Only Beautiful Remains by Catherine Mellen

10/13/2024

Multi-volume, multi-genre author, Catherine Mellen introduces us to her volume of poetry:
Poetry, where a rambling of words stumble together and create a window into a poet's world. A galaxy of emotions that run on memories filled with faith love, pain, joy, sadness and the habitation of worlds unknown.

Only Beautiful Remains began inside a nightstand drawer. A place where sheets of loose-leaf paper and a scrambling of words rested together for decades. Though its contents multiplied over the years, the nightstand drawer remained closed with its treasure of poetry inside.

Then one day, the drawer opened and welcomed you all inside the mine of a poet. A place where words stumble upon stairs of faith, through the teardrops of life and the tender hearts of love, whilst the harmony of society sings and all the beautiful that remains in the tiny pieces of a poet’s life.

Catherine Mellen is an American poet and author who shattered her silence on childhood trauma, family secrets and the monstrous predator her birth mother harbored. Now she writes about the pretty things in life, a place where Only Beautiful Remains.

This is a lovely collection of poetic thoughts. Poetic without pretense. The author shares many glimpses into her life and what is not said is nearly as important as what is said.
The author isn't trying to be fancy, only honest and the beauty she shares in different forms is worthy of your attention.
I enjoyed this volume a lot.

You can buy this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Only-Beautiful-Remains-Words-Poet-ebook
https://www.goodreads.com/-only-beautiful-remains-catherine-mellen

You can follow the author:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-mellen-14a642175
https://www.Twitter.com/Irishgirl692
https://www.Instagram.com/Irishgirl692
https://www.Pinterest.com/Irishgirl692
https://www.facebook.com/cathymellen1007
https://booksbycatherinemellen.com
https://allauthor.com/author/irishgirl692

Copyright © 2024 Mark L. Schultz except for the author’s introduction

71 Comments

Catherine Mellen link

10/14/2024 09:41:36 am

Hello Mark and thank you so much for your beautiful kind words. I look forward to sharing more about my writing journey, experiences and struggles. Thank you for this opportunity.

Mark

10/14/2024 11:10:19 am

You are welcome, Catherine. I am honored to be able to help promote your book.

First question.

Please, tell us more about yourself. Perhaps something a little bit beyond your bio.

Catherine Mellen

10/14/2024 12:35:47 pm

Though I wrote my first poem at age fourteen and quickly adopted my love for words, I was shamed by the childhood I had lived, that I went off to become a cook and caterer for nearly three decades. Every night I would find myself writing poetry or filling the pages of a new journal. In 2015 at the age of forty-five, I was disabled in an auto accident. It resulted in horrifying repressed memories, a walk into my hometown police department and plenty of free time to put over thirty years of writing into multiple books to publish. Up until age forty-five, I lived my life as a secret and now being on the other side of the repressed memories is like breathing in a reality of all the beauty this life does offer. That was when I came up with my tag line: Read about my life, but don’t have any pity... I'm a strong Irish girl from an All-American City.

Mark

10/14/2024 02:54:10 pm

Many have struggled with shame from their childhood whether known or unknown. Child abuse by an adult is so pervasive. Healing moments are worth their weight in gold.

Nice tagline.

New questions.

Are you a full-time or part-time writer?

What kind of work do you do if you are a part-time writer? Feel free to skip that question, if you would rather not answer.

Catherine Mellen link

10/14/2024 03:15:29 pm

I now write full-time. I set my own schedule depending on the day. I take breaks when needed and every day is another day to learn something new in regards to the book publishing industry. From advertising, self promo on social media and creating mockup banners, my days can get very busy. But I wouldn't trade it for a thing, I love sharing my words, stories and poetry with the world.

Mark

10/14/2024 05:24:57 pm

Being an author, these days, means you do all the heavy lifting after your book is published. All most publishers do is list your book on their website. Anything beyond that costs them money and most publishers are struggling to keep the lights on.

Besides writing, getting your book noticed by consumers can be a fulltime job if you let it.

One of my favorite blogs is about pursuing the local author angle. How to be a marketing star right where you live. A copy-and-paste link or search the title in the search box below: https://annerallen.com/2019/08/hometown-book-marketing/

I would add a few tips, seek out literature teachers at the high school and college level to share in their class and there might be a club in the school. Local newspapers are a good resource for an interview as well as local cable access. There might also be a broadcast arts curriculum and/or a club at the high school and college level. Have some questions ready to hand the interviewer if they seem uncertain.

Senior centers are another good possibility and they usually welcome any sort of activity like that. Contact the events director.

