Interview with Author Kate Angelo

Kate Angelo
https://kateangelo.com/
Author of Girl Lost

T4JYM: Please share with us a little about your latest book and what readers can expect from it.

KA: Girl Lost is a Romantic Suspense Thriller and the first book in my King Legacy series. It’s fast-paced, plot-twisty, and centers on characters who’ve experienced childhood trauma. These are people who made decisions in their brokenness that shaped the course of their lives. Readers can expect heart-pounding suspense, a second-chance romance, and the reminder that no matter how far someone runs or how lost they feel, they are never beyond the reach of the Shepherd who comes looking for them.

T4JYM: What is next for you? Are you working on something new? Anything different?

KA: Yes! I just finished the first draft of the second book in the King Legacy series (title TBA). I’m especially excited about this one because it continues the King Legacy and follows two best friends who use humor as a buffer for pain. They’ve got this quirky banter that makes me laugh while I write, but underneath is a deep bond and an emotional history that ties them together in ways they don’t fully realize at first. Writing about them feels like peeling back layers of their hearts. Lots of action, but also a story about trust, forgiveness, and love.

T4JYM: How many times have you faced rejection from a publisher? What is your response when this happens?

KA: Honestly, not as many as most writers. I know that’s rare, and I consider it a huge blessing. But I don’t look at rejection as a roadblock. More like a checkpoint. To me, rejection says, “Work harder. Learn more. Keep growing.” My response is to use it as fuel to better myself and meet higher standards. Just because my author career is filled with less rejection doesn’t mean it’s not painful. But I see myself more like Job in the Bible. Job went through hardships and loss, but his story wasn’t over. That reminds me that rejection isn’t the end of the story, it’s just part of the process.

T4JYM: Though you cover this on your website, please share with our readers when you began writing. How has your writing changed from your first work to now?

KA: I started writing seriously early 2019, and I had my first contract by the end of 2020. This is not normal. A friend suggested I audition for a new publishing company where a bestselling and award-winning author chose, in a blind audition, their favorite new voice to write a book in their storyworld. Lynette Eason (an author I had admired for years) chose me to write Driving Force, the first novel in the Elite Guardians collection. That was my start.

From then to now, my writing has changed drastically. Early on, I was still finding my voice. Now, I write with more focus, more purpose, and a clearer vision of how my own experiences shape the themes of my books. But it’s always a process and I never stop learning!

T4JYM: Will you describe your writing process, from the spark of an idea through writing it, editing, and finally to publishing?

KA: My process is a little chaotic! It feels like one of those National Lampoon’s Vacation road trips. I start with 100% optimism and a plan. Then come the detours, the crashes, the crazy adventures, but somehow it all works out in the end.

For me, everything starts with my characters. I let them drive the story and follow where they lead. The first draft is my favorite part, and it usually takes me the longest. I write “clean,” which means I don’t just throw words on the page. I write and edit each chapter to near perfection before I move to the next scene.

Then comes editing. That’s where I hold a magnifying glass over every single line and ask, “Does this move the story forward? Will it keep a reader hooked?” Sometimes that means cutting a polished scene I worked hard on. Ouch.

My editors step in here, too. They point out where I can strengthen the story and fix what I couldn’t see when I was so close to it. Novels are like impressionist paintings. Up close, it’s all blobs of paint. But when you step back, you see the beauty of the whole picture. My editors help refine the book, and readers get to interpret it through their own lens, and that’s all part of the magic.

While I’m editing, the book begins the publishing phase. There is a lot of work that goes into actually publishing the book. I provide input which helps with the title and cover and all marketing materials. Then there are seemingly endless interviews, press, marketing, connecting with readers, and of course launch day itself.

There’s nothing like the thrill of seeing your book on shelves and knowing it’s finally out in the world.

Being a novelist is a lot of work, but it’s also the coolest job ever. I get to create danger, mystery, and romance, then watch readers connect with characters who once only lived in my head. I get to connect with readers and share my heart with them. Seeing at least one person enjoy my work makes every long writing day worth it.

T4JYM: Who are some of your favorite authors? Have you met any of them?

KA: I fell in love with reading again when I picked up a Colleen Coble novel, and that led me straight to Lynette Eason’s books. I’ve been so blessed to meet both of them in person. Not only that, I now consider them dear friends, even though I’m still star-struck about it. Becoming friends with Lynette has been a literal dream come true. She really gets me, and she’s helped my author career skyrocket. And now she’s my literary agent!

Other favorites of mine are Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, and Nancy Mehl. I haven’t met them yet, but I hope to someday. All of these authors write the kind of suspense that keeps me turning pages when I should be writing.

T4JYM: Speaking of favorites… Let’s do some more. What is your favorite: Food? Drink? Color? TV show? Musician/Band? Hobby? Movie? Book of the Bible? Bible Verse? Worship Song?

KA:

Food? Sushi or Mexican food depending on the day! (Like Tuesdays are for tacos, obviously.)
Drink? Coffee in the morning, iced tea in the afternoon. Water all day!
Color? Any shade of blue. Especially the color of a bright, wide-open sky or turquoise ocean.
TV show? Frasier. I still watch reruns and laugh like it’s the first time.
Musician/Band? I love Christian pop and hip-hop with story-driven lyrics. Music is all about telling a story, isn’t it? Some of my favorites are Forest Frank, Gawvi, Alison Eide, and Social Club Misfits.
Hobby? Knitting and reading. Knitting lets me slow down while my brain spins stories. And my husband loves wearing the socks I make!
Movie? You’ve Got Mail (for the romance) and Knight and Day (for the fun romantic suspense).
Book of the Bible? Genesis—because it all begins there.
Bible Verse? Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him…” That verse carries me through.
Worship Song? Fall Like Rain by Passion. I start every day with this song.

