Author Interview With Jami Gray

Today, Jami Gray has agreed to answer my annoying questions.    Thank you for joining us. 

Who is Jami Gray? What inspired you to start writing?

I’m the coffee addicted, music junkie, Queen Nerd of my personal Geek Squad, Alpha Mom of the Fur Minxes, and award-winning author of the Urban Fantasy series, The Kyn Kronicles, the Paranormal Romantic Suspense series, PSY-IV Teams, and my latest Romantic Suspense series, Fate’s Vultures.

I was eight and had just returned from watching Star Wars at the drive-in theater (yes, the one where you park the car and the clumsy speaker hangs on your window). When I went to bed that night, I spent a couple of hours re-writing the story so Han Solo would have a kick ass female to be with instead of the whiny Princess Leia. Years later, my parents got an electric typewriter so the six teenagers who were in typing class could practice their emerging skills. Needless to say, I took it over and we became inseparable.

What’s your favorite book you’ve written and why?

Oh, that’s a hard one mainly because I really enjoy each world I create. I’d say my favorite of each series is Shadow’s Moon from my UF Kyn Kronicles because I love the relationship between Xander and Wolf.

Marked by Obsession for my PNR PSY-IV Teams because I had to write a non-psychic character who didn’t curse.

Caught in the Aftermath for my post-apocalyptic Rom Suspense because Vex and Math were some of the most challenging characters to partner.

What are the best and worst aspects of writing?

I love the creativity of creating new worlds and characters, but I can get lost in the research and developing the characters’ backstories. While I love writing, the business end can be quite challenging.

How do you balance marketing one book and writing the next?

I have to follow a business plan. Knowing my target dates for editing/releases, etc. helps me stick to a schedule so I know that while I’m working on this particular project, I need to be promoting this title. It helps that I’m a series writer.

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

I’m what’s considered a hybrid—I have a series with a publisher (Escape, Harlequin Australia) and two series are indie.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Being able to bring my imagination to life and share with others.

Do you read books in the genre you write?

Yep, and even some in genres I don’t write in, like erotica, high fantasy, contemporary romance and horror.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to recharge?

Reading is one of the first things, then hiking, and socializing. I’m not the best at peopling but when I surface after a project I take time to reconnect with friends.

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?

I do, I work at a local university in their executive education unit.

What makes you laugh?

Sarcasm, dry humor and puns. I love a good pun.

What (not who) would you take to a lonely island?

Paper and pencil. I need to be able to right. My Kindle wouldn’t last more than a couple of days so I’d have to go old school for my writing.

Who would you like to invite for dinner?

Hmm, does it have to be only one?

Helen Mirren because I want to be her when I grow up.

Dan Rather, because as a journalism major, I’d love a chance to pick his brain on what he’s witnessed.

Ryan Reynolds for sure (and probably his wife, Blake Lively, just because those two are a blast).

It’s time to meet one of your characters. Which book is your character from?

Cheveyo, from Shadow’s Dream.

Who are you and what is your name?

Cheveyo.  I’m the head of the Northwest Magi house, a witch and a damn good cook, if I say so myself.

Are you a fictional or historical figure?

Since most of your readers consider magic fictional, best to go with that.

What should we know about you?

For the longest time I believed my House and my people needed to come first, to the point that I turned away from the one thing I wanted, Tala Whiteriver. Now, when our world is on the brink of being revealed, I’m determined to take what I want.

Tell us about your story. When and where is your tale set?

While my home is in the Pacific Northwest, my presence has been requested by an old friend in the Southwest.

What is your personal goal? What do you ultimately want?

With threats both from the human leaders and the old school Kyn leaders, the Northwest Kyn are the only thing standing between the survival of the supernatural community and extinction. Since I plan on spending as much time as I can with Tala, I want to ensure there’s a world left to exist in. Of course that depends on if Tala and I can find our way through past betrayals and heartache.

What is standing in your way? What conflict(s) do your face?

Power hungry politicians of both human and Kyn variety and one mad, jealous witch.

How do I get a copy of your book?

Shadow’s Dream is the latest in the Kyn Kronicles available at Amazon and in Kindle Unlimited.

Jami, thank you so much for spending time on my blog today.  How do my readers connect with you?

· Website: http://www.JamiGray.com

· Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/LvoZn

· Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jami-Gray/e/B006HU3HJI

· Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JamiGray

· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author