On July 6, 2010, A Devil in the Details released. Over the past few weeks, I've been contemplating what it means to be five years into my publishing adventure.
Of course, to say that I'm five years in is probably inaccurate. Prior to the actual release of Devil, there was the whole getting the sale, and before that, there was getting the agent, and before that, there was the writing... And it seems like I've been writing SOMEthing forever.
So where am I now? I'm on my second agent, I have six books published (four traditional, two self). I've written quite a few other books in the spaces in between. Jotted down ideas for a LOT more than that. I'm obviously not rich and drinking mai tais on a beach somewhere. (does anyone know what a mai tai actually is? I've never had one) I've changed Real Jobs once, in the interim. My kiddo went from seven years old, to twelve. (a teenager soon, wtf? Who allowed that?) I went from seeing my ten-year anniversary with hubby, to my fifteen.
Not sure I'm where I wanted to be (see aforementioned beach and mai tais), but I also think that my wishes and expectations were based on a misconception of what this whole "being an author" thing is really like. The journey I've been on so far is actually fairly typical, from what I've been given to understand in the time since. Very, very few of us get the Big Sale and go on to Fame and Fortune and Movie Deals. I have to remind myself of that on the days when I've slipped down the hill into "why bother land".
In all honesty, I can't complain about where I am. My stories are in the hands of so many people that I don't even know. People are living in my worlds, even if just for a little bit, and that's really all I could ever ask for. I think about this a lot, especially as Jesse's story is slowly reaching its end. Even though I know how the story ends (and a little bit about what happens after the big finale), I'll miss running around in Jesse's world. I wonder if other people will do the same. I wonder if they'll be willing to follow me into new worlds. I have plans for the Arcane West world. Caleb and Ernst are waiting patiently for me to get back to them. I have plans for new worlds, amazing worlds. I want to visit space, I want to adventure in dustbowl era Kansas. I might revisit Elysia, sometime in the future, to check on Geoff and Lia.
I'm looking forward to writing another post like this in another five years. They say (y'know, "they") that the ten-year mark is when an author really starts to have a career. Not sure I believe it, but the only way to find out is to keep moving forward.
So I guess maybe what happened in the last five years is not so important as what might be coming in the next five. Stick around, you'll probably be as surprised as I will.
Showing posts with label milestone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milestone. Show all posts
Monday, July 6, 2015
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
I Survived 1st Grade!
Today, I had the great honor of going to talk to a class of first graders at Scott Elementary School. This was my very first school visit as an author! I was a little uncertain at first what I was going to say to young kids who aren't really the target audience for my books, but they came up with some really great questions about the writing process, and at the end, we all wrote a short story together as a class!
First pic is me talking to the little ones. They had questions planned out ahead of time, but once we got started, the little hands shot up and there was no plan after that. It was great.
Before I left, we all took a group picture, and there was a small riot over who got to stand actually touching me.
Also, once they figured out that I knew the Baymax fist bump noise, I was infinitely cooler. Many thanks to Miss Boyle who invited me to come and spend time with her students! I had a blast!
First pic is me talking to the little ones. They had questions planned out ahead of time, but once we got started, the little hands shot up and there was no plan after that. It was great.
Then, we had to do the obligatory silly face picture:
Also, once they figured out that I knew the Baymax fist bump noise, I was infinitely cooler. Many thanks to Miss Boyle who invited me to come and spend time with her students! I had a blast!
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
The Home Stretch
First of all, I wanted to note that I got a lot of emails from a bunch of you during the time that I was transitioning jobs, and you were all wishing me good luck and other awesome stuff. I wanted to thank you all, even though I didn’t reply to all the emails, ‘cause they really made my day.
And since you were all so interested… Yes, the New Job is going great. I really like it there, and the environment is (so far) so much healthier than where I was before. Now, all work places have their issues, and I’m sure I’ll figure out the ones that pertain to the New Job eventually, but for right now, I’m just basking in the novel idea that I’m not ANGRY all the time. It’s wonderful.
So, that brings me to my Other Job, which is writing.
My status on JJD4 is thus: Right now, I have edited it to the best of my (and my betas’) ability. I have also given myself a crash course in both ebook formatting, and formatting for CreateSpace (Yes, this means that there WILL be a print copy of JJD4 available. More on that in a minute.). The formatting process is not nearly as confusing as I feared, and I’m actually feeling pretty damn proud of myself. I’m trying so hard to make sure that you, the Reader, get a quality product.
