Check out this fun interview with author Jami Deise

Hi Jami! It's great to have you with us today! So let's get down to business... When did you first start writing? 

The first writing I remember doing was in the 3rd grade. I wrote a short story called “Light Up the Sky with Firecrackers.” My mom might still have it somewhere. She saved everything I wrote.

And when were you first published? 

I won a poetry contest in the 5th grade. Does that count? The first time I was published was when I wrote a “he said/she said” type article with my dad about using computers for writing. I was pro; he was not quite so pro.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? 

I like any story that features a strong female protagonist. In women’s fiction, we deal with real women and real issues. Sometimes the result is funny, sometimes not so funny, but it’s almost always a protagonist a woman can identify with.

Do you read other genres? If so, which? 

I love horror and mysteries – especially mysteries with a female detective, like Sue Grafton’s series.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it? 

“Keeping Score” is about a divorced mom whose 9-year-old son wants to play travel baseball for the summer. She had no idea the worst competition would be off the field….

What inspired you to write it?

The first summer my son played travel baseball was the summer he was 9, and it was a very trying experience. Now I see the humor in it, but at the time…

Is it part of a series?

If there is a groundswell of demand for a sequel, I will write one!

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?

Only after I just put it in their hands.

Who designs your covers? 

Katrina Joyner. I think she did a great job!

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast? 

Amy Adams as Shannon; Reese Witherspoon as her best frenemy Jennifer.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen? 

Probably “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” I wrote an essay on the book and movie for Chick Lit Central earlier this year. Check it out here.

What were the last two books you read?

“The Partner Track,” by Helen Wan (excellent book!) and “It’s Just a Little Crush” by Caroline Fardig (very fun!)

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known. 

Caroline Fardig. She’s started a great funny mystery series… reminds me a lot of Janet Evanovich.

Where do you write? 

On my couch. The room has a great view, facing the water.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Even though I wrote stories all the time, when I was a kid, I didn’t want to be a writer. Some kind of combination actress/doctor.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: Gage Skidmore

Angelina Jolie!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Kahlua and crème.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Bring on the shopping!
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? No heels for me
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Definitely not E.L. James but I’ve never heard of the other author.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Waaaaaa!!!

Brief author bio. A lifelong resident of Maryland, Jami Deise recently moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, along with her husband Tom, son Alex, and dog Lady. A baseball mom for over 10 years, “Keeping Score” is her first novel. Jami is an associate reviewer at www.chicklitcentral.com and a generalist reader for an NYC-based literary agency. Along with women’s fiction, she loves all things horror and watches too much TV.

Keeping Score on Amazon (Kindle/paperback)
Keeping Score for Nook/iPad
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