I’d also love for readers of all genders, and especially other generations, to feel curious about the differences in how we were raised, or what we might have been facing culturally at the time of our coming-of-age—and how we might have more in common than we think.
Jenna Tico – 5 October 2024
The Back Flap
For fans of You’ll Grow Out of It, this comedic patchwork of flash-prose, essay, and poetry snapshots a millennial performance artist’s journey from late bloomer to adult, inviting twenty-something women to embrace their worth, sexuality, and own-your-weird mentality.
Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, way too close to the Hollywood dream machine, Jenna Tico’s self-worth wanes to invisibility when her identity becomes enmeshed with validation from celebrities and spiritual F-boys . . . until she claws her way back to empowerment. Here, Tico shares vulnerable personal essays, stories, and poetry—all grouped following the cycles of the moon—chronicling her journey from late bloomer to full grownup. Observing the world of twenty-something relationships from perspectives as diverse as a bachelorette houseboat, a music festival afterparty, and the airplane ride to a death bed, she validates the experiences of women who feel like they have been abandoned by the generation that came before them. Her self-reflective stories encourage healthy life choices for young women without telling them where, what, or how to live their lives—and always with a healthy dash of humor on the side.
Simultaneously hilarious and poignant (without the whiff of morality play), Cancer Moon invites readers to embrace their twenties—aka the “age of wallowing”—as a humorous and necessary step toward understanding how we become who we want to be in the world.
About the book
What is the book about?
Cancer Moon is a journey through the decade of my twenties, coming-of-age in a time and place where I was constantly told my feelings were too much to handle; and ultimately, not only claiming them, but owning them as an essential part of my power. The book is a collection of non-linear, non-traditional essays, poetry, and flash prose, all grouped according to the cycles of the moon (from new to full). It tracks my experience as a twentysomething woman navigating formative relationships, career and body identity, and the rocky path toward self-worth. It is humorous, cringey, sentimental, and—hopefully—relatable to anyone who has taken the brave step to own their own weird.
When did you start writing the book?
Cancer Moon is unique in that many of the pieces were actually written at the time the events occurred, some as many as ten years old. I made the deliberate choice to keep those earlier pieces in their original form, save for a few edits, to preserve the raw (and often conflicted) tone of the writing—even if it meant that I was forfeiting the perspective, or writing skill, that has come from having learned more since then. I began collecting the pieces into one cohesive book, and writing what was still needed, in spring of 2022.
How long did it take you to write it?
As mentioned, the book is the culmination of more than ten years of writing. That said, it took just over a year to go from the initial idea—an essay collection tracking the decade of my twenties, grouped around the moon—to a workable draft.
Where did you get the idea from?
As an artist who works across multiple disciplines, I have found that titles often come to me first—no matter what medium I’m creating in. The title for this project, Cancer Moon, came to me while I was taking a psychological astrology course, and was learning more about the placement of the planets at the time of my birth… and how that informed some of the more critical elements of my being. In my case, emotionality is a huge part of how I roll, and the overarching umbrella of having my moon in Cancer—and being one who feels it all, and deeply—felt like the glue of the era that I wanted to write about.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
There were elements that were challenging, and for different reasons. For example, some pieces–i.e. “Scott and I Meditate,” which is a reflection on a dating pattern, with a wide time angle–took a lot of time to write, and needed a lot of editing, which was tedious. Other pieces–i.e. “High,” which encapsulates one very significant and painful relationship–was difficult because the content itself was painful to revisit.
What came easily?
As mentioned, the title came easily, as did the choice to group the essays around the cycles of the moon. Once I had that idea in mind, the structure fell into place in a way that felt satisfying.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The book is a work of creative nonfiction, and every character is/was real to me, even when their dialogue is sometimes changed or exaggerated to emphasize a particular quality or pattern of that person.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
When I first set out to put this collection together, I was a new mother, and very inspired by an essay collection by Jessi Klein called I’ll Show Myself Out. Mostly, I was struck by how similar our styles were, and felt called to reinvigorate my creative identity as a result of what felt like readerly intimacy with another female essayist who is also a mother. Over the course of my twenties, when many of these pieces were written, I was inspired by the work of Miranda July, Sheila Heti, Cheryl Strayed, Samantha Irby, and Anne Lamott, among many others. In short, these women inspired me to take bigger risks in revealing the messier parts of my experience, to be honest, and to stay curious about experiences long after they’ve occurred.
