Monday, April 2, 2012

Jennifer Fromke's "A Familiar Shore"



Title: A Familiar Shore
Publisher: Write Integrity Press

Cover blurb: Meg Marks is a young lawyer raised off the coast of the Carolinas. An anonymous client hires her to arrange his will, and sends her to meet his estranged family at their lake home in northern Michigan. After a shocking discovery, she finds herself caught between his suspicious family and a deathbed promise her conscience demands that she keep. Will she sacrifice her own dreams for revenge, or will she choose something more?

1) How did this story come to you?
I was studying the story of Joseph and the moment he stands before his brothers with a choice: revenge and retribution or forgiveness and restoration. I wanted to place a contemporary character in a similar position. The novel is not really very close to the Joseph story, but that’s how it started.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
This is my first novel, and ACFW’s Genesis was the first competition I entered (and won). While at conference, three agents requested the manuscript, but it was not polished at the time. I took three months to finish it and then sent it to the agents. One of them rejected it but said some very nice things. The other two never responded. So I began to query agents left and right. Several requested the manuscript, but none offered representation. Meanwhile, I sent a proposal to Pix-N-Pens Publishing, a small, traditional publisher looking for submissions. I received a glowing, generous, enthusiastic rejection from them, which made my heart sing. The reason for the rejection was the fact that Pix-N-Pens was strictly aimed at the CBA market. A Familiar Shore is written from a Christian worldview (and lines up nicely with CBA standards on lack of violence, sex, and cussing), but there is nothing overtly “Christian” in it. Six months later, Tracy Ruckman (publisher of Pix n Pens) contacted me to see if the manuscript was still available. She remembered my proposal when she opened up another imprint aimed at the general market (Write Integrity Press). Tracy loves this story and her enthusiasm about the book is an enormous gift to me. My number one desire in a publisher was someone who would champion the book and I found just that with Write Integrity Press (link: http://www.writeintegrity.com/).

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
(a) I like to try at least one new recipe every week.
(b) I was kicked off the cheerleading squad in seventh grade because my family went skiing for too many weekends and I missed too many games.
(c) My favorite sound in the world (aside from the voices of my family) is the sound of water lapping against anything: a boat hull, a dock, the shore. Ok, so if you read my book, this last one won’t surprise you. Nevertheless, it’s true.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I’m writing my second novel - the story of two friends who make promises as girls they find difficult to keep as women. Early-onset Alzheimer Disease and other family issues complicate this turbulent, soul-deep friendship. I’ve also been writing some short stories this year, so I’m just beginning to seek placement for them.

5) Parting comments?
Thanks so much for hosting me! It’s a thrill to be in such great company.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.jenniferfromke.com/
http://www.facebook.com/jenniferfromke

16 comments:

  1. thanks for chance to win I follow

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  2. I like the sound of ocean waves and even
    my little personal indoor waterfall!
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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    Replies
    1. There's just something about moving water, soothes the soul.

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  3. The novel sounds intriguing...i want to read it now and find out what Meg's shocking discovery was! Thank you for the interview, awesome giveaway and opportunity to win it.

    mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Well, I hope we can get a copy into your hands right away! :-) Thanks for the kind words.

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  4. Great interview! Thanks for the giveaway!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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  5. I love a bit of intrigue! And I live in Maine near the ocean, so I know exactly what you're talking about when it comes to loving the sound of water!

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I'd love to read this new author. Best wishes on the success of your book!

    -Emily
    emily_reynolds(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    Replies
    1. I've yet to go to Maine . . . but a good friend from there tells me I must go soon! Moosehead lake sounds a little bit like the lake I write about in A FAmiliar Shore. But I'm thinking it's a bit more remote. :-)

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  6. Sounds like a good read...love books from new authors.
    cllyrics(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. The issue of revenge or forgiveness is a tough one. I love to see book characters deal with real-life struggles, and hopefully choose what's right, or see the consequences of not doing so. This sounds good.
    Linda LaRock
    dlarock at wolfenet dot com

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    Replies
    1. Revenge is so tempting . . . but God always does a better job of that, doesn't He?

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  8. Very interesting how your story came to be. I love the sound of water too, especially the ocean.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  9. This novel sounds quite interesting and one that I would love to read. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  10. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  11. I loved the interview. It is so cool to hear how you came to be published.Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    Glenda Parker

    ReplyDelete

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