WELCOME AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER KATHY CRETSINGER

WELCOME AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER KATHY CRETSINGER
Wednesday, June 21, 2017 by Patti Shene

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER KATHY CRETSINGER TO THE OVER 50 WRITER. KATHY’S STORY PROVES IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.

Never let anyone tell you that you’re too old to learn something new. You can do it if your desire is strong. I know. Let me tell you my story.

From the time I was a little girl, I’d loved to tell stories to my dolls and paper dolls. When my children came along I continued to tell them stories. When they grew up, married, and had children, I told stories to their children. Never in a million years had I thought I would be publishing stories written by myself and others.

If you had asked me ten years ago what I would be doing today, I’d probably say spending time with my grandchildren. I still do that, but in 2013, at the age of 72, I began a publishing company.

I knew nothing about publishing. I mean nothing, except a book was printed somewhere. I had no idea how to get proposals from anyone, especially agents. I was about as green as they come, but I was willing to learn. And learn I did.

The first book I published was one I had written. Then a friend of mine had done a lot of research about the church I attend, Walnut Grove church of Christ in Benton, KY and he wanted to publish what he found. He asked me to publish it and use my name instead of his. I did and it has sold throughout our congregation and to many in Marshall County, KY.

After it was published for our churches 125 anniversary, I contacted an agent, Joyce Hart at Hartline Literary Agency. Joyce sent a couple of proposals to me and I accepted both of them. I knew nothing about accepting contracts and very little about editing, but I was determined to learn. One, A Most Precious Gift by Jacqueline Freeman Wheelock, became our best seller in our company, plus being in the Top 100 on Amazon’s Historical Romance and African Historical Romance. The next book in the series will release in August 2017, In Pursuit of an Emerald.

When I went to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in 2013 I began telling everyone I was publishing books, and I posted it on ACFW’s main loop. Proposals began drifting in. By this time I was reading editing books, and learning all I could, but something happened to change my whole life. I became very ill.

My husband and I took a vacation, and I attended Blue Ridge Mountain Novel Retreat in October 2014. Jacqueline’s book hit Amazon’s Top 100 in that month. I had no idea that a month later I would be in the hospital and continue to go more times than I could remember. In the next eighteen months, I would have seven surgeries, some minor and some not so minor. At that time, my daughter stepped in and started formatting for me. She was already doing my covers, but this added to her cup a little more. We were only late on one book during that time, and that was when I was the sickest.

Now, we are putting out around ten to twelve books a year. Next year we will be increasing that number. Already two months are filled for 2018, and I have several proposals sitting in my inbox that I haven’t had time to look at yet.

Why did we start this publishing company? To help other authors who were having a hard time getting their books published with a large house. We take the young authors and give them a chance to have their name in print. It’s hard at this time because larger publishing companies are not taking very many new authors, or they already have their quota filled. It is so hard for a new author to get their foot in the door. We want to help them, if they have a good book. We do not take every book that comes in our inbox. We are selective.

We are growing, and I’m loving it. We returned last night from a conference with KenTen Writers Group. This is a yearly conference which is called a retreat. I’m a member of the writers group, and we’ve always wanted our retreats to be laid back and relaxing, plus a lot of learning. Watch for the announcement next year.

I love writers, and I love to write. I’ll have a book coming out in October that is co-authored with Pam Watts Harris. Visit my website and sign up for my blog and have a wonderful time writing.

Find Kathy and learn more about her publishing company online:

Mantle Rock Publishing Website

Facebook

KenTen Writers

Kathy Cretsinger and her husband migrated to the flat lands of Western Kentucky from the hills of East Tennessee several years ago to be close to their children and grandchildren. This brought another change in their lives. Kathy began publishing her books, and then decided to help other authors who are having a hard time in the publishing industry by starting Mantle Rock Publishing. Kathy loves being close to her family and enjoys growing orchids, which continue to multiply. Visit her at mantlerockpublishing.com where she has a weekly blog and lists of her published authors.

Comments

Patti Shene From At 6/26/2017 2:21:02 PM

Kathy, I know you are one busy lady! I'm glad you had the opportunity to stop by and read all the wonderful comments from readers you know and those you don't. May God continue to bless your work with new authors!

Patti Shene From At 6/26/2017 2:16:00 PM

Suzanne, thank you for stopping by and sharing your experience with Kathy and MRP! I'm 65 and still working on my manuscript(s), so every time I hear a story like yours, it renews my resolve to keep working toward writing "The End!"

Kathy Cretsinger From KY At 6/26/2017 2:11:09 PM

I've been out of town all weekend and didn't have a chance to thank all of you for writing. I appreciate every post, especially from MRP authors. I try, and I love my job. I love meeting and helping new authors. Thanks again, Patti, for letting me share my story.

