Category Archives: My Journey- Published Author

Day #20: The Count Down Begins!

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So the count down begins, over the next 20 days I’ll be posting updates on what’s happening during the run up to the release of my first romance suspense novel A Stranger In France. The big day is  20th September 2016! On Amazon for 90 days and then on Barnes and Nobel.I’m feeling great today, the sun is shining in London and has been so far for a good few weeks. This always puts me in a great mood  and adds a smile to my face, as you can see from my Wednesday selfie posted.

So what’s happening then?  It’s been busy!  Other than doing writing prompts and finalising A Stranger in France, being a mum and trying to sleep, from release day my virtual book tour has been organised. It will  kick off just after the 20th. I will keep you updated on where A Stranger in France will be touring.  I have a ”Release Day Blitz” organised for the cover  of the book across a huge number of romance focused blogs for 3 days from the 20th September, and A Stranger in France will be featured on All Romance Reads blog also!

In October  A Stranger in France  will feature on Coffee Time and Romance. I am super excited about this, to be featured  as a new author on various promotional dates throughout the month.

Moving forward in terms of writing book writing, right I’m  waiting for my second ”feel good” romance novella to be returned to me from my publisher, so I can get the final draft together ready for a Christmas release. While that’s pending, I’ve gone back to re-working my first ever attempt at creative writing. A romance -thriller which I’ve had some worry over where to place it in terms of genre and place myself if I’m honest. But I’m confident I’ve now made the right choice. If you’re wondering well why Kim? Find out here.

This particular story is so special to me as it was my first ever idea for a story, to create into a full blown book, before either of the 2 books about to be released. It’s my baby, in a genre I feel so passionate about so I want to write it, and write it  as bad ass as I can! So I’m taking my time and re- working it in areas, now that I have a little bit of experience behind me. What I’ve found with writing a story with a bit of crime is that accuracy is sooooooo important especially when it comes to police involvement. I have 2 girlfriends who are in the legal profession and will be interviewing them so help me with research. The other challenge for me is the balance of  don’t want to give away ”who dunno it” and  leaving  little droplets of info for readers to open their mouths in shock and  think ” OMG I did not see that coming! I have to keep reading.” 

Writing this particular story is a very different experience for me compared to A Stranger in France, and my second story (which I won’t blurt out the name of). I think it’s because the story focuses on love and romance but there is an element of crime to it it is a different atmosphere to create for the story and reader, with A Stranger in France the story just flowed out of me non stop, this one is a challenge! But I am determine to research and get this idea out my head and completed.

Well I better run, I have a pile of unopened mail aka bills, * sad face* and some letters to write to pen friends overseas *happy face*. While my son is enjoying a day at summer camp I better get cracking with my day.

Have a great day!

 

 

 

Psst…. Here’s An Excerpt From A Stranger in France

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Nicholas guides me to the side of the bar, to the back and unexpectedly we reach a lift, we step in and he presses P on the lift buttons. Alone in the lift I face him dead on, I can’t help myself, his scent, and presence it’s doing things to me and awaking parts of me that have been dead for so long since Danny and I hit our rough patch.

I grab his tie pull him towards me and kiss him with passion . He’s stunned and taken back I can tell; his hands are full with a champagne glass in one and a bucket with iced champagne in the other, he’s unable to touch me or push me away. By the way he’s kissing me so passionately in return I doubt very much we wants our passionate kissing to stop.

We reach our destination and I release him, leaving a lipstick stain on his lips I playfully remove it with a finger, and step out the lift in front of him swaying my hips. I  half turn around to face him, Nicholas is still standing in the same spot I left him with his champagne glass, ice bucket and a huge wide grin on his face. Damn he looks so good. “What are you waiting for Mr D’Croix?’’ I turn and say over my shoulder in a seductive way, he laughs. “You took me by surprise Ms. Kate.”

Free chapter preview here

Stranger in France (1)

Release Date September 2016

Seek Preview of my Book Blurb Shh You’re The First To See It *wink

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You ready?… Here goes! I’ve  been dying  to share it here is my book blurb.

In A Stranger in France readers are taken on a fast paced, modern day romantic journey, that spans between the city of  London, the glitz and glam of France, and the  beautiful English coast in a gripping romantic  story, between two complete strangers with enough suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat turning pages.

