Episode 33: Welcome to the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast! In each episode, you’ll hear inspirational stories from horse book authors including writing advice and marketing tips to help you write your own horse book. If you are an author, aspire to be an author, or simply love horse books then you are in the right place!
In this week's episode, you'll meet author, blogger, copy-editor, freelance journalist, and Instagram superstar Laurie Berglie. You'll learn ...
Watch Laurie Berglie's Interview on YouTube!Or listen to the audio only version.About Laurie Berglie
Laurie Berglie is the best-selling author of three equestrian romance novels, Where the Bluegrass Grows, Kicking On, and Taking Off.
All of Laurie’s books contain a host of both horse and human characters, plenty of equestrian action, and some steamy love scenes! Laurie is also a freelance writer and editor, and the majority of her equestrian articles can be found in Horse & Style Magazine. She has also copy-edited numerous novels for other self-published authors. When not reading or writing horse books, Laurie is hard at work taking care of her many animals that reside on her farm in northern Maryland where she lives with her husband, James. Laurie Berglie Podcast Interview Excerpt
Carly: What excites you about writing horse books?
Laurie: I have always been an active reader. I read anything and everything, but as a horse crazy person I would naturally gravitate to horse books. The equestrian romance books are my favorite to read, so I decided to write one. I worked on Where the Bluegrass Grows for at least five years before I finished the first draft. I just stuck with it and I got to the point where I really liked my characters. I really wanted to continue their story and see what happened see where it went. That's how it develops. I wanted to write what I wanted to read.
Carly: We are both equestrian romance authors which makes is so happy and we both write for adults. Tell us about your books for horse lovers.
Laurie: Where the Bluegrass Grows was published in 2016 and takes place in gorgeous Lexington, Kentucky, and features main character, Molly Sorrenson. Kicking On, a semi-sequel published in 2019, takes place in Maryland’s horse country and is Macy Holland’s story. Finally, Taking Off, also published in 2019, takes readers south to The Plains, Virginia, where Erin Sorrenson takes center stage. 
Books by Laurie Berglie
Carly: What does equestrian romance mean to you and why this particular genre for your books?
Laurie: I want to write about what I like to read. We aren't the first people to write equestrian romance by any means, but I felt like there just wasn't a lot out there. What was out there was definitely young adult. I absolutely read some young adult stuff. A horse book is a horse book and there are some fabulous young adult authors out there, but I'm not 16. I really feel like I need something a little more my speed, something that your average 20, 30, 40 something would pick up and really enjoy. I definitely wanted to keep it 18 and above. There are some romantic themes, but I, by no means, went over the top with with your romantic scenes. There's just that little extra that an 18 plus reader would would want. Also. I wanted to write a nice easy series. You would take this to the beach and you don't have to use a lot of brainpower to read it. When you're done you feel good. What makes a really good book is if I really like the main character. I just wanted to create some literature that people would feel good about when they were done and then pass along to their friend at the barn.
Carly: How did you get into freelance work?
Laurie: I got into freelance work quite some time ago. I just wanted to make some extra money because, as you know, horses aren't cheap and any little extra money I can make just from side gigs and freelance gigs goes into my horse hobby. I reached out to a bunch of publications proactively. I would email the editor and would send them my resume, a portfolio of my work samples, and let them know I'd love to write for them. I would submit article ideas that I thought would work well in their next issue and sometimes they would respond. Now, I have a couple regular columns in Horse & Style magazine. I've also written for Sidelines magazine among others. It's always fun to see that byline. I do some freelance editing as well. I've had multiple independent authors come to me to do their copy-edits before they hit publish.
Carly: Is there anything that you wish you had known when you started out?
Laurie: As far as publishing the books, I wish that I had been more brave. When I first published Where The Bluegrass Grows, I was petrified. I was so petrified that everybody would hate it, especially when it's your first novel. You don't have your base support yet. I gave it life, and then, I let it die. I didn't do anything. I did share on my Instagram a couple times. I wrote about it on my blog. I think that was it. I did virtually nothing to market it because I was scared. I got to the point where I was like I can do this. I put the second book out into the world and I had developed a plan for how to market it. I was very diligent and I took my time. With Taking Off, I knew exactly the influencers that I wanted to send it to, which blogs I wanted to reach out to for some PR, and local events that I wanted to support. I feel more confident now with a reader base that's going to be behind me. Connect with Laurie Berglie
Website: www.laurieberglie.com
Blog: www.themarylandequestrian.com Instagram: @marylandequestrian Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marylandequestrian/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/Laurie_Berglie Be All Inclusive: https://www.beallinclusive.net/ Be All Inclusive Instagram: @beallinclusive
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thanks for your help keeping this site running!
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Make sure you never miss a show by subscribing on YouTube or Apple Podcasts. This podcast is made possible by listeners like you. I appreciate your support! Thank you for joining us this week on the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast I hope you enjoy these Q&A sessions with wonderful equine authors who love all things horses and writing just like me.
If you are an author who writes about horses and would like to be spotlighted please let me know. Visit my contact page to fill out a request. I'd be happy to have you on the show, too. About Your Host and Author Carly Kade
Carly Kade is an award-winning equestrian author and the host of the Equestrian Author Spotlight podcast. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle! She writes fiction about horses, horse shows, Western pleasure and a handsome cowboy or two. Her books are for people just like her — crazy about reading, horses and cute cowboys!
In the Reins, the first in Carly's series of novels inspired by the equestrian lifestyle, has been an Amazon best seller for more than 10 weeks, is an EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award Winner for Best Western Fiction and has earned two Feathered Quill Book Awards in the Romance and Adult Book featuring Animals categories. The In the Reins equestrian romance series is available now in Audiobook, Paperback and eBook on Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Apple iBooks and Kobo. 
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Books by Carly Kade
In the Reins is an EQUUS Film Festival Official Literary Award Winner
In the Reins earns TWO Feathered Quill Book Awards
Cowboy Away Earns Carly Kade Second EQUUS Film Festival Literary Award
In the Reins is the Self Publishers Association Book of the Week
Book TrailerAuthor InfoCarly Kade writes for anyone who loves horses, handsome cowboys and a great romance. Creative writing about horses makes her spurs jingle! Please note: This website contains affiliate links. If you choose to buy any books featured, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These affiliate purchases help with the upkeep of the podcast. Thank you for your support in keeping this site running.
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