Category: writing

Sold Out!

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Last Monday, on the eve of my debut novel’s release, I was trying to figure out how to celebrate. Word on the street is most release days are anti-climactic. I didn’t want mine to be. I wanted it to be memorable. So….

We went on a book hunt!

My very first sighting! It was in the regular romance section at Barnes and Noble.

Number one bestseller at Family Christian! Or maybe the man working temporarily swapped out Courageous. Toe-may-toe, Toe-mah-toe, really.

At the park! (Brogan’s favorite part of the day)

Ending the night with a Daddy-Mommy date that involved great conversation and fried pickles.

Since I knew my book wouldn’t make headline news, we decided to take the initiative and make the day special in our own way. I have to say, it was heavenly. One of the best days I’ve had in a long time. Because one of my lifelong dreams came true, sure. But mostly because I spent the day laughing and celebrating with the two people I love most. 

That was on Tuesday.

Fast-forward to Saturday, May 12th. The day of my book launch party.

I had no idea what to expect. An article came out in our local newspaper that morning advertising the event. Books-A-Million ordered a hundred books. I thought that seemed like a lot. My husband thought it was too little (you have to love his optimistic thinking). I was a little nervous and a lot of excited. 

The poster on the door. Thanks Amy Haddock!

Walking in with the truffles

I love the set up Books-A-Million provided! 

My very first party-goer. I think the truffles drew her in. Marketing 101: Bring Chocolate

Here comes the entourage! B-man in his fedora (he wouldn’t take it off) and Aunt Peggy. Everybody in the world should have an Aunt Peggy. Sorry folks, she’s all mine.

My Dad. He’s pretty darn proud. 🙂

One of my junior high girls made me a cup!

It got busy fast! 

People chitchatting in line.

Meanwhile, my son finds more fun things to do with his cousin, Ben.

And there’s the empty rack. We were sold out by 2 o’clock. The event was scheduled from 1-3 pm.

I felt bad for the people who came wanting books, but had to leave empty-handed. Turns out, I have incredibly supportive family and friends. Not only did they come, but they invited lots of friends. I’m pretty sure my mom invited her entire gym. People in the Quad Cities sure know how to help a girl celebrate! 

If you don’t live nearby or you couldn’t make it on Saturday, I have good news! I’m having another launch party. This time online. I’ll be joining three other amazingly awesome debut novelists. There will be live video and lots of really cool prizes! It’s tomorrow evening. Check out the official invite for details. I would absolutely love to see you there!

Let’s Talk: How was your weekend? What did you do?

For a chance to win a copy of my novel, Wildflowers from Winter, hop on over to Sarah Forgrave’s blog and Cindy Wilson’s blog. Sarah gets me to confess that I was  mistaken for a boy for a third of my life and Cindy writes a lovely review of my novel. 

 

On the Eve of a Dream Fulfilled

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Excited, giddy, nervous, uncertain, tired, ecstatic, anxious, happy, encouraged, discouraged, frazzled, blissful, delirious, hyper, hopeful, insecure, optimistic, pessimistic, confused, deflated, confident, overwhelmed, ready…

I got “The Call” from my agent on Friday, October 29th, 2010. Almost a year and a half ago. In that time, my emotions have run the gamut.

Now somehow, it’s here.  

Tomorrow, one of my lifelong dreams becomes a reality.

My novel, Wildflowers from Winter, will be in book stores and libraries, on Kindles and Nooks. It will be out there for anyone to see. 

And my body can’t choose an emotion. It switches back and forth, like malfunctioning traffic lights. Only instead of three choices, there are hundreds. 

In a genius post titled Don’t Miss the Good Stuff, my agent, Rachelle Gardner, reminds us all to savor the victories and the milestones. In the busyness that surrounds the launch of a book, especially a debut, it’s easy to forget to savor. 

I don’t want to forget. 

I want to commemorate the day by doing something special. 

I want to celebrate. 

Here are three ways you can join me:

  • Post a review on Amazon or Christianbook.com
  • If you find my book in a store or if you get a copy in the mail, snap a picture and send it my way! I’d love to post it on my Facebook page.
  • If you chose the book for a book club, take a picture of your group so I can add it to my book club page.

This is not a journey to be traveled alone. Thank you so much for being a part of mine. None of this would be nearly as fun without all of you. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  

And just for fun, here is a hodge podge of thoughts and emotions on the eve of my debut’s release. Be warned. It slowly derails. This is what happens when I’m bored and excited and weird….

Let’s Talk:What would you do, or what have you done, to commemorate the release of your debut novel? How would you make the day memorable? I need suggestions!
 
Wildflowers from Winter is available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com, and other retail outlets. Right on time for Mother’s Day and graduations! 
 
