Interview with Kate Breslin
Author of Far Side of the Sea
Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?
I was born in Melbourne, Florida, and now make my home near Seattle, Washington.
If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?
Our family moved a lot with my dad’s job, so I’ve lived in several states across the country. I have actually lived in the Seattle area three different times—as a child, then as a young adult, and finally years later, when I moved here with my husband after we married. Florida will always have a place in my heart, but I love the mountains and evergreens of the Pacific Northwest!
What made you decide to write and publish your first book?
I began writing early in life, creating poems for family birthday cards and then writing short stories for school. I didn’t start novel writing until much later, as an adult, when I finally ran out of books by my favorite historical romance authors. I made the decision to try writing one of my own, and it wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined! It took me many years before I became published, and I still love creating inspirational, romantic stories to share with readers.
How would you describe your books to first time readers?
I love writing wartime history, particularly WWI and WWII, and weaving in a fictional story about ordinary people who through impossible circumstances, rise up to do the extraordinary. I write stories about faith, love, loss, and happily ever after; I write stories with adventure, intrigue, and danger, usually inspired by historical events.
Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?
I believe my novels will appeal to those who enjoy learning more about world war history in Europe, and who like stories with romance and intrigue. I write for a Christian publisher, so all of my novels are clean reads and suitable for most young adults.
What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?
Where to begin! After finally receiving my first book contract, I was surprised at how involved the actual publishing process can be. After writing the manuscript and turning it in, there is still much work to do, like content revisions, line edits (galleys), final checks, promotion, marketing, and then the deadline for the next book. It’s thrilling, and sometimes feels like riding a roller-coaster. I’m always surprised too, at the wonderful response from readers. Writing is a solitary occupation and it’s incredibly gratifying to connect with others who love your characters and story as much as you do. Knowing your passion has inspired someone else, I think, is the best gift a writer can receive.
If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?
I think during my early years I would have focused writing in one genre rather than jumping around. I know as writers we sometimes have to test various genres to discover what we really want to write, but had I stayed with writing historical fiction I would have had a back list to offer my publisher once I received my first contract, rather than just a single title.
How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?
Since we’ve now become a global community, I would like to reach all readers who might enjoy inspirational and historical romantic fiction.
What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?
Time is probably at the top of the list. Between balancing my personal life with research, writing, reading, launching, marketing, and getting ideas for the next book, it’s always a challenge to find enough time to accomplish all I want to do.
What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?
a) With regard to writing, I feel I create believable, complex characters and give them high stakes in my stories.
b) In publishing, I’m blessed to have a wonderful team of editors and believe I’m flexible and honest about my writing when working with them.
c) As for marketing, I spent twenty years in construction sales before I published, so I feel competent in launching and promoting my novels and I love interacting with my readers on social media.
What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?
a) Before I start writing, I plot out my novels and this involves research. Since I’m passionate about history, I often spend too much time fact-finding and this can put me in a crunch to finish my novel.
b) With publishing, I’m a slow writer. My books currently release about 15-18 months apart, and I’d like to improve that to once a year.
c) In marketing, I tend to overcommit to promotional opportunities and this can have an adverse effect on my writing time.
When do you think you will write your next book?
I’m currently writing my fifth novel for Bethany House Publishers, with a release date of September of 2021.
Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?
I write for a traditional publisher.
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