JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Missy B. Salick, author of Claiming Jeremiah
(J.J. Autumn Publishing)

On the same night that twenty four-year-old Jordyn Sims has a miscarriage, her sister-in-law Tori Sims conceives a child. Nine months later, Tori, a long term heroin addict, abandons her two-hour-old drug addicted newborn Jeremiah, in a hospital stairwell.

Jordyn receives the news and pursues foster adoption. However, Oscar, Tori’s possessive drug-addicted boyfriend, is not about to give Jeremiah up so easily.

With all odds against her adoption of Jeremiah, and her pregnancy at high risk from increasing stress, will Jordyn win this tough battle, or will her world crumble before her?

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Claiming Jeremiah”?

Missy B. Salick: “Claiming Jeremiah” is a fictional memoir, based loosely off of my personal experience to foster-adopt my son. Through the foster adoption process, there was many times I felt alone and wish there was a book or somewhere I could turn to for insight.

Foster Care and Foster Care adoptions are a sensitive and private untouched topic. Through “Claiming Jeremiah”, my goals are to raise awareness and also provide hope for those experiencing the journey.

JP: What sets “Claiming Jeremiah” apart from other books in the same genre?

MBS: Through “Claiming Jeremiah”, you receive facts and resources about foster care. Not only do you get the view of the foster parents, but you get to see the birth parents perspective and experiences too.

The questions individuals have about birth parents and process are exposed. Why do the parents do drugs? Why are children in foster care so long? What happens to the birth parents after the child enters care?

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to “Claiming Jeremiah” getting out to the public?

MBS: Writing is not something new to me. Growing up, I always wrote in a journal. I still continue to jot ideas down as soon as they pop into my head. Outside of writing, I always had a passion for business management and marketing.

I knew from the beginning I would self-publish “Claiming Jeremiah” because I could have the creative and business control of production. That was very important since the book was so personal to me. On this project, I was able to combine my love for writing, business and marketing all together.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish “Claiming Jeremiah”?

MBS: Each time I write it’s different. I can write on my phone while walking in the street, write on the train or write in the midst of my kids playing at the park.

From beginning to end, it took me around two years to write “Claiming Jeremiah”. I walked away from the first draft for about a year before I returned to revise and publish the final piece. I had no trouble writing; however, when I completed the first draft I thought I was finished.

Once I reread it I knew the story was an incomplete puzzle that was missing some pieces. I had to walk away, take a break, and focus on other areas in my life. Once I came back to the computer the missing pieces flowed naturally, making the story whole.

JP: What’s next for Missy B Salick?

MBS: There will be a sequel to “Claiming Jeremiah”. This story touched bases with the process of foster care and what happens before the child comes into your home. The sequel will cover what happens next in the adoption phase.

In 2014, I plan on focusing on building my publishing brand by publishing authors who feature a social topic. I also plan to rollout films, screenplays and workshops. All this will be under my new company called Virgo Girl Media.

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https//www.goodreads.com/book/show/17791311-claiming-jeremiah

“I’ve created iJournalNow Project. iJournalNow Project is an outreach program geared towards increasing knowledge of creativity, leadership and goals to underprivileged children through journal writing. Journal writing has been proven to be a wonderful outlet for expression. If you or an organization is interested in getting involved please contact me at ijournalnow@gmail.com.” ~ Missy B. Salick

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