Suzanne Bratcher From Hot Springs Village, AR At 6/26/2017 12:02:08 PM

I'm 68, and Kathy just published my first book, The Copper Box. She really lives the Mantle Rock Press motto, "Passionately helping Christian authors."

Patti Shene From At 6/25/2017 11:53:20 AM

Hi Kassy! Thanks for visiting! Good to see you here!

Kassy Paris From Texas At 6/25/2017 2:24:38 AM

That is awesome. What a blessing you are to new writers.

Patti Shene From At 6/24/2017 12:16:13 PM

Hi Cynthia! Thank you so much for coming by and taking the time to share with us. It is exciting to hear about all the lives of new authors that Kathy has touched!

Cynthia Roemer From IL At 6/24/2017 11:52:27 AM

I'm so pleased to be a part of Kathy's team too! It's been such a blessing to experience my dream of publication coming true. I met Kathy at the ACFW Conference last summer and now my debut novel is in print! Thanks for believing in me, Kathy!

Patti Shene From At 6/23/2017 7:42:37 PM

Hi Cleo. Thank you for visiting the blog and leaving a comment for Kathy. She is quite a motivator for all of us "older" writers!

Cleo Lampos From Illinois At 6/23/2017 7:27:01 PM

Your story is such an inspiration for those of us who are past 70. We can make a difference!!!! Thanks for the extra motivation.

Patti Shene From At 6/23/2017 12:46:06 AM

Hopefully, though, Kathy, as authors mature, they realize that your recommended changes make their baby healthier and they come to appreciate your expertise!

Kathy Cretsinger From KY At 6/22/2017 10:47:42 PM

It is exciting to sign a new author. I'm so grateful that they want to trust their baby with me. I try to take care of it as well as I can. I have been accused of murdering their baby when I make changes.

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 4:05:02 PM

It must be exciting every time you sign a new author, Kathy. Congratulations to you and Laurean!

Kathy Cretsinger From KY At 6/22/2017 3:51:07 PM

?I am humbled by MRP's authors and friends. You are my special friends. I signed a new author today, Laurean Brooks, know to us in our group as "Miss Sissy."

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 1:37:02 PM

Hi Melissa! Thank you for stopping by and letting us know you were here. I'm glad the post was helpful to you.

Melissa Henderson From Mechanicsville VA At 6/22/2017 1:34:56 PM

Thank you for this great information. :-)

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 1:26:18 PM

Hi Regina. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your wonderful relationship with Kathy and Mantle Rock Publishing.

Regina Merrick From Marion, KY At 6/22/2017 1:07:34 PM

Kathy is my "publishing Mom," publishing my first book this past April. I can't imagine going through all this with anyone else! She encourages, inspires, and keeps us on our toes, and I love her dearly. Thanks for sharing her story!

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 12:43:15 PM

Hi Susan! Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment for Kathy.

Susan Page Davis From Dexter, Kentucky At 6/22/2017 12:41:24 PM

Nice blog, Kathy! Thanks for sharing your story. I've enjoyed Mantle Rock Publishing books.

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 12:06:58 PM

Hi Patricia! Thank you so much for stopping by and letting Kathy and I know you were here.

Patricia Bradley From MS At 6/22/2017 12:04:12 PM

So glad to see you here, Kathy! You are awesome!!

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 12:00:13 PM

Hi Jacqueline! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your knowledge of Kathy.

Jacqueline Wheelock From Madison, Mississippi At 6/22/2017 11:49:03 AM

Hello, I am a witness that Kathy is a strong, positive woman who enjoys helping launch new writers. Thank you, woman of God!

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 10:51:24 AM

Hi Patty! Glad you enjoyed the post. Thank you so much for stopping by and letting Kathy and I know you were here.

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 10:50:29 AM

Hi Sara! I agree that Kathy does not look her age. Sounds like you may be working with Mantle Rock Publishing in the near future. I wish you much success!

Patti Shene From At 6/22/2017 10:49:15 AM

HI Claire! Great to see you here. Yes, Kathy truly is an inspiration and demonstrates with her story that none of us are ever too old to take on a new challenge.

Patty Wiseman From Texas At 6/22/2017 9:48:37 AM

Such an inspirational post. A wonderful read!

Sara L Foust From TN At 6/22/2017 9:05:40 AM

I am so glad to know more about you and your journey. I never in a million years would have guessed your age, and I am even more impressed now by all you do. I am so looking forward to working with you all, hopefully for years to come

Claire Gem From Massachusetts, USA At 6/22/2017 5:21:16 AM

Kathy, yours is a truly inspiring story! Thanks for the gift of inspiration--we are never too old to begin anew, setting new goals, and striving for new dreams.