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 Ace Collins is Shelly Daugherty (winner from Sarah Ladd’s Author Spotlight is Melody Durant) ! Please email my assistant Christen with your mailing address. (ckrumm@litfusegroup.com)
This week please welcome Siri Mitchell in the spotlight! To win a copy of her new book Unrivaled (Bethany House, 2013) , leave a comment on this post.
Share a little bit about yourself.
People always ask me where I’m from, but the truth is I don’t really have a hometown. After having moved often as a child, I’ve lived on three continents (North America, Europe and Asia) and visited five (still missing South America and Antarctica, but hope to get them in one fell swoop at some point). I’ve worked at all levels of government (local, state, and federal) and currently write full time.
And share something about your writing. What’s your genre(s), your areas of interest?
Although I’ve written contemporary fiction in the past, I’m writing historical fiction for Bethany House at the moment. I’ve always loved history so being able to combine that passion with writing is a dream come true.
How did you get started writing? Did you have a dream of being a published author?
I’d always been told I was good at writing, and I started dabbling with an idea in 1993, but I didn’t start seriously working on a book until we moved to Paris in 1996. That’s when I had the time and space to play with my ideas and I met a British author at our church who took me under her wing. It took another eight years, but in 2004, I signed my first contract.
After you started writing seriously how long was it before you were published?
Nearly ten years in total. I wrote four books that nobody wanted between when I started in 1993 and when I signed a contract in 2004 . . . and even then, that contract was for a fifth (as then unwritten) book.
Aside from a cup of good, strong coffee, what helps you get all of your “brain cylinders” firing so you can write well?
I’ve always said I’m a menace to society before ten o’clock in the morning and it’s true! Until then, my fingers are dyslexic and I stammer over words. About 9:30, I usually visit my favorite websites and check in with my e-mail loops and by 10:00 I’m at my desk and ready to go. After lunch, at some point before 2:00, I’ll usually make myself a shot of espresso.
Do you have any favorite places and routines when you write? How many hours a day do you spend writing?
I write from 10:00 – 3:00 four days a week (I leave one day free to run errands or make appointments and I try very hard to save the weekends for family.)
What has been the biggest help to you in the journey to publication? Writers’ conferences? Writing groups? Your mom as your first draft reader?
I started writing in earnest in Europe and didn’t have access to writers groups or writing conferences. The internet wasn’t then the hub of information and resources that it is now, so I started out on my own. It wasn’t until after I was published that I joined ACFW, RWA, HSN, or the Author’s Guild. As the rejections poured in (153 of them) I kept coming back to the thought that there was nothing else I really wanted to do.
Is the “writer’s life” what you thought it would be?
No – it’s tough work! And as I learn more about writing and strive to make each book better, it keeps on getting more difficult. I didn’t expect that. But it has its perks. My writing schedule is as flexible as I need it to be.
What are your biggest distractions?
The internet. (I could say e-mail, but if you saw the e-mails piled up in my in-box, you’d know it wasn’t true!)
What do you most like about being a writer? Least like?
I like being able to say what it is I want to say. I least like having people completely misunderstand and misinterpret what it was I’ve said.
What is the role and importance of an agent?
An agent is advocate, advisor, career planner . . . what doesn’t an agent do?! I don’t think anyone can long survive in this business without one.
What advice would you give to new writers?
Write. You can think about it, you can research it, you can talk about, but you have to actually write the book before you can become a writer.
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.
How about this: Romeo and Juliet with taffy . . . and a happy ending! What could be better than that?
What’s on the book horizon for you?
A very fun historical set in 1924 Boston titled Love Comes Calling. Boston blueblood and collegiate Ellis Eton plans to leave the city for Hollywood just as soon as she can, but somehow life always seems to intervene. Though she tries her best to stay out of trouble, her friend Griff won’t stop poking his nose into other people’s business (like the mayor’s!), and a handsome police officer, starts asking questions about him, and her parents think she’s helping out at an orphanage instead filling in for a friend down at the telephone switchboard, and then she loses her friend’s job on accident . . . and before Ellis’ mad escapade is over, she’ll discover that laws can’t be broken without consequence and the role of a lifetime can sometimes be found right at home.
