THE BACKSTORY OF "FOOTPRINT IN THE FROST" by Jackie Taylor Zortman



My recently released book FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROST has a bit of history…about 17 years’ worth, to be honest.  I actually first wrote the original manuscript and title for this book back in 1998.  At that time, I was only writing articles and short stories, mostly through the Public Safety Writers Association (known as the Police Writers Club). 

Having never written a book before, I spiral bound it at home and put it aside.  I ran across it again early in 2014, sat down and read through it one more time.  That’s when I decided to give it the acid test and submit it to the Public Safety Writers Association’s 2014 Writing Competition.  My decision was, if it bombed there, that was to be the end of it.  Imagine my surprise when it won First Place in the Fiction Book Non-published category.

At that point, I was inspired to see if I could have it published.  So,I  rewrote it until a fellow author told me to stop  because I could rewrite myself into eternity.  Since I respect his opinion on such matters, I ceased and sent the manuscript off to my editor.  

When she was finished,  I submitted it to my publisher to see if she wanted to publish or reject it.  Again, to my shock, my soon-to-be book was accepted immediately. 

I do believe the award helped that along tremendously.  Six months later, it was on the market in mid-June 2015 with the award sticker proudly on the cover.  I live in a tourist town that has a “season”, so the publisher accommodated that for me.  Such co-operation is very much appreciated, I have to add.

The message I want to convey is to never give up on your work.  You may be surprised when an item you have tossed aside evolves into something totally unexpected.

“FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROST” blurb:

First place award winning fiction novel, “Footprints in the Frost” introduces homicide detective, Max Richards, and involves his life both on the job and away from it.  When he is hand-picked by the chief of police to work a long and complicated serial rape case involving five beautiful victims with whom he must spend much time, his life with girlfriend and bookstore owner, Sami Murphy, becomes extremely complicated.  Escaping from the city hustle and bustle to his beautiful and remote Colorado mountain cabin, the two of them attempt to relax and try to untangle the knots in their relationship.  What will happen to this couple who are tremendously bonded, but have to decide if their jobs and lives can meld permanently or if it would be better to go their separate ways?

JACKIE TAYLOR ZORTMAN bio:
Award winning writer and author, Jackie’s first book is "WE ARE DIFFERENT NOW" - A Grandparent's Journey With Grief.  Her first place award winning fiction novel "FOOTPRINTS IN THE FROST" was released in June 2015. She is also a contributing author in the anthologies "Felons, Flames & Ambulance Rides", "American Blue" and "The Centennial Book of The National Society of Daughters of the Union 1861-1865." She has poetry published in "Echoes From the Silence" and "Dusting Off Dreams".

Writing professionally for the last 25 years, she’s had numerous articles, poems and short stories published since 1990 and has been a member of the Public Safety Writers Association since its inception as the Police Writers Club in 1994. In the last three years, she has won seven writing awards.

A native of Kentucky and raising her family in Cincinnati, Ohio,  Jackie has lived in a beautiful tourist town high in the mountains of Colorado with her 42-year veteran law enforcement husband for the last 34 years and both are now retired.

Buy Links:  Trade paperback & Kindle – www.amazon.com;
Trade paperback: www.shopOTPbooks.com

         


Comments

Thank you for hosting me today and tomorrow, Marilyn. I'm very proud to be on your blog.
Linda said…
I have just finished Jackie's book, and it was wonderful reading! Thanks, Jackie! Your vivid descriptions took me into the scenes and kept me there through the entire book!
Linda Reed
Nancy LiPetri said…
I enjoyed the book and its setting too, and was honored to review it :) Great post, Jackie!

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