K.C. Dyer's Blog, page 3

LAUNCH!

WOW!

Well, this baby is officially formally launched now, and WHAT a party it was! HUGE thanks to all Emma's fans who came out in droves to celebrate at the Wolf & Hound Pub in Vancouver, BC.

We filled the joint, and a good time was had by all.

Brilliantly emceed by writers Lee Edward Fodi and James McCann, it was an action-packed evening. A viciously competitive battle for Best Scottish Knitwear worn in June was won, in the end, by Ingrid Wray, ousting favourite Sarah Wethered by a cashmere thread.

Best fake Scottish brogue was taken by a surprise finisher -- Tyner Gillies -- who even managed to beat out a real Scot who had snuck into the competition.

And it was that very Scot, one Andrew Wray, who took the prize for Best Legs in a Kilt. [I'm told this was mostly because he informed the two emcees that they were actually wearing their own kilts on backwards...!]

Carrie & her divine cake. photo: Diane Haynes

Several door prizes were won, and every one of the competitors for 'Best Legs in a Kilt' went home with Scottish shortbread for such good sporting behaviour.

I lassoed some VERY good-natured revelers into doing a reading with me. It's a pivotal scene in the book, set in a bar, that I felt was too good an opportunity to lose... and they ROCKED it, despite never having read the scene before!

kc, Rob McDonald, Tyner Gillies and Camille Netherton

I signed a TON of books, and want to thank each and every person who came out to support this new novel. I could not have been more delighted by the rousing party!

Professional photographer Sandra Vander Schaaf spent the whole party on the run, taking great shots of the shenanigans. [You'll notice her watermark on all but one of the pix above...] If you'd like to see the full range of shots she took at the launch, click HERE. She normally charges $20/shot for her efforts, but is offering a special price of $10/shot if you'd like to keep one of these portrait-quality pictures for yourself.

Thank you to all who came out to the launch! And if you missed it? There will still be a chance to get your book signed in person. The FINDING FRASER Cross-Canada Tour is still in the planning stages, but will be coming soon to cause chaos in a bookstore near you. Watch this space for details!

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More soon...

 

~kc

 

Hitting the road...

First I need to say thank you.

To everyone who has taken Emma's adventures in FINDING FRASER into your homes and hearts [and Kindles!], thank you!

An Amazon #1 Bestseller in Romantic Comedy! And in its third week still in the top 10!

Watching this book take off has been such an exciting process for me, a thrilling ride I'm SO not ready to let go of yet.

Unlike any of the past several summers,  I don't have an immediate research destination booked [tho' going back to Iceland is On The Radar], so, I've decided to hit the road in another direction and take Emma to a place she's never been ... across Canada!

Here's where I find myself asking for YOUR help.

If you haven't cracked the cover of FINDING FRASER just yet, you might not know that's it's a perfect summertime read. But don't just take my word for it. Have a look at just a few of the more than 200 reviews on Amazon...

 

"Fun Read! Fun, laugh out loud book. I will definitely be reading more by this author. If you are a fan of the Outlander series be sure and read Emma's quest to finding her own Fraser." NellyMac, June 2

"Great Fun! The journey Emma takes is funny, poignant, and left me with a yearning to spend months in Scotland. Bravo kc dyer! I thoroughly enjoyed this trip!" Denise Scopetta, June 2

"Humorous Read! The same way she stumbles through life, Emma stumbles through Scotland determined to find a modern day Jamie Fraser. Fleeing the shambles of her crumbled life (cheating boyfriend and lost job) she sets off on her own to put her life back on track. However before she even gets out of the country her impulsive decision making and naive trust in everyone, lead her astray. While she's suffering you're laughing. Sit back and enjoy a trek through bonnie Scotland and meet some very endearing folk." A.L Noe, June 1

"A fun romp through the Highlands! I rated this book 5 stars because it was a thoroughly enjoyable escape. I could imagine myself or any one of my friends getting wrapped up in a story like Outlander an running off on an adventure just like Emma. I knew who Emma's highlander would be, but it was awfully sweet how they came together. I'll be looking for more kc dyer books for my summer reads shelf." 39andholding, June 1

"Highly Recommend! Refreshingly brave story of dissatisfied woman taking a bold leap out of the responsible rut of her life. Thoroughly enjoyed her journey." Jennifer Collins, May 31 

"Hilarious! Laugh-out-loud funny!!!! I haven't truly enjoyed reading a book this much in a LONG time. Touching, brutally awkward moments, but always with a lightness of spirit. You will not be disappointed in this story of discovery, adventure, and ultimately settling into one's own self." Meagan Pierce, May 31

Okay, you get the idea. It's not Tolstoy -- but FINDING FRASER was incredibly fun to write, and it's been hugely gratifying to read hundreds of wonderful reviews from happy readers.

SO... I need your help! Can you recommend a bookstore -- your favourite bookstore, of course -- that might be a good venue for hosting a signing this summer? My plan is to get as far across this country as I can, and still make it back to meet my daughter and her boyfriend when they arrive for a visit in late August. Since I conveniently live on the left coast, I'll hit half the stores on my way east and the other half on my way back home. And if you'd like to meet me along the way, and participate in the Faux Scottish Fun that a FINDING FRASER signing entails, then let me know who to contact, and we'll see if we can make it happen!

