Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessika Grewe Glover.
Jessika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have been a writer my whole life, from poems scribbled on Pan Am cocktail napkins, to telling scary stories at Girl Scout camp that got me kicked out of my tent. I graduated from the University of Miami (Go ‘Canes) with a degree in creative writing, but it took until 2018 for me to be ready to take my writing to a professional level. Through a gauntlet of publishing successes and woes, I’m now the published author of five, soon be six books.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Two years ago I was able to reacquire my rights to my fantasy trilogy, from my former publisher. The first two books were published with a myriad of very obvious and humiliating errors, and there were a number of reasons The Author’s Guild was able to step in on my behalf and help me regain my rights. I have since republished them with new editing, formatting, covers, etc. They are truly different books. However, it was an enormous undertaking both financially and emotionally. I was also at the time in a period of failing health exacerbated by the stress of the situation. Cut to today and I am doing fantastic, the books are lovely, and I’ve got two more to boot, with an additional on the way with a new publisher with whom I have been keen to work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a true multi-genre author. My first foray into publishing was my adult contemporary fantasy trilogy, so for a long time, it was what I was know for. That said, my wheelhouse is in upmarket and sometimes literary-leaning thrillers that have a speculative edge. Stars Like Gasoline is a romantic thriller in the style of Florida gothic. My forthcoming book, Bromeliad House, publishing next April with Quill and Crow Publishing House, is also a Florida gothic, which is still romantic, but also rather scary. I leaned into the horror a bit more on this one and it was so much fun. Speaking of horror and romance, this past April, I pulled out a wild card and released BloodLily, a noir-ish spicy vampire romance. The funny thing about writing romance is that once you write one romance book, regardless of the other four, five, six, ten you have that are patently not romance, you are labeled a romance author. This is of course not a label I am opposed to, and instead celebrate, but it is a curious thing. I am also a thriller writer, fantasy writer, gothic writer, and horror writer.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I feel so fortunate to live in LA, an expansive city that exists not only because of artists and dreamers, but embraces them as well. I have called LA home since 2001 and love that it seems like every time I grow more into the person I’ve always meant to become, the city welcomes me more. Being an author in a city that appreciates my love of art, fashion, travel, and, let’s be honest, my dog, is truly incomparable. I have been meeting more and more writers and artists and getting together with the kind of found family only Angelenos can become. If you are interested in picking up one of my books, a few Barnes and Noble stores in SoCal carry signed copies. Plus, smaller indie shops like Heartbound in Anaheim, Smitten in Ventura, and Underdog (a nonprofit bookshop!) Books in Monrovia, all carry stock of my books as well. I’m a huge fan of shopping local and supporting small and marginalized businesses. Otherwise, they can be found online anywhere books are sold.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @jessikagreweglover
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/jessikagreweglover
- Other: https://substack.com/@jessikagreweglover
