Welcome to Author Spotlight! Each week will feature a different author. We’ll get the scoop behind their writing life and dish a little. The authors will also be giving away a copy of their latest book. FUN.
The winner from last week’s Author Spotlight with Jamy Whitaker is Betty Powell! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address. (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com)
This week please welcome Mary Ann Kinsinger in the spotlight! To win one of five (5!) copies of her book Life with Lily (Revell), leave a comment on this post!
Share a little bit about yourself. Married with kids? Empty nester? Do you work full-time and write when you can squeeze it in?
Happily married stay at home mother to four children ages 8 months to 12 years. I try to squeeze in some writing time everyday.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest…
I am currently writing a children’s series about the life of a little Amish girl based on my own childhood of growing up in an Old Order Amish home.
After you started writing seriously–how long was it before you were published?
From the time I started writing there was almost a year and a half to the release date of my first book.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well? Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I never did learn to like coffee so you won’t find me sipping any trying to get a jump start to my day. Instead I try to take a few moments to un-clutter my mind by reading a Psalm or two before sitting down to begin writing.
The time spent each day writing varies a lot since there are four children in the house. The baby seems to have an aversion to seeing Mom at the computer so I do most of my writing while he is taking a nap. And even then it can be challenging. I have learned not to be surprised at all the things the children will find that are so important they can’t wait to tell or ask Mom. There is never a dull moment in our house.
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
My biggest help to becoming published was my blog and becoming friends with my co-author Suzanne. She opened a lot of doors to the publishing world for me.
What do you least like about being a writer? Most like?
The thing I like the least about being a writer is the amount of time it takes away from my family.
What I am liking the most is the people I have gotten to know and meet.
Pretend I’m a customer at a bookstore looking for a good book. Give me a one or two sentence promo to convince me to buy your book.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be an Amish child I think you will love “Life with Lily” where between its covers you will be transported to a different culture and enjoy life through the eyes of a young Amish girl.
What’s on the book horizon for you?
I’m excited to have readers be able to follow Lily as she gets older in the three books that will be following “Life with Lily”
Book two, “A New Home for Lily” is releasing soon and we’re celebrating with a giveaway! Two winners will win an ereader as well as “Life with Lily” and “A New Home for Lily”. You can enter here.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
You can find me at A Joyful Chaos and on my Facebook. My books are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, CBD, and where ever books are sold.
Thank you for sharing your writing life with my bleaders! (blog + readers = bleaders)
I would love to win “Life with Lily!” Sounds like a great book!
Glad to meet you Mary. I look forward to reading your books.
please enter me for a chance to win the book, thanks for the great opportunity!
I would love to win “Life with Lily”!!!
I would love to win a copy of the book Life with Lily. I am always looking for new authors to read. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Would love to win “Life With Lily”
Sure hope I can win
Life With Lily….would love to pass it along to my cousins who name is Lily..thanks
I’ve been reading about this series, and I am so excited about it. I would love to win one of the books!!
Hi I have three children, one married and blessed us with a Grandbaby last May. We have many milestones coming up this year, our oldest may be buying her own home and leaving the nest, our Grandchild will be One yrs olds and our youngest is Graduating high school and starting college. A lot going on in one year, but God has blessed us in so many way and we are loving every minute of it. Enter me please.
it was nice to meet you mary.thanks for the chance to win your book.
I would love to win “Life With Lily”. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would love to win
I would love to win something. In the past month I have read 4 Amish novels by all different authors, one was a new author. So I would love to read “Life With Lily”
Yea, I can’t wait to read your books!
I would love to read Life with Lilly and see life through this sweet Amish girls eyes. It was nice to meet you Mary Ann.(from one Maryann to another)
Sounds great like all your others
I would love to win this book! It’s on my wishlist at Amazon, but I’m preparing for surgery again in March. This would be great to read during my long recovery. I am an elementary teacher who LOVES reading Christian Amish books.
I would love to read about Lily and follow her story as she grows up Amish. I so enjoy reading Amish fiction!
Please enter me in the contest…..my daughter would love this book.
Thank you:)
I liked the interview. Especially her statement the she uses the scripture, Psalm, to unclutter her mind to get ready to write. Itnis so good to know that the Lord will help us with our day if we ask him. I would love to win this book and get to know this new-to-me author. Thank you and God bless.
welcome. i would love to win your book. i love amish books.
This looks like a good book that I know my granddaughters would enjoy!
Sounds like a great read.
I loved this book. It had such a “little house” feel to it. A very charming and delightful read. I would love to win a copy. I’m hoping to read the next book in the series soon. 🙂
I am married and am about to become an empty nester. I read alot now but will probably read even more then. I love a nice, thick, Amish fiction novel. I also love it when they are in a series. Hope to win!
Adorable books! Would love to win one.
Would love to have this to add to Book 1 I have.
I would love to read this book!!!!
I would love to receive this book as I’m a follower of MaryAnn’s blog and have enjoyed hearing of the book while in progress.
Wonderful interview 🙂 Would be so happy to have a copy of this book for my collection. Please accept my entry. Thank you.
i would love this book. I have never read an amish book through the eyes of an amish child. I am sure it would be very interesting and an eye opener. Thank you for giving away such wonderful books. babscorbitt@gmail.com
I didn’t know these were based on her childhood! How great!
Would love to win it, it would make a great addition to our local library collection.
would love to win
i am a stay at home wife and we have three grown children and would love to win this book.
I love a good read
please enter me in the contest. Would love to read this myself and then pass it on to the church library.
Would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!!
I’D REALLY LIKE TO ADD THIS BOOK TO MY LIBRARY. THANKS
Mary Ann, I think it is so great that you are co writing childrens books based on your childhood. Suzanne is a great writer and I think you are both blessed to be writing these books about Lily. My 9 year old daughter and I both enjoy learning and reading about the amish. This would be a great book to add to our collection. ♥
I would love to win this book to add to my ever expanding Amish book collection. Thanks for the chance and god bless!
Love your books. Would love to win.
Loved reading the interview – would love to win this and read it!
I am SO enjoying all the Author’s Spotlights. It’s nice to find out they are “just like us” with the added gift of being able to write.
I’m eager to read all of Mary Ann’s books. Thank you!
Thanks for the chance to win! I don’t drink coffee either, Mary Ann!
Thanks for this chance to win a book from another great author. Nice to meet you.
Love all these books and all these authors!!
Glad you have Mary Ann on the spotlight. I’ve been wanting to read her books. Do hope to be a winner of one of her books!
Maxie
Thanks for the chance to win one of your books — really enjoy them!!
Thanks for the chance to win a wonderful book, and also the insight into Mary’s life
I would love to read this. Sounds great.
would love to win’ Life with Lily’ thank
Looking forward to next book. Amish fiction are my and my daughter’s favorites. God has bless me with a Christian daughter. I wish I had the faith and peach most of the Amish women seem to have in the books. Even though I know it’s fiction, I also know most are based on true Amish beliefs. God Bless and Keep you both.