If there are tourist destinations try and place your books with the local author angle. Museums, gift stores, motels, hotels, tourist attractions are all possibilities. Keep a box of books in your trunk. Get a counter-top holder for a few books, paste a picture of the cover on the holder behind the books and put re-ordering information on the back of the holder.

Consider renting a table at a comic convention, county fair, farmer's market or a flea market. Have free swag to hand out such as a bookmark and sell mugs or posters. There are so many ways to be the 'local author' I doubt I have exhausted the list of possibilities.

New questions.

What are your three favorite genres to read for pleasure?

Has writing changed the pleasure of reading for you?

Catherine Mellen link

10/14/2024 08:14:49 pm

Thank you for the abundance of great information. I was reading blogs from your website last winter and I took advantage of the advice you offer. I have since dropped copies of my books off to area book stores, local libraries, senior centers and more.

My favorite genres to read are non-fiction true stories. Whether inspiring or heartbreaking, I am a intrigued. I also love to read some comical fiction, whether as a book in whole or multiple short stories. And of course poetry written by others. I still occasionally read poetry by Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson and Jack Kerouac and I love supporting fellow poet's who have over time, become friends.

I have always enjoyed reading. As a child, I'd eagerly await the arrival of the RIF (Reading Is Fundamental) bus to show up at my school. My love for reading continued as I got into V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, Judy Blume and Ann Rice. I now support author friends, by purchasing their books and reviewing them. I've found some new favorite authors in doing so and I will continue to support them in future releases also. So, I would have to answer the last question by saying, yes, reading has changed for me since I began my writing journey, for it has given me more choices, more books to read and more authors who I now call friends. It's a more rewarding feeling, that I continue to enjoy.

Mark

10/14/2024 08:25:19 pm

Glad to hear you have benefitted from those blogs. There must be more than a thousand links, I have never counted.

I learned to read at a young age, my mom encouraged me to read. She read a lot also. Science fiction is my first choice, fantasy is a close second and historical fiction is not far from the top also.

Like you, I have found many wonderful authors that far too few readers know about. I am trying to rectify that daily.

You are lucky, many authors report losing the pure joy of reading because they analyze every book they read.

For myself, spelling errors have always jumped off the page at me while reading at my normal speed. The misspelled word jars me out of the magic.

New question.

Why do you write?

Catherine Mellen link

10/15/2024 09:07:47 am

Why I write. I started back in 1984 when I was fourteen years old. I was sitting on my best friend's front porch when she questioned me about an event that happened three years earlier.
Back in June of 1981, I was a scared eleven-year-old who ran away from my family's home and straight to their front door. My friend and her mother would then spend the next three years trying to get me to talk about the family I was so petrified of.

Then one day in 1984, my friend suggested that I talk about why I ran from my family's home through words of poetry. I was already known for saying quick poetry off the top of my head, so I immediately walked inside the house to get a piece of paper and a pen. I sat at the kitchen table and wrote two words to start the poem, Flying Free.

Flying high
As a bird can be
A silent cry
As the bird goes free.

A desperate scream
As the bird goes bye
All broken dreams
Built on goodbyes.

Flying high on its own
Trying to forget all the sorrow.
Facing the world all alone
With the lonely days of tomorrow.

Flying high at its own pace
Flying high and flying free.
Knowing someone, somewhere
Is taking the place
Of a bird, once played by me.

It took me less than 10 minutes and a bucket of tears to write it. I told my friend that I was the bird and then I promised her that if I ever published a book when I got older, that I would publish my life story first.
Later that day, we walked to the local convenience store where I purchased my first journal. I now have handwritten journals that are over forty, thirty and twenty years old.

Being a writer is in my blood, it always was. And now my words spill onto the pages like a bird, who is finally flying free.

Mark

10/15/2024 10:40:15 am

Powerful poem! Thank you for sharing that.

A lot of writers journal. Many for reasons that they may never reveal.

New questions.

Does your work, past or present, have any influence on your writing?

Who was the first person to inspire you to write something to publish?

Catherine Mellen link

10/15/2024 10:59:10 am

It most definitely does. As a teenager, I would write down poetry in a notebook or on loose-leaf paper and every night I would place the new poems in my nightstand drawer. I would then tell myself, "One day you will publish these poems." It may have taken me decades to complete, but I am grateful that I saved all my writings throughout the years.

The first person to inspire me to publish was my friend Jon. He inspired my poetry skills with new topics to write, he praised my strength with encouraging words and he gave me reasons to write another book based on a true friendship. Though he passed away in late 1992, his inspiring nature continues to be a bright light with every book I publish.

Mark

10/15/2024 02:53:39 pm

I think you need to write poetry. Many authors need to write. Some say they need to write to quiet the voices in their head.

Allow me to clarify, a 'need' is something that the lack of will cause you harm or discomfort at the least. A 'need', as opposed to a 'want' which is a desire, the lack of fulfilling the desire will leave you unsatisfied but not cause harm to you. Fundamental differences that many don't appreciate.

Jon was certainly a longtime friend. I am certain you still miss him.

New questions.

What inspired you to write this book?

Will you keep writing poetry or will you branch out?

Catherine Mellen link

10/15/2024 03:49:04 pm

Writing is a need that my life definitely benefits from. It's helped me to see true emotions, understand complicated relations and appreciate the smaller things in life. It's almost like a medication without the prescription, taken daily with an endless amount of refills.

I am still writing poetry. I have a comical and steamy-sex poetry book called Emotional Poison coming out next fall. I also have a Christmas poetic short story collection and a book of Halloween poems I'll be publishing in 2026. I have also branched out and wrote a short story collection that I will eventually also publish in the future. I don't like to publish more than two books a year, so I will be busy for a while.

Mark

10/15/2024 07:10:46 pm

I love that analogy. Like medicine with only beneficial side effects.

Writing and publishing are not easy tasks, but they don't really compare to the necessity of steady and regular marketing and promotion of your books.

That is excellent. You have more projects in the pipe to publish. Many authors have discovered that the more books they have published the more they sell. It's a bit of hard cheese for new authors who have only one or two books published. Some authors get discouraged when their first book doesn't sell very well and they drop out of the game. It's sad that many wonderful writers give up early in their writing career.

New questions.

Have you ever seen a UFO or UAP, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena?

Have you ever seen a cryptid, an animal unknown to modern zoologists, or found evidence of one?

Catherine Mellen link

10/16/2024 08:50:48 am

For some, when moving forward gets discouraging, giving up is the easier option.

I have never seen a UFO or UAP, although my friend Jon was clairvoyant and that alone was a bit freaky at times.

I have never seen a cryptid, but I always thought it would be cool to be sitting by a lake and suddenly see the Loch Ness Monster emerge from the water.

Mark

10/16/2024 10:36:34 am

This is a freaky topic, anytime we stray into the unknown things can get very weird!

Seeing Nessie would be interesting without a doubt. There are Nessie-type creatures in many parts of the world if reports are to be believed.

I have not seen any cryptids either. In the Pacific Northwest, Bigfoot is a fairly common conversational item. Some swear they have seen it.

My sisters have told me we saw a UFO when we were children, but I have no memory of that event. Maybe I was kidnapped. Ha ha. I don't think I was kidnapped but if the multitude of reports are any indicator not all UFOs are the same. Some of them seem to have sinister intentions.

New questions.

How many drafts did your book go through before publishing?

Is there anything unconventional about your writing technique? Why is that?

Catherine Mellen link

10/16/2024 11:16:49 am

Only Beautiful Remains was my easiest book to draft. I separated the poetry into five chapters; Faith, Love, Life, Society & Pieces of Me. The only thing I did change was the title as I was going to call it A Lifetime of Poetry. With great advice from Author and Poet Nina Romano, I now name all of my poetry books after the last poem in the book, which also carries the title.

I have been told many times that my writing technique for poetry is referred to the style of Emily Dickinson. Since I was a teenager and being from Lowell, Massachusetts; I've been called Lowell's female version of Jack Kerouac, a many of times. I don't think I have a style or technique of writing, I just write as I see fit.

Mark

10/16/2024 01:04:20 pm

Nina gave you good advice.

You do have your own style. Every word you choose reflects your style and echoes your writing voice.

New questions.

Who designed the cover of your book? Feel free to drop a link if appropriate.

How many drafts did the cover go through?

Catherine Mellen link

10/16/2024 01:43:05 pm

My book cover for Only Beautiful Remains was done by the amazingly talented artist Jane Cornwell https://linktr.ee/JaneCornwell?s=09

She first sent me a fast moving video clip of her creating the white roses, which is amazing to watch. She then sent me a collection of images for me to choose from. After that, she made one more change to the placement of the roses and then the book cover for Only Beautiful Remains was born.

Jane has created four book covers for my books and I will also be reaching out to her for my next book cover.

Mark

10/16/2024 02:44:30 pm

Jane does nice work. I hope your recommendation brings more work her way.

A few authors change the cover of their book whenever sales seem to slow down. Some authors experiment with different covers on different platforms.

If you ever change the cover of your book, be sure to send me the cover so I can update my website.

New questions.

Have you ever done NaNoWriMo, National November Writing Month?

If you have, what kind of preparation do you do before it starts?