My friend, Jill Kemerer, is throwing me a party on her blog today! Hop on over and join the fun!
 
Thank you SO much to everyone who participated in the Wildflowers from Winter blog tour! Every single story blessed my socks off. The winner of the $50 gift card (chosen using an online random number generator) is….Cheryl McKay. Congrats Cheryl! 
 

Contradictions: What’s Going On?

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

Raise your hand if this has happened to you….

You submit your manuscript to a contest or send it to a critique group or get feedback from agents.

One judge says your characters are well-developed. The other says they are one-dimensional.

One critique partner says your plot is too slow. The other says you’ve written a page-turner.

One agent says your work isn’t ready. The other says you’re so very close.

I think most of us can raise our hands. I think most of us understand that feedback can be confusing and contradictory.

As my debut novel makes its way into readers’ hands, I’m learning that the confusion and the contradictions don’t end with contests and critique groups and agent searches. It continues after publication. In a little land called Review World.

I’ve taken some snippets from various reviews of Wildflowers from Winter to highlight my point. It was a highly entertaining endeavor…

Overall Impression:

  • This is a decidedly light, romantic novel.
  • At times I felt as if the emotion was so overwhelming I couldn’t breathe.
  • It’s a great book to take on vacation. One that’ll help you unwind after work.
  • It’s not what I’d call a “bathtub” read. It’s full of meat and potatoes.

The Genre:

  • Although at times I wanted to roll my eyes at the corny romance plot that is present in so many Christian novels, Wildflowers from Winter can be recommended for those who desire a wholesome read with a fast-paced plotline.
  • I am proud to say that I FINALLY found a Christian romance that I liked, and even scarier, related to! This book restored my faith in Christian romance. (emphasis not mine)

The Plot:

  • Somewhat predictable
  • Twists that keep you guessing
Character Likability and Relatability:
  • I had a hard time connecting with the main characters.
  • You can’t help but fall in love with these characters.
  • Bethany is a hard character to identify with in the beginning.
  • I identified with Bethany’s struggles and rooted for her from the very beginning.
  • I’ve never met a protagonist I disliked as much as this one.
  • I LOVED the character of Bethany! (emphasis not mine)
Character Growth:
  • Bethany never changes!
  • The reader could see a drastic change.
The Hook:
  • While this book was a slow start for me, once I was fully engaged in the storyline, I couldn’t put it down.
  • Ganshert’s fresh beautiful voice gripped me from page one and hung on until the last page.

The Prologue:

  • The prologue set me off on the wrong foot. Actually, after the prologue, I didn’t even like the book. But take my word for it and stick with it!
  • I barely made it through the prologue before asking myself, “WHO is this new writer and WHEN is she writing the next one?” (emphasis not mine)

Alternating Third and First Person POVs:

  • I found it distracting, though not hard to follow.
  • Especially compelling are the first person passages interspersed in the main narrative.
  • Only real drawback for me was the author’s choice to switch back and forth from first to third narrative.
  • The book shifts at times to the past, which creatively adds substance and depth to the story line.
And my favorite….
 
Recommendation:
  • I would not recommend this book to anyone. (Thankfully, this person’s flying solo so far.)
  • I could not put this book down and would recommend it to everyone!

Alright, So what gives?

How is it possible for one person to love Bethany and another to hate her? How can one person say the book is a lighthearted easy read, yet another call it “gut-wrenching” and filled with depth?

Who’s right?

Are you ready for the beautiful, amazing, glorious truth?

Neither. Both. Nobody. All. 

Because taste is subjective. 

Thank the Lord, taste is subjective!

If you have the basics mastered, like Jody Hedlund talks about in a post titled, 2 Tests that Can Help Writers Sort Through Feedback, then be prepared for…

  • Some people to love your work and some to wrinkle their nose at it.
  • A nearly perfect score from one judge and an in-the-pits score from another.
  • One agent to toss your story aside, another to snatch it up.
  • One editor to reject your book after two pages, another to be your biggest advocate. 
  • One reader to swear off anymore of your novels, another to become your newest, biggest fan.

It’s impossible to please everyone. 

Absolutely impossible.

Especially if we’re going to write from a place of honesty. Especially if we refuse to play it safe and write from the soul.

Some people will love what we have to offer, because of their background or personal preference or set of beliefs or (insert whatever you want here). And some people won’t, because of all those same reasons.

That truth shouldn’t give us ulcers. It should set us free.

And it should make for really great book club discussions. 🙂 Speaking of, Wildflowers is the May pick for the online Christian Fiction Book Club. 

Let’s Talk: Have you ever received contradictory feedback? Feel free to share it here. I promise, it’s therapeutic. 

If you’d like to read my debut and decide for yourself which reviews you agree with, it’s available for preorder on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Christianbook.com.