Category Archives: My Journey- Published Author

From Award Winner to Amazon Best Selling Author – My Thank you.

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BestSeller Status

 

Good afternoon guys,

I really am trying to be happy every writer wants to be an Amazon ‘best seller’ one day. Personally I was happy with  just awards! That’s another blog post lol it made me very emotional to win ‘Best Romance 2017’.  But, in all honesty first I want to thank everyone personally who has pre-ordered a copy of 365 Days of Writing Prompts for Romance Writers and every future reader of my writer’s reference. From the bottom of my heart I appreciate you, and I hope one of my prompts and tips on crafting realistic and page-turning romance turns you in to a best-seller and/or award-winner too in the genre.  I hope I spark some great stories! I woke up to an orange banner and notification I just became an Amazon Best Selling Author. I find it ironic I have achieved this by penning something outside my normal genre LOLZ.

It’s a massive achievement for me from Award Winner and I thank you. I’ve never thought about this day, or how I would feel I just want to write because…well, I can! And love it. The truth is this achievement has come during the aftermath of a very serious event in Atlanta.

Seriously, I’m grieving  people I woke up this morning  switched on the news again, and was over run with emotion just as I was when I went to bed last night. My good news didn’t even stem the anger, upset, frustration and personal trauma I felt as I watched the scenes in Atlanta. Another black man has died unjustly at the hands of a white police officer, and it was my intention to focus in on a blog post about this! Not write this thank you note. I am humbled, thankful and extremely appreciative, but I’m grieving to the point I could not greet my Facebook family as I normally do with a ‘good morning’.

Once again, thank you and good luck all romance writers around the world.

Love Kim

 

So… It happened again, I got another magazine gig!

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I think you really need to listen to the Universe when it ‘talks to you’ and shows you your ‘path’. Many of you know me well if you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I like to research, write, read and look at the facts and make an informed decision. It could be due to my career and work before I started writing romance. 2017-2018 I held a magazine editor and columnists’ post I loved it!! It’s a shame that the founder of the magazine couldn’t hold down what we started. But, I felt that magazine writing is something I’d love to do more of.  Via support for #BlackLivesMatter from this side of the Atlantic, I landed a new job as a columnist again for Aspiring Authors Magazine! Man, I’m so happy. I found out from another author they were seeking articles on black culture and the whole ‘black lives matter’ movement. So, I sent my original idea for a blog post across, and landed a role.  The magazine has a focus on connecting authors around the world, especially those who are minority writers. And helping to further them in the industry.

Check them out below! My article will be in the June edition, and I am mulling over ideas for the rest of the year’s features. Thank you Universe!

AA mag

You can now subscribe to Aspiring Authors Magazine LLC click on link below and order your May copy of magazine or subscribe to receive the next 7 issue(save $5 per issue if you subscribe) You can also get PDF version viewable on most all devices…. Click on link below…..

Podcast Interview @ Fiction Addiction

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Afternoon guys

interview-905535_1280A couple of weeks ago I did my first ever real live interview. I spend so much time interviewing other authors, and hardly do them myself. When the opportunity presented itself I thought, why the hell not!? So here it is. I really enjoyed being put on the spot about how to self-publish, how to approach publishers and agents, laughing and joking etc. The host even read one of my books and enjoyed it LOL which surprised me. If you want to list in click the link below.

Listen in to the interview on this link

 

 

Success! -Publishing Deal For ‘Sacrifices’ Novel #9 In The Bag!! OMG

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Guys, I’ve done it!! I almost gave up on this historical romantic suspense I penned in April 2019.  I’ve named it ‘Sacrifices’ and I loved writing every word of this. I was thinking  of maybe just  self-publishing this year, and give up on traditional publishing. I had A LOT of rejection, one offer I turned down, and publishers and editors wanting me to ‘change this and that’…. I kinda said ‘no’.  I made a promise I’d submit my work out for a full year, until April 2020 before I give up. That said, I was at a stage where I was not about to hold out until this April. But, in less than a year, I’ve secured book deal today, from a publisher I think I’ll work with and possibly submit the crime thriller I’m writing to them also, if they are interested. ( I hope).

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I want to say to any writer who aspires to be traditionally published, do not take ‘no’ for an answer. Keep going, the door will and can open, I promise.