Catherine Mellen link

10/16/2024 03:54:31 pm

I did join NaNoWriMo a few years ago. I planned my schedule so I would have extra free time to write. Though I didn’t hit my word count, I really did enjoy being part of the community. Unfortunately since then, a lot of ethical problems have come to the forefront involving the people who run this writing experience. So, I have respectfully decided to not participate in them. My opinion could change in future years, but time will tell.

Mark

10/16/2024 06:12:50 pm

I recently heard some controversy regarding the use of artificial intelligence by authors in the contest, but that is all that I am aware of.

Doing the contest as a joint effort with other authors is a big draw, I think. Writing the first draft of anything is a solitary process. Joining others in the same adventure would be a lot of fun.

New questions.

Have you written and published any short stories before writing your book?

If so, how long had you been writing before the first short story was published

Catherine Mellen link

10/16/2024 06:29:40 pm

I have had numerous poems published in magazines and journals. Two of my poems are being published in Poets Espresso Review next month. Once Upon A Staircase (Only Beautiful Remains) and Christmas Blues (Christmas in Poetry Land)

I have only shared two short stories on my website. I need to dive back into them before I start to send them out for submissions. I wrote it as one book and have decided to change it into a three book series.

The earliest public writing I've done was when I started my Mighty Networks website back in 2017. I have since closed that site and work solely on my Booksbycatherinemellen website.

Mark

10/16/2024 07:56:51 pm

Congratulations on those poems being published. You must have felt pretty good seeing them in print.

I think you were pretty smart to rebrand with your name on the website. I have seen authors make a website or social media account based on the first book they write. It works well until they decide to write another book.

New questions.

Have you done any ghostwriting?

Have you ever written any fan fiction? If so, what storyline were you mimicking?

Catherine Mellen link

10/17/2024 08:38:05 am

I have not done any ghostwriting as of yet. Although, I was asked to write the memoirs for a family member of two high-profile stories in my hometown of Lowell, Massachusetts. One is about a girl who went missing in 1982, her remains were found in 2022 and the other is about a young popular boxing teenager who was killed in 2017 by another teenager.

I have never written any fan fiction, but if I ever did, I am a big fan of the Joker and I would definitely create a story mimicking his storyline.

Mark

10/17/2024 10:32:23 am

Ghostwriting can be an alternate method for writers to generate income with their writing skills. Another aspect of being an independent or freelance writer. Here is a copy-and-paste link with more information or hit the search box below: https://www.writingforward.com/creative-writing/creative-writing-careers

The Joker? What a fabulous character in the DC universe. Which actor is your favorite?

New questions?

Is there a different genre you would like to explore?

If so, what genre are you thinking of?

Catherine Mellen link

10/17/2024 10:59:12 am

Many actors have played the Joker, but my favorite was Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.

Writing comical fiction short stories is a lot of fun and I look forward to introducing that style into my published books in the coming years.

I am also writing a steamy-sex poetry book, which is way out of my element, but I am having a lot of fun writing it. I didn't think I had it in me to write, but apparently I do 😍

Norb Aikin link

10/17/2024 11:52:56 am

What a wonderful and insightful read. Thanks Catherine and Mark!!

Mark

10/17/2024 12:30:04 pm

Thanks for dropping in, Norb.

I know you are a writer, do you have any thoughts about the topics we have covered?

Catherine Mellen link

10/17/2024 01:02:48 pm

Thank you Norb 😍 It's been a fun week of questions, answers, advice and more 🥰

Mark

10/17/2024 12:36:58 pm

Phoenix is a great choice! He loves playing dark roles and is quite good at it. I particularly liked him in Russell Crowe's film, "Gladiator".

I love humor! One of the wonderful things about humor is that it can blend into any genre. Sometimes it only takes a light touch, I am reminded of a first-person POV, action thriller about a disgruntled assassin, the top member of the assassin's guild. "Superego".

The sexy poetry book is stretching you in a good way. I find regular poetry to be so intimate I probably shouldn't read the sexy stuff.

New questions.

What do you think of the current controversy regarding AI, Artificial Intelligence?

Did you use AI in any of your writing or planning for your books? I am not including research in this question because most of the major browsers have embedded AI in the browser.

Catherine Mellen link

10/17/2024 01:11:11 pm

I do not use AI for anything, nor would I buy a book that someone wrote using AI.

Maybe if they came up with an AI that could cook, clean and do laundry, then maybe I'll think about it 🤣

Mark

10/17/2024 03:49:10 pm

We remember the robot maid on The Jetsons, Rosy. We all want one though the reality is still far away.

