Address:
Nashville, Tennessee
Type Of Business:
In her work as a best-selling author, Karen has written both fiction and nonfiction books for the Christian market. Her publisher is Multnomah Books.
In her work as an acquisitions editor, she works for B&H Publishing Group, a major publisher of Christian books & Bibles;
Marketing Area:
US & International
Expertise:
Crafting powerful, engaging novels that communicate truth while entertaining readers.
Acquisitions and editing of quality Fiction, Building the Fiction Line from the Ground Up, Involved with Acquisitions, Authors and Context, Editing, Working as the Front Person for the Fiction Line
Major Product/SVS:
Karen's novels range from contemporary/family sagas to adventure to romance. SHATTERED JUSTICE, the first book in her Family Honor series, Shattered Justice, was given the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice award.
B&H Publishing Group provides excellent products in a number of categories, including Fiction, Christian Living, Homeschool, Youth, History, Bibles, Children's Books, Books for Teens, Academic and Reference Books.
Favorite Business Publication:
Editorial Eye
Hobbies/Sports:
Gardening, listening to music, playing with the dogs, racquetball, horseback riding, choir, calligraphy, reading
Education Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Multiple Languages and Journalism
Affiliations Awards:
Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame as an Editor for Francine Rivers; Published Novels as Part of The Family Honor Series, 'Shattered Justice', Received the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award (2006), 'Kaleidoscope Eyes' (2006), 'What Lies Within' Published in 2007; Academy of Christian Editors; American Christian Fiction Writers; Rogue Valley Search and Rescue; Speaking Nationally and Internationally at Writers Conferences; Nominee, Fiction Editor of the Year (2005)
Industry:
Writing and Publishing
Country of Origin:
Illinois/USA
Children's Names:
No children, but we have two wonderful dogs!
Date of Distinction:
9/12/2007
Work History:
Worked as senior editor and executive editor at Tyndale House Publishers, Multnomah Books, and Zondervan publishers, building their fiction lines. I've also operated my own editing business, Karen Ball Editorial, though which I worked with most of the major Christian publishers.
Career Achievements:
Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame as an Editor for Francine Rivers; Shattered Justice', Received the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award (2006), Fiction Editor of the Year (2005)
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
What separates Mrs. Ball is her passion for authors and writing. She believes in the power of the story telling process.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Building strong relationships, both professional and personal, with the authors with whom I work. It is my delight to work behind the scenes with up-and-coming authors, helping them refine the craft of writing. And it's been my honor to acquire some of the top authors in our industry, including Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
As someone who loves what she does, someone who believes in the power of words and truth, someone who lives to honor God daily.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
The emptiness within people that leads them into darkness and away from God's truth.
If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?:
My mom, because I miss her so much. Can't wait to see her again in eternity!
Expanded Biography:
Karen Ball has always loved stories. She considers it a gift that for the last twenty-five-plus years she’s been able, both as an author and an editor, to use that love to bring wonderful novels to readers. Currently the Senior Acquisitions Editor for B&H Publishing Group, she learned her craft while heading up fiction for Tyndale House Publishers, Multnomah Publishers, and Zondervan. Another inexplicable blessing is the fact that she’s been allowed to work with such notable authors as Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Gilbert Morris, Liz Curtis Higgs, Angela Elwell Hunt, Robin Jones Gunn, Terri Blackstock, Lt. Col. Oliver North, and Lori Copeland. Karen’s next full-length novel, What Lies Within, is planned for a late 2007 release. Karen lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, and their two "kids": Bo, a mischievous Siberian husky, and Dakota, an Aussie-Terrier mix that should have been named Psycho. Next to working with words, Karen's greatest joys are laughing, sports, nature, wildlife, and finding wonder in everyday life.
Highlight of career?:
Having the honor of working with most of the best-selling novelists in the Christian market, and knowing I can count them not only as authors but as friends. And receiving the 2006 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award for SHATTERED JUSTICE, because it's an award given by readers. To know my book touched readers meant everything.
Number Of Years In Profession:
27
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
My passion both for story and for storytellers. My belief in the power of words, and in those who seek to use words well. The certainty that what we are doing isn't just a job, but a calling that demands everything we can give it. Also, I love the people called to this task. Novelists are a special breed of people who see the world as few others do. I love coming alongside other authors and helping them refine their talent.
How Did They Get Involved In Profession:
I've always loved reading and writing, so it was a natural outgrowth of those early passions. I studied Journalism in college, then joined a trade magazine as the assistant editor. Within a few months I was appointed editor, and went from there to book publishing, where I found my niche in editing fiction.
Extended Bio Profile:
I'm currently at work on a new series of suspense novels that will focus on identical twins who get drawn into all kinds of danger and drama. The core of these stories will be drawn from addressing some of the hard questions of life. My website (www.karenballbooks.com) launched in 2005 and will be completely redesigned by December 2007. Her website provides information on my books, but also offers advice and encouragement to people looking to write a novel or become an editor.