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?
The idea for Wildflowers came to me when my son was a newborn baby, so in the fall of 2008. It was the third novel I wrote, after a summer spent devouring craft books.
I originally wrote the entire novel in first person, then switched to third. I entered it into some contests. It never finaled in any of them, but one of the judges really liked what she saw and offered to mentor me. She tore apart the first four chapters and helped me put them back together again.
When it was finished, I felt like I had a story worth publishing. So I signed up for a writing conference. In September, 2009, I went to the ACFW conference in Denver. I pitched the story to my dream agent, Rachelle Gardner, and an editor.
Two months later, Rachelle called to offer me representation. And the editor from the conference really liked what she saw. My book was scheduled for pub board in April, but it didn’t end up going until October. I spent seven months waiting, and boy did I learn a lot about myself and a lot about faith during that period of limbo.
Finally, in October of 2010, two year after inception, my agent called with the good news. Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House, had offered me a two book deal.
The first of the two, Wildflowers from Winter, releases May 8th.
What books have shaped you as a reader and writer, from childhood to the present?
I love this question, Caroline, especially since we share an affinity for one book in particular. The Phantom Tollbooth will forever and always be my favorite childhood read.
I remember gobbling it up in three days and feeling so much wonder as Milo transformed into a better version of himself. I remember putting that book down and looking at the world with different eyes. Better eyes. It was the first time a story became something more. The first time reading felt truly magical. That book made me fall in love with reading, and ultimately, writing. I wanted to give readers what Norton Juster had given me. Entertainment. Hope. And an experience that felt magical.
What is one thing people misunderstand about Christian Romance?
I think a lot of people think it’s G-rated, lighthearted, and ultra sweet. Some of it is, but not all of it. There are Christian romances out there that are deep and explore difficult topics. Wildflowers deals with grief, suicide, and spiritual abuse. I wouldn’t call any of those light topics.
Are you working on anything new?
Right now, I’m working on revisions for book 2, Wishing on Willows, which releases March 19, 2013 and tells the story of Robin, a very important secondary character in Wildflowers. I hope readers will enjoy seeing familiar faces and places!
And now for the giveaway:
What’s one thing you’ll take away from Katie’s interview? Leave your response below for a chance to win a copy of Wildflowers in Winter. This contest closes 5/24.
Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.
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!
Glad you’re feeling hopeful, Lydia!
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 like the meatier stories more too!
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
I’m so glad it was encouraging to you!
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.
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. 🙂
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.
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. 🙂
It really resonated that the story insisted on being told by not leaving your brain. And also that to find your book’s way, you have to really do many iterations including switching the voice.