The Jetson's flying car is pretty close to reality, here is a copy-and-paste link: https://jetson.com/jetson-one this is really cool!

New questions.

Have you encountered a troll reviewing one of your books?

How did you handle it?

Catherine Mellen link

10/17/2024 05:56:23 pm

Awe, I loved the Jetsons. Yes, I first encountered trolls on my website Mighty Networks. I could easily block and ban them from my website.

It wasn’t until sometime after part one of my memoir was published, I received a private message on Facebook messenger about a one star rating they gave me on the book. Out of forty-nine star ratings, forty-one of them are 5 stars. It was also from someone who is mentioned in the book. I blocked them. Then about a year ago I got a one star rating on Survivor's Mind and a review of her utter disgust about the book. (She actually called me a twelve-year-old something lol) I have seven 5 stars and one 5 star on that book with her contribution. I really don't let them get me down. Sometimes people wake up so miserable in their lives, that they get off by adding misery into another person's day.

Mark

10/17/2024 07:30:11 pm

That is a great definition of a troll!

Trolls seem to get great pleasure in causing misery in the lives of others. Don't feed the trolls! A maxim spoken by many whenever the subject comes up among authors.

I tell authors that a bad review actually validates the good reviews because there never has and never will be a book written that is universally acclaimed.

New question.

What was the first paying job you worked as a kid and how old were you?

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 08:38:46 am

My first paying job was at a popular hometown bakery in the city of Lowell, Massachusetts called Price's Bakery. I was fourteen years old during the summer of 1984 when I would walk across town to work with a bunch of elderly bakers, who showed me everything about baking. From rolling dough, stuffing raspberry turnovers, to making making muffins and sweeping floors. I will admit, working six hours a day did feel like eighteen hours to a fourteen-year-old girl.

Mark

10/18/2024 10:16:00 am

That is an interesting job. You certainly learned a lot.

You might recall the Dunkin' Donut commercial about the donut maker and how early he had to get up in the morning. It was a cute commercial!

My first real job was picking strawberries for a commercial grow operation. The farm bus picked us up at 5;30 in the morning so we could start close to dawn. I had to walk more than a mile to catch the bus.

New questions.

Have you done any public speaking?

If so, will you be doing more in the future?

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 10:30:26 am

I do remember that Dunkin Donuts commercial. My second job was at a Dunkin Donuts located in downtown Lowell, Mass. It's crazy how ambitious we were back then compared to teenagers nowadays.

I did do a public speaking for abused children who grew up at an Advocate Center back in 2018. I really did enjoy it, but it netted me a stalker. The guy found me on my social media accounts. One night I got a private message stating he was in my town looking for me. I blocked him, reported him to police and have since taken a break from speaking publicly.

CHRISTINA

10/18/2024 10:40:06 am

Wow, Mark and Catherine! I love the tips you both gave and it's great to learn more about Catherine's struggle and triumph. Those journals are treasures and trophies.

Mark

10/18/2024 11:18:40 am

Thank you for visiting us, Christina! I agree with you about all of those journals.

I encourage anyone who writes to keep a journal of ideas for stories. Writing down a few details when they are fresh will help a lot in the future.

CHRISTINA

10/18/2024 11:22:14 am

Agree, Mark! My journals are graph-lined Moleskins and often have an award offered for their return. They mean a lot to me.

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 12:38:21 pm

Thank you so much Christina 💝 Yes, I would think sometime in the year 2099 or 2125, our journals could be auctioned off for millions, made into a movie and eventually a monument statue of ourselves in our home state so the new teenagers can start an urban legend about us. Well, it's a thought 🤣

Mark

10/18/2024 11:24:17 am

There was a Dunkin' near where we lived in Oregon. Two of our children worked there for a time.

Public speaking can be quite enjoyable when you are talking about something you know a great deal about. You will likely be nervous and that is natural, that energy can help you transmit your passion to the audience.

Getting a stalker is a scary thing. You did the right thing by contacting the authorities. I don't blame you for not doing any more public speaking.

New questions.

Have you entered any writing contests?

Have you won awards of any kind for your writing?

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 12:54:09 pm

I'm so glad you asked this question. The first writing contest I ever entered was back in 1989. It was a poetry contest being run by the actor, announcer, and game show host Ed McMahon. And I won!! I was invited to a formal gala in Maryland, where I would meet Ed McMahon, speak and have a great time. Unfortunately my soon to be husband reminded me about my past, my childhood, my family-less family and how the paparazzi find out everything. (Remember when the paparazzi were obnoxious in their job) Within seconds, I decided I did not want to be known as a girl without a family, so I declined my first place prize and never went to Maryland.

