Q&A With Skylar James, Author of ‘Shadow of a Doubt’

Skylar James at Churchill Downs. (Photos courtesy of Skylar James)
Skylar James was born and raised in New York. She learned to ride horses at the age of six and, although her riding career was short-lived, lasting just one year, she is exceedingly proud of the red ribbon she won “that one time”. 
James spent many an afternoon pressed up against the rail at Meadowlands, long before she was big enough to see over it. James worked in charity and, before that, in film and television, until she decided to chase her dreams and become a writer. Her first novel, “Shadow of a Doubt,” tells the story of a girl who grows up near Churchill Downs with hopes of running her horse in the Kentucky Derby. James hopes you enjoy it.
SKYLAR JAMES

You learned to ride horses at age six. What attracted you to horses?
I’ve loved horses as long as I can remember. I grew up right across the street from where the horse-drawn carriages would line up along Central Park, and I loved to walk past them every day on the way home from school. They’re beautiful and kind, yet powerful and fast, and I always wanted to be as close to that as I could. 
What inspired you to write “Shadow of a Doubt”?
I wanted to write a story about chasing your dreams and what it means to believe in yourself so much the rest of the world can’t help believing in you too. 
Where can one buy a copy? 
Check us out on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound.org, or wherever hardcover and e-books are sold! 
Tell us about your work in film and television:
I worked in development and production for a company called LivePlanet. It was a great company, and we had some really cool projects. 
Will you be doing a book tour/signings? 
Yes! I just got back from Louisville where I did a signing at Carmichael’s bookstore, so they might still have a couple of autographed copies in stock. I’ll also be doing more events in New York and Los Angeles, and hopefully a city near you! If you want me to visit your school or local bookstore, write in to the website and let me know.
JAMES WITH FANS AT A BOOK SIGNING

Hometown: 
New York, N.Y., baby! 
What I do for a living:
I’m proud to say I am a full-time writer. 
How and when I was introduced to Thoroughbred racing:
I don’t remember there being a particular incident that introduced me to the world of Thoroughbred racing, but I have fond memories of going to the track as a kid. I remember I won the first bet I ever placed. Two bucks on some horse with a snappy name to win. That was a great feeling, watching as your horse hits the wire first. Ever since that moment, I’ve been convinced I’ve got some kind of knack for it, but that probably isn’t true.
My favorite racetrack: 
Meadowlands Racetrack. That’s the one I grew up with. That’s where my heart is. 
My favorite Thoroughbred racing event:
The Kentucky Derby, hands down. There’s just nothing else like it. 
Other sports/teams I follow:
The Knicks
What I would like to see more of in Thoroughbred racing:
I look forward to seeing even more of a social media presence. I love that some of this year’s Derby contenders have been tweeting. Their comments are hilarious. 
Three words that define what Thoroughbred racing means to me:
Optimism. Camaraderie. Exhilaration.  
First Thoroughbred track I ever attended was:
Meadowlands Racetrack 
Favorite all-time Thoroughbred:
Man o’ War. He’s the OG. 
My personal best moment in the sport of Thoroughbred racing:
Going to Churchill Downs for the first time this year to celebrate the publication of “Shadow of a Doubt.” It was a total dream-come-true moment for me. That track is so majestic, and to be able to be some small part of celebrating that with this book is an honor.
JAMES READS AT A BOOK SIGNING

Best racetrack food can be found at:
Ooh. Tough question! I don’t know about best but I just tried my first Kentucky burgoo at Churchill Downs and it was good.
My favorite jockey: 
Rosie Napravnik. Girl power! 
My favorite trainer:
I’ll go with Bob Baffert. 
Favorite animal other than a horse: 
I’ve gotta go with a dog. Man’s best friend. 
Favorite non-Thoroughbred racing sports event I have attended:
NASCAR
Favorite food:
Raspberries
Favorite vacation spot:
Any beach
Favorite city:
The Big Apple 
Favorite musician/band:
Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra
JAMES AT WAGNER'S NEAR CHURCHILL DOWNS

Favorite all-time movie(s):
“On The Waterfront,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Tropic Thunder.” 
Favorite TV Show:
“Shark Tank”
Favorite hotel:
Maybe the Bellagio? That fountain is a thing of glory. 
Websites I visit daily:
New York Post for my morning news. Google because I’m constantly researching something for work. 
What I drive: 
Cadillac. Buy American. 
Pet peeve:
People who are unkind. 
Favorite movie about horse racing:
“Seabiscuit” 
Which actor would play me in a movie:
Gary Oldman. He can literally play anybody.
JAMES SIGNS A BOOK FOR A FAN

Alma mater:
Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. 
Favorite radio shows/channels: 
The Come to Papa radio show on Sirius XM. It’s a hilarious new take on the old-time radio show format.
Best book I recently read: 
“Brain on Fire” by Susannah Cahalan.
Favorite memento:
I save the ticket stub for every concert I’ve ever attended.
Favorite dessert:
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
Favorite drink:
Plain ol’ H2O. I drink a ton of water everyday.
Favorite scent:
I really like the smell of air conditioning. It reminds me of summer. 
What I like about my job:
It’s the job I always wanted. I get to be so many different things, on paper, of course. One day I’m a talking horse, and the next I’m an astronaut or a superhero. I can go anywhere my imagination can take me.
Favorite tech gadget:
Lumo Lift. It’s this little doohickey you clip on your shirt and it helps correct your posture.
Twitter Handle: 
@SkylarJames917
People I follow on Twitter:
The Jockey Club, Adaptive Books, Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Funny or Die, Ellen DeGeneres, Joel McHale.
No. 1 Bucket-List item:
Wow. This is a super tough one … I guess my No. 1 thing would be to let the important people in my life truly know how much they mean to me. I wouldn’t want to leave this earth without making them understand how much better my life was for their being in it. I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. I’ve been pretty lucky to have done some cool stuff. I’ve traveled around the world. And none of it means anything without the people you love.