Monday, August 20th, 2012
Welcome J.C. Davies
Please join me in welcoming J.C. Davies to Highlighted Author.
J.C. Davies attended the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard. She graduated with an Undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in public health. She, along with her book, I Got the Fever, has been featured in the news around the world, including, Istoe Independente (Brazil), Sábado (Portugal), Flair (Italy), Naticia al Dia (Venezuela), Nacion (Chile), El Mundo (Spain), ABC News, BBC News, New York Post, Asbury Park Press,… And the list goes on. To check it all out, visit JC’s News Articles page on her web site.
Welcome, J.C. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became an author:
One time, at a book club, an up-in-arms overly PC race crusader asked who gave me the right to write this book. My answer is this: Don’t wait around for people to give you “permission” to do novel, creative, thought-provoking things. You won’t get permission. That is a promise.
That same person later demanded to know (with much righteous indignation), “Who are you?!” I am JC Davies. I have a lot of experience dating people from other cultures, and for the book I interviewed lots of people on the subject, but it’s the “doing” that gave me “the right.” We all have stories, but only a few have the cajones to put in the work.
The world of publishing is entering a whole new era. It is no longer controlled by elite publishing institutions who decide an author’s future via endless piles of rejection slips. Writers’ talents have been and still are being marginalized, but at the same time the powers that be are desperate for original content. So now more than ever, there is no more waiting at the mailbox for the approval of others. You control your own destiny.
To get back to your original question, Charlene: How did I become an author? I had a great idea, wrote a book about it, started a publishing company, learned the nuts and bolts of book publishing, produced a video, designed a website, made innumerable mistakes, and raged this country’s media machine on a daily basis. There were a lot of not-so-great things that came out of the process. Would I do it again? That is a tough one. I don’t think I have an answer yet. I will tell you that writing this book (with a picture of my naked men and all) is the one thing that people find the most interesting about me. I was an analyst on Wall Street for 12 years and no one ever wants to hear me talk about that.
What made you decide to write I Got the Fever.
When I started dating interracially over twenty years ago, there were no books on the subject. I have learned a lot over the last twenty years, but mostly though a painful process of trial and error. I wanted people to learn from my experiences as well as others’ who are quoted in my book. People have this idea that if they date someone of another race or culture something terrible will happen. They don’t know what, but they are sure it will “never work out.” I wrote this book to reduce the fear factor. To help make people feel more comfortable dating among other cultures.
Your book has stirred up some controversy…
People’s main objections about the book are claims that I am stereotyping or a racist. Most of these issues are raised by people who have not read the book. Yes, the topic is provocative, but I have gone to great lengths to get feedback from people of all different races and both sexes. It is not one-sided, not one person’s opinion. People who have dated interracially tend to really enjoy the book because they can really relate to the stories. As for stereotypes, any thoughtful person knows that some stereotypes exist for a reason and, yes, some are not true. I think the book dispels as many stereotypes as it confirms. One thing is for sure: if we cry “racist” or “stereotype” every time someone starts a dialogue about race, we are not going to get very far as a society.
Who’s your biggest supporter? (I know he’s your boyfriend *wink*) Tell us about him.
My boyfriend is a Persian Jew, raised in Iran and forced to leave his home by Ayatollah Khomeiniin during the Islamic revolution of 1979. But he has been in New York City for over 30 years now, so he is really just a cute Jewish guy with a funny accent. He doesn’t like to see all of the unfair negative press I have received, but he has supported me every step of the way. It has been a grueling almost three years, and I would not have been able to do it without his love and support.
What’s coming up next? Anything new for readers to look forward to?
Yes I have three book ideas I am thinking about, and another already in the works. The book currently in progress will discuss a race/culture that was not included in the original book.
And…?
I had two inquiries from major agencies asking if the movie rights were available, but the rights have yet to be sold. There are actually 2-3 different ways the book could be turned into a movie/TV show, so producers would have a lot of options.
Tell us about I Got the Fever.
The book is organized into five parts, one for each culture discussed (Jews, Asians, Blacks, Latinos, and Indians). There is not an overall conclusion, but the two most common cultural conflicts noted were food (i.e. some cultures eat some funky, possibly smelly, alive, and often very different food) and language (worried about feeling left out or family members talking about them). But the book also includes things like: Who is the most generous (Jews, Latinos, and Asians)? Who is the best in bed (Latinos)? Are those stereotypes about men’s equipment true (Blacks no, Asians sort of)? What are some of the dos and don’ts concerning his parents? What are some of the cultural customs that might be very different from how things are in the States?
What they’re saying:
“What makes “I Got The Fever” a must read, is that J.C. Davies does not give generic information that revolves around the typical stereotypes of interracial dating. Instead, she provides detailed comments from real people about how these relationships really work.” - Jason Hendrix
“The book is definitely a fun read thanks to Davies’ easy conversational style and keen sense of humor, which makes this a recommended book for anyone interested in relationships in general and understanding different cultures.” - Ernest Barteldes
Fox News Interview
Video from Silver Fox Book Club can be found
HERE
Radio Interview on Spin Talk with Alan
(Click on the image to go to their site and listen)
I Got the Fever Book Trailer
I Got the Fever
blurb
Are you sick of believing all the good men are either married or gay? Then it’s time to catch the fever—for intercultural dating, that is. The fact is, soulmates come in every color—and I Got the Fever can help you find yours. Injected with pants-wetting anecdotes, eyebrow-raising commentary, and plenty of juicy details, I Got the Fever offers a practical course of treatment for dating within five unique cultures: Latino, Asian, Black, Indian, and Jewish. Plus, author J.C. Davies delivers the low down on every question you ever had about dating men of other races but were too PC to ask:
- Do Asian men like their women submissive?
- Are Jewish men really cheap?
- Are all Indian men well versed in the Kama Sutra?
- Do Latin lovers live up to their reputation?
- Do Black men actually have big, er, uh, equipment?
Whether you’re already in an interracial relationship, contemplating one or just want to be entertained by JC’s conversational style and hilarious anecdotes, I Got the Fever is the perfect prescription for dating in a new and diverse world.
Excerpt
Shared with permission from JC Davies. More available at her Web Site.
Get your copy of I Got the Fever HERE.
Want more J.C.? Here’s where you can find her:
- WEBSITE: http://feverbook.com/
- “RACY JC” BLOG: http://feverbook.com/blog/
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/jcdaviesauthor
- TWITTER: https://twitter.com/#!/jcdaviesauthor
- YOU TUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/jcdaviesauthor
- LINKED IN: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jessica-davies/13/9b/460
