Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jaime Grazio, originally hailing from Massachusetts (Go Sox), has a killer Boston accent that she drops after a few beers at the “bahs” in Denver, Colorado, her home for the past 9 years. A self-proclaimed wanderer, Jaime has traveled to 54 countries so far with a goal of making it to triple digits in her lifetime. Her obsession for jet-setting started at 19 years old when she ventured to Madrid for a five-month study abroad program on a whim. She came back forever changed, rolling her “r’s and with a side part. Jaime continued her studies, acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and landing her dream job of working in the educational travel industry. Over the past 10 years, she has lived out her passion of trotting the globe, chasing the colors of the world and capturing them in photos.
Once Upon an Oktoberfest is her first published memoir documenting the one moment that she’s been dreaming of her whole life; finding her Prince Charming. You can expect more travel memoirs from her in the future as her affinity for writing, traveling and photography will never subside.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest (and only) book is called Once Upon an Oktoberfest and it is a memoir about how I met the love of my life in Munich at a beer festival and the crazy romantic international love story that followed. It started out as a blog (www.onceuponanoktoberfest.com) that I turned into a book after it gained traction worldwide. I wrote it while dealing with the heartbreak of long distance separation to get me through those tough weeks/months apart from him. Reliving our memories reminded me each time I typed as to why going through this was all worth it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My most unusual habits are writing on my phone (people find this crazy but I am at ease typing away rather handwriting, even on a small screen) and my ability to write the words out best when on a plane. My creative juices flow while 35000 feet in the air better than anywhere else and I blame it on not having anything else to really do or distract me from my thoughts. In other words, I love flying because of it!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I absolutely love Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love and find that my raw honest vulnerable style is similar to hers. Travel, Love, Honesty and Sarcasm – it’s just real and makes you that much more able to relate to her and hopefully for my readers to me.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a travel blog in which I share my itineraries and photos from places I’ve traveled, along with tips on planning and traveling on the cheap. It’s a work in progress as I just started it but you can find the stories, photos and itins at www.grazgoesglobal.com or on Facebook: Graz Goes Global and Instagram: @grazgoesglobal
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Facebook has been a powerful tool when promoting, whether it be on my page or a group page about travel/love to get the word out there about my memoir.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and editing and revising and never be satisfied until it is up to your standards of writing. I can’t tell you how many times I re-read each chapter and re-wrote sentences. Also, hire an editor with actual skills in the field once you’re ready to publish – I used Upwork to find one while still not paying a fortune and it was one of the best decisions ever.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Anything is possible. Dream big and follow your heart in all facets of your life. Even if my book doesn’t really go anywhere, I know that sharing it with the 6000 people who read it as a blog changed and inspired people as the messages I received and support was incredible. That is enough for me to be proud of putting my work out there. Never hold back. Be you.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently so busy trying to get my travel blog up to date that I haven’t been reading. I plan to pick up a book again once I am up to speed.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Again, I think I’ll be sticking with the travel blog for a while. I have written a slew of poems and a few songs in my lifetime and could also see myself doing something with poetry and photography (I love taking travel photos). We shall see!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
My own of course but eat pray love, the eragon series (including his new yet to come out book) and game of thrones series.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jaime Grazio Website
Jaime Grazio Amazon Profile
Jaime Grazio’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile