Indie Author Interview with Katherine Pasour - Author of the Christian Fiction Novel Sheltered by an Angel's Wings.
Katherine Pasour has been a farmer, teacher, wife, mother, and college professor. She currently works as a professor and administrator at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina. Katherine is blessed with two children and a loving, faithful husband. Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings is Katherine Pasour's Debut Novel.
Interview with Katherine Pasour
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| Author Katherine Pasour |
Katherine Pasour: I have always loved to write. My students (I am a college professor) think I am strange because I enjoy putting words on paper and they label that task as drudgery!
During my many years of schooling I wrote scholarly papers (required work), but I also enjoyed writing short stories. I discovered a talent for writing plays and for the past 20 years, I have written numerous plays for my church which we perform at Christmas Dinner Theaters and other occasions.
Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings is my first novel.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
I have an eclectic taste in reading material and enjoy many different genres of books--I love a good, solid mystery/romance; historical fiction; Christian fiction; “edge of your seat” mysteries; and torrid romances. I also enjoy reading Christian non-fiction. My best loved author is typically the “one I am reading now!” However, some of my favorite authors are Francine Rivers, Catherine Coulter, Christina Dodd, Lori Wick, Teresa Medeiros, Julia Quinn, Jane Austen, and C.S. Lewis.
I love reading, which I suppose, is why I love to write. I enjoy the “escape” into the book that I am reading, identifying with the characters, and visualizing myself in the story.
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
I have always had a vivid imagination and writing is something I enjoy greatly; however, I never considered myself a writer (not until Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings was published!)
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I think about my story (or sections of my story if I am writing a book). I work out the story line or plot in my head. After planning the main parts of the story, I write them down, and later go back and fill in the transitions. Writing is a stress reliever for me, something I look forward to doing in my spare time. Although I would love to write every day, I have a full time teaching and administrative position at a university so my writing time is limited.
"The easiest thing about writing for me is doing it!"
What do you find easiest about writing? What is the hardest?
The easiest thing about writing for me is doing it! I love the opportunity to create a story, to organize an intricate plot, and develop complex characters. The hardest part about writing is working with my busy schedule to find time to write.
Katherine, please tell us a little about your Book Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings.
Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings is Christian fiction, with a romantic, suspense plot. The sequel, tentatively entitled, Forgiven, includes many of the same characters in Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings in a new and exciting adventure.
.jpg "Sheltered by an Angel's Wings (Katherine Pasour)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
What inspired you to write the book?
Shortly after September 11, 2001, I had a dream that was quite disturbing at the time. In the dream, a woman (not sure if it was me or not) was in London on a business trip and became embroiled in a terrorist plot. When I awakened, there was no conclusion to the dream. I seldom remember my dreams, but this one stayed with me for weeks. I finally jotted down the main points and, in 2003, I began to write the story. Over a period of seven years, I finished the book that had begun many years before with that disturbing dream. This time, I got to decide on the conclusion to the story!
The original dream was not particularly spiritual, but my relationship with Christ had strengthened since a crisis in my marriage two years previously. I prayerfully asked God’s guidance as the story line developed for Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings. My goal became to create a book that would be a witness for Jesus in the format of an entertaining, exciting story.
What do you see as the target audience and where can we buy the book?
I had envisioned my target audience as being adult Christian women (romantic fiction); however, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn that many of my readers are men! My readers have enjoyed Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings because of the faith-based story, the inspirational characters, the suspenseful plot, and the twists and turns in the story line.
Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings can be purchased on Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and CrossBooks.com (available both as an e-book and in soft and hard cover). Readers interested in an autographed, soft cover copy can order directly from the author by going to my website, www.katherinepasour.net and ordering through Paypal.
"Publishing my first book has been a real learning experience for me."
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
Publishing my first book has been a real learning experience for me (mostly good). I have had a lot of positive feedback from those who are reading my book. The three professional reviews of Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings are good. Many other readers have written reviews which can be found on my website or on amazon.com. I do not have much data on sales since reports of online sales are reported quarterly with a two month wait time.
How long did it take to write the book?
I started in 2003 and finished in 2010. It took me two years to publish.
Where did you self-publish the book?
CrossBooks, a division of Lifeway.
"I was new to the “game” of publishing (I was ignorant!) [...]"
How smooth went self-publishing? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
I was new to the “game” of publishing (I was ignorant!), but I tried to look for a company that had Christian principles. For the most part, I have been pleased with CrossBooks. The actual publishing process went extremely well (except I wish they had been clearer about how the length of the final product affected the sales price). I have been less pleased with the publicity package I purchased.
Did you hire an editor and/or a Cover Designer?
My sister and I edited my book. Both of us have had significant writing experience so editing was not difficult (just time consuming). The cover design was included in the publishing package that I selected.
"Publishing is one small step—marketing is a big challenge!"
Can you give some tips for Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
Recognize that the process is not going to be easy and be prepared for all sorts of challenges.
Take your time in looking for a publisher that fits you (meets your needs and fits into your financial plan).
Believe in yourself and don’t give up.
Publishing is one small step—marketing is a big challenge!
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us about it?
Yes, I have started a sequel to Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings.
Are you planning to move forward as an Indie Author or are you looking to be traditionally published?
Not sure what I want to do. I am pleased with the personal attention and flexibility that self-publishing allows. However, working full time limits my opportunity to market.
"I love to read a “real” book that I can hold in my hands."
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there only be e-books?
I love to read a “real” book that I can hold in my hands. I work on a computer many hours each day and much prefer to read a book that is not on a screen. However, I definitely see the advantage of e-books (cheaper, take up less space, carry many books when one is traveling, etc). Will e-books completely replace hard copies? I am not sure—when VCRs and DVD players first were developed, I thought that going to a theater to watch a movie on the big screen would become obsolete. However, that has not happened. Perhaps there will also be a place for “real” books.
Do you write full time or have a job?
I have a more than full time job (a College professor and administrator) and I write when I can.
How can readers connect?
Readers can connect in several ways:
On Twitter @katherinepasour
By email: katherinepasour@gmail.com
My webpage: www.katherinepasour.net
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sheltered-by-an-Angels-Wings-By-Katherine-Pasour/201239893348038
Thank you very much for the Interview, Katherine.
About the Book Sheltered by an Angel's Wings
.jpg "Sheltered by an Angel's Wings (Katherine Pasour)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
But then the unthinkable happens. A terrorist attack involving biological warfare strikes the conference center, and the attendees and other hotel residents fall dangerously ill. Emily also gets sick, but miraculously recovers; she knows she must use her Christian faith, prayer, and perseverance to assist in healing the other victims of the attack. She enlists the help of the handsome Edward Fitzwilliam, a British special agent working undercover as the hotel manager, and the two develop a close friendship.
Watching the events unfold on the news, Emily’s husband wants her to come home immediately, but she refuses, knowing that she must stay where she is needed. She must tread carefully, however, as her relationship with Edward is skirting the boundaries of friendship. What’s more, she is unaware that a greater threat looms. The terrorists did not achieve their mission, and Emily is now their number one target.
Full of adventure, Sheltered by an Angel’s Wings is a breathtaking tale of love, faith, and perseverance in the midst of tragedy.
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback Sheltered by an Angel's Wings with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the eBook Sheltered by an Angel's Wings with Excerpt on Amazon
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