(Ed McMahon also graduated from Lowell High School and went to his prom with one of my friends mother.) Small world, huh?

Mark

10/18/2024 02:58:38 pm

Amazing story! The connection with Lowell High School is fascinating also.

I have recommended to writers that short story writing contests, especially those that provide feedback from the judges, can help a writer improve their writing skills. I do have a warning, there are a lot of shady contests out there. Some want to extract as much as they can from your wallet, others want to steal your intellectual property. Here is a copy-and-paste link about those things: Beware Bogus Writing Contests! Look for These 8 Red Flags.
https://annerallen.com/2019/05/beware-bogus-writing-contests.
You can also use the search box below to find the link. There are other blogs I have links for on my Highly Regarded Blogs page.

New questions.

Among present or past family members and friends how many are or have been writers or authors?

Is there anyone you know who might claim you as their inspiration for writing?

Melisa Quigley

10/18/2024 04:34:06 pm

I love the banter back and forth. It's like two friends having a coffee discussing their writing more than a review. I keep a journal too and I love The Jetsons. Only Beautiful Remains is a hypnotic book that will stay with you long after you've read it.

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 05:30:34 pm

Awe, thank you so much Melissa. I love the questions Mark writes. It's been a lot of fun going back and forth. I truly appreciate your kind and supportive words ❤️

Mark

10/18/2024 07:01:40 pm

Hi, Melisa. I appreciate you dropping in. My review is above this interview. Your description of my interview process is spot on. I do think of it as a chat between friends.

I have started journaling earlier this year. I just began my second volume.

Your description of Catherine's book is quite good.

Catherine Mellen link

10/18/2024 05:43:25 pm

What a great resource to have. Thank you for sharing. I wouldn't know about past or family blood relatives. My granddaughter however, is amazingly talented; writing poetry, singing, lead roles in theater, and her graphic artwork (On both paper and skin) is out of this world. And she's only fourteen.
I do know some friends from my childhood have since went off to publish Silver Mittens by John J Mullen, become a famous American/Irish boxer Micky Ward and a lifetime actor Scott Grimes. I've been told I've inspired many to talk about their bad childhood, but as for writing, I hope I do to someone, out there somewhere.

Mark

10/18/2024 07:08:16 pm

I hope you find the information in that blog useful. Anne R. Allen is one of my favorite bloggers and she has written many blogs. I have links to quite a few of her blogs on my Highly Regarded Blogs page elsewhere on my website.

Your granddaughter sounds amazing! So talented! It will be interesting to see her talents continue to unfold as she matures.

Someday soon, if not already, you are going to find out that someone cherishes you as their favorite author. Not just one either. That will be a glorious day for you.

New question.

I noticed that your book is not in Kindle Unlimited. Is there a reason for that?

What is your favorite food and beverage?

Catherine Mellen link

10/19/2024 08:15:04 am

I love Anne R Allan blogs. I was introduced to her articles back in 2019 and have found great information, advice and resources from her blogs. And thank you for your kind words.

I did look at my Amazon page and all of my books are available in Kindle Unlimited. I know NFB publishes the paperback version first and then the ebook and Kindle Unlimited.

My favorite food is a baked ham dinner with pineapples, cherries mashed potatoes and broccoli or ego waffles. Haha, big difference, I know. My favorite beverage is coffee.

Mark

10/19/2024 09:36:50 am

I see my error. I have the paperback version of your book showing in my Amazon browsing history. Switching that out for the Kindle version shows that your book is in KU. My mistake.

That does sound like a good dinner.

Beside water, coffee is what I drink daily also.

New question.

How is Kindle Unlimited working out for you? Authors with only one book don't fare well usually. Authors with multiple books seem to do better.

Catherine Mellen link

10/19/2024 09:54:53 am

At first, I wasn't too sure about Kindle Unlimited. I haven't been part of the monthly royalty payment club from KU, but my books have generated many ratings and reviews from KU customers. Once my two-part memoir came out, it drew more traffic from KU users.

I know many authors don't like having their books on KU, but I have no problem with it, as it offers my books to a bigger audience, who normally wouldn't even look at my books.

Mark

10/19/2024 11:01:57 am

Exposure is the name of the game. No question about that. With a million books being published yearly on Amazon it takes steady and consistent effort to rise to the top and get noticed regularly.

One way of many, is to do a book blog tour. Here is another copy-and-paste link to that end: https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/2022/05/04/mktg-14-book-blog-tours
Or hit the search block below.

New questions.

Have you ever gone through the query process?

Were you seeking an agent or submitting directly to publishers and why did you choose that path?

