From the beginning, I have been a tremendous supporter of Hallmark publishing and their legendary authors. While I’m a bit back-logged on reading the amazing books that they continue to produce on a consistent basis, I am regularly doing my best to raise the awareness for this flourishing sector of the Hallmark network that never disappoints, no matter the genre, whether romance or mystery. Recently, Ginny Baird joined the Hallmark Publishing family, and it is my distinct honor to share our recent interview with all my readers today!

RH: Please tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming an author.

GB: I guess, if you want to go way back, you could say I’ve always been somewhat of a storyteller, as I loved inventing tales for my family and friends—even at an early age. The seed for me to become a novelist didn’t get planted until high school, though, when my school’s headmaster (who’d read some of my work forwarded to him by my English teacher) suggested I pursue a writing career. Since my parents didn’t believe that path “practical”, they recommended I get an education and seek regular employment first.

I held a variety of jobs, including contracting with the US State Department in Washington, DC. My work involved traveling to then-war-ravaged El Salvador. I had some dicey experiences there, which my imagination longed to develop into an exciting story. Ten years later, my first novel (a spy thriller written under a different name) was born.

That book and its sequel got picked up by a small Australian e-press right around the time I started writing my first romance, which I sold to Kensington Books in New York. Shortly after receiving a phone call from my editor saying that Kensington was going to publish my second romance, I learned the sad news that the particular line I wrote for was folding.

Simultaneously, I heard from a German film producer who wanted to know if I had a screenplay for my first spy novel. Since I didn’t, I decided to write one, and—while that deal didn’t pan out—I entered the script in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Competition, where I received an encouraging note from one of the judges, who told me, “Don’t stop writing.” And so, I wrote more screenplays and a few got optioned. Unfortunately, none ever made it to movies, yet I yearned for my characters and their stories to find a home.

When I returned to fiction writing, a handful of those screenplays served as the basis for novellas I wrote and published independently as Ginny Baird. It didn’t take me long to discern that my readers gravitated toward my more wholesome stories, so I focused on writing sweeter books, spanning the heat index (or non-heat-index, as it were…lol) from G to PG-13. I seem to have found my niche in sweet romance, and I greatly enjoy writing it!

You have published both independently and traditionally.  What are the pros and cons of both?

There are certainly pros and cons to both forms of publishing. With independent publishing, one of the greatest benefits to an author is having the creative freedom to explore innovative story ideas and blend genres. One of my favorite series to date, Christmas Town, mixes contemporary romance with magical realism against a backdrop of traditional holiday lore. I’m not sure a mainstream publisher would have published it, but each and every book in the series was an utter joy to write, and readers absolutely love them.

When publishing independently, you hire your own editors and cover artists, so have the final say with the product and packaging. Some traditional publishers allow the author greater input than others, but, at the end of the day, it’s their dollar so they make the decisions. The upside is that traditional presses generally have solid distribution channels in place, as well as huge publicity machines at their disposal, to help bring added exposure to your book. And, in the book world, discoverability is key. You can be the most dynamic author on earth with a compelling voice and a groundbreaking story to tell, but if you can’t achieve substantial visibility, nobody (or very few people) will read it.

Please give us a brief overview of your series/books that are already published.

When I revamped my fiction writing career in early 2012, I started by re-releasing the two romantic comedies I’d written for Kensington, Real Romance and The Sometime Bride. (Both of these are open-door romances, but with very mild love scenes.) I then wrote several other standalone titles, as well as two PG-level novella series, both which were based on former scripts: Holiday Brides and Summer Grooms. I later wrote a Romantic Ghost Stories series (also PG), which are a little suspenseful with surprise twist endings, and a few more sweet romantic comedies before beginning my Christmas Town series (which has a heat-level ranging from PG to PG-13). Since none of my books are ultra-steamy, most readers seem to navigate among the varying low-heat and no-heat stories without any issues. In general, my newer books are sweeter than my earlier ones, and An Unforgettable Christmas for Hallmark is definitely super sweet. 

Before writing for Hallmark, how much of a Hallmark fan were you?

Oh, pretty huge. I love Hallmark Channel movies and am a sucker for the Countdown to Christmas extravaganza each year. I’m also a big fan of the mystery series. My husband, who is a college professor, and I especially enjoy watching Mystery 101. Jill Wagner and Kristoffer Polaha are awesome.

How did you come to write for Hallmark?

