Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
‘Coming Out Coming Home’ is my memoir, which I hope will inspire people to find their authentic selves and come home too. Since then, I’ve written a practical self-help book, ‘It’s Never Too Late: Life lessons in Overcoming Obstacles’ for women who are in transition.
I live in Johannesburg, South Africa, with my wife, Tracey and we love to travel and spend time with our kids and grandchild. I love cooking plant-based meals and we’re currently researching tiny home living in South Africa.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Coming Out Coming Home’ is my story. I was the pastor’s wife who fell in love with a woman after 24 years of marriage. Of course, there’s a lot more to it, with adventures of smuggling Bibles into China, running a women’s shelter, being held up, and more. My inspiration was finding my truth and finding a place of contentment, which is extremely under-rated.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No, just the usual fight with distractions of all forms
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the redemptive writing of Khaled Hosseini in ‘The Kite Runner’, the poetic beauty and rawness of Helena Kriel’s ‘The Year of Facing Fire’ and the gripping tale from Diane Setterfield, which I could not put down – ‘The Thirteenth Tale’.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on ‘Coming Home’ – something of a self-exploration.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found Facebook to be invaluable to promoting my books and am busy looking for other ways as I have exhausted my poor Facebook network.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I still consider myself to be a new author, however I would advise all aspiring authors to never ever give up. Not only in writing, but also in getting your book out there.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be true to yourself
What are you reading now?
I’ve just finished ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens, which I adored and didn’t want it to end and have just started Brene’ Brown’s ‘Braving the Wilderness’.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m putting together a talk and a workshop on ‘Coming Home’ (and maybe a book) and then I have a novel in mind.
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 Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, any of Brene’ Brown’s books, Ekhart Tolle’s ‘A New Earth’ and a journal to write in.
Author Websites and Profiles
Karen Petersen Website
Karen Petersen Amazon Profile
Karen Petersen’s Social Media Links
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