So what happens next? Once I get the final formatting done (ie: number of pages set in stone for the print copy), I will be sending this to my cover artist. Then, I’m subject to her schedule. I don’t know what that timeline will look like, but I’m hoping to have things to her by this weekend. (Y’know, barring alien abduction or other natural disasters) She, however, is a really awesome artist, and I will assume much in demand. I gotta wait my turn just like everybody else, but I think it’s going to be worth it.
Once I have the cover art from her, I can start to get things ready for public consumption. The FIRST thing I want to do is order myself a few proof copies of the print version, just to make sure that it’s not horrendous.
What this means for you, if you are a book reviewer: I have decided that I will be using those proof copies as ARCs, for those reviewers who would rather have it in print than ebook. IF this is you, Mr. or Ms. Reviewer, please let me know ahead of time at kari.stewart21@gmail.com so that I can try to make sure I have enough. I may not be able to accommodate all requests, but I’m going to give it a valiant effort. (I also realize that my ARC vs. release date schedule may be too tight for some reviewers to actually read the book/post a review prior to release. This is OKAY! I’m more interested in getting it reviewed at all, than the timing.)
If you are NOT a book reviewer, I will also probably work up some giveaways pre-release date, so do not despair.
And speaking of release dates. I’ve been saying all along “Summer 2014”. Still hoping that’s going to work, don’t see a decent reason why it shouldn’t. Like I said earlier, I’ll know more once I can do my part and get everything to my cover artist that she needs. That said, I will say that I’m going to shoot for an EXTREMELY TENTATIVE (note the use of extreme caps, there) release date of July 8th. This will be subject to change, if required. (and mostly, I picked that date because I already have that week off from the Real Job, and it seemed fortuitous.)
Now, the process of getting books, both print and e-version, out and available for purchase is not an instantaneous “Push the button, Max” kind of process. I will actually probably start navigating that maze a week or two BEFORE my actual release date. This means that on some platforms, you may see the book available earlier, and on some platforms, it may get there later. I can’t control when retailers update their systems. However, we will plan on at least celebrating the release on July 8th, pending necessary adjustments. I’ll keep you all posted.
Wow, this was a lot of info. I think part of the reason I needed to write this post was to just get it all out of my head so I have room for other stuff!
Which brings us to the last and final tidbit of info, a reward for all of you who actually read this entire post and didn’t do a TL;DR. (Yes, I totally just pulled a Marvel and put the good stuff after the credits)
The title of Jesse James Dawson #4 is going to be A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.
Tell all your friends.
And since you were all so interested… Yes, the New Job is going great. I really like it there, and the environment is (so far) so much healthier than where I was before. Now, all work places have their issues, and I’m sure I’ll figure out the ones that pertain to the New Job eventually, but for right now, I’m just basking in the novel idea that I’m not ANGRY all the time. It’s wonderful.
So, that brings me to my Other Job, which is writing.
My status on JJD4 is thus: Right now, I have edited it to the best of my (and my betas’) ability. I have also given myself a crash course in both ebook formatting, and formatting for CreateSpace (Yes, this means that there WILL be a print copy of JJD4 available. More on that in a minute.). The formatting process is not nearly as confusing as I feared, and I’m actually feeling pretty damn proud of myself. I’m trying so hard to make sure that you, the Reader, get a quality product.
So what happens next? Once I get the final formatting done (ie: number of pages set in stone for the print copy), I will be sending this to my cover artist. Then, I’m subject to her schedule. I don’t know what that timeline will look like, but I’m hoping to have things to her by this weekend. (Y’know, barring alien abduction or other natural disasters) She, however, is a really awesome artist, and I will assume much in demand. I gotta wait my turn just like everybody else, but I think it’s going to be worth it.
Once I have the cover art from her, I can start to get things ready for public consumption. The FIRST thing I want to do is order myself a few proof copies of the print version, just to make sure that it’s not horrendous.
What this means for you, if you are a book reviewer: I have decided that I will be using those proof copies as ARCs, for those reviewers who would rather have it in print than ebook. IF this is you, Mr. or Ms. Reviewer, please let me know ahead of time at kari.stewart21@gmail.com so that I can try to make sure I have enough. I may not be able to accommodate all requests, but I’m going to give it a valiant effort. (I also realize that my ARC vs. release date schedule may be too tight for some reviewers to actually read the book/post a review prior to release. This is OKAY! I’m more interested in getting it reviewed at all, than the timing.)
If you are NOT a book reviewer, I will also probably work up some giveaways pre-release date, so do not despair.