The official launch of the book is in less than two weeks, and I'm planning to use that as a testing ground for much FINDING FRASER foolishness. We're having a contest to find 'The Best Legs in a Kilt, 'The Best Fake Scottish Brogue', 'The Best Scots Knit-wear Worn in June' and more. There's going to be a live-staged reading, door prizes and many signing shenanigans. I can't wait! And after that... I'm going to take it all on the road and bring it to you!

So please -- send me your fave bookstore locations! Add 'em in a comment to this blog post. Email them to me at kcdyer@shaw.ca. Fire 'em at me on Facebook. Toss 'em in my direction on Twitter. [Even better -- GO to your favourite bookstore and pitch them on the idea before I do!]

Let's make the 'FINDING FRASER Cross Canada Tour' a reality!

When I get this thing more organized, I'll definitely be posting the various stops here. But there are only so many places a girl can sign books in a month, even if she rally-drives a Jeep  the way I do -- so get your ideas in fast, okay? I'm so excited to bring Emma's madcap adventures to you that... well, I'm willing to go on a madcap adventure of my own to do it.

Join me?

 

More soon...

 

~kc

FALLING FOR ALICE... meet the authors!

So, just this past week I had a chance to read through a copy of FALLING FOR ALICE, a very cool collection of short stories that each use the ethos of ALICE IN WONDERLAND as a jumping off place.

Where the stories LAND, however, are in places unique and divergent and really so appealing for young adult audiences of today. I really enjoyed the different voices and personas of Alice throughout this charming collection. At the end of this post, there'll be a chance to win a copy of FALLING FOR ALICE!

And now, you get a chance to meet the creators behind this collection -- and a wonderland of writers they are! Their full headshots and bios are at the bottom of the post, but let's welcome them first, shall we, and then we'll get into the down and dirty of just what it takes to pull this particular white rabbit out of a hat!

Thanks for joining me today, Shari Green, Cady Vance, Dawn Dalton, Kitty Keswick and Denise Jaden!

 

Okay -- diving in...

kc:   Let's start with Alice. She's an amazing jumping off point for these short stories. How much fun was it to put your own twist on this literary icon?

DD: When I was a child, Alice in Wonderland was my favourite book—so much so, my mom nicknamed me Alice, her little dreamer. Long before I knew what a “re-telling” was, I’d been re-telling Alice’s story in my head for most of my life. And over the last few years, I’ve read some truly wonderful re-tellings of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. While I’m not really partial to any one genre, I do appreciate “dark” fiction, and given the many themes in Alice in Wonderland, I saw DRUNK as an opportunity to put a darker twist on Alice’s adventures. It was fun to explore a “different” writing style, but also challenge myself—and readers—to see Alice as less innocent, less wholesome, than in the original story.

KK: Alice has always been one of my favorite characters. I loved her curious and adventurous spirit. I really played with that inquisitiveness in my story. Alice is the keeper of literature in my futuristic space age romp down the wormhole. I liked exploring the newness of the world around Alice and really had fun having the world unfold through the eyes of someone who had never left the spaceship’s cold, sterile world, but knew of all these fantastical things through literature.

DJ: To be honest, I didn’t know much about Alice in Wonderland when I started my story, White Rabbit Rx. I had read the book and watched several versions of the movie, of course, but it wasn’t until I focused on reimagining this classic that I noticed the richness of characters and themes. Probably my favorite part of the process was listing many of the themes and brainstorming initial story ideas involving each. There is just so much you could do with this particular story!

 

kc: Where did the idea for this collection come from?

DD: As you know, this year marks the 150th anniversary of Alice in Wonderland and there are many, many re-tellings in the works, including BEWARE THE WHITE RABBIT, an anthology of short young adult Alice-inspired stories published by LEAP BOOKS. (April 2015) When Kitty Keswick approached me with the idea for this Alice-inspired anthology, I couldn’t say no. I’m really proud of this collection of stories.

 

kc:   How has the process of writing a story as a part of a collection been for you? Is this a one-off, or do you have plans to delve further into Alice's world?

CV:   Writing in a collection has been so much fun. The group of writers I’ve collaborated with are so hard-working and talented, and it’s been an incredible pleasure to be a part of this. One day, I would love to expand on Alice’s story. Space is one of my great loves, so I could definitely explore more of her adventure on the space station.

DJ: I’ve really enjoyed collaborating on a group of stories. Writing (and publishing) can often feel like a very lonely endeavor, and it has been super-nice to feel instead like we are a team of people, all with the same goals, and often with the same struggles. I don’t have immediate plans to delve deeper into Alice’s world, but I may one day expand White Rabbit Rx into a full novel. The idea of reimagining classic stories has become somewhat addictive for me, though. I’ve already worked on a reimagining of a Christmas classic, and I have a few other stories in mind I’d like to retell in a young adult contemporary setting.

 

kc: Who was your favourite supporting character in your own story? How did the Carroll original influence the development of your character?

SG:   I think my favourite supporting character is Charlie, who is an obvious literary nod to the Cheshire cat—that big toothy grin, and his random appearing and disappearing. I also love Max, Alice’s friend and the “boy next door”, but Max is more Woodstock than Carroll—I wonder if any readers will recognize the significance of Max’s name and his passion for studying Agriculture. Hee hee! I loved slipping in all the allusions/references.

KK:   Hacker. He formed very earlier on in my mind and spoke to me. I wish I had a larger word count to explore him. He was my modern twist on my own personal question. What if the “mad” Hatter was a hot teenage boy with computer hacking skills?

 

kc: What are YOU reading right now? Do you have a favourite genre to read -- or write -- in?

CV:   I’m reading the wonderful The Witching Elm by C.N. Crawford which is a YA urban fantasy. Urban fantasy, both YA and adult, is probably my favourite to both read and write, though I’m a massive fan of anything with a speculative element. Epic fantasy, space opera, time travel, paranormal. I love all of it.

SG: I just read (and loved) Sarah Dessen’s latest contemp YA, SAINT ANYTHING. Currently reading CHILDREN OF THE JACARANDA TREE, by Sahar Delijani. I read mostly fiction, and my fave genre is contemporary-with-a-twist YA (realistic stories with a side of weird—à la A.S. King—or magical realism).

KK: I’m reading GREEN HEART by Alice Hoffman. It’s my first Hoffman novel, I’ve loved the movies inspired by her books and had them for a while. I finally decided to read some of her work.

 

kc:   How has the process of writing a story as a part of a collection been for you? Is this a one-off, or do you have plans to delve further into Alice's world?

KK:   This wasn’t my first anthology. But this has been my favorite, I feel a kinship to the four other authors involved in this adventure, I’m really blessed to have worked with such talent.

CV:   Writing in a collection has been so much fun. The group of writers I’ve collaborated with are so hard-working and talented, and it’s been an incredible pleasure to be a part of this. One day, I would love to expand on Alice’s story. Space is one of my great loves, so I could definitely explore more of her adventure on the space station.

DD:  I have such tremendous respect for my co-authors, and am honored to share pages with them in FALLING FOR ALICE. This isn’t my first foray into collaborative works—I co-wrote KILLER’S INSTINCT with Judith Graves, and my short story, Thread of the Past, was included in the SPIRITED anthology. The process may be somewhat different, but the end product is always the same—a body of work I can be proud of. I am especially proud of FALLING FOR ALICE because Lewis Carroll’s original story holds such a special place in my heart. I don’t think I’ll delve into Alice’s world again (except to read all of the great re-tellings that will come out this year) but I have considered expanding DRUNK. It was born from the idea I had for a full-length novel, and the story still plays in my head. I suspect I’ll revisit it in the future.

 

kc: Do you have a preferred format for your books? E-book vs paperback?

KK: I love the smell of books. My go to is still paper. I have an ebook reader I’ll read books on them if that’s the only option but I just like the feel of paper in my hands and the scent of ink as I turn the page.

DJ:  I prefer the paperback version. I just like to hold something in my hands. I usually have at least one book in my gym bag and/or purse when I head out of the house. But I’m also a huge fan of audiobooks. I keep some of those on my phone at all times, and since I do a lot of driving, it really helps to pass the time.

CV: I have a Kindle, which I love, but nothing will ever replace paperbacks for me. I love holding a physical copy in my hands and flipping pages.

kc:   What's your favourite review one of your stories has received? [Share it, if you like!]

CV:   I love this review of my story because it gets to the heart of what I was trying to do with this version of Alice:  “This was a self discovery story set in space. Alice is part of the first teen space mission. On the way she discovers, heartbreak, loneliness, courage, and what it is to live your dreams…"

DD: I love this snippet from a recent review of DRUNK, because it truly captures what I was aiming to do with this story: “Ms. Dalton sketched out a main character who both intrigued and frightened me. It wasn’t apparent what was happening to her at first, but once I figured it out I couldn’t stop reading until I’d reached the end.”.)

 

 kc:  Can you recommend other reading for lovers of contemporary short stories?

DJ:  I just finished up a collection I absolutely LOVED: My True Love Gave To Me, edited by Stephanie Perkins and written by various authors, several who are among my favorites. I highly recommend this collection to any short story fans, especially young adult fans.

DD: To be honest, I’m not well-versed in short story compilations or even individual pieces. I do know that several Alice in Wonderland-themed anthologies will come out this year for both adults and teens, including the aforementioned BEWARE THE WHITE RABBIT. From that same publisher (LEAP BOOKS), the SPIRITED anthology contains many great stories (including a fantastic one from Kitty Keswick.)

SG: I haven’t read very many short story collections, but I enjoyed Z.Z. Packer’s DRINKING COFFEE ELSEWHERE, A.S. King’s MONICA NEVER SHUTS UP, and Alice Munro’s RUNAWAY, and would definitely recommend them!

 

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for hanging out this afternoon. Best of luck with your new short story collection -- I think you've rocked it!

Let's finish with a closer look at this 'Alicious' group of writers, shall we?

 

[image error]Dawn Dalton is a short-story author, novelist, screenwriter, professional editor and communications specialist. Her short story, THREAD OF THE PAST was included in the SPIRITED anthology (Leap Books, 2012) and her novel, KILLER INSTINCT, (Leap Books, 2013), co-written with Judith Graves, was nominated for the Silver Falchion award. Dawn lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Jeff and their giant English Mastiff, Roarke. Connect with Dawn on Twitter @dawn_dalton.

