Tag: award-winning author

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Award-Winning Author Lindsay A. Franklin

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

My latest release is the third in a series, so I probably shouldn’t share too much (spoilers!). But I can tell you about the series overall. In The Weaver Trilogy, art is magic, and when supernaturally gifted storytellers weave tales, strands of light and color pour from their hands. Those strands then collect together and crystallize into solid objects to sell. All young story peddler Tanwen En-Yestin wants is to use her gift to work her way to the capital city and become Royal Storyteller to the king. Instead, story strands she can’t control begin pouring from her hands, accusing the king of treason—and now she’s on his most-wanted list.


Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

My first goal is always to tell a good story—one that grips my reader emotionally and makes them fall in love with my characters. And as a woman of faith, my worldview will always be laced throughout my storytelling. But I also think fiction is a wonderful place to explore deep and difficult topics. The Weaver Trilogy touches on identity, found families, loyalty, courage, racism, trauma, and more.

How long have you been writing?

Since I was little. I wrote my first “novel” when I was eleven. But I entered the publishing industry, complete draft in hand, about ten years ago.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I got agented within my first year in the industry, but it took us six years to sell my first full-length fiction to a publisher.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Tough question! We’ll say the most recent, The Story Hunter. But that answer could change tomorrow.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

It’s really hard to pick a favorite character, but the main character in The Weaver Trilogy is based on my daughter, and that’s special. I love her bubbly, positive energy, though she can have a sharp tongue when she wants (very like a certain twelve-year-old who lives in my house).

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

I was blown away by the award recognition The Story Peddler received last year. It was not expected, to say the least. Winning the Carol Award at ACFW was a huge moment for me, as was being named Book of the Year and Alliance Award winner at Realm Makers. For the Carol, it was overwhelming and incredible for a fantasy book—my fantasy book—to win in the debut category. Realm Makers is my speculative fiction community, and being acknowledged within one’s community like that is…humbling. Such an honor.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I spend as long as I need pre-writing (brainstorming, figuring out who my characters are, outlining), sometimes a year or more, depending on how deeply focused on the work I’m able to be. Once I start writing, I can finish 100K-word novel in a few months fairly easily. The outline is the key for me. I have written a whole novel in a month, but that’s a breakneck pace I don’t enjoy at all!

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I’m not very creative until the afternoon hits, and really, my best time to write is after 6:00 p.m. If I’m on deadline, I’ll try to write a couple thousand words per day. If I’m really on deadline, you might catch me writing eight or ten thousand a day, but I really try to plan well enough to avoid that.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I listen to very loud music when I’m writing. When I read or edit, I can’t have anything playing in the background except instrumental scores. But when I write? Super loud music, with lyrics and all.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

There have been so many unexpected joys. Getting notes or tags on social media from readers who read something in my stories that touched them will never, ever get old. Being able to stand at an awards podium and thank the agent who believed in me when I was a very green writer (and stuck by me through all the years of rejections) and the editor who took a risk on me, even though I was unproven, was a joyous moment. Honestly, I’m so lucky that I get to do this as my career.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

In my career? It wasn’t the rejections, though they do sting. I’m a strong supporter of indie publishing, so I knew I had options if traditional publishing didn’t work out for me. There was some business-related instability at one of my publishers for a while, and that was very, very hard. Because for a while, I thought my dream had finally come true but was going crumble beneath me, and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Everything worked out, thankfully. But that was a hard season.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

Goodness. A lot? My agent and I tried to sell my first fantasy series for about a year. Then we tried to sell a YA contemporary stand-alone for about a year. We got very close to a contract with both of those books, but ultimately ended up with a pile of rejections. And that’s when I began writing The Weaver Trilogy. The thing is, the rejection never really stops in publishing. Once you have a contract and your book baby is out in the world, you face “rejection” from readers all the time. Those one- and two-star reviews hurt, but I think they have helped me let go of my perfectionism. No book will be universally well-received. No book is for everyone, and that’s perfectly okay.

Where do you get your ideas?

From everywhere. News headlines, historical events, random thoughts flittering through my brain, musings about the past, dreams…

Who is your favorite author to read?

