Roseanna White - Woman For All Seasons

Being a WhiteFire Publishing author has shown me Roseanna White's expertise in editing and creating incredibly beautiful covers. You'll note her handiwork on her own book cover below.

Today, I've asked her to share about her many roles, and also about her latest novel, The Latest Heiress. Go for it, Roseanna.

I’ve always been a hat lover. Maybe that’s why I wear so many of them—metaphorically—in my everyday life.

Ever since I was in primary school, I knew that someday I wanted to be a novelist. And when I’m asked what I do, that’s still my primary answer. I finished my first book at the ripe old age of 13, and since then I’ve added another 31 books to my completed manuscripts folder. They’re not all good—and some will never (ever. EVER.) see the light of day. But I’m thrilled to be working with two different publishers right now (and two more in the past), bringing my published books list up to 10 as of today—and it’ll be 13 by the end of 2016.

But though novelist is my primary hat, it’s certainly not my only one. I’m also an editor (and designer . . . and PR person . . . and general go-to contact) for WhiteFire Publishing, the company my husband founded to launch my first book back in 2005, A Stray Drop of Blood. WhiteFire has grown from just publishing my titles (had to experiment and learn the ropes with my own, LOL) to having the honor of working with about 30 fabulous authors of both fiction and non-fiction. 

As editor, I read incoming proposals, request full manuscripts of those that I feel warrant more attention, chat with the committee about pros and cons of said manuscripts . . . and then there’s the actual editing. Going through a manuscript and making the necessary changes to bring it up to WhiteFire standards—which are set quite high. Through the last six years of hard work, we at WhiteFire (the editorial team, acquisitions team, and amazing authors) have earned the company a reputation for quality that has made it one of the most respected small presses in Christian publishing.

It’s through my work for WhiteFire that I got involved in book cover design, too. What started as a hobby that I would never put up in public gradually grew to be something that I was good enough at to do professionally. At first my only cover designs were for WhiteFire books. But just as I was toying with the idea of taking my designing skills freelance, one of our authors emailed to ask me if I ever considered designing for others, as she had a friend who needed historical book covers designed. That was the beginning of Roseanna White Designs. =) I’ve now expanded this fun little side business into something that keeps me fairly busy.

And when you put all those jobs together . . . well, I can get really busy—especially when you factor in that I homeschool my kids, who are 8 and 10. People often ask me how I balance it all. Obviously, I reply that I neglect my housework (which is true, LOL). But it’s also a matter of prioritizing and being very strict with my time.

I get up at 5:30 every day and write until 7:30 (with interruptions as the kiddos get up and I need to, you know, feed them). After showering, etc., I then have until 9 to get any loose ends tied up or other pressing projects done. School starts at 9, and our first session usually runs until about 10:30 or 11.

I'm inserting Roseanna's photo here, so you can see she somehow manages to keep from having bags under her eyes. 

During the kids’ break from school, I tackle editing and design work. School starts again at 1 or 2 (depending on the day), then I have another hour or two for whichever work is most pressing before looking up and realizing it’s time to make dinner (Seriously—these people insist on eating more than once a day! Sheesh…). 

After dinner is often spent running here, there, and everywhere with my little ballerina, or to Bible study. But I will frequently squeeze in another hour or so of work sometime in the evening. Then after the kids are in bed, I’ve discovered a love for knitting while I watch TV with my husband.

Definitely a busy life…but worth every minute.

Roseanna will give away one copy of The Last Heiress to a fortunate commenter. Below, you can familiarize yourself with this enticing novel, and qualify for a free paperback copy by leaving a comment.  Thanks so much for visiting us, Roseanna.

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?

And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her.

About Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. The Lost Heiress is Roseanna’s tenth published book. Her novels range from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. She lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.RoseannaMWhite.com

LINKS

www.RoseannaMWhite.com

www.RoseannaMWhite.blogspot.com

Add The Lost Heiress to your shelf on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22383696-the-lost-heiress

Pre-order at ChristianBook.com: http://www.christianbook.com/the-lost-heiress-roseanna-white/9780764213502/pd/642135?event=ESRCN

Sign-up for Roseanna's newsletter to get updates on availability at other retailers, like Amazon and B&N: http://eepurl.com/hIvJw