Interview with Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen is a fiction editor with a background in advertising. She has worked in Christian publishing for more than twelve years, in both marketing and editorial capacities. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois and enjoys travel, research, books, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. She and her husband have two sons and live near St. Paul, Minnesota.

Welcome to Favorite PASTimes, Julie. Would you please share with our readers about your road to publishing? What were some of the surprises along the way?

I have the privilege of working as a fiction editor for Bethany House Publishers. When I (secretly) wrote my first historical, Bethany House was my hoped-for publisher. Since I work with the people who would be reviewing my novel, I submitted it under a pseudonym so that if it was accepted, it would be done so objectively. Of course, this also allowed me to cower under the protection of anonymity in case it was rejected! Since then, I have learned a lot about being on the other side of the desk-and am (hopefully) a kinder and gentler editor.



Your latest novel, The Apothecary's Daughter, seems to focus not only on romance, but also on the limitations that women had during the Regency period, while practicing the apothecary's art. Please tell us more about this book.

It is the story of Lilly Haswell, a young woman with a nearly infallible memory, who helps her father in his apothecary shop, preparing the most complex remedies by rote. But she is not content. She wants to see the world beyond her small village. She also wants to discover what became of her mother who disappeared years before. Lilly gets the opportunity to live in London and experience some of what she has longed for--as well as clues about her mother. But then has to decide between her luxurious London life or returning home to save her father's legacy. To do so, she will have to do the work of an apothecary, at a time when it was illegal for women to do so. So yes, while there is romance with several potential suitors, the book also has mystery, family drama, and fascinating Regency and medical history.

What influenced you to write historical novels? What made you most interested in writing especially about the Regency period?



I like anchoring fiction to historical reality, and revealing interesting aspects of the way people used to live. I find the way medicine was once practiced, the way women were viewed and educated, and so much more, very interesting. And readers seem to as well.

However, I "blame" my early love of British literature on sixth-grade teacher Ms. Rebecca Hayes, who read Jane Eyre to us with great feeling and even tears! I chose the Regency period because it is when Jane Austen published her novels, which I greatly enjoy as well.

If there were anything about Regency period culture that you wish was still a part of society today, what would it be?

Good question! Men wearing tall boots and snug pants? Dancing every night? The Regency was a time when being a true "lady" or "gentleman" was something people aspired to. A time when people were restrained by the rules of society and a high moral code--things sometimes lacking in our world today, and I would love to see them return.

Lady of Milkweed Manor, was a Christy Award finalist, and yet, deals with some difficult social issues for the time period. Would you like to share what made you decide to tackle the subject matter of unwed motherhood?

For the answer to this and more questions, please visit Favorite PASTimes
tomorrow for the second part of our interview with Julie Klassen.
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