Portrait of Woman in Ink
Author: Kelly I. Hitchcock
Genre: Contemporary fiction, short story collection
Publisher: Bird Brain Publishing
Pages: 181
Language: English (US)
Format: eBook and Paperback
Twelve women, twelve tattoos, and a narrative thread that weaves them all together, Portrait of Woman in Ink: A Tattoo Storybook is a collection of stories that answers that lingering question in the back of your mind when you see an inked woman: what does your tattoo mean (or perhaps – what were you thinking)? From a parent’s suicide to the birth of an unlikely child, the stories behind why women tattoo themselves are literally worn on (and sometimes under) their sleeves, and retold on these pages.
Complete with artwork from the original tattoo artists and a foreword by Dr. Marta Vicente, one of academia’s foremost voices in Women’s Studies, this series of literary vignettes celebrates real, everyday women and their tattoos that, while they may seem insignificant at the time, are a symbol of the larger struggles and triumphs that make them who they are. These stories explore the idea of tattoos bringing together women from different worlds, and teaching them how these worlds might not be as far apart as they think.
Grab your copy of Portrait of Woman in ink!
About the author Kelly I. Hitchcock
Kelly I. Hitchcock is an up-and-coming writer in the Austin, Texas area. She is author of various poems about the randomness of life, several short stories, random creative nonfiction works, and the coming-of-age novel The Redheaded Stepchild. She is world-renowned among a readership of five people and growing.
Raised by a single father in the small town of Buffalo, Missouri, Kelly has fond memories of cash-strapped life in the Ozarks that strongly influence her writing and way of life.
When she's not writing API documentation for money or writing poetry and fiction for unmoney, Kelly enjoys catering to the whims of a high maintenance rescue dog, frequenting Austin's many concert venues with her husband, and breaking things (in no particular order). She is an avid volunteer and fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
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Interview
1. Who are your favorite authors of all time?
John Updike, Joyce Carol Oates, and Tom Robbins
2. If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I’m trying to focus on being in the present! Although, I admit I wouldn’t mind taking a Tardis back through time to break things off with my former high school sweetheart… but we’re all a sum of our experiences, even the crappy ones.
3. If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why?
Probably The Witches of Eastwick by John Updike. I love all Updike’s work, but this one stands out to me due to its daring subject matter and display of female strength and power.
4. If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Joan Rivers, John Barrowman, George Stephanopolous, Kristin Chenoweth, and Pope Francis.
5. Have any hidden talents you would like to share?
I’m pretty smashing at karaoke, and I sew about half of what I wear. Making frilly baby girl dresses and bonnets is my favorite.
6. Do the words come easily most of the time? How do you unblock your writer’s block?
Yes, once I start typing and really get in the moment, the words just start flowing and usually only stop when I get rudely interrupted. If I need to take care of writer’s block, I usually go for a run. Writer’s block isn’t usually the problem; it’s carving out time to just sit down and write.
7. Which character is your favourite and why?
In my own book, it’s Hallie Herbstreet, a former drug pusher who turns her life around for the good of her son. She was inspired by a cousin of mine who’s led a lifelong struggle with drug abuse.
In all books, it’s Corinne Mulvaney from Joyce Carol Oates’ We Were the Mulvaneys. I just love how fun, quirky, and yet very flawed she is.
8. When it comes to writing, what are your strong points? What are your weaknesses?
I like to think I have a talent for detail and building images, though sometimes I can go too far with it. Ironically enough, creating a unique character voice is a strength, but writing good dialogue is not. It’s so hard to make it sound natural and pace it correctly!
9. What type of books do you enjoy reading?
Literary fiction, short story collections, and contemporary fiction with strong female characters.
10. How long does it take you to write a book?
It’s hard to say. It took me years to complete my first book, but I wrote my last one in about six months. It’s amazing what you can get done when you commit to a timeframe and put in the work. It’s probably also why I’ve been writing my work in progress for about a year and only have 6 chapters done.
Giveaway
One gifted Kindle or Nook copy of Portrait of Woman in Ink.
Ends Feb 28th.
Open to anyone who can receive ebook gifts from Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
Thanks again for the interview opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome :)
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