I submitted a story to them during their open submissions period, and their Editorial Director, Stacey Donovan, apparently liked my writing and my voice. While that particular novel wasn’t right for them, Stacey felt my brand was very Hallmark and asked me to submit something new. That project about a hard-working boss who develops amnesia and his good-hearted accountant who winds up taking care of him hit just right. Soon Second Chance Christmas (which was the working title) became An Unforgettable Christmas and I had my first Hallmark deal!

Please tell us the inspiration behind your upcoming book An Unforgettable Christmas. Why will Hallmark fans love it?

Oh goodness. An Unforgettable Christmas is a very personal story for me, since the heroine and her family are Puerto Rican, and that is also my background. I believe readers will love it for the warmth it brings, as well as for the interesting aspects of Puerto Rican Christmas traditions which are included. Mostly though, I think readers will connect with the characters, who are all genuinely good people with their individual hurts, hopes and flaws. There are also a lot of great messages in the book about the importance of friendships and the value of family, and having faith that the sort of life you desire can be within reach when you open up your heart.

If your book were to be adapted for a Hallmark movie, whom would you like to see cast in the lead roles?

This is such a great question, but I don’t have a ready answer. ALL the Hallmark leading men are fantastic and so swoony, and the lead actresses are fabulously talented and beautiful as well. I suppose the one thing I’d wish for is that Angie’s role and those of her family members be portrayed by actors with a Latin family background. Puerto Rican would be ideal, of course, but at least Hispanic, so as to best fit the story and give opportunities to the many gifted actors in this group.

Any other upcoming projects you can mention?

I have a new sweet romantic comedy novel coming out from Entangled Publishing’s Amara print line in fall 2020, and I’m working on developmental edits for that right now. I’m terribly excited about it, because it’s a really fun book!

What is your favorite Hallmark movie so far? (Or several favorites? Or actors or any other network favorites?)

Ooh, I love so many, but I have to say I’m partial to A Heavenly Christmas, first of all, because it’s a wonderful story written by talented screenwriter Gregg McBride (the acting was amazing, too), and secondly because Rhonda Merwarth did a stunning job with its novelization, which was a pleasure to read. In addition to being a great writer, Rhonda is an excellent editor. She and Stacey Donovan provided outstanding feedback on An Unforgettable Christmas, helping shape and improve the novel, and I’m incredibly grateful for their generous support. I really love that, in addition to promoting original fiction, Hallmark has also novelized several movies, and I hope they’ll continue to do more. Having these heartwarming films also available in book format is an absolute treat!

You seem to enjoy the holidays. What is your favorite holiday and why?

Does my birthday count? Ha-ha. No. Seriously. Just kidding. 

I’m hard-pressed to name my favorite because there’s something so special about each one, but I really DO love Christmas, and Christmas traditions, and Christmas decorations, foods, and carols. And, snow! Oh, wow. I can never get enough of it. I know others might disagree, especially those who live in northern climates and feel as if they’re snowed under a good portion of the year… But, there’s just something very special about those tiny white flakes spiraling down from a wintry sky. When there’s a couple falling in love beneath it, who are experiencing their first tender kiss, magic happens. That’s the kind of feeling I hang onto when I write my stories, and also the feeling I hope readers come away with when they finish my books. That uplifting sense of joy and wonder that tells us that, even despite the hardest times, this world is a beautiful place. Because it is blessed by love. And love makes the world go ‘round.

Ginny comes to Hallmark Publishing with an extensive repertoire of books, so in my opinion, we are the ones who are blessed to officially embrace her as a member of the family. I have her book, An Unforgettable Christmas, on my Kindle, and I hope to be reading and reviewing it in the not-too-distant future. After all, it’s a triple threat combination: Ginny Baird + Hallmark Publishing + a sweet Christmas tale…surely that = extraordinarily delightful magic! I hope that all my readers check out Ginny at all her links below and consider following her and/or purchasing this new Christmas book of hers! I have no idea if this will ever become a Hallmark movie, but the fact that it is a Puerto-Rican-inspired Christmas book fills me with immeasurable desire for Hallmark to consider it for future inclusion within their popular Countdown To Christmas tradition or their enchanting Miracles of Christmas programming. Nevertheless, I am already smitten with Ginny even though I have yet to savor one of her books–an oversight I shall be remedying in the imminent future! Until that time, let’s congratulate Ginny on the paramount success that her new Hallmark Publishing book has had as of yet (Amazon has it listed on a few of their top 100 lists!), and I can hardly wait to sit down and read ALL of her romance novels from cover to cover! This author is a flawless fit with the network, and I am grateful to Hallmark for introducing me to yet another impeccable talent in the writing universe!

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