Literary Road Trip – Katie Crouch
When I was at the SIBA Trade Show this year, I was thrilled to attend a panel that included Katie Crouch. I found her to be adorable – she’s gorgeous, articulate and funny. Later, I was lucky enough to hang out and chat with her for a little while and I discovered that she’s also warm and friendly.
Since Katie’s originally from South Carolina, I expected her to have more of a drawl than she did. When I mentioned that fact, she told me that she left South Carolina for college when she was seventeen. She hasn’t lived here since, but she’s lucky enough to spend a few months a year here since her family still does. Katie’s books are set in South Carolina and when I asked her about that, she said she didn’t intend to set her current book, Men and Dogs, here – she started it in San Francisco and then her character got on a plane and flew to the Palmetto State. That reminded me of the fact that the lowcountry seems to breed creativity, so I asked Katie why she thought that is, and she attributed it to the slower pace of the coastal area.
Katie thinks the best thing about being a writer is she gets to sleep late and she has time to hang out with her six-month old daughter. She said the worst part is the loneliness. She starts her books with a situation and the book kind of takes on a life of its own and goes from there. She told me that she rewrote parts of Men and Dogs three times, so it took her two years to complete. I was curious about the fact that both of Katie’s books – Girls in Trucks and Men and Dogs – have three word titles and she said that wasn’t intentional, and sometimes she wishes the names were a little bit different because some readers have confused them.
When Katie’s editor approached her about writing a YA book, she decided to give it a try. Her try resulted in The Magnolia League, which will be released in April of 2011. The book is set in Savannah and sounds fantastic. She has started a new novel and is currently working on a book of essays.
Katie lives in San Francisco with her husband, six-month old daughter and Bernese Mountain Dog. She is simply delightful and I predict years of success for her.
I can’t wait to read more about her up YA book. Thanks for sharing with us.
See what I miss in the name of a football game? I would have loved to have met her. She sounds like a treasure, and so does her book!
I loved sitting in on this interview! Katie is a really charming person, and although she claims that she is a little shy (like me!) she came off as very friendly and articulate. I also liked that she was so funny. It made everything seem so much smoother that she was willing to laugh at herself. I am so looking forward to Men and Dogs, and also really want to read Girls in Trucks (don’t tell Frank, but I am ordering that one this week!!)
It’s fantastic that you had the opportunity to sit and chat with Katie! She sounds like the kind of person many women would enjoy being friends with. I love the reasons she gave for why it’s great to be a writer! I admit I haven’t read any of her books, yet, but they are on my tbr list. I’m looking forward to her YA book.
Kathy, thank you for sharing the time you spent with Katie. And good for you sitting on a panel at SIBA, that’s terrific!
~ Amy
I look forward to her YA book as well! Funny about the drawl – did she notice yours?!!! :–)
Aww sleep late, I really should become an author
she was and is delightful. Thanks for sharing your interview. was great to see you at SIBA.
I simply loved those author panels at SIBA! Those were awesome! And how cool that you actually got an interview with an author you enjoy! Wasn’t it great how accessible the authors appeared to be!
Your interview is great! That’s a huge move when you’re 17! No wonder she no longer has an accent! And her picture is just adorable. Good job Kathy!
I can see how a writer’s life might be lonely at times. I think it’s so neat that you got to talk to her a bit. Authors are like rock stars to me. I just want to gaze at them all day.
Maybe I can start my novel when baby is 6 months old
This was a wonderful interview…I loved Girls In Trucks…it was one of my favorite books…
Kathy…I am already looking over my book challenge books and thinking I will never read them because they are written down…I like randomly choosing my next book…I knew I was not suited to any challenge…woe is me…
Great post, Kathy! She seems to be very down-to-earth and her books sound wonderful.
You lucky dog, you! I saw a video that Katie made and I thought she was too cute. I still need to read MEN AND DOGS and I can’t wait for her YA novel.
Oh, my this is great insight! And how fun was it to be able to conduct this interview – I’m very interested in checking out the YA work, too!! Nice job!!
That was well-spotted -> both books with 3 words! Katie Crouch sounds like a delightful person and an author I would love to meet!
It is interesting to me that people lose (and gain) their accents depending on where they live.
And I always enjoy a glimpse into a writer’s life.
It’s so rewarding for an author to chat about her books with book bloggers. Great interview!
I love that pic of hers. I can see she looks so warm and friendly.
You asked great questions and I am looking forward to getting her books for me here.
I haven’t read either of her books but this post on her makes me want to check them out. How can such a delightful person write a bad book?
The title alone of Men and Dogs makes me want to read it! The only thing that would have made this post better is a picture of the Bernese Mountain Dog. Fantastic breed — so beautiful and sweet-tempered.
Katie sounds very pleasant, just like Kathy. I’m serious. Getting to go to sleep late is definitely true for me too (it’s nice…) but then I’m not a writer, just a book blogger.