. The reader is definitely set up for a great playlist, especially if they dig nineties music, haha.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Maybe to not feel alone? Or be glad they aren’t me? I share some difficult experiences, but my aim was to keep those types of conversations going. To realize life is here to explore, or that we are all doing our best to survive another day. Plus, books cure boredom, so pass that factoid (and my book) around.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
MMMM: and the music that made me already stated it would be a dream if Juno Temple played me in the movie version. Furthermore, several other characters are compared to celebrity look-alikes, so BAM!, they’re casted too.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I started piecing my stories together about five years or so ago.
Is this the first book that you’ve written?
Besides journaling my little heart out as a teenager, yes, this is my first published book.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a single-mother, an administrative assistant for an engineering firm, and I work at a retirement community in the catering department.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
During MMMM: and the music that made me, I easily spent 8 hours a day writing it.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The answer to this question is a double edged sword. The best part is the accomplishment of publishing a book without the boost of notoriety, being a nepotism baby, or something else along those lines. The hardest part is marketing the book without the boost of notoriety, being a nepotism baby, or something else along those lines. Yelp.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
The first time I was asked this question, my answer was no. Now, I might consider it. Sometimes people change.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
The day I hear someone say, “I did that too!” or “That happened to me and I’ve never told anyone!” after reading my book, I’ll be the happiest gal on the block. Because that right there is my motivation: readers finding a connection.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Since I read mostly autobiographies, I don’t really have a legit answer here. I will say that I just finished Tommy Lee’s book and Maria Shriver’s is on hold at the library for my next read. So, yes, I’m all over the map. To me, reading autobiographies is the best way to learn about humanity and that’s what I admire most: people’s true stories that leave a lasting impression.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Meh. I don’t want to take credit for anyone else’s work. There’s plenty of room on the bookshelf for all of us.