Recently, I answered ten questions in preparation for a podcast interview and I thought I’d share my answers here. Not because I think I’m so interesting, but because I’m at a loss about what else to blog about today. 🙂
Anything here strike you as interesting or surprising? Either way, I DO so appreciate you visiting the blog today!
Ten Things About Me
- Who are you? I’m a believer, a wife, and mother to two grown sons. I worked in Christian publishing for many years and am now a full-time writer with 18 novels of Historical Fictional published to date.
- Where are you from and where do you live? I’m originally from Chicago but have lived near one of Minnesota’s 10,000+ lakes for over 30 years now.
- What do you like to do in your spare time? I like to read, watch British period dramas and mysteries, walk, nap, and spend time with my husband.
- Can you tell us a little bit about your faith journey? I grew up believing in God but knew little about Jesus or the Bible. When I went away to college, I cast aside the beliefs I had been raised with, as many young people do. But a few years later, increasingly aware of my sin and a growing emptiness, and through various people and situations, I realized my need of a savior and accepted Jesus. Eventually I met and married a Christian man and together we raised two sons. Parenting (even now that our boys are young adults) has brought its own challenges, and certainly keeps us running to God. I wouldn’t want to go through life’s trials without Him!
- If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Believer, Author, Anglophile
- What inspires you? I’m inspired by the mercy of God, the history and beauties of England, and favorite authors like Jane Austen.
- How did you get into writing? I have always wanted to be a writer and believe God wired me to be creative in some wordish-way. After working in marketing for several years, I pursued a job in Christian publishing, first in advertising, then as an editor. What a wonderful training ground for a “secret” would-be writer. Eventually, I finished my first historical novel and submitted it under a pseudonym. Thankfully, my colleagues wanted to publish it, and after that, the cat was out of the bag and I was edited as thoroughly as I ever edited anyone else! 😊
- What inspired your latest book and what is the story behind it? My upcoming release A Winter by the Sea (Dec 2023) is Book Two in my ON DEVONSHIRE SHORES series.The series is about the relationships and romances of four sisters, and is set in the town of Sidmouth on the south coast of England in 1819-1820. When I learned that Queen Victoria’s parents, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, visited Sidmouth that winter, I knew I wanted to include them. As the book opens, the Summers sisters expect a quiet winter. Instead they are called upon to host three members of the duke’s staff, which leads to intrigues and unexpected romance.
- What are you working on now? I am currently revising and editing Book Three, The Seaside Homecoming.
- What are your goals and aspirations? To delight readers and glorify God.
Have you read Book One, The Sisters of Sea View? Either way, thanks again for stopping by today!
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JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Deborah Raney says
But it IS interesting, Julie! Fascinating, in fact. I loved reading your answers! And your book covers are just gorgeous!
Judie Silvis says
Thank you Julie for your wonder books. I have read them all and can’t wait for the one coming out in December. Sure wish I could meet you to autograph a book.
Betty Strohecker says
Yes, I have read book one and anxiously await book 2. I enjoyed your interview. Thanks for sharing.
Jennifer B says
Thank you for sharing your testimony with us, Julie! It is always amazing to see how God pursues us, softens our heart of stone to give us a heart of flesh that molds to his will for our lives.
Elisa says
This was a great interview–thanks for posting it here.
I’ve got “A Winter by the Sea” on hold from the library and looking forward to reading it! Queen Victoria’s parents visiting is an awesome historical bonus to the novel.
Best wishes as you work on “The Seaside Homecoming” manuscript revision.
Laura W says
This is great, Julie. I enjoyed reading your post which was very interesting! Thank you for sharing. 💛
I loved reading the title of your next book in this series!!
Martha T. Robinson says
Yes, I have read The Sisters of Sea View, and I loved it! I didn’t want the novel to end! I look forward to reading A Winter by the Sea!