 

 

 

Denise Jaden's novels have been shortlisted or received awards through the Romance Writers of  America, Inspy, and SCBWI. The first draft of her debut novel, LOSING FAITH (Simon & Schuster), was written in 21 days during NaNoWriMo, and she loves talking with writers and students about her fast drafting process. Jaden's other young adult novels include NEVER ENOUGH (Simon & Schuster) and FOREIGN EXCHANGE (an Editor's Pick from Evernight Teen). Her non-fiction books for writers include, WRITING WITH A HEAVY HEART and FAST FICTION. Find out more at www.denisejaden.com

 

 

 

Kitty Keswick adores writing YA short stories almost as much as novels. Kirkus named her short story DEATH BECOMES HER, "Among the Standouts",  (SPIRITED, Leap Books, 2012). She also has two Young Adult novels; FREAKSVILLE and FURRY & FREAKED (Leap Books) is due out in late 2015. Kitty now resides fifteen miles inland from the sea with her hubby, stepson and a very lucky black cat. Visit her blog at kittykeswick.blogspot.com

 

 

Shari Green writes Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction and occasionally masquerades as a poet. Her first novel for teens, FOLLOWING CHELSEA, was released by Evernight Teen in Fall 2014. When she's not glued to her laptop, Shari can often be found wandering in a blissful daze on the beach near her home on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. Visit her online at www.sharigreen.com

 

 

 

 

 

Cady Vance is the author of YA and NA speculative fiction, including BONE DRY, NEVER SLEEP and CLASH. Now, she studies for her PhD in the UK and dreams of seeing the universe. Visit her website at www.cadyvance.com or follow her on twitter @cadyvance.

 

 

 

Here we are at the end of today's post -- and your chance to win a copy of FALLING FOR ALICE! It's easy -- just tweet about this post, or share it on Facebook, and your name will go in the draw, to be announced next week. So share this post for your chance to win! And as, always...

 

More soon...!

 

~kc

 

Winnahs!!!

Before I begin, please allow me to say...

THANK YOU!!!!

...for keeping FINDING FRASER in the Top FIVE of Amazon Romantic comedies ever since it was released.

I am SO thrilled and honoured and humbled and freaked out by this whole experience.

And NOW, the paperback is available on Amazon.com. Really! You can find it right HERE.

Whee!

I have a special plan in place to celebrate this event, but I'm saving that for the next post, okay?

Thank you!

So, let's share the love here, shall we? In all the crazy, I forgot to announce the winner of E.E. Cooper's new book VANISHED, and of course we need to have a winner for Linda Grimes's new book THE BIG FIX.

SO much good reading to be had, yes? Let's start with VANISHED...

 

For sweetly spreading the word on social media about this MYSTERIOUS, MARVELLOUS story, the winner is...

 

 

Sarah Meral!

Congratulations, Sarah!

You can contact E.E.Cooper at EEC@EECooper.com and arrange to get your prize.

 

If you didn't win a copy tonight, don't worry -- you can find it right HERE!

 

 

 

And since it's a prize-givin' sort of evening, how 'bout one more?

This one is for Linda Grimes's new novel THE BIG FIX.

Ciel Halligan is back for her third madcap adventure, and one lovely reader who spread the word on social media is about to be rewarded for it with a HIGHlarious read.

 

And the winner is...

 

Laura Scott!

 

Congratulations, Laura! You can read Linda Grimes at linda.grimes@gmail.com.

For the rest of us THE BIG FIX is in bookstores everywhere and also HERE on Amazon!

 

Thanks so much to both authors extraordinaire E.E.Cooper and Linda Grimes for sharing the joy of their new books with us!

Stay tuned -- there's a new giveaway coming this week. And this time, we'll all be FALLING FOR ALICE!

 

More soon...

 

 

~kc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixin' up BIG! An interview with author Linda Grimes

Your patience during the craziness of this last week has been rewarded, as today in the chaotic insanity of kc dyer central, we are featuring a shot at the give-away of a marvellous new book!

Author Linda Grimes has made her mark in the last few years as a novelist with a tremendous sense of fun. Just scroll down this post and look at that smile! Doesn't it contain all kinds of naughty? If it weren't for the continent between us, I would have spent a lot of time in her company, but as it is, we've had to be friends from afar. I'm so delighted to share her new book with you today.

Linda's first book IN A FIX was brought to us by TOR publishing, and introduced Ciel Helligan, an aura-borrowing beauty who will steal your heart as fast as your wallet. Linda followed that one up with QUICK FIX, the fun-filled sequel. And now to complete the big three, Ciel's back with THE BIG FIX, in which Ciel continues to use her chameleon-esque abilities to help out her clients. Bring on the fun!

 kc:   Let's start with Ciel, the star of the 'In A Fix' series. How do you pronounce her name? [I'm working on a series where the protag's name is Ceilidh -- rhymes with Daily, dontcha know -- so I get the question a lot myself.] And how much fun is it to write such a cool character?

LG:   Ciel is pronounced like the animal—seal. Unless you're giving it the French pronunciation, in which case it's "see-ell." But my character has Americanized it, and "seal" is how it's pronounced in the audio books. And I'm glad you think Ciel is cool! She's a blast to write, that's for sure. Really keeps me on my toes.

kc:   She's on HER toes a lot, too! Did you have an inspiration for Ciel? Where did she come from?

LG:   Ciel popped into my head when I saw the name on a vanity license plate while taking my son back to college after a break. First I just thought, what a cool name! Then, by the time I got back home, she had taken up residence in my head and wouldn't stop talking to me. (That's not as crazy as it sounds. Or maybe it is. In my experience, writers do tend to skew toward the wack-a-doo end of the spectrum. And I mean that in the nicest way possible.) When she told me about her special ability, I thought, hmm…this sounds like it could be a book. Turns out it was a whole series. 

kc:  I'm so glad it is! Care to explain the conceit behind the borrowing of auras? How does Ciel manage this little bit of magic?

