A Journey to Publication Interview with Laura Thomas

I'm back with another awesome journey to publication interview today, my guest: Laura Thomas! 

Check it out... 
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A published Christian author, Laura writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her romantic suspense, teen fiction, marriage, and children’s books. Laura is a chocoholic mom of three, married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they live in Kelowna, B.C. as audacious empty-nesters.

Laura relishes the opportunity to speak to all audiences about her faith and/ or her writing journey. She enjoys holding book signing events at various locations, being a guest on podcasts, and has given school presentations to students at several schools in the Okanagan, British Columbia. She also had the privilege of presenting at Penticton College for a week at the BC Youth Writers Camp.

If you would like Laura to speak at an event, do a book signing, podcast interview, or writing presentation, please contact her directly HERE.

LISTEN TO LAURA:

Want to hear the voice behind the words?
Check out these podcasts:

LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with The Christian Entrepreneurs Podcast 
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LISTEN HERE for her podcast interview with Making the Time
 
 
WHERE TO CONNECT WITH LAURA
 
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest
Website / Blog / Bookbub / Amazon / Goodreads

Christian Romantic Suspense. Third book in the “Flight to Freedom” Series, published February 18, 2020, by Anaiah Press

Life is spiraling out of control for pediatric nurse, Juliet Farr. Heart-broken, grief-stricken, and experiencing a crisis of faith—now she is the prime target for a crazed killer. When her ex-boyfriend, detective Max Bennett, returns to work the case in the Oregon Coast, he knows sharing the truth behind their break-up will destroy any possibility of a second chance together.

A manuscript, a maniac, and a mother’s love propel Juliet’s flight to a beach in Mexico as she desperately pursues hope and healing. Will she ever find freedom from the ache of abandonment? And when a troubled soul chooses Juliet as his perfect victim, can Max prove his love for her by risking his own life? Or will Orphan Beach be the end of their story?

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GRAB YOUR COPY RIGHT HERE! 
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THE INTERVIEW... 

Who are you and what do you write?

Thanks so much for having me! I’m a published Christian author and I write heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in my romantic suspense series of novels, teen fiction trilogy books, non-fiction marriage book, and children’s fiction books. I also write devotions and lessons for Union Gospel Press, love to blog on my website, and have articles and stories published in magazines and online.
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I’m a chocoholic mom of three, married to my high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, we live in Kelowna, British Columbia as audacious empty-nesters.
 
 
Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

As a child, I was an absolute bookworm and had lofty dreams of becoming a real-life author one day. Like Beatrix Potter. But I told no one. It was my secret dream… for 25 years! I’m awfully good at keeping secrets.

And then one evening over coffee, my husband unearthed that buried dream and encouraged me to pursue it right away. Therefore, starting in my mid-thirties as a home-schooling mom, I took correspondence courses with The Institute of Children’s Literature and began writing in the cracks of time I could find. I had stories published in children’s magazines and then began writing book manuscripts. Many published stories, articles, devotionals, and eight books later, here I am. A real-life author!
 
 
How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

Goodness. It’s been quite the roller coaster. When I eventually secured a contract with Dancing With Bear Publishing for my first book (a teen fiction for girls) there followed a flurry of writing and launching as they published five of my books in the space of four years.

I then began writing Christian romantic suspense, and that proved to be a lesson in patience and pride as I was signed by an agent and then released almost two years later with little to show for it. As the roller coaster dipped and then took a different loop, I signed a three-book contract with Anaiah Press, and have just published the third novel in the space of a year. That was hands-in-the-air whizzing down the track time.

I also have an agent who is representing my manuscripts for children’s books, and am tweaking a proposal for a devotional book on hospitality.

Writing is unpredictable and it’s hard work—but incredibly rewarding!
 
 
What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The hardest for me is the waiting. Patience is not my greatest virtue and the writing business is slow as molasses. I have to let a project go once it is finished and in the hands of an agent or editor somewhere in cyberspace. I move onto the next thing and try not to wring my hands and watch the clock as I wait for a response. Sometimes there is NO response and that is beyond frustrating.

As a Christian, encouraging readers with my words is my greatest joy. And holding your published book for the first time, full of words you have actually written—that is utterly surreal!
 
 
Would you go back and change anything?

People ask me if I wish I hadn’t kept my writing dream secret for 25 years, but I wouldn’t change that one bit. I believe as a “late bloomer” I had far more life to write about and have been able to use those years for inspiration—nothing is wasted.

If I could change anything, I would have learned more about the marketing side early on. I really fell headlong into having my books published with no clue what to do next, and feel in some ways I have been playing catch-up ever since. A teachable heart is essential in writing and being an author requires us to wear several spiffy hats all at the same time!
 
 
Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to keep writing fresh inspiration and heartwarming encouragement for my readers. My prayer is that my words will impact lives somehow for God’s glory—and I’m happy to follow where He leads in that. (If He leads me to write somewhere tropical and gorgeous, I’m fine with that, too!)
 
 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

Don’t put your “writerly self” in a box.

When I began, I desperately wanted to be a picture book author. I still do! But I was willing to keep my options open and followed where God led me and as a result, I write in a number of genres—and love every minute of it. If I had been stubborn and kept my writing in a picture book-sized box, I would have missed out on so many wonderful opportunities.

Be open to all the possibilities!
 

And for fun...
 
Ketchup or Mayo? Mayo
Night or Day? Day
Inside or Outside? Outside—when it’s warm
Dogs or Cats? Dogs—English bulldog mom here
Twitter or Facebook? Can I choose Instagram?
Ebook or Paperback? Paperback
Sun or Rain? Sun
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Keyboard for serious writing
Comedy or Drama? Drama
Chips or Chocolate? Chocolate—every single time!