MEET
KAREN E. OSBORNE, an
award-winning and Amazon Kindle best-selling author of four suspense
novels–Reckonings (award-winning family saga/suspense), Tangled Lies
(award-winning murder mystery), Getting It Right (recognized by Essence
Magazine as a Best Read) and True Grace, inspired by her grandmother, and set
in 1924 Harlem, NY during the “Harlem Renaissance.”
Karen’s
author life followed a long career traveling the world as a consultant,
trainer, and motivational speaker.
Karen
believes in generosity and giving back. She hosts a weekly video podcast What
Are You Reading? What Are You Writing? supporting fellow authors. She is chair
of the board of directors of Easterseals Florida, helping the differently
abled, is an Elder in her church, volunteers for several professional
organizations supporting nonprofits, and feeds the hungry and unhoused every
month.
Native New
Yorkers living in Florida, Karen and her husband, Robert, have two grown
children and three grandsons.
Email:
KarenEOsborne@gmail.com
Website: https://www.kareneosborne.com/
Video
Podcast: https://www.kareneosborne.com/blog-1
Facebook:
(20+) Karen E Osborne, Author | Facebook
YouTube:
Karen E. Osborne - YouTube
Twitter:
Karen E. Osborne (@kareneosborne) / Twitter
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/writerkareneosborne/
LinkedIn:
Karen E. Osborne | LinkedIn
Book Bub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-e-osborne
Tell us
about your journey from manuscript to published author.
True
Grace is my
first historical fiction. My other three novels are all contemporary. So, the
most daunting part was the research. Fortunately, I own five biographies of
Grace’s father that also include letters, stories, and photos of Grace and her
mother. Three-hundred pages of handwritten letters from Grace gave me lines,
scenes, and voice. Plus, I knew and remember her. Still, this is a work of
fiction and had to research the times and make up lots of things. It took about
a year to finish the manuscript.
Because I had three other novels, two published by the same firm, Black Rose Writing out of Texas, getting True Grace published was easier than the process for my first and second novels. My publisher knows me and my work. Sending out queries to strangers for the first two novels, and reading all the rejections, was discouraging at times. Perseverance paid off.
What did you learn while writing this book?
Wow. So much. Tiny details surprised me. For example, in a year where the elevated train was running in New York, at the same time automobiles and trolleys traveled the streets, juxtaposed to street trash being picked up by a man driving a horse drawn cart. The smells of diesel and horse dung mingled, the way progress and the past collided.
The biggest thing I learned is how similar 2024 is to 1924--anti-immigrant rhetoric and behavior, women not believed, lack of protection for poor and immigrant children, corruption, all during a time of amazing growth and new freedoms.
What are three things you wish you’d known before you reached where you are now?
1. It’s
easy to doubt yourself but you can’t let those doubts discourage you. I used to
stop sending manuscripts to agents and publishers after each rejection letter.
My son said to me, “Mom, it’s a terrific book. Keep going.” I wasted a lot of
time being discouraged. My son was right. When I pushed on, the right person
said, “Yes.”
2. Marketing
falls heavily authors. For my first novel, I had lots of author talks. I
traveled all over, meeting people. Friends, family, and clients (I was still
working full time) hosted me. Book stores too. BUT I didn’t collect any names
or email addresses from all those wonderful people who bought my books. I
smiled and signed, and thanked, but didn’t take the crucial marketing step.
When novel two, Tangled Lies, came out, I didn’t have a list of all
those folks who purchased Getting It Right. Rookie mistake.
3. I
thought I hated research, so I avoided writing about my grandmother even though
I wanted to. Finally, last year, I decided to try it. True Grace was
the result. The research was interesting and absorbing. My current work in
progress has a dual timeline, set in the present day and in 1968. I’ve embraced
research.
What would you like readers to take away from your book?
I write about trauma and how strong, flawed, determined women detach themselves from trauma’s debilitating tentacles and find paths to healing, and for some, happiness. Grit, perseverance, forgiveness, and growth are woven through my stories. I hope readers gain understanding, empathy, and find inspiration.
Which character did you have the most fun writing about?
Grace befriends a prostitute, Miss Denise. I liked her a lot and she made me laugh. Also, Mrs. Klein, a midwife. They are both minor characters in some ways, but standout.
Where can readers meet you in person this year?
I’m available for book clubs, expos, events, and bookstore and library talks. Readers can keep up with where I’m appearing or be in touch by visiting my website. They can also watch my weekly podcast where I interview authors and introduce readers to a wide variety of terrific books. www.KarenEOsborne.com
I’m a guest on two popular podcasts. “Books and Bottles” is available now.
https://inde.tv/categories/books-and-bottles and Rich
Black Women Podcast April 5 at 3:00 p.m. ET
Novel
Network Mother's Day Book Talk and Bingo – a FREE online event
May 2 at
7:00 p.m. ET
In person at
“Reading Between the Vines” Book Talk and Signing
September
15 at 11:00 a.m.
Hook and
Ladder Winery, 2134 Olivet Road, Santa Clara CA
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A powerful
story about love, courage, sacrifice, resilience, and hope, True Grace, set in
1924 during the Harlem Renaissance and Roaring Twenties, chronicles the journey
of an immigrant, mixed-raced woman fighting for her family’s survival.
Inspired by
the author’s grandmother, Grace, married mother of five, who came from The
Congo to England, Jamaica, and finally New York at age 27, must navigate the
misogyny and racism of the courts, banks, child welfare system, and bad actors
to hold her family together. Calling on her grit and grace, she must overcome
harrowing circumstances. Readers will find themselves hooked from the first
riveting chapter and cheering for Grace each step of the way.
SORMAG Promotion is an Amazon Affiliate.
Do you need help with your promoting? - https://lashaunda.kartra.com/page/SPBP24
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