Meet Jessika Grewe Glover | Author, Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessika Grewe Glover and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessika, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I feel as though I was born with ink in my veins. The need to create, draw, paint, and specifically, write, has been a part of me from my earliest memories. That was always nurtured in me, however, we hear so often that art isn’t a career. you’ll never make a living as a writer. I majored in Creative Writing at The University of Miami, yet still did not take the next step in creating a career of my writing until 2018. I got to a point in my life where I felt I could take the time to write and get the story out. I wrote for myself, yet fairly quickly knew this was the lodestone I’d placed to build my career as an author.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a multi-genre author with both a published fantasy series (Another Beast’s Skin) and a romantic suspense novel (Stars Like Gasoline). I had initially been signed with a publishing house but after compounded disasters, I was able to regain my rights to my fantasy series. Last summer, I had the first two books reedited, reformatted, commissioned new artwork, and had new covers made for the books. Additionally, I published the third and final book. This all happened in a whirlwind after also releasing my first standalone last April. In short, I published four books in six months. I do not recommend this method! You can’t see me right now but I’m laughing at myself because looking back on it, it was a gauntlet. Financially and emotionally. I have a knack for perseverance and I believe this and my dedication to my readers, saw me through this. Just last week, I had my fourth author signing event at Barnes and Noble, selling out of two of my books and most of the other two. I may not be an overnight success but I am staying the course and showing up when and where I can. I take great pride in my work. When readers say they have a new favorite book or I’m their new favorite author, I really feel like I’ve made it. That’s what it’s all about. Being myself and creating, and having the result of that creation resonate in someone so much makes every pebble in the shoe of this journey more than worth it. Have I had an inordinate amount of obstacles on my road to authorhood? Absolutely. Would I change it? It’s possible, but I honestly believe things happen as they do for a reason. I’ve learned a lot about myself, the industry, and my readers along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would probably start with an oat milk match from I Love You So Matcha, then head out for a bookstore tour of SoCal. Maybe start at The Last Bookstore, then up to Book Soup, The Ripped Bodice, Village Well, grabbing something to eat in Culver City, before heading out to the coast. Bestie wants to see Malibu, so we wander and pop into The Getty Villa before going north a bit to The Sunset near Zuma. I’d explain that The Sunset was the inspo restaurant my main character spoke about in A Braiding of Darkness, my second fantasy book. If we aren’t totally wiped, I may drive us up to Ventura and pop into the new romance bookstore, Smitten, before grabbing a beautifully made coffee at Palermo’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, my husband deserves a huge tankful of gratitude. He’s given me the space to pursue this wild ride I’m on.

Instagram: @jessikagreweglover

Twitter: @jessikamittens

Facebook: https://facebook.com/jessikagreweglover

Other: www.jessikagreweglover.substack.com