This is an impossible question! I’m not sure if I have a favorite because every author brings something really unique to the table.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Be patient. Work hard, but don’t rush to publication. Once you’ve crossed over into that next phase of your career, you can’t go back to the days before your first contract. That season is beautiful, full of learning and unbound creativity. It’s special. Don’t rush.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

Learning from peers rather than those who are a little further down the road than they are. Now, you can and should grow alongside your peers. Critique partners are wonderful for this. But I routinely see bad writing and marketing advice given (and taken) in online writers’ groups because everyone participating in the conversation is inexperienced. I’m a big fan of going your own way, doing your own thing. But I also think it’s important to learn from those who have traveled the path before you—to glean their wisdom so you know how best to apply your own spin.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

This certainly isn’t the only way to do it, but my career was definitely jump-started by attending writers’ conferences to learn, meet agents and editors, and connect with like-minded writers with whom I could grow.

Lindsay A. Franklin is a Carol Award–winning author, freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their precious geeklings, three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats), and a stuffed marsupial named Wombatman. You can find Lindsay on Instagram @LinzyAFranklin.


The Weaver Trilogy is available at all major retailers.
https://lindsayafranklin.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/lindsayafranklin
Twitter: https://twitter.com/linzyafranklin
Instagram: @LinzyAFranklin

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Bestsellers

Award-Winning Author Interview with Morgan L. Busse

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

I just finished the last book in the Ravenwood Saga, Cry of the Raven. It follows the conclusion to Selene Ravenwood’s journey, a young woman who inherits her family’s ability to walk in dreams. I don’t want to give away too much since it’s the last book!

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I never start writing with a theme or message in my story. Usually my stories begin with a scene that comes to me and I start asking questions: what is happening here? How did these characters get to this place? And what’s going to happen next? Then I start writing. Usually when I get to the halfway point of the story I begin to see a theme. In the novel I’m currently working on, the theme that keeps popping up is survival, and how it’s not good to always be alone.

As far as why do I write, I’m not sure if I could stop. I’ve wanted to sometimes. It’s hard to be a writer, a mom of four kids, and the wife of a pastor. But when I don’t, the words build up inside of me until they start to overflow and I need to write them down. Even if I never published another book, I would still write.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing in 2004 shortly after my daughter was born. So let’s see, that would mean I’ve been writing for sixteen years (wow!). My first book was published in 2012 and since then I’ve published eight books with another one almost finished.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I was at a writing conference pitching my first book (Daughter of Light). I met the editor for Marcher Lord Press (now Enclave Publishing) and spoke to him for a while. He requested the manuscript, I sent it, then never heard anything for eighteen months. By then, my husband had lost his job and I went back to working full time and put away my writing dreams so I could focus on helping my family.

Of course, that’s when I received the email that Marcher Lord was interested in my series! During that first year, I worked during my lunch breaks and any other time I could squeeze in writing. My family helped me out immensely and after my husband found another job, I was able to work from home when my kids were at school.

Which of your books is your favorite?

That’s a hard one! I think probably Daughter of Light since it was my first book and I loved it so much that I rewrote it four times instead of moving on to another story (which is what most people advise doing).

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

Another hard one! I think Selene Ravenwood from my Ravenwood series is my favorite because she had everything stacked against her (a family history of secrets, the burden of being the oldest sister and doing what she can to protect her younger sisters, the choice to either kill the man who can bring peace to the world but will destroy her family, or help him escape and find herself in exile), but in the end she found the strength and courage to follow her own path.

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

In 2018 the second book in my steampunk series won the Carol Award. It’s a prestigious award that for years I had finaled in but never won. My steampunk series was so different compared to most of books in the speculative category, not to mention what was in the book market at that time. Also, that year my father passed away and Awakened had been dedicated to him. So when my book was announced as the winner, I was shocked. I went up, gave my speech, then received the most amazing text from my husband congratulating me when I sat back down. I admit I started crying.

How long does it take you to write a book?

About a year. I’m a very slow writer and write about 1-1.5k words a day, four days a week. But when I’m done, it’s a pretty clean draft since I do all my editing and research while I write. Sometimes I wish I could write faster, but this is who I am, and I’ve learned to accept that.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

After I send my kids off to school (or as it is right now with the coronavirus, send them off to various rooms to work on school), I write my thousand words for the day. Mornings are the best time for me, especially after I’ve had my first cup of coffee. By afternoon, my brain is exhausted and I need to switch from writer to mom. At night, I like to read what I wrote to get my brain thinking about what to write next. Then I start all over the next day.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I always need to be chewing on something or drinking something when I write. So I drink tea or coffee, and always have gum nearby. Maybe it helps me think, who knows?

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Honestly? Receiving fanart. Seriously! I am amazed and love the fact that my own creativity inspires others to be creative. I feel like I’ve arrived as a real author.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

There have been quite a few of those, and each time I’ve really wanted to walk away from writing. The time my husband lost his job. The time I received some really harsh criticism and would have jumped ship if it wasn’t for the encouragement of my husband and readers. When the reality of my paychecks didn’t match up with what I’d hoped for. I’m very blessed to have people in my life who believe in my writing and don’t let me give up!

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

There’s always rejection, even after you’ve published. There’s rejection by readers who didn’t like your book. There’s rejection when your next series doesn’t sell. There’s rejection when a book you’ve poured your heart and soul into doesn’t receive recognition. It’s part of the writing life, and it takes courage to keep on writing. There are a lot of highs and lows in the writing life.

Where do you get your ideas?

I have absolutely no idea. Usually a scene will come to me and I’ll start asking questions. I’ll start a folder on my computer and put all my thoughts and ideas about that scene into it. If the story continues to grow and keeps me thinking about it, then I know I probably have a good story here. For example, here’s how I came up with the idea for my Ravenwood series: I saw a young woman standing over the bed of a young man poised to kill him. I began to ask who are these two people? How did they get to this place? Why does she want to kill him? What happens next? The story grows as I ask more questions.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I’d probably say Jane Austen and J.R.R. Tolkien are my two favorite authors to read and have read their books many, many times.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Success doesn’t come at once, and when you discover what success means to you, it will surprise you. When I was a younger writer, I thought success was a big royalty check, bestseller lists, and awards. (I’m pretty sure every beginner writer thinks that.) But over the years, I finally realized success for me was contentment. I love simply writing every day, whether that book is ever published, wins an award, or brings in money for my family. I feel a sense of satisfaction, joy, and accomplishment in turning words into stories. That is enough for me.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Giving up everything to be a writer. I’ve seen authors who use all their time and energy to write to the point of neglecting and even resenting their family, only to find in the end they are all by themselves with nothing but a novel or two to show for it. It is by far better to reach the end with a family cheering you on as you hold that first book in your hands than to sacrifice those around you. The writing will always be there, your family and friends might not be if you don’t invest in them as well.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Every writer needs to study the business side of writing: publishing, marketing, pitching, editing. What publishers publish your genres? What agents represent that genre? What conferences can you attend where you can meet these publishers and agents? What if you want to self-publish? Self-publishing is like running a small business. Are you ready to take on those responsibilities? Writing is fun, but there is a business side as well, and understanding how the publishing world works will help writers know what steps to take next.

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of the Follower of the Word series, The Soul Chronicles, and The Ravenwood Saga. She is a two-time Christy Award finalist and recently won both the INSPY and the Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel. Visit her online at www.morganlbusse.com.

LINKS:

Website: www.morganlbusse.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/morganlbusseauthor

Twitter: twitter.com/MorganLBusse (@MorganLBusse)

Instagram: www.instagram.com/morganlbusse

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

ChristianBook.com

Kobo

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Bestsellers

Award-Winning Author Interview with James R. Hannibal

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

Chasing the White Lion is a mash-up of thieves and spies. This book is the second in a series described as “Ocean’s Eleven meets Mission Impossible.” Talia Inger is a rookie spy who must wrangle a pack of elite thieves as the team attempts to infiltrate the world first crowdsourced crime syndicate. Their objective? Save a group of kidnapped refugee children from human traffickers tied to the organization. While they’re at it, they might have a shot at toppling the organization and exposing a traitor in our very own CIA.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

Choose your adventure! That’s my overall theme. I’ve applied it to life and writing. In the old days of the Bantam Choose Your Own Adventure series, I wanted so much more than “Turn left or right” or “Take the path or enter the cave.” I’d always been a storyteller, but that’s when I started creating stories in earnest, writing new paths and new endings in my head.

My most recent story has a much larger goal, though. Chasing the White Lion is the first spy thriller highlighting a real charitable organization. My goal with that story is to help spread the world about the work Compassion International is doing to fight child poverty and to support them with a portion of every book sold. I hope the story helps readers see how meeting those in need right where they are helps slam the door on human traffickers.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing my whole life. I tried to write my first book at the age of 4 (a story about pandas playing soccer which was suspiciously similar to a recent library book about raccoons playing basketball). My first short story was read over the radio at age 12. At age 17, I entered the military, so all of that got put on hold for a while, but my time there filled up my bucket of experiences to aid my future stories.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I began writing my first real novel in 2006. Once I completed it in 2008, I had to wait an additional nine weeks for the military to review it and make sure I didn’t expose classified information. I sent it out in late 2008, and a small publisher picked it up at the end of 2009. They turned out to be unscrupulous. Even so, the book managed to gain accolades from Publishers Weekly and Clive Cussler, which helped me land my first real contract in 2012. I was working on my fourth book when my second book was finally picked up, and I have 42 rejection letters in a file to remind me how hard I worked to get there.

Which of your books is your favorite?

We’re not supposed to have favorites, but usually mine is the book I’m working on at the time. However, if I was forced to choose, The Clockwork Dragon would be my current fantasy pick and Chasing the White Lion would be my thriller pick.

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

Again, we’re not supposed to have favorites, but I do share a lot with Jack Buckles. When I sought to re-create the Sherlock Holmesian hyper-observant detective in a new way, my wife advised me to use my own synesthesia. This is a merger of the senses where both Jack and I see and feel sounds, hear and feel movement and flashes of light, see and feel smells, etc. Of course, we embellished it a little to help Jack see into the past through the history recorded in the molecular vibrations of stone, steel, and jewels (I can’t do that), but many of our experiences are the same—including using our synesthesia to catch bad guys.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Longer than my publishers would like. I spend the first several weeks developing the beats of the story and understanding the theme and characters. From this, I create a short story version of the book, anywhere from 20 to 40 pages. At this point, we might be at 6 weeks. From there, I go deep into writing and usually go in chronological order. Depending on the genre, a story can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months. After that, I like to spend another 4 weeks revising.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Haphazard doesn’t even begin to cover it. I have two other jobs which both take up a great deal of time. I write when I can, stealing every moment possible.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I walk. I walk for twelve miles at a time on some days. This really fuels my creativity, and I’ll write multiple chapters by recording them on my phone via Dragon Dictation.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Without a doubt, the greatest joys come from receiving fan messages telling me how a story has impacted their lives. In one case, I received word that a Compassion child who had read the Spanish edition of The Lost Property Office who found encouragement from the story and finally realized that he too was a synesthete. Understanding our neurological phenomenon at an early age can be life changing, and I know it will be for that boy. I’m grateful to Compassion for bringing my work to those kids and following up to show me its impact.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

Beware. There are many dark moments in a writing career. I’ve lost two movie deals that could have ended my need for another job and let me focus entirely on writing, one thanks to financial shifts at Sony and the other due to political pressure from China (no kidding). I’ve seen more rejections and harsh words than I can count. And I’ve received multiple death threats. Thank God my wife is always there to remind me that He is in control.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

As I said before, I have 42 rejection letters in a file. And those are just the ones I remembered to save. Plus, most agents don’t bother to send rejection letters. Add to that rejections in Hollywood, angry reviewers, etc. Tallying them all up is impossible. If you want to work in this business, you’d better grow a thick skin fast.

Where do you get your ideas?

Ideas come from knowledge, experience, and inspiration. You can’t have the latter without the former two. So, fill up your knowledge and experience buckets in every way you can—reading, living, etc. That when, when the spark of inspiration comes, you’ll be ready.

Example: My biggest seller by far has been The Lost Property Office. Inspiration struck while I was in London, looking for 221B Baker St. The real Lost Property Office happens to be a few doors down at 200 Baker St. The world of secret societies that opened up for me on that day—The Ministries of Trackers, Guilds, Secrets, and Dragons—appeared only because of my previous study and experience. Without filling those buckets first, I’d have missed that chance.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I always go back to four: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Tom Clancy, and Clive Cussler. But I absorb a lot of other great authors in the meantime: Steven James, Brandon Sanderson, DiAnn Mills, Mark Greaney, to name a few.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Keep writing. I can’t count the number of aspiring writers I’ve met who’ve been tinkering with the same story for the last five years or more. Put it down. Write the next one. After my very first book, Tom Young told me “It’s not a book. It’s a career.” I can’t offer any better advice than that.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Impatience. On the opposite end of the spectrum from the “I’ve been working on this for five years and I think I’ve almost got it” crowd, we have the “I don’t have time to wait for an agent or publisher because people need to read my story now” crowd. No, they don’t. And most likely they won’t. The process of locating an agent and publisher is a crucible that makes us better writers. We’re losing that because of impatience, and the level of literature in our society is suffering.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

See my answer to the “common mistakes” question. To sum it up: patience.

Former stealth pilot James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. He has been shot at, locked up with surface to air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion award-winner for his Section 13 mysteries, a Thriller Award nominee for his Nick Baron covert ops series, and a Selah Award finalist for his Clandestine Service series. James is a rare multi-sense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells and hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.

Find James’s books wherever books are sold, and get all the info about the different series at his website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamesrhannibal

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/jamesrhannibal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesrhannibal

Website: https://www.jamesrhannibal.com

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Bestsellers

Award-winning Author Interview with Del Duduit

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

My most recent books include:

  1. The Bengal Believer: 40 Who Dey Votions for the Cincinnati Fanatic is a devotional for fans of the Bengals. Each chapter relives a significant moment in the history of the franchise, with a life-lesson and challenge to the reader.
  2. Having Impossible Faith is about three people and their battles to overcome monumental odds. Their decisions to follow their faith had lasting impressions on those around them. No all stories in the book have happy endings, but the book will challenge the reader to examine how strong their faith is through life’s challenges.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write to try to encourage and inspire others. My goal for my devotional series of books is to give the reader hope of a better way to live life – mainly through becoming a Christian.

How long have you been writing?

I have written for several years, since 1990, but have only become more serious in the past four years.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I was able to secure a book contract through my agent, Cyle Young about three months after we met. We attended a Cincinnati Reds game in the summer and the idea for the book was hatched over lunch.

I have four books out in the market via the traditional method with six more scheduled over the next two years. I have also self-published one book in 2019.

Which of your books is your favorite?

The first book I had published, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful (BY Books) might have the most significance since it was the first.

Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best (New Hope Publishers) is also special because it was pitched to me through a publisher, who then rejected it after it was completed. Then another publisher picked it up and it has done well on the market.

And Having Impossible Faith holds a place as well since the manuscript was the reason I was introduced into the world of Christian writing.

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

In 2017, I was named Writer of the Year at the Ohio Christian Writers Conference.

In 2018, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful won second place in the Selah Awards in the category of Devotionals.

In 1991 I won an Associated Press Award for a sports column I wrote for the Portsmouth Daily Times.

How long does it take you to write a book?

When I write a devotional, it usually takes me about six months, that includes research, writing and editing.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Binger writer. I try to knock out one chapter a day when I’m on a deadline. This happens usually in the evenings.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

No, nothing interesting or a quirk. I like the pressure of a deadline because it makes me focus more. That comes from the days when I worked as a sports editor and had to meet a press deadline.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Notes of encouragement I receive from readers who have been impacted by my work. I enjoy all the people I have met through my writing journey. All the doors that have opened for me the last three years has been amazing.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

Rejection from publishers and writing about family tragedy.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

In my writing career I have been rejected several times. It made me more determined to get the mission accomplished. It taught me patience and to make the best connection for the project. It also taught me that “big publishers” can be wrong.

Where do you get your ideas?

From various ways. Most of the time when I’m driving or at the gym working out I will have an idea pop in my mind.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Oddly enough I don’t have one.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

To start writing and attend a writing conference. Be prepared to attend, listen to the advice of editors and be confident in your work

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

Not doing what agents or editors ask them to do in a timely manner or becoming too attached to their work. Or they might put limits on their own aspirations and ambitions.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

By attending a writer’s conference and getting to work. I have heard so many stories where someone will take a break from a project and it never gets finished. Procrastination is real.

Del Duduit is a freelance writer from Lucasville, OH.  He is represented by Cyle Young, Hartline Literary Agency.

His articles have appeared in Athletes in Action, Clubhouse Magazine, Sports Spectrum, The Sports Column, One Christian Voice, The Christian View Online Magazine, and Portsmouth Metro Magazine. His blogs have appeared on One Christian Voice and its national affiliates across the country, on ToddStarnes.com and on Almost an Author and The Write Conversation.

In November 2017, he was named Outstanding Author at the Ohio Christian Writers Conference. In 2019, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful, won second place in the Selah Awards for Best Devotional at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. He is also a member of the Serious Writer, Inc. team and an adjunct instructor as Shawnee State University.

He and his wife Angie live in Lucasville, Ohio and attend Rubyville Community Church.

Del’s Books

First Down Devotions: Inspirations from NFL’s Best:

Available from New Hope Publishers and Amazon 
Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best:

Available from New Hope Publishers and Amazon 

Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful

Having Impossible Faith

Bengal Believer: 40 Who Dey Votions for the Cincinnati Fanatic

Categories
Bestsellers

Award Winning Author Interview with Karen Whiting

award-winning author

Can you share a little about your recent book?

52 Weekly Devotions for Families Called to Serve provides easy to do faith connections as a family. Parents can choose what fits each week between the hands-on activities, chat prompts, contemporary story, and Bible passages. This is easier for busy families.

It also focuses on stories with children in families who served or helped by someone who serves. Such stories encourage a child to develop a servant heart and helps kids understand the lifestyle of people called to put the needs of others first.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I never wanted to write but God called me, gave me a vision, and I received a painting of the vision hours later. So, I committed to write until God tells me to stop. He also opened many doors and sent people my way to train me. He is still sending people to train me. Writing and marketing is a constant learning curve.

How long have you been writing?

25 years

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I received articles contracts 3 months after I started writing and sold something every month for 100 months in a row (stopped counting then plus I was doing columns by then).

My first book proposal contract came 3 years after I started writing. I received contracts for my first books in one week (my birthday week).

Which of your books is your favorite?

My newest is always among my favorites. I also treasure my book The Gift of Bread because I grew up in the restaurant business and cooked with so many people in my family. I also treasure my nonfiction historic book that shares true stories of what happened on the home front during American war times. As a military wife and mom, I believe the stories needed to be told.

Tell us about an award you won that was particularly meaningful.

The Christian Retailing NF children’s book of the year. At that time a small group of judges chose the finalists and then retailers voted. I was up against major children’s authors (the top ones) so I was thrilled to be a finalist. I was super surprised when they called my book title as the winner. That’s The One Year My Princess Devotions. I designed the book to share how young girls could be a real princess of action of God’s kingdom. There’s a princess in action activity every day to follow Jesus and apply God’s word at their level.

How long does it take you to write a book?

I can take as long as the contract gives me. I have written 365 devotionals in four months.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I get up when I wake up and write all day unless I am traveling. I do use some of the time for marketing. I almost never work on a Sunday.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I never could use an outline or write one. I am a mathematician. I use spread sheets to lay out my books and it works super well.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

The people I have met and trips I’ve taken (speaking in China answered my lifelong dream to visit that country, so all expenses paid and really interacting with people there gave me great joy).

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

It’s always sad when a book does not sell well (and that is a relative term). It was hard writing a book as my husband died. The galleys arrived the day he started hospice care and they were the worst I ever received. A few months later the editor finally looked at the galleys, scrapped them, and hired a new freelance editor. That saved the book.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

I never counted (love never counts wrongs), so I have no clue. It took 11 years to get one book accepted and 22 for another.

Where do you get your ideas?

They just pop up or I get them in talking to an editor and hearing what they need. My mind is like a popcorn popper, so ideas are never a problem. I always trust God to give them to me.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I have a few I like: Jane Austin, Max Lucado, Carol Mayhill.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

Learn to market. I was told to edit a lot and followed that advise. It helped. I read the market guide every day for the first year and learned to follow the guidelines because an editor said to do that. A fabulous piece of advice!

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?

They think what they write is pure gold when it needs a lot of refining and sifting out. Many writers write to satisfy themselves and forget it’s all about the gift you create for the reader.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

  1. Watch for changes in magazines and send in the new needs.
  2. Network and learn what is needed and where.
  3. Spend more time on the proposal to showcase the audience and the marketing ideas.
  4. Start small and local and move outward.

Karen Whiting has a heart to grow tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She lets creativity flow into her writing to encourage women, families, and children.  She’s a Writing and Marketing Coach (www.karenwhiting.com), international speaker, former television host, and award-winning author of twenty-six books for women, children, military, and families. She’s also a mom of five (including two rocket scientists) and a grandmother. She writes to help families thrive. She has written more than seven hundred articles for more than sixty publications. Her awards include the Christian Retailing 2014 Best Award, children’s nonfiction (The One Year My Princess Devotions) and the Military Writer’s Society of America Gold Medal (Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front).