T4JYM: Besides writing books, tell our readers a little about you and the things that keep you busy.

KA: I have five adult kids and three grandkids, and they definitely keep me busy. My husband and I love taking our boat out on the lake with family and friends. It’s a place where we can worship, laugh, rest, do water sports, and of course, read! We also travel quite a bit for our nonprofit work, so sometimes my social media feed looks more like a travel blog than an author page. Another thing about me: I love technology. I taught myself programming as a teenager, and that’s paid off in unexpected ways, even in writing. I’m always learning, experimenting, and helping others use technology to make life easier. I have a longhair chihuahua named Willow, and she takes me on long walks around the neighborhood to brainstorm.

T4JYM: You and your husband have an impressive ministry. Please tell our readers a little about it and what your role is there.

KA: My husband and I founded Vanguard Marriage and Family Advocates, a nonprofit focused on strengthening marriages and families. I am the cofounder and Vice President, but really my heart is in the hands-on work. I advocate for strong families by teaching skills-based marriage courses that are practical, fun, and life-changing. We teach real tools couples can apply right away. Things like conflict resolution, communication skills, and building deeper empathy. We’ve seen couples on the brink of divorce completely turn around when they put skills into action. It’s exciting to see God restore what feels impossible.

T4JYM: What was the last book you read? Did you read it for pleasure or another reason?

KA: I just finished Final Approach by Lynette Eason—totally for pleasure. I love her characters, her complex plots, and of course the surprise endings. And I about fell over when she slipped my name into that book as an Easter egg! That was a fun shock.

T4JYM: Your testimony is very powerful. Thank you for sharing about it on your website. Please tell our readers about your upbringing and how you came to be a Christian and how this has influenced your writing.

KA: I grew up in trauma and abuse that eventually landed me in foster care. My childhood was filled with instability, pain, and the kind of experiences that leave scars. I know what it’s like to feel forgotten and unwanted. As a teenager, someone shared the Gospel with me, and honestly I rejected it. I felt like why would I trust a God when he abandoned me in all my pain.

But seeds were planted, and one day I turned to God. For the first time, I understood that I was loved, chosen, and seen by the Creator of the universe. That decision to follow Christ changed the entire direction of my life. Today, it deeply influences my writing. My characters often wrestle with trauma, brokenness, and fear, but I always weave in threads of hope, because I’ve lived it. I know that no matter how lost you feel, God can redeem your story.

T4JYM: If you could meet any 3 people – past, present, or future – who would they be and why?

KA: First, I’d love to meet the apostle Paul. His radical transformation and boldness inspire me. Second, C.S. Lewis—because who wouldn’t want to pick his brain about weaving faith into fiction? I’d probably just sit in awe. Third, I’d want to meet one of my future great-grandchildren. I’d love to see how God continues to move in my family line, and I’d want to encourage them to carry their faith boldly into their generation.

T4JYM: Who has been your biggest advocate and supporter in your journey to success?

KA: Without question, my husband. He’s been my biggest cheerleader. He believes in me when I don’t believe in myself, and he keeps me laughing when the writing days are long. My kids are also a tremendous support. They’ll brag about me to strangers, which makes me blush but also makes me grateful. And then there are mentors like Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Susan May Warren, and so many others who not only encouraged me but gave me opportunities that changed the course of my writing career. God has surrounded me with people who remind me I’m not alone in this.

T4JYM: What advice would you give to someone interested in publishing their work?

KA: Keep writing. Keep learning. Don’t let rejection stop you—it’s not a dead end, just a detour. Publishing is tough, but the stories God places on your heart are worth sharing. Surround yourself with other writers, find mentors, and never stop improving your craft. And most importantly, trust God with the timing. His plan for your words may look different than you expect, but it’s always better.

T4JYM: What advice would you give to the youth of this world?

KA: Know who you are in Christ. The world will throw labels at you and try to define you by your mistakes, your past, or even your successes. But only God gets to define you. Don’t waste your energy trying to impress people—chase after the purpose God has for your life.

First, you need to know who you are in Christ. That’s your foundation. Everything else—your choices, your purpose, your discipline—flows out of that truth. Once you know who you are, you can start to discover why God made you and what He’s calling you to do. And here’s the hard part: walking in your purpose requires discipline. It’s not about waiting for the right moment or for motivation to strike. It’s about showing up every day and putting in the work, even when you don’t feel like it.

I look at where I am now and wonder where I could have been if I had learned discipline earlier in my life. Don’t waste the most precious gift you have—time. Stop letting video games, TikTok, and endless scrolling rob you of your future. If you’re going to consume, consume to learn. Read books that stretch your mind. Watch tutorials that teach you real skills. Use technology as a tool, not a trap.

Do the hard things now that will take you to your goals later. Start a business. Write a novel. Train to be a BMX racer. Invent something in your parents’ garage. Prepare for law school or medical school. Push yourself. Work harder than you think you can. Because when you follow your God-given passions with discipline, the hard work becomes an adventure—and yes, it will even be fun.

Surround yourself with people who will encourage your faith, and don’t be afraid to dream big. God specializes in using ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. If He can use me—a foster kid who once felt lost—He can absolutely use you.