And speaking of release dates. I’ve been saying all along “Summer 2014”. Still hoping that’s going to work, don’t see a decent reason why it shouldn’t. Like I said earlier, I’ll know more once I can do my part and get everything to my cover artist that she needs. That said, I will say that I’m going to shoot for an EXTREMELY TENTATIVE (note the use of extreme caps, there) release date of July 8th. This will be subject to change, if required. (and mostly, I picked that date because I already have that week off from the Real Job, and it seemed fortuitous.)
Now, the process of getting books, both print and e-version, out and available for purchase is not an instantaneous “Push the button, Max” kind of process. I will actually probably start navigating that maze a week or two BEFORE my actual release date. This means that on some platforms, you may see the book available earlier, and on some platforms, it may get there later. I can’t control when retailers update their systems. However, we will plan on at least celebrating the release on July 8th, pending necessary adjustments. I’ll keep you all posted.
Wow, this was a lot of info. I think part of the reason I needed to write this post was to just get it all out of my head so I have room for other stuff!
Which brings us to the last and final tidbit of info, a reward for all of you who actually read this entire post and didn’t do a TL;DR. (Yes, I totally just pulled a Marvel and put the good stuff after the credits)
The title of Jesse James Dawson #4 is going to be A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.
Tell all your friends.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Fan Art!
Just wanted to share with y'all my very first fan art! These were drawn by one very talented fan who has followed me on Twitter for a long time (and turns out, is a really awesome guy!)
I totally admit, I asked him to draw the chibi Axel.
I totally admit, I asked him to draw the chibi Axel.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
That's all she wrote!
Ok, no, not really. Ya’ll should know better than that. But I am officially declaring that I turned in Book 2 last night. As of now it looks like the title will be A SHOT IN THE DARK. (Will let you know release date as soon as I know) It’s shorter than I like (though not nearly as short as I’d feared) and I’m hoping we can cure that minor malady in editing. The Editor is awesome, I trust that she can see things I haven’t.
And quite frankly, I had hit the point where I was doing more harm than good with all my fidgeting. Keep that in mind, folks. There comes a point when you really have worked on something TOO hard, and you just need to step away.
My rest-of-the-year schedule looks like this:
September: Outline Book 3, submit that to The Editor for review.
October: Outline Nano project, tentative title “The Pugilist and the Alchemist”
November: Nano
December: Start Book 3
The Nano stuff is, obviously, optional, and there will be edits for Book 2 in there somewhere, and those take priority. Once I get Book 3 done (please please please let it be ahead of deadline this time instead of two-and-a-half weeks late), I intend to go back and revisit Muse. I’m very anxious to implement a lot of the stuff The Agent and I talked about. (spoiler: There may be cannibals)
(Also, realized yesterday that my ultimate fangirl moment would be my favoritest ever comic book artist doing a graphic novel of Muse. Seriously, I’d faint dead away in the most girly way possible. No, I won’t tell you who it is, ‘cause then they might find out, and I’d feel like a total loser.)
There’s been a lot going on in my brain lately, and stuff I keep meaning to blog about, but I’m afraid if I try to cram it all into one post, it’s gonna turn into a TLDR.
I went to a great book signing and met up with some awesome internet friends (if we’ve met in real life, does that now make them real life friends?). Sadly, there were very few pictures taken, ‘cause there was so much gabbing going on! Can’t imagine how that happened.
More reviews for A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS are coming in, and for the most part, folks seem to like it! You have no idea how much this still boggles my mind. They like my little story? Really? Sweet!
And I shall leave you with this article, which oddly, did NOTHING to alleviate my zombie-phobia, since it is all contingent on there actually BEING zombies in the first place:
Why the zombie apocalypse won't work.
Things on future blog posts agenda:
Questions people frequently ask me about getting published, and my responses.
Cons I should attend, sound off on your favorites.
Cats on books!
And quite frankly, I had hit the point where I was doing more harm than good with all my fidgeting. Keep that in mind, folks. There comes a point when you really have worked on something TOO hard, and you just need to step away.
My rest-of-the-year schedule looks like this:
September: Outline Book 3, submit that to The Editor for review.
October: Outline Nano project, tentative title “The Pugilist and the Alchemist”
November: Nano
December: Start Book 3
The Nano stuff is, obviously, optional, and there will be edits for Book 2 in there somewhere, and those take priority. Once I get Book 3 done (please please please let it be ahead of deadline this time instead of two-and-a-half weeks late), I intend to go back and revisit Muse. I’m very anxious to implement a lot of the stuff The Agent and I talked about. (spoiler: There may be cannibals)
(Also, realized yesterday that my ultimate fangirl moment would be my favoritest ever comic book artist doing a graphic novel of Muse. Seriously, I’d faint dead away in the most girly way possible. No, I won’t tell you who it is, ‘cause then they might find out, and I’d feel like a total loser.)
