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Welcome to our New Faces column, where we introduce debut romance authors to our readers. This time we're visiting with Kathy Carmichael, whose first book is Chasing Charlie, a romantic comedy now out in hardback from Avalon Press. Kathy, welcome to TRR! Tell us about yourself. I'm originally from Texas but currently live in Florida with my Scottish husband and two sons, ages 10 and 15. In college, I was a geology major, although I've always considered myself a writer. When I'm not writing, I do volunteer work for RWA (was Communications Chair in 2000) and serve as president of my dynamite RWA chapter, Tampa Area Romance Authors. My hobbies include daily grooming of my dust bunnies, long walks on the beach in discussion with the characters in my head, reading (including box tops), and collecting fish (not live ones). Are you coming to romance writing from another job? I've had lots of different jobs and careers. With the exception of when I was doing computer programming, I've always written simultaneously in addition to whatever my job entailed. In terms of writing, at one time I was an advertising copywriter (if I never have to describe another hamburger, I'll be extremely grateful) and worked as an account executive for an advertising agency. I'm also the columnist for the Q&A column in the RWR. Additionally, I've been a bartender, real estate agent, legal secretary, and paralegal. I was trained by an ex-NASA efficiency expert as a Communications Consultant and worked as a consultant on both communications and administrative systems. I've been a hardware/software tech, systems analyst, and was sent to computer programming school by GE when I worked for them. Once I had children, I retired from the workforce and concentrated on the kiddos until they were old enough to attend a Mother's Day Out program. I've been juggling family/children demands with writing fiction ever since. What led you to write romance? Yes, I am a longtime reader. I'm a voracious reader. I have TBR piles that would rival most Reader-Onlys'. When I was young, I preferred SFF or mysteries until I realized that the ones I loved best were those with romances in them. A friend lent me a Georgette Heyer and I've been an addict ever since! Tell us about your road to publication. My friends used to call me a Contest Junkie -- and it's true, I entered and won many contests including the Emily. In December '99 I won 2nd place in the Harlequin Duets contest. In '96 I was awarded the Victoria Award for Persistence and Dedication to Craft. I joined RWA in '93 or '94 and I've been writing full time since my youngest was in first grade (he's in fourth now). Until I joined RWA, I'd been writing in a vacuum and knew I had much to learn. There have been a tremendous number of people who've aided me along the way, both in terms of critiquing as well as moral support; authors like: Susan Fox, Terry Kanago, Vicki Hinze, Connie Brockway, Karen Fox, Carla Cassidy, Tanya Anne Crosby, Cait London/Logan, Julie Leto and all the members of my critique groups, the Trolls and the Sandies, as well as all the RomEx Goddesses. I've been particularly encouraged by a bookseller, Carrolyn Stringer, who was my first critique partner. What kind of research was involved for your first book? My first book that I ever brought to critique group was a Regency. To research the era, I spent months reading everything I could lay my hands on to get a feel for the era, including diaries from the time and slang manuals. My first published book was, fortunately for me, set in Texas. Since I grew up in the area, it wasn't quite as difficult to research as Regency England. However, I still read up on modern day rodeos (and attended a couple), learned about breeding cattle, layout of ranches and farms, and even did a test drive to learn how long it would take me to head out of Dallas and find a rural area. Who are your influences as a writer? Gosh, there are so many authors who I admire. My favorite subgenre of romance is romantic comedy -- and while most are published as contemporaries, many of the Regencies also qualify and certainly some historicals as well. My favorite authors include Jane Heller, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Georgette Heyer, P G Wodehouse, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels, and one of my all time favorite reads is Robert Nathan (who probably few have heard of but anyone who loves paranormal should read THE ELIXER). There are many others and I hate leaving anyone out. What does your family think of having a romance author in their midst? Amazingly, with all men in the house, you'd think they'd be embarassed. They aren't! My husband even sports one of my READERS DO IT BY THE BOOK bumper stickers on his car and my sons have been seen (eek!) reading my book at their schools :) I'm extremely fortunate that they are all so very encouraging -- and, when my head is in the clouds, understanding. Tell us about plans for future books. I'm not currently contracted -- but I owe books everywhere! I'm revising a Regency-set historical for my current publisher, have another romantic comedy on submission at a category house, and am at work on a genre blend -- comedy/mystery/romance. Basically, I need more hours in the day. Each of the books, though, are similar in that they all have romance and comedy -- key ingredients in my opinion! How can readers get in touch with you?
They can reach me in one of three ways: I love hearing from readers! Kathy, thanks for visiting with us! Readers, we have a review of Chasing Charlie on our contemporary page. May 29, 2000
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