Debut Author Jessica Strawser Writes a Whip-Smart Page-Turner (and yes, I love hypens)

Writers’ live intersect these days, and for me, with no one is this more true than with debut author Jessica Strawser.

We’ve exchange writing war stories and publishing journeys via email for over the past few years, and Jessica is the editor of Writer’s Digest where I’ve had multiple articles and essays published. We are both members of WFWA, and Jessica has joined the online reader group, Bloom, where I am one of the hosting Tall Poppy Writers. More than a year ago, her editor approached me to blurb Jessica’s debut novel, ALMOST MISSED YOU, which hit bookshelves and e-readers on Tuesday.

That editor who emailed me early in 2016?

Is now my editor, too.

So you see, this writer world isn’t so isolating all the time after all.

But that’s not why we’re here today. We’re here to celebrate ALMOST MISSED YOU!

Look at that cover! (I may be biased but St. Martin’s really knocks covers out of the park, just sayin’.) To me it evokes a broken world. And that’s what you’ll find in this story.

Here’s what I had to say about it:

In ALMOST MISSED YOU, debut author Jessica Strawser meticulously weaves together a kidnapped child, friends in turmoil, and a Craigslist ad into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and unexpected alliances. This heart-breaking page-turner will make you question how well you really know everyone you hold dear. 

At it’s core, this novel is about a woman’s life and how she navigates through it, with the tools and the information she has. As that changes, so does she. To me, that’s what makes it women’s fiction. It’s definitely got the suspense thing going for it too, which is right on trend. Most importantly, to me, it’s whip-smart. I always appreciate when an author gives me credit for being a savvy reader.

I don’t know how women authors with littles (as they’re now called, I’ve been noticing. I just called mine kids) get books written. Let alone authors with families and full time jobs (which is most of them). I am in awe. I have one dog and a reality TV radar, and that’s enough for me. But not Jessica.

By day, Jessica Strawser is the editorial director of Writer’s Digest magazine, North America’s leading publication for aspiring and working writers since 1920. By night, she is a fiction writer. And by the minute, she is a proud wife and mom to two super sweet and super young kids in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her diverse career in the publishing industry spans more than 15 years and includes stints in book editing, marketing and public relations, and freelance writing and editing. She blogs at WritersDigest.com and elsewhere, and enjoys speaking at conferences and events that are kind enough to invite her.

If you don’t know Jessica, you should. And check out her long-awaited and well-deserved debut novel.

Because one day — it could be you!

Amy xo

jessicastrawser.com / Twitter @jessicastrawser / Facebook @jessicastrawserauthor