Three Times A Charm With Karen Gowen

Three Times a Charm is a weekly feature that spotlights authors, illustrators, bloggers, agents, editors or promoters from the publishing industry.

This week author and assistant editor, Karen Gowen, joins us to talk about her passions: authors & literacy. 

Karen, tell us a little about yourself.

I love to read and I believe in the power of books to change lives. My passion is to empower authors and promote literacy. I am an assistant editor at WiDo Publishing, and the co-founder of Celerytree.com. I blog (excessively) about writing, editing, and publishing issues. I tweet a lot. My published works are Farm Girl, a memoir, and Uncut Diamonds, a novel. House of Diamonds is scheduled for 2011 release by WiDo Publishing.

Congratulations on your books, Karen. Tell us more about WiDo and Celery Tree?

Much of what I do I talk about freely on my blog. Information about my books is on my blog, and I post often about WiDo Publishing, which is an independent publishing company located in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am involved in setting up a new website for authors, Celery Tree, which is set for launching this fall, (a year late but better late than never, right?)

WiDo Publishing is currently accepting submissions. Check out their website to see if your work might be a good fit, and for submission guidelines. They do not accept children’s illustrated stories at this time, but they will accept middle-grade fiction if it has widespread appeal. They are actively seeking YA fiction.

Now, for the Threes. Share with us your top 3’s to help us know you a little better.

  • Top 3 pieces of advice for people just starting in your business.
  1. Write and finish. Nothing gets published unless it is finished.
  2. There are many ways to get published. Research the options and move forward, wasting no time in negative thinking.
  3. Set up a blog and then build relationships. That’s more important than selling.


  • Top 3 snacks to munch on while working.
They all start with C: Diet Coke, cookies, carrots (at least one is healthy)


  • Top 3 leisure activities.
Reading, cooking, walking

Karen, where can our readers find out more about you and your work?

My blog is Coming Down the Mountain: A Writer’s Blog: http://www.karenjonesgowen.blogspot.com/ (Pssst, I’ve been following for awhile - good stuff!)
WiDo Publishing website: www.widopublishing.com
Celery Tree blog: http://www.celerytree.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Karen, for talking with us on this week’s Three Times A Charm. It has been so much fun getting to know you.

THANKS!

Comments

  1. Linda G.September 14, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Love all your "threes," Karen! Especially "Write and finish." So many people never get around to that second part. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kai Strand, AuthorSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Linda, I grinned to myself when I read that one too. So true. Even as an author I have as many unfinished novels as finished ones.

    Thanks for stopping in.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen Jones GowenSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    Thanks for this interview, Kai! It was fun and you made it oh-so-easy!

    All the best with your book, The Weaver!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kai Strand, AuthorSeptember 14, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    My pleasure, Karen. I'm so glad you found the interview easy, I've worked toward that result.

    And thanks for the good tidings on The Weaver.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 14, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    You're right about building relationships with a blog!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Luanne G. SmithSeptember 14, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Best to start the blog early on too. It takes time to build it up, but it's easy to see how important those relationships are when a book is launched.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Susan Flett SwiderskiSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Great interview, Karen. And you've put my mind at ease. All I have to do is blog my little heart out, get a bazillion devoted followers, and my book will all but "sell itself" whenever it gets published, right? Piece of cake!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Donna ShieldsSeptember 14, 2011 at 1:31 PM

    Hey Kai and Karen. Love the threes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Old KittySeptember 14, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    Hello Kai! Thank you for hosting the most amazing KarenG!! I wish her well with her Celery Tree and with WiDo - they are truly going from strength to strength! Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Karen Jones GowenSeptember 14, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Thanks everyone for visiting and commenting! Susan, I am chuckling at your comment because I just finished reading John Locke's book on How I Sold a Million ebooks in 5 Months, and he does make it sound oh so easy. I on the other hand barely sell anything LOL. I have a lot of fun while not approaching my writing career with any kind of organization or sales plan. But I do plan to do better in that area!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Emily R. KingSeptember 14, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    Awesome interview, Karen! It's good to read you talking about your books!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lynda R Young as Elle CardySeptember 14, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Love the top three tips and that they were about getting on with it and staying positive. Totally agree.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Kai Strand, AuthorSeptember 14, 2011 at 8:59 PM

    You all are great for coming out and showing your support! Glad you enjoyed the interview. Karen's fun to have around.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beverly Stowe McClureSeptember 14, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Super interview. I like your snacks Karen. Best of luck with your books.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Melissa Ann GoodwinSeptember 15, 2011 at 7:35 AM

    Always love hearing Karen's thoughts and advice! She's a wonderfully supportive blogger friend and a great writer.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Helen GingerSeptember 15, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Great advice - and loved the three "C's". It's easy to get bogged down or not finish what you start. You have to keep pushing forward.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sheila DeethSeptember 20, 2011 at 1:54 PM

    I loved the Weaver. Heading over to find out more about WiDo - thanks for the introduction.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kai Strand, AuthorSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Thanks for the nod to The Weaver, Sheila. Hope you find something you like over at WiDo. Sounds like a close community over there.

    ReplyDelete

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