Interview with Jay Clark, author of The Edumacation of Jay Baker

Jay Clark, author of The Edumacation of Jay Baker, is here today to answer some questions about his book and such. So without a further ado...

In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why teens (or even adults) should consider buying The Edumacation of Jay Baker the next time they see it in stores or online?

1. Because each book comes with a Golden Retriever puppy! Just kidding, but everything sounds more appealing when you associate it with a furry canine snugglemuffin. Until those mischief-makers start peeing on my book, then the deal is off!

2. Because it’ll remind you of your own awkward high school experiences in the most humorous possible way. On the count of three, let’s all rid ourselves of our inferiority complexes. One, two…gotta go, the cool kids just offered me a spot at their lunch table.

3. Because every time you buy this book, an angel gets its wings. Plus, I’ll donate an unspecified sum of money to the “Angel Wings Are Ridiculously Expensive, Especially in This Economy Foundation.*

The Edumacation of Jay Baker tells the story of Jay so you can you tell us a little about it? In addition, if you could offer him any advice, what would you say?

Edumacation is a coming-of-age tome about a man-boy dealing with girl/parental/IBS problems in the best way he knows how—by being a sarcasm-spewing b-hole. Will he learn to get real and deal with the turds that life’s toilet bowl swirls his way, or drown in a sea of irony a la poop-on-a-stick?

Insofar as advice to Jay, I’d say, “Give that buttprint on the couch a breather, put down your Cherry Pop-Tart, and go kiss the girl(s) of your dreams, Jay Baker—I’m trying to write a decent book about you.” Then he’d probably flip me the “J-bird” and offer up his other Wii controller, to which I’d respond by killing him at Mario Kart with the ever-capable Yoshi at the helm.

How did the title The Edumacation of Jay Baker come to be?

I originally pitched the book as—brace yourselves—Teen Makeover: Broken Home Edition. But then I realized that every dude within a ten-mile radius would run away screaming from it, so I started racking my brain for song/album titles to spoof. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill popped into my head. I replaced the “Misedu” with “Eduma,” and now…I don’t think anybody gets it. They’re like, “Funny word…but what does it mean?” Ha!

As a debut author, what has been one of the most exciting events you have encountered so far?

It was pretty awesome having a big spread about the book on the front page of my hometown paper, The Bellefontaine Examiner. It was also surprisingly embarrassing. I thought I’d eat that kind of recognition up with a spoon, but I’m really just a hermit at heart.

I adore the cover of the book. What was your reaction when you saw it for the first time?

Thank you! I’ve grown to like the cover. At first, I didn’t think it was edgy enough. I wanted to add some graffiti to the desk, classy phrases like “Who farted?” and “Suck it!” and “Smallz wuz here—what’s up?!” This is a perfect example of how bad my ideas can be at times.

What’s up next for you book wise? Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A small-town girl tries out for an American Idol-like show and the hot mess hits the fan before you can say, “Pitchy!” We’re smack-dab amid the revision process now, so it may end up being a book about horse whisperers or something. I’m flexible.

Just want to say a thank-you to you, Lauren, and to your readers, for giving this book some bloggy love. Good times.

*Not an actual foundation.

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Thanks, Jay!

The Edumacation of Jay Baker (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) will be released January 31, 2012! You can find out more about Jay and his books on his author facebook page and twitter.