Thanks for joining me today, Kaitlin, and congratulations on your debut novel.

What’s the first story you remember writing?

The first story I remember writing was very similar to Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White, actually! I wrote it in response to a writing contest when I was 8. I can recall describing a weather-beaten red barn and naming my farm animal characters wacky names!

When did you begin to pursue writing seriously?

I was 13 when I finished writing my first manuscript. It was a YA novel of approximately 80,000 words about the son of a lighthouse keeper and his Newfoundland dog living on an island in Maine. I started researching various Christian publishers, but then I realized that my writing skills needed extensive polishing before I even thought about publication! From that moment on, I was determined to become a published author one day. I wrote two more novels and multiple short stories before I started writing Atoning for Ashes in January of 2015.

Who or what has influenced you most as a writer?

I have always been a voracious reader. I would have to say that all the books I’ve read (especially the Bible) have really shaped me as a writer. I’ve always favoured diversity on my TBR list, and thus I’ve read an abundance of classic literature, historical fiction, memoirs, biographies, Christian fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and other genres. I believe that every author was a reader first, and every book I’ve read has taught me what my preferences were as a writer. I quickly learned that I had a special fondness for elements of mystery and suspense, biblical themes, deep characters, complex plot twists, and the Christian Historical Fiction genre. I just had to find my own unique writing voice to weave those elements together and make them my own!

What genre do you write, and what is it that draws you to this genre?

I write Christian/Inspirational Historical Romance. The history is what drew me to this genre as a reader and shaped my favorite genre as a writer. History has fascinated me for as long as I can remember, and all my story ideas were always inspired by historical events. It is so exhilarating to live and breathe in the past through the eyes of my heroines!

What would you say has been your steepest learning curve on your path to publication?

I would have to say that the steepest learning curve was learning to write what publishers wanted to publish. This was not easy to determine at first, because as a writer I just wanted to string words together!

What is the most daunting thing about being a debut author?

The most daunting task I have faced as a debut author is the launch process. Every author has a specific audience because all readers have specific, personal preferences. Readers are taking a risk when they read a debut author even if it is a worthwhile risk if they find an author they will love for a lifetime. As a debut author, the launch process has been very rewarding, but also very intimidating because I hadn’t built an audience of readers yet. My debut novel has a lot of mystery and suspense in it, and I’ve invested a lot of time and energy into marketing trying to reach readers who would enjoy a historical fiction novel with a suspenseful twist. I daresay my next book will be easier to launch now that readers will recognize what I stand for as an author.

What has been the most encouraging thing you’ve experienced as a debut author?

The daily support and encouragement from other authors (and my launch team members and first readers of course!) The Christian author community has been an immense blessing to me in more ways than I can name. Their humility, willingness to provide assistance and advice, and welcoming ways have blown me away! My endorsers: Laura Frantz, Catherine Richmond, and Rachelle Rea Cobb, are beautiful examples of this! I hope I can pass this amazing experience along to future debut authors myself, because every debut deserves to be celebrated in a special way, whether you are traditionally published or self-published as an author!

Briefly share your book’s life story. When was the story conceived, and how long as its journey been to release day?

The story was conceived in the middle of the night, but unfortunately, I didn’t write the date down because random story ideas popped into my mind this way all the time! I scribbled furiously in the notebook I kept on my nightstand until I got the details just right. Later on (when I was in a more lucid state of mind) I added plot twists, scenes, and other details. I can’t write a single word until I’m organized and know the direction I’m going in! When I started writing Atoning for Ashes it was in January of 2015. The journey to release day has taken just over 4 years!

What will you be doing to celebrate release day?

On release day (February 14^th) I will be celebrating by announcing a Jane Austen themed giveaway on my website, kaitlincovel.com, conducting a Facebook live video on my Facebook author page, posting a Valentine’s Day blog post on my website regarding the Regency Era, participating in a Valentine’s Day Facebook party and giveaway I organized with 15 other Christian Historical Fiction authors, (if you want to join us just visit my Author Facebook page @AuthorKaitlinCovel on February 13^th & 14^th!) and more fun stuff! I’m so excited!

Well, it’s not every day you launch your debut book. I’d say you’ve got a right to be excited! Thanks again for stopping by. 🙂