The start of 2020 has been so busy with writing, I feel like I’ve used my blog as a dumping ground for promo only! And not really engaged, you have to forgive me. I have Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair released next week, and Blinded by Love a short story anthology I took part in released on the 28th February. Also, Didi and I are working on The Suspenseful Collection Volume #2 Blurred Lines , to release in April. So as you can see I’ve had little time to blog. On top of this family life too, to juggle! This is just a quick blog to share the news, and say I will be back to blogging, doing the daily writing prompt challenges, interviewing other authors and all the fun stuff I usually like to do to engage with you. I hope you’re all well, and the start of 2020 is treating you well?

I’m okay, doing great and counting down the days until I turn thirty-seven on the 14 ( yikes!) where have the years gone!??

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!!

Much Love!

xoxo

Out Now On Pre-Sale & Kindle Unlimited- Release Date 6th February 2020. #amreading #romance #kindleunlimited

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Would you risk a second chance, 4,000 miles away in paradise?

Chances, A Puerto Rican Love Affair is book three of the Romance Set In Paradise Series. Of romantic, steamy and suspenseful stand-alone novella length stories, all set in exotic locations around the world. Each one can be read as a stand-alone book.  Out now on pre-order and Kindle Unlimited Amazon Links—-)   http://bit.ly/2Lzdnpt

Chances ebookThirty-one year old Gabby from Barcelona, Spain has a love for the finer things in life including successful men. She finds herself in need of a change of scene. Opportunity knocks when the European company she works for as a successful estate agent, selling properties to elite clientele expand. Giving her the chance to take a one month work sabbatical, in the beautiful vibrant Caribbean island Puerto Rico. She snaps up the chance to leave Europe behind. Here her path crosses with thirty-five year old Puerto Rican born Mateo Sanchez. A former ‘bad boy’ turned entrepreneur. They touch each other on a physical and soul level, the two become connected. Thing is, while the passion, heat and romance builds between the two, the pair’s love affair becomes caught up in a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal from the past.

Mateo and Gabby fight hard for their blossoming relationship, and against the drama that keeps following them. But there are decisions and sacrifices to make if they are really going to make it work. There’s nothing that Mateo won’t do to show his growing admiration for Gabby, even when the police get involved and he’s in the hot seat. His hand is forced he’s pushed to make moves he promised he would never do again, due to past events and to move forward with Gabby. Gabby is faced with the decision over what sacrifices she’ll make, and where she really sees her future. Back in Spain, London or 4,000 miles away in Puerto Rico. Romance, soul mate connection, heat, lies, betrayal and brushes with the law await readers in this exciting multicultural ‘second chance’ romance.

I am so proud and pleased guys! National Novel Writing Month 2019’s baby here. I still can’t believe I completed the challenge. I loved every moment of writing this book, all 63,000 words!  This is so different to Havana Heat and Lover’s Retreat- books #1 and #2 of the series. You can pre-order now and yes, I’ve included this title in Kindle Unlimited so members can read free!

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR PRE-ORDER!

RELEASE DATE 6TH FEBRUARY 2020

The Road To Publishing Update, Turned One Down, But One In The Bag…

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Afternoon people!

I  hope you are well,  and enjoyed  a wonderful Halloween and All Saint’s Day, if you celebrate it.  A little update on new releases from me…

For me the end of the year writing wise has  picked up I have been productive while not blogging, one novel completed so far.  I sadly turned down one publisher for Sacrifices ( A romantic story with a historical element, but as always lots of suspense!) as they aren’t for me. So I sent out a few more queries, and pending their responses…which let’s face it takes forever right! I will be patient with this one, I am so tempted to self-publish it but I am being cheered on by family and friends to keep submitting my work. So here goes.

One Publishing Deal In The Bag Thou!…Yassss!

Something so unexpected happened around October’s full Moon (yes, I  am a qualified astrologer too for those that are new! I love it, and it was a ‘lucky Moon’ when I looked at the planet’s positions). Anyway, a publisher across the water who publishes mainly urban fiction approached me,  they asked if I would like to join their new team for 2020. They are establishing themselves  fully and expanding. Now, I am NOT an urban fiction writer in any shape or form…I told them that too and mentioned I may not be the best fit, their response was, “we know you’re not, we want something fresh and for you to be yourself.” I could not believe it. I never thought I’d work with a publisher of this type, let alone someone ask me to join. Purely as I thought I’d never fit in. We negotiated a contract of one book to start with, I signed with them and 2020 I will release one romance title, or possibly a thriller under their label.  I am very excited to write something “Kim’s way” for them.

