One Author, Two Names, Amazing Stories!


A few years ago I was randomly wandering the aisles of my favorite bookstore looking for a great read. A name jumped out at me, not because I knew of the author but because her first name - a rather unique name, at least to me - was also the name of my first boss: Geralyn. So I picked up the book and it grabbed me from the back cover. That book was Give Him the Slip by Geralyn Dawson. Fast forward a few years and I'd devoured Geralyn's backlist and I learned there would be no more Geralyn books.


Cue incredibly sad music. Violins, please. And imagine a frustrated husband saying, "there has to be another author you want to read." There was a strong undercurrent of "Please, God, let there be another author..." in there, too. There were, many. And then a new name came, Emily March, came about and I learned that she was none other than Geralyn! 


Cue incredibly happy music. A rock guitar, please. And imagine a once more on-cloud-nine reader snuggling into her couch with a good book. Emily doesn't write romantic suspense, but rather romance with a strong women's fiction bent - at least to me. But I was still hooked. And now, Emily is here today, talking about her books and making a switch in her writing career! Welcome, Emily!! 


Kristina: I first got to know your writing as Geralyn Dawson and now with your Emily March books, I'm more in love with your characters than ever. What made you make that change?

Emily: A few years ago I was the Burn-out Queen. I decided to quit writing.  I turned down a contract, separated from agent, turned off the computer and shut my office door.  For a year, I was happy as a clam and I had no desire to write.  Then, slowly, the stories began coming back.  I decided to write something just for fun, just for me. That became the first Eternity Springs story, ANGEL'S REST.   I took that story to a new agent and a new publisher.  Since it was truly a creative rebirth for me, I thought a new name was appropriate, too.  

Kristina: Was it difficult making the transition from romantic suspense to a more 'women's fiction' feel?


Emily: No, not all all.  This time out I'm writing the story--the world--that is inside me.  I'm not worrying too much about the "rules" of writing romance or romantic suspense.  Judging by reader response, it's working. :)
Kristina: Write what you know vs. write what interests you – which 'rule' do you follow?

Emily: Well, from my very first book, I've written about family and love and laughter. That core story hasn't changed.  I've tried to make the residents of Eternity Springs people you know, people you'd like to call your friend.  I come from a large family, I married my high school sweetheart, and we're still happily married today.  Family, love, and laughter is important to me so it's central to all my stories-my internal plot.  For external plot, though, I turn to things I find interesting.  So, I guess my answer to your question is "Both."
Kristina: What is the best part of the writing life, for you?

Emily: Honestly, I think it's the friends I've made throughout the years.  My writer friends "get" me, something I didn't always find in my soccer mom friends or church friends.   Beyond that, being able to go to work in my nightgown is a pretty awesome benefit. 

Emily's next release is Nightengale Way, an Eternity Springs novel. This will be Jack Davenport's story and it goes on sale August 28th from Ballentine Books! 
And don't forget about Emily's 'Geralyn' titles - including my favorites the 'Bad Luck Wedding' titles - many of which are now available as ebooks at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers! 
About Emily: Emily March (aka Geralyn Dawson) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the heartwarming, critically acclaimed Eternity Springs romantic women's fiction series published by Ballantine Books.
The first book in the series, ANGEL'S REST, was named a Top 100 Book of 2011 by Publishers Weekly. It, along with the second and third books of the series, HUMMINGBIRD LAKE and HEARTACHE FALLS, each earned coveted starred reviews from Publishers Weekly.
Emily has written over 25 novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of subgenres including historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women's fiction. She is a three-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's prestigious RITA award and her historical romance, THE WEDDING RANSOM, received RWA's Top Ten Favorite Books of the Year award. She is a recipient of Romantic Times magazine's Career Achievement Award and its Reviewer's Choice award. In 2009, the American Library Association named her romantic suspense novel, ALWAYS LOOK TWICE, as one of the top ten romances of the year.

Comments

  1. Emily, Congratulations on your new book and new name! Your stories sound exactly what I like to read. So happy to have found a new author! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Jenna, I'm gonna toot Emily's horn - you will *love* the Eternity Springs novels, I think. Check 'em out some time.

    And, Emily, thanks for being my guest on WordWranglers today!

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  3. Wonderful interview, Emily. It's great that you were able to re-invent yourself and start writing again!

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  4. Nice to meet you, Emily! Congrats on the new book, it sounds wonderful!

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  5. Thanks for inviting me! I appreciate the kind words about my work. :)

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  6. Looking forward to the read, Emily!
    Nice interview ladies!
    Neecy

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  7. It's nice to meet you, Emily, and the working in your pajamas thing is a perk to writing.

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  8. Great interview ladies. And I'm going to look out for the Eternity Springs books at the bookstore :)

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  9. Great interview. I'm loving my visit to Eternity Springs!

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  10. Your books have always drawn my attention. You share a name with my mother--Jeralyn. Great interview!

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  11. Loved this interview. I'm a cover addict, and yours got my attention. Will be looking for you on my next trip to the bookstore.

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