FUN FACTS
Favorite authors: Harper Lee
Favorite Book: To Kill A Mockingbird––"I adored getting to teach
it for several years."
eReader or Print: "I love my kindle, and I’ve just recently gotten an
iPad. There are still times I enjoy opening the pages
of a book, which should be apparent from my
stacked bookcases!"
Currently reading: Since I’m knee deep in writing The Proposal, the
sequel to The Proposition, I’m not reading anything
for pleasure right now. I’ll be reading a lot of Poe
this week and next with my students.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF & YOUR CRAFT
TWB: What or who inspired you to start writing?
KA: My late mother always claimed I wrote my first story when I was four. It was about three cats named Mat, Dat, and
Lat who went on a camping trip with their parents. Growing up, I was always writing short stories. My dream of
publication was suppressed during college and graduate school as well as starting my teaching career. Being a
published author was a desire that burned within me all those years. Four years ago at twenty-nine, I decided
I would finally sit down and write a novel before I turned thirty. I’ve been blessed to have a lot of support from my
family and friends when it comes to my writing.
TWB: What’s your writing process?
KA: Most of the time, it comes to me in bits and pieces like a movie in my mind. I may be cleaning house, in the shower,
or driving down the road when a scene comes to me. Although I can be blonde and flighty a lot of times, I usually
never forget a scene, a line of dialogue, or a character! I have a nice office to write in, but most of the time, I find
myself holed up on my couch or in my overstuffed chair with my laptop!
TWB: Can you describe the steps you took to publish your book? (ups & downs)
KA: Well, there’s been a lot of high highs and lows. In the YA genre, I’ve had two agents and two almost book deals
with two separate books in two years! I started out writing literary fiction(think To Kill a Mockingbird and Fried
Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café with a little Grisham’s A Time to Kill), and then after reading Twilight,
I got hooked on the YA genre. I’ve written YA Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, and Dystopian. My heart is still
very much with that genre, and I intend to self-publish more of novels in the future. Under my real name, I have
a YA Dystopian series that will be published in 2014 with a small publisher.
TWB: What advice can you give those working to get their work published?o you recommend and/or prefer to work
with a publishing house over self-publishing?
KA: Stay at it. No matter how hard or how dark it gets. There were many times I wanted to give up. Rejection had
beaten me down to where I didn’t think I had it in me to continue pursuing my dream. I’m so thankful I didn’t, and
that I listened to others when they said I had to keep at it!
Read and study the genre you’re writing in. You also need to find several “beta” or critique partners.
The Proposition would be nothing without the invaluable help and suggestions of my critiques.
TWB: How important is social media to you regarding your work?
KA: In this day and age, an author has to take full advantage of social media. Whether it’s interacting on Facebook,
Twitter, or Goodreads, you should be willing and able to promote yourself as well as interacting with your readers.
Nothing makes my day more than getting an email, a Facebook posting, or a tweet from a reader who enjoyed my
work.
Due to Katie's current work we are unable to provide certain details regarding the sequel, The Proposal. However Katie Ashley will be releasing The Proposal early 2013. For more information about Katie Ashley and other works please visit
November, 30, 2012
