Interviewing Author Kathleen L. Maher

Interviewing Author Kathleen L. Maher

Q1. Tell us about yourself. What are your favorite books to read?

A. Hi, Angel

Thank you so much for having me on your blog.

I’m a wife, mom, and grandma, or “Gigi” as my grandkids call me. I have too many pets, and I love to garden and paint. My favorite books have been historical romances, nonfiction, horse stories, history, inspirational nonfiction—a pretty broad sampling. 

Q2. Where did the inspiration to write come from?

A. In elementary school, I began to journal and had ideas for stories. I started my first full-length novel in 8th grade. But I have wanted to since before I could read and write.

Q3. How did you come up with the titles of your books?

A. Titles are really hard for me to decide on. I’ve had about five titles each for my stories until settling on a theme for the series—"Sons of the Shenandoah”, which helped me title the stories in it, The Abolitionist’s Daughter (released Aug 2018), The Chaplain’s Daughter (releasing 3/25/19), No Man’s Daughter(work in progress), and Daughter of the Stars (prequel, work in progress) The series features four men and the titles reveal the women with whom they fall in love.

 Q4. Anything you're currently working in 2019?

A. I just finished a novella for Barbour’s schoolteacher historical romance collection Lessons on Love. My novella is “Something Old, Something New, and features a Jewish heroine and a preacher hero. It releases in October 2019. 

I’m also in the middle of planning my book launch for The Chaplain’s Daughter, Book 2 in Sons of the Shenandoah Series. Last summer I released The Abolitionist’s Daughter Book 1, which introduces readers to the Sharpe family, a father and four sons who breed thoroughbred horses in the Shenandoah Valley at the time of the Civil War. Book one features the twin brothers Ethan and Devon Sharpe. Book 2 tells the story of the oldest brother Gideon Sharpe who finds that a brush with death sends an angelic minister to restore his heart and health. 

Next is Book 3 in the series which will follow the youngest brother Ben Sharpe and the spit-fire young lady who stands in his way of expanding the family enterprise. And after that will be Book 4, unless I am lucky enough to land another contract with a traditional publisher.  I have a few proposals out there, so keeping fingers, toes and eyes crossed. 

 Q5. How long have you been writing?

A. I started writing in the 1980s and finished my first full-length novel in 8th grade. But I didn’t start seriously studying craft until I joined American Christian Fiction Writers in 2008. I started finalizing in writing contests by 2009 and won ACFW’s Genesis contest in 2012. My first published work came out in 2013, and I am now an indie/traditional hybrid author with contracts from Barbour plus my indie Civil War series.

Q6.  What advice would you like to give to other authors?

A. Follow your heart. Resist the urge to write to the market unless you love what is already selling. You could be the next trend-setter. 

Q7. Where can we connect with you online?

A. My posts appear the 8th of every month on the group history blog: https://www.hhhistory.com/

My author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahereenie

Twitter https://twitter.com/Mahereenie

And on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher

Q8. Do you plan on writing any more books in the future?

A.Yes! Aside from my Civil War series I have a Medieval action/adventure/fairy tale in the works. Think Shrek meets The Princess Bride, with characters of varying developmental abilities. It’s a lighthearted tale of love and acceptance under the working title The Sensory Princess. 

 Q9. How many books have you written?

A. I have written and published two novels and three novellas, plus I have several works in progress

Q10. Did you go to college with the intent to be a writer?

A. No. Not per se. I have a degree in liberal arts and sciences, but not an actual writing degree. I found the best writing instruction through critique groups with experienced writers. And reading blogs on the craft of writing. 

Thank you so much, Angel. It’s been a pleasure to share with your readers, and I look forward to interacting with them.