Q: Tell us a little bit
about your path to publishing... when you started writing, how you found your
agent/editor, etc.
A: Writing has always
been a passion of mine, but I didn't start pursuing it until a few years ago.
I'm a stay at home mom of three active children (twins and a younger child). When
my youngest child began sleeping through the night, I began writing.
After I finished my first
manuscript, I was interested in finding out what I needed to do to become
published. I joined my local Romance Writers of America chapter and realized I
had a lot to learn when they asked me what genre I wrote and the only response
I could give was, "I write books."
To help me, they then
asked where I would consider my book to be shelved at a bookstore and the light
bulb flashed on when I answered, "The Young Adult section." My RWA chapter mates
taught me how to seek an agent, write query letters, and about entering writing
contests. I floated my first manuscript into a contest and discovered that
while there were some aspects of my story that were good, there was a lot I
needed to work on.
I focused on reading
craft books and taking on-line classes offered by other RWA chapters. I learned
a lot and decided to start a new project. This project turned into PUSHING THE
LIMITS. I began querying agents
in the spring of 2010 and landed my agent, Kevan Lyon, the following fall from
a slush pile query. After reading the query, she requested a partial, then
eventually the full. Shortly after I accepted
her offer of representation, Kevan submitted my manuscript to several
publishing houses. Within a few weeks, my manuscript went to auction and was
acquired by Margo Lipschultz at Harlequin Teen.
Q: Your debut, PUSHING
THE LIMITS, just hit bookshelves. What has the experience been like...
preparing for the release, any promotional activities, seeing your book on
shelves and reviews coming out?
 |
| Katie McGarry |
Over the past few weeks
leading up to launch, I've been quite busy filling out blog interviews or guest
posts. My motto has been to say "yes" to whatever promotional idea
has come my way. I'm treating this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'm so
blessed to have a book being published and I want to look back and know I took
advantage of every opportunity placed in my path.
As for seeing my book on
shelves…it's been a surreal experience. The first time I saw PUSHING THE LIMITS
on the shelf was by accident. A bookstore had shelved it early and I was
chasing one of my kiddos through the store and the book caught my attention. I
stood there like a deer caught in headlights. I just couldn't believe that my
book was on a shelf…in a bookstore!
Q: You write contemporary
love stories. I'm curious to know what you most like to read. Do you have other
favorite authors in this YA romance genre?
A: I'm a huge fan of
Simone Elkeles and Jennifer Echols. They are brilliant writers. Stephen King
and S.E. Hinton have been favorites of mine since high school.
Q: Tell us about DARE YOU
TO, your next novel scheduled for publication sometime in 2013. Where are you
in the publishing process with that book?
A: DARE YOU TO follows
the story of Beth, a secondary character from PUSHING THE LIMITS. Beth is one
of Noah's (my hero from Pushing the Limits) best friends.
My editor and I are
currently in the revision stage of this book. We're fleshing out some of the
big picture issues in the novel, then we'll tackle smaller things. I have to
mention that it is an unbelievable honor to work with Margo. She is brilliant,
funny, friendly, and easy to talk to.
Q: You contribute to two
blogs, YA Fusion and The Apocolypsies. Tell us how you got involved, how often
you write for these blogs, and if you've found them to be effective promotional
tools.
A: I founded YA Fusion a
few months after I accepted the offer from Harlequin Teen. I belong to a
critique group and one night I asked if they were interested in forming a group
blog and they jumped on board. We've extended out from our original group and
we're thrilled with how the blog has grown. I post once every thirteen weeks
for YA Fusion.
Someone, and I wish I
could remember who, told me about the Apocalypsies. We are a group of debut YA,
middle grade, and children's book writers. After the suggestion, I found their
website, sent an e-mail to the group explaining that I was also a 2012 debut,
and they soon welcomed me to their family. I've posted twice on this blog.
YA Fusion has been
helpful in teaching me how to craft entertaining blog posts and it has been a
blast collaborating with my fellow bloggers.
As for the
Apocalypsies…oh my, they have been fantastic! We are extremely supportive of
one another, whether we are helping each other by tweeting about a new book
cover or by offering each other encouragement.
Q: Final question: What
are you working on now/next?
A: I'm currently focused
on promotion for Pushing the Limits and will soon be directing my attention
back to revisions for DARE YOU TO.
Thank you, Katie!
Thank you, Katie!
I just finished your novel - really enjoyed it. Thought the resolutions were well done and very satisfying. I cried in several places near the end. Not many books make that happen anymore. And I loved Beth, so glad her story is being told.
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