LG:   Here, I'll let Ciel explain it: "My job is made possible by a genetic quirk that allows me to adapt my aura into an exact copy of another person's. No, it's not shape-shifting, which is a crock, by the way. Give me a break. Shape-shifting on a biomolecular level? Directed cell morphology—the actual physical changing of tissue—takes time, and lots of it. It wouldn't be practical. Aura adaptors deal in energy. Much faster…" (from In a Fix)

So, basically, it's a mutation in her DNA. All living things emit energy. It's just that most of us haven't inherited the ability to alter it, the way Ciel and other aura adaptors have.

 kc:    Ha! I love it. So, what are YOU reading right now? Do you have a favourite genre to read -- or write -- in?

LG:   Honestly? (And I swear I'm not just saying this to suck up.) I downloaded FINDING FRASER and I can already tell it going to be just my cup of spiked tea.

I read every genre imaginable, but I have to admit I'm partial to mysteries and romances, especially when there's a touch (or a hefty dose) of humor involved.

As for writing, I'm drawn to humorous (apparently I'm a smartass) with a paranormal twist. But I can get serious on occasion. I haven't had anything dark and heavy published yet, but who knows what the future might hold? Perhaps a badder, murkier Linda. Bwah-ha-hah! (Okay, yeah, I couldn't quite type that with a straight face. My dark side might need some work.)

 kc:   Dark side? Who needs it when we can enjoy your -- what did you call it? -- your wack-a-doo! Anyway, can you tell us how the process of writing a series has been for you? Do you plan ahead or are you a seat-of-the-pantser? And where do you plan to go next? Can you give us a hint of what's to come?

LG:    I'm loving writing the series! Frankly, a whole lot more than I thought I would when I first realized there was going to be more than one book. It's been great fun following these characters through more than one adventure, getting to know them better over time. They do keep startling me, which is essential for me as a writer. If I'm not being surprised by my characters, I find it's way too easy to get distracted by other things, important things, like doing laundry or rearranging my underwear drawer.

At first I was a total pantser. I trailed after Ciel in my head, and typed whatever she—fueled by my way-too-fertile imagination—told me to. As I get further into the series, I find a bit more planning can prevent headaches down the line come editing time, but I always try to leave room for happenstance. (See above with regard to surprises. Unexpected scenes are the best!)

Right now I'm waiting for my editorial letter on book four (ALL FIXED UP), which is the next one out. (Not sure of the exact release date yet. More than likely about a year from now.) That's the last Ciel Halligan book I currently have under contract, but I do have a few other things simmering in the back of my mind—a fluffy contemporary rom-com, a high-stakes thriller, and a paranormal suspense, all starting to demand some attention. We'll see which one wins out.

kc:   Oh, man -- I can't wait to see what does! So, I've been talking to Indie and hybrid authors lately. Can you tell me a bit about working with Tor? What's your favourite part of the publication process -- apart from writing the book, of course!

LG:   It's been a good experience working with Tor. My editor is fantastic—I think she loves Ciel and the crew as much as I do, and really gets the characters. I like the partnership aspect of having someone on my side who is invested in making my books the best they can be.

That said, I haven't ruled out going hybrid someday. I have some writer buddies who've done well on that route to publication. Honestly, it's an exciting time to be a writer—so many new opportunities are now available to those willing to work hard to make their publishing dreams come true.

My favorite part of the process? Darn. You already preempted what I was going to say. I'm such a nerd. I'd rather hole up in my writing cave and play in my fictive worlds than do anything else. Hmm. I know! How about editing? Rewriting is almost as much fun as writing something in the first place. More, sometimes.

You didn't ask, but if you want to know my least favorite part, it's the waiting. (This is probably more of a problem for traditionally published authors than indie authors, who have more control over when things get done.) There are loooong stretches of waiting, punctuated by everything happening at once. Which can get your heart racing at times, and not in the good, wow-that's-a-hot-guy kind of way. But the main thing is getting the books out there and connecting with readers, because, to me, a book isn't complete without that communication. It's like baking a cake. You can mix together all the ingredients, but until you bake it in the oven (i.e., let people read it), it's not done.

kc:   Hmmm. Great analogy. So, do you have a preferred format for your books? E-book vs paperback?

Not really. I love all the formats. Whatever suits the individual reader is good for me. That said, THE BIG FIX is my first to come out in hardcover, which is kind of exciting.

For reading, nowadays I absolutely adore my Kindle. It's so light! This comes in really handy when you're trying to read, say, one of Diana Gabaldon's books in bed. Drop one of those on your head and you might give yourself a concussion. Plus, you can change the font size on an e-reader, as well as carry hundreds of books with you when you travel, which I love.

kc:   What's your favourite review one of your stories has received?

LG:   There's one I remember because it made me laugh so much. It was on Goodreads, a 5-star review of IN A FIX. All it said was "An awesome read. I'm surprised." Surprised? Still makes me giggle.

kc:   Hahhaha! That is kinda funny. But nice, too. Surprised in a GOOD way, right?  How about you? Can you name a favourite author?

