I love meeting other authors and learning about their journey. Writing can be such a lonely, solitary pursuit, as we dedicate our lives to putting words on paper, while never being quite sure how others will respond. Will our stories resonate? Inspire? Entertain? Not only that, but the stories themselves really put us through the wringer. The research, planning, plotting, time spent staring at the blank page . . . wondering, will this story matter?
Connecting with other authors reminds me we are not only, not alone, but can support one another in our pursuits to share our stories with the world.
This week, I am really excited to share my recent interview with award winning author, Kelsey Gietl. Kelsey writes historical fiction, with a touch of romance. Her books span many historical eras, including the 1850s and 1910s. Also, not only is Kelsey an author, but she is also a book designer!
So, without further ado, I present to you, Author Kelsey Gietl. After the interview, don’t forget to check out Kelsey’s website at https://kelseygietl.com for more information about Kelsey and where to buy her books.
You share on your website that growing up, you were deeply immersed in books. How did your early reading experiences shape your decision to become a writer, particularly in the historical romance genre?
My mother was a teacher and our house was always full of books and library visits, so I naturally developed a love of reading. I also had a strong interest in history, even at a young age, so writing historical fiction just happened naturally. It wasn’t until my 6th grade English teacher said I should be published that I really knew I wanted to be an author someday. Never would I have imagined that those dreams would one day actually lead to become an award-winning author.
How do you choose which historical era to set your stories in? Do you have a favorite era? What era have you not yet wrote about but would like to?
Growing up, I was fascinated with the Titanic era, so I always knew my first series would be set in the 1910s. As my characters developed, a World War I series evolved out of my first series. Choosing an era for my Larksong Legacy series took more contemplation and a lot of research before selecting the 1850s. I feel like every era I write in becomes my favorite era, so who knows where I’ll end up next. Eventually, I would like to write about the 1904 World’s Fair which was set in my hometown of St. Louis.
How do you develop your characters and ensure they are authentic to the historical period they belong to?
A lot of historical research. I try to use a variety of methods to make sure I’m keeping to the accuracy of the time period while still allowing room for character development. My research includes books, newspaper articles, diaries and other first-hand accounts, and photographs from the time period. I also like to watch movies and read other fictional novels set in the same time period as well as from other genres. There’s much to be learned about how characters interact from genres that are not your own when you can focus on the people rather than the history.
Balancing the dual roles of writer and cover designer can be demanding. How do you manage your time and creativity between writing your stories and designing their covers?
Cover design is one of my favorite parts of being an author. It takes a different sort of creativity and gives my writing brain a break. It’s fun to focus on another author’s story for awhile and think about how I can make their writing shine. I always find it so amazing how one picture can capture the entire feeling of a full-length novel. It’s truly a God-inspired collaboration.
What is the most rewarding aspect of seeing your book cover designs on shelves or online, and how do you ensure they appeal to your target audience?
Knowing that my talents are helping to bring positive messages to readers. I only design covers for authors whose books include clean content, so I know I can promote them without worry. My goal is to always provide customized covers at affordable prices, so an otherwise wonderful book isn’t overlooked or dismissed because of a poor cover. In this way, I make sure to pay attention to what covers are appearing on the bestseller list as well as the types of design trends that are featured. Many times, you’ll see the same stock person appear on many covers, which then causes me to avoid using it again. While most designs need to include some element of stock art, my goal is to still make each design unique.
Given your rich background in literature and storytelling, what advice would you give to aspiring writers and designers who are just starting their journey?
Cultivate your writing community and develop your goals. Both will start small and will change over time. At first, you’ll feel like you’re practically alone, but person by person, you’ll gather a team who will become so valuable in teaching you about your craft. You’ll hear that being an author is a marathon not a sprint. That’s true. It’s a marathon that doesn’t really ever end, but there are many other authors running it with you, each with milestones along the way. Together, you experience these rest stops where you see how far you’ve come and celebrate your victories together. There could be many groups you’ll be a part of, but when you find that one group that’s your group, you’ll know.
Did you always know you wanted to be an author? What unique challenges do you think authors face?
Yes, I’ve always enjoyed writing and always wanted a career in writing, although this didn’t end up exactly as my younger self originally pictured. I think one of the biggest challenges authors face is to be able to switch your brain from the creative to the business and do both well. Authors tend to be creatively oriented, rather than business minded, but publishing is a business as much as it is an art. I’ve been blessed to have day jobs that taught me about finance, marketing, sales, contracts, and understanding other important business elements, all of which are important in publishing. I now perform corporate writing during the day and creative writing in my free time which provides a good blend of both worlds.
Can you share a piece of feedback or a reader’s reaction to your work that has profoundly impacted you?
So many, especially when people say that they related to a particular character or a certain scene moved them to tears. One of the most meaningful reviews I received was from the Catholic Media Association related to For a Noble Purpose:
“Well-written and produced novel which clearly undertakes all elements in the Catholic novel theme involving Catholic faith, Catholic imagination, the power of grace, the struggles of life on all levels, and God’s closeness in the struggles of faith, in times of loss and sadness, and in times of joy. Terrific, transportive story which not only engages and entertains with plot surprises but also inspires and offers examples of good Christian behavior in a “real” human setting. Memorable characters, and an excellent balance of very satisfying- yet clean- and Godly historical romance.”
Tell us about your current work. Where can we buy your books?
I am currently writing the fourth and final book in the 1850s Larksong Legacy series, Stars in the Storm, and working with my audiobook narrator on production of the third book in the series, Sparks Fly Upward. The Larksong Legacy series follows five Southern brothers who have been gifted with extraordinary talents, all based in scientific possibility but taken one step farther. It’s a blend of traditional historical fiction, magical realism, and Christian faith with plenty of romance and intrigue. The first two books both received 1st place Catholic Media Association awards.
BIO - Kelsey Gietl
More information on my books, including where to purchase can be found on my website: kelseygietl.com. Also, I recently left social media, so please subscribe to my newsletter for all the latest updates. Kelsey Gietl is the author of the early 1910s Over the Atlantic duology, the WWI War Across Waters duology, and the 1850s Larksong Legacy series. Combining faith, family, and lessons from our past, her books provide inspirational stories with a dose of romance and a dash of intrigue. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Graphic Design and has made a career in fields from event planning and proposal writing to product management and communications.
She lives in Missouri with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Catholic Writers Guild.
*all photos provided courtesy of Kelsey Gietl and her website.
