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 the last Author Spotlight giveaway of The Sheep Walker’s Daughter is Regina Lee! Please email info@suzannewoodsfisher.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.
This week we are featuring Dorothy Love! To enter to win a copy of her book, Carolina Gold (Thomas Nelson), leave a comment on this post.
Tell us a little about your new book . . . Carolina Gold is set in post-bellum South Carolina and is inspired by the life of a 19th-centry woman rice planter. Elizabeth Allston Pringle, whose father Robert F W Allston was governor of South Carolina before the war, returned to Chicora Wood, the family’s vast rice plantation on the Pee Dee river and spent the rest of her life there writing articles about her experiences for the New York Sun and attempting to revive the rice trade. I stumbled across Elizabeth’s writings more than fifteen years ago and couldn’t get her story out of my head. Ron and I spend a fair amount of time in the Lowcountry, and I love it so much I had to write a story set there. My character, Charlotte Fraser, and her plantation, Fairhaven, are totally fictional, but they are inspired by Elizabeth’s life and work. I hope I have done her justice.
How can readers find you and your books? The books are available everywhere. I’m on Facebook, occasionally on Twitter, and on my official author website, www.DorothyLovebooks.com.
Anything new for you on the book horizon? A new novel to be published in 2014 tentatively called The Bracelet. It’s set in antebellum Savannah and, like all my books, is based on an actual historical event. In this case, a double tragedy at the home of the third richest man in Savannah. It has romance of course, but more mystery than in my previous books, and even a touch of suspense.
Why do you write? RL Stine said it best: There is no heavy lifting involved and you don’t need special shoes.
What are you best known for . . . writing or otherwise? I’m not sure I’m known at all. That’s the problem for writers, isn’t it? Connecting with that readership.
If you could wish one thing for your future, what would it be? A long and healthy period of time in which to complete my bucket list. During college I was involved in a lot of volunteer work with young children, and I’d like to do more of that in the future. I’ve always wanted to help build a Habitat for Humanity house. I like to think about a family living in a house I helped build, even years after I’m gone. I support Living Water International, and I’d love to travel to Africa to see the results of their efforts.
Best author moment? Any time I get a letter or email from a reader who enjoyed my books. Makes my day every time.
Worst author moment? My first ever book signing. I sat alone at a table for an hour without anyone approaching me. Finally a woman stopped. Flipped through my book, and then set it down and said, “Can you tell me where the bathroom is?”
If you weren’t able to write, what would you do? Mercy, I have no clue. I’ve been a full-time writer and a published author since the early 1990’s. I guess I’d go work on that bucket list. But without a book to write, it would feel like an arm is missing.
Describe your ideal circumstances to write. Clean house, quiet room, good cup of coffee.
Right this moment, what does your office look like? A disaster zone! As I write this, I’m editing the Savannah book due in two weeks, which means rechecking some of my historical facts, and at this moment there are a dozen histories of Savannah, books of maps, copies of 19th-century women’s diaries scattered everywhere.
How would you describe your writing style to a reader? My books are deeply personal, grounded in history. I guess the best way to summarize my style is that readers can expect mystery, history, and more than a little romance.
If you could write any book–on any topic–and be guaranteed a publishing contract, what topic would it be? (Or genre?) I am so lucky in that I am able to write exactly what I want to write. I love history in all its messiness and incompleteness, I love the South with her many faults and virtues, and I get to put all that together in every novel I write. How cool is that?
Ever had a bad review? How did you handle it? No, all of my books always get nothing but starred reviews. Just kidding! Of course I’ve had some bad reviews. There is no point in responding to a less than stellar review—the author can’t win, so I ignore them. Occasionally, a thoughtful reviewer will point out a legitimate flaw in the story, and in that case, I take the criticism to heart and try to learn from it. These days when everyone has a computer and everyone is a critic, it seems to me reviews have become more mean spirited. To the point of name-calling and bullying. What can an author do with such people? Nothing. Of course a nasty review hurts when we feel it’s off base and unwarranted, but I try to remember that such reviews say more about the reviewer than they do about me or my books.
What’s one thing you learned about the publishing industry in last five years? Last year? Last six months? Everything is cyclical. When I began my career in the 1990’s an author could not sell a YA novel anywhere. But look at how the genre has exploded—Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and the Twilight series made YA novels popular again.
At that same time, every house was buying up picture books for preschoolers. So what happened? Houses bought too many of them, there was a glut and eventually authors could not sell picture books. Today we are seeing this waxing/waning cycle across most genres of fiction for adults, with historical romance especially hard hit due to the glut of backlists that are being digitally published. My hope is that the market will soon absorb the glut, and historical fiction will enjoy a new round of popularity.
In the last six months we’ve seen several publishing houses in the CBA discontinuing their fiction lines, others putting the brakes on acquisitions and trimming their lists, still others being sold to larger companies. It’s a very challenging time to be a publisher or an author, and what I’ve learned is that we must all learn somehow to be more nimble in responding to the market, and more innovative in how we produce and distribute content.
