Featured Interview With Karin Freeland
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m married and mom to two amazing boys (10 & 11), who have gotten quite the education during the book writing process. I think we’ve all said the word vagina at the dinner table more in the past year than in our entire lives prior to that put together. We recently traded in the hustle and bustle of suburban N.J. life for a quieter, less stressful, existence in gorgeous Greenville, S.C.. When I’m not working on the book launch, I’m coaching women to help them transform their lives and bring their dreams to reality. It’s by far my the most rewarding career I’ve ever had. I’m also really into working out and staying healthy. My friends joke that I wake up at 3 am to work out and I’m showered and ready to go by 4 am. In reality, it’s more like 6 am these days. My favorite workouts are yoga, online dance classes and Denise Austin workout DVDs. (I might be the only person who still does DVD workouts!)
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think I’ve always enjoyed reading, but more so as a kid. It was a great escape for me. We didn’t have pets growing up so I seemed to gravitate to books with animals in them. For example, A Dog Called Kitty and Flowers for Algernon were among my favorites. I remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows and wanting to get a hunting dog. Can you imagine me at 10 years old alone in the woods at night trying to hunt racoons? Needless to say, my parents did not oblige and opted for a lab instead.
I had never pictured myself as a writer. My husband was joking with me one day during my pregnancy and noted how he thought I should write a book and call it, I Don’t Know My Vagina, because I was so clueless about how it worked. At first I dismissed the idea but then started brainstorming loads of stories and realized we had a book on our hands. That was in 2009! Unfortunately, life got in the way and I chose to focus on my corporate career. It wasn’t until I suffered a midlife crisis in 2019 that I decided to pick it back up and finish it. After a few people read what I had written, it was clear we needed to take it all the way and I hired a professional editor. From there, the rest is history (or should I say herstory?!).
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
It seems these days I mostly read business books and stories of empowerment (when I’m not reading Harry Potter with the kids). Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg, and Settle for More, by Megyn Kelly, come to mind. I love to hear what other women have been through and how they have persevered. While I used to crave an escape as a kid, I find now I prefer books based in reality. Their stories give me strength and encouragement when the road gets bumpy. Also, since my book was a comedy, women like Margot Leitman, Amy Schumer and Lisa Schwartz gave me inspiration to tell my story openly and incorporate as much humor as possible.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
The Ins and Outs of My Vagina: A Penetrating Memoir is an honest look at the journey to womanhood and exploring sexuality throughout the ages. I spent most of my teenage years being totally ashamed of my body and a good portion of my adult life feeling like I was broken sexually. It seemed like everyone around me was having a better sex life than me (not true at all!). Further, my lady parts were a total mystery to me – especially when I was preparing to have children of my own. I finally decided to share my story so that no woman would ever feel alone – whether dealing with an ectopic pregnancy or urinary tract infection. I wanted women to start getting comfortable with having seemingly taboo conversations and do it in a way that was comedic and cathartic at the same time. One of my favorite things about the book is the character of my vagina, who we naturally named V. To get through my trials and tribulations, I form a fragile relationship with her. Although, as you’ll find out, she may or may not have my best interests at heart.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Karin Freeland’s Website