Capitol Hell Author Spotlight

This off-beat, funny novel captures and shares what it is like to be a young staffer working on Capitol Hill.

When recent college graduate Allison Amundson, a small town girl from South Dakota, lands the highly sought after job of scheduler to the newly-elected and rising star of the United States Senate, Senator Anders McDermott III, she thinks she is on the fast track to success.

However, she quickly learns that crazy co-workers, a high maintenance boss, an over-the-top family and an unexpected Presidential bid make Capitol Hill seem even more dysfunctional than portrayed on TV. In fact, it is Capitol Hell.

The second Allison sets foot in the prestigious Senate Russell Building, things begin to go awry. Allison soon realizes her co-workers consist of a Chief of Staff who has little to no control over the antics in the office, a Press Secretary who is not only pompous, but who is constantly primping and preening, and worst of all the Senator himself, who cares more about his rise to fame than the people of Minnesota. As Allison struggles to juggle a new career, her blooming love interest in Cam (a quiet but loyal Legislative Assistant), and her ever-declining bank account, she is comforted only by her co-worker Janet, a fireplug who spends the majority of her time on-line dating, trying to land a Senator of her own. 

Just as Allison and Janet begin to figure out the ins and outs of Capitol Hill, their lives are turned upside down when Senator McDermott announces his bid for President of the United States. Soon, Allison and Janet find themselves at the center of one of the craziest campaigns in history, and hilarity ensues.

You can snag your own copy on AMAZON!

Alicia Long is originally from Hartford, South Dakota, a small town just outside of Sioux Falls.  In 2003, she received her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  Upon graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work on Capitol Hill.  While working on Capitol Hill, she served for United States Senators Norm Coleman (MN), John Thune (SD) and George Allen (VA).  She also served in various capacities, including scheduler, legislative correspondent, legislative aide, intern coordinator and caseworker.    While working on the Hill, she became proficient at mastering the metro system, crashing the nearest receptions, and acting as a tour guide for friends and family.

Alicia loves finding good deals on fashion, funky high heels, and opts for wearing Calvin Klein dresses and a blazer in lieu of a suit any day.  You can often find her out to happy hour with friends, checking out local shops or at the beach.

Her bucket list includes: going sky diving, traveling the world, mastering the New York Times crossword puzzle and marrying Green Bay Packer Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Alicia currently resides in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia with her German Shepherd/Black Lab mix, Sarge.

Jayne Jones, a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law, left Capitol Hill to work for the Minnesota House of Representatives, where she was the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House. 

Following her drive and compassion to teach others about the legislative process and drafting legislation, Jayne is starting a summer academic program for teens to master public policy and the legislative process. Additionaly, Jayne teaches political science at Concordia University. 

Jayne is full of life and loves reality television. She wholeheartedly believes in living each day to the fullest and loves a great sale for funky jewelry and skirts under $20. She thrives on meeting current and former United States Presidents, cheering for the University of North Dakota Sioux hockey team, catching Alaskan halibut, securing emergency medical visas for orphans and aiming to win her family’s salsa making contest! 

On her bucket list: being on the Wheel of Fortune, going to happy hour with Kelly Ripa, and figuring out how to boil corn-on-the-cob for that oh-so-darn-good buttery taste.

She is currently planning her wedding on a shoestring budget and resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can connect with Jayne and Alicia on:

TWITTER / WEBSITE / GOODREADS

Welcome ladies! Lets talk about your book Capitol Hell! Is there one character in your novel that you feel the most passionate about?

Jayne: Easily, Janet Johannson. Janet hails from northern Minnesota before moving to DC to work on the Hill for US Senator Anders McDermott. Janet is a very naïve, an over-thirty-year-old virgin who finds herself in an internet dating relationship with a blind US Senator.  She’s crazy about him. Too bad, it’s not vice versa. Like a typical politician all he wants is “personal favors.” 

Alicia: Janet is fun, but I have to say I am partial to Allison.  One might say we have a lot in common. ;)  Allison hails from South Dakota and really wants to make a difference in the world.  She get’s herself into all sorts of shenanigans on the Hill, but for the most part she keeps her cool.  I think anyone who is fresh out of college and trying to navigate their first demanding job can relate to her.

What aspect about this character was the most difficult to envision? The easiest?