Catherine Mellen link

10/19/2024 04:23:40 pm

Thank you so much, I will definitely read up on that. I've saved the link.
It was 2018 when I first started my journey to publish. It was through querying both publishers and literary agents. I received many written rejections that included words of praise, encouragement and informative links, including that of Anne R Allen and Publishers Marketplace, to name a few.
In 2019, Mark Pogodzinski at NFB Publishing in Buffalo, New York, gave me multiple beta reads at no cost, advice to go back to the drawing board and split my memoir into 2 books. We were in constant contact, then as you know covid happened.
In 2021, I emailed him, he was very happy to hear from me and to date, four of my books are published through NFB. Survivor's Mind and Christmas in Poetry Land were self-published in 2020, because I was bored and wanted to test the waters of publishing a book.
I continue to get great input, advice and resources from NFB, but some day, I do hope to have an agent for my future books.

I actually wrote a poem for literary agents and the writers who query them, that is called... Querying

A querying I will go
A querying I will go
Emailed my submission
A querying I will go.

It started off real slow
First page was years ago
It's finally in completion
And polished with a glow.

Pages I had to type
Editing was the hype
My book is finally complete
My writing skills are ripe.

Some lines I had to wipe
I complained without a gripe
A rejection letter to delete
And an agent I will swipe.

Proposal written well
A story I have to tell
I'll spread awareness
With words I often yell.

Querying can be hell
Making fingers swell
Guidelines are for fairness
An Agents calling bell.

Proofread once again
Spacing lines too thin
Hoping for a book show
A best seller for the win.

Attach files in trash bin
No writing with a pen
A querying I will go
Until an agent says I'm in.

🥰

Mark

10/19/2024 04:45:12 pm

MP was a wonderful connection! Congratulations. He has been very helpful and supportive.

Nice poem.

Querying is so hard. Many a writer sheds tears privately about how hard the process is.

We have Amazon to thank for the current state of the traditional publishing industry. It’s never been easy to query a book. But it’s much harder now than 20 years ago or so. Amazon allows anyone to publish and the market is now flooded with books. This has put tremendous pressure on publishers, many of them have disappeared. There are only four or five big publishers remaining. Big or small, the publishers are all struggling to keep the lights on. They can’t afford to have a book fail to launch. Publishers and agents don’t make any money until the book sells. If the author was given an advance that has to be repaid from book sales. Therefore, an author may not see any royalties for months. Of course, the publisher and agent get a percentage of each book sold.

The publisher fronts the money for publishing including cover and proofreading. This takes a lot of pressure off the author and leaves the author at the mercy of the publisher.

New questions.

Did you seek specific help in formulating your query letters?

Did you use querytracker.net or some other website like that?

Catherine Mellen link

10/19/2024 07:02:24 pm

Yes, I did a lot of research on writing queries, how to query, who to query and when to query. One of my rejection letters came with a link to querytracker.net that I continue to keep handy. I was lucky to receive a lot of helpful advice from rejection letters and they say that alone is like a golden ticket. So, I've been very grateful for that.

Mark

10/19/2024 07:51:55 pm

You are certainly blessed. So many authors get nothing but crickets when querying. Congratulations!

New questions.

What is your publisher doing to market your book?

Why did you have a book traditionally published instead of self-publishing?

Catherine Mellen link

10/20/2024 09:01:20 am

Great questions. I am not sure how much time NFB puts into marketing my books. I do hope, in time, I could have a better answer for that question.

The reason for wanting to go traditional publishing, was that I wanted to have the exposure for my books, that being self-published does not offer. From availability in retail stores, Ma and pop book shops, on-line companies and places a self-published book wouldn't reach. In today's fast moving self-published industry, it feels good knowing I have the security and stamp of approval from a publishing company.

Mark

10/20/2024 10:14:01 am

I can understand why you went that route. If your publisher is working to get your book into brick-and-mortar locations that can improve sales opportunities. Getting your book onto other online sales platforms can go help improve sales also. It is never wise to put all of your eggs in one basket.

Here is a copy-and-paste link for information about spreading your book around to other platforms: Aggregators just might be an author's best friend! https://www.kotobee.com/blog/everything-need-know-aggregators/

Here is another blog about getting your book into libraries: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2019/06/12/book-marketing-how-to-get-your-book-into-libraries

Use the search block below alternatively for these blogs.

New questions.

How do you think your book compares to a book published by a major publisher?

Have you ever seen a ghost or had some other type of supernatural experience?

Catherine Mellen link

10/20/2024 12:02:37 pm

I certainly wish my books were published by a major publishing house, but having my books published is a victory in itself. Since the late 1980s, I knew I wanted to tell the world about my poetry, journals and family secrets, so knowing I've done and continue to do that, is a major win for me.