When career driven and successful 32 year old London born Kate Brown faces hard times in her marriage, she confides in her best friend Tanya Adams in Marseille southern France. Kate makes a bold move and spends two weeks in Marseille away from her husband in London. Her path crosses with tall, dark, devilishly handsome and wealthy Nicholas D’Coix. An immigrant to France from the Ivory Coast west Africa as a young boy, who turned himself around and built up an empire of wealth as a hustler and money maker, and now one of Paris’ top three entrepreneurs. In a whirlwind of sexy, lustful romance Nicholas and Kate fall in love, Kate returns to London to a few surprises of her own and still very much in love with Nicholas as she makes yet another bold move. Touching on real life issues these two strong characters battle it out against all the odds in the name of love, across the UK and France.

Stranger in France (1)

Release Date September 2016

Get a free chapter preview here.

 

Kim’s Going On A Book Tour!

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Good Morning!

A short note to say,  I have my first ever book tour organised… this time one is virtual though. Sadly, I can’t up and leave London for my book release date on the 20th September and go on tour with it. So I’ve opted for a 10 stop virtual one.  The next I hope to be an actual in person one. More details will follow, the date the tour will start is 20/9/16… if you’re from the USA and I’ve confused you that’s 9/20/16 🙂

 

My Thoughts on Publishing Companies

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A blog reader I’ve interacted with a lot over the last few months got in contact with me this month, they asked me a lot of questions about my thoughts on book publishing. Of course I was happy to help and share any lessons I’ve learned and experience I’ve gained on how to snag a traditional publishing deal or two. I thought it would make a great post to share with you all, I’m  sure they won’t mind me sharing with you the questions they asked and what I said in response. You can also read an interview I did with Knockin’ book over in the USA on this subject here.

Now I can’t promise what I say is a blue print to success when it comes to being offered a book deal by a publishing house, all I’m offering is my insight and well wishes that something I have to say will work for you! Good luck writers.

I’d like to know how you were able to get your books published. Was it easy or difficult?

How I got published:  I started writing , did some research into magazine short story publishing originally and how books are published, then found out you can submit to  (some) publishers a sample of your work . So I did, after researching publishers who had put out a “call for new authors”. Then  I received a positive response on my 1st attempt at this. My advice is  research some publishers that are a good fit for your genre. I think this is part of my luck I really made sure I looked closely at what each publisher works with. Submit following their guidelines very closely I did this to a T. Then pray!

What were the pros and cons? Are you happy with the publishing company you’ve chosen?

Pros and cons : Pros of traditional publishing vs self publishing are with traditional publishing  you may get more exposure and the work is done for you in terms of marketing and cover design, all you have to do is write! If you wish to do additional marketing you can yourself. Cons: I have found none so far a lot of what I’ve read mentions that a con of traditional publishing is less control over your final book and cover. In my case my publisher listened to everything I said, so I’ve been really blessed. Even down to my book cover it was designed based on what I said. What I will say is make sure in your contract there is a claus stating or clarifying how much say you as the author have. So in a nutshell yes I am very happy with my publisher and would not go elsewhere.

Are there contracts or agreements to sign? What should a person look out for and/or beware of?

Contract and agreements: Yes these are signed and best to sign them so everyone knows what is expected of them. What to look out for- royalty payments. The % ,when and how paid, copyrights- what rights are you giving the publisher over your work? I would upon advice given to me retain the book movie rights for yourself!   If possible).You never know a movie offer may come up and you want to be in control of it and receive a majority of the royalty. How and where they publish you and how long they hold the rights for in years. And how to terminate if you are not happy with publisher. These are things I’d look out for but not the only things. Always get professional advice if offered a book deal.

What are your thoughts on Ebook publishing with Amazon and Kindle?

Ebook  publishing thought: The way forward it is a must along side paperback in this day and age. You can also self publish via Amazon and cut out trying to obtain a book deal. But everything  is down to you design,marketing etc.

When submitting is there a specific font to use and spacing? How many minim words and chapters are agencies looking for?

Submitting: Every publisher has their own guidelines follow theirs really closely.

What sells the most like hot cakes and what is a hard and slow sell?s 

What sells: I’m yet to find out! But a really good cover always helps to draw readers in, and a good blurb for the back, chapter preview and most importantly reviews. In terms of genre I have no idea which one sells the best but my advice is don’t set out to become an author in the best selling genre set out to become an author in the genre you love to write. If your aim is to write and publish for money your motivation is wrong- write well! Aim to be the best in your genre and then you may become a best selling author because you write well, for the love, not the money or status of a best seller. Forget what the genre is doing- be  (one of) the best at / within the genre … ya feelin’ me??!

