Interview With Author Jenny Abamu
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a working journalist whose work has appeared in both local and national platforms including NPR, Fortune Magazine, WAMU, EdSurge, CBS, ABC, Motherly, Yahoo News and more. A former U.S. diplomat, I served in Saudi Arabia and Spain, gaining unique insights into global politics, disinformation, culture, and storytelling. The Herd is my first novel but I hope to write a lot more.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Herd. Working in the media and government, you see a lot of misinformation about what’s happening in your role, your job, and your everyday life. People don’t get it. It’s bizarre, and it’s complex. So I wanted to try an entertaining news literacy lesson of sorts. Also, information has always been about power to me. Those who have information are able to monetize, weaponize, free themselves and profit. I got into journalism because I wanted to democratize that power—to give it back to the public so they could hold the powerful accountable. But as I work in this space, I see people using, distorting, and manipulating information to control others. Information is a two-edged sword and I wanted to capture that.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I think I write better under some sort of pressure, so I create artificial pressure for myself by working while I’m cooking dinner, so I have to finish a certain number of words before the food burns.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
What are you working on now?
Book number 2 of The Herd
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am still learning this.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Marketing sucks, but power through the process .
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Those who quit never knew how close they were to succeeding.
What are you reading now?
parable of the sower by octavia butler
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to get this second book done, then start on the third. The completion of this will be my real gift to myself.
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?
I would need some inspiration so
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