Veteran author Jerry Zezima and his hilarious new book!

Jerry Zezima, in a very humorous and entertaining article, tells iUniverse about his fourth book, Nini and Poppie’s Excellent Adventures.

Please briefly describe your book . . .

Nini and Poppie’s Excellent Adventures: Grandkids, Wine Clubs, and Other Ways to Keep Having Fun is a themed collection of the nationally syndicated humor columns I write for my hometown paper, the Stamford Advocate in Connecticut. Like my first three books, it’s a crime against literature. It also comes in handy for propping up wobbly table legs.

And can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am a humorist, a journalist, and a public nuisance. I was the class clown in high school and wanted to parlay it into a career. My professional goal was to be silly and irresponsible and actually get paid for it, so I decided to write a humor column because I am spectacularly unqualified to do anything else.

I also am a husband, a father, and a grandfather. I write about family foibles and the funny little things of everyday life. I have extensive radio and television experience and I am a popular public speaker. I also am writing a sitcom based on my work. If you think TV is bad now, wait until my show gets on the air.

My wife and I have two children, three grandchildren, and many creditors. I have no interesting hobbies.

Do you have any particular literary influences?  What inspired you to write your book?

I am sometimes under the influence, even if it’s not literary. My humor heroes were the three B’s: Robert Benchley, Art Buchwald, and Erma Bombeck. I was inspired to write my book because otherwise I would have to do real work for a living.

What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?

The one message I would like to convey is that you will have to lower your standards to buy my book, but my wife and the IRS will be grateful.

Are you working on a sequel to your book?

Yes. Each of my four books has been a sequel — except, of course, the first, because I didn’t have a book before that. At least not one written by me.

Are there any events, marketing ideas, or promotions planned for your book?

My wife does the marketing. When she goes to the grocery store, I always ask her to buy beer. As for my book, I plan to plug it shamelessly on social media, in my public speaking appearances, on TV and radio, and at library and bookstore events. I may even hawk it on street corners. I just hope I’m not arrested for soliciting.

As a chilling example of just how low journalistic standards have sunk, I have won many awards, including six for humorous writing from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with iUniverse?

My favorite part was sitting down to write, because it’s awfully hard to write when you are standing up. (My arms aren’t long enough to reach the keyboard.) As for iUniverse, I couldn’t be happier with the way my four books have come out, which is why, like Dutch elm disease, I keep coming back.

I suppose at this point I should mention my first three books: Leave It to Boomer: A Look at Life, Love and Parenthood by the Very Model of the Modern Middle-Age Man, The Empty Nest Chronicles: How to Have Fun (and Stop Annoying Your Spouse) After the Kids Move Out, and Grandfather Knows Best: A Geezer’s Guide to Life, Immaturity, and Learning How to Change Diapers All Over Again.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Write. Believe in yourself. And — most important of all — don’t take my job.

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