Dubuque Author Hosts Her Book Launch Tonight (10/26)

Most of us spent the pandemic perfecting our lasagna recipe and binging "Tiger King" on Netflix. Local author Katherine Funke did not. Instead, she wrote a new novel called "The Agreement," and her book launch party happens tonight.

Katherine, who goes by the pen name Katherine Sinn, stopped by the studio this morning to tell us about her new work.

She told me that she had previously released a volume of poetry entitled "Classic Millennial: Classic Poems as Interpreted by a Millennial," but then spent eight months working on her latest work.

"The Agreement" was inspired by Katherine's experience studying abroad in Ireland during college and her love of fairy tale stories. She always liked a story featuring a strong heroine, enter Brina, the protagonist in her novel.

Katherine said the story follows Brina, who thinks she's just growing up with a single, quirky mom and a mostly normal life until she learns of an ancestor that made an agreement with a fairy long ago, which has affected every woman in the long history of her family.

It is a fantasy story featuring adventure, romance, and an epic battle of wills! Katherine says a lot of young adult readers or fans of the "Harry Potter" series will enjoy it.

I asked Katherine if it is difficult to write a book. I guessed that a lot of people probably have great ideas but get frustrated partway through the process and give up. She says sometimes it does get frustrating, but with a short break and a little work on an alternate project, she can come back to it revitalized. Her biggest successes have come from projects where she has planned a beginning, middle, and end.

The book was published by Megan Drake and her local publishing company, Draca Publishing, which was also birthed during the pandemic.

Gary Dolphin's Iron Bar will host a special launch party for the book tonight starting at 7 pm at 333 East 10th Street in downtown Dubuque (in the Millwork District).

You'll be able to pick up a copy of the book, meet Katherine (and get her to autograph it for you), and snatch up a grab bag while supplies last. You can even dress up for Halloween if you want!

Katherine is working on a website and says you can connect with her directly on Facebook or Instagram, and you can find her books at the Draca Publishing website.