There’s been a lot going on in my brain lately, and stuff I keep meaning to blog about, but I’m afraid if I try to cram it all into one post, it’s gonna turn into a TLDR.
I went to a great book signing and met up with some awesome internet friends (if we’ve met in real life, does that now make them real life friends?). Sadly, there were very few pictures taken, ‘cause there was so much gabbing going on! Can’t imagine how that happened.
More reviews for A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS are coming in, and for the most part, folks seem to like it! You have no idea how much this still boggles my mind. They like my little story? Really? Sweet!
And I shall leave you with this article, which oddly, did NOTHING to alleviate my zombie-phobia, since it is all contingent on there actually BEING zombies in the first place:
Why the zombie apocalypse won't work.
Things on future blog posts agenda:
Questions people frequently ask me about getting published, and my responses.
Cons I should attend, sound off on your favorites.
Cats on books!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy Release Day! Again!
And not only for me! (though really, that's the part I'm stoked about)
Stacia Kane's Unholy Magic came out today too, and believe you me that I have my hot little hands on my copy already. (I'm on Team Terrible, if anybody wants to know)
We also have Shiloh Walker's The Missing. I haven't read it yet, but the blurb intrigues me greatly.
And then we have me. I mean sure, the book hit shelves a week ago, but this is still my RELEASE DAY! My very first one. It's a little bit amazing. I even got my first fan letter this morning!
I keep popping up all over the net. Are you sick of me yet? Today, I talk character creation over at The Other Side of the Story.
If you happen to live in Toronto, you might see this display at the World's Biggest Bookstore.
That's an interview with me you see posted there with the books, but if you're NOT in Toronto, you should be able to read it online soon. I'll keep you posted.
And if you are in the Kansas City area, remember that Kasey MacKenzie and I will be signing books this Saturday at the Shoppes at Boardwalk Borders at 4:00 p.m.
Stacia Kane's Unholy Magic came out today too, and believe you me that I have my hot little hands on my copy already. (I'm on Team Terrible, if anybody wants to know)
We also have Shiloh Walker's The Missing. I haven't read it yet, but the blurb intrigues me greatly.
And then we have me. I mean sure, the book hit shelves a week ago, but this is still my RELEASE DAY! My very first one. It's a little bit amazing. I even got my first fan letter this morning!
I keep popping up all over the net. Are you sick of me yet? Today, I talk character creation over at The Other Side of the Story.
If you happen to live in Toronto, you might see this display at the World's Biggest Bookstore.
That's an interview with me you see posted there with the books, but if you're NOT in Toronto, you should be able to read it online soon. I'll keep you posted.
And if you are in the Kansas City area, remember that Kasey MacKenzie and I will be signing books this Saturday at the Shoppes at Boardwalk Borders at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Books in the Wild!
Yes, it's not due out for another week, technically, but does it surprise anyone that my book has escaped custody early? I mean, really?
Kiddo, modeling the latest in UF fashion:
And a bigger display, with friends!
And speaking of friends, happy release day to Kasey MacKenzie and RED HOT FURY!
Kiddo, modeling the latest in UF fashion:
And a bigger display, with friends!
And speaking of friends, happy release day to Kasey MacKenzie and RED HOT FURY!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
ANNOUNCEMENT!
Hey you! Yeah you there in the back! Stop texting and pay attention! This is important!
JULY 10TH! CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR!
Two, count 'em TWO debut authors will be signing books at a Kansas City bookstore. Who, you might ask?
None other than K.A. STEWART, author of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, and KASEY MacKENZIE, author of RED HOT FURY!
And now I go to jail for caps lock abuse.
But okay, here's the important details:
The signing will be at 4 P.M., Saturday July 10th, at Borders:
Borders
8628 North Boardwalk Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64154
I would love to put one of those map-type things up, but face it, I'm not that savvy.
Would love to see folks there, and face it, I have no shame, I'll sign just about anything you want. (I said just about. It's a family event.) ((pervs))
Also: Received a nice box of these today!
These are samplers. If you're lucky enough to be attending one of a variety of cons this year where Ace/Roc are in attendance, you can pick up one of these bad boys. They contain excerpts of seven different novels, including mine, and Kasey's!
I have an entire box here of them, so I may try and figure out SOMEthing to do with them... *whistles innocently* Stay tuned.
JULY 10TH! CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR!
