DEBUT SPOTLIGHT: JESSICA LEWIS
Today, I am over-the-moon ecstatic to feature an author who is very dear to my heart—Jessica Lewis, whose YA debut, BAD WITCH BURNING launches on August 24th. I first met Jessica when we both became involved with the very first Writer In Motion project two years ago. Bad Witch Burning had just sold to Delacorte, and I was completely starstruck being in Jessica’s presence, because she’s an absolutely brilliant writer as well as one of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. With two starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and a plethora of 5-star reviews from advanced readers, Jessica is an author on the rise. She’s also my friend, and I couldn’t be more proud and excited for her. So without further ado, let’s get to know Jessica and her breakout novel.
The Full Synopsis
Katrell doesn’t mind talking to the dead; she just wishes it made more money. Clients pay her to talk to their deceased loved ones, but it isn’t enough to support her unemployed mother and Mom’s deadbeat boyfriend-of-the-week. Things get worse, when a ghost warns her to stop the summonings or she’ll “burn everything down.” Katrell is willing to call them on their bluff, though. She has no choice. What do ghosts know about eating peanut butter for dinner?
However, when her next summoning accidentally raises someone from the dead, Katrell realizes that a live body is worth a lot more than a dead apparition. And, warning or not, she has no intention of letting this lucrative new business go.
But magic doesn’t come for free, and soon dark forces are closing in on Katrell. The further she goes, the more she risks the lives of not only herself, but those she loves. Katrell faces a choice: resign herself to poverty, or confront the darkness before it’s too late.
"Heart-rending and chilling, Bad Witch Burning is a dark and daring portrait of a Black girl taking back her power. Truly, Black Girl Magic at its finest." -J.Elle, NYT bestselling author of Wings Of Ebony
Paulette: I truly can’t believe your debut week is already here! I’ve watched you work so hard on this novel and pour your time and heart into it. Can you tell us a little bit about BAD WITCH BURNING and what inspired you to write it?
Jessica: BAD WITCH BURNING is about a girl who raises the dead for money. But of course her dark powers have dark consequences, and Katrell has to figure out if money is worth risking her life. BWB was inspired by an anime called Violet Evergarden. It’s very different in tone from BWB, but I was specifically interested in the power of handwritten letters, both to those who write them and those who receive them. I added a mystical power to these letters (talking to the dead) and the rest is history!
Paulette: We have a mutual love for epistolary content, but your spin in BWB is so unique and creative. Even though you claim to be the chaos queen, there’s so much planning that goes into every one of your projects. Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?
Jessica: It’s very chaotic. I spend a lot of time in the idea stage, rearranging things, making them fit a loose theme in my head. Then I write down my pitch, character arcs, and a sketchy outline. This usually takes two weeks. But after my outline is done, it’s in such detail that drafting takes no time at all. Even with my full time job, I can draft a MG in about four weeks and a YA in a little over six weeks. Then comes the editing, but I don’t want to talk about how long that takes…
Paulette: Wow! That’s amazing. And yes…the editing, which never seems to end! Do you have a favorite and least favorite part of the process?
Jessica: My favorite part is the idea stage. I love it when everything is shiny and new, and you can change your mind about everything—setting, characters, themes. It feels like everything is limitless and possible.
Least favorite part is drafting. I used to love it, but now that I know more about writing, I can’t turn my editor brain off as well. It’s painful to write words I know are going to change and I have to try hard not to go back and edit as I go.
Paulette: I agree about the drafting—always a struggle to turn the perfectionism off and just write. You’ve had such a big year, what with debuting BWB and your next novel selling to Delacorte for publication in 2022, as well as several other projects on the back-burner. How have you celebrated your milestones?
*Whispers: I already know the answer to this, but for the sake of the audience…
Jessica: With lots of cake!!
Paulette: Cake is the best! All the cake, all the time. Even with lots of cake for emotional support, debuting can be stressful. What has been the biggest challenge of your debut year?
Jessica: Definitely the promo. I am neurodiverse and easily overwhelmed, so I wasn’t prepared for the sheer amount of THINGS to do. I have so many emails every day! And, of course, I have other books to draft/edit/write proposals for.
Paulette: Yes. There’s always so much to do, and it can feel like standing in a hurricane at times. But you are a star at meeting deadlines and getting things done! I admire your ability to keep such a rigorous schedule.
You’ve helped me so much during my own debut year with your encouraging words and advice. What would you like to share with emerging writers, especially those going into their debut year?
Jessica: Don’t sacrifice your mental health for this industry. Just do what you can. The best way to sell a book is to write a new one, so don’t get lost in all the preorder campaigns, launch events, and interviews. You’re an author, not a marketing exec. Don’t forget to preserve your peace, so you can continue to do what you do best.
Paulette: That’s excellent advice! It’s easy to get swept up in the noise of social media marketing and forget that writing is truly what we do best. It’s been such a pleasure talking with you, Jessica! Thanks for taking the time. I’m so thrilled for you and I can’t wait for Bad Witch Burning
BAD WITCH BURNING will be available wherever books are sold beginning August 24th, or you can pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Books-A-Million.
Jessica Lewis is a Black author and receptionist from Alabama. She has a degree in English Literature and Animal Science (the veterinarian plan did not work out). She lives with her way-funnier-than-her grandmother, who answers all of her wild questions about ghosts and zombies and werewolves, even if she’s annoyed sometimes (read: all the time). When she isn't writing or working, she enjoys binge watching cooking shows and anime or playing farming sims. Her debut novel, BAD WITCH BURNING, has two starred reviews and releases August 24, 2021. You can find her on Twitter or her Website