Katie Ganshert, Author at Katie Ganshert

Join the Broken Kind of Beautiful Launch Team

Posted on January 20, 2014January 29, 2014 by Katie Ganshert

*UPDATE* Thank you so much for the encouraging, positive response! My launch team is full, but if you’re hoping to still snag an advanced copy, keep your eyes on my blog and Facebook page for giveaways leading up to the book’s release.

It’s hard to believe that in a little less than three months, A Broken Kind of Beautiful will be making its way into book stores! (Cue giddy excitement and hoards of stomach-dwelling butterflies.)

The official release date is April 15th, and with that day drawing ever closer, it’s time to start gathering a launch team!

What is a launch team?

A team of readers ready and willing and eager to spread the word about A Broken Kind of Beautiful.

Why a launch team?

Have you been to a book store? Or have you seen all the books for sale on Amazon? Rising out of obscurity is no easy feat. A launch team plays a critical role in starting that all-important buzz that is oh-so-very crucial when it comes to a book’s success.

What do I get for being on the launch team?

A free, advanced copy of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, two surprise books from my publishing house, and my undying gratitude. Seriously.

What does a launch team member do?

They help promote the book by reaching out to people in their sphere of influence.

How is this done?

All kinds of ways!

You can talk about the book on social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc), recommend the book to friends and family, donate a copy of the book to your church library, ask your local libraries to order the book, suggest the book to local book clubs (or your own book club, if you are part of one), feature the book on your blog, post about the book on online reading forums, write a review for the book on popular review sites (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Lifeway Christian Stores, Goodreads, Novel Crossing, etc), share favorite quotes from the book on social media sites, or anything else that will create buzz and generate interest.

That is by no means an exhaustive list. Thinking outside the box is welcomed and appreciated.

Anything else I should know about being on the team?

Once you are on the team, I will create a private Facebook group where we can connect and share ideas. If you’re not on Facebook, don’t worry! I will also set up an email list to keep launch team members abreast on any pertinent book release news.

I’m looking to fill my launch team roster with readers who are super enthusiastic about spreading the word!

But what if I’m a team member and I don’t like the book?

Easy! You don’t do anything. I realize taste is subjective and not everybody who picks up Ivy’s story will enjoy it. Silence is 100% preferred over dishonesty or fake enthusiasm. That’s no fun for anyone.

What is the difference between a reviewer and a launch team member?

A reviewer’s role is a bit more focused and limited than a launch team member’s.

A reviewer reads the book and writes a review on his or her blog and at least one of those popular review sites mentioned above. The review does not have to be glowing. It just has to be honest. I have several early copies reserved for those who are interested in reviewing.

Launch team members often write reviews, but they usually go beyond that as well.

How do I become a part of the launch team?

I have forty-eight advanced copies of A Broken Kind of Beautiful, which means I have 48 spots on my launch team roster! If you’re interested in joining the team, please send me an email (katie@katieganshert.com) with LAUNCH TEAM in the subject line. In the email, please include a couple ideas of how you might promote the book.

How do I become a reviewer?

If you would like an early copy in order to review A Broken Kind of Beautiful, please send me an email (katie@katieganshert.com) with REVIEWER in the subject line, and include a link to your blog.

Do me a favor?

If I already promised you a spot on my launch team, will you please remind me? I’m suffering from a little thing called Adoption Brain. Forgetfulness and a scattered mind are two of the side effects.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful Back Cover Blurb

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

If that sounds like a book you’d enjoy, let’s talk!

If you’d like to hear some more about my upcoming release, check out my 10-minute interview with the fabulous Rel Mollet. You’ll find it under ACFW 2013 Audio Interview. I chat a bit about our adoption as well!

For the Mess Ups

Posted on January 13, 2014January 19, 2014 by Katie Ganshert

Hey, you.

Yeah, you.

The one over there, who thinks you’ve messed up too big or too often. Surely God doesn’t want you anymore, if He ever did to begin with.

I have a story for you.

It’s about a man named Peter.

Gotta love Peter. Fearless, impulsive, on-fire-for-Jesus Peter. I’ll-never-deny-you, no-not-me Peter.

He left behind the life he knew (fishing) to follow the One who gave His life so God could be known.

So you can imagine, when Jesus told Peter during supper one night that he would deny him, what Peter’s response was. A passionate, “No way!”

Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!”

Bold words for a bold man. And yet….

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying–I don’t know this man you’re talking about!” And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind…And he broke down and wept.

