WFW Interview: Karoline Barrett, author of THE ART OF BEING REBEKKAH

Good morning, WFW! It’s pouring here today, with thunder and lightening that sounds more like the implosion of buildings across the street than heavenly bowling. The only good thing about it? IT’S NOT SNOW! 

It’s all perspective.

And that’s what we have here today, author Karoline Barrett offering her perspective on being a debut author with a new kind of publisher. Some are calling them hybrid publishers, I think Karoline is just calling hers fabulous! (Like with anything in publishing, please do your due diligence before signing with anyone or any company.)

Now, please welcome Karoline Barrett to WFW!

Amy xo

WFW Interview: Karoline Barrett, author of THE ART OF BEING REBEKKAH

Amy: Tell us how and when you decided to write THE ART OF BEING REBEKAH.

Karoline: First, thank you so much for having me on your blog. My novel, which is about a Jewish woman who discovers her husband has a dark side, started as a short story about four years ago that never got published. I’ve always loved reading and dreamed of being an author. I decided to take that short story and expand it into a novel; I loved the characters in it and wanted to see where they ended up.

Amy: Would you share with us your journey to publication?

Karoline: I finished THE ART OF BEING REBEKKAH in December 2012 and began querying agents in January 2013. I got a handful of requests for my manuscript, but no takers. I queried Frances Black at Literary Counsel in July 2013 and she signed me in October 2013.

Amy: Your publisher isn’t traditional, but you didn’t self-publish. Please let us know about your process with E-Lit Books.

Karoline: E-lit Books was started by Literary Counsel and DJC Communications. They take care of every aspect of publishing their authors’ books, including the cover design. My agent and I brainstormed cover ideas, and my cover was then designed by illustrator Martin Blanco. E-Lit Books are very involved in marketing and public relations; they don’t publish your book then forget all about you. Books published by E-Lit Books can be ordered by bookstores as well as ordered online from Amazon, IndieBound, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.

(Note to readers: I was published by a “big” traditional publisher and was not forgotten about after my debut launched, everyone’s experience is different. As usual, YMMV – your mileage may vary.)

Amy: What’s the biggest surprise having your novel published with E-Lit Books that you didn’t expect? (Good or Bad – or maybe both!)

Karoline: How hard they work promoting their authors and books, and how supportive they are when we have a book signing, author event, or guest on a blog.

Amy: What’s your definition of women’s fiction?

Karoline: Character driven coming-of-age fiction focusing on womens’ life experiences, growth, key relationships, and turning points.

Amy: What’s your best advice for an aspiring author who’s hitting that line between hope and frustration?

Karoline: Persevere and be patient. Whether you decide to pursue agent representation or self-publish, do your homework, be professional, and believe in your book and yourself.

Karoline Barrett was born in upstate New York and has lived in South America, Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. At the moment, she lives in a small Connecticut town with her husband. When she’s not writing, she loves reading, spending time by the water, traveling, and doing anything that has nothing to do with math. She’s currently working on her second novel, a cozy mystery set in upstate N.Y.

Website: Karoline Barrett

Facebook: Karoline’s Facebook author page

Twitter:@KarolineBarrett

Pinterest:Pinterest

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