An Interview with Kathryn Jeanne

Kathryn Jeanne can usually be found somewhere by the beach. Whether she’s walking her dog, reading a book, or working on her next novel, she loves to be by the water. That is why she resides in sunny Santa Monica, California. Writing a novel was not in her original plans, but having read countless summer romance books she decided it was time to create her own. The more she wrote, the more she fell in love with the process and A Summer in Nixie came to life. Kathryn Jeanne doesn’t plan on stopping with just one book. She is already in the process of her second with more ideas on the way.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

The greatest influence on my experience has been my aunt, Anne. I told her I had written an outline and about 20 pages but then stopped. She gave me the push to keep writing and inspired me to finish the book. Anne was also very involved throughout the process and worked with me on everything from editing to publishing.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

Young adult summer romance books have always been my favorite. Books like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Nantucket Blue, and other books in the genre have served as my inspiration because I was always drawn to them. I would read them all year round and loved the feeling of transporting to these quaint beach towns where the stories would take place. At 18, I had a week off in college but decided to stay on campus to go to office hours (math was kicking my butt). Instead of studying math (as my test grades reflected) I actually spent the first half of the week reading and decided I want to try to write a book like this. I wrote an outline and got about 20 pages of the way in before other things picked up and life got busy. Years after graduating, I found the outline again and thought it would be a fun side project. As I got further and further into the story, I realized I loved writing more than I even knew. It became more than a side gig and more like my passion project. After working with some great editors and designers, I decided to release it!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I picture the playlist for A Summer in Nixie to be filled with lighthearted country songs. The kind of songs you would listen to driving with the windows down with your best friends or significant other in the car. The type that everyone knows the words and sings it loudly on a breezy summer evening. Below are some that I have on the list.

“Summer 19 You+Me” by Dan and Shay

“All You, All Night, All Summer” by Adam Hambrick

“Roller Coaster” by Luke Bryan

“Summer Nights” by Rascal Flatts

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Funny enough, writing is not something I pictured pursuing when I was younger. I took one writing class growing up, but it didn’t strike my interest at the time. I was a psychology major in college. After I graduated I jumped straight into the corporate world working in sales for a software company. I am still selling software today and writing on the side. My dream is to make writing my full-time job.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

When I needed a break from my own writing I would reach for the summer romance books. It was a way to stop overthinking my own work and remember why I liked it so much. A couple of the many that stick out to me are works by Emily Henry such as Beach Read or 99 Days by Katie Cotugno.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I envision my perfect reader to be someone who is looking for a lighthearted beach read. I want the reader to be transported back to the innocent years learning and growing with friends, family, and first loves. Hopefully everyone can relate to the story in one form or another and enjoy!

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.