Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Amy Schisler
When did you start writing?
I've been writing my whole life! I literally wrote my first book at the age of five. I've been publishing full time for about 20 years.
What makes writing your passion?
I love reading, and I love writing. It's amazing to me that I am privileged to bring characters to life, build worlds with interesting people, and share these with the world.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing my whole life! I literally wrote my first book at the age of five. I've been publishing full time for about 20 years.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
It felt like the biggest accomplishment ever! It was so exciting to throw my first launch party and be on the "other side" of the table.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
In A Very Loud Christmas, we meet a very loud family! It was inspired by my own family. We have three girls, and we love to laugh and have fun together. Once, while on vacation, we were actually asked to leave a restaurant for being too loud!
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The re-writes! I dread it! Until I actually sit down to do it, and then I love the feeling of getting it right.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I've honestly never had writer's block. Once my fingers hit the keys, the words just tumble forth.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
The readers keep me going. I love hearing from them and feeling the excitement they share when a new book is being released. The best advice I ca give other authors is just do it!
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would tell her to not get discouraged waiting for book one to be picked up by the publisher, and I'd tell her to proofread, proofread, proofread!
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I do read the ones from major outlets and review sources. I don't read the ones on Amazon and Goodreads anymore unless I'm looking for ones to post. For the most part, I just hope I make the readers happy, and they usually share their thoughts on social media. However, reviews are so important! I would love it if everyone who read my books wrote them!
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
It makes me so happy to know someone loved my book.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
All the time!!
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
The character in my novel, The Devil's Fortune, is loosely based on myself and my relationship with my grandmother.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Absolutely!! Fortunately, my children's book illustrator, Emily Torres, is amazing, and I have the best graphic designer for my novels. I love both of them and their work!!
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love chatting with my readers! I don't know who said authors are reclusive, but I'm not that way at all. I love hearing from readers, connecting with them, and sharing thoughts about all books, not just mine!
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
That's the most amazing feeling! I was at an airport once, and someone came over and asked if I was Amy Schisler. When I said yes, she held up my book and said she was reading it and loved it! I've never forgotten that feeling.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
There are so many! For years, Mary Higgins Clark was my go-to author. I love everything she ever wrote. I also really enjoy Agatha Christie, James Patterson, David Balcacci, Sandra Brown, Emily Henry, Katherine Center, I could go on and on!
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I'm happy writing books and having people read and enjoy them. That's always been my biggest goal.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes, and I have! I rewrote my first book, A Place to Call Home. My original publisher (who went out of business a few years ago) did a terrible job with the editing. I'm much happier with the 2026 version!
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
I wouldn't want to be anyone or anywhere else, honestly.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I feel sorry for them. I can't imagine taking pleasure in hurting someone else.
What would you say to your readers?
I love you, and I hope you continue to love my books! Thank you for being there for me.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with my husband, Ken, and our dogs. We have three amazing daughters and two grandchildren who I adore!
What is your day job if you have one?
Writing! I also do a lot of public speaking and lead religious pilgrimages.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love reading, of course! But I also really love hiking. We have a cabin in Colorado and spend a lot of time climbing and hiking 14ers. I've walked El Camino de Santiago twice and am preparing for my third.
Did you have a happy childhood?
The absolutely best!! My parents are the best parents ever.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I was a librarian for fifteen years. One night, I turned to my husband and said, "I'm tired of shelving other people's books." He smiled and said, "Go for it." And that was it! I've been writing ever since.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have a book coming out this fall. It's the 5th book in my Buffalo Springs seres. Emily and I also have another children's book in the works - Tucker the Happy Dog. I'm so excited to see what she does with it!
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
We lack time outdoors! I have been the director a week-long, all-volunteer Girl Scout for the past nineteen years. It's my favorite week of the year. I love seeing the girls enjoying the outdoors away from screens! I wish schools spent less time promoting and using screens and more time getting kids to read, write, and spend time outside. I know too many kids and young adults today who never read a book or wrote a book report or paper in school, and I think that's disgraceful.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I have everything I could ever want.
What is your favorite music?
I don't listen to much music anymore. I'm too busy listening to books. However, I like 80s and 90s country and contemporary Christian music.
Share a secret with us 🙂
I know the secret to life - work hard, play harder, and pray a lot.