We're happy to have Deanna K. Klingel with us today talking about her book, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog. To learn more about Deanna and her book, read on!
1) How did this story come to you?
Telling stories about the therapy dog visits with my dogs, seemed to be of interest to people. When out with my dogs I'm always asked questions. So I decided it was a story that needed to be told.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Every publisher I submitted to sent back encouragement. They loved the book and hoped I could publish it. One even explained why he couldn't publish it: because of the economy they were cutting back to five books (dog) and they were all how-to. This book doesn't fit neatly into any genre, and I'm an unknown author, so it was very difficult to sell. The only publisher who didn't like it said I needed to develop the character and create a plot. I knew he didn't get it. There is no plot and it's not about characters. It's about moments. I finally found a publisher who "got it," and was willing to take the risk of a book outside the box.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1) How did this story come to you?
Telling stories about the therapy dog visits with my dogs, seemed to be of interest to people. When out with my dogs I'm always asked questions. So I decided it was a story that needed to be told.
2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Every publisher I submitted to sent back encouragement. They loved the book and hoped I could publish it. One even explained why he couldn't publish it: because of the economy they were cutting back to five books (dog) and they were all how-to. This book doesn't fit neatly into any genre, and I'm an unknown author, so it was very difficult to sell. The only publisher who didn't like it said I needed to develop the character and create a plot. I knew he didn't get it. There is no plot and it's not about characters. It's about moments. I finally found a publisher who "got it," and was willing to take the risk of a book outside the box.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
Usually the thing that surprises most people about me is that I have seven children. The other surprising things are probably that I'm OLD and I attend college classes, known as a non traditional student. Otherwise, I'm not a very surprising person.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have three manuscripts that I'm peddling right now. I have an early chapter book, Walker Hound of Park Avenue, a middle grade non-fiction, Bread Upon the Water, and a teen novel, Cracks in the Ice. But, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog will occupy me this fall with the marketing details and some travel.
5) Parting comments?
I'm enjoying this slippery slope called a steep learning curve. I hope you'll enjoy the results.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I have three manuscripts that I'm peddling right now. I have an early chapter book, Walker Hound of Park Avenue, a middle grade non-fiction, Bread Upon the Water, and a teen novel, Cracks in the Ice. But, Just for the Moment: The Remarkable Gift of the Therapy Dog will occupy me this fall with the marketing details and some travel.
5) Parting comments?
I'm enjoying this slippery slope called a steep learning curve. I hope you'll enjoy the results.
6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
In September my book can be found on therapydogstories.com, and I can be found on http://www.booksbydeanna.com/.
