Q&A with Jenna Miller, author of "We Got the Beat"

Hello from Atlanta 📚

Okay, at least I’m assuming that you’ll get this while I’m in Atlanta. Because I’m writing this on Thursday night (who is this well-prepared early bird??), since I’m leaving bright and early on Friday morning — or rather, since I left bright and early on Friday morning — to fly to Atlanta for the Love Y’all Book Fest.

That means that by the time you get this email, I will have spent a whole weekend gallivanting about Atlanta doing bookish things, meeting fabulous authors, hanging out with beloved friends, and in general living my best life!

It’s going to be fabulous.

In this newsletter, I’m so delighted to share a Q&A I did with author Jenna Miller! Her new YA novel, We Got the Beat, comes out this Tuesday on Feb. 20th, and it’s the student newspaper sapphic romance stuff dreams are made of. Read on for more!

Welcome to the interview 🗣️

From Jenna’s website, here’s her bio:

Jenna Miller (she/her) writes Young Adult books about fat, queer, nerdy girls who deserve to be seen and have their voices heard. When she’s not obsessing over words, she can be found making charcuterie boards, befriending people online, or exploring places near and far.

And now, onto the Q&A.

Karis Rogerson: How did you first get started writing and telling stories?

Jenna Miller: I started writing song lyrics in middle school, which turned into poetry, then short stories, then novels. I've always had an active imagination with ideas that won't leave me alone, and the best way for me to bring them to life is through words on the page/computer. I have a Creative Writing degree, and college was when I officially started writing novels.

KR: Why do you write — what drives you?

JM: My brain bullies me! But seriously, when I get an idea, I need to write it down, and from there it just grows naturally until it's a novel. More specifically, I write for teens because they deserve to feel seen and have their voices heard. I want to normalize being fat and being queer and going through tough life situations and finding joy in being who you are. There will never be enough of those stories, and I'm honored to play my small part in that.

KR: Let’s chat about We Got the Beat! What is your favorite thing about this novel?

JM: I love the nerd-jock dynamic between the main character and the love interest! While I tried playing sports when I was younger, they were never for me, but I admired people with those skills. It's fun to dip into that world from an outside perspective with a character who writes about sports rather than plays them. I also love how the teens in the story learn and grow. They're messy at times, but it's also so normal.

KR: What is a secret dream you have for this book (that you’re okay sharing)?

JM: My dream for every book is that it finds its readers who need it. Of course I'd love it to sell a lot and do well so I can keep writing stories, but at the end of the day I just want to feel like it's made a difference for at least one teenager.

KR: Is there anything about We Got the Beat that may surprise readers?

JM: Despite its title, there is no surprise concert by the Go-Gos, sorry!

KR: What was the most challening aspect of the publication process for this book?

JM: I was pretty lucky with this book! I had a two-book deal with my publisher, and when I pitched this book as my second, they were instantly on board. There were edits, of course, but I was happy to have the support of my team.

KR: Is there something you’re celebrating lately, and how are you celebrating it?

JM: Despite the many challenges that come with being an author, I'm just excited to be here with two books out in the world. It's a dream that I never thought would become a reality, so I'm celebrating that! My favorite way to do that is by attending book festivals and going on a book tour to spend time with other writers and readers.

KR: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

JM: Find your people! Writing is such a solitary activity, and having people around who get it is huge. Hype each other up, share your work, support each other through every step. I wouldn't be here without my writing community.

KR: Can you recommend 1-3 books that you’ve read & loved recently?

JM: My Fair Brady by Brian Kennedy, The Davenports by Krystal Marquis. and Something More by Jackie Khalilieh.

And that’s all from this interview! I hope you enjoyed this insight into Jenna’s world, and I hope you’ll pick up a copy of We Got the Beat when it launches this week!

Alla prossima 👋

Remember to call and write your reps and ask for a permanent ceasefire and de-occupation of Palestine.

I love y’all!

— Karis xoxo