How do you solve a grammar dilemma? I rely on my old-fashioned, low-tech print edition of Webster’s dictionary.
Are you an introvert? Extrovert? In between? Introvert. I’m not good at small talk and I think that’s why trying to be active on social media is such a challenge for me. I can’t imagine people are interested in my hangnail or that I had scrambled eggs for breakfast.
Do you enjoy public speaking as an author? Why or why not? I’m a former college professor. I don’t enjoy making a speech all that much, but I love teaching, and I’m always looking for opportunities to teach at writers workshops and conferences.
Can a person make a living as a writer? Five years ago I would have said yes. Now it’s getting much harder, for the reasons I discussed above.
What are you working on now? Newest release? Carolina Gold is the new release. In stores December 10th. Now I’m working on final edits for The Bracelet and writing a novella to be published as part of a collection in 2015.
Any last thoughts to share?Just a huge thank you for hosting me here. I enjoyed it.
[Tweet “Enter to win @writerdorothy’s #CarolinaGold on @SuzanneWFisher’s blog!'”]
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Thank you for the chance to win this awesome Novel!
would love to win.
Thank you for an opportunity to win this book. Keep warm during this arctic blast.
Hi Dorothy, Your story sounds intriguing. I love books that play out a personal story on the stage of industry or enterprise. We all have to work; stories about women who make a contribution to the world in this fashion are rare. I would love to win a copy of this book. Sydney
Interesting interview! I never knew how much genres wax and wane in their popularity and appeal.
Thanks for the interview. Carolina Gold sounds like a great read. Thanks for chance to win.
I enjoyed reading your interview with Dorothy Love. I very much like to read historical books. I would very much like to win this book. Thank you for your contest. Have a blessed day.
Well, I for one am so looking forward to your books ! I so agree it is a trying time to be a publisher or author, it has to be hard to know what to pick and watching the trends won’t always get us in the selling market. I have to say you are like me in the clean room, quiet and a good cup of coffee to write. I don’t function well in a cluttered house, but with 3 11 to 6 still at home and homeschooling them, cleaning doesn’t get done less mamma does it. Can’t wait to read your books !
Blessings
Linda Finn
Faithful Acres Books
http://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
Sounds like an interesting book.
I have not read any of your books, but would love to win this one to read of Carolina Gold.
I love these stories of the plantations during the time of the Civil war in the South. I love historian, romance and mystery.
Hope I will win this one to read.
I loved this interview, especially the plot of The Bracelet.
Thanks you!
Thank you for the interesting interview. Would love to read Carolina Gold. I love historical fiction!
I love meeting new authors and am sure I would love this book. Thanks for the great interview.
Great interview Dr. Love! Enjoyed reading this and have been interested in picking up this book because I have a comparable MS. Love the low country too, having graduated from U.S.C. and lived and practiced in N. Charleston. If this isn’t on audiobook I think I’ll finally break down and order it on Kindle!
Thanks Suzanne for featuring Dr. Love!
Many blessings to both of you!
Your book sounds so interesting! I love books that are set in the south! Love to win your book!
You had me at the cover. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this great spotlight! I would love to win a copy of CAROLINA GOLD!!
When I read about Dorothy I definitely would love to win this book! I live in the Lowcountry and love reading historical novels based on actual events set in the South! I also love Savannah, GA! I know this will be a wonderful book! Thank you for this contest! Best wishes and continued success to both Dorothy & Suzanne!
This sounds like a really good book and I would love to read it !
I would definitely LOVE to read this book “Carolina Gold”… sounds like my kind of book. thanks
Looks like and sounds like a Great Book… Can’t wait to hear I won. Thank you so much.
This sounds like an amazing book. Hope I win. thanks for this opportunity.
You definitely had me at the cover!!! I love romance and history… then add a great cover to set the mood…. I sure hope I win Dorothy’s new book, “Carolina Gold”. Thank you in advance.
Loved reading the quote by RL Stein-had the pleasure to hear him speak at winter commencement at The Ohio State University!! Good speaker-funny man!! Would love to read and win this book!!
Thanks for this lovely giveaway and feature.
Dorothy – – You answer to the Worst moment…. I would have been so devastated !!!! I can just feel the pain and discouragement!!! I would so love to win this novel!! Judy F
I really enjoyed this interview. I love to read about Plantations. I shared the giveaway on Twitter.
Thanks for the interview! I can’t believe you sat for an hour at a book signing and got that kind of response.
What a great interview! This sounds like a great book to read!
Thanks for doing this interview–I sometimes struggle w/ the social media also! I would enjoy reading your latest book! THANKS for using your GOD given talents in creative writing! My life is richer because of what you and other authors do!
Nice interview! New author for me. Would love to read this book.
Just started reading some historical fiction and would love a chance to win a copy of Carolina’s book. Love the interview, thanks for sharing!
I have not read any of this author’s books so
I’d love to win this one to check her out – thanks
Thanks for the chance to win Carolina Gold. I really enjoyed the interview.
Thank you for a great interview. I would love to win Carolina Gold. Thank you for the giveaway.
