Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I’m a career librarian and a semi-professional storyteller. For almost twenty years, I did cat rescue—specializing in the rescue, rehabilitation, and socialization of feral cats. I currently share my life with Blackberry—a feral kitten I rescued in 2005, Clover—a feral kitten adopted from a fellow rescuer in 2013, and Rumblewick—the nine-month-old feral I rescued in 2017.
I grew up surrounded by strong female role models, who nurtured my imagination and imbued me with a love of reading, writing, and storytelling. My favorite book is Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird,” which I’ve read almost every year after being introduced to it by Deborah Taylor-Battles in a ninth-grade contemporary literature class.
I was married to the love of my life for almost 38 years. My husband was an ardent supporter of my writing, but he passed away in 2017—never seeing any of my works published. Ironically, on the first anniversary of his death, I received a publication inquiry that resulted in my first book contract.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Faithful Dog’’?
Research validation. As a career librarian, I believe in getting the facts right—meaning I use original source materials when they are available. I also verify my information, by checking multiple sources and vetting my writing with experts in the field.
It’s frustrating to encounter materials where writers have not done their due diligence, and I encountered two of these authors who failed in their research regarding Lieutenant Pfeif’s dog.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird.” I’ve been told by those who have read my manuscript “Red and Me,” that the character of Marlene reminds them of Scout.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I’m not a person given to traveling, but my favourite spot as a child was Blowing Rock, NC. My paternal grandmother and aunt loved to go there in the 1960s and early 1970s. It was a quaint, quiet little mountain town back then. I loved the atmosphere and the auction house, where we spent many an evening being entertained by the auctioneers.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
That depends on the book. Some require lots of research—like “The Faithful Dog,” while others require none at all—like my forthcoming book, “Red and Me” slated for publication in 2024.
On July 4, 2018, I was awakened at 6:00 a.m. by the voice of a ten-year-old girl named Marlene Reynolds, screaming in my head—demanding her story be told. I wrote for about 18 hours that day, transcribing what Marlene was telling me. The book was completed in two months, and my picture book publisher, Star Bright Books, contracted it in 2022.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Faithful Dog’?
While doing research on a project in 2011, I encountered a mention of Lieutenant Louis Pfeif and his dog. The reference intrigued me. Believing the account would make an interesting story, I tucked it aside in my WIS—my Writing Ideas Stash.
In 2013, I began writing what would be the first version of the book, finishing it in 2015. I started submitting it to publishers that fall. In October of that year, the editors of Lucky Marble Press wrote that they were impressed by its historical accuracy and the true story the tale was based on. While they rejected my submission, they did mention they liked the chapters that had told the story through the dog’s point of view—calling my concept ‘fresh’ and ‘clever.’ That comment continued to nag at me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if they might be interested in the book if I rewrote it from the dog’s perspective.
I began the rewrite in 2016, finishing it in 2019. After this new version was critiqued in 2020, I resubmitted it to Lucky Marble Press. While the editor remembered the previous submission and liked this new version, the company had ceased publication. I then submitted it to Black Rose Writing who had published my YA novel “Vivie’s Secret,” and they gave me a contract on it.
So, from concept to publication, “The Faithful Dog” took eleven years!
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
“The Faithful Dog” is available at most online booksellers—Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., as well as directly from my publisher—Black Rose Writing.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title “The Faithful Dog”?
David King of Black Rose Writing designed the book cover for “The Faithful Dog,” so that credit goes to him.
As for the title, the story of Louis and his dog inspired it.
I was shocked when I finally located the actual newspaper article about the pair that was published in “The Daily Missouri Republican” on May 24, 1862, for it was titled “A Faithful Dog.”
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Creating characters readers can identify with, root for, empathize with.
I can’t wait for the world to meet Marlene in “Red and Me.” My publisher fell in love with her on the first page.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Participate in an in-person critique group. Sitting down with other writers, reviewing and discussing your work as a group, is invaluable. The interchange of multiple opinions and ideas helps a writer clarify what’s working and what’s not. You don’t always have to take their advice, but the feedback is beneficial.
I been in one for eleven years and am a better writer because of it!
Terry Lee Caruthers on Amazon
