Made for Me was the winner in the Chick Lit category of the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Kathryn R. Biel.
Made for Me and it was published October 2016
What’s the book’s first line?
Ugh. I’m so full. I’ve never been this full.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Project Runway meets Say Yes to the Dress. Michele throws a Hail Mary pass in entering a reality TV fashion competition to design the wedding dress for the future Princess Maryn of Montabago.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I love to sew, and love both Project Runway and Say Yes to the Dress (they are some of the very few TV shows that I watch). I created the character of Michele in the novella, Completions and Connections. I thought she had more to her story, and wanted to tell it.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional- would you say the character reminds you of?
Michele has ADHD which really colors a lot of her life decisions, including her being in debt and without a functional career at the age of 29. There may be some vaguely familiar things about Michele to some people I know in real life.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
It’s a very fun read! Perfect for those days when you just want an escape.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
I’d cast Kristen Bell as Michele, Nicholas Hoult as Lincoln, and Nathan Bogle as Asher
When did you first decide to become an author?
About 7 years ago I decided to write down the stories I’d been telling myself for years. Once I started, more stories kept coming and I couldn’t stop. And haven’t stopped!
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a pediatric physical therapist.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Not enough. I write in fits and spurts. I wish I could be a bit more disciplined with it.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The hardest thing is that there is a large faction of the industry that continues to have bias toward indie authors. The most hurtful thing someone ever said to me about this whole industry was that I was “really considered published” because “anyone can pay to publish their books.” This was from a fellow author. I’d rather hear that my books suck. Ok, well, not really, but you know what I mean.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Do your research! This is a business. Also, take craft classes. You always have room to improve!
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
If it was the right deal. I’d remain indie with most of my work, but I’d use the traditional route to increase my reader base.