Thrilled to welcome YA author Kate Stollenwerck to the Spotlight this week
Author Name: Kate Stollenwerck
Book Title: Hello, Goodbye
Book Genre: YA
Release Date: August 2
Publisher: SparkPress
Welcome, Kate! Please tells us a bit about Hello, Goodbye.
The cutest granddaughter/grandmother duo in YA fiction! A fun and fast-paced story filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, set over one unforgettable summer.
What sparked the idea for this book?
I’ve always wanted to tell the story of a granddaughter getting to know her grandmother and discovering an old family secret. I wrote the first chapter over twenty years ago. I pulled that chapter out in the fall of 2020. After one long beach walk listening to The Beatles on Spotify, I had the entire plot.
How long did it take for you to write it? Did you do any research?
I wrote the novel in two months but then spent a year editing it. Yes, I had to do a lot of fact-checking and a lot of research related to World War II.
Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?
It only takes one yes, so don’t give up! Keep writing and believe in yourself. The more you write, the better you get at it. Dedicate time to the craft. Read books about writing and listen to podcasts on writing. Attend classes, and read a ton! Writing is a skill that needs practice and work.
Where can readers find you?
Facebook & Instagram: @katestollenwerckauthor
I’ll be at the following places in September:
Wednesday, September 14th – Arlington, Texas Public Library (downtown branch), 7pm
Thursday, September 15th – Barnes & Noble Dallas – SMU Campus, 6:30pm
Saturday, September 17th, Richardson, Texas public library, 2pm
Thank you, Kate! Hello, Goodbye is out NOW.
Hello, Goodbye
Fifteen-year-old Hailey Rogers is sure her summer is ruined when her parents force her to spend a few days a week helping her grandmother, Gigi. Although she only lives across town, she never sees her grandmother and knows little about her. But Gigi is full of surprises—and family secrets. Throw in the gorgeous boy down the street, and Hailey’s ruined summer might just be the best of her life.
Then tragedy strikes, lies are uncovered, and Hailey’s life suddenly falls apart. After unearthing clues in an old letter written by her great-grandfather, she takes off on a road trip to solve the family mystery with the only person she can trust. In a forgotten Texas town, the past and the present collide—and Hailey is forced to choose what she truly values in life.
Author Bio:
Kate Stollenwerck is an attorney turned author. A fifth-generation Texan, she graduated from Northwestern University and the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She now lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with her husband, three children, and a crazy cat.