Interview: Inspirational Romance Author, Mary Manners

Joining us today is inspirational romance author, Mary Manners. Born in Chicago, she knew she wanted write early in life. We'll talk to Mary about her upcoming release, White Rose Publishing, and what's up next.

Thank you for visiting The Book Connection, Mary. It's wonderful to have you here. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, the second of five children. I knew she wanted to write from a very early age. Most of my earliest childhood memories are centered around writing (or ‘pretending’ to write). I attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and received a teaching degree in Special Education. I moved to East Tennessee following my college graduation and have taught middle-school students for the past 25 years. I continued to write and enter contests (and my sweet daughter offered to kiss the envelope of each submission for good luck). I am married to Tim, the most supportive and patient man on the face of the earth. I have one daughter, Danni, and two sons named Tyler and Brad, who are both serving in the air force.

When did you begin writing?

I began writing at birth :). No, really, my earliest memories are of writing (or ‘scribbling’ as it was in the beginning). It has always been a passion of mine—like breathing.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I love to get up super-early when the rest of the world is sleeping. My best writing is done then, and by eight o’clock when everyone is just beginning to wake, I feel like I still have a full day ahead of me—and I do. My favorite day is when I can wake up in the dark and write until dark that evening without any distractions. It rarely happens, but when it does it’s so sweet.

What is this book about?

Tender Mercies is the second-chance love story of Lexi Taylor and Cooper Jackson. Cooper was a star quarterback for the University of Tennessee before her went on to a lucrative NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He and Lexi dated while childhood friends and dated through college. They planned to marry…until the lure of the NFL swept Cooper away. Lexi runs a youth center called Thursday’s child, and she hosts an online dating auction to raise funds for the program. When she’s matched with Cooper, who’s returned home following a career-threatening injury, the door is open to their reconciliation. But what Cooper doesn’t know is that Lexi’s been carrying a terrible secret since the day he left.

I won’t tell you the secret…you’ll have to read the book to find out :)

What inspired you to write it?

My husband absolutely loves football, and Tennessee tradition runs deep here in the Knoxville area. I wanted to combine football and a love story and see what happened. I really like the result!

Who is your biggest supporter?

Oh…definitely my husband and kids. Just a few weeks before I got ‘the email’ my daughter said—out of the blue as we were driving home from school one afternoon—“Mama, I know you’re gonna get published soon.” Wow, that just warmed my heart and made my whole week!

Do you have an agent or are you looking for one?

I don’t have an agent. I work directly with my editor at White Rose Publishing, Nicola Martinez. Nicola, by the way, is positively wonderful. I cannot imagine working for a kinder, more business-savvy person.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

It was…all of the above and then some. I run marathons, and I truly believe the long-distance training has served me well on my pursuit to publication. It took a long, long time and billions of words and countless rejections, but I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing. God’s timing is perfect, and I’m truly a testament to that. All the hard work has paid off, and I’m a worlds better writer today that I was when I began the journey.
Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

My books are all available through: White Rose Publishing http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
Borders http://www.borders.com/
As well as numerous other Christian Romance sites.

Do you have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?

Yes, I can be found at http://www.marymannersromance.com/ or on the author page at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/Mary-Manners-622?osCsid=6c85d62dc0f42c2bf2b8262fbff17804 I love to hear from my readers, and will be glad to mail information on upcoming releases to anyone who signs up on my contact page. Also, autographed print copies of my books can be ordered through my website.

Do you have a video trailer to promote your book? If yes, where can readers find it?

I do not have a trailer for Mended Heart but there is one for Tender Mercies. You can find it on White Rose Publishing’s homepage or YouTube. There will be one for my upcoming release, Light The Fire. Watch for it on Youtube. Check my website for updates and further information.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere?

My advice is simple—WRITE WRITE WRITE and believe in yourself. Don’t quit. That’s it.

What is up next for you?

Oh…a lot. I have a Dollar Download, Brenna’s Choice, due out in February, and a novel, Light The Fire releasing in the spring. I also have another novel, a Dollar Download, a Free Read and a four book series in the works, so readers should check my website and the White Rose Publishing website often for updates.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I’d like to say thanks to everyone who’s visited today and taken the time to get to know a bit about me and my books. I appreciate you!

Thanks for spending time with us today, Mary. We wish you continued success.