March Author of the Month
The daughter of immigrants who fled the Irish Potato Famine, Rose Meehan longs for a better life than the tenements of New York City. Courted by two men--a young doctor who represents material security, and a poor violin instructor who has captured her heart--she must choose between the two. When Manhattan explodes in mob rule following Lincoln's unpopular draft, Rose’s decision could mean the difference between life and death.
ASIN: B0851WX4JC
Interview with author Kathleen L. Maher
How long did it take to finish writing this book?
Bachelor Buttons was the fastest story I have ever written. It’s only a 20,000 word novella, so that has something to do with it. But it also seemed ready to spill out onto the screen for me. My first two books took me thirty years to write, rewrite, edit, hone, and send through critique before I was ready to share them. This story took me a month, beginning to end.
The original release of this novella was 2013 as part of a Civil War sesquicentennial collection commemorating events from 1863. This re-release took me a week to secure a cover, edit, format, and gather a marketing strategy. I call that a miracle!
Bachelor Buttons was the fastest story I have ever written. It’s only a 20,000 word novella, so that has something to do with it. But it also seemed ready to spill out onto the screen for me. My first two books took me thirty years to write, rewrite, edit, hone, and send through critique before I was ready to share them. This story took me a month, beginning to end.
The original release of this novella was 2013 as part of a Civil War sesquicentennial collection commemorating events from 1863. This re-release took me a week to secure a cover, edit, format, and gather a marketing strategy. I call that a miracle!
| What do you hope your readers will take away with them when they read this book? The story behind the light-hearted romance is one that involves some pretty heavy themes. Racism and prejudice, vengeance, poverty, and redemption. I hope that each of us can listen to the still small voice of the Lord who tells us how to walk through difficult times, when the way is uncertain and all around us has turned to chaos. He still orders the steps of the righteous. |  |
What made you choose some of the specific locations in this book?
The story is based on real events, namely the draft riots in Manhattan in the summer of 1863. But beyond that, my family can be traced back for generations in the New York City area, and though I live in upstate NY, I love writing anywhere that features my state’s history. I really love New York, and hope to portray its people, places and pastimes as deserving as any other region where Christian historical fiction is set.
The story is based on real events, namely the draft riots in Manhattan in the summer of 1863. But beyond that, my family can be traced back for generations in the New York City area, and though I live in upstate NY, I love writing anywhere that features my state’s history. I really love New York, and hope to portray its people, places and pastimes as deserving as any other region where Christian historical fiction is set.
Are you a full-time author or do you have a another job?
Aside from being a mom, grandmother and wife, writing is my primary calling.
Aside from being a mom, grandmother and wife, writing is my primary calling.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
I would have to say marketing. Because I have not mastered how to best create buzz for my writing and my books, my sales numbers and income can be discouraging. I have to remind myself that as long as the Lord opens doors for me to walk through, He must have a purpose. My earnest desire is to write messages of hope and redemption, to impart the hard-won faith I’ve come to hold, walking with the Lord for 40 years. I try to show God’s faithfulness, even when we are faithless, and that there is no pit so deep that he cannot rescue us from it. I guess you can’t quantify the impact of that in money or even sales numbers. I just have to pray each story falls into the hands of whoever needs it, and trust the Lord to meet my needs.
I would have to say marketing. Because I have not mastered how to best create buzz for my writing and my books, my sales numbers and income can be discouraging. I have to remind myself that as long as the Lord opens doors for me to walk through, He must have a purpose. My earnest desire is to write messages of hope and redemption, to impart the hard-won faith I’ve come to hold, walking with the Lord for 40 years. I try to show God’s faithfulness, even when we are faithless, and that there is no pit so deep that he cannot rescue us from it. I guess you can’t quantify the impact of that in money or even sales numbers. I just have to pray each story falls into the hands of whoever needs it, and trust the Lord to meet my needs.
 | What is the craziest thing you've done in the name of research? I don’t know if this is crazy, but it makes me smile when I think of it. I was researching Civil War artillery, and I heard that a reenactment event would happen at the local community college. I am as introverted as a person can be, but I somehow mustered the courage to walk up to the man handling the 3” Ordnance Rifle (huge cannon) and pepper him with questions. He was such a good sport. He explained and demonstrated each facet of loading and firing the weapon (with a blank cartridge), including the commands and positions of the artillerymen serving the gun. It was quite a thrill. |
| If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be? I would tell myself to pursue self-publishing sooner. I went the route of securing an agent, and querying traditional publishing houses, and I do have two traditionally published stories, but there is a freedom in self-publishing that exceeds the benefits of having a publishing house. I can write what I feel called to write, |  |
rather than meet a set of prescribed market tropes or formulas or guidelines. For example, it has become somewhat unpopular in Christian Fiction to show a character’s salvation experience. Many houses want an “organic” spiritual growth arc, and nothing too overt. I just want the freedom to show how a person gets saved if that’s what the story calls for.
And besides, if my sales numbers ever do improve, self-publishing allows the author to keep a higher percentage of their earnings. So there’s that, too.
And besides, if my sales numbers ever do improve, self-publishing allows the author to keep a higher percentage of their earnings. So there’s that, too.
Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
I just want to encourage your readers, whoever needs to hear this… we work for an audience of one. Whether we are authors, mothers, wives, employees, etc, there are seasons where you can feel underappreciated, and even invisible. Times when you question if any of your unseen work matters. Let me encourage you that there is One who always sees. One who counts your tears and puts them in a bottle. A friend that sticks closer than a brother. A God who never forgets or forsakes, even if mother or father or spouse or children abandon you. Your reward is with Him. He is faithful.
Keep pressing on!
I just want to encourage your readers, whoever needs to hear this… we work for an audience of one. Whether we are authors, mothers, wives, employees, etc, there are seasons where you can feel underappreciated, and even invisible. Times when you question if any of your unseen work matters. Let me encourage you that there is One who always sees. One who counts your tears and puts them in a bottle. A friend that sticks closer than a brother. A God who never forgets or forsakes, even if mother or father or spouse or children abandon you. Your reward is with Him. He is faithful.
Keep pressing on!
Thank you, Jasmine. It’s been a privilege to share today. I am offering a giveaway to one of your readers of an e-copy of Bachelor Buttons. All they have to do to enter is share this post on social media. The more shares, the more entries. Just tell me in the comments where you shared to claim your entry(ies). And a way for me to reach you if random dot org selects your name. (email is great.)
Giveaway ends March 20th, 2020 at 11:59 pm MDT
Also, I am hostessing a huge Rafflecopter giveaway with another Christian historical author.
Please take a moment to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes!
Rafflecopter runs from March 9-18th
Grand prize is $50 Amazon GC
Second prize is a $25 Ammy GC
Third prize is an Irish goodie basket
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cc4b6534/
Please take a moment to enter for your chance to win one of these great prizes!
Rafflecopter runs from March 9-18th
Grand prize is $50 Amazon GC
Second prize is a $25 Ammy GC
Third prize is an Irish goodie basket
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cc4b6534/
 Kathleen L. Maher | "Where every underdog has his day." Kathleen L. Maher’s first crush was Peter Rabbit, and she’s loved conflicted heroes ever since. She has two novellas in BARBOUR BOOKS' collections: Victorian Christmas Brides and Lessons on Love. Winner 2012 ACFW Genesis Award. Author of Sons of the Shenandoah Series: The Abolitionist's Daughter and The Chaplain's Daughter. Kathleen and her husband live in an old farmhouse in upstate NY with their children and a small menagerie. |
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