Rising Stars: Meet Cathy Maxwell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Maxwell.

Hi Cathy, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was in my mid-twenties, I made a list of the twenty-five things I wanted to do with my life. I was feeling directionless. No, that isn’t the right word. I had a toehold in broadcasting in a position that could lead to an interesting future, but it wasn’t for me. The list became my action plan. One of the items on it was to write a book. I had no idea what sort of book or how to even start but the idea was there.

Fifteen years of reading later, I knew I wanted write a romance novel. I began scribbling in spiral bound notebooks the worst book ever written. But I kept moving toward the goal. I gave myself two years of “no doubts” work to see what would happen. I attended local writing workshops. I joined writing organizations. I networked and I learned. I met fabulous people along the way. Many of them were editors and agents who rejected me bluntly, or gently, or offered precious advice. Some became good friends and within a year of going for it, an agent took me on.

2022 marks my thirtieth year as a professional writer. I support myself with my work, have traveled the globe, and have had the time of my life. Writing about all the crazy things people do when they are falling into the kind of love that lasts a lifetime is challenging and fun. I’ve written over forty books and I’ve never been bored.

And, yes, I accomplished the majority of the twenty-five things that were on my list.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I mentioned that I made myself promise to attack my writing with “no doubts” for two years Doubt has killed more creative careers than public rejection ever could. I’ve learned that when I get into the headspace where I am questioning everything, including my talent, I’m setting myself up for failure. Those two years of forcing all doubts aside taught me an invaluable lesson. I’ve learned to read reviews without taking negative comments to heart. I also know to keep positive ones in perspective. Publishing is a business of highs and lows. My goal is to do good work. When it is no longer fun, I’ll stop.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve been tagged as a “love and laughter” writer which means there is humor in my books and a good deal of honesty and heart. Romance is emotional writing. By the way, so is horror. The goal is to give the reader characters they recognize and understand.

My books are set in England during the early 1800’s, the Regency Period. It was a time of great social change. There were revolutionary ideas challenging established norms such as the role of women and the creation of the middle class. This allows me to play with contemporary ideas but with the veneer of history. We humans have always struggled with gender roles, with what makes a relationship, with how we value ourselves. No matter what is going on in the world, how well we love and how well we are loved in return has always been the mark of a successfully lived life.

I am proud of those moments when a reader tells me they were up all night because they couldn’t set one of my books aside or how a character has taken up residency in their imagination. And I’m thrilled every time a reader places one of my books on their “keeper” shelf.

Cathy Maxwell’s latest book, HIS LESSONS ON LOVE, releases this month on January 25th.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve discovered a writer will share more info over a cup of coffee than in any workshop. I believe it is important to network with people who are moving in the direction I want to go.

Fortunately, there are many groups writers can join. I’d start with an internet search and then show up, see what is happening. I had to find my people. This can be a challenge. Most writers I know have a bit of the introvert in their personalities, but I encourage new writer, even those who haven’t written a word yet, to reach out. When I first started, my goal was to meet in person, even just to eyeball every editor, agent, and author I admire who came within a hundred-mile radius of where I was living. I’d ask questions, hoping for those important tidbits of knowledge and experience that could help me move forward. I forced myself to do “pitches” which are where an author sums up their work in fewer than ten sentences to an editor or agent.

I still follow most of those policies. Networking helps me keep up with the business side of writing… Even storytelling is always evolving.

Contact Info:

• Email: cathy@cathymaxwell.com
• Website: www.cathymaxwell.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/maxwellcathy
• Facebook: Facebook.com/maxwellcathy
• Twitter: twitter.com/maxwellcathy

Image Credits
Author photo Rich Cirminello