Interview With Author Kathryn Warner

 

1)What inspired you to write this book?  

I got into writing after re-reading the same books and feeling a bit lost. My sister told me to write my own stories. The first story I worked on wasn’t great but it taught me a lot. While writing that one Jamie (Main character) made herself known to me. Inspired by my love of stories where the character has a secret, Jamie told me hers and wouldn’t leave until I wrote her story.  

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?  

Jamie is coming into her teen years. Growing out of her childhood phase and becoming more independent. This is about Jamie learning how to interact with people on her own and build connections. Learning how to have a more mature relationship with her father. She’s mature for her age but her social skills need work after being isolated most of her life. This story is for teen and young adults.  

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?  

With the story following Jamie as she becomes more social and independent, I hope readers will feel comradery. Understanding the pains Jamie is going through and just simply routing for her to succeed.  

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?  

The title was a way to show that Jamie has been living in her father’s shadow but the book gives her the chance to find her own light. The cover was something I designed to show Jamie’s life at the start of the book. Further reflecting the title’s metaphor. Her father’s band has just finished a world tour where Jamie has followed along in the shadows.  

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?  

Scraping an idea half-way through writing a book is okay. Sometimes an important part of the story will reveal itself to you later in the process that may contradict some of what you’ve written. Editing your book as you write will help make these changes easier. Plus, read. Read other books in the genre to teach and inspire your own writing.  

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?   

Honestly, I don’t follow the trends or publishing industry. So don’t have an opinion on this topic.  

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?   

Jamie’s social awkwardness is a lot like my own. While the school side I have experience from being a student and a teacher, so understood the way a school runs.   

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?  

I would describe my writing as first person. Writing as if the character is narrating in their head. I feel this allows me the room to show how a character is feeling better in each situation. Plus gives me the chance to have some funny personal thoughts and reactions. Mia Archer inspired my writing style when I first started. While Natasha West helped me develop the story line.    

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?  

As this was the second book, I started working on a lot of the story evolved from the original idea. Her cousin was originally the daughter of one of her dad’s band members. The way reveals were done changed from the first iteration. I was still learning how to convey the scenes I pictured in my mind and learnt the art of editing my work. Editing allowed me to find the flow of the story and make culls where needed. 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?  

Jamie is sweet character who encourages you to follow her story and leaves you wanting to know what happens next.  

For more information, see: https://kathrynwarner.ampbk.com.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2023. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.3 million pageviews. With 4,400+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.