Ask the Author: Katherine Reay
Answered Questions (56)
Katherine Reay
I wish you had a copy too! I am so excited for you. As for must-sees -- that is tough. All the good sites, especially if it's your first trip. Mayfair Chippy has just about the best fish and chips I've ever had. And Indian food in London is spectacular. I highly recommend Kricket. As for finding folks part of the Jesus People Movement, I might inquire on FB. I've had friends start searches that way and come up with great success. All the best to you!
Katherine Reay
I love this question as I take "trips" for all my books. My first classic trip was to Italy for A PORTRAIT OF EMILY PRICE, and during that visited I was given access to the Vatican Restoration Labs. That was an EXTRAORDINARY experience. In books prior to that one, I'd lived in all my settings-- Chicago, London, Seattle, and Atlanta. That said, although I have lived in London, I return there often for new insights for each book I place there.
My favorite trip? Probably Berlin for THE BERLIN LETTERS. That trip dynamically changed that book and give it a pace and a life that surprised and thrilled me.
Thanks for asking!
My favorite trip? Probably Berlin for THE BERLIN LETTERS. That trip dynamically changed that book and give it a pace and a life that surprised and thrilled me.
Thanks for asking!
Katherine Reay
Wow... I don't know if I can type fast enough for this one...;) I started querying agents and received 41 rejections -- but had two years prior discussed the story at a writer's conference with a small publisher who said if I ever wrote it to reach out. After all that rejection, I thought the agent-path wasn't going to work so I reached out and received a very small -- I mean VERY SMALL -- offer for the book. I was disheartened because it meant DEAR MR. KNIGHTLEY was going no where.
On that very day, a newsletter dropped into my inbox from that writer's conference promoting the next conference and -- I am not kidding -- my picture was on it. A gallery shot of me talking to someone. No attribution. They had no idea who I was. And "Ask Us a Question" column was "Do I need an agent?" I was blown away and wrote the contact on the form who wrote me back and told me to try again for an agent
I did. I called -- and you never call -- only one agent. My dream agent. And I left a message. He actually called me back. I signed with him a week later and sold the book a month after that. It was my first manuscript.
My story is crazy. It can't be replicated, but it's quite a story. Unfortunately, my first agent -- a wonderful man -- died a year from cancer. I will always be thankful he came into my life.
There you go. Super long answer. :)
On that very day, a newsletter dropped into my inbox from that writer's conference promoting the next conference and -- I am not kidding -- my picture was on it. A gallery shot of me talking to someone. No attribution. They had no idea who I was. And "Ask Us a Question" column was "Do I need an agent?" I was blown away and wrote the contact on the form who wrote me back and told me to try again for an agent
I did. I called -- and you never call -- only one agent. My dream agent. And I left a message. He actually called me back. I signed with him a week later and sold the book a month after that. It was my first manuscript.
My story is crazy. It can't be replicated, but it's quite a story. Unfortunately, my first agent -- a wonderful man -- died a year from cancer. I will always be thankful he came into my life.
There you go. Super long answer. :)
Katherine Reay
Hi!! Thanks so much for stopping by here. Yes, after THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE, there is yet another story. It is set in 1950 Oxfordshire and 2026 London and I am having a wonderful time writing it.
So delighted Kathryn is getting THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE for her birthday. I dedicated it to my parents who will celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer. Celebrations all around!
So delighted Kathryn is getting THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE for her birthday. I dedicated it to my parents who will celebrate their 60th anniversary this summer. Celebrations all around!
Katherine Reay
Great question. I love them all -- but they are different stories and I am a different writer with each. I will say this -- I am not sure I will write a more complex story than A SHADOW IN MOSCOW. Something about all the themes and sacrifices in that story still resonates with me in a unique way.
Katherine Reay
A producer has optioned the right for THE BERLIN LETTERS so we'll see if anything comes of that. I'd be thrilled if that worked out.
Katherine Reay
It is now and I'm so thankful it can be. To be honest, the advance question is impossible to answer. Advances can very from what feels like very little for one's work to what is extraordinary. One way you can get an estimation is by looking at the deal announcements on Publishers Marketplace. The terms "nice deal", "very good deal", etc all have numeric values and you can look up what those are --I'm sorry I don't know them off the top of my head.
Katherine Reay
Goodness!!! On the case... Again.
Katherine Reay
I cannot. The publisher is to send this out and I’m so sorry you haven’t received it. If you’d like to message me an address, I’ll make sure you are shipped one immediately. I apologize this has happened. All the best to you… Katherine
Katherine Reay
In terms of this tour, yes! I'll be at University Park Library on Thursday, March 28th!
Katherine Reay
Hey Becky,
It's wonderful to hear from you. Yes, events are getting scheduled and I believe I am returning to Spartanburg. I have loaded many events onto my website, but I still need to fill in details, which I will do -- as I search them out -- in the coming days. I too am very excited about The Berlin Letters and can't wait to share this story with you! See you soon.
It's wonderful to hear from you. Yes, events are getting scheduled and I believe I am returning to Spartanburg. I have loaded many events onto my website, but I still need to fill in details, which I will do -- as I search them out -- in the coming days. I too am very excited about The Berlin Letters and can't wait to share this story with you! See you soon.
