Jamie from Russ Colchamiro's 'Genius de Milo'

We’re thrilled to be talking to Jamie from Russ Colchamiro’s sci-fi comedy Genius de Milo, the sequel to Finders Keepers.  It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Pimp That Character!

Q: Thank you for your interview, Jamie.  How old are you and what do you do for a living?

A: The age thing is a little tricky, but by Earth standards I’m about 27 years old, give or take.

As for how I pay my rent … I’m a clerk at the check-in desk at The Rubicon, a new five-star hotel in Eternity. It has this crazy rain forest theme, with birds, and flowers, and waterfalls right in the lobby! We get lots of celebrities and powerful executives who stay there, most of them involved in the galaxy design, construction, and maintenance industry in one way or another.

The Rubicon is owned by Brigsby, who has this famous talk show Breakfast with Brigsby. Everybody watches it. He also launched B, a lifestyle magazine, and now he’s a hotelier. He lives in the penthouse. He’s nice, but he doesn’t come down too often. He likes his privacy.

But now he’s got me doing this special assignment for him, which I’m really not supposed to talk about.

Q: What would I love the most about you?

A: I love activities. Funk parties, scavenger hunts, ski trips. Anything that keeps me on the go. Or binge-watching TV. I can stay on the couch all day. I think I’m pretty fun. Most of the time, anyway.

Q: What would I hate the most about you?

A: Same answer. Sometimes I think I should slow down. I’m always on the go because … I don’t know … I feel like there’s something … missing, I guess … or maybe I’m supposed to do something I’m not ready to deal with. So I like to stay distracted. It doesn’t work so well. I’m always so worried that whatever ‘it’ is will catch up with me. Some people think I’m too jittery. Or too quiet and hard to read. It’s weird to be both. But I kinda get the feeling those days might be over soon. I can’t explain it.

Q: What makes you laugh out loud?

A: Rabbits! I don’t know why. They’re so cute and funny. I love them!

Q: What is your greatest fear?

A: My brother, Lex, is missing. I know … well, I’m pretty sure … he was banished to Earth, with that wench Emma. You know, the one who designed the Milky Way galaxy. And then she got them both banished to who knows where in the Universe. I’m terrified I’ll never Lex again. He’s the only family I have left.

Q: Do you think the author portrayed you accurately?

A: Unfortunately … yes! Ha.

I’ve always played it safe, I never want to make waves. Conflict makes me so nervous. But, yeah … Russ has me pretty much figured out. Although, I have to say … and I kind of love him and hate him for it at the same time … he knows that I’ve been hiding, mostly from myself. I know there’s this entire ‘other me’ buried inside that I’m always afraid to let out. I’m not sure why. I just want my life to be … I don’t know … better. More fulfilling.

But I don’t take enough chances. I kinda felt like taking a job at The Rubicon would be the thing to spring me forward. Maybe I’d meet someone special, maybe even get married.

And now with this new thing I’m supposed to do … I’m in totally over my head. Holy cow …

Q: Someone is secretly in love with you.  Who is it and how do you feel about that?

A: Funny you should ask. I’m not saying he’s in love with me, but … this doorman, Chuck, from The Dooly, that’s the high-rise condo where my brother lives. I’ve been looking for Lex for weeks, and then I get a call from Chuck saying that he has a package I need to pick up, since Lex hasn’t been around and somebody needs to take it.

Like I don’t have enough to deal with –- with my brother missing -- but Chuck is constantly hitting on me, asking me out. He’s short with a pug nose -- not ugly, I guess -- but totally not my type. I like men who are dapper and put together. Chuck’s just so … gruff … but also a total mamma’s boy.

So I told him my boyfriend, who’s an actor, is looking for an apartment in The Dooly while he’s in town filming this big new movie, and was wondering if any apartments were available for rent.

Between you and me … I don’t have a boyfriend, but I think Chuck got the message.

Q: Do you like to cook?  If so, what is your favorite thing to cook?

A: OMG! I’m the worst cook ever! I try, but it never comes out right. I love shrimp and try to make these exotic dishes, but I’m such a menace in the kitchen. Ah! Oh well. What can you do? Give me a frozen margarita and I’m pretty much good to go.

About the Author:

Russ Colchamiro is the author of the rollicking space adventure Crossline, the hilarious scifi backpacking comedy Finders Keepers, and the outrageous sequel, Genius de Milo, all with Crazy 8 Press.

Russ lives in West Orange, NJ, with his wife, two children, and crazy dog, Simon, who may in fact be an alien himself. Russ is now at work on the final book in the Finders Keepers trilogy.

As a matter of full disclosure, readers should not be surprised if Russ spontaneously teleports in a blast of white light followed by screaming fluorescent color and the feeling of being sucked through a tornado. It’s just how he gets around — windier than the bus, for sure, but much quicker.

His latest book is the science fiction novel, Genius De Milo.

For More Information

• Visit Russ Colchamiro’s website.
• Connect with Russ on Facebook and Twitter.
• Find out more about Russ at Goodreads.
• Visit Russ’ blog.
• More books by Russ.
• Contact Russ.

About the Book:

Title: Genius De Milo
Author: Russ Colchamiro
Publisher: Crazy 8 Press
Pages: 320
Genre: SciFi/Comedy
Format: Paperback/Kindle

Best pals Jason Medley and Theo Barnes barely survived a backpacking trip through Europe and New Zealand that — thanks to a jar of Cosmic Building Material they found — almost wiped out the galaxy. But just as they envision a future without any more cosmic lunacy:

The Earth has started fluxing in and out of existence, Theo's twin girls are teleporting, and Jason can't tell which version of his life is real.

All because of Milo, the Universe's ultimate gremlin.

Joined by the mysterious Jamie — a down-and-out hotel clerk from Eternity — Jason and Theo reunite on a frantic, cross-country chase across America, praying they can retrieve that jar, circumvent Milo, and save the Earth from irrevocable disaster.

In author Russ Colchamiro’s uproarious sequel to Finders Keepers, he finally confirms what we've long suspected — that there’s no galactic Milo quite like a Genius de Milo.

For More Information

• Genius De Milo is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Crazy 8 Press.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.