Enjoyed the interview. I hope the inspirational lines to not get pushed out of the market by major publishers’ acquisitions.
Tweeted the giveaway.
Thanks for the opportunity!! Happy Monday!
What a nice interview with Dorothy Love. She is a new-to-me author. I would love to win her book, Carolina Gold. I’m from the South. I always enjoy reading books about the history of the South. Thanks for the opportunity to win…Linda
This book sounds really good and I hope to win it.
I have enjoyed reading Dorothy’s books. I love the stories, from the moment you open the book you don’t want to put them down until you finish it. It would be amazing if I could win this copy. I like sharing stories with friends, and it would be great to have the book since I have it on my tablet. Thank you for this opportunity. Blessings.
So interesting to get to know you, Dorothy! Thanks for your insights…really enjoyed hearing your perspective on the publishing industry. Your book sounds fantastic! Warmly, Suzanne
This book sounds interesting. Thanks for introducing me to a new author. Would love to win!
Dorothy, your book sounds really good, I always enjoy reading from new authors, I would love to win your book! Thanks for having this giveaway!
Would love to win Carolina Gold, sounds like my kinda book!
I like it that you can write a fictional character into an actual event. How fun to read this! sharon, CA
I would love to win. Rhonda rhonda_nash_hall@comcast.net
I always find it interesting to hear about a novel based on a true story. I love history and enjoy looking more into the true story after I’ve finished the novel. This book sounds like a good one!
Looks like a good read!
Thank you for this opportunity!! I always enjoy a good novel about the South…. and especially when parts of it are true!!
I enjoy author interviews. Thanks for chance to win a great read!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win this novel – it looks like a lovely read!
As a South Carolina girl, I would love to win this!
This sounds like my kind of book!!!
thank you!
Sounds like a good book. Would love to win.
This book sounds captivating and I would love to read it. Thanks for letting us get to know about the author. It’s always fun to read your blog!
I love learning more about new authors to me! Thanks for a chance to win this book!
I’ve read books to review them and it does surprise me how harsh people can be. In one review the reviewer admitted she didn’t read the first book in the series so she may have enjoyed #2 better if she had. Her entire review and one star suddenly became worthless. On a completely different note, I don’t like reading what a book is about before reading it. Surprise me! It’s the cover that draws me in. I saw this book somewhere and loved the cover.
Carolina Gold sounds like a great book. Love books set during this era.
My name is really Carolina, so this sounds fun to read something with my name as the main character’s too.
like reading the interviews. also, thank you for chance to win
I love books set in the south, probably because that is where I’m from. Especially those from the antebellum era. I’ve visited many antebellum homes in Mississippi and Louisiana and often wonder the stories from within its walls.
Thank you for sharing with us Dorothy. Would love to read your book!
Dorothy, I would love to win your book about Carolina. My granddaughter is named Karalina!!
Looks like an interesting read!! Thanks for the chance!!
i would love your newest book as I remember as a young woman I used to read Eugenia Price books. I had a dear friend named Dorothy Love who grew up in WWll in England and later became a missionary in Western Europe. She was really a dear woman and died of cancer about 25 years ago.
Love reading about my newly adopted Carolinas
I would love to win this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to try.
Would love to win this book. Love your stories.
I would love to win this book
I love the old time stories about history and love
Would love to win Carolina Gold. I really enjoy reading by authors I haven’t read their books before. Sounds like a great book!
I really enjoyed this interview! I could relate to Dorothy’s comment about being an introvert, as well as her description of her first book signing. Nobody came to my first book signing either! It was demoralizing, but a good lesson in how to do things better.
Would absolutely love to read, and I hope I win.
Thank you so much.
Sounds like an interesting book. I would love to win it!
I am so looking forward to reading this book. It sounds delightful. Would love to post a review and promote the book on our blog, bookworm2bookworm.
Congratulations on a terrific novel!
I would love to win this book…I love reading about the south, before the Civil War and also after….it was an amazing time in history!
want to read this
A new year 4 a new chance to win? I am ALL IN!
Hi,just wanted to say,I like what I’ve read about your writing abilities and I would love to win and read this wonderful book.I too ,like to read about the history of the South,and it sounds like a very interesting book.I hope to have that chance and hope to hear from you soon.If I were to win,thanks in advance and if someone else wins ,congratulations to them in advance.
I’m new to this author Dorothy Love, but after reading her interview I like her. I love reading about the south, history, etc., my mom is from the south, Tennessee. I’ve always wanted to live in TN it’s so beautiful and I love the way live down there. Over the years I would ask mom about her life and the way she lived, and as always loved hearing them stories. When I used to go down and visit Grandpa & Uncle Tom I would sit and listen to them talk.
Thanks for the opportunity to get to know some of this author and for a chance to win her book.
I absolutely have to read these 2 books mentioned in this interview. Thanks for this opportunity to win one!
Thank you for introducing me to this new (to me) author. I would enjoy winning and reading a copy of this book.
I am excited to read this book. Really hope I win.
Thanks.
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