Author Interview: Kara Leigh Miller

I'm welcoming another fab author to the blog today to learn more about their writing journey so far. I love these interviews! 

Check it out... 
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Kara Leigh Miller is a full-time wife; stay-at-home mom to 5 kids, 4 pit bulls, and 6 cats; writer, and the Editorial Director at Anaiah Press. She's previously published two adult Christian romantic suspense books. Warped Remains is her first young adult book, but it won’t be her last.

Follow Kara here! 

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Isabelle Carson is charging into her senior year equipped with a handy checklist to ensure nothing goes awry. Things she didn't account for: a hot, new guy who almost runs her over, a messed up class schedule, and a boyfriend who dumps her for one of her best friends. All of that pales in comparison to the threat of her dirty family secrets breaking free from the perfect façade she’s diligently maintained since the death of her brother.

Grayson Alexander is on his fourth school in as many years. Lakewood Valley High is exactly like all the others, with one shiny exception: Isabelle Carson. She’s smart, funny, beautiful— the perfect package. But Isabelle is hiding something, and Grayson is determined to do whatever it takes to win her trust, except step foot in another hypocritical church.
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As Isabelle’s life spirals out of control and her carefully crafted, picture-perfect image begins to shatter, Grayson does what no one else can: he makes her laugh and allows her to be imperfect. With rekindled faith, Isabelle sets out to right all the wrongs in her life. But Grayson has been damaged by his own family secrets, and Isabelle will have to decide if the boy she’s falling for more and more each day is a right or a wrong.

​Read Chapter One here! 
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The Interview...

Who are you and what do you write?

Hello! I’m Kara Leigh Miller. I’m a wife and stay-at-home mom to 4 kids, 3 pit bulls, and 6 cats. I’m also the Editorial Director for Anaiah Press. When I’m not herding my family, I’m writing, reading, going to the gym, and playing Monster Busters on my phone.
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I write romance for both adults and young adults across a variety of subgenres: thrillers, contemporary, paranormal, etc., for both the Christian and secular markets.


Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

Strangely, it started out of boredom. Lol. I was home with my kids, and I’d blown through all the books I had on my shelf, so I decided to try writing my own book. It was a New Adult romance—kinda dark—and I’ve never stopped since.
 

How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

Like most authors, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. I first began pursuing publication in 2012/2013, and I had some rather quick success with getting a handful of novellas published with a couple of small presses. From there, I signed with an agent for a full-length romantic suspense, which didn’t sell. I then wrote a contemporary New Adult series, which did sell! (under a pen name). That, unfortunately, didn’t end well so I reevaluated my career and decided I really wanted to write young adult novels. I parted ways with my agent and have been querying new agents ever since. While doing so, I’ve published a couple of young adult Christian novels: Warped Remains and Perfectly Imperfect. 


What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The hardest part has to be the rejections. No matter how many I get, they still sting. And the constant comparison is horrible! I want to be where other authors are, and it’s hard to know I’ve been in this business for 10 years and I’m still so far “behind.” But then I remember that there are probably authors out there who would kill to be where I am, and that puts things into perspective.

The most enjoyable is the actual writing, getting lost in a new story and discovering new characters.


Would you go back and change anything?

I want to say yes, because hindsight is always 20/20 and I know a heck of a lot more now than I did when I first started in this industry. However, if I hadn’t been through everything I had, I wouldn’t have the knowledge and experience I have right now. I have to believe I’m on this specific path for a reason, so no, I wouldn’t change a thing.


Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? Or, what are your plans for the future?

Ideally, I’d love to sign with a new agent, get a traditional publishing deal, and get reviewed by a large trade publication. But, above else, I still want to be writing, to still have the same joy and excitement I have every time I start a new story. For the future, I plan to launch my own publishing company—FireChicken Press to self-publish some of my own books.


What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

Take your time. Seriously, there is no rush. There’s no age limit in publishing. So, slow down, learn your craft, write a few books, do your research, and then enter the publishing world with your eyes wide open.


And most importantly...

Ketchup or Mayo? Mayo
Night or Day? Day
Inside or Outside? Inside
Dogs or Cats? Both
Twitter or Facebook? Facebook
Ebook or Paperback? Paperback
Sun or Rain? Rain
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? Keyboard
Comedy or Drama? Comedy
Chips or Chocolate? Chocolate