You only live once right?, something told me “go for it girl, just one book.” So it was a very “lucky full Moon” energy for me indeed. I’ll keep you updated on this release due for the first quarter of 2020,  a story idea actually came to me while I was in the bath LOL.
I remain optimistic about 2020 and what’s ahead, I’l keep pushing with Sacrifices and remain patient for the right agent or publisher.  In the mean time, work on the two works in progress I have, and this idea for the contract I have signed!

Catch up with y’all soon.

Who is Team Kim?:”Best Romance Novel 2017″ Nominee, I Need Your Votes I’m Second Place :) #amreading #amwriting #romance

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As you know guys, my romantic suspense novel A Stranger In France  has been nominated for the award, “Best Romance Novel 2017.” I found out today, this is so amazing just to be considered for such an award. I was in the lead, now I’m neck and neck in second place ,just seven votes under the present author… WHO IS TEAM KIM? GIMMIE YOUR VOTE! I’D LOVE IT.

Click me to vote.

 

Seven Days After National Novel Writing Month: The Update #writerslife #amwriting #nanowrimo

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Well between you and I, the month of July, for National Novel Writing Month for me pretty much sucked. LOL. But, I have a really good excuse for sucking at my second attempted at Nanowrimo. Like you know two books were released in July, within the space of one week of each other. That in itself was madness. Writing, editing, editing, writing, proof reading. Jezzz, I’ve actually never worked so hard in one month as a writer! All against the backdrop of motherhood and family life.

As a result about two weeks into Nanowrimo, I had only about 2,000 words down of book #3, of my next Romance Set In Paradise novella. In my head on the 1st July I said yeah, 25,000-30,000 words you’ll do it Kim just keep pushing. By 31st July  I had about 5,000 words … I never made it at all way off target. Seven days post Nanowrimo, well almost seven days, I’ve attacked my keyboard and have almost 10,000 words down. I feel somewhat pleased. The blast of writing creativity over the last week has done well, I’m making good progress. If I stick to my deadlines I should finish writing this baby, get all the usual cover design, edits and proofs done, then BOOM September my seventh book will be published. Here’s hoping, I’ll keep you posted. Well done all those novel writers that had a successful Nanowrimo last month. I’ll be back in October/ November time for my third shot. And this time I will do it!! 🙂

 

30 Minutes Until Release Day, And You Did What?? #writerslife #writersproblems #newrelease

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I ‘m a complete nutcase! The evening before release day, I turn my attention to my book cover. My hands took on a mind of their own, and I revamped it!  The last one was the first draft, then I wrote the book and never looked back. I can’t even upload the damn thing, Amazon locked my book for changes, until the official release day. But Here it is!

I love designing stuff and drawing. Clothes, shoes anything goes. One day I’d love to design a whole make-up  and clothing range… as well as book covers.  It’s almost release day!! Well In the UK anyway, it’s  nearly midnight.

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I’ve signed up to #NaNoWriMo. Can I write 25,000 words in July & complete book #3 of my Romance Set In Paradise series?? #amwriting #romancenovels

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nwm.pngThank you fellow author Kristina Stanley for posting her sign up! You reminded me about Camp NANOWRIMO (that’s national novel writing month). I joined in last year also. This is my second time. If you’re an author/ writer will you also sign up? And try to pen a short novella or finish off your current one in July?

 Book #2 is released in July. My goal is to write book #3 of my Romance Set in Paradise Series  In July. I cooked up my idea for the story over the weekend, something just came to me for the next stand along story.  I noted it down in my notebook as always and thought I’ll come back to this story for book #3. As the Romance Series is short novella length books, my goal is about 25,000 words max to write in July. Could be less but around  25,000 that is a good length for short stories. (if you’re a novel writer) this seems short!

Good luck if you join in. Leave me a comment if you do, I’d love to connect with fellow participants again this year.