Author Interview: G.F. MILLER

It's a gorgeous day here on the GC, and that means it's a perfect day for me to introduce you to a gorgeous author and their gorgeous new book! 

Check it out... 
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The Author...

G.F. Miller absolutely insists on a happy ending. Everything else is negotiable. Her wish is to go everywhere—and when a plane ticket isn't available, books fill the gaps. She cries at all the wrong times. She makes faces at herself in the mirror. She believes in the Oxford comma. And she’s always here for a dance party.
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website: gfmiller.com
Instagram: @author.gfmiller
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The Book...

​You want to know why a few lucky people get a fairy godmother while everyone else is stuck slogging it out on their own? It’s the glimpse. Sometimes, out of nowhere, I get a glimpse of someone’s deepest wish. And, not to brag, but I can make it come true one-hundred percent of the time.

And then I fade into the background. Because the fairy godmother doesn’t do friendship. I grant the wish, and then I’m gone.

Perfect for fans of Geekerella and Jenn Bennett, this charming, sparkly rom-com follows a wish-granting teen forced to question if she’s really doing good—and if she has the power to make her own dreams come true.

Goodreads
Publisher
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The Interview... 

Did you always dream of being a writer?

Not really. Even though I was a voracious reader growing up, and even though I’ve been writing for fun and as a job for…ever… for some reason it never occurred to me that “author” could be a career path. Until I started hanging out with authors and suddenly realized that regular people write books and sell them. As soon as that clicked, getting traditionally published became my goal.  
 
 
When did you start pursuing traditional publishing? 

I started querying agents with my first novel in August 2015. Alas, that novel never found its home and, eventually, I shelved it.

 
How long did it take from sending that first query to getting an offer of representation? 

Three books, 150-ish rejections, and three years (almost to the day) later, Kim Lionetti at BookEnds offered to represent me.

 
Did you go on submission soon after? 

First, we did a round of revisions. Then, about two months after signing with Kim, she sent me an email with the subject line “It’s out in the universe.” To which my response was (and I quote): EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeh!

 
How long did you wait until your book received an offer from a publisher?

Less than a month after we started submitting to acquiring editors, we had two R&R (revise and resubmit) requests. We had to choose which one to pursue, because their revision ideas took the book in completely opposite directions. I chose to work with Jessica Smith at (what was then) Simon Pulse because I really connected with her vision and editorial style. At the end of that R&R process—which took several months—Jessica wanted to acquire the book.

 
What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

Hands down, querying is the hardest part. There isn’t really anything good about it. It’s just a quagmire of rejection, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. But if you make it through that, you can make it through anything!


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Writing!! I get to do something creative and fun that I love…and I get PAID! (In the spirit of #publishingpaidme disclosure, the actual advance I received was a stack of partially used Starbucks gift cards with a combined balance of $6.87.) Besides the cha-ching, other people read what I wrote, and it makes them smile, laugh, swoon, and have feelings. What could be better??!!


What's next for you? 

I’m still writing. I want people who love Glimpsed to have another magical YA romcom to look forward to, so I’m scribbling away at it. Stay tuned!

 
What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just starting out on their pursuit of publication? 

Don’t forget to have fun. Sometimes we take ourselves so seriously or get so caught up in the hard parts of the process that we lose the fun and joy of sitting down and creating a thing. If writing’s not joyful, why not become an electrician? There are literally a thousand other things you could do that would pay better. So if you’re going to be a writer, enjoy it. 
 
 
Last book you just read? 

Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufman (A young Jewish woman survives the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE to forge a new life and find love.)


What book are you reading now? 

I’m re-reading Persuasion by Jane Austen (a good reminder that I’m a total hack); also reading Distress Signal by Mary E. Lambert aloud with my 8-year-old (perfect for fans of I Survived books!); also reading Dragonfly Girl by Marti Leimbach (I’m in the first chapter and already HOOKED).


Best book you've ever read? 

Objection. This question is unanswerable. There are TOO MANY amazing books. But Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is near the top of the list.


Fave author?

Once again, I must protest. I can’t. Even. But let me give a shout out to ONE of my favorites: Joanna Ruth Meyer. Her newest gorgeous, lyrical YA fantasy Into the Heartless Wood released this month, and I highly recommend it (and all her books).


Best moment of your writing life?

It was a quiet moment—not a jump and squeal. Mary E. Lambert had read a short story I’d written and invited me to join her writing critique group. At the time, I didn’t think of it as pivotal. I just agreed because I like joining things and I like writing. But in hindsight, I honestly don’t think I would have finished a novel—leave alone gotten published—without that group. They encourage me, teach me, inspire me, and give me constant deadlines (“Gotta get this chapter done for critique group!”). The moral of the story is: if you don’t have a great critique group, FIND ONE. Nothing is more important for your writing journey.


Name of your newest WIP?

The working title is “Crunched.” Because there are cursed apples. Get it?


If not an author, what would be your dream job? 

​I would work for an international non-profit that helps people overcome poverty and injustice. Wait—that IS my day job! Living the dream.