What’s inside this post?
Interview with former Debutante Ball Class of 2021, Greta Kelly
There is also a giveaway to get her latest book!
Exciting updates from the current class
Upcoming calendar deadlines for writing conferences, fellowships and retreats!
Interview with author Greta Kelly
Greta Kelly’s sophomore novel, “The Seventh Queen,” is the exciting conclusion of the epic story introduced to readers in her debut “The Frozen Crown.” In “The Seventh Queen,” Askia, a warrior, witch, and queen-to-be, confronts the monster who stole her throne…and is holding her prisoner to steal her magic. In celebration of “The Seventh Queen’s” publication on November 2nd, 2021 by Harper Voyager, we interviewed Greta to learn more about her journey and insights as a published writer.
Who is Greta Kelly?
Greta is (probably) not a witch, death or otherwise, but she can still be summoned with offerings of too-beautiful-to-use journals and Butterfingers candy. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband, EJ and daughters, Lorelei and Nadia, who are doing their level-best to take over the world. Greta was a member of The Debutante Ball in 2021.
Tell us about a book that made an impact on you.
GONE WITH THE WIND... but not because I liked it. I am dyslexic, so learning to read and write was a huge challenge for me in elementary school-- to the point where my parents considered holding me back a grade. The summer between fifth and sixth grade, I decided that I wasn't going to go to middle school being the one kid who couldn't read in front of the class. So, I went to my parent's bookshelf and grabbed the biggest book I could find, determined to read it. That book was Gone with the Wind. And I HATED every word. I thought Scarlett was the most annoying, selfish person on the whole planet, but damn it, I was going to finish that book come hell or high water. And finish it, I did.
What first inspired you to start writing?
I grew up in rural Wisconsin, the youngest of four kids. I spent my summers chasing after my older brothers, begging to be let in on their war games and nerf gun battles. During the long, long winter months we could invariably be found huddled on the couch watching one epic movie after another. Braveheart, Gladiator, The Patriot—if Mel Gibson or Ridley Scott were in the credits, we watched it. As much as I love those movies for the fond memories they stir in me, they also drove me crazy. The women in those tales were so often nothing more than plot device. Two-dimensional love interests doomed to a life lived on the fringes waiting for rescue. Or worse: they got killed off in act one as a reason for the real hero to be… well, heroic. I was dying to see someone that I could look up to. Aspire to. A woman willing to sacrifice and struggle for a cause greater than herself. Someone who loved and lost in equal measure. Someone whose strength wasn’t only measured in the strike of a sword but in their capacity for kindness. Let all that angst stew for about ten years, add in a flash of inspiration, and THE FROZEN CROWN was born.
The road to publication is twisty at best--tell us about some of your twists.
In early 2018, I went to a writing conference in New York, and I pitched my first book, THE FROZEN CROWN to Jennifer Udden, one of my dream agents, in person. It was terrifying, but somehow despite my rambling, Jen was intrigued by the idea of TFC and she asked me to send her the whole manuscript. I spent the next three days furiously editing the book as fast as I could, and then sent it off. And waited. And waited. And waited. And while I was waiting, my husband and I went on vacation to Italy with some friends. We were in Rome, just about to go to dinner when I get an email—not from Jen, but from another agent I met at the conference who loved the book and wanted to set up a call to talk about representation. And I screamed and did an embarrassing happy dance, and over some victory cocktails, I dm’d my friend Rebecca who ran the conference that spring to tell her the good news. And Rebecca just said, of course the agent liked it, but… don’t sign anything yet. Jen is almost finished with your book and she told me she loves it. And sure enough like 2 hours later, I get a message from Jen. She loved the book and wanted to offer me representation—and could I talk the next day on the phone. I was so nervous that literally did not sleep. At all. The next morning I was deliriously tired and we were going on a tour of the colosseum. I remember none of it. I was so sick to my stomach with exhaustion and anxiety that all I was focused on was not throwing up all over a world heritage site. I needn’t have been so nervous—the call went really well, Jen loved the book and had great ideas of where she could sell the book and our visions for where my career could go next were totally in sync. In the end signing with Jen was a total no-brainer.
Do you have a regular first reader? If so, who is it and why?
My older brother, Karl, is always my first reader. He is one of my best friends, and he's always so, so excited to read my stuff-- even in the embarrassingly terrible first draft stage. He's always so encouraging though; it’s the perfect kick in the butt I need to dive into edits. Love you, bro!
What are you most looking forward to on release date?
Having an in-person launch event! My first book debuted in the middle of COVID winter, so in-person events were not in the cards for me... well, that and the fact that I was so pregnant with my second child I actually gave birth the next day! But I can't wait to celebrate my book's release with all my family and friends at the local bookstore. It's a total dream come true!
Reflecting on her time as a member of The Debutante Ball, Greta says, “I loved being a member of The Debutante Ball. Being a writer can be so, so isolating. Having a group of people – especially women – who understand the struggles of debut year and who have your back? It’s totally invaluable.”
Want a chance to win a copy of “The Seventh Queen”? Send us an email at techdebutante@gmail.com and you’ll be entered for a chance to win.
What We've Been Up To
We’ve been busy this fall. Here’s a glimpse at some of the things happening for the Debs:
Not one, but TWO Publisher’s Weekly reviews. PW calls Sarah Grunder Riuz’s Love, Lists and Fancy Ships “a touching, hilarious rom-com” and says Flora Collin’s Nanny Dearest is a “Psychological thrillers fans won’t be disappointed”.
Nanny Dearest was also listed as The Best Books to Read This Fall by Vogue Magazine.
Love Lists and Fancy Ships got another great review from Kirkus saying “Readers are sure to fall for this heartwarming and emotional novel”
Simon & Schuster UK revealed the cover of Sonya Singh’s The Break-Up Expert (Sari, Not Sari in the Canada and the US). The Break- Up Expert has been dubbed as a must-read if you are fans of @laurajanewilliams and @mhairimcfarlene and anyone who loves a good rom- com on Netflix. To pre-order check out www.sonyasinghbooks.com
Cleyvis Natera’s Neruda on the Park was picked for Apple’s Latinx Heritage List and Neruda on the Park also got a shout-out on Entertainment Weekly: Alexis Daria, Naima Coster, and Gabriela Garcia recommend their favorite books by other Latinx authors
Jennifer Fawcett’s Beneath the Stairs has over 3000 requests from her Goodreads giveaway with readers calling it “an excellent blend of realistic and supernatural horror” and “Super creepy, atmospheric writing, and a mesmerizing storyline.” Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett
Writerly Things: Upcoming Deadlines
Shearing Fellowship at Black Mountain Institute in Las Vegas. Applications close Nov 1. https://blackmountaininstitute.org/fellowships/apply/
Early bird registration for the AWP 2022 has just opened. This year’s conference will be Philadelphia, PA, March 23 - 26, 2022. Our own Cleyvis Natera will be presenting on two panels: 2022 Debut Authors Discuss: How to Prepare for the Book Deal. The second one is a virtual event “Unforgettable Latinx Characters”, former 2021 The Debutante Ball Elizabeth Gonzales James’ will also speak at it as well.
Banff Winter Writers Retreat in Banff, Alberta. Application deadline is Oct 27. Program dates are January 17-30. Winter Writers Retreat 2022