Interview & Excerpt - Interview With a Jewish Vampire by Erica Manfred

When did you know writing was for you? 

 In college, when professors started admiring my writing. A well known one thought my essays were really funny and another sent my grade with a note to let him know when my first book was published.
How would you describe your books?

  Varied.  So far I've written a consumer medical book, a book about divorce, a detective novel and a humorous vampire novel.   I have no idea what that means.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?

   Getting started.   I'll do anything to avoid writing, including shopping at Walmart.
What was the inspiration for Interview with a Jewish Vampire? 

 I've been a vampire fan ever since I read Anne Rice's Interview With a Vampire in the 80s.  Her writing was mesmerizing and the whole concept of a vampire society with it's own rules, cast of characters and passions fascinated me.  Of course it was all in the writing.   Anne Rice was a wizard in that book.  She's never written anything so brilliant again, but I still read her anyway.  From there on I became a fan, watching all the movies and reading vampire books that intrigued me.  I lost interest for a while but then Twilight came along and I fell in love all over again, and True Blood captured me completely.
What are your favorite genres to read?  
These days I like great fantasy novels, like Game of Thrones.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?  

I'd like readers to be so convinced that my book was hysterically funny that can't help telling  everyone they know to read it and leave a rave review on Amazon.  But then my work has no redeeming social value.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?

  Everyone seems to think it's a big deal, but there are a lot of ways to promote and social media is just one of them.  Personally I love Facebook but hate Twitter, and a lot of authors are big Tweeters.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?

  Don't give up your day job.  
**Excerpt - Interview With a Jewish Vampire**
Despite the fact that I had a pretty face, I didn’t get a lot of action on  JDate because I had checked “a few extra pounds” in the body size box. “A few” was an understatement, which is why I always met dates at night in bars. I wore black and got there first so they would see me sitting down. My face was a lot slimmer than the rest of me. Jewish guys were the worst when it came to weight—and everything else. Only a Jewish supermodel who ran a law firm was good enough for the Jewish princes I met on JDate.I was perched on a barstool too teeny to accommodate my rear end, which spilled over the edges. I peered at everyone else's barstools and felt worse seeing all those visible edges. I decided that from now on my goal in life would be to sit on a barstool and be able to see the edges.  I tugged on my low-cut tunic top trying in vain to hide the bulges between chest and crotch which seemed to have a mind of their own, ballooning out despite my best efforts.  At least I was showing some cleavage, my best physical attribute.  He rescued me from what was rapidly becoming a severe fat attack.   
Author Bio:

Erica Manfred is a freelance journalist, humorous essayist, and author.   Her most recent book is the novel,  Interview with a Jewish Vampire.  She’s also authored two non-fiction self-help books, including most recently He’s History You’re Not; Surviving Divorce After Forty.     Her articles and essays have appeared in Cosmopolitan, The New York Times Magazine, Ms., New Age Journal, Village Voice, Woman’s Day, SELF, Ladies Home Journal, and many other publications.  Erica lives in Woodstock, New York with her Chihuahua, Shadow, and her daughter, Freda. Brought up by Jewish parents who spoke Yiddish but avoided religion, she got her Jewish education at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation which welcomes Jews from all backgrounds, from atheist to Orthodox, to vampire.    Her website is www.ericamanfred.com, or visit www.jewishvampire.com

*Interview with a Jewish Vampire is now $2.99 for Kindle and FREE for Amazon Prime Members!*