An Interview with Roberta Beach Jacobson
Roberta Beach Jacobson is an American author/poet/editor who is drawn to the magic of words – flash fiction, poetry, song lyrics, puzzles, and stand-up comedy. Her latest book is Demitasse Fiction: One-Minute Reads for Busy People (Alien Buddha Press, 2023). She lives in Indianola, Iowa, with her husband and three cats.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I was submitting my flash fiction to numerous journals, but wanted a little collection in one place.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Very difficult. I went through dozens of ideas to get there.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I’ve been a guide at a national forest, Santa’s elf at an amusement park, and the fleakeeper at Five Fleas Itchy Poetry.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
My mother’s family members were reporters or editors at New York newspapers. Mom encouraged me to write for fun. I was eight when my first little story was published.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
Stop thinking about the end game so much. Just sit down and write drafts.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
A lot can be communicated in a few words.
Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