Katherine Reay
Thanks for writing! Her last name actually is Voekler. In my research I found both are correct, in terms of spelling, but there were far more Voelkers out in the world and one particular Voekler I found interesting -- hence the spelling. :) I suppose it makes her a little unique as well. After all, not many people spell Rea -- with that final "y." ;)
I am so delighted you enjoy Shadow in Moscow. I loved Ingrid and Anya and had a fantastic time writing that story. That might be odd to say, but both women came to life quickly for me. Luisa came to life quickly too -- I hope you find yourself enjoying her even more.
All the best to you!
I am so delighted you enjoy Shadow in Moscow. I loved Ingrid and Anya and had a fantastic time writing that story. That might be odd to say, but both women came to life quickly for me. Luisa came to life quickly too -- I hope you find yourself enjoying her even more.
All the best to you!
Katherine Reay
Robin, It's lovely to hear from you. And what a great time BONI was!! Thanks for the reminder. I think I was working on my 2nd book, Lizzy & Jane, at BONI and my 10th, A Shadow in Moscow will release June 13, 2023. My latest release, The London House, was my first foray from contemporary fiction into historical fiction and I am having so much fun!
All the best to you! ... Katherine
All the best to you! ... Katherine
Katherine Reay
I'd go to Narnia while the Pevensie children are reigning as kings and queens. I'm not entirely sure what I would do, but that's okay. Just being there would be enough.
I'll give this a little more thought as there are lots of places I'd love to go. What about you?
I'll give this a little more thought as there are lots of places I'd love to go. What about you?
Katherine Reay
Right now I'm in edits for my next novel, A Shadow in Moscow, and I am so excited about this Cold War story. Two women spies circling each other in the most watched city in the world. It releases June 13, 2023 -- so more details to come soon.
Katherine Reay
Hi Kimberly,
Thanks for writing to me -- I am not ready to say goodbye yet either. Ideally, Winsome will be that welcoming place I return to again and again. My next two books will take us all elsewhere -- The London House, which releases Nov. 2, will take readers to Paris and London in the early days of WWII. But, after that these next two stories, I may return. I feel Krista has a story in her and a few other characters have things to say as well.
All the best to you, Katherine
Thanks for writing to me -- I am not ready to say goodbye yet either. Ideally, Winsome will be that welcoming place I return to again and again. My next two books will take us all elsewhere -- The London House, which releases Nov. 2, will take readers to Paris and London in the early days of WWII. But, after that these next two stories, I may return. I feel Krista has a story in her and a few other characters have things to say as well.
All the best to you, Katherine
Katherine Reay
Mariia,
Wow! That's a tough, and honest question -- requiring an equally honest answer.
I am sad to say the belief may have come with my first book contract and that outside voice of validation. That said, when asked about writing and what a makes a writer and where one should put their focus, I ALWAYS say "on the journey."
We cannot control outcomes. We can only control and enjoy the path we are on. If you are called to write -- and I believe it's a calling or why else would we do this tough job? ;) -- then we absolutely are writers. But I was not as wise then as I'd like to believe I might be now. ;)
So.... If you're willing to listen to someone who got it wrong at first... If you write, you are truly a writer.
All the best to you and your writing, Katherine
Wow! That's a tough, and honest question -- requiring an equally honest answer.
I am sad to say the belief may have come with my first book contract and that outside voice of validation. That said, when asked about writing and what a makes a writer and where one should put their focus, I ALWAYS say "on the journey."
We cannot control outcomes. We can only control and enjoy the path we are on. If you are called to write -- and I believe it's a calling or why else would we do this tough job? ;) -- then we absolutely are writers. But I was not as wise then as I'd like to believe I might be now. ;)
So.... If you're willing to listen to someone who got it wrong at first... If you write, you are truly a writer.
All the best to you and your writing, Katherine
Katherine Reay
Hi! The Food of Love is by Italian writer Anthony Capella. I enjoyed it so much I asked him to endorse A Portrait of Emily Price, my story set in Italy. It's such a good idea -- to list all the books. A blogger once did it for The Bronte Plot, and listed 51 books. I included such a list in the back of The Printed Letter Bookshop. I believe there are over 60 listed. As for Dear Mr. Knightley -- I haven't done that yet... It would be a fun exercise one day.
Thanks for reaching out.
Thanks for reaching out.
Katherine Reay
This is a tough one... And "butt in chair" is the best answer. If you are blocked, get writing -- even if it how you feel about not writing. Sit in your chair (or stand if you have a desk like mine) and keep going. What you write today may be horrible and you'll delete it at the end of the day, but it may also spark something new. You'll never get to that gem if you don't keep at it.
Now, of course, this assumes you've already taken that walk, cleared your head, had a snack, cleaned your kitchen and even organized your books alphabetical order.
When all else fails, put "butt in chair" and get writing. :)
Now, of course, this assumes you've already taken that walk, cleared your head, had a snack, cleaned your kitchen and even organized your books alphabetical order.
When all else fails, put "butt in chair" and get writing. :)
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