Today The Blonde Plotters are having a chat with Katie Ginger, author of The Little Theatre on the Seafront.

(Congratulations from The Blonde Plotters to Katie Ginger for being shortlisted in the Romantic Novelists’ Association The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award)

Thanks for popping by to see us. Please can you tell us a bit about your book?

The Little Theatre on the Seafront is all about overcoming grief and stepping out of your comfort zone – or in this case, being pushed! Lottie’s nan always wanted to save Greenley Theatre so when she dies, she leaves Lottie a note guilt tripping her into taking over. Throw in a mayor who doesn’t care, a crazy amateur dramatics group, and of course, some romance, and you’ve got the wonderful seaside town of Greenley-On-Sea!

And the inspiration behind it?

The inspiration comes from my hometown of Deal in Kent, and where I currently live, just down the road in Folkestone. Both are wonderful seaside towns. I’m also really passionate about saving our heritage and keeping a sense of community. And of course I love the theatre!

Can you tell us a little about your route to publication?

My route to publication is a bit odd. After being made redundant from my job in the heritage industry I started writing creatively again. I had some success with short stories, but it was thanks to Twitter I landed my first contract with HQDigitalUK. They were doing a Twitter pitch event in the summer of 2017 and I pitched one of my novels. It wasn’t even finished yet but thankfully, that wasn’t a requirement! HQDigitalUK liked it and asked for more information, then they asked for the first three chapters and a synopsis and eventually the full manuscript! It was absolutely amazing. Luckily they liked he finished product and in January 2018 I was offered a two-book deal.

That’s amazing. What have you learnt that you wished you’d known when you started writing?

My biggest learning curve has been that every character needs a backstory or they end up being two dimensional! It doesn’t matter if they’re a main character or minor – they need to be well rounded. It’s definitely worth taking the time to really figure them out before you start writing!

What would be your biggest tip for a new writer?

Just write and write and write! Every time you do you’ll learn something new about how you like to work and be able to refine your process. And, when you have something ready to submit, be sure to take every chance you find! If I hadn’t taken a chance on Twitter one Monday evening while I was cuddling my kids, I might not be here now!

Bio

KATIE GINGER lives in the South East of England, by the sea, and apart from holidays to very hot places where you can sit by a pool and drink cocktails as big your head, she wouldn’t really want to be anywhere else. This is Katie’s debut novel but she is also the author of some cosy mystery short stories. She loves making her characters either fall in love, or killing them off – it depends on her mood!

When she’s not writing, Katie spends her time drinking gin, or with her husband, trying to keep alive her two children: Ellie, who believes everything in life should be done as a musical number from a West End show; and Sam, who is basically a monkey with a boy’s face. And there’s also their adorable King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit (yes, he is named after the crisps!).

Book Blurb

When Lottie’s Gran dies she leaves one last request; save Greenley Theatre.

Faced with a decaying building, a mayor who most definitely isn’t on board with the project and a group of actors who just can’t get along, Lottie has her hands full, but with best friend Sid by her side she knows she can do it somehow.

But the arrival of Jeremy, a hotshot London developer who sweeps Lottie off her feet, complicates things. Suddenly Sid gets a new girlfriend, the Greenley Players fall apart, and that crumbling building? Well it crumbles a whole lot more. With no one to turn to, Lottie has to find the courage to save the day.

Will Lottie be able to save the theatre and also follow her heart?

Links

Buy The Little Theatre on the Seafront

For more about Katie you can visit her website: www.keginger.com, find her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatieGAuthor, or follow her on Twitter: @KatieGAuthor or Instagram: @katie_ginger_author