About the Author: Jessica Lewis
What would you like readers to know about you?
I’m a Black author who lives and writes full time in Alabama. I enjoy listening to music (the weirder, the better), reading, and playing relaxing games like Stardew Valley. I’ve also recently taken up cooking as a hobby, which is like art you can eat, so I’m quite happy with that! I love and write in many genres, including horror, fantasy, contemporary, and romance. My pen name, Jazz Taylor, is for my middle grade books.
What music do you listen to (if any) when you write?
When I’m drafting, I love instrumental tracks. My current favorite artist is junior state!
When I’m editing, anything goes. I have specific playlists for each book, but I usually tend to listen to K-hip hop/rap because the beat is steady, but I can’t understand the lyrics so I’m not tempted to sing along and get distracted haha!
What books or authors inspired you to become a writer?
I grew up reading lots of contemporary books like The Princess Diaries and The Gallagher Girls series, but I found my love of fantasy and science fiction in books like Skullduggery Pleasant. The first book I ever tried to (very poorly) emulate was the Maximum Ride series when I was 14 years old.
About the Book: Monstrous
What is your book about for those who haven’t read it?
Monstrous is about a girl who is sacrificed to a giant monster in the woods by a small town. However, instead of being eaten, she makes a bargain with it: if she will help the monster escape from his prison, he will help her get revenge on the town that tried to kill her.
What has been your inspiration for writing it?
I have always loved horror, and I have a soft spot for Kaiju, so this book was born from that. It has all of my favorite things in one book: queer characters, man-eating dogs, giant animals, found family. My debut book borrowed heavily from my real life and thus was difficult to edit, so this time, I was determined to have fun. And it is fun! But it also speaks about difficult topics such as racism, abusive parents, and the struggles a Black, queer kid who lives in the South has to face every day.
What was your favorite scene or part of your book to write?
I love every scene with The Snake. His dialogue was a blast to write and he’s such a fun, grumpy father-figure to my MC. I’m also quite proud of his particular character arc.
Where can your book be purchased?
Anywhere books are sold!
To the Future Writer:
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write a book?
Have fun with it!! Your first book is the best because it’s free of expectations, the pressure of publishing, and self-doubt. Spend that first book drafting the story you want to tell and having a blast with it. All the woes of publishing can come later, so just focus on having a good time with your work.
What’s next for you? Any events, upcoming pubs, etc.
My next book is very different than Monstrous, but it’s still a fun one! Cool Cat, under my pen name Jazz Taylor, will be out September 3, 2024. Preorder now if you like middle grade contemporaries about crushes, cats, and learning that the best version of yourself is your true self.
Where can we find you:
Twitter- @JLew100 (currently on hiatus)
Instagram- @JessicaLewisAuthor
Website- authorjessicalewis.com
What’s on your TBR list?
I’m about to draft a YA romance, so I’m really looking forward to The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall. But after my romance, I’m heading back into horrorland, so I’m eyeing This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer, The Reformatory by Tananarive Due, and The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling.
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