Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Kristine Mcguire.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch was self-published in October 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
When my husband and I purchased the Old Oxford Horse Ranch, it consisted of two-and-a-half sections, about 1,600 acres, small compared to the surrounding spreads.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch.”
Starting with the rehabilitation of the Old Oxford Horse Ranch south of Laramie, Wyoming, McGuire blends practical knowledge of architectural restoration, ranching methods, and livestock husbandry with the history surrounding a sandstone arch bearing the names and initials of early trappers, pioneers, ranchers, and railroad people. Her narrative reads like a detective story as she ferrets out the histories of these early visitors to the area.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My mother’s boundless curiosity inspired me to write the book. When we stopped in the shade of an animal-shaped arch on the back side of the ranch, we were amazed by the early dates it bore. 1812? That merited some looking into!
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Most folks know nothing about ranching and little about Wyoming. This book provides valuable insight into Wyoming’s history so one can better interpret today’s news clips.
When did you first decide to become an author?
1964. I wrote and submitted a screenplay to the television producers of “I Spy,” starring my best friend, Paulette. I was twelve.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
First and probably only. It took me twenty years to write this book. At age 70, I probably don’t have another one in me.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I help manage a small non-profit in Mexico to benefit the children of a nearby pueblito.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is that no one tells you what to do. The hardest part is that no one tells you what to do.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Work with lots of peer reviewers who will tell you the truth.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes. I don’t need to profit from this book; I want true Wyoming history to become well-known.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I am motivated to educate conservatives about the roots of their heritage and how it has become fantasy by telling Wyoming’s tale. Had I known about the Black Wall Street massacre as a young adult, I would have woken up sooner.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Barbara Kingsolver.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Silent Spring.