Everyone knows that the holiday season is about giving. With Saturday Spotlight I am able to give all year round. Help me support these lesser-known authors and get their novels into the hands of more readers! Take a chance on something new this holiday season.

Today I am happy to present Jason Pellegrini! He is an author that I have followed for a while now on Twitter. I first found him via our mutual love of Stephen King novels. Once I found out that he is an author as well….well the rest is history. I love seeing his posts and his funko pops.

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About the Author

Jason Pellegrini is a Long Island native who currently resides in Levittown, New York. His previous work, The Replacement, has been an overwhelming success amongst readers on Amazon and Goodreads.

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Jason’s Novels

Booth

The Replacement

The Cool Kids

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Interview

Hello Jason, thank you for joining us today! Without making your fans wait any longer, let’s get started.

 

What inspired you to begin writing?

A friend of mine had written and published a novel of his own back in 2007. To show my support, I picked up a copy, and while reading it I began to wonder if maybe writing was something I’d be good at. I had a bunch of ideas at the time in my head and thought it would be a shame to let them go to waste. So I went through them all, and when I found one I really liked, I decided to give it a shot. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

That is awesome. It really is amazing how as single person can be that push for us to want to try and write for our selves.

 

 

 

Do you consider yourself to be a successful writer? If so, why? If not, what would make you successful?

Success is certainly something that is measured by the individual, even though sometimes society likes to try and dictate what the definition of success is. Personally, I consider what I have accomplished thus far as a success. I have completed and published not only one, but three works of literature. That alone is a success. But add on the fact that people have spent their hard earned money on work and actually enjoy what I put down on paper… how could one not consider that a success?

I completely agree with out. Selling even one book would be a success but having written, published, and sold multiple copies…that is amazing.

 

 

 

Which of your books were most enjoyable to write?

Booth… hands down. The whole process was so much fun. From coming up with a story I felt was very original, to covering a subject—Lincoln’s assassination—that had always interested me. The whole process from start to finish never once felt like a chore.

I kind of guessed that. You seemed so incredibly enthusiastic about its release a while back. It is wonderful that you could use something that fascinated you and create your own story.

 

 

 

Tell us about your first published book. What was the journey like?

It was an interesting one. That’s for sure. Certainly a learning experience. The Replacement had taken nearly four years, from the date I had created the file to the date it was released to the public. There was a lot of stop and go, but the moment I saw a glimmer of the light at the end of the tunnel, I was barreling ahead full force. One of the biggest things is seeing how much I progressed as a writer over the course of four years. Looking back at stuff I had written in 2011 in 2014, when I was doing my edits, was an awakening experience. First, I saw how little I actually knew about writing when I started The Replacement. But even more importantly, I saw how far I had come as a writer in just a few years.

I think that is such a rewarding experience, just to see how much you have grown as a writer since then! I hope I can see that kind of growth in my writing as well.

 

 

 

Are you working on anything currently that you would like to share with your readers?

I’m currently finishing up a novella that I plan on releasing in 2019, along with working on my next novel. That’s really all I’m willing to talk about right now.

That is exciting and now I am curious to know more. Be sure to watch his social media for more information in the future. I know that I will be.

 

 

 

What famous author do you wish could be your mentor? Why?

I suppose I’d have to go with Stephen King. Anyone who follows me on social media, whether Twitter or Instagram, knows how huge of a fan I am of King’s work. He’s definitely my biggest influence in writing. So to learn from someone many consider to be a master of his craft would certainly be an honor.

I do indeed know you enjoy King, that is one of the reasons I began following you!

 

 

 

What is something memorable you have heard from your readers and fans?

Going back to Stephen King; after I released Booth, I received some reviews that said Booth was the kind of story that could hold up with some of the best out there, like King. I had always wanted to be in the same conversation as my favorite author, but never really thought, other than within my wild imagination, that anyone would ever consider me near his league. Not only did I receive that compliment, but I did so pretty early on in my writing career.

That is incredible! I imagine that made your day for sure. So, for those King fans here…read Booth!

 

 

 

Can you show us a picture of what your typical writing space looks like?

Sure. Here’s my work desk. My other work spaces include my bed and the café at my local Barnes & Noble.

I have to say I am jealous of your FUNKO collection. I too find Barned & Noble a great place to write.

 

 

 

Favorite artist and favorite song?

My favorite artist has to be Metallica. At least I’d so, otherwise the full tattoo sleeve of their artwork was silly to get. Favorite song all depends on my mood. That’s like asking my favorite book. There’s just no definitive answer.

Yes, that full sleeve would be silly if you were not a super fan! I agree on the favorite song. To me, it depends on my mood as well.

 

 

 

What is your advice to an aspiring author? on writing? Marketing?

Just keep on plugging away and never stop learning. I believe that the moment you think you’re finished growing as an artist is the moment you’ve failed as one. As far as marketing goes, engage your audience and be yourself. Allow your audience to fall in love with you. That will lead to them falling in love with your work of art. If you try to sell a book before you sell yourself, you’re not going to go very far. People want to buy something, they don’t want to be sold something.

Wonderful advice! I always say that there is always something to learn, you never master anything because we simply keep learning. Being yourself is vital. I think that is crucial. There is nothing worse than meeting an author and finding they are nothing like how they portray themselves online.

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Giveaway

Jason is willing to give away one signed copy of any of his books. The winner can choose which of his three books they would like. Due to shipping costs, you must be living in the US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway