.jpeg?picon=2982)
Katie and I met via the blogosphere several years ago. We've followed a similar agent to sale to publication time frame. I'm happy to share Katie and her book, Wildflowers in Winter, with you today.
What inspired you to write this story?
In the wee hours of the morning, while nursing my son, the voice of a twelve-year old girl came into my head and wouldn’t leave. So I sat down and wrote the prologue, only I didn’t have any story to go with it.
At the same time, I was thinking a lot about my best friend growing up. We’d lost touch in college. Her life went in one direction. Mine went in another. And I remember thinking that even though we’d grown apart, even though we didn’t know each other that well anymore, our memories and our past bonded us. I also remember wondering what, if anything, might draw us together again. All these thoughts made me want to write a story that explored the bonds of friendship.
So I decided to squish those two stories together and Wildflowers from Winter was born.
What was your publication process like, from initial idea to sale?
14 Comments on Katie Ganshert Interview+Giveaway, last added: 5/21/2012
Display Comments
Add a Comment
Thanks for having me, Caroline!
I loved reading about her process from having the idea for the book to actually seeing it published. I'm walking away with hope to see some of my goals accomplished!
I'm incredibly encouraged to hear that there are publishers interested in Christian fiction that grapples with the dark and difficult. Lighthearted and sweet is ok sometimes, but meaty stories appeal to me more.
Thanks for sharing about your journey, Katie! This book sounds intriguing.
I appreciate Katie sharing that her novel began with a 12 year old girl's voice in her head that she couldn't ignore. Then she wrote what she could even though there didn't seem to be anything else to go with it quite yet. As someone just beginning this journey of writing for publication, I am inspired by Katie's honesty. I am encouraged that she kept moving forward even if the next steps weren't real clear. This means I can keep moving forward even on the days when it seems like I have no idea what's going on. Thanks, Katie!
-Heidi
Congrats Katie! Looking forward to reading your book.
My take-away is that I really, really, really need to just read The Phantom Tollbooth already.
Glad you're feeling hopeful, Lydia!
I'm so glad it was encouraging to you!
I like the meatier stories more too!
I hope you enjoy the story when you get around to reading it! And YES, you really need to read The Phantom Tollbooth. I can't wait until my son is old enough so I can read it to him. :)
I just judged a contest. There's a writer who is SO CLOSE. It never occurred to me to offer to mentor. I think I will! Love that someone did this for Katie.
I also know the perfect reader for Katie's book.
Thanks for sharing, Caroline, and congratulations, Katie!
Katie, it's lovely to have you here today!
What an amazing opportunity that judge gave you! ... And what a great story to publication. Congratulations on your two-book deal. I'm glad that long wait paid off! :)
Great interview! It's always so interesting the process people go through to get their books to market. Thanks for sharing her story!
You know, I appreciate the level of hope that she's shared. I hear so much from authors advising people to stick with the craft because it took them years and years of submitting manuscripts before an agent even considered publishing them. It's a welcome relief to hear that sometimes it's not years and years, it's just down to the author being proactive and having faith and working hard. Thank you. :)