Check Out Caroline George’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline George. 

Hi Caroline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
For as long as I can remember, stories have been a huge part of my life. I began telling stories before I could write my name. My mom jotted down my tales, and I illustrated them. Throughout elementary and middle school, I was a veracious reader and started posting on a teen writing website. It was during that time I made it a goal to be published by sixteen. 

My middle/high school English teacher encouraged me to try my hand at a novel. (I am still close friends with her and credit her for much of my author journey.) Ninth grade, I wrote a novel. It was terrible, but I loved it so much, I wrote a second, which became my debut book. 

Agents and industry professionals told me I was “too young” to pursue an author career. Being stubborn and determined, I learned how to self-publish. With eBooks new to the publishing scene, I educated myself on formatting, coding, and distribution. Twenty-five days before my sixteenth birthday, I self-published my debut, and a year later released my second book. 

After graduating high school, I began pursuing traditional publication. I signed with a literary agent during my freshman year of college. Senior year, my third book was published with a small traditional press. 

I graduated with a degree in publishing and public relations from Belmont University, worked various jobs within the industry while pursuing my dream of being a full-time author. 

After years of rejections and trying my hand at different genres, I signed a three-book contract with HarperCollins. (Dearest Josephine and The Summer We Forgot are now available.) 

Sharing my journey in a timeline format omits the quiet, doubtful seasons. I worried I’d have to walk away from the dream in the name of practicality. Two things I’ve learned: Don’t give up too early, there’s never a finish line. 

Often, breakthrough is right around the corner. 

Each dream bridges to a new dream. 

I’ve learned to fight forward and embrace the process. Now a full-time author and conference speaker, I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Do smooth roads even exist? If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that nothing worthwhile comes with ease. My mom once told me, “We don’t get easy, we only choose our hard,” and that’s become my motto. Writing and publishing are hard, but I choose them every day. While pursuing a book deal, I struggled with doubts, the odds, and voices around me that said, “You should get a real job. What if everyone rejects you? Why don’t you give up?” 

Believing in the dream amidst obstacles was a struggle, especially when nothing seemed to work in my favor. I faced countless rejections and compared myself to others. 

Advice that helped me: Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle or your middle to someone else’s end. Trust the timeline. Honor your pace. 

I sacrificed a lot to give my dream a shot. I moved back to my hometown, leaving Nashville and my friends. It seemed crazy, but it’s paid off. 

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write Young Adult Fiction, everything from historical romance to murder mysteries. I’m known for writing lush, atmospheric books with provocative prose and strong messages. I also have a tendency of using different mediums i.e., emails, letters, transcripts, etc. My latest books include Dearest Josephine and The Summer We Forgot. 

I’m most proud of my romances and quote-worthy lines. I love weaving poetry into my novels. 

I believe my formats and poetic prose set me apart. Regardless of subgenre, I hope all my books reflect my style. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Everyone has a unique definition of success, and I believe that definition changes over time. I’ve learned to gauge success with grace, patience, and attainable goals. Before I publish a project, I tell myself, “If my book touches one person, it was worth the effort.” Granted, I have a lot of goals and dreams, but I think success is simply doing what I love and having the means to keep doing it. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.authorcarolinegeorge.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcarolinegeorge/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarolinegeorge
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarolineGeorge_
• Other: https://linktr.ee/authorcarolinegeorge