LG:   Well, if there's anyone left out there who hasn't read Diana Gabaldon yet, I say hie thee to a bookstore and get OUTLANDER asap. That's my go-to rec for anyone who asks, because it covers just about every genre you could possibly want. For people who are terrified of "big books" (yes, they actually exist *grin*), and prefer a quicker diversion, I have a lot of fun with Kristan Higgins (humorous and moving romances), Harlan Coben (edge-of-your-seat mystery/suspense), and Vicki Pettersson (who rocks UF, paranormal romance, and now even thrillers with her soon-to-be-released SWERVE).

kc:   Oh, I am SO excited for SWERVE, I can't tell you. I LOVE Vicki Pettersson's books. I think maybe we share the same tastes, Linda, as FINDING FRASER is a wee bit of an homage to your other favourite author.  =)

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on THE BIG FIX and your writing life with us today, Linda Grimes! If you want to pick up THE BIG FIX, you can find it right HERE.

Here's Linda's bio:  

Linda grew up in Texas, where she rode horses, embarrassed herself onstage a lot, and taught teenagers they'd have to learn the rules of English before they could get away with breaking them for creativity's sake. She currently resides in Virginia with her husband, whom she snagged after he saw her in a musical number at the now defunct Melodrama Theater in San Antonio. There's nothing like a rousing chorus of "If You Wanna Catch a Fish You Gotta Wiggle Your Bait" to hook a man for a lifetime. Grimes is the author of IN A FIX, QUICK FIX  and THE BIG FIX.

If you'd like to find out more about Linda Grimes, you can find her HERE.

And here's the fun part! Want a chance to win a copy of THE BIG FIX? Just share this post on your Facebook page or retweet it on Twitter. On Monday, I'll announce a winner!

Thanks again, Linda for joining me today. And best of luck with your edits on ALL FIXED UP. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

More soon...

 

 

~kc

 

 

 

 

24 hours of CRAZY -- and a few Questions Answered.

A little Reinhardt to start...

 

You know, I've been blogging about the whole experience of producing FINDING FRASER here from the beginning. It's been -- by turns -- scary, hard, FUN, confusing and exhilerating. But I have to say -- the last 24 hours have been the CRAZIEST of my life.

I have SO many people to thank, it's hard to know where to start. I'm going to do a proper job of this in my next post, but for tonight, I just want to thank my friend Diana Gabaldon for giving this book a sweet shout-out on Facebook yesterday [thereby creating a small atomic wave of book sales!] and YOU for your support.

Readers have flocked to this story and embraced Emma to their hearts. In the past day I have had more people than I can count tell me they stayed up WAY to late to see where Emma's adventures took them, and I could not be more delighted.[Sorry about those eye-bags, tho...]

So, thank you, THANK YOU, for sharing your love of FINDING FRASER with me! And in return, I feel I owe you a few answers to the questions I am hearing today. Here's my best shot at them, but if I miss anything, let me know in the comments and I'll chime in again later.

Okay, here goes...

1. Is FINDING FRASER only on Kindle?

Nope. For now, you can buy the book both as a trade paperback and in Kindle format through Amazon. Later in the summer, it will be available in as many other digital formats as I can muster, including audio! Right now we are working on getting it into bookstores near you, too, as soon as we can. But if you are stuck and can't find a copy, email me at EmmaFindingFraser@gmail.com and we'll talk! [I might have mentioned this before, but the paperback is BEAUTIFUL, and you get the benefit of the full, wrap-around cover!]

2. Can I get FINDING FRASER for my Nook?

Not yet. Later this summer, for sure. If you have a computer, you can load a Kindle app for free. Or... buy the paperback!

3. So, hey -- is this story some kind of OUTLANDER Fan Fiction?

Nope and nope again, sez I! I have no objection to Fan Fiction in principle, but I do not write it. This is a story about a girl in love with a character in a book -- someone with whom OUTLANDER FANS may well be familiar! -- and the lengths she'll go to find her own Fraser. And when I finished the first draft of it, the VERY first person to read it was Diana herself. You can read what Diana thinks about fan fiction on the front page of her website.

4. Where can I find out more about Emma?

If you've read the story, you'll know Emma's got her own blog at FindingFraser.com. And you know what? She does! Go check it out. You can see pictures from her travels, order copies of the books and get a glimpse into her world. We're still adding new photos every day, and there'll be other treats in store soon!

5. How can I spread the word about FINDING FRASER?

Well, thank you for asking! I'd love if you tell your friends in person, on Facebook -- wherever you keep 'em! -- about the story, and I would ESPECIALLY love it if you would take the time to write a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are a great way to share your thoughts and connect with other readers who feel the same way. Plus -- I LOVE reading what you think about the story.

I think I'll stop there for now. Just let me finish by saying, in the last 24 hours, FINDING FRASER has gone from a labour of love to a #1 Bestseller on Amazon. For that I have YOU to thank, and I am thrilled beyond measure to do so.

Thank you.

 

More soon...

 

 

~kc

 

It's HERE!

Holy crow.

 

It is a sign of how excited I am that I took this picture WITHOUT EVEN BRUSHING MY HAIR.

 

Okay, shut up. I know I never brush my hair.

 

But I am still SO excited!

The new book is here and it...is BEAUTIFUL. I am so, so happy with it. Thrilled.

Now, from what I can see, there are a lot of people out there who identify with Emma Sheridan, the protagonist of this story. Loads of people have pre-ordered the ebook, and that has also thrilled me.

But can I just say? The trade paperback version is just so, so lovely. It smells good. It feels good. It's got a great picture on the cover! And as of tonight? You can order it, too!

