Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Carpenter.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve had a million different jobs – soap opera assistant, actor, fence builder, and mom – and I never even considered that I’d be able to write a book because I didn’t have an MFA or anything of the like. But one day I woke up, bought a stack of legal pads, sharpened a bunch of pencils and got to work on a story idea that had been brewing in my head for about a year.
That book didn’t sell, nor did the one that followed. But my third book snagged the interested of a literary agent and a couple of years later we sold it. It was published in 2016 and since then, I’ve had a book a year released. It’s been an absolute dream, and I can’t imagine a more fulfilling job. (especially fence building, believe it or not, which I was terrible at!).
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was years between when I wrote my first book and when I finally got published. It helped a lot to build friendships with other aspiring authors and to write other things.
Writing short stories – flash fiction, which is typically less than 1,000 words – was a great way for me not to get too obsessed or depressed about the long road to publication.
Working in a different medium, so to speak, gave me the chance to focus on something different and get that “hey, people are reading and enjoying my work!” rush.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Emily Carpenter – what should we know?
I’m an author and Lake Union has published three of my books (the fourth is coming in March 2019). I work for myself, set my own schedule, mostly, unless I’m on a deadline, which is set by my publisher.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My husband, of course, my three boys, and my sister have always been incredibly supportive and my biggest cheerleaders from the beginning. I’ve been a part of several different critique groups and author groups, social and working, but my trusted squad for critiquing remains the same three people, MJ Pullen, Kimberly Brock, and Chris Negron.
I’ve had some great readers too, although I try not to burden friends with reading my books in their early, messy stages. My agent Amy Cloughley of Kimberley Cameron & Associates is fantastic and unwavering in her level-headed support. And recently I’ve joined an author’s co-op called The Tall Poppy Writers, an amazing bunch of authors who make marketing a fun group effort.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.emilycarpenterauthor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily.d.c/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecarpenterauthor/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmilyDCarpenter
Image Credit:
Lake Union
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