Two, count 'em TWO debut authors will be signing books at a Kansas City bookstore. Who, you might ask?
None other than K.A. STEWART, author of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, and KASEY MacKENZIE, author of RED HOT FURY!
And now I go to jail for caps lock abuse.
But okay, here's the important details:
The signing will be at 4 P.M., Saturday July 10th, at Borders:
Borders
8628 North Boardwalk Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64154
I would love to put one of those map-type things up, but face it, I'm not that savvy.
Would love to see folks there, and face it, I have no shame, I'll sign just about anything you want. (I said just about. It's a family event.) ((pervs))
Also: Received a nice box of these today!
These are samplers. If you're lucky enough to be attending one of a variety of cons this year where Ace/Roc are in attendance, you can pick up one of these bad boys. They contain excerpts of seven different novels, including mine, and Kasey's!
I have an entire box here of them, so I may try and figure out SOMEthing to do with them... *whistles innocently* Stay tuned.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
I got a box!
Today, when I got home, there was a box sitting on my front porch.
When I opened it up, I found this!
So of course, I had to get them all out and play with them.
Sadly, I don't have enough to actually build a fort as I had promised to do, but I did manage to build a quite respectable little bungalow. Or something.
Say it with me, folks! Squeeeeeeeee!
When I opened it up, I found this!
So of course, I had to get them all out and play with them.
Sadly, I don't have enough to actually build a fort as I had promised to do, but I did manage to build a quite respectable little bungalow. Or something.
Say it with me, folks! Squeeeeeeeee!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
What It's All For
Found this on my front porch tonight, courtesy of The Editor (who is freakin' amazing)
My first copy of my first book.
Just...wow.
My first copy of my first book.
Just...wow.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Reviews & Contests!
Been an interesting week!
My first reviews are starting to trickle in (well, ok, two) but one of them is a starred review in Publisher's Weekly! (starred reviews are big deals) Here's the link, scroll to the very bottom of the page.
They like me, they really like me!
And as for contests, skip on over to the Dear Author blog for the ACE/ROC Summer Giveaway! In addition to 3 (count it, THREE!) ARCs of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, they're also giving away a TON of other great upcoming books. There's gotta be something there for everyone to love.
In writing news, almost done getting beta notes back, gonna start writing all that up this weekend I think. Dr. Gita is helping me (read: taking charge of, and bless her) set up a launch party and there may or may not be a book signing to go with it! I'll keep you all posted.
My first reviews are starting to trickle in (well, ok, two) but one of them is a starred review in Publisher's Weekly! (starred reviews are big deals) Here's the link, scroll to the very bottom of the page.
They like me, they really like me!
And as for contests, skip on over to the Dear Author blog for the ACE/ROC Summer Giveaway! In addition to 3 (count it, THREE!) ARCs of A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS, they're also giving away a TON of other great upcoming books. There's gotta be something there for everyone to love.
In writing news, almost done getting beta notes back, gonna start writing all that up this weekend I think. Dr. Gita is helping me (read: taking charge of, and bless her) set up a launch party and there may or may not be a book signing to go with it! I'll keep you all posted.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Get Back On The Horse
For those who have not heard yet, my mother lost her year-long battle with cancer last week. We were fortunate to have her for ten months after her diagnosis, which is a good stretch longer than a lot of folk with the same cancer. All of you who have been with me for the past few weeks, both for comfort and to kick my ass when I needed it, thank you.
My mother was a strong woman. Like, scare the bejeezus out of professional wrestlers kinda strong, and she was only 5'2". I like to think that I get that from her, and I hope I can pass the same thing on to my daughter. And I know the one thing she (my mother) would want, is for me to get my ass back in gear and continue with the stuff that needs doing.
To that end, I have a really cool announcement. Last Friday, I found a package on my front porch, and inside that package were my ARCs! (cue squeeing) (ok, enough squeeing)
I am preparing to give away one, count 'em, ONE ARC this coming week. On Wednesday, I will put up a contest announcement with all the details. So stay tuned folk!
And in other news, I finished the climax scene for book 2 today, and it ROCKED. I always know a scene is good when I'm out of breath at the end, just like my character should be. I have one more chapter to finish, all denouement, and then this first draft will be done. I'll do another quick pass through it, to fix the things I've noticed in the meantime, and then I'll have it out to my beta slaves. (you know who you are, clear your calendars)
My mother was a strong woman. Like, scare the bejeezus out of professional wrestlers kinda strong, and she was only 5'2". I like to think that I get that from her, and I hope I can pass the same thing on to my daughter. And I know the one thing she (my mother) would want, is for me to get my ass back in gear and continue with the stuff that needs doing.
