One of the things I enjoy when I’m preparing these interviews to post is the serendipitous discovery that book lovers outside our Louisville area are discovering the very same folks. It feels like seeing a local gal or guy do good, you know?
If you, too, enjoy supporting one another locally here in the Louisville area, I’d love to hear from you about your favorite local authors, or books about the area. See the end of this interview for how to contact me, okay?
Without further ado, the lady of the day, young adult author Katie McGarry!
Welcome! Please tell us about your latest project.
I would love to and thank you so much for having me! My Young Adult novel, Pushing the Limits, will debut with Harlequin Teen on July 31, 2012.
Pushing the Limits tells the story of two high school seniors, Echo and Noah. Echo has no memory of the night that transformed her from popular girl to loner freak with scars on her arms, and she desperately craves answers. Noah is a foster kid who is fighting to reunite his family. Since they see the same court ordered therapist, the lives of the “good” girl and the “bad” boy collide. The two work together towards their goals, but neither foresaw the shattering consequences of learning the truth regarding their families or of falling in love.
Katie, that sounds really dramatic! Well done and best of luck with the book launch.
Where would Louisville & Southern Indiana readers know you from?
I’m currently the president of Louisville’s RWA chapter and I’m also a member of SCBWI. I meet with my critique group at a local restaurant twice a month and I think we often annoy the employees there when we laugh a little too loud. Okay, it’s not a little, we laugh way too loud.
I really have no other claim to fame other than I was born and raised in the Louisville area and I had the honor of being someone’s best friend. At a young age, I was blessed to become best friends with a wonderful girl and we remained friends until her death. The title of best friend is one of the few titles I hold dear. If you have a best friend, call them and tell them you love them. Time is always ticking away.
Great advice! Who are some of your favorite writers from the local area?
Super easy! I’m a huge fan of Kelly Creagh (Nevermore and Enshadowed), Bethany Griffin (Masque of the Red Death), and Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey Series and The Immortal Rules).
Don’t you love how supportive our local area authors are of one another’s work? Truly a blessing.
Tell us about your favorite bookstores/coffee shops/writing haunts. What makes them special?
I love Carmichael’s Bookstore and the Barnes and Noble near my home. Carmichael’s has that awesome small town feel—sort of like the Cheers of bookstores, as if everyone there knows your name. What’s even more exciting is that Carmichael’s will be hosting my first ever book signing on July 31, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Frankfort Ave. location.
The Barnes and Noble near my home offers a huge selection of YA titles and I adore that they have a coffee shop that sells donuts. I’m pretty serious about donuts. It’s true. If you ask me to share, I will, but on the inside I won’t be happy about it.
As for my writing haunts, I’m a homebody—specifically my front porch. I’ve tried writing away from home, but I never write a word. I come down with a severe case of shiny object syndrome and watch the happenings of the world.
That is really fascinating! I’m at that place now–writing at home only–but I used to be the exact opposite. And I’m right with you on the doughnuts! Do not mess with my Krispy Kremes.
What’s next on the writing slate?
I’m working on revisions for Dare You To: a companion novel to Pushing the Limits. This story will follow Beth, a secondary character from Pushing the Limits. She’s a character who is severely rough around the edges, but has a heart of gold. Dare You To is scheduled to be released in 2013.
Katie, best of luck with Pushing the Limits and Dare You To! And thanks for being our local author in the spotlight today!
Readers, if you know an author (either side of the river is fine–we speak Southern Indianaese, too!) who deserves to shine in the Local Author Spotlight, please get in touch. Books about relevant local subject matter are encouraged, as well. Email Leslea.Tash@gmail.com and please put “LouisvilleKY.com Author Spotlight” in your email subject. Thanks!
Leslea Tash is a Southern Indiana freelance journalist-turned-novelist. Formerly a freelancer on both sides of the river, she now writes dark fantasy, horror, fairy tales, and other fun stuff including the 4.5 star-rated This Brilliant Darkness under the pen name Red Tash. She always welcomes your feedback on this column on the LouisvilleKY.com site, on Facebook, on her websites or twitter. Just about anywhere works. Get in touch!
