It’s been a busy, crazy summer! Life-wise. But also, writing-wise. I think most of you know that I’ve ventured into new terrain. Not only the world of young adult literature, but also the world of indie publishing.
I’m in the process of putting out my first ever Young Adult series, indie-style. Book 1 (The Gifting) and 2 (The Awakening) are out in the world, and book 3 (The Gathering) will be following VERY soon.
You guys. Let’s talk about the final cover. I cannot stop staring at it. Seriously. It’s perfect in every conceivable way. Major props to Sarah Hansen with Okay Creations on these three beauties! I couldn’t be happier with them.
I have to tell you, this project has been one of the most fun things I’ve ever written.
Wrapping up the series has been bittersweet. Sweet because holy buckets of gravy, ending a trilogy is no easy feat. Penning the end and feeling a measure of confidence while doing so was a two-strand twist of satisfaction and exhilaration. Bitter because you guys. I love these characters. I loved every second I got to spend in their world. I hate to say goodbye.
The good news?
I don’t have to. Not really. That’s the joy of being a writer. Every time a new reader picks up The Gifting and begins Tess’s journey and (even better) tells me about it, it’s like I get to jump into the world all over again. I hope you feel the same way whenever you share The Gifting Series with your friends.
If you’re wanting to stay up to date on the exact release date of book 3, make sure to subscribe to K.E. Ganshert’s email list. The tentative release date was September 8th, but we’re well ahead of schedule, so there’s no reason to make readers wait that long.
Also, a dear reader created this super fun quiz where you answer 12 questions and find out what YOUR gifting would be if you lived in Tess’s world. You don’t even have to have read the books to take it!
On top of wrapping up this series, I’ve also been going through final stages of edits for two novellas releasing this fall. The Perfect Arrangement, which is another Zondervan Year of Weddings novella, and was a total BLAST to write. Light-hearted and giddy and fun, with much of the story told via email messages. Can’t wait to share it with everyone in late September!
As well as Guiding Star, my contribution to Amish Christmas at North Star. Yep, you read that right. Amish. Not my typical genre. I guess this is the year of branching out, since I don’t typically write young adult either. The difference is that while I hope to write more young adult in the future, I can’t see myself writing anymore Amish. I truly enjoyed trying something new and I’m 100% happy and excited with how this project turned out. I just flat-out don’t know enough about the Amish to write it. Major props to the authors who do! And major thanks to Cindy Woodsmall and Mindy Starns Clark for holding my hand as I asked them an onslaught of questions! Those women know their stuff.
An October Bride (my first Year of Weddings story) has been nominated for a Carol Award in the novella category. A Broken Kind of Beautiful won a Christy Award in the Contemporary Romance category. An honor I still can’t believe, even when I swivel my chair around and spot this beauty up on the shelf.
And last, but not least, I signed another contract with Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group. Thankfully, they understand that I’m smack dab in the middle of one of those chaotic seasons. The Gansherts are adjusting to life as a family of four, as well as life with a child with special needs (our daughter was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy). It’s messy and beautiful and overwhelming and about a hundred other things. Which means, writing time is not currently my top priority. My publisher has been kind enough to give me an extra comfortable cushion for getting this first book turned in.
I can’t tell you how thrilled and humbled I am to be able to continue this journey. To write two more books under the Katie Ganshert women’s fiction/contemporary romance brand. I have no idea what these stories will turn out to be. I only know that God will provide and sustain and equip and mold and speak and I can’t wait to see what shakes out as a result.
As you can see, I’ve been blogging much less. I’m transitioning away from regular blogging to my quarterly newsletter. I’ve sent out two so far – a spring newsletter back in April, and a summer newsletter earlier this month. Not only do I include a short devotional in each one–from my heart to yours–I also share a couple book recommendations, great book bargains (for readers on a tight budget), and each one includes a book give away! If that sounds like something you’d like to receive, make sure to sign up!
It’s hard to believe folks, but a new release is fastly approaching. Usually, this is when I gather together a launch team to help spread the word about my upcoming release.