Hope Bolinger is a literary agent and published YA author (Blaze, LPC). She’s worked for various publishing houses, magazines, newspapers, and agencies. More than three hundred of her works have been featured in various publications, ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids. She’s obsessed with all things theater, chocolate, and fire.

Tell us about your newest book.
Blaze is essentially the first three chapters of the Book of Daniel plopped into a high school. It follows the story of Danny as he transfers to a rival school after his previous school mysteriously burns down. Turns out, the arsonist attends the rival . . . and they don’t seem content setting fire to just one thing.

What genre do you focus on and why?
I found my niche in the young adult market. I remember my time as a teen, three years ago, as a period of turmoil, transition, and the constant need to trust in God. Teens nowadays face bigger and more complex problems than ever before. I wanted to write to that market to come alongside teenagers and say, “It’s hard. But I made it through. Here’s how you can do it.” Plus, I think young adult authors get to have all the fun.

Why do you write? What drives you?
I write “what if” scenarios I would never want to end up in. Burning building? Let’s stick some characters in there. My stories drive me. They burn up inside until I have to release them on paper. I have to write. I can do nothing else.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Danny Belte. Derivative from Daniel/Belteshazzar found in the Book of Daniel. He’s a sixteen year old with a sense of humor—often implemented in the worst situations—and severe anxiety.

What does a day in your writing world look like?
Like my books, everything’s on fire. Except, not in a literal sense. Usually I try to hammer out 2,500-3,000 words a day when I’ve begun a writing project. Finding the time for that can prove a trial in itself. Back in high school, I used to write chapters instead of paying attention in math class. Probably explains my Pre-Calc grade . . . I try to find a quiet space and take breaks after every 1,000 words, unless I’ve tapped into the muse. Sometimes I’ll forget about things such as food and bathroom breaks.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?
Almost everything else that happens after you write the book. I’ve started to take to liking editing and marketing. I used to hate them. But I would say the waiting takes the cake. After writing a book in the span of 30-45 days, editing it/beta reader testing it for the next two months, you have to wait to hear back from publishers. This can range from several weeks to months, and usually it tends to result in rejection. If they take it on, you have at least a year before you have a physical book in your hands. I love every minute of it, but the waiting does kill you a little inside.

What’s the best part of your author’s life? Why?
Everything. Warts, waiting and all, I would never do anything else. Even when people post nasty reviews or drop out last minute on an endorsement, at the end of the day, I had a chance to create something, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced as an author?
Honestly, a lot of God things. When a reviewer would drop out, He provided another. Or when someone bailed, He sent someone else my way.

For instance, I had an endorser drop out on me, and I got worried because he was an author I’d looked up to. And I understood about busy schedule. Even if we’d connected in September about the book, life happens. At that point, I’d had a number of bloggers quit, and I grew anxious that all the work I’d done for the previous nine months would go to waste. But then I received an email for the leader of a local writer’s group of about 1800 members contacted me saying she had the song, “High Hopes” stuck in her head for the past several weeks, and when she saw my name, she knew she had to contact me to come and speak with her group.

What are you most proud of?
Is it bad if I say Blaze? I’d had the dream to get a book published since I took up novel writing at 16. I’ve written 17 books, 13 plays, and 300 other published works since that time It took hundreds of rejections, dozens of edits, a 25-page marketing plan, and a great deal of wanting to give up. Even if it doesn’t sell well, even if it sells two copies, I still can’t believe this dream came true. If I can make it, any author can.

What is your favorite pastime?
Theater. Stick me on stage, and I feel right at home. If God decided one day I shouldn’t write anymore, I would find a way to get involved in every theater in the area.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes, we have several books out on query.

What are you working on now?
My coauthor and I plan to do the finishing touches on Picture Imperfect. I also plan to begin Dreams, the third installment of Blaze. I also have three other books ideas I’m juggling in my head right now, trying to determine which one I should start first.

Website: https://www.hopebolinger.com/
Link to book:
Social media links: @hopebolinger (Twitter, Instagram) @therosewoman (Facebook)

Gina Holder has been married to her best friend for 12 years and has one 11-year-old daughter. She’s a stay at home mom and homeschools. She lives in Kentucky, but they’re moving back to Colorado in May. She indie published her first novel in 2017 and is preparing to release her next book at the end of April.

Tell us about your newest book.

My current release is titled, No Greater Love. It’s about a book-loving, coffee-drinking Portlander who discovers she is a “safe haven” baby after finding a Bible and a bookmark, leading her to the town of Whitman, Oregon, to search for her birthmother. Unfortunately, her birthmother doesn’t want to be found and Paige’s past comes back to haunt her when she becomes the primary suspect in a series of local robberies. Paige was adopted by a firefighter and after his death, she vows never to fall in love with a first responder- a hero. She can’t understand someone willing to give their life for a stranger. Patrol Officer Hamilton Bryant is investigating the robberies. After the death of his best friend and fellow officer, he vows never to fall in love with anyone, except Paige has stolen his heart and he doesn’t know what to do about it.

What genre do you focus on and why?

Historical Romance and Contemporary Romantic Suspense, but I enjoy incorporating some family drama into each of my stories.

Why do you write? What drives you?

I’ve always had a desire to tell stories. I want to be a witness for Jesus Christ, but I struggle to talk to people in person. Through my books, I can share the message of Salvation, and Spiritual lessons from the Word of God, without having to speak face to face.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

Her name is Paige McDonald. I didn’t really choose it on purpose, it just came to me along with the story idea. It does fit her though since she is a book-lover.

What does a day in your writing world look like?

I’m a stay-at-home mom, so, writing comes secondary to taking care of our home and homeschooling my daughter. I try to work on my books after I finish housework for the day or sometimes, I set aside days for me to work without interruption. My husband supports my dream to be a writer and he helps when he can.

What is the hardest part of being an author? Why?

Accepting critique. I pour my heart and soul into my work and it’s difficult to make changes.

What are you most proud of?

That I did it. I achieved my dream of being a published author.

What is your favorite pastime?

Reading fiction. I read about five books each month.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

My debut novel is titled, Whither Shall I Go? It’s a historical missionary romance. It tells the story of an orphaned girl who goes from rags to riches, then falls in love with a young preacher. When he goes MIA during WWI, she continues their dream of being missionaries to Brazil, where she faces jaguars, anacondas, and an antagonistic Shaman. Amidst it all, she learns that God had a better plan for her life than she ever thought possible. This story is based on the Scriptures found in Psalm 139.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on book 2 of my Shadows Over Whitman. Books two will continue the story from book one. It does not have a title yet, I’m still working on that. I also plan on writing a series based on the brothers of my main character from Whither Shall I Go. I gave each brother a distinct personality, and I’m excited to share their stories with readers.

Social Media Links:

http://storiesbygina.wordpress.com

http://facebook.com/storiesbygina

http://instagram.com/storiesbygina

https://pinterest.com/ginaaholder/

Purchase link: No Greater Love eBookhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PG1CVTD