[Just pausing for an editorial moment here to note that I have no fiscal incentive to push the paperback over the ebook. I actually make more money per copy from the digital version. The paperback nets me around a dollar a copy. To be perfectly clear.]

I know most people inhabit a more sensible world than I do when it comes to books. There is not a flat surface in my house that doesn't have books piled on it. So I get the whole appeal of digital stories. But this book -- oh, man, I am happy to hold it in my hand!

Anyway. I'll stop now. Lots more cool stuff coming soon -- scavenger hunts and blog tours and a whole brand new website [or two!] to share. But as of right now, you can order FINDING FRASER online in its sleek digital version, and within a day or so, you'll also be able to order book-addict-appealing trade paperback version. And I couldn't wait another minute to share!

 

More soon...

 

~kc

 

VANISHED... by E.E. Cooper

Well, well, well...

I have a bit of a mystery for you, this fine evening. A new book -- a MARVELLOUS book -- by someone... someone who goes by the name of E.E. Cooper.

More on that, later.

First -- here is the cover.

Gorgeous, eh?

And I LOVE the tag line:

"Keep your friends close..."

Brilliant.

Consider yourself very lucky, because just today I managed to snag an interview with E. E. Cooper that I plan to share with you right now. And after? There MAY just be a give-away.

Shall we begin?

kc:   Let's start with Kalah, the star of VANISHED. How did you get inside her head to tell this story?

EEC:  Kalah and I are very different people.  She’s half Indian, half French, she has an anxiety disorder and she thinks she might be in love with one of her best friends. This required me to do a lot of research and talking to others because I didn’t have a ton of personal experience.  It was important to me to get the details right and not make her any kind of stereotype.  I was lucky enough to get a lot of input from people and I came to adore her even more for her complexity.  It was also interesting as her character developed to realize even though she and I were so different- there was also a lot we had in common.

 

kc:   VANISHED is a very twisty mystery. Can you talk about the plotting of it a bit? Did you know where you were going with this story when you began, or did it unfold more gradually? 

EEC:  There were a few moments where I was pretty sure this story was going to drive me insane. Those who know me may argue that it didn’t have far to drive.  I knew aspects of the story when I started and I spent a fair bit of time outlining it.  I thought I had it all figured out.  (feel free to laugh here) Then I started writing. This book went through several revisions and I was lucky enough to work with a great editor who kept pushing me to make it more complex and not go for an easy answer.  My office started to look like a scene from A Beautiful Mind. There were index cards taped to the wall, various things highlighted, Post-it notes sprinkled around and I would pace back and forth waiting for “a-ha” moments.

 

kc:   I think you found them, too! What's the toughest part of writing a mystery for the YA audience? What did you like best about the process? 

EEC: I am not sure if writing a mystery for the YA audience is different than an adult audience- both want a story that is layered, not easy to figure out and satisfying when they’re finished. I love writing for the YA audience- they’re demanding. They read a lot so they know what they like and what they don’t. 

 

kc:   I know that for a fact. YA readers are the BEST. So, in doing my research I've found you've had some really awesome reviews for this story. One I read said: "Come for the girls kissing, stay for the mystery". Care to share a favourite? 

EEC: Thank you so much!  Reviews are nerve wracking. I tell myself that I don’t care- but that’s a fat lie.  The one that made me run around the house in circles (with my dog running after me wondering what the heck was going on) was the one by School Library Journal. 

They said:  This novel tackles themes of friendship, deception, obsession, and love....With early hints of John Green's PAPER TOWNS that slowly morph into Gillian Flynn's GONE GIRL.”   Any comparison to John Green and Gillian Flynn was enough to make me lose my mind.

kc:   And rightly so -- how wonderful is that? So, what are YOU reading right now? Do you have a favourite genre to read -- or write -- in?

EEC:  I suspect it’s not a shock to discover that I am a huge reader.  I love a bit of everything- but psychological thrillers are a favorite.  I find people fascinating and how the respond when situations turn dark is always something that will keep me reading just one more chapter.  I recently finished COMPLICIT by Stephanie Kuehn which has a great twist.  In a totally different vein I plan to crack open MAKING PRETTY by Corey Ann Haydu which just came out.  I love her books so am excited for this one.

kc:   You're a bit of a mystery yourself, E.E. Cooper, as anyone who has scoped out your website can attest. What can you tell us about who you are? 

EEC: Is it weird that I am thrilled that someone thinks I’m a mystery? My real life is actually very average so I like the idea of people assuming that I have a secret life where I’m married to spy, possibly spent some time in jail for an undisclosed crime, and have a pet shark.  The truth is I live in Vancouver with my husband and our very naughty dog where my high risk activities include things like reading on the patio, walking the dog and spending entirely too much money or random craft projects that never turn out the way I expected.

kc: Ah. Well, your very reticence deepens the mystery, to my mind. However, I do have a possible solution, which I will save to the VERY end of this post...

Meanwhile, can you tell me if VANISHED is going to carry on as a series? If so, can you give us a hint of what's to come next?

EEC: As I type this  I am brainstorming (could be ignoring) edits on the second book in the series that I just received from my editor.  I’m really excited with the direction the series is taken- what I can tell you is that Kalah isn’t going to sit back and accept what happened in book one- but the situation is going to get worse before it gets better.

kc:   Well, that seems a perfect note to end on. Thank you, E.E. Cooper, for sharing your new story with us today!