To that end, I have a really cool announcement. Last Friday, I found a package on my front porch, and inside that package were my ARCs! (cue squeeing) (ok, enough squeeing)
I am preparing to give away one, count 'em, ONE ARC this coming week. On Wednesday, I will put up a contest announcement with all the details. So stay tuned folk!
And in other news, I finished the climax scene for book 2 today, and it ROCKED. I always know a scene is good when I'm out of breath at the end, just like my character should be. I have one more chapter to finish, all denouement, and then this first draft will be done. I'll do another quick pass through it, to fix the things I've noticed in the meantime, and then I'll have it out to my beta slaves. (you know who you are, clear your calendars)
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Cover flats!
This is what I came home to, yesterday! Cover flats for my book!
For those who don't know, a cover flat is basically the book cover, without the book inside. It's used for promotional purposes, and has a section attached for book buyers (at bookstores) to know how to market said book. It's supposed to help them know how many they might want to order for their particular store.
And yes, if you can make it out, there is a blurb from Simon R. Green on the front, and blurbs from Anton Strout and Rob Thurman on the back. I'm giddy!
I've only got three, so I'm not sure what to do them. I know some authors do signed cover flat giveaways, but I wasn't sure if there'd even be an interest in that for mine. May be something I need to ponder.
In the meantime, it's snowing, my car window is stuck in the down position, and we have no groceries. It is possible we're eating ramen noodles today. Happy winter!
For those who don't know, a cover flat is basically the book cover, without the book inside. It's used for promotional purposes, and has a section attached for book buyers (at bookstores) to know how to market said book. It's supposed to help them know how many they might want to order for their particular store.
And yes, if you can make it out, there is a blurb from Simon R. Green on the front, and blurbs from Anton Strout and Rob Thurman on the back. I'm giddy!
I've only got three, so I'm not sure what to do them. I know some authors do signed cover flat giveaways, but I wasn't sure if there'd even be an interest in that for mine. May be something I need to ponder.
In the meantime, it's snowing, my car window is stuck in the down position, and we have no groceries. It is possible we're eating ramen noodles today. Happy winter!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Copyedits, oh my!
So, I spent three days (well, ok, two and a half) working on my first ever copy edits! For those who aren't familiar with the process, that's when a nice person with a red pen (or in this case, with "track changes" on) makes notes about things like punctuation, capitalization, and other slightly questionable details. Then I as the author go through and either agree with them (leave them alone), disagree with them (change them back), and otherwise add anything that might be missing.
This is my LAST chance to make big changes. (big changes being anything more than a typo fix) Or, rather, it WAS my last chance. 'Cause I turned those bad boys in this morning!
I also got the chance to do my dedication (that I've been planning almost since the beginning) and my acknowledgments. My greatest fear right now is that I've forgotten someone in the acknowledgments, and that's just gonna kill me.
Things I learned while doing copyedits:
The word "Realtor" is actually a trademarked term, and should be changed to "real estate agent" when possible.
I use a ton of commas where semi-colons would do.
The word "T-shirt" should be capitalized like that.
Proper grammar sounds SO freakin' wrong, in a lot of cases.
Per The Editor, in first-person PoVs, voice trumps proper grammar. (I was so relieved to hear that)
Contrary to the little doubting voice that creeps in now and then, this story isn't half bad!
Had a great chat with The Agent tonight too, he was just calling to check in since we hadn't talked in a while.
My goal is to have the first draft of Book 2 done by the end of March. Hopefully, this will give my beta-slaves plenty of time to check it out and get it back to me before I have to have it in to The Editor.
I'm excited!
This is my LAST chance to make big changes. (big changes being anything more than a typo fix) Or, rather, it WAS my last chance. 'Cause I turned those bad boys in this morning!
I also got the chance to do my dedication (that I've been planning almost since the beginning) and my acknowledgments. My greatest fear right now is that I've forgotten someone in the acknowledgments, and that's just gonna kill me.
Things I learned while doing copyedits:
The word "Realtor" is actually a trademarked term, and should be changed to "real estate agent" when possible.
I use a ton of commas where semi-colons would do.
The word "T-shirt" should be capitalized like that.
Proper grammar sounds SO freakin' wrong, in a lot of cases.
Per The Editor, in first-person PoVs, voice trumps proper grammar. (I was so relieved to hear that)
Contrary to the little doubting voice that creeps in now and then, this story isn't half bad!
Had a great chat with The Agent tonight too, he was just calling to check in since we hadn't talked in a while.
