Author Meeting Place Interviews Author Suzi Katz of Orland, FL, USA
Bio: In her debut book, a life revealed, Suzi Katz centers on 17 year -old Chloe Jacobs, a girl seemingly like others her age. However, upon the death of her parents she discovers that she is quite different.
Katz enjoys writing books for young adults that deal with the issues they face each day and how they react, learn and cope from their mistakes.
Katz has been Director of the Southeast Region for the National Consortium for Academics and Sports at the University of Central Florida since 1997.
In this position, Katz has worked extensively with college aged student-athletes creating life skills programs to help develop well-rounded individuals who will be successful in life.
In addition, Katz had created partnerships in the community to provide outreach and community service. Her programs have seen herself as well as student-athletes reach out to over 40,000 community members since 1997.
Katz has worked with and created programs for the Salvation Army Women and Children’s Living Center, Special Spectators, and The Miracle League. She’s visited patients at Florida Children’s Hospitals, participated in Red Ribbon Week, Orange County Public Schools, and volunteered for Second Harvest Food Pantry, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Katz works with the NCAS’ Hope for Stanley helping to rebuild New Orleans.
Katz received UCF’s Student Development and Enrollment Services award for Outstanding Community Service. She was named as the Class of 1992’s Distinguished Alumni in the Fitchburg State College Centennial Graduation Ceremonies. In 1999, Katz was named as a Sports Ethics Fellow by the Institute for International Sport. That same year she was also awarded the first-ever Fitchburg State College Alumni Leadership Award and in 1999 she was chosen as one of Orlando’s Fifty Finest Single Professionals by Orlando Magazine and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Katz earned her Bachelor of Science degree in communications/media from Fitchburg State College in 1992 and her Masters of Science in sports management from Northeastern University in 1995.
Katz, originally from Boston, is a former figure skater and coach. She resides in Orlando with her husband Jay Slowinski and their daughter Maia (6 years).
How many book/s have you written?: One has been released and I am working on its sequel
What genre/s would you like to write in?: Young Adult
Please share with us who or what encourages you to write and why?: Judy Blume was my inspiration to read. I loved the voice of her characters. From there I became obsessed with writing. I went to school for writing and loved it, but I used it in a sports marketing/public relations job which I love. However, something has always been looming in the back of my mind, like a stone I left unturned. There are so many things that inspire me to write. The places I've been, the music I listen to, and the people I know are just a few of them. I really like raw emotion and it drags me into my characters and their lives. Sometimes my characters are so real to me that I feel like I'm going to run into them on the street. When they laugh, I laugh, when they cry, I cry.
When I write it is also a great way to let go of myself and to love unconditionally. When I create people who are not like me, who don't necessarily have the same moral and ethical standards, I have to love them anyway. It's like accepting everyone for who they are and the path they've taken in life to bring them where they are today.
How long did it take for you to write your book/s?: 6 weeks
How long did it take for you to publish your book/s?: 8 months
Who did you publish with and why?: I created my own company called Suzi Katz Books because it's so difficult to get an agent and/or publishing company. I am using Lightning Source which was the best choice for me. I learned a lot throughout the process, but mostly that I wanted everything to be the way I wanted it to be. I hired designers, editors and a publicist. We are all going to work together. It is definitely a personal and financial investment, but in making this dream come true, I would do it again.
I also am taking advantage of Kindle from Amazon and Books in Print from Bowker.
Please share with us how you prefer to market your book/s?: First, while creating a brand for my book, I started keeping people updated on my facebook account. It was cool to have everyone along for the ride. I left notes about the characters and such. Then when I got the cover and synopsis completed and printed on an oversized postcard, I sent it to everyone I knew and brought them wherever I went and told people about it. I am lucky to be the youngest of six girls. Each of my sisters are also connected to the internet with businesses and they linked all of my things to t heir sites which helpes promote it internationally as well. I created two blogs that are attached to my website. Just through that means, I had gone as low as 221 on the Barnes & Noble sales ranking. Now I am beginning my campaign with my publicist for the next four months and we'll see what happens. I am having fun with it and am excited to see where it all goes.
Please share with us any event/s that you have planned in marketing your book/s: •
Local readings with young adults through networking
I work on a campus and the bookstore is having a signing
Signing at my daughter's school was requested by the parents
Book clubs
Other things that are not concrete.
Do you wish to share any additional information with our readers?: Research, research and more research on the publishing industry. There is so much to learn and although I have hit many bumps along the way I know I haven't even made a dent in what there is to learn.
Email to share: suzi@suzikatzbooks.com