I hope this helps some aspiring writer out there!

Kim

xoxo

25+ Stirring Muhammad Ali Quotes

Daily Writing Prompt: Youth – 6 months of labour I’ve given birth

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Youth

Today’s WordPress writing prompt is a nice fit to what’s occurred today and how I feel after doing some reflection . About an hour ago I thought to myself I might live until I’m in my 80’s that’s 40 odd years of writing books. The thought thrills me! I’m still young(ish) and have a lot of years  in me to go and time to write and create. (God allowing of course). For the first time in ages I felt really young in a good way.

 For the last 6 months I feel like I’ve been in labour  with no pain relief LOL, writing and editing, and just give birth. Tonight I  finished editing all 28 chapters of A Stranger in France  and sent it off to my publisher. I’m sorry to everyone who I have not returned a call to, emailed back,  text back, or engaged with  promptly it’s been a mad 6 months. And now I am catching up with everyone- sorry.

I reflected further  once I pressed Send and watch my email turn from draft to sent, I’m at the very start of my career as a writer/author or ambition to become one, I still don’t know whether to call myself  a ”writer/author”  it does not come easy to say it for me as yet ….. even though I still have a day job  I’ve signed two publishing deals this year.  I still feel very  young and youthful in my journey.  Maybe I need take myself more seriously as I still see this whole journey as I’m just doing something I  really enjoy and have done ever since my school days. I don’t see it as a fame or fortune thing or having a massive street credit as a published author. But I need to realise I guess I am one or becoming one minus the ego!

So what have I learned now that I have completed the whole process of  writing and editing a book 93,000 words long originally now 89,500 long  to make sure it is  ready for commercial sale? It’s  bloody hard work, dedication is needed, focus is a must and a lot of late nights will be included if you have a family to juggle and a day job. But it’s all worth it 100% if you enjoy it. What experience will I take with me for editing book #2 for Christmas release and writing #3? Learn from my experience of making sure things are  consistent  it saves time.  It’s so easy to just, well, write but little things like tense, dialogue writing and use of point of view (POV)  need a ton more of attention if you want a speedy editing process. Writing a character’s POV can be a challenge at times, as you ( well I)  think it is fine, and then an editor says ” show don’t tell how the character is feeling” or ” you’ve slipped into the wrong POV.”   I’d also rest my work a lot longer before I go back and edit as I’ve found my eyes, brain and overall writing skill and sharpness are more on point with longer breaks. But in all my excitement I just kept reading and editing, doing my 3rd and final read through and edit I still noticed little things I’d missed as I was not as sharp.

So here’s  to being 33 years ” young” and starting my long journey to hopefully a successful international   author. I have a tough crowd to crack over in the USA in the books stores  to convince them this English chick is worth a shot! And lot of work to do to convince the rest of the world who hit up Amazon and look for a great romance story that my book is worth a read. But I hope during my young  years I continue to get better at doing what I love.

 

Here’s to being young! Fresh and shiny brand new.

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Kim’s on WattPad

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Hey,  

Just a short note from me to say I’ve  finally got around to checking out Wattpad. I’ve signed up as a writer on here also. Via Wattpad  you’ll  will find the free chapter preview I placed up on my author site for A Stranger in France. (Note that next month the chapter preview will come down, as my book  is officially published). I will also post on Wattpad all the short stories that I write for challenges, and any I write that are not part of a challenge….. The ones I write just ‘cos I feel like writin’

If anyone knows how to embed  a ”follow me on Wattpad” button in a  Wordpress widget please do give me a shout, I’ve been sitting here for well over an hour racking my brain. Nothing seems to work.

Here’s the link to my Wattpadd account 

https://www.wattpad.com/user/KimKnightAuthor.

Kim

Daily Prompt: Complications of an Author’s Genre Specialism

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via Daily Prompt: Complicated

  1. Difficult to understand, analyse or explain ( dictionary definition)

What a word! Today’s WordPress writing prompt word describes exactly my  situation today. I’M  23 /28 chapters into editing my final draft of A Stranger in France good news is I’ll make my publisher’s due date for next month’s release. Bad news, or the downside is  today started to think about my current book I’m working on; if you’ve been following a while you’ll know it’s a story with crime/murder  (and love) involved, and was originally the first ever book I started to write before A Stranger in France and certainly way before my creative idea came for my #2 novel due for release after A Stranger in France – later this year at Christmas.

