Author Interview: Alicia Long & Jayne Jones
We are excited to welcome authors, Alicia Long & Jayne Jones, to The Nest today.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: How long have you been writing?
We both took plenty of writing courses in college and law school, but we began our journey of writing our first novel, Capitol Hell, about four years ago.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Can you describe your novel in five words?
Jayne: Saucy. Juicy. Fun. Eye-opening.
Alicia: Witty. Funny. Informative. Light-hearted.
Capitol Hell came about after sharing stories with our friends and family. We both had worked on the Hill for a number of years and we were both privy to much of the madness first-hand. But, after we started sharing our stories and hearing the stories from other staffers who worked on the Hill, we knew we really had something. We couldn't wait to get them all down on paper!
Andrea @ Reading Lark: Which character is your favorite to write?
Jayne: Karma, the Senator's wife.
Alicia: I have to agree. Allison and Janet were fun to write, because I think both Jayne and I drew from some of our own personality traits for those characters. But, Karma was the most fun to write. She is one of those characters who is just so over the top that you can't wait to figure out what antics she is going to be up to next. She takes the term "Prima-Donna" to a whole new level.
Andrea @ Reading Lark: What was the road to publication like for you?
We didn't have a literary agent so we had to work the publication road by ourselves. That being said, when we landed with Beaver's Pond, they gave us the guidance we needed and fast-tracked Capitol Hell for election season. It has been one heck of a ride, and we are still learning as we go!
Andrea @ Reading Lark: What is your favorite bird? (This is a Reading Lark tradition)
Jayne: The Minnesota Loon and Big Bird
Alicia: The Reading Lark! ;)
About The Book:
When recent college graduate Allison Amundson, a small town girl from South Dakota, lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the United States Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III, she thinks she is on the fast track to success.
However, she quickly learns that crazy co-workers, a high maintenance boss, an over-the-top family and an unexpected Presidential bid make Capitol Hill seem even more dysfunctional than portrayed on TV. In fact, it is Capitol Hell.
The second Allison sets foot in the prestigious Senate Russell Building, things begin to go awry. Allison soon realizes her co-workers consist of a Chief of Staff who has little to no control over the antics in the office, a Press Secretary who is not only pompous, but who is constantly primping and preening, and worst of all the Senator himself, who cares more about his rise to fame than the people of Minnesota.
As Allison struggles to juggle a new career, her blooming love interest in Cam (a quiet but loyal Legislative Assistant), and her ever-declining bank account, she is comforted only by her co-worker Janet, a fireplug who spends the majority of her time on-line dating, trying to land a Senator of her own.
Just as Allison and Janet begin to figure out the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, their lives are turned upside down when Senator McDermott announces his bid for President of the United States. Soon, Allison and Janet find themselves at the center of one of the craziest campaigns in history, and hilarity ensues.
This off-beat, funny novel captures and shares what it is like to be a young staffer working on Capitol Hill.
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