Rebecca Hendricks, the mastermind behind the Hound Dogged series, takes us on a rock-and-roll ride back to the 1950s—a time when jukeboxes ruled, and every teenager dreamed of making it big. In her debut novel, Hound Dogged, she introduces us to a group of friends who find themselves in the middle of the era’s wild musical revolution, facing off-stage drama as intense as their on-stage performances. With a perfect blend of humor, heart, and a whole lot of rhythm, Rebecca brings the fun and chaos of the ’50s to life. Today, we’re diving into the beats and backstories that make her series a toe-tapping hit!
Q What is your superpower?
I don’t give up. Like everyone, I’ve had periods in my life that have knocked me down, but I always believe there’s a brighter day just around the corner.
Q What got you into writing?
I have been writing stories since I learned how to write. My earliest writing is a story I wrote for my father when I was six. I’ve always had a vivid imagination and writing stories was my favorite way to express myself.
Q If you could give your book to one person in the entire world to read, who would it be and why?
I would like to give it to Paul McCartney because I think he would enjoy it and maybe have a laugh or two.
Q How did you come up with your title?
In the beginning of the book Hound Dogged, the band didn’t have a name. The character that comes up with their name is awkward and kind of goofy. I wanted to come up with something quirky like the character so off the top of my head I came up with Johnny and the Hound Dogs. I had planned on the group changing the name later on, but the name stuck and as the story progressed, I decided to keep the name.
Q When did you decide to write this story and why?
I’ve been writing since I was six, and during my early teens, I spent a great deal of my free time writing a series about a rock-n-roll group. I tried to rewrite the first book in the series later in life, but I eventually dropped the project.
In the spring of 2021, I revisited the series and felt inspired to rewrite the first book again. Initially, I intended to do this just for myself, but my husband was insistent that he wanted to read the book. I normally don’t share an unpolished piece of work with someone, but I relented and let him read it.
He loved the book and pushed me to pursue getting published. I had tried to get published once before, and the experience was discouraging, so I wasn’t very excited about trying again. However, my husband was persistent in urging me to follow my dream. By the end of the year, he had convinced me, and I began looking into self-publishing. The rest is history.
Q What has been your favorite comment/review so far about your book? 
This book beautifully depicts friendship and solidarity. I experienced feelings up and down as Stu discusses his relationship with James, peer pressure, and uncertainty. It masterfully explores loyalty and self-discovery, ending with Stu’s sorrowful revelation of his weaknesses. A captivating book for anyone who struggles with friendship and belonging, it helped me a lot.
This review made my heart sing, affirming that the message I hoped to convey through my book had successfully reached its audience.
Q What is something you learned while writing this book?
I learned that the 1950s was more complex and interesting than I thought it was. It’s about a lot more than bubblegum and sock hops. The 1950s were a period of significant cultural, social, and political change, setting the stage for the transformations of the 1960s. The decade was marked by events like the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War and the associated fear of nuclear conflict, the rise of consumer culture, and the early stages of the rock ‘n’ roll revolution. I found it to be fascinating.
Q Who is your favorite character in your book?
My favorite character in the Hound Dogged series is John Chandler. John is a free spirit who says and does what he wants. He’s not caught up in what other people think of him and he doesn’t conform to the rules. He is vibrant and confident with a quick wit. The rough exterior he shows to the world protects him from the hurt and disappointment inside.
Piano or Guitar?
Guitar..
Coffee Mugs or Tea Cups?
Mugs.
Cashmere or Silk?
Both.
Popcorn or Hot Dogs?
Popcorn
Scented Candles or Incence sticks?
Scented Candles.
The city or the country?
Country.
Baking or Cooking?
Baking.
Margarita or Cosmo?
Cosmo
Holding a Puppy or Holding a Baby?
Holding a Puppy. I love fur babies.
Invisibility cloak or sparkling skin?
invisibility cloak
Find the series here on Amazon. Check out another book interview here.