My goal is to have the first draft of Book 2 done by the end of March. Hopefully, this will give my beta-slaves plenty of time to check it out and get it back to me before I have to have it in to The Editor.
I'm excited!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
They like me!
They really like me!
I came home today to find blurbs for my book! Famous people have read it, and as far as I know, no one tried to burn the book after! Yay!
Here's what people cooler than I have to say about A Devil in the Details:
“If you want your life saved you call the cops. If you want your soul saved, you call Jesse James Dawson, a modern day samurai who has it all over an Old West gunslinger and then some. But with demonic double dealing, enemies old and new lining up to take a shot, and every battle a battle to the death, you’d better buckle up for one helluva ride. Humor, action, and a one-way trip straight to Hell, this book delivers it all.” –national bestselling author Rob Thurman
"K. A. Stewart’s Jesse James Dawson is a modern day warrior who can tie up his ponytail with one hand and use a katana in the other to fend off the forces of evil. Equal parts heroic, dark and funny, A Devil in the Details is a welcome addition to the urban fantasy genre, pickup truck included.” --Anton Strout, author of DEAD MATTER
“A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS has a clever conceit, with a surprisingly strong moral centre. Lots of fun, deftly witty, and one of the most appealing central characters of recent years.” –New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green
I'm a bit agog (can you BE a "bit" agog, or is it like being a bit pregnant?)
I came home today to find blurbs for my book! Famous people have read it, and as far as I know, no one tried to burn the book after! Yay!
Here's what people cooler than I have to say about A Devil in the Details:
“If you want your life saved you call the cops. If you want your soul saved, you call Jesse James Dawson, a modern day samurai who has it all over an Old West gunslinger and then some. But with demonic double dealing, enemies old and new lining up to take a shot, and every battle a battle to the death, you’d better buckle up for one helluva ride. Humor, action, and a one-way trip straight to Hell, this book delivers it all.” –national bestselling author Rob Thurman
"K. A. Stewart’s Jesse James Dawson is a modern day warrior who can tie up his ponytail with one hand and use a katana in the other to fend off the forces of evil. Equal parts heroic, dark and funny, A Devil in the Details is a welcome addition to the urban fantasy genre, pickup truck included.” --Anton Strout, author of DEAD MATTER
“A DEVIL IN THE DETAILS has a clever conceit, with a surprisingly strong moral centre. Lots of fun, deftly witty, and one of the most appealing central characters of recent years.” –New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green
I'm a bit agog (can you BE a "bit" agog, or is it like being a bit pregnant?)
Monday, October 26, 2009
Holy Rusted Metal, Batman!
I'm on Amazon!
A Devil in the Details is available for pre-order, and the official release date is July 6, 2010.
Also, fellow Purgatorian, Kasey Mackenzie is ALSO up on Amazon with her book, Red Hot Fury!
A Devil in the Details is available for pre-order, and the official release date is July 6, 2010.
Also, fellow Purgatorian, Kasey Mackenzie is ALSO up on Amazon with her book, Red Hot Fury!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Announcement!
Monday, March 16th was a rather nice day. It was an ordinary day, and I was simply driving home from a routine dentist appointment when my phone rang. It was The Agent. Now, I knew he might be calling “early next week”, but I didn’t think that meant Monday on the dot. First thing out of his mouth was “We have an offer.”
Um…what? Excuse me? ‘Cause I could have sworn you just said… Oh holy shit. At which point I’m trying desperately to remember how to follow all pertinent traffic laws. (yes, I know, driving + cel phone = bad)
The Agent gave me the details, and I managed to ask a few coherent (I think) questions. He said we were waiting to hear back from one more editor, and that he would be calling me again before the end of the day to let me know what the final result was.
I hung up the phone and proceeded to freak out, much to the concern of my daughter in the back seat. “Mommy, I think you need to calm down now.” When the six-year-old is the voice of reason, there may be a problem.
The second phone call came and went, and we still only had the one offer, but you only NEED one. And suddenly after being on submission for only six-ish weeks, in the space of a few hours, I am officially a professional author. I mean, someone is going to PAY me to do what I love anyway!
(I told The Agent at one point in the conversation that I would do this for a poke in the eye and a box of donuts. He told me he’d try to get me enough money that I could buy my own donuts. He’s just awesome.)
So here’s the official word on the subject:
I have accepted a three-book deal with Berkley/Roc (the imprint is still undecided) and my editor is Anne Sowards. For those not in the publishing industry, Anne also edits for Jim Butcher (permit me a small SQUEEEE!!!) and Anne Bishop among many, many others.