Last question, how can readers find you and your books?
In your favorite bricks-and-mortar or on-line bookstore. I’m on Facebook as Siri Mitchell, on Pinterest as SiriMitchell, and on Twitter @SiriMitchell and I would love it if readers would visit my website at http://sirimitchell.com I’ve put up some special links there to share the story behind the story.
I really enjoy Siri’s books and would love to win this one to share with my Mom. 🙂
Thanks for the interview ladies! I would love to win a copy of Unrivaled. I’ve read several of Siri’s books and enjoyed them all.
Love Comes Calling also sounds fun…
Never have had the chance to read any of Siri’s books, but would love to win a copy to read! Enjoyed the interview,! Thank You very much 🙂
I would love to win this book!
I’d love a chance to get started on Siri’s novels…I’ve had her on my list for some time.
This looks like such a great book! I’ve only read 2 (I’m on my third!) books by Siri, but I loved them. I’ve heard great things about this one! Thanks for the chance to win. =)
lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com
Awesome interview! I haven’t read any of Siri’s books, but they look wonderful!
jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com
All of her books look great and I would love to win this awesome giveaway,Enter me! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and God Bless!
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
N.C.
I would love to win this book, I have been longing for it ever since it came out! 🙂
oh my email is spanisheyes8461@aol.com
I enjoy Siri’s book a great deal, I don’t like to put them down. I would love to read this, I mean really, what’s not to like…romance and candy!
I haven’t as yet read any of Siri’s books, but would enjoy the opportunity to read Unrivaled. I enjoyed reading the interview!
Hoping to read this book soon.
Love learning more about the author. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Would LOVE to win this book and meet a new author!!!
Love Siri’s books & look forward to reading this one if I win! 😉
I would really love to read this book. I have enjoyed her other books and know this one will be a great read as well.
Enjoyed the interview! Would love to win and read this book. I’m disabled and my Mom’s retired and we both love to read. We always share our books. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book looks Awesome!!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!!! Love their outfits! That color blue is beautiful! God Bless!
I love her books… 🙂 would love to win!
To my knowledge I have never read any of Siri’s books but would really like to win so I could read one.
Very nice interview and I would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway!!
Connie
This book sounds really good. Suzanne, you always pick great writers to have in your spotlight! mickinakm@gmail.com
Good review .. Would love to win your giveaway of your book . This ones sounds so good .
Blessings, lizd225(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like a great book – would love to win a copy!
I have not read any of her books yet but it sounds like a great premise and I am up for being exposed to different authors!
I love reading books by new to me authors, they usually become favorites
would love to win.
I love Siri’s other books and would love to win a copy of Unrivaled. She is a wonderful author!
I haven’t read this newest book of Siri’s so am happy for the chance to win a copy of Unrivaled. I’ve read all her other historical books and really liked them. I always learn something new about history. One of the things I like about her books is the different time periods (some authors pick one and pretty much stay there), another is the points of view she writes in. I find Siri’s books unique in a very good way!
I would love to win this one! Can’t wait to read it!!!
I’d love to win a copy of this book and share it with my congregation in their Library.
love siri’s novels…thanks for the chance to read her latest one 🙂
I am always excited to discover a new author. I would enjoy reading this book!
Great interview! Love her books.
She is one of my favorite authors. Thanks for a chance to win.
I would love to win this book. I have not read any of Ms. Mitchell’s books, but this book sounds very good and it would be neat to be introduced to a new author. Thank you for offering this contest.
love Siri’s books thanks for chance to win
Enjoyed the interview – haven’t read any of your books, Siri – but would love to. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I enjoy the very interesting and informative interview. Thank you!
I buy all of Siri’s books. Would love to have another copy of her newest one to gift to a friend.
I just finished A Heart Most Worthy, I loved that it combined Christianity and romance. Getting to read A Constant Heart. Thanks Siri for your great writing. Rebecca