Ellipsis received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Kristy McGinnis.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Ellipsis; Feb 2021
What’s the book’s first line?
Once, on a family trip to Tucson, I witnessed a blooming cereus cactus.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Nell’s relatively carefree and easy life is thrown into a tailspin when a passionate affair leads to unexpected pregnancy. She grows and matures to become a devoted mother to Charlie, and teacher to her students. She and Charlie build a beautiful life together until a school shooting threatens what they’ve created. Nell must find a way to survive the incident and the aftermath. In the process, she receives a cry for help on her phone in the form of texts and a pulsating ellipsis. Can she save the child on the other end, and ultimately somehow save herself?
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
This story actually has two origins. The first was a news story I read a few years ago about a woman who kept texting her inner thoughts to her deceased father’s phone. One day, she gets an unexpected reply. The image of a grieving person reaching out for peace and comfort through modern technology stuck with me and I knew I needed to work it into a story one day.
That other thing that inspired the storyline of Ellipsis was raising children in the age of mass school shootings. While my own kids never experienced one, I have friends whose children were not as fortunate. It’s a modern day fear that I think all parents think about far too often.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Ellipsis is really all about finding purpose in life, even after everything that matters has been taken away. This is first and foremost, a story of survival. While the elements are tragic- the overall arc should give readers a feeling of hope.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
The key characteristic of Nell, is growth. We watch her grow from a somewhat shallow and self absorbed young college student, into a devoted mother who understands her priorities in life. When that growth is challenged, she digs deep and finds her new place in life. The important thing for Nell, is she never stops growing, no matter what life throws at her.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I knew as a small child I wanted to be a writer, but then real life got in the way. I stumbled into adulthood in as difficult a manner possible and shortly afterward the babies and bills followed. It took awhile to find the self confidence to finally pick up that pen and pursue what I’d always really wanted.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is the first book I’ve published. Like many authors, I have a desk drawer freshman manuscript.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I aim for 5 hours a day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is being in control of my own project, timeline, and destiny. The worst part is trying to market it solo.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Hire an editor! You’re a writer, not an editor and as someone who reads a lot of indie publications- I have to say not everyone gets that distinction. It’s worth the investment so your story can shine.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes, probably. There’s just a lot more exposure in the traditional publishing world, anything that would get my book in more hands is something I’d have to seriously consider.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
The stories tell themselves, and I feel obligated to be the conduit.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
James Mitchener- I absolutely love his books, but I find him particularly inspirational but he didn’t publish his first book until age 40. He went on to publish over 40 books, despite that “late” start.