Interview With Author Jo Richardson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi! I’m Jo & I’m an introvert. I don’t really like to talk about myself much because let’s face it, it’s more about them *nods to characters* than it is about me, but, simply put:
I’m a huge FanAddict – I’m into everything from the big screen to the small screen and I am Avengers obsessed. I’m a mystery aficionado who’s paranormally fascinated, and am a graduate of the world renowned Sarcasm academy.
I’m broken, I’m twisted, and I am a firm believer that love is perfectly imperfect. Because life is messy. But I like to write about the mess and make something good come out of it.
I’ve written 9 published books – some are full length, some are novellas, some are part of anthologies and I’m working on my 10th with an old writing buddy as we speak.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest title is Summer Job – it’s about Ella Green. She’s a sassy, smart PI who’s just trying to take a vacation. Only she can’t seem to turn down money when so much of it’s being offered for such a small, “easy” job.
Her character was inspired by the lead character in another book I’ve written about a guy named Jackson Stiles – she’s sort of a “Jackson adjacent” story, and although Summer Job is a stand alone story, Ella Green is related to someone in that Jackson’s life. Once I started thinking about her, I couldn’t stop. That’s how it goes, sometimes.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write stream of consciousness all the way through until the end. Sometimes sections of those thoughts are the best parts of the story I end up with. I try very… VERY hard not to edit until I’m done because in the past, I’ve taken forever to finish because I keep on going back to the beginning to “read through” … “real quick”… *eye roll*.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh my… Let’s see…
Jim Butcher. LOVE his Dresden Files series because our hero just cannot catch a break and there’s something beautiful in that.
Sarah Addison Allen, because I love the subtle way she adds the paranormal to her stories. It’s not over the top, in your face (which is great in it’s own right) – it just kind of sneaks up on you and I love that. It’s magical.
I could name so many people that I love reading, there just isn’t enough time in the day (or space in this interview).
What are you working on now?
I’m co-writing a story with a great friend of mine, Marie Winters. We’re putting a story together for a holiday anthology coming out this November.
The story is set in a small town in Wisconsin where our leading lady loves it there, and our main man does not.
It’s called – How to save a rural mall (in three easy steps)
Step 1: Overhaul Christmas village.
Step 2: Get the business owners on board.
Step 3: Hire the best Santa the Oak Grove Mall has ever seen.
Candace Kane has one goal this holiday season. To save Christmas.
Nick Frost just needs a job, a stiff drink, and to forget how he lost his livelihood, his friends, and most of his money in less than a day.
He’s not exactly happy about filling in as Santa Claus at the Oak Grove Mall back in his hometown of Hillcrest, Wisconsin. Candace isn’t thrilled about it either but she needs to get Nick on board if she wants to keep the mall from closing and keep her new job.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have kept all of my books on Amazon only, and enroll them into the Kindle Unlimited program. So when I promote it’s usually gearing toward that. I use BookFunnel a lot these days, and BookSirens, and I try to find other affordable places that won’t break my bank account – to try and spread the word in hopes of finding new readers. You never know who’s going to stumble across one of my stories and absolutely love it. When that happens I’m flying high for months.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t do this for the money. If you’re doing it for the money, you’re doing it wrong. Do it because you LOVE it. And because you absolutely have to tell a story that’s been eating at your brain.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
If you have no critics, you will have no success.
What are you reading now?
I’ve picked up Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On books and I am so excited about them!
If you’ve read Fan Girl, you know exactly why I’m reading about Simon and Baz!
What’s next for you as a writer?
My partner and crime and I have plans for a story we feel pretty passionate about – we’re going to work on getting that published and then start the next story. And then the next one, and the next, and the next… you know the drill.
I’ve got little projects coming up – anthologies I’ve signed up for, shared worlds, too. The next few years are going to be very busy. 🙂
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?
OK. I’ve thought about this a lot actually. And I’m trying not cheat and mention series. I assume that does not count. So…
1) Lord of the Rings,
2) The Great Gatsby,
3) The Count of Monte Cristo (that should keep me busy for a while), and
4) The Outsiders.
BUT, just in case we ARE talking series counts:
1) Jim Butcher’s entire series of Dresden Files,
2) The Lord of the Rings (including The Hobbit),
3) George RR Martin’s GOT books (he’d have to come and finish them for me tho), and
4) The Twilight books. Because, that’s why.
Author Websites and Profiles
Jo Richardson’s Social Media Links