Ten questions with Jennifer J. Chow
Publishers Weekly has praised Jennifer Chow for her “original characters, clever banter, and a laid-back California vibe.” This Lefty award-nominated author is active in the crime fiction writing community; she is the current Vice President of Sisters in Crime and is active in Crime Writers of Color and Mystery Writers of America.
1. Please tell us about your debut novel.
My debut novel with a Big 5 publisher was Mimi Lee Gets A Clue (Berkley/Penguin Random House, March 2020). It’s about a Los Angeles pet groomer who needs to clear her name from a murder investigation after being seen arguing with an unscrupulous dog breeder who winds up dead. Bonus: Mimi’s sassy telepathic cat, Marshmallow, joins forces with her.
2. I’ve read that only 4% of the people who start a novel, finish writing it. Why do you think you beat the odds?
It’s probably because I love writing so much. I was the kind of kid who, instead of doodling in the margins of her notebook, would write stories instead. I’m also very stubborn persistent in other areas of my life.
3. Was your debut novel the first book you wrote? (Any prior efforts hiding on your hard drive?)
Nope, I’ve shelved several manuscripts…where they shall stay hidden.
4. What helped you become a better writer? Any books or resources you found helpful?
I enjoy stockpiling books on the craft of writing. One particular favorite is Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. I’m also a proponent of classes, and I appreciated my instructors and peers at The UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. For inspiration, I enjoy subscribing to writing magazines like The Writer and Writer’s Digest.
5. What was your process like getting an agent?
Backwards. I was approached by an editor at PRH about potentially creating a new cozy mystery series with a female Asian American lead. After I secured the deal, I reached out to recommended agents.
The next Mimi comes out November 30, 2021. Available for pre-order!
6. How did you celebrate when you learned your book would be published?
Honestly, I can’t remember. I definitely made it Facebook official. And I probably treated myself to cake—or boba.
7. What was the most exciting moment involving the publication of your debut novel? (The moment you first saw the cover? The call when you learned when it was being published? When you cashed your advance check?)
I think seeing the actual book contract with my name on it. What an amazing feeling!
8. What’s your best advice for someone who wants to be published?
Keep striving. Continue to think up new writing ideas and produce those manuscripts. The publishing industry is subjective, so don’t give up. There will eventually be a match. Also: caffeine for drafts and chocolate for rejections.
9. What are you currently reading? Or, what's one of the best novels you've read lately?
I recently finished an ARC of Red Dirt (Bamboo Ridge Press, November 2021) by Elliot Cades Award-winning author Scott Kikkawa. He’s got Hawaiian noir down to an exciting art form.
10. What are you working on now? Any projects coming out soon?
I’m working on a new series, the L.A. Night Market Mysteries, which will launch in June 2022. I also have two projects releasing soon: Midnight Hour: A Chilling Anthology of Crime Fiction from 20 Authors of Color(November 9, 2021) and Mimi Lee Cracks the Code (November 30, 2021)
To find out more about Jennifer Chow, follow her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