The my dilemma  or complication is, as a writer /author do I pigeon hole myself to just one genre romance-suspense writing or do I do what I love, and what I feel I’m also good at writing crime also. From research I’ve done I’ve read so many conflicting views. Some say YES!  You must just stick and specialise in one genre it is suicide to gain readers and then write in another genre and build up a readership from the ground again, some say go for it, do what you love to do, your brand is not your genre it’s your own unique story telling voice and ability to engage others in a story – your readers (or potential readers) will follow you regardless of genre. Hummm  a complicated and  hard choice for a new or even established author.

Personally, I have some authors I love to the bones I wait impatiently for the next book to be released, and I buy their new release the day it is released, without even reading the blub or questing what it’s about. Just because I love their writing style and stories  in general. From this personal view as a reader, I’m tempted with this story I’m writing with an element of crime/murder to just do what I love and write in both genres. My professional head who wishes to build a nice readership and allow some form of consistency for my potential readers says Kim – don’t be a fool girlfriend stick within the genre you will be published in first…. romance suspense. It’s so complicated!

 I thought about the story I’ve been working on and I did some further research  there is in fact  thriller sub genre under romance I read about. No, not suspense, thrillers are  a lot more darker think of the book ” Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn an excellent book and example of a thriller. When I read  about this the creative side of my brain ticked, that’s it! Re-craft the story a little so that the crime and romance blend so it does not  come across as essentially  a crime friction story that just so happens to have 2 people that (once) loved each other… surely I can do that right? …. but what about the ” brand” I keep reading about? Would I confuse potential readers with writing a romance story with an element of crime- especially as by the time it’s ( hopefully) published, I will have  1. romance suspense book published and 1. romance story published, can I really throw MURDER or crime in with it too? … Like I said it’s complicated. I also changed my tag line on the blog from romance-suspense & crime fiction writer to romance-suspense and thriller writer to keep it broader in genre and creative outlet.

I never realised that writers who end up published are faced with such hard decisions that may impact their future career. I honestly (maybe naively) thought you write what you want, go where  ever your creative juices take you, after all it’s not ( for me) about the money or fame  that’s lovely but firstly it’s  the fact that the story is out of my head, on paper, in print and I achieved something great that I’m proud of.  And secondly, I’m just writing, as that’s what I do and what I enjoy it’s part of me.

So my questions are

 Readers: Would you abandon an author you liked because they wrote in a genre that is not your first choice. For example you found a great author read a few books or a book and then they wrote something else  or throw in a red herring in a genre? Or would you still read along?

Authors: Are you brave enough? Have you done it? Have you committed ” suicide” and wrote in more than one genre. Who has big balls out there?? Is it wise  in your experience?

At the end of the day, as a reader I love both genres I write, as a writer I really enjoy as well as love to write in both genres I have chosen . So I think I will grow some balls rework book #3 slightly and now ”pigeon hole” myself as Kim the romance-suspense and THRILLER writer rather than crime. This way  I (think) I can get away with romance &  a bit of murder  *wink.

Man that decision was COMPLICATED! 
Complicated

 

                                        

Thank you so far… but

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award free blog button copy

Over my holiday last week, I was away from my blog but I was  thinking about it a lot! Especially the 3 awards I have received for it so far.The last one I received is a really special one to me ” versatile blogger.” I interpreted this as versatile writer ! Which for me is amazing as I write in 2 very different genres. I HAVE to be versatile and it’s nice to know that so far, I have managed to achieve this due to feedback from a reader with the award.

On the other hand, awards are great, I love participating with you all and answering questions so you can get to know me, and of course nominating other blogs I think are great, It’s all great fun.  But I’m here as a writer/author first, on  holiday I thought about the direction I would like my author’s website to go in after my first book is released, so I’ve decided to become an award free blog, comments, likes and interaction/conversation are really cool with me and more than enough.

I plan to continue to do  as many writing challenges as I can, those of you who have been following know I  hunt out 1 or 2 each week and blog a poem or short story according to the challenge prompt. I love participating in  this way,  I’m on the look out for more bloggers which post them for others to participate, I also plan to continue writing personal writing posts, and of course updating you on my book(s) and  magazine publications, and writing about my random thoughts and feelings on life. I also plan to interact, get to know and have fun with all of you! Nothing changes in that respect.

Thank you for the awards I have received so far, thank you for considering me for them. As of the 7th August 2016  www.kimknightauthor.com  is now award free!

With love,

 

Kim 

Romance/Suspense & Crime Fiction Author