Interview with Wanda Kuhl

Author of Jane Doe 46

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Redding, California, moved to Helena, Montana when I was three. I have pretty much resided in Montana for 67 years. I have now lived in Lolo, Montana for 37 years.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

My father was born and raised in Montana. When he returned from World War II, he became a lineman for his occupation in Redding, California. We lived there for three years after I was born. After Dad was finished with the job, he insisted moving back to his roots, and remained in Montana until his death in 2006 at the age of 103.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

My dad had a hand in my writing my first book. Dad learned about my abuse after an argument with my mother, seven months before mother’s death. Dad was astonished to learn that mother had hid the abuse from her, and the Catholic priests all those years. I made a promise to my father that I would get counseling just before he passed away. My counselor also had asked me to keep notes on our sessions. Before long, after two years of counseling, I had a book of notes from our long sessions. From there, my book began.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

My first book took me two years to complete and another year for editing. My dear friend and a high school classmate, re-edited my book, making it a second edition. My first editor, removed 82 pages and slaughtered my work. It should have never have left her hand and gone to publishing. My fault, for letting it go before reading, and on to be published. Lesson learned, as I’m now writing a mystery series and loving where its going.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Jane Doe 46 will certainly be liked by adults that were mentally, physically and sexually abused. Since my abuse began with being abused by Catholic priests in a Catholic orphanage, then at the school. My mother was an abuser physically and mentally. Many people, have wondered, how I myself didn’t face the challenges of mental illness after what I went through. Many of my classmates, witnessed my mother’s wrath after school when she picked me and my sisters up, or at a school dance. My mystery series I’m working on now, is an absolute pleasure, after writing Jane Doe 46.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

The unexpected costs before you can be published and who to trust. The writing is the easiest of the process. It’s the editing that’s costly and then you worry if a publisher will be interested in your work.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

To remember that I wanted to get a message to other victims, to ensure that a person can survive a trauma such as I did. I feel as though I should have trusted my instincts, that my book would be a tough subject to pass on to readers. Now, I will write books that hopefully will draw people in. I probably should have put Jane Doe 46 on the back burner until I had written a few books. Another lesson learned.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

That’s an easy answer. I ideally hoped that it would reach the bishops of the Catholic Diocese, so they would do something about the terrible sins their priests are inflicting on the children of the Catholic faith. The abuse still lingers, as it did in the early centuries of the Catholic Church. Only the Pope, can make changes so children no longer suffer at the hands of the priests.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

The first frustration, trusting your editors to do the right for the sake of your work. Jane Doe 46, went through three editors costing me an enormous amount of money. The second frustration, hoping some publisher would pick my book up. I found out from many publishers that the topic was going to be a tough sell, and they were sorry, that they didn’t want to take the risk. Many publishers wished me luck and hoped someone would pick it up. That didn’t happen for me.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest strength, is writing the story. I love for my mind to create characters, and the role they play in the story your creating. Some nights, I lie in bed and decide to change things up where I want the story to go. Publishing is the hardest to me. Anybody can write and publish on Amazon, but I would love for a publisher to take a chance on Jane Doe 46. I think that the story being about the Catholic church, was a tough pill to swallow for publishers. I have no idea how to market a book other than book signings and promotions.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

My biggest weakness is marketing the book. I have never understood how to market your work when it comes to writing. Years ago when I made dolls to sell, we sold on eBay and I did doll shows. The only marketing as I explained with books, was book signings.

When do you think you will write your next book?

My first book of the mystery series is finished. I have been doing my own editing on this book. I think I’m realizing, you have to have beta readers to catch mistakes. Two sets of eyes are better than one.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

As I explained; I had to self-publish through Amazon, since none of the publishers would pick my book up, because of subject matter.