Do you have a target reader?
One of the readers I hope to reach with this work is someone who is in their twenties, perhaps struggling with the idea that they are supposed to be living their “best years,” and longing to hear from someone who doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out—but loves and celebrates what has happened along the path. I’d also love for readers of all genders, and especially other generations, to feel curious about the differences in how we were raised, or what we might have been facing culturally at the time of our coming-of-age—and how we might have more in common than we think.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Since becoming a parent, my writing process has been pure chaos. Before that, it was pure procrastination. So in terms of success, I’ve had the best luck in acknowledging that I am a writer who struggles to sit down to the page and giving myself encouragement to see ANY progress as good enough! Over the years, I’ve learned some things about what works and what doesn’t. For example, I do my best editing in the morning. And I do some of my best uncensored writing in public spaces–i.e. a restaurant or chatty coffee shop–where I can bounce off of the ambient din of other people working or chatting. It might be distracting to other people, but I like it.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
It was very important for me to have an outline for the wider arc of this project, as it gave me a sense of the core “why” behind each piece, and what the resident energy needed to be for those that were still unwritten at the time of my original assembly. With individual essays, however, I rarely outline at the outset… but when I have a sense of where the piece needs to go, I will usually jot down a few key sentences/phrases to anchor the overall flow.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
A combination of both. Sometimes I’ll edit half of a piece in order to better understand how the second half needs to feel. Other times–i.e. in “Call Your Mother,” which was a rarity in that it came out in one sitting, and was never altered–I don’t attempt any editing until the original draft has emerged. In general, I try not to interrupt a good flow with my perfectionistic tendencies, and try to get as much out as possible before going back with any version of a critical eye.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I hired the wonderful Rachael Quisel to copyedit this book, and then the team at She Writes Press did a formal edit for the final draft. I also had an author coach, Yvette Keller, and a few trusted friends give invaluable feedback about the content and structure at early phases of piecing everything together.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
It’s funny– I can rarely listen to music if it’s too close to me, or in headphones. But if it’s ambient and in the background, then yes. I love it. I’m a big fan of playing music that evokes a certain feeling that needs to be captured in the piece, or is reminiscent of the time being spoken about. Otherwise, a good piano or “jazz in the background” playlist works well.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I did not.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I learned about my publisher, She Writes Press, through Yvette Keller– the same author coach a friend connected me with, and who essentially acted as the doula for this project to be born. She told me SWP was accepting submissions, which pushed me to get the first 50 pages polished. When they greenlit the project, and gave some really insightful and encouraging feedback, it felt like a YES to go with them—and essentially commit myself to the 2+ years of learning and mentorship that their model provides. It was the perfect choice for me at this moment in my life, and for getting this project out, which felt like it needed to happen now.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The team at She Writes Press works with professional designers, who took a lot of my input into account– as well as wider trends for my genre, and target audience– when coming up with different cover options.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I am working with Books Forward. My publicist Corrine Pritchett has been wonderful in steering me toward different avenues for marketing the book. I also learned a lot through the mentorship of She Writes Press, and rely on a lot of local connection and relationships for publicity.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Go for it! The world is changing, and so is the publishing industry, and there are more options than ever. If it feels like you can retain the heart of the “why” behind your project, and maintain your own agency in putting it out in the world, it’s always worth it. And the right people will get your vision and enhance it, instead of forcing you to fit into a box that doesn’t feel true. There are as many Indie options as there are creative ideas in the world. No one has written your book in your way before—you never know who you will impact by taking the leap.
About You
Where did you grow up?
Santa Barbara, California
Where do you live now?
Same place!
What would you like readers to know about you?
That I am giving birth to my second child just two months after my book comes into the world—and the overlap of the two has been as exciting as it has been crazy making. I’m calling it my year of birth.
What are you working on now?
I’m not working on it yet, but I have a strong desire to compile an essay collection about early parenthood. It’s such a riot, and so many things are not talked about in the way I wish they were. I am both daunted and thrilled at the idea of getting some of them down on paper… which feels like an honest, and lovely, place to be.
End of Interview:
For more from Jenna Tico visit her website and follow her on Instagram.
Get your copy of Cancer Moon from Amazon US.