Interview With Author Karen E. Osborne
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an award-winning and Amazon Kindle best-selling author of four women’s fiction/suspense novels–Reckonings (award-winning family saga/suspense), Tangled Lies (award-winning murder mystery), Getting It Right (suspense women’s fiction recognized by Essence Magazine as a Best Read), and True Grace, my latest and first historical fiction set in 1924 Harlem, NY, launched on September 7, 2023.
My author life followed a career traveling the world as a consultant, trainer, university adjunct faculty member, and motivational speaker.
I believe in generosity and giving back. I hosts a weekly video podcast What Are You Reading? What Are You Writing? supporting fellow authors and readers. I chair the board of directors for Easterseals Florida, helping the differently abled, and serve on the board of my local church.
Native New Yorkers living in Florida, my husband Robert and I have two grown children and three grandsons.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
True Grace was inspired by my extraordinary paternal grandmother. The premise of the book is true, as are many of the details. However, because she isn’t alive to fill in the blanks, I had to research the era as well as make lots of things up — which I love to do. That’s why I write fiction.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think I’m unusual. Characters have conversations in my head. I meet someone or hear something and immediately see how their looks, or mannerisms, or clever remarks could find their way into one of my stories. I try to write at least 20 pages a week, hang out with writer-friends, read all the time. Don’t outline but constantly thinking through plot lines and twists. Pretty typical, I’d guess.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Kristen Hannah. The Four Winds influenced by latest book. I read a lot of Michael Connelly, and other writers in his genre. All my books have short chapters and a page-turning pace that I enjoy in his work. I’m a William Shakespeare nut. The five acts of his plays and the arc of the stories taught me a lot. S. A. Cosby, Maya Angelou, Tony Morrison, Jane Austin, Nora Roberts, Walter Mosely, James Baldwin, and an absolute favorite — August Wilson, all taught me a lot.
What are you working on now?
Justice for Emerson will be published November 21, 2024. It’s a genre-blending, contemporary murder mystery, romance, with a touch of historical fiction because many of the scenes take place in 1968 in Viet Nam, and Bangkok.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m delighted to be introduced to Awesome Gang and look forward to meeting your followers. I post most days on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Plus I have a YouTube Channel and video podcast. I’m on BookBub and belong to the NovelNetwork. Always looking for new ways to meet readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
1. Writers write. You have to carve out the time.
2. Study your craft. Always. Continually.
3. Writers read. Read lots in the genre you’re writing, but also other genres. To learn and grow.
4. Join a writer’s group. Make writer friends. Find beta readers
5. Edit, polish, edit, and polish some more.
6. Believe.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My son, who is an award-winning short story writer, told me to believe in my novel and not give up. Keep sending it out no matter how many rejections you receive. It was the best advice. Once you land that first contract, more come. I’m grateful.
What are you reading now?
The new Robert Galbraith — The Running Grave. Loving it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have quite a few engagements coming up. I try to keep my website up to date and I’m always happy to be invited to book clubs.
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 complete works of William Shakespeare
The complete works of August Wilson
The latest (and unread by me) S. A. Cosby and Nora Roberts
Author Websites and Profiles
Karen E. Osborne Amazon Profile
Karen E. Osborne’s Social Media Links
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