Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Capriotti Burton.
Hi Kelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I’ve been a writer since I knew how to write. Growing up in Chicago Heights, Illinois, I was fortunate to be part of creative writing workshops and journalism classes for most of my school career. Through the years, no matter what my career job has been, I’ve always ended up writing – technical copy, presentations, curriculum, blog posts, and eventually, for many years, marketing copy. I worked for several magazines as well. Finally, in 2016, an idea for a novel popped into my head that I couldn’t let go of. And here we are!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I wrote the first draft of The Tentative Knock, I was nursing a child and homeschooling two others. I worked a part-time job, and my husband traveled about 75% of the time. I was also in a state of depression after two miscarriages. Even though I had to fit writing into the nooks and crannies of all that activity, it gave me both an escape and a welcome, focused goal. I tried to pursue traditional publishing, but ultimately, my marketing and magazine publishing background served me well. I’m proud to be an indie author of four books and counting.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I write the Surfside Beach series, now three books in. This tells the story of Jessie Oakley, a mother of four grown children around 60 years old and a new empty nester. Her beloved husband of 35 years is killed in a tragic accident, and Jessie moves forward in life in an unconventional way: she finds a new romance with an old friend who is also widowed. The complicated emotions and relationships that stem from this create a lot of subject matter for a colorful group of characters. The story also takes place in Surfside Beach, my beloved second hometown. There are real locales that readers either live near or can visit. And Jessie is a Gen-Xer, so her language and references are fun and relatable to readers who claim that era as theirs. Many stories shy away from big families and older protagonists. I have created a relatable, inspirational story highlighting those two factors. As an indie author, I am especially excited to have my book available not only on Amazon and other retail websites but on the shelves of several bookstores in the area. I’ve also enjoyed getting invited to local and online book clubs; connecting with readers is one of my favorite aspects of being an author!
What do you think about luck?
I’m a person of faith and rely very little on luck. That said, the people we meet play a huge role in our journey. I met an award-winning author and writing teacher when I was 13. If not for his encouragement and teaching, I might not have had the confidence to write novels, much less get them to print. Generally speaking, I believe in nurturing our relationships and bravely pursuing more knowledge, deeper connections, and better opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website:kellofastory.com
- Instagram: kellofastory
- Facebook: kellofastory
Image Credits
Alicia Ortman
