I’m honored and pleased to have Dr. K.E. Garland on the blog today. An educator by profession, Dr. Garland is not only finding success as an indie author, but her works of creative nonfiction are fostering discussions for social change [among women especially] on an international level.

Today, Dr. Garland shares three outcomes she never imagined when she first decided to self-publish.

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The Unhappy Wife was conceived during one of my former 320-mile commutes to and from work. During those drives, I used to call family and friends to keep me company. Many calls were with one of my male cousins. This time, his marriage woes were exhausting.

“I’m going to write a book called The Unhappy Wife,” I told him, “and I’m going to ask your wife to participate!” He laughed and laughed at me, but I was serious.

It wasn’t just his wife and their drama. I had friends who were in marital dilemmas and I’d felt dismayed in my own union years prior. Once I thought about it further, I knew the stories had to be written. Locating the 12 women was the easy part and writing creative nonfiction is a gift I have. But as any Indie author will tell you, marketing and selling those books was a whole nother story! However, once I learned the business side of bookselling, I was in for a few pleasant surprises that reached beyond readers simply engaging with my book. Here are three:

Connected with a Local Book Club

One January day, I tweeted information about The Unhappy Wife, just as I would any other day. To my surprise, a local book club, U.S.G.I.R.L.S. retweeted and a conversation ensued. I suggested they check out my book and they agreed! It was one of the most organic happenings as a result of doing what I naturally do…connect and write. The following month, I joined them in discussing The Kitchen House, and they invited me to discuss my book. That day, I sold over ten copies. Their support didn’t end there. Just last month, these literary ladies hosted a special meeting just to converse about the stories, and because of this group, my Amazon reviews increased without my having to beg people.

Influenced Teenaged Mothers in Grenada

Another surprise was when FSU’s College of Social Work approved my goddaughter’s use of “Gina’s” story, the second narrative in The Unhappy Wife. In March 2017, she traveled to Grenada, read the chapter aloud, and discussed psychological and emotional abuse with teenaged mothers. Impacting young women’s lives was my intention; however, I didn’t know it was going to manifest in such a powerful way. She used the Power and Control Wheel to reflect the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship, something that Gina’s story demonstrates.

Reached Readers Everywhere

I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue to say this. WordPress bloggers are the most supportive and genuine group I know. Bloggers from Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, India, Kenya, Canada, and China have not only read The Unhappy Wife, but many have also reviewed or blogged about their experiences. Additionally, readers in the States hail from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, New England, and California, just to name a few. This outpouring of love was hoped for, but I never could’ve imagined the level of support I received from this online community in particular. For this I’m grateful.

If you’re interested in reading The Unhappy Wife, then please visit my author site at kegarland.com to order the paperback or digital version. Copies are also available directly from the following places:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble Online

Lulu

Storyteller Alley

I also lead a discussion on one wife from the book the second Friday of each month via my blog, kwoted. Join us July 14^th as we talk about how adultery both hindered and helped “Pamela’s” marriage.

 

~ About K.E. Garland ~

Katherin Garland is an award-winning Indie author whose work includes, Kwoted and The Unhappy Wife. Her work has been published with The Coil, For Harriet, and The South Florida Times. The Transition, a story Katherin wrote about her father, won first place at the Royal Palms Literary Award in Creative Nonfiction. More of her writing can be found at kwoted.wordpress.com and her editing services can be procured at writingendeavors.org. Katherin’s next project, Daddy, is an edited collection of women writers who’ve opened their hearts to talk about their father-daughter relationships. It will be available June 2018.

~ Social Media ~

Twitter: kegarland

Instagram: kegarland

Facebook: kegarlandwriter

Author Website: kegarland.com

Many thanks to Dr. Garland for visiting with us today and sharing some of the impact her self-published work is having on real lives. This should give us all pause to reflect… and food for thought – you never know where the path will lead once you hit the Publish button.

Have a great weekend – enjoy summer!