Interview with an Author: June Cotner
Our March guest is June Cotner.
June Cotner is a publishing consultant and the author of 36 books, including the bestselling Graces and Wedding Blessings. Collectively, her books have sold more than one million copies and have earned praise in many national publications including USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens and more. June has appeared on national television and radio programs as well as local television including "New Day Northwest" and "AM Northwest" to promote her other titles. Through Book Proposal Services, she continues to evaluate nonfiction book proposals and analyzes concepts for books.
If you would like to purchase June’s book, Hey! It’s Your Day, you can find a copy here.
Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
My writing journey started off with writing poetry in high school. However, it wasn’t until I was 32 that I began working on a book that became The Home Design Handbook: The Essential Planning Guide for Building, Buying, or Remodeling a Home. I tried submitting this book to publishers on my own and I later learned that to sell a book I would need a literary agent and a book proposal. I met New York agent Denise Marcil in 1990 at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference and she loved the book. It was published in 1992 by Henry Holt and it went into 12 printings.
Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?
When I learned that a major New York publisher was going to publish my first book, I was thrilled, and definitely felt like a writer! I came to discover that I love creating book proposals because I enjoy making the best possible “case” why a publisher should publish my book.
Your book, Hey! It’s Your Day! Is full of quotes and affirmations. What inspired you to write the book?
I’ve been a quote collector since I was 14. After The Home Design Handbook was published, my agent discovered that I loved collecting graces to say around the dinner table. She suggested the book would be stronger if I created a call for submissions from both published and unpublished writers. I now have 800 writers who contribute to my books. In 1994 Graces was published by HarperOne and it went on to sell 250,000 copies.
I’ve been a quote collector since I was 14.
I created 34 anthologies after Graces, but in the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to create a book of favorite quotes. I kept gathering quotes over 25 years while my other books continued to be published. When I felt I had “the best of the best” quotes, I wrote a proposal for HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY and my agent submitted it to Brenda Knight at Mango Publishing.
Because the book has so many snippets of advice and uplifting ideas from so many people, it must have been a fun and interesting research process. Can you tell us a little about how you chose the quotes that were included?
I wanted quotes that would be both relatable and uplifting for readers. The research process went on for 25 years. I wanted some of the quotes to be recognizable to readers and other quotes that were not. Also, one of my long-time assistants, who is in her early 30s, rated all of the possible quotes for the book. It was helpful to get a younger person’s perspective.
The quotes are broken up into sections, or chapters, based on themes. Why did you choose to separate the book in this way, and how did you determine where to place them in the book?
There are over 800 quotes in HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY and I started with an unmanageable number. As favorite quotes filtered to the top, I asked myself “What is the main theme of each quote?” From those questions the sections evolved.
Describe your writing and/or creative process.
My most creative time is what I call my “Morning Coffee Time.” Before I dive into work for the day, I eat my breakfast and while I’m having my coffee, I work on whatever pleases me. Often it will be a book proposal for a future book.
I also hike with my dog at the end of the day. Being out in nature refreshes my spirit.
I also hike with my dog at the end of the day. Being out in nature refreshes my spirit.
You have many other published books and have sold over a million books worldwide – that’s incredible! How does this book compare to your others, and do you have a specific type or genre of book that you usually write?
My usual genre would be anthologies such as House Blessings and Family Celebrations. I created a prompted journal for Chronicle Books called Say a Little Prayer. I also created We Are Women: Celebrating Our Wit and Grit, co-authored with Barb Mayer. It combines vintage photos of women paired with inspirational and sometimes humorous quotes.
What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?
The biggest obstacle today is that most of my books are gift books and due to the pandemic, people aren’t shopping in brick-and-mortar stores where they would find gift books like mine. Fortunately, HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY is a self-help book in addition to being a gift book, so it’s still finding an audience. I was thrilled to see my book in the Reference section at my local Barnes & Noble store.
What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?
For HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY, writing chapter essays was a new endeavor for me. It was suggested by the publisher and I like how it all came together.
Do you have any plans for another book or writing project in the near future? If so, could you tell us about it?
When I think of a new book idea, I create a binder. I have at least 25 binders in my home. I’m also co-authoring a number of anthologies with writer and poet Nancy Tupper Ling and she has about 35 binders in her home for our co-authored projects. Our children’s book, For Every Little Thing: Poems and Prayers to Celebrate the Day will be published in September by Eerdmans.
When I think of a new book idea, I create a binder. I have at least 25 binders in my home.
What motivates you to keep writing?
I never lack for motivation. I enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time that are in different stages of development, such as pre-proposal, proposal, final manuscript, marketing plan, and then publication!
What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?
I think it’s really satisfying to write and submit Letters to the Editor of your local newspaper. Notice what’s happening in the news and see if you can offer a new insight or twist on what was reported in the paper. This activity gives you a quick way to get instantly published (if your letter is published). Once it appears, share your article on Facebook and Twitter. And then start thinking about your next article!
If you would like to purchase June Cotner’s book, Hey! It’s Your Day, you can find a copy here.
If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion through the contact page!