Romance novelist ready for book tour

With 13 titles to her name, Kristan Higgins says writing career was surprise

DURHAM» Before heading out on her first European book tour, author Kristan Higgins’ will sign books alongside the Queen of Romance, Nora Roberts.

It’s a big thrill for this Durham native who just published her 13th book, a romantic comedy for women called “In Your Dreams.”

When she first started out, Higgins was writing blind, said the one time stay-at-home mom. When her son started nursery school, this typical mom of a young, small-town family decided she wanted to earn an income. So she began to write the kind of book that she’d want to read, Higgins said.

Eventually rejected by every publisher except Harlequin, Higgins did land “one of my dream agents,” in Maria Carcainis.

“This career surprised me,” said Higgins, who is married to Middletown Firefighter Terrence Keenan. The couple’s daughter is now a college freshmen, and son, a local high school student.

“I used to think it was a fluke, and I would be found out,” said Higgins, who was soon informed by another writing veteran that, “‘Oh, honey, we all think that …’”

Over the past 12 years, Higgins has learned that self-doubt and insecurity are a healthy part of the creative process.

“It helps you to look at things deeply, and from all angles,” Higgins said.

That kind of scrutiny paid off when Higgins spent nearly 18 months perfecting her first story before submitting it to agents. She now writes two books a year.

Her latest release will be followed this summer by “If You Only Knew,” a trade paperback women’s fiction title slated with an early summer release.

After that, Higgins has three more books on her contract with Maria Carvainis Agency, and she’ll happily sign up to write more, she said.

Higgins is a New York Times bestselling author and a twotime winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award.

“It all comes from inside my head and heart,” said Higgins, who works in an office atop a neighbor’s garage. “Sometimes they come easily, sometimes they don’t.”

Higgins will go abroad for two weeks, traveling to places like Venice, Milan, Hamberg, Paris and Lyon, meeting with publishers there and speaking at events like one at Book City Milano.

“The publishers are being lovely, so I’m getting a tour of each city,” said Higgins, who will also dine with foreign journalists and bloggers.

“Publishing is a fickle beast,” said Higgins, very happy with how things have gone, so far. “I don’t know how long it will last,” she said.

For information, see kristanhiggins.com.

COURTESY KRISTAN HIGGINS Durham native Kristan Higgins, right, writes laugh-out-loud romantic comedies featuring regular people, quirky families, beautiful settings and, of course, adorable pets. Higgins is the author of “Waiting on You”, left, and a new book, “In Your Dreams.”

COURTESY PHOTO