Two years ago I was pleased to share my friend Linda Phillips‘ news of signing with an agent. Today, I am even more excited to share her announcement of signing with a publisher! And you know that I’ll be the first to offer an ARC or off-the-presses copy of her debut young adult novel when it is released.
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about CRAZY. What were your significant milestones along your path to
publication? How did you mine your own life experiences to write it?
collection of 20 poems that were loosely centered on the theme of my mother’s
bipolar disorder and took about 15 years to write. It was largely a cathartic
exercise on my part to work through years of angst and unanswered questions of
my teen years.
I fully participate in my husband’s parish ministry. I’ll get right on it……from 4:00 to 6:00 a.m.
weekdays or all that spare time on Saturday after groceries, cleaning, lesson
plans and school activities with my boys.
the Highlights Foundation Writer’s Workshop in Chautauqua, NY. Patti Gauch,
former senior editor of Philomel, was my designated mentor, and she graciously
went the extra mile with me. The biggest
thing she did was point out that my YA book had an adult voice, and a mother
that dominated the scene.
based on Patti’s invaluable critiquing. In addition to her input, I began to step out
of the protagonist position, to put necessary distance between the story and
myself.
in October, 2010 I signed with Julia Kenny at Markson Thoma Agency in New
York. She has the patience of Job, both
in dealing with all my “nervous Nelly” emails, and the two years it took to
land a deal with William B. Eerdmans.
2014. As my pals, the Beatles said,
“It’s been a long and winding road” and I can’t wait to see what lies around
the bend.
I’ve dabbled in it since high school. I have used it to think things through,
both the good and the bad. It has been
like a best friend to me all these years, and the most effective way I knew of
understanding life experiences.
reading your book?
and depressed teenager. She is obsessed with hating her artist mother who appears to be mentally disintegrating
before her eyes. She worries everyone in her small mill town is aware that her
mother is crazy. When her mother has a nervous breakdown, Laura becomes
frightened that she will suffer the same consequence if she pursues her own
passion for art.
ultimately, to get to the bottom of what has caused her mother’s illness. In the process, she discovers an inner
strength that enables her to ask her mother for forgiveness and to begin a new
relationship with her.
to find the truth and to understand and accept it. According to the National Institute of Mental
Health, bipolar disorder affects 5.7 million adults 18 and older in the U.S.
population annually. Millions of adults with the disorder are in the process of
raising children. I hope that my book
may serve as a support, a conversation starter, or perhaps a catalyst leading
to medical help for teenage or adult readers affected by this disorder.
Thank you, Linda, for this insider’s look into your book and your path to publication!
When she’s not writing, Linda can be found walking or bicycling the greenways near her home in Charlotte, trying out a new vegan recipe, or settling in for a stretch with her Nook. In between, she might be found walking, praying, or exchanging writing ideas with her appreciative writing buddy, me.
Loved reading how this book came to be. Congratulations!
Well I just loved getting a little more in depth look at the story line and also learning more about your journey, Linda. I'll be back to sign up for the giveaway! I am eager! But not nearly as eager as you, I know.Thanks Carol, for the interview!
Congratulations to Linda for all these accomplishments. Thanks for running the giveaway. It sounds like a wonderful book.
Thanks Joyce, Barbara and Rosi for stopping by. We won't be giving away Linda's book for another year, Rosi…by then you'll be back in the running for another book–if not way before then!!
Wow, so very nice to learn about Linda and her story. Hits close to home…Look forward to reading it!! Congratulations, Linda!
Linda, I can't wait to read it. Sounds like an amazing story! I know how long the road to publication has been, and I'm looking forward to buying a copy (or a few)! Miriam
Linda… I would love to read your book. I have a sister and a cousin with Bipolar Disorder. My mother was a lover of poetry.
How exciting, Linda! I personally know several teens and a lot of adults who will really relate to this book.Blessings on it and on you!Jean
Thanks Miriam, Jean, & Gail for leaving your comments. I know it will mean a lot to Linda too!
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. Kathleen, Gail, and Jean you all fit right into my target audience, and I truly do hope and pray that this book will be a support to anyone whose life has been touched by Bipolar Disorder.
Been my pleasure to host you, Linda!
Wow, Linda! You and I have a lot in common. I too have a mother with bi-polar disorder and am slowly but surely getting the courage to talk about it. There's a MG book I started on the same subject that's been sitting, well, for years now. I too want to start the conversation. Can't wait to read the book!!
Loved reading how this book came to be. Congratulations!
Well I just loved getting a little more in depth look at the story line and also learning more about your journey, Linda. I'll be back to sign up for the giveaway! I am eager! But not nearly as eager as you, I know.Thanks Carol, for the interview!
Congratulations to Linda for all these accomplishments. Thanks for running the giveaway. It sounds like a wonderful book.
Thanks Joyce, Barbara and Rosi for stopping by. We won't be giving away Linda's book for another year, Rosi…by then you'll be back in the running for another book–if not way before then!!
Wow, so very nice to learn about Linda and her story. Hits close to home…Look forward to reading it!! Congratulations, Linda!
Linda, I can't wait to read it. Sounds like an amazing story! I know how long the road to publication has been, and I'm looking forward to buying a copy (or a few)! Miriam
Linda… I would love to read your book. I have a sister and a cousin with Bipolar Disorder. My mother was a lover of poetry.
How exciting, Linda! I personally know several teens and a lot of adults who will really relate to this book.Blessings on it and on you!Jean
Thanks Miriam, Jean, & Gail for leaving your comments. I know it will mean a lot to Linda too!
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. Kathleen, Gail, and Jean you all fit right into my target audience, and I truly do hope and pray that this book will be a support to anyone whose life has been touched by Bipolar Disorder.
Been my pleasure to host you, Linda!
Wow, Linda! You and I have a lot in common. I too have a mother with bi-polar disorder and am slowly but surely getting the courage to talk about it. There's a MG book I started on the same subject that's been sitting, well, for years now. I too want to start the conversation. Can't wait to read the book!!