Didn't answer your question? E-mail me!
THE BASICS
Are you really Maureen Johnson's assistant?
I really am.
You're a real person? She didn't make you up?
I'm real! I promise! The point of getting an assistant is to have less to do yourself. If MJ made me up, she'd have MORE to do. Not the point.
Is Felicity Disco your real name?
No. MJ nicknamed me that. She tends to give people in her life fake names when she talks about them publicly.
How do I get in touch with you?
Twitter or e-mail both work.
MY JOB
How did you get your job? How do I become an author's assistant?
I just sort of appeared, like Mary Poppins. No, really, I didn't go through a normal job-getting method, so I can't really offer advice. I do know one author's assistant who got his job on CraigsList, so you might try there.
What do you do, exactly? Do you work with MJ in person every day?
I live in a different state, so most of my work is online. I do whatever MJ asks, mostly administrative stuff - updating her site, helping with contests, etc.
Will you gossip/tell us secrets about MJ on your blog?
Nope.
Do you know Sherlock?
I have never met Sherlock, but I have seen many pictures and have sent him presents.
Do you meet famous people through Maureen?
Occasionally.
How do you keep from fangirling/freaking out when you're dealing with Maureen/John Green/other famous people?
You know, they're just . . . people. There can sometimes be an extra layer of things to think about for security and privacy reasons, but when it comes down to it, people are people. Also, I don't tend to have a fangirling sort of personality.
Do you know [xyz piece of information about a writer]?
Maybe, but I won't tell you. Unless it's, like, "When does that awesome book come out?" I'll tell you that.
What's the weirdest thing MJ has had you do?
I won't tell you that either, but it's probably less weird than whatever you're thinking.
Can you get me access to Maureen for this favor/charity/awesome thing I'm doing?
Nope. I'm here to make her have less work, not more. I'd suggest e-mailing her at maureen@maureenjohnsonbooks.com.
ME
Have you read all of MJ's books?
All except Devilish and a few of the anthologies she's in.
What's your favorite?
The Name of the Star.
What's your favorite book in general?
Don't make me choose! If you put a gun to my head, I'd say my favorite books ever are Anne of Green Gables and Pride and Prejudice, and my favorite recent books are the Demon's Lexicon trilogy by Sarah Rees Brennan. I'll read practically everything, but I read a lot of YA, mysteries, spy novels, history, and historical fiction.
Favorite movies?
The Sound of Music, White Christmas, The Best Years of Our Lives
Favorite TV shows?
My favorite current shows are Burn Notice, The Vampire Diaries, and Castle. Favorites now off the air: Avonlea, The West Wing, Buffy/Angel, Veronica Mars, Gilmore Girls, Sports Night, Studio 60. And I love British mysteries like Foyle's War, Miss Marple, Inspector Lewis, Wallander, etc.
Hogwarts house?
Ravenclaw.
Are you a Nerdfighter?
I guess? Okay, here's the thing: I barely ever watch YouTube videos. I just don't think of it. So I've only ever seen a few of the videos and don't know a lot of the Nerdfighter . . . stuff. But I know John and Hank a little, and like them both, so if that counts . . . yes?
MY WRITING
Are you a writer too?
Yup.
Where can we read you? Do you have a book out?
Not yet. Under my real name, I write some nonfiction articles and criticism.
Wait, not YET?
Yeah, like basically everyone else I know, I'm working on a novel.
What's it about?
It's a YA fantasy involving a magical university, palace intrigue, feuding philosophies of magic, and a contest sort of like The Bachelor. With some romance and conspiracy and murder thrown in.
Will Maureen help you get it published?
No, I would never ask that of her.
