Emma Jane Holmes has spent most of her adult life working in death care, and her passion for writing led to the publication of her blog, Heels and Hearses, which amassed readers worldwide. The popularity of her adventures in the funeral home surprised her, landing a book deal. The blog has since been unpublished, the stories to be found exclusively in her book, One Last Dance. When not working with the dead, Emma Jane could be found on stage as an exotic dancer, trying to be sexy. She attempted to maintain a divide between the two worlds but the adult industry was as fascinating as the funeral home and is the backbone to her strength and character today.
We have Emma Jane Holmes on the blog today to answer a few questions about One Last Dance. Read on!
Emma Jane Holmes
Please tell us about your book, One Last Dance!
EJH: One Last Dance chronicles my life working in both the death care profession and adult industry. The book has three parts, titled ‘Death’, ‘Sex’ and ‘Life’. In part one, we delve into the bowels of the mortuary and funeral home. In part two, the reader steps inside the glittery world of the strip club and a love story emerges in the most unlikely of places. In part three, Emma Jane the funeral director encounters grief when one of her friends dies and reminds her even death care professionals aren’t immune to the grim reaper. What lessons has death taught her on living life as if it’s the last?
This book started out originally as a blog called Heels and Hearses. What made you want to start blogging about your life as a mortician and showgirl?
EJH: I have been writing stories since I was old enough to hold a pen, so it was inevitable these adventures would become a blog or book. I started writing the blog to fulfil my passion for writing, yet I continued it for my readers once I discovered a great interest in my profession.
How did you go about turning Heels and Hearses into this book?
EJH: It was a long process! I first submitted some chapters to an agent, and this resulted in a big fat rejection. So I licked my wounds and kept writing the blog, and to my astonishment, a year later the agent came back to me with interest in another look. A big editorial process over the course of a couple of years shaped the manuscript from a bundle of blog posts to a memoir.
Can you tell us about some of the more unexpected aspects of life that come with being a mortician and a showgirl?
EJH: They are very similar. Both require an element of theatre. Both require resilience and a strong heart, late nights and a few tears.
What do you love the most about your jobs?
EJH: It is my greatest passion to help people. Yes, I was helping people as a lap dancer. Men!
What’s the biggest misconception that people have about showgirls?
EJH: That they are dancing by default; no other choice. Many are graduated doctors, nurses, psychologists; some of the smartest ladies I’ve ever encountered.
What is the last book you read and loved?
EJH: Flying the Nest by Rachel Johns.
What do you hope readers will discover in One Last Dance?
EJH: That funeral directors are not crooks using your grief to fill their wallets. They are the most caring people on the planet who put themselves aside to be there for you. Many haven’t celebrated a Friday night or Christmas in years.
And finally, what’s up next for you?
EJH: I am looking forward to continuing my career as a mental health support worker and helping change their lives.
Thanks Emma Jane!
—One Last Dance by Emma Jane Holmes (HarperCollins Australia) is out now.
One Last Dance
My Life in Mortuary Scrubs and G-strings
Emma Jane Holmes had her dream job, working in the funeral industry, caring for those who could no longer care for themselves. But when the bills mounted after her marriage breakdown, she turned to her other dream - dancing on stage as a showgirl - and her glittering alter ego Madison was born. Emma Jane kept Madison a secret. Madison kept Emma Jane an even bigger one.
But what happens when death touches the neon world of the strip club? And sex - in the form of a cute co-worker - encroaches on the funeral home?...
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Comments
July 10, 2021 at 11:43 pm
Did you ever find out who contacted your parents and told them about your nighttime job as a stripper?? By the way I so enjoyed the read.. loved it !!