Magical Musings

I’m so pleased to interview Jeff Rivera, who has one of the most interesting journey to publication I’ve heard — and he did it his own way.  I want to gush, but instead I’ll let you read for yourself. 

Edie: Jeff, you have an amazing story, going from being homeless and living in a car, to writing your own book and self-publishing it, then getting an agent and having FOREVER MY LADY published with Grand Central. Could you tell us how you came from living in a car to writing a book?

Jeff: I know you’ve heard this before but everything truly does happen for a reason. My mother was involved in an abusive relationship, she decided to get out and I decided to go with her wherever that might lead. I do not regret that decision and would make it once again if I had the chance. Unfortunately, after my brother, mom and I could no longer afford the weekly studio we were staying in, we ended up staying with a nightmare wicked witch lady and her children (who were actually very nice) and that didn’t work out. She basically kicked us out and we ended up sleeping in our car. Our church turned their back against us and the friends we thought we had in the church literally refused to talk to us or take us in. So, here we are living in this car and with no food, no food stamps (cause the government said we made too much money) we’d go to the grocery stores and hope they had samples to eat. Or we’d go to Wendy’s and ask if they had any left over food, humiliating and not fun. Things got so intense that my mom ended up having a nervous breakdown after we were left sharing a jar of peanut butter and and one plastic spoon and her so-called best friend refused to help also. She just cracked and the ambulance ended up taking her away. She’s never been the same again.

I didn’t know what to do but I had this sense of peace that came over me that everything was going to be just fine. The government stepped in, cause she had this breakdown, got us a place to live and from that point on we got regular jobs. My first job was working at K-Mart, I was so glad to have that. But I hated my boss who was another wicked witch too! Anyway, I met a friend of mine there who was trying to turn his life around as well but he came from a gang and was trying to shape up his life for his lady. He’d come in with poems and always talked about her to us and we’d be enthralled with his passion for her. That’s what sparked the idea that would become the novel Forever My Lady and I put in it things I’ve been through in my life. I didn’t want rejection so I self-published the book with my only $200, promoted it online, it became so huge that it sparked the interest of Warner/Grand Central and the rest is history…

Edie: I hope your mother finds peace of mind. She must be very proud of your accomplishments. Did you want to be a writer before this?

Jeff: I’ve always wanted to be a writer in some form because I’ve been writing since I was in the first grade.

Edie: What made you choose the self-publishing route? Did you try the agent/editor route first? Would you self-publish again?

Jeff: I went the self-publishing route because I didn’t want rejection. I didn’t go the typical route because I never do things “typical”. I always do what feels right to me. And yes, I would definitely self-publish again. I see myself going back and forth from self-publishing to traditional depending on the project.

Edie: A friend, Zoe Winters, is starting her publishing and pod cast company and one of her books should be available soon. What advice would you give her and other people doing this? Or as Zoe says: going indie.

Jeff: I would say promote, promote, promote! Collect those email addresses and build your fanbase online so you can then go to a major publisher with proof that you have 10,000 or more fans and they’ll cut you a check.

Edie: How did you get your agent and publishing contract?

Jeff: I got my agent in another a-typical way. I spam blasted everyone in the publishing industry, over a thousand names with nothing but my prologue and my book cover in the body of an email, not even an introduction letter. I figured the right person would get it and respond, and they did. I found my publisher was looking for Latino-themed stories on MarcelaLandres.com and sent it just on a whim. I figured, hey you never know what might happen. Then when I got an agent they read it over the weekend and had an offer in less than 7 days.

Edie: Would you like to tell us a little about Forever My Lady?

Jeff: Yes, the story is about a kid who everyone hates and rejects. He’s the type of kid you’d think is a punk, even his own mom rejects him but this one special little girl sees past all that. The two of them are soul mates and plan on staying together forever but as Dio, the main character grows up he ends up on the wrong side of the tracks, and lands in prison boot camp. He promises Jennifer, the love of his life he’ll turn his life around and marry her. She promises to stay by his side but when he gets out he discovers she’s planning on marrying someone else.

Edie: What’s next for you?

Jeff: I’m working on the sequel and some YA novels too.

Edie: I love the positive message on your website and in the beginning of Forever My Lady:

“To anyone who’s ever had a dream and
dared to follow it through no matter what.
This book is my living proof to the world that dreams
do come true in real life, not just in the movies.” – Jeff Rivera

Edie: What’s in you that made you go from homelessness to writing and selling your own book? What keeps you so positive?

Jeff: Thanks! It’s not in my nature to give up. I must write, that is very much part of who I am as much as breathing. So, I keep going.

Jeff, thanks for sharing your amazing journey with us!
Readers, you can find Forever My Lady online and in stores, and you can read an excerpt here. You can learn more about Jeff and his book by visiting http://www.jeffrivera.com.