Local author signs latest work for fans
On a drizzly Saturday afternoon, one local author patiently sat at Barnes & Noble in The Woodlands to greet her fans.
Linda Kozar did a book signing for her latest work, Sweet Tea For The Soul— Devotions to Comfort the Heart. The 90-day devotional features truthful and whimsical reflections on what truly matters.
“Each devotion will bring your heart to a quiet, slowed-down pace and be a reminder of God’s calming, down-home peace in the midst of your busy life,” Kozar said. Sweet Tea For The Soul aims to provide entertainment, but it also intends for the reader to reflect upon his or her life.
“They’re fun to read but also thought provoking. They’re meant to inspire and encourage (the reader) in (their) daily life,” Kozar added.
Debby Kane, a friend of Kozar’s, attended the book signing to get her copy of the devotional. She has been reading Kozar’s works for the past six years.
“I knew her personally so I knew she’d have some very good things to say,” Kane said of why she initially picked up one of Kozar’s books. “She really is a very good writer and always has insightful comments.”
A former religion editor for The Woodlands Villager in the early 2000’s, Kozar said journalism helped her on her path to becoming a successful author.
“I think journalism was a great training ground for me. I never imagined I could finish a whole book, but writing on deadlines for newspapers is great training for that,” she said.
Chapters are much like writing a newspaper article; each one article is between 1,000 to 3,000 words and chapters aren’t much more than twice that, Kozar explained.
“I sort of went to the next step and I enjoy it,” she added.
Kozar’s first novel was published in 2008. She has worked for both traditional publishing houses and indie publishing companies.
“I’m what you call a hybrid author. I write for traditional publishing and indie publishing,” Kozar said.
She receives plenty of support in her endeavors from her husband and adult children, who grew up with their mother being a writer.
“They get used to you being absent minded, and staring out the window. I’m not staring out the window, I’m coming up with a plot,” Kozar laughed.
Originally from New Orleans, Kozar moved to the Houston area in 1989 and then to The Woodlands a year later.
“I’m transplanted here, but Texas grabbed a hold of my heart and I’ve just loved it here from the very moment I set foot in Texas,” she said.
Kozar writes in a traditional Southern storytelling manner, evoking visions of sweet tea and lazy summers in her novels. She is currently working on the final book in her cozy mystery series Until The Fat Ladies Sing.
“I have a quirky sense of humor and I get ideas for things and they sort of just come to me,” Kozar said when asked about what inspires her.
As for book signing events, Kozar said she loves meeting new people who enjoy reading and writing.
“I enjoy meeting people who are interested in learning how to write. I also enjoy talking to fans, sharing stories with them and getting to know them,” Kozar said.
Kozar is an author of more than 28 traditional and indie-published books, is the podcast host of Chat Noir Mystery & Suspense and Network Coordinator for the Along Came A Writer Network on BlogTalk Radio and iTunes. A recipient of ACFW’s Mentor of the Year award 2007, she founded The Woodlands Texas chapter of ACFW, is currently on the board of the Christian Authors Network and is a member of various other organizations.
To learn more about Kozar, go to her Facebook page at www.facebook. com/linda.kozar or follow her Instagram Linda Kozar, for continuing information on her books. More information can also be found on her website at www.lindakozar.com.