Featured Author - Jesse Petersen

[Mandie]

Tell us about your book(s)  

Club Monstrosity is about a group of real monsters, sick of their stories being co-opted by authors and directors, who meet in the basement of a New York City church for a support group. Life is all about blending in, hiding who they are for the various creatures (like Wolfman, Dracula, a Frankenstein's monster, Mummy, etc) until some of them start getting murdered... exactly they were killed in their iconic stories. Now the monsters must decide: do they want to hide or fight? Are they ready to become something monstrous to protect themselves.

Where did the idea of your (latest) book come from?    

I loved the concept of a monster support group! Like AA but more "I'm a Frankenstein's Monster and it's been X number of years since someone last uncovered my identity". Once that concept was in mind, it was all about building out my monsters, what challenges they would face with their monster 'powers' and how they would hide. I loved writing this book.

Who and what inspires you to write your books?  

  It really depends on the book. Sometimes it's a character who is so strong I have to know their story, sometimes it's a circumstance like the monster support group. The person who inspires me to keep going no matter how hard things get is my husband.

Each author has their own fascinating journey. How did you begin writing?    

I won a Young Authors award in fifth grade and wanted to be a writer ever since. Of course, I didn't think I could actually do that for a living, so I went to college and got a psychology degree, with the intention of getting my masters and becoming a marriage counselor. I didn't really enjoy my field study though and my husband told me I was only happy when I was writing, so why didn't I do that. I did and never looked back. I published my first book (I write in another genre) in 2005 and my first urban fantasy came out in 2010. Turns out I can actually do this for a living.

What has been the most pleasant surprise about being a writer? How about the most unexpected downside?    

Readers are always my most pleasant surprise. They are so kind, so supportive and so giving. I'm always amazed by our interactions. The most unexpected downside is that often success in writing has nothing to do with talent or how hard you work and try.

Do you have any particular writing routines or rituals?  

 I write five days a week and have page goals every day in order to meet my deadlines. I don't listen to music while I write (I need it to be pretty quiet). Also, I'm a heavy, heavy plotter.

Do you write in order?    

Yes. Almost always. I can't actually think of a book where I wrote out of order, though I've skipped a scene from time to time to come back to it later when I was in a better headspace for it. That's pretty rare.

What is on your playlist when you write?

Don't listen to music when I write. Even music without lyrics distracts me too much.

Favorite writing snack? 

I try not to snack, but I drink a lot of Vanilla Coke Zero.

Where do you like to write?    

I have an office that faces our mountain and I write there.

Do you have any advice for authors wanting to publish?    

Keep writing, keep editing, keep querying, don't put your work out too soon. Just write and write and write to learn your craft.

Are you currently working on anything else?  

My second monster book is THE MONSTERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD and comes out at the end of July, so we're finishing up the final pieces on it. I'm working on a book for my other writing persona and persuing a secret project. :) 

Who is your favorite character and why?  

Of my characters, it's toss up between Sarah from MARRIED WITH ZOMBIES and Natalie from CLUB MONSTROSITY. Both are smart, snarky and very 'me'.  

Favorite book of all time?    

Anne of Green Gables, I can't help it. I still love that book.

I think breakfast says a lot about a person, what is your perfect breakfast?   I normally like a greek yogurt with some almonds for breakfast, but my husband makes this hash with sweet potato and egg and ham and onions that is TO DIE FOR. It's just loads of work. 

Please tell us in one sentence why we should read your book.

It's funny, it's snarky, it's different and I like to pay my light bill.

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