I have always felt angels around me since my early childhood.
My spring 2025 release of Then You'll Believe is about my friend who carried the gift of clairvoyance abilities. And though he could really freak me out at times, as we got older, we grew to appreciate the amazing bond we were a part of. I don't know if that counts as supernatural, but the experience was definitely out of this world.

Mark

10/20/2024 01:36:04 pm

I think I understand about feeling angels near. I have had some close calls with death that made me think about putting angels in overtime again.

Clairvoyance qualifies as supernatural in my book. It can be quite spooky.

New question.

There are many unethical practices in publishing, which one is the most unbearable in your mind?

Catherine Mellen

10/20/2024 03:24:00 pm

The one that makes me cringe the most would be plagiarism. Whether purposely stealing another's work, or accidental, mosaic (patchwork) by not doing their due diligence to offer authentic work. Also, I will not purchase a book written by AI.

Mark

10/20/2024 03:28:54 pm

That makes sense to me. Theft of your intellectual property is the worst thing.

Amazon requires authors to inform the 'Zon if they used AI in the writing of the book. I wonder if all of those authors will do so.

New questions.

Is there a book that causes strong emotions to come up no matter how many times you read it?

Do you ever read a book more than once?

If so, which one?

Catherine Mellen link

10/20/2024 05:06:31 pm

Yes, I Know My First Name Is Steven by Mike Echols. It has been a huge inspiration since I first saw the movie in 1989. A true story of a boy named Steven Stayner who went missing for seven years and his inspiring strength to save another boy from the same fate. It inspired me to remain strong, while being a reminder that childhoods once lived like myself, Steven Sayners and others; are never alone.
Ironically, the actor who played Steven Stayner in the movie, now follows me on Twitter. Corin Nemec

I've read many books multiple times. The first being Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume. I think I read that about a 100 times back in the day. The Outsiders by S.E Hinton, The V.C. Andrews Flowers In The Attic series. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, I love the movies too. Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen's (One of my favorites) And multiple Stephen King novels; Fire Starter, Pet Cemetery, Christine and others.

Mark

10/21/2024 08:50:57 am

You have some good-sounding books there.

New questions.

Has a book ever changed your mind about any particular topic?

Did you have a favorite book as a child?

Catherine Mellen link

10/21/2024 09:17:17 am

Yes, In the mid 1990s a book called A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer left me with a lot of questions. I wondered why he would write about a horrifying childhood, but skip over the reality of the actual abuse. I would then search my local library and book stores for memoirs written by abused children who grew into adulthood. I was baffled as to why the abuse was kept out of their books and why I had to remain in silence as a family secret. I knew then, that if I ever published my life story, that I would leave nothing out. Not so, people knew what I lived through, but so they know what my monstrous predator was capable of.
In 2015, I sat down and began writing my life story, in three month intervals starting in 1975.
My favorite book as a child was Are You There God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume and all of The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries.

Mark

10/21/2024 11:09:44 am

Reliving and writing about the abuse must have been extremely difficult and cathartic at the same time. I daresay you opened a long-closed door for others to share their experiences also.

The Hardy boys and Nancy Drew Mysteries were very popular. I was reading a different series called The Happy Hollisters, a group of children from one family who solve kid-sized mysteries in the neighborhood. The series was quite entertaining.

Last questions.

If you could ask every person, who has read one of your books, only one question what would you ask them?

Does writing have a spiritual or healing component for you, does it energize you or make you feel tired?

Catherine Mellen link

10/21/2024 02:38:11 pm

The one question I would ask is... Would you refer my books to your friends?

Writing is both, a spiritual and healing components for me. It connects me, redirects me, consoles me and sometimes, leaves me laughing. It is definitely an energizer for me, but sometimes, I write for many hours at a time, that I have to stop to eat, sleep, do laundry and live life 🤣

Mark

10/21/2024 06:35:09 pm

That is the first time an author has listed that question. Most want to know what the reader thinks of the book.

That is great. Writing is far more than a casual pursuit for you, it is a passion! Yes, the real world has a bad habit of intruding in our virtual pursuits.

Thank you, Catherine! You have been a fabulous guest on the Word Refiner channel. It has been a pleasure and an honor to help promote your book.

Until next time, keep on writing.

Catherine Mellen link

10/21/2024 07:36:02 pm

Thank you so much Mark! It has been a lot of fun and quite an adventure. I appreciate your incredible questions, helpful & informative links, and your friendship.

Thank you again,
Catherine Mellen

Only Beautiful Remains by Catherine Mellen

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