My first book (Project 2) will be out in stores in the summer of 2010, and I need to bust my butt working on the next two. We have some edits to do on Project 2 (shiny new title coming soon, hopefully) and I’ll be trying to chronicle the process as best I can.
I have to thank every single one of my beta readers. Without them, my book would be shite, my spirits would be low, and I probably would have given up years ago.
Um…what? Excuse me? ‘Cause I could have sworn you just said… Oh holy shit. At which point I’m trying desperately to remember how to follow all pertinent traffic laws. (yes, I know, driving + cel phone = bad)
The Agent gave me the details, and I managed to ask a few coherent (I think) questions. He said we were waiting to hear back from one more editor, and that he would be calling me again before the end of the day to let me know what the final result was.
I hung up the phone and proceeded to freak out, much to the concern of my daughter in the back seat. “Mommy, I think you need to calm down now.” When the six-year-old is the voice of reason, there may be a problem.
The second phone call came and went, and we still only had the one offer, but you only NEED one. And suddenly after being on submission for only six-ish weeks, in the space of a few hours, I am officially a professional author. I mean, someone is going to PAY me to do what I love anyway!
(I told The Agent at one point in the conversation that I would do this for a poke in the eye and a box of donuts. He told me he’d try to get me enough money that I could buy my own donuts. He’s just awesome.)
So here’s the official word on the subject:
I have accepted a three-book deal with Berkley/Roc (the imprint is still undecided) and my editor is Anne Sowards. For those not in the publishing industry, Anne also edits for Jim Butcher (permit me a small SQUEEEE!!!) and Anne Bishop among many, many others.
My first book (Project 2) will be out in stores in the summer of 2010, and I need to bust my butt working on the next two. We have some edits to do on Project 2 (shiny new title coming soon, hopefully) and I’ll be trying to chronicle the process as best I can.
I have to thank every single one of my beta readers. Without them, my book would be shite, my spirits would be low, and I probably would have given up years ago.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Can I get a Hoo Rah!
Details forthcoming, once all appropriate paperwork is filed.
Doncha just hate it when I do that?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Another first
I have another partial request sitting in my mail box today! You will pardon me while I take a moment to dance around the house with kiddo, making us both dizzy little creatures.
However, this is the first one that has asked to receive the pages via snail mail! Hmmm... While I could probably get away with printing it off on the company printer at the Real Job (tm), I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to go about things.
So once again, I shall be utilizing the Kinkos down the block, and their super-wonderful "you upload it, we print it" strategy. Seriously, if I could kiss the person at Kinkos who thought that up, I would.
And, always thinking ahead and thinking positive, I shall print out a receipt to be held as a tax deduction against future earnings from writing. See, lookit me be a planner!
In writing news, I again did double my word count goal. I finished chapter 3 of Project 3 and got a good starting chunk on chapter 4. I think I'm really getting into this!
However, this is the first one that has asked to receive the pages via snail mail! Hmmm... While I could probably get away with printing it off on the company printer at the Real Job (tm), I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to go about things.
So once again, I shall be utilizing the Kinkos down the block, and their super-wonderful "you upload it, we print it" strategy. Seriously, if I could kiss the person at Kinkos who thought that up, I would.
And, always thinking ahead and thinking positive, I shall print out a receipt to be held as a tax deduction against future earnings from writing. See, lookit me be a planner!
In writing news, I again did double my word count goal. I finished chapter 3 of Project 3 and got a good starting chunk on chapter 4. I think I'm really getting into this!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Milestones abound
So I have gone from my first query, to my first partial request, to my first rejection in the space of just a few days. Talk about roller coaster!
Yes, the agent with the partial opted to pass. And I'm sad, of course, but I know that it's all part and parcel with the publishing game. The agent had several nice things to say, and hopefully someone else will be interested.
I think I'm going to stick with the queries I have out at the moment, and see what responses I get back before sending any more out. No one says I have to do this all at once, anyway.
If it looks like I'm getting partial requests that turn into rejections, though, I think that's going to speak pretty loudly to my writing skill in general. And that's depressing.
Yes, the agent with the partial opted to pass. And I'm sad, of course, but I know that it's all part and parcel with the publishing game. The agent had several nice things to say, and hopefully someone else will be interested.
I think I'm going to stick with the queries I have out at the moment, and see what responses I get back before sending any more out. No one says I have to do this all at once, anyway.
If it looks like I'm getting partial requests that turn into rejections, though, I think that's going to speak pretty loudly to my writing skill in general. And that's depressing.
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