New Adult Book Club discussion

Hi Everyone, our weekend Q&A is with Jennifer Ann, author of Adam's List

I'm an indie author from Minnesota (in addition to writing I help my husband in the field...I’m the most untraditional farm wife you’ll ever meet!). I’ve published 7 YA paranormal romance novels under my full name, Jen Naumann (New-man, like the guy from Seinfeld). At the beginning of this year I decided to go ahead with the idea for a NA romance that's been lurking in the back of my mind for decades. I'm writing in this genre under a pen name (my legal first and middle names) so my current fans don't get confused when there aren't any creatures making an appearance at any point.

ADAM'S LIST comes out in June (cover reveal set for May 23rd)! It's the story of a witty college student (Jewels) with a tough past who has basically given up on life until she meets a sweet, incredibly attractive guy at a party (Adam). Since Adam claims to have lived a sheltered life, Jewels comes up with a list of things and places he should experience. She thinks Adam is just being facetious until later when he proposes that she come along on the “trip” they created. Jewels is majorly torn because (1) she's already seeing someone when she meets Adam, (2) she can't agree to go on an adventure like that with a complete stranger, and (3) Adam claims there's a reason he would make a terrible boyfriend, so he's asking her to strictly come along as a friend despite the sexual attraction between them. Eventually they agree Adam should keep his reason a secret as he claims it would ruin everything, though Jewels questions this agreement when her feelings for him begin to run deeper. The majority of the story deals with Jewels's struggle to keep their relationship platonic at Adam's request, while keeping her sexual desires in check. So basically it's a deep love story with some pretty steamy scenes.

I had a blast writing ADAM'S LIST for many reasons, but mainly because I LOVE to travel. The New York portion of the book is based on a brownstone I rented with a group of friends last winter. I'd do anything to move out there! I also have a serious obsession with music and concerts (and the tattoos to prove it), so there are a ton of song references in the book. I even created a playlist on Spotify and YouTube to go along with the story.

All of your books to this point have been for the Young Adult. Did you have difficulty switching from the YA genre to a more Adult theme?

Your creativity is 'out of this world'. What would you consider to be your biggest inspiration when it comes to characters and theme?

The trailer for Adam's List is pretty cool. Have you personally been to all the places that popped up and of the place you have been, which is your favorite?

Hoping also you could post a links on Goodreads to the playlists on Spotify and YouTube. I love a good soundtrack!

Corrie wrote: "All of your books to this point have been for the Young Adult. Did you have difficulty switching from the YA genre to a more Adult theme?"

It was actually fairly easy to switch over, partly because I'm able to use more of my natural adult voice and experiences! When I was in high school and college I wrote a few stories about girls who had just graduated, so it wasn't anything new. It also feels good to come up for air from the paranormal genre as most of the books I've written in my life have been contemporary romance. I'm excited to finally publish one!

Corrie wrote: "The trailer for Adam's List is pretty cool. Have you personally been to all the places that popped up and of the place you have been, which is your favorite?"

I'm just like the main character in the story and LOVE to travel! I HAVE been to Chicago twice, but it's almost been 20 years since the last trip, so I had to rely on a lot of research to keep details accurate. I'm going back there this summer for the Lollapalooza festival, however, and can't wait to see it with my "adult" eyes!

New York is definitely my favorite vacation spot! I've been there 3 times and can't wait to go again...I'm a small town girl with a big city heart! Some of the pictures from the trailer were from my last trip, and the brownstone in Murray Hill where the characters stay is describing the place I rented with a few friends. Everything about NYC is fascinating and charming to me. On my last trip I got a tattoo at Wooster Street Social Club (the place where they filmed the reality show "New York Ink") to commemorate my memory of being there!

Corrie wrote: "Hoping also you could post a links on Goodreads to the playlists on Spotify and YouTube. I love a good soundtrack!"

Thanks for stopping in, Corrie! Glad to hear you share my love of a good soundtrack. I had very specific songs in mind while writing ADAM'S LIST, so coming up with these playlists was a ton of fun. I'm a bit of a music addict...

JUST A SIDE NOTE: there is at least one song on this list that isn't work/kid friendly (Nine Inch Nails)!

YouTube

Spotify

Natalie wrote: "Hi Everyone, our weekend Q&A is with Jennifer Ann, author of Adam's List"

Thanks for having me! I hope people feel free to ask me anything writing related or otherwise. I apologize for not answering the questions with my "Jennifer Ann" profile...I just caught on after answering most of Corrie's questions that I wasn't logged in under my pen name.

Corrie wrote: "Your creativity is 'out of this world'. What would you consider to be your biggest inspiration when it comes to characters and theme?"

Oops, just saw that I missed this. Guess it gives me the opportunity to answer one under the proper pen name. ;)

Are you just trying to word it nicely rather than saying I'm strange or demented? LOL

This is a pretty tough one to answer. My inspiration always seems to come from different places. More often than not it's just me daydreaming, wondering how something would play out if it happened in real life (i.e. zombie outbreak, a paranormal world where ALL supernatural creatures exist).

I've always been a hugs fan of the creature genre, whether through TV shows (X-Files and Supernatural), movies (Zombieland, Signs), or books (Stephen King all the way), so it seems natural that I want to write about those things. A few times I've been inspired by music. Jack Johnson (one of my top 5 favorite musicians) in general made me want to write WHAT I'VE DONE. Music gets me in the proper mood to write, although I have to listen to very specific songs or my mind wanders.

ADAM'S LIST was inspired by three things: (1) my love of traveling, (2) me daydreaming what would've happened if I had taken more chances in life when I was that age, and (3) life experiences my dear little cousin endured (and I can't go any deeper into that without spoiling Adam's big secret).

Why did you choose to self publish rather than work the publisher circuit?

Corrie wrote: "Why did you choose to self publish rather than work the publisher circuit?"

SOOO many reasons I chose to self-publish! (1) I'm a control freak. I don't like people telling me what to do or how to do it. It's the reason I made for a terrible secretary. (2) Since I can do it myself, I don't see a reason to let someone else share in my proceeds. I've had many conversations with traditionally published authors and agents, and know just because you're signed doesn't mean they help you with marketing, etc. (3) I don't have the patience it requires to traditionally publish. I would seriously go INSANE if I had to wait a whole year to release my work! (4) I don't have it in me to go through the game of finding a publisher who will get behind my work. There are millions of books out there, and only so many publishing houses. The market is heavily over-saturated. (5) As a self-published author, I can change my covers when I feel like it, and update my books fairly easily.

I'm sure if I gave it more thought, I'd come up with even more reasons. The bottom line is that it's the right path for me! :)