Jayne:  Janet is a hoot but her mind is constantly thinking about sex. For a virgin, it doesn’t make much sense! I think some of the off-the-wall sexual humor was difficult. HA. The easiest is super easy. I’m from northern Minnesota; fell head over heels for politics, elections and campaigning. Left good ol’ Minnesota and went to work on the Hill. I’m still very naïve but I’ve never dated a blind US Senator.  Hmnnn.

Alicia: I don’t know if any part of Allison was hard to envision.  She is a twenty-something year old Hill staffer who is flat broke, works long hours, is distracted by her office-crush, and who is constantly in over her head.  Haven’t we all been there?? ;)

During the birth of your novel, was there any point where this character took an unexpected turn?

Jayne:  I think Janet stays true to herself. She easily could get caught up in Hill antics and quite frankly, lose her virginity to a US Senator. Thankfully, that doesn't happen! Maybe we can all pitch in and get her a Match.com membership!

Alicia:  Allison also holds to herself.  At times she puts up with more crap than she should from her co-workers and her ever-demanding boss, but hey, that’s what you do when you are in your twenties just trying to make it in our Nation’s Capital! 

If this character suddenly sprang from the pages, what questions would you have for him/her?

Jayne:  Um, you don’t know how funny is actually is!  Did Karma, the Senator’s wife, really stick her hand up the condom vending machine at the political rally stop?

Alicia: What’s going on between you and Cam (her office crush)??

Is there a particular passage or scene from your novel that you feel embodies this character the best?

Jayne: “Oh my God, you frickin’ pansy,” I said before I answered the phone. “Hello.”

There was a long silence and then I could barely hear Jenkins ask, “Janet, is that you? ”

“Um, yes, sir, this is Janet,” I lied, looking at Janet who was perched on the bed, white as a ghost.

“Don’t call me sir, my love kitten,” he said. I felt sick. “Purrrrr.” “That sounds like you, my love kitten. Are you ready to get frisky? ” he asked, laughing. “How are you? ” I asked. “Missing you and wondering what you’re wearing tonight, my little pet,” he said. I could barely control my laughter and felt nauseous. “Don’t be silly, Senator,” I responded as I stared at Janet. “You heard about Nancy tonight? ” he asked. “Yes, we just saw the news and I wondered what you thought,” I asked as I tried to disguise my voice. “It sounds like my love kitty has a cold and needs some warm milk to smooth her throat,” he said.

Alicia: After little sleep, I woke up before my alarm clock went off at 5:45 a.m. Without hesitating, I quickly checked my BlackBerry for any overnight messages. Shit. Seventeen unread messages from McDermott. I fell back onto my bed to scroll through them. They read, in order:

1:45 a.m. Tennis balls? LOL. Anders. 

1:46 a.m. Need home number for Chairman Jenkins. 

2:15 a.m. Hello? Are you there? 

2:16 a.m. I need Jenkin’s number now. 

2:19 a.m. Jenkins! Damn it Jenkins! 

2:25 a.m. Answer me. Did you receive my messages? 

2:55 a.m. Call me. 

3:30 a.m. Rose, pls talk to Allison about being more responsive to my needs. Improvement necessary. 

3:31 a.m. Schedule lunch with Jenkins for tomorrow.

3:33 a.m. Karma will need a ride to the airport. 

4:00 a.m. Anyone home? Anyone working for me? Do I pay your salary? 

4:15 a.m. Need kids’ school schedule faxed to Karma. 

4:55 a.m. How many frequent-flier miles do I have? Karma? Kids’ account? 

5:12 a.m. Apartment is out of decaffeinated coffee. Karma would like some this morning and prefers fresh beans. Can you have Cam drop some off?

5:15 a.m. Allison? Allison? Earth to Allison? Come in, Allison. 

5:16 a.m. Charles, need Jenkins’s number and lunch plan. 

5:30 a.m. Did not sleep well. Pls. have driver pick me up at 9 and have Cam leave coffee with concierge.

And a terrific top-of-the-morning to you, Senator Asshole—I mean—Senator McDermott.

I dressed quickly and on my morning commute I tried desperately to fight back tears. Charles kept telling me that my position was one of the most sought-after in the Senate. According to him, it was either scheduling for McDermott or he could help me land a job as the official Senate elevator girl. Apparently that gig had a uniform, including hat.

Alicia and Jayne have been awesome enough to provide 

a PB copy of their book to giveaway! 

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