Despite Peter’s claim, despite living and eating and walking with Jesus for years, Peter messed up. Big time messed up. Pretended-not-to-even-know-Jesus messed up.

And you want to know what Peter did after he failed so royally?

He went back to the life he had BEFORE.

Before Jesus came and rocked his world.

Before Jesus showed up and invited Peter to become a fisher of men.

Never mind that invitation. Surely it had expired.

Peter started fishing for regular old fish again.

Because how could he be used for the Kingdom now?

He was a mess up.

And here’s where the story gets good. Like, sit-up-and-pay-attention good.

You want to know what Jesus did?

He came after Peter.

It’s one of the things I love most about Jesus.

He doesn’t leave us in our messed up state.

He comes after us.

Peter went fishing for fish, and Jesus went fishing for Peter.

Jesus found him and He told him, “Feed my sheep.”

No more fishing, Peter. Put away your fishing ways.

Feed my sheep.

Kingdom work.

You know what Peter went on to do? He established the Church!

Friends, nobody is too messed for God to use.

Nobody is too messed up that Jesus won’t come after them. (<–click to tweet)

Not you.

Not me.

It’s a story worth remembering.

Let’s Talk: Have you ever thought that God could no longer use you because you messed up too big or too much?

A Review in Pictures & What’s on the Horizon

Posted on January 6, 2014January 6, 2014 by Katie Ganshert

Over the past several years, I’ve has fun summarizing the previous year using one word and predicting what the next year’s word will be.

Here’s a brief recap….

2009’s One Word Summary: Growth

I started doing this in January of 2010, which means I didn’t have a prediction for 2009. Just a summary. And with all the growing I did as a Christian and as a writer, I’d say that fits the bill.

2010’s One Word Summary: Surrender

Jokingly, I predicted that 2010 would be my year for Victory. Ended up being a year of surrender. Gotta love the irony there.

2011’s One Word Summary: Trust

2011’s prediction was Anticipation, since I had just signed a two-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Throughout the course of the year, I not only quit my day job, Ryan and I said yes to adoption, both of which required a lot of trust.

2012’s One Word Summary: Grateful

2012’s prediction was Change, since I became a work-at-home mom and assumed we’d be bringing our Congolese son or daughter home at some point that year (oh Katie, you were so naive). Even though that didn’t happen, it was a year of many blessings–both tangible and intangible.

2013’s One Word Prediction: Surprises

Let’s see. Major highlights.

In 2013, Ryan and I accepted a referral for a little girl. That was in February. We thought she’d be home by the summer. But then Congo adoptions turned upside down and we watched from afar as timelines were extended and government departments shut down. Our Congolese Cutie officially became a Ganshert in July, but as of right now, we have no idea when she will come home.

In 2013, I traveled to Congo twice. Once in April for a humanitarian trip. Again in November to spend time with my daughter.

In 2013, I saw an outpouring of God’s provision like none I have ever seen before. Kelli Standish’s flash mob made my 2nd trip to the Congo possible and it had God’s fingerprints all over it.

In 2013, my second book, Wishing on Willows, hit book stores.

In 2013, my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter, was nominated for a Christy and won a Carol!

In 2013, I signed another 2-book deal with Waterbrook Multnomah, and wrote a novella for Zondervan’s A Year of Weddings novella collection.

In 2013, my son’s life became increasingly miraculous. Yearning for a child has a way of making you appreciate the one you have in a profound way.

If I had to sum up the year in one word, it would be….

Surprises

Because the shoe fits…

If you would have told me last year that we’d somehow have the money for me to fly to Congo TWICE, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that I would be nominated for a Christy or win a Carol, I would have laughed.

If you would have told me last year that we still would not have our daughter home, I would have laughed.

The year was filled with surprises–some amazing, some not. But surprises nonetheless.

So what’s my one word prediction for 2014?

I have no idea.

In fact, I’m going to stop making predictions.

Here is what I do know…

I’ll spend these next two months in a writing cave, finishing my fourth novel.

My third novel, A Broken Kind of Beautiful, will release this April (I am so beyond excited to share this story).

My first novella, An October Bride, will release in….well, October. (I’m pretty excited about this one too.)

Our daughter could come home, or she might not.

There will be days when I can handle the wait and days when I can’t.

Brogan will start kindergarten (what?!?!)

I will give my husband lots of kisses and my son lots of cuddles. We’ll probably do some bickering and I’ll probably lose my patience. I will do some writing, some playing, some laughing, some crying. And lots and lots of praying.

Happy 2014, from me to you!

Let’s Talk: How’s 2014 looking for you? Any big highlights to share from 2013?