Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a native Californian, originally from L.A., but moved up, in every sense of the word, to the San Francisco area in my early 30’s. In order of importance to me, I’m a mom, a wife, a social advocate, a surrogate parent of our adopted dog (she has few demands, which is why she’s a bit down the priority line), writer, creative director, teacher, builder, dreamer.
My debut novel, Reverb, has been called “Riveting; Compelling; An original and unique read,” by recent reviewers. Other works include my fantasy YA/NA short story series, Fractured Fairy Tales of the Twilight Zone—“5 Stars. Great read for YAs, and even some not-so-young adults.” My second novel, Disconnected, called “unabashedly unafraid, completely honest writing,” released July 2014.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
James has been inside my head since I was a kid. Made him up when I felt afraid. Started when I was little, pretending to be a guy because men were supposed to be stronger than women, and when I felt scared I sought strength. I found it in James. As I grew he took on a life of his own, with a complex family history. He was brilliant, what I always wished to be, and insular, like most men seemed to me. Felt compelled to write about him to shed him from me completely. In giving him ground, perhaps I too could find some, learn to handle fear on my own.
For quite some time after finishing the novel, our separation was complete. Fear still takes me by the throat and is choking, often, but now I deal with it instead of cloaking James. He’s merely a character in a novel, after all. But not anymore. The audiobook of Reverb will be out in October. The narrator’s voice has taken James outside of my head. He’s been actualized, made real. And having James out there somewhere now, playing out the rest of his life story as I write this blog, is on the extreme end of surreal.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I drink 10-15 cups of black tea a day, between 8:00a.m. and 2:30p.m. while fine (fiction) writing, then switch to Diet Coke when I get the kids, until 5:00 when I go running. I live on caffeine.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Rod Serling, John Fowles, Ursula LeGuin, Ray Bradbury, Fyodor Dostoyevsky (No joke. Read Crime and Punishment, simply one of the best modern novels ever written!), and I could go on forever here, but…I won’t.
What are you working on now?
The Power Trip is a 3 book YA/NA dystopian series about 4 Stanford students who implement an online game in which players develop predictive models to manipulate each other to do things. First book in series releases summer 2015.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social networking begins with being social online, not just promoting your work. Best to forge relationships for greatest ROI of time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write because you love the process of writing, Ray Bradbury once told me. Read about it here:
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
With great power comes great responsibility.
What are you reading now?
The NYTimes on Sunday’s, as it’s all the time I have right now. Oh, and Scientific American on the toilet. Does that count?
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing. Till I die.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Too many. Unfair question.
Author Websites and Profiles
J. Cafesin Website
J. Cafesin Amazon Profile
J. Cafesin’s Social Media Links
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