I Love My Authors: Author Interview with Jaimie Hope: The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has A Crush Blog Tour

Welcome Everybody to
I Love My Authors

Today we have the Awesome Jamie Hope with us. Welcome to I Love My Authors Jaimie, it is so nice to have you here. I like to ask questions when I have the opportunity, Jaimie answered a few for us today. Before we get to the Interview I would like to introduce you to Baby Jaimie and to the author herself.

The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has A Crush

From the minute she met him everyone thought Baby Jaimie's first crush was
Derek. Derek even thought so. That's why he asked her first grade teacher, Mrs. Smith if he could come visit her. The day of the visit didn't go as
planned. While Derek was introducing himself a new student, Jack, entered the room and stole everyone's attention. Especially Baby Jaimie's. For that reason Derek took an instant disliking to the new kid. Baby Jaimie is forced to choose between Derek and Jack and she doesn't know what to do.
Is there a way to combine old friends with new friends? Can't they all just get along? Find out in The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has
A Crush.

Jaimie Hope was born November 3, 1976 in New York. It wasn't until high school, where she joined the newspaper staff, that she decided she wanted to be a writer. After graduation, writing was put aside for a while. The author went to college and received an Associates degree in 1999. Then she moved to Florida where she was an active volunteer in the local historical society and remained active in the arts. It wasn't until 2005 that Jaimie wrote her first children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, published in 2006 and Who Says You Can"t Go Home? in 2008. The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School in 2010. Her Autobiography, Roll With It followed by the third volume in her children's series, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright, and her first Paranormal Romance, When You Come Back To Me Again were released in 2011. Finally, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has a Crush was released in 2012. What's next for this author? Currently, she has the fifth volume in the Baby Jaimie series under contract and a couple novels are also in the
works.

Now for the Interview

When did you start writing?

I started writing professionally in 2005, but have been writing and making up stories for as long as I can remember. Before I could write I would entertain others by telling them stories that I created in my head.

What inspired you to do it?

I was originally inspired out of necessity. When I was a child in elementary school I wasn't allowed to run around with the other children on the playground due to the district being afraid of a lawsuit if I got hurt. I was and am disabled, the separation on the playground did nothing to help me in the friend department, so I made up a world filled with my own friends.

Do you find that it is hard to get people excited about what you do?

Actually, people seem to be very impressed when they first hear what I do, so it isn't hard to get them excited in my projects.

What projects have you done?
I currently have eight books published. Four of my books are in my series The Adventures of Baby Jaimie. They are The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes To School, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright and The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie: Has a Crush.

I also have three YA novels. They are Who Says You Can't Go Home?, Bless The Broken Road and When You Come Back To Me Again. One of my books is my Autobiography, Roll With It.

Any new projects coming up?

The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Loses A Tooth is currently slated for release in August as is the coloring book to go along with it. The sixth Baby Jaimie book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes To The Hospital is set for release in November.

I also have a novel coming out this year. The final book in the Who Says You Can't Go Home? trilogy, Somebody Must Be Praying for me will be released sometime this fall.

Do you find it hard to share your work with others?

When I first started in 2005 I used to show my work to just about everyone I know. I stopped this after I realized I was showing my work to my first potential consumers, my family and friends. While I knew most would still buy my books in support of me I began to shy away from sharing manuscripts. Currently, I only share completed manuscripts with my favorite author and great friend, Cindy Springsteen.

What is your opinion on people who post bad reviews?

Bad reviews are a part of the job. I admit they are my least favorite part, but a well written review, even if it's negative, can be helpful in learning what people like or don't like.

Do you have any particular networking groups you would like to share that have helped you move forward with your success?

I belong to several groups on Facebook and Linkedin for networking purposes. I am also a member of SCBWI.

Are you an independent artist or are you represented by an agency?

An Independent

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

Do your research. I mean that on different levels. Before you even write a word do your research in the genre. Read reviews on sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Goodreads to find out what people are saying about the books in that genre. While it is true you should write about the things you like and know most about, when you are writing for money you'll want to write what sells. Example: If you write in the paranormal genre you wouldn't want to write about werewolves if vampires were the only books selling.

After the book is done more research is necessary to find the best publisher. These days there are a lot of publishers that pop up daily. Before you sign anything check them out with the Better Business Bureau and Editors And Predators. Even if they seem legit at that point you should still do a Google search of the company name with the words "complaints and scams" after it.