Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY for the first half of my childhood then in upstate New York for the second half, I “get” both city and rural living. Not one to accept No easily, when my husband and I were newly married, in need of a home as well as a place for his piano restoration business, and the bank said No to approving a mortgage, we bought, for cash, a dilapidated 19th century railroad station and fixed it up ourselves. It’s now home and business. I also ignored No through the years of trying to become a published author, eventually landing an agent and a publishing contract with a traditional publisher.
Prior to my debut novel Always With You launched in January of 2016, my award-winning short story In His Own Time was published in a short-story anthology. Another short-story, The Forever Christmas Gift, was published in the Kindle-bestselling anthology Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Christmas Short Stories. My romance novella, And You Came Along, will be released in November of 2017. Meanwhile, I await word from my agent on 2 more manuscripts.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Always With You made its debut appearance during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. Although this wasn’t an intentional launch date upon my part, I believe the timing was perfect.
When I had attended a RWA writer’s workshop in Saratoga, NY (home to the famous racehorse track) attendees were given racehorse names. We were asked to come up with a story premise based upon the horse’s name. My horse was named Don’t-Tell-Isabelle. Immediately I wanted to know what Isabelle wasn’t supposed to know and why. This story, which I titled Don’t Tell Isabelle, brewed in my thoughts for a while.
Then, 9-11 struck. It shook me up, as well as many. In trying to understand the horrors and craziness of this world, and in a narrower field—of family or relationships—I had a tough time separating faith from my writing. Don’t Tell Isabelle shaped into a story of faith encroached and manipulated by the evil of hatred. It sold to Elk Lake Publishing and became Always With You.
It’s a story about falling in love with the right–as well as the wrong–person. And, what happens when you discover your husband is hiding a huge secret from you: he’s a white supremacist. Will good or evil succeed?
I’ve just been blessed that Alway With You has won the 2017 Best Book of the Year Christian Small Publisher Association Award.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For better or worse, I am a serious seat-of-the-pants writer. If I attempt an outline, it ruins the fun of discovering my story world and characters. However, I am becoming more adept at managing writing a working-synopsis after I SOP plunge into the first few chapters of a new story.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve admired many authors and read many different genres. Jodi Picoult, Angela Hunt, Linda Nichols, Susan Monk Kidd, and Harlan Coben have opened my eyes about storytelling.
What are you working on now?
Romance and family drama are intriguing and fun genres for me to dwell in. I’m completing my romance novella And You Came Along (out this November).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s a mix. I’m a Twitter (@ElaineStock) addict and have found a great network of fellow authors and readers who help me, and I help them. Also, I’m discovering Twitter author promotion services, like Awesomegang.com and AskDavid. I do have a website and a very active blog (Everyone’s Story) plus both a Facebook Author page and personal page. I’m also building my Author Newsletter (http://www.elainestock.com/contact/). And you can find my browsing the book aisles on Goodreads.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I’m sure you’ve already heard “Don’t give up” often, and for a good reason: publishing, whether traditionally or independently, is not for the faint of heart. To add to this advice: don’t sink so low and drop out of the race upon learning of all the discouraging publishing news out there. Like life, the publishing world is tricky and scary. Just get back into your place behind the keyboard and start typing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t give up!
What are you reading now?
Broken Angels by Gemma Liviero and Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to finish research on a time-slip novel. This is a loosely-based novel on my paternal family history, fused with romance and family mystery.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible, The Shack by William P. Young, and Havah by Tosca Lee. All three encourage me in my faith of a God who loves me for who I am.
Author Websites and Profiles
Elaine Stock Website
Elaine Stock Amazon Profile
Elaine Stock’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account