TNL Interviews Katie Mettner

Why Did You Choose to Selfpublish Instead of Taking The Traditional Route?

I really didn't intend to become an author, I was just a writer. When I finished Sugar's Dance I let a few people read it and they all told me I had to publish it. I really didn't know how to go about doing that, so I had to learn very quickly. Now, three years and ten stories later I have learned more than I ever dreamed possible about being an indie author, but there is even more to learn. I find it's great fun to talk with and engage my readers at events and signings and I think it's easier to do this as an Indie author. I have seen how some of my traditionally published author friends run themselves ragged for events and still never have a chance to connect to their readers.

Did You Set Out To Become an Author as Your Main Profession?

Ohhhhh, no. In fact, writing was nothing more than a hobby for me when I was recovering from surgery. I think being an 'author' as a profession is a misnomer, but I would consider being a writer as a profession. The word profession implies you make a living at it, however, and many indie writers don't make a solid living.  We write because we enjoy bringing stories to the readers.

Which Authors Have Inspired You The Most?

I've loved to read since I was a little kid. I read all the series writers like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys and The Boxcar Children. Then I moved on to Mary Higgins Clark, Nora Roberts, Carol Higgins Clark and the like. I don't really write those kinds of stories though. My stories are inspirational romance, so some of the flavors of those writers you might see from time to time in my work, but many readers have said they see more Nicholas Sparks in the inspirational side of my work.

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Can You Tell Us About One of Your Books?

Sugar's Dance was the first book I wrote and published. Sugar is every woman. She's your friend, sister, mother, aunt, or even you. She's vulnerable and searching for the reason why she was left here after a tragic accident took her whole family, and she really doesn't believe she will ever find that answer. 


Then she meets Donovan Walsh, an agent assigned to protect her from the madman after her, and all of that begins to change. Sugar's Dance is the first in the Sugar series, but it sets the scene for what becomes an epic saga of this melded family. You meet so many new characters in each book and they end up spinning off into their own book as Sugar tells their story. The books are set on the beautiful shores of Lake Superior in Duluth Minnesota.

What Is Your Favorite Part of This Book, and Why Do You Think Readers Will Enjoy It?

Oh boy, my favorite part of this book? That's a really hard one to answer because, well, I wrote it ;) Three years after writing this I would say my favorite part of the book is what I call 'the bridge scenes'. 


There are two, the first one is where she faces her fear for the first time after ten years and you live inside her heart for those thirty seconds it takes to get across that bridge. The second bridge scene is when you live inside her heart as she lets go of the people she lost. It's the end to that part of her life, but definitely the start to the rest of her life. If you like heart rendering, lose your soul for a few minutes and cry your eyes out, kind of stories then Sugar will give you that time and time again.

Where Do You See Self-Publishing Going In The Future?

I see self-publishing continuing to grow at a steady rate, but I do see the readers (As is happening now) dictate the kinds of books that are successful. Readers are very active with Indie writers and demand the same kind of professionalism they demand from traditionally published authors. Because of this you will see those not interested in bringing quality stories to the reader fall away and those who continue to put out good quality and well written stories continue to rise.

Who Designed Your Cover Art?

I have two cover designers for my series. Laura LaRoche of LLPix Photography did the Sugar Series books and Carrie Butler of Forward Authority does the covers for the spin off Northern Lights Series. I work with more than one designer because they both have different visions, and depending on the series I may need different opinions on what the covers should be.

Thanks for Stopping by!

Thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk about Sugar and her friends today. I hope your readers find something in my stories that bolster their hearts and their spirits as they read the stories of the characters I create.

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Readers -- you can grab Sugar's Dance and more of Katie's wonderful romances by following the links below!