An Interview with Jennifer A. Jones

Jennifer A. Jones adores animals, rainy days, and the thrill of living a frugal lifestyle. Married with two grown children, Jennifer enjoys her Texas home, where she cuddles with her dogs, immerses herself in books, and expertly pinches pennies because every cent leads to a dollar.

Jennifer’s first love is writing fiction. Her debut novel, The Mom Group, is an emotionally charged psychological thriller with morally gray characters and a touch of revenge. A new passion for writing about living a frugal lifestyle is based on her long-time way of life. Stop Buying Sh*t and Other Ways to Manage Your Money was released in September 2024.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve been scribbling stories and poems since I was a kid, but took a long break to raise my own little ones. A few years ago, I dove back into the writing pool. There’s just something exhilarating about letting your imagination run wild, crafting quirky characters, and tossing them into all sorts of tricky situations. I get to tinker with personalities, create snappy dialogue, and orchestrate events that keep the story zipping along and tugging at readers’ emotions. I’ve had readers get teary-eyed at some characters and want to punch others. Honestly, it’s the most fun job on the planet!

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’ve spent over twenty-six years in the compliance field at the same company. Along the way, I also taught college courses like Intro to Criminal Justice, Business Law, and Critical Thinking. Fun fact: I was a police officer for a brief stint in my early twenties. While I loved criminal justice enough to go back to school for a master’s degree, I realized that law enforcement wasn’t my true calling.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Naming The Mom Group was a no-brainer! The entire concept for the book sprang from my experiences in real-life mom groups. There was always a whirlwind of drama, and I thought it would be fun to capture that (entirely fictional situations, of course), especially when the online squabbles spill over into the real world.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I picked my book cover, and it was love at first sight! It even ties into a brief reference in the book—can you spot it? But the real magic was holding my book for the first time. Writing a book is a tough, labor-intensive journey, so seeing all that effort come to life brought me immense joy.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

My book does have a soundtrack! You can search Spotify for “The Mom Group Book Playlist” or listen to it here!

The main character loves 80s rock, so the soundtrack includes bands like Skid Row, Cinderella, and Poison.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope my book reminds readers that it’s okay when life is messy. It’s messy for everyone in different ways. But sometimes, it’s the messiness that leads you to where you need to be.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

The most meaningful part has been the response from readers. Knowing that people are diving into my story, hearing their reviews, and seeing my book on their shelves is beyond imagination. I deeply appreciate every single reader and all the support I’ve received along the way.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I published a new nonfiction book in September 2024 called Stop Buying Sh*t and Other Ways to Manage Your Money. I absolutely love embracing a frugal lifestyle! It’s a fun blend of creativity, challenges, and rewards that keeps life interesting and fulfilling. Plus, I like to think of myself as a magician—I make money disappear from expenses and reappear in savings!

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.