Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Howdy Everyone!
I am Katharine E. Hamilton… author, writer, ranch wife, little sister, friend, new mom, and did I mention, writer?
My journey as an author started in 2008 with a simple gift to my niece, Taylor. Creating her a story all her own for a Christmas present, and seeing her reaction to a unique story made me start thinking about diving into the writing world. How simple a spark that would then lead to my first published work, The Adventurous Life of Laura Bell. Each story has a story all its own, based on people I love and special memories I share with them.
Laura Bell hit the shelves in 2009 and I quickly began work on my next book, Susie At Your Service. While working on this one though, I had several minor set backs. Computers failing, an apartment flood that soaked my illustrations, you name it, it happened. So what I thought would take a few months ended up taking me a year and a half to rewrite and redraw the illustrations and another year to push the publication forward. While working on Susie, I also had an idea for another book, Sissy and Kat. Let’s just say the year of 2012 was a busy year. Two books, changing jobs, moving to three different cities, and planning a wedding… really add up! But perseverance paid off, and Susie hit the shelves, officially, in January of 2013 followed by Sissy and Kat in March 2013.
As of April 3, 2015, my first adult fantasy fiction novel, The Unfading Lands, released on Amazon. Within it’s first four days, The Unfading Lands hit the Hot 100 New Releases, and has not slowed down from there. Part Two in The Unfading Land Series, Darkness Divided, released in October 2015 with a wonderful kick off and reached #20 on the Amazon Hot 100 list. Part Three, Redemption Rising, Part Three in The Unfading Lands released May 2016 and it did not disappoint either. The entire series has been nominated for the Summer Indie Book Awards of 2016, and The Unfading Lands, Book 1, has been nominated for the Best Indie Book Award for 2016.
As well as continuing the adventure in The Unfading Lands, I have also contributed a short story, If the Shoe Fits, to an Indie Author Anthology, by Ian D. Moore and Friends in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. All proceeds of sales of the anthology go straight to the charity. The anthology released in July 2015.
It has been quite a journey thus far and I am looking forward to several more chapters to come. For 2017, I already have a romantic suspense novel lined up for early release in February, and the work underway for another novel in the fall. On top of writing, I will also be collaborating with a couple of authors on their children’s books by providing illustrations. Let’s just say 2017 is looking fruitful and busy… just the way I like it. 🙂
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Redemption Rising, Part Three in The Unfading Lands Series.
It is the last and final segment in the series and wraps up the incredible journey that has consumed my life for the last year and a half. The Unfading Lands Series was an idea I had for about nine years before I finally sat down and typed up the first manuscript. I had the plot mapped out well in advance, and despite a few changes along the way, for the most part, the overall story stayed the same as I originally planned. I can’t quite explain what inspired it, because parts came from a random dream I had one night, but then I also incorporate several tid bits from my personal life as well. The fact the series follows three siblings (I am the youngest of three), is an example.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual writing habits, hmmm…. I do best at my writing early in the morning. So it is not unheard of for me to wake up at 4 am to pound out a few chapters before the rest of the house wakes up. Oh, and I have this weird habit of naming all my characters the same name. Literally every rough draft I write my characters have the same names as the last book, until editing begins. THEN I go in and change them. It gives me more time to come up with the right names and the right fit.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love books. So many books…
Frank Peretti
Henry James
Clive Cussler
Francine Rivers
Jane Austen
All the above have been great influences. Anything they write just grips hold of me.
What are you working on now?
Currently working on the final phase of publishing a romantic suspense novella that is aimed to be released in February 2017.
And my big project for the year is a stand alone novel that I am aiming to release later this year or early 2018. It is taking large amounts of research, so as I write I am also digging into research, so it is a bit more time consuming than some of my other works.
I will also begin work on illustrations in the spring for several children’s works.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My website, yes, is a big promotion platform. www.katharinehamilton.com
But also social media, Facebook, in particular. I have an author page on Facebook that has roughly over 3,000 members, and these people are my tribe. We have fun.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be confident in your skill and your story. If you love what you are doing, do not let anyone steal that joy from you. Believe in your work.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From my grandmother when she first read a children’s story of mine. She said, “Kid, I think you’re on to something here. I think you should pursue this.” I haven’t really looked back since.
What are you reading now?
Well, I am a new mom, so I am reading a couple of parenting books, because that’s what new parents do, right? 😉 Bringing up Boys, by James Dobson being the main one right now. But other than that, I am currently reading The Solomon Islands by Clive Cussler (Super GOOD!), Primed by the Past: Introducing Detective Annie Macpherson by Barbara Fagan Speake (Also, very good) 🙂
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well I have a lot of upcoming projects, however, I have spent time this year mentoring other prospective authors in various stages of publishing and writing, and I enjoy doing that. So I am actually looking at doing more of that one on one as well as offering up some advice through my website blog as well.
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?
Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (b/c I’ve read that at least 7 times)
The Bible (b/c there’s always something intriguing to be discovered in there)
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Harry Potter (Any or all) 🙂
The Unfading Lands by Katharine E…. wait…. that’s probably not what you meant. ;p
Author Websites and Profiles
Katharine E. Hamilton Website
Katharine E. Hamilton Amazon Profile
Katharine E. Hamilton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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