Interview with Author Golden Keyes Parsons

We're here today with author Golden Keyes Parsons. Blaine and Golden Parsons minister at Faith Mountain Fellowship Church in Red River, NM. They have three grown daughters and eight grandchildren. Their testimony and myriad of life experiences - marital difficulties, loss of a career and a home, parenting issues and illness - lend the touch of authenticity to their teachings.

Both Golden and Blaine are ordained pastors and have been in ministry for over thirty years. They co-directed Brookhaven Retreat and Conference Center for ten years while it was under the ownership of the James Robison Evangelistic Association. Golden has a B.A. degree in Church Careers from East Texas Baptist University, a diploma in Systematic Theology from Moody Bible Institute and is currently enrolled in the doctoral program at Wagner Leadership Institute. Blaine has B.S. degree from Baylor University, seminary graduate work and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

This couple has a burning passion for Jesus and the Church, and are comfortable in all denominational settings.

Welcome to PASTimes, Golden. Tell us a little about your road to publication.

I started speaking professionally in 1996. One of the first comments from the speakers bureau I signed with was “You need to be published.” I started seeking publication at that time. However, I have always written. My father, grandfather and uncles were all newspaper men, editors, publishers. I grew up around publishing and had a few small pieces published in my dad’s newspaper as I was growing up, won some contests, etc. But my journey into getting a book published began in 1996. I actually started out writing non-fiction.

When you first entered the publishing world, what surprised you the most? Was there any aspect of the business that caught you off guard?

How difficult it was to obtain a contract. I had pretty good luck with non-fiction articles. I have been published in HomeLife, Angels On Earth, Marriage Partnership and others, but landing a book contract was another story.

And then the intense editing process after signing with a publisher was a bit of a surprise.

Why historical fiction?

Historical fiction had always been my favorite genre to read. In addition, I had a family heritage and story I wanted to write about.

What are you working on now that you’d like us to know about?

The second in the Darkness to Light Series, A Prisoner of Versailles. The title of the first novel is In The Shadow of the Sun King, due to be released September 18, 2008.

Do you have a favorite historical novel?

It is one that probably most have never heard of … King of Kings by Malachi Martin. It is a Biblical fiction of the life of David.

Is there anything or anyone that inspires your writing?

I suppose I would have to say for this series that what inspired me was an original, leather-bound edition of our family genealogy. As I read of their story and struggle to find a place where they could worship in freedom, I was inspired to write the saga. No, it was stronger than “inspired.” I felt compelled to write it. Although a great deal of the story is fictionalized, the historical facts of the struggles of the Huguenots (French Protestants) in 17th century Catholic France are true.

What do you enjoy most about reading historical fiction?
Come back tomorrow for part two of the interview with Golden Keyes Parsons and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of In The Shadow Of The Sun King.