much do you worry about generic conventions? Readers expect
AMY: What is your writing routine? Do you tend to be more
certain elements and narrative moves—does that inform your
productive in the mornings or at night? Do you have any
writing on a practical level? Did you feel pressure, for instance,
drinks, snacks, or props that you must have at your writing
to have a love triangle?
desk?
AMY: I keep the market in mind when I am initially thinking
JAMIE:: I get up at 5 each morning and write for an hour
of a story. For instance, when I began thinking about writing
or two, depending on when my son has to be at band. If I’m
Ripper, I thought the subject would have a mass appeal. Jack
lucky I can work in time in the evening as well. Coffee is pretty
the Ripper is an intriguing subject to almost anyone. That said, I
crucial, as is music. Early morning sessions usually mean cool
knew the Pre-Raphaelite sub-plot would be harder to sell to teen
jazz—Dexter Gordon or Sonny Stitt. I have a cozy little office,
readers, but I knew from the start that it had to be part of my
with some tchochkes to keep me company. A nineteenth-
Ripper story, which I wanted to go beyond a typical whodunit.
century phrenology head watches most of what I do. What
My burden was to present it in a way that would be intriguing to
about you?
young readers who weren’t familiar with the lesser-known story. As to the love triangle, for me, it has its roots in Jane Eyre rather than an attempt to meet the expectations of readers.
AMY: Typically, I like to go on a jog first thing in the morning with my dog Annie while listening to my iPod. I work out a lot of plot problems or get ideas while jogging. Then I go home
JAMIE: On a similar note, what do you think about the
and with the dogs at my feet and a large mug of coffee, I write.
proliferation of self-publishing? Barring vanity presses and the
I tend to be very solitary in my writing, only giving initial
glut of bad writing, is self-publishing a valid avenue for talented
drafts to one or two very good close writer friends and my
and motivated writers?
agent. I do enjoy interacting with other authors and readers through Goodreads, SCBWI, blogging, and social media in an attempt to keep up to date on what is happening in the literary
AMY: I think that self-publishing is usually a bad idea. First,
and publishing world. How important is blogging to your
it is expensive. Furthermore, since getting Ripper published, I
social media? Do you think a debut writer should blog or does
have realized all the teamwork involved in putting out a book.
it become a distraction?
My editor gave me wonderful feedback and offered his views and perspectives on aspects of the book that I never would have considered. My copy editor also had a very sharp eye for minor
JAMIE: Done right it can be a very effective tool. I have a
grammatical errors and inconsistencies in the storyline. In spite
blog—it’s the “News” section of jamiesonridenhour.com—but
of the hundreds of times I read the book myself, I really needed
I don’t think I’m using it to its full potential. My wife, who is
their input. Even the best of writers needs a professionally-
an educational reform advocate, is a great role model—her
trained editorial team, and this is not often possible with self-
blog gets followed and retweeted all over the world. Mine
published works. Barking Mad came out with the independent
just sort of sits there. I use Twitter (@jmridenhour) and
press, Typecast. Do you recommend that unpublished writers
Facebook quite a bit, and recently added a Twitter account
pursue independent publishers?
for Reginald Spiffington (@rspiffington), which is a lot of fun. I like connecting with readers and other writers in a real conversation.
JAMIE: I think it depends on what you want. Small presses don’t have the promotional budget of HarperCollins or Random House, but they also won’t drop you after six months if you haven’t sold a quota. The best thing about working with Typecast is that they treat me like an important part of the organization. I can pick up the phone and call my editor any time and she’ll answer. Barking Mad has been out for nine months, and Jen is still calling me with brainstorms for promotion, etc. They make beautiful books, and I’m on a roster with some pretty impressive
For more about Jamie Ridenhour (and to watch his remarkable
writers, Matt Hart and Matthew Lippman among them. I’ll be
little films), he is online at:
shopping Charley Cross to agents and bigger houses, largely
com.
because of its genre, but I’m very happy to be with Typecast.
(http://www.typecastpublishing.com/barkingmad/).
www.jamiesonridenhour.
You can order Barking Mad at Typecast Publishing You can
find out more about Amy Reeves and her books at her website: amycarolreeves.com.
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