And now, back to you, dear reader. Interested in getting your hands on VANISHED? Here's how you can win a copy! Put a link for this blog post up on Facebook or Twitter and on Thursday night? I'll go through the links, put names in the hat of the linkees, and pick one! And while you're on twitter, why not follow @EECooperBooks?

Now, I made a promise earlier on in this post. If you live in the Vancouver area, you can solve two problems in one this very Sunday [May 17, 2015], as E.E. Cooper will be appearing LIVE in North Vancouver, at the Chapters-Indigo on Marine Drive, from 2-3 pm. You can pick up a copy of the book, have it signed by its mysterious and oh-lo-lovely author and solve the mystery of E.E. Cooper once and for all for yourself!

If you don't live nearby, give this post a shout-out and take a chance at winning a copy of VANISHED. Or you can buy a copy right now HERE on Amazon.ca or HERE on Amazon.com.

I know we'll be hearing more from both E.E. Cooper and Kalah in the future!

 

More soon...

 

~kc

 

What's new....?

Well, let's see.

A month from today will be the BLOW OUT official launch of FINDING FRASER in Vancouver. This party is going to be EPIC, and will include a 'Best Legs in a Kilt', competition, as well as 'Best Scottish Knitwear worn in June', 'Best Fake Scottish Brogue' and a multi-player LIVE reading from the new novel. Trrrrust me when I say you want to be there. Tickets [which are free, but required] can be had by clicking this link:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/finding-fraser-book-launch-extravaganza-tickets-16781216069?ref=estw

As mentioned in the last post, I've got a bunch of friends who are releasing books at the moment. Over the next few days, this blog will be hosting a number of interviews of said excited writers accompanied by GIVE-AWAYS! So stay tuned -- first one should be up tomorrow.

If you like lovely views of Scotland, you might want to consider following @FindingFraser on twitter. Here's this evening's shot: part of a vast stone circle and henge on the windswept moors of Orkney. Lovely, yes?

@FindingFraser is going to be the site of Some Excitement in the coming days for sure. Because while the official launch of the novel is not for a month, FINDING FRASER is already available on pre-order for Kindle, and paperback pre-orders should be up by the end of the week. Which is to say I'll be marking May 15th on my calendar, as that's the day we go LIVE. 

You can also take a little preliminary peek at Emma's website: FindingFraser.com, which is replete with peeks into the story, 'Buy this book' links and more.

But first? Time to look at what other people are publishing these days. Watch this space!

 

 

More soon...

 

 

~kc

Spring is the new Fall...

...when it comes to book events, it seems. I have quite a few new and interesting books to blog about over the coming weeks. But this morning, a quick update. FINDING FRASER is arriving a week from today: May 15, 2015.

It will first be out in Kindle format, and within the next few days we should have pre-orders available for the paperback version.

The pre-orders are doing very well -- thank you! -- and I would love if you could help me get the word out that the book is coming to those who might not have heard yet. It's a fun romantic comedy that will have particular resonance, I think, for anyone who has ever fallen for a character in a book. 

Here's the blurb off the back:

Sometimes searching for true love can be a little…Outlandish.

I met Jamie Fraser when I was nineteen years old. He was tall, red-headed, and at our first meeting at least, a virgin. I fell in love hard, fast and completely. He knew how to ride a horse, wield a sword and stitch a wound. He was, in fact, the perfect man.

That he was fictional hardly entered into it.

 At 29, Emma Sheridan’s life is a disaster and she’s tired of waiting for the perfect boyfriend to step from the pages of her favorite book. There’s only one place to look, and it means selling everything and leaving her world behind. With an unexpected collection of allies along the way, can Emma face down a naked fishmonger, a randy gnome, a perfidious thief, and even her own abdominal muscles on the journey to find her Fraser?

And here's what people are saying about FINDING FRASER:

"Jamie Fraser would be Deeply Gratified at having inspired such a charmingly funny, poignant story--and so am I."

--Diana Gabaldon, author of the New York Times Bestselling OUTLANDER series

 

"I loved this book. It transported me to a Scotland I wished I’d grown up in. Everything about it is a delight, and it’s all authentic—the environment, the characters, the dialogue and the sheer enjoyment of it all.”

-- Jack Whyte, best-selling author of, most recently, THE GUARDIANS OF SCOTLAND series

“FINDING FRASER is for everyone who ever fell in love with a fictional character. Dyer blends humor, a love of
Scotland, and romance into a page turner that will keep readers cheering on the main character and turning pages.” 

-- Eileen Cook, Author of REMEMBER,
and other books for teens and adults

“Finding Fraser is an absolute must-read for any Outlander fan. The story is both hilarious and romantic, as well as guaranteed to have readers turning the pages until the wee hours to discover if the heroine finds her very own Jamie Fraser.”  

-- Laura Bradbury, author of the best-selling MY GRAPE ESCAPE series

Here's where you can order it: Amazon.com and Amazon.ca

If you know anyone you think might like to read the story, I'd love it if you shared this info by linking back to this blog post. If you know of a group that has an interest, or might want to chat about the story, go for it! Emma's a blogger, too, so she's very comfortable on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. She even has her own blog page at FindingFraser.com!

Thanks for helping me get the word out on FINDING FRASER. I'm very happy with this wee story, and anxious to share with everyone!

Will let you know as soon as the pre-order for paperback copies is up!

 

More soon...

 

 

~kc