The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo and Book Giveaway

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Thursday, July 3. International readers may enter. Good luck!

Beth Pattillo (Heavens to Betsy and Earth to Betsy) knows how to follow a dream—even with a pile of publishing industry rejection slips to her name. She spent seven years on the path to her first publishing contract, and the characters in her new novel, The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society, embrace Pattillo’s persistence.

Eugenie, Ruth, Esther, Merry, and Camille are not perfect women. They each struggle with love in their own way—unrequited love, forbidden love, overwhelming love, even lost love. Yet they battle on, meeting every month in the Pairs and Spares Sunday school room to knit, discuss that month’s book selection, and puzzle out their lives.

When Eugenie throws neglected and abused teenager Hannah Simmons into their midst, however, walls decades in the making come crashing down. With secrets thrown on the table amid the tangle of yarn, needles and books, one thing becomes certain: The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society will soon discover what’s most important in the complicated lives they lead.

Beth Pattillo is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. She and her family make their home in Tennessee. Her novel, Heavens to Betsy, won the prestigious RITA award from the Romance Writers of America. TheSweetgum Knit Lit Society is her fourth novel. To learn more, visit www.bethpattillo.com






Q&A with Beth Pattillo, author of The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society

Q. What was your inspiration behind The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society?

The book was inspired by the knitting group at my church. I loved the way a group of diverse women, from their teens to retirement age, bonded over knitting and prayer. I think book clubs experience a similar phenomenon. Something about knitting or reading together really helps to create authentic community. One of the things I enjoyed most about writing this book was looking at the world from such different points of view. Each of the women in the novel is unique. And the variety of ages and life experiences kept things interesting.


Q. In the book, troubled teen Hannah Simmons has seen her share of neglect and abuse before meeting the ladies of the Knit Lit Society. Do you see many teens like Hannah in the course of your work as an ordained minister? If so, what is your philosophy in helping them find healing?

Unfortunately, I’ve met a number of teens over the years that were neglected by their parents. I’m a strong believer in youth ministry because I know it can provide guidance and care that’s often missing in a teenager’s home. In the novel, Hannah happens to be poor, but I’ve found that income level, however high or low, doesn’t always correlate to the quality of parenting. The love and attention of a youth minister and/or youth sponsor can often keep a teen from making bad choices with disastrous consequences. Teenagers need to feel competent and valued. A strong youth ministry provides an opportunity for young people to find their spiritual gifts and use them. It also makes God’s love tangible and powerful.


Q. Since not every town has a Knit Lit Society, what would your advice be to anyone who has a "Hannah" in their life or knows of a teen in a similar situation?

Most teens need someone to listen to them without judgment or agenda. Mentoring, serving as a youth sponsor, teaching Sunday school and Bible study – these are all great ways to reach out to teenagers. As a minister, in a particular situation, I have to assess whether a teenager needs the help of social services in addition to the love and care of a church family. All ministers are required by law to report suspected abuse. Neglect, though, can be a bit trickier. Ideally, a minister can reach out to the parents as well as the teen to try and help the family become more functional and caring. I always appreciated my church members letting me know if they thought a particular teenager needed help. I think it’s better to get involved and ultimately find that the situation wasn’t as serious as you thought than to ignore something until a crisis occurs.


Q. Do you knit in your spare time?

I love to knit! I’m into hand-tied yarn right now, taking eight or nine different yarns in a particular color palette and tying 2-3 yard sections end to end. The result is wonderfully shaggy scarves or shawls that have real depth of color and texture. (I was inspired by the owner of The Shaggy Sheep in my hometown of Lubbock, Texas – a terrific yarn store!) I’m afraid I have numerous unfinished projects around the house, but one day, I hope to finish them all.

Q. You spent seven years waiting to publish your first book and now The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society is your fourth book. What advice do you have for novice or aspiring writers?

Aspiring writers have to persevere. For that matter, so do published authors. The publishing industry is a rejection-based business. Work hard, acquire a thick skin, be open to good criticism, and revise, revise, revise. As writers, we take our work personally, but the publishing industry doesn’t. Rejection is a business decision, not a critique of our value as human beings!


My other piece of advice is to write every day, even if it’s only a small amount. I run an email loop called Club 100 For Writers. The challenge is to write 100 words a day for 100 days. I’ve seen this practice transform people’s lives. Instructions for joining the group are on my website, http://www.bethpattillo.com/.

Comments

  1. Anonymous11:22 PM

    please enter me, deborah!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, I would love to win. Hope to hear from you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Enter me this looks good!!!!
    cpullum@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Please enter me

    ellagirlz[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:35 AM

    Please enter me.I love this genre of books!
    frugalreader
    drose10276@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  6. thsi sounds like it going ot be an awesome book..would love to read it..winnie/Patty from Frugal Reader..

    ReplyDelete
  7. This sounds like a really good book! I would love to win!

    hugbandit7 on FR
    hugbandit7 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds great, love the name "Pairs and Spares"! :) Definitely enter me in the giveaway, thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2:51 PM

    Oh God!!! This sounds like the cutest book. I'd love to be able to read it. Thanks Pam
    aliadam@FR

    ReplyDelete
  10. It sounds like a good read. Please enter me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think the group of friends would be quite fun to read about. Then, throw a disgruntled teenager in the mix and things could really get interesting! Please enter me in your book drawing. It is always apprecicated!
    Thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hearing good things about this one. Would love to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Enter me in the drawing. spowell01(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Combining a book club with a church knitting group that works (I suppose) to help a troubled teen would be a good read. Include me, please!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous11:47 AM

    I don't knit very well, although I've made soem hats and scarves, but I love reading about knitting :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would dearly love to read Beth's book. And what a great cover! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love to knit too. My first attempt just getting verbal instructions had my needles far apart. One at each end of my house!! I didn't think it was working like it should so I started over. Please enter me. Thanks.
    Pam
    cepjwms at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous8:51 AM

    I would love to be entered in this drawing. The book sounds great!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This book sounds great! Please enter me in the contest. My email address is shryackmom[@]charter[.]net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sounds great! Please enter me,thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Love books about knitting! Please enter me. Blessings1 Melody
    msproule1225@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a fun title! Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.
    smilingsal55[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Please enter my name into your drawing. I just finished Earth to Betsy and I love Beth Pattillo's books.

    nerakdunbar[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  25. congrats to patty/winnie for winning!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving your thoughts. Comments on posts that are older than 14 days are moderated so don't worry if your comment doesn't show up automatically.

Popular posts from this blog

Lost Mission by Athol Dickson

Triple Threat

The Nancy Drew Challenge