Kate M. Colby's Blog, page 16

Desertera Book Club: The World of Desertera

In this “chapter” of the Desertera Book Club, I recap the theology of Desertera’s creation and provide as much of an answer as I can to a question many readers have raised (and which my friend and fellow author, Jonas Lee, asked after watching the previous Desertera Book Club video)…

For those of you who want an “easy” answer: to the knowledge of the Deserterans, there are no other people left in the world.

For those of you want the full answer, here’s the video.

So there you have it! If you have any other questions about the world of Desertera, anything related to The Cogsmith’s Daughter, or future books in the series, leave them here or on YouTube, and I’ll answer in a future video.

Thanks for watching!

Filed under: The Cogsmith's Daughter, The Desertera Series, Vlog/Video Tagged: apocalypse, desertera, dystopian, fantasy, post apocalyptic, science fiction, scifi, steampunk, the cogsmith's daughter, vlog, vlogging

Month-End Update: April 2016

Despite Camp NaNoWriMo being in April, I had a rather “slow” month. I focused more on a few big items on my to-do list and let some of the little stuff I normally do slide. In fact, between completing my first Camp goal (writing and publishing 100 Fantasy Writing Prompts), I took a full week off production while I waited to begin the content edit revisions of Desertera #2 (which may have a title now…stay posted!).

Overall, April has been a solid month. I made a few new author friends at the Brain to Books Cyber Convention, won Camp NaNoWriMo (third time’s the charm!), did quite a bit of reading, and received a few fantastic reviews of The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1). I’m leaving the month refreshed and happy to keep moving forward in May.

Writing

Blog Posts Written — 9 (and three reblogs)
Fiction Words Written — 0
# of Days I Wrote Fiction — 0
Nonfiction Prompts Written — 100 prompts (plus front/back matter material)
# of Days I Wrote Non-Fiction — 6
Outlines Written — 1.5 (100 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts, starting Desertera #3)
Days Without Writing and/or Editing — 17

Editing/Revising

Drafts Revised — Content Edit of Desertera #2 (roughly 23,000 words so far)
# of Days I Revised — 7

Reading

Books Finished

Let’s Get Visible: How to Get Noticed and Sell More Books by David Gaughran
250 Things You Should Know About Writing by Chuck Wendig
How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon.com – Book One and Two: Get More Sales – Get More Reviews!  by Penny C. Sansevieri
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 (Volume 2) by Joss Whedon
The Gates Unbarred: A History of University Extension at Harvard, 1910-2009 by Michael Shinagel
Dust (Silo #3) by Hugh Howey
Spike Omnibus by Peter David




Books Begun/In-Progress

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 (Volume 3) by Joss Whedon




Books Reviewed

None on the blog

*Remember, I review every book I read on my Goodreads page.

Author Business Activities

Published  100 Fantasy Writing Prompts (Fiction Ideas Vol. 4)
Recorded and posted a vlog
Participated in the Brain to Books Cyber Convention
Started recording my business/production processes

Goals for May

Right now, May looks to be another relatively slow-paced month, with just a few big goals.

Finish the content edit revisions of Desertera #2
Write and publish 100 Historical Fiction Writing Prompts
Participate in the #WriteWeMay Instagram Challenge
Try at least one new advertising or marketing strategy

Who else has accomplishments to share from April? What are your goals for May? Share in the comments!

Filed under: Writing Updates Tagged: Author Business, blogging, book review, books, campnanowrimo, creative writing prompts, dystopian, fantasy, goals, independent publishing, indie author, manuscript, nonfiction, revising, science fiction, self-publishing, steampunk, writing

The Cogsmith’s Daughter

“This is the best steampunk novel I have read to date.” You can’t get praise much greater than that! Thank you so much to Kevin for his wonderful review of The Cogsmith’s Daughter. I highly recommend his site for anyone looking for their next great read, or for independent authors seeking a place to share about their work. Go check it out!

Raves & Reviews

SYNOPSIS: In a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland, one king rules with absolute power and unquenchable lust, until the cogsmith’s daughter risks everything for vengeance.

Two-hundred years ago, the steam-powered world experienced an apocalyptic flood. When the waters dried up, the survivors settled around their steamship in a wasteland they named Desertera. Believing the flood and drought were caused by a scorned goddess, the monarchs demanded execution for anyone who commits the unforgivable sin—adultery.

Today, King Archon entraps his wives in the crime of adultery, executing each boring bride to pursue his next infatuation. Most nobles overlook King Archon’s behavior, but when Lord Varick’s daughter falls victim to the king’s schemes, he vows revenge.

When Aya Cogsmith was a young girl, King Archon had her father executed for treason. Orphaned and forced to turn to prostitution for survival, Aya dreams of avenging her father’s death. When Lord Varick approaches Aya with plans…

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Filed under: The Cogsmith's Daughter, The Desertera Series Tagged: book review, desertera, dystopian, fantasy, indie author, indie books, post apocalyptic, science fiction, steampunk, the cogsmith's daughter

My Five Favorite Apocalypses

I love apocalypses. Whether it’s a man-made nuclear wasteland or angels and demons raging their supernatural war on Earth, apocalypses speak to a deep part of me. They bring out that frequently unexercised survival instinct that the comforts of modern living allow to lie dormant. They raise the stakes, heighten emotion, and destroy all the rules.

Despite the grandiose and mayhem of the world itself, in apocalyptic tales, the characters get to shine. Everyday people fight to make it another day, another hour, another minute. They ban together or fall apart. They showcase the truth of human nature — from its bitter greed to its unwavering compassion. They reveal what each of us could become, if the playing field were leveled by destruction.

Choosing a favorite apocalypse would be like choosing a favorite food — a question I’ve always found ridiculous. How can you choose just one when each satisfies a wholly unique craving? So here are a handful of apocalypses that I simply adore…

1. Mad Max

This apocalypse itself feels real. The old world got too greedy — draining the earth dry of oil, fighting for control of precious resources, playing with its nuclear machines (sound familiar?). The original trilogy shows the progression of economic collapse to total anarchy in the background of Max’s story, something that many apocalypse stories skip over. And let’s face it, the survivors of this apocalypse are fabulous. From the hockey mask-wearing Lord Humungus to Tina Turner’s chainmail one-piece to the Milk Boys’ gleaming chrome smiles, the Mad Max world does chaos in style. And don’t even get me started on the vehicles.

2. The Book of Eli

On the whole, this is a pretty cookie-cutter apocalypse. Nuclear war leads to an American wasteland. Vagabonds haunt the roads and hurt innocent people. Small civilizations pop up and try to rebuild something that only the older citizens remember and the younger ones can never understand. What I like about this story is Eli’s journey. He’s one man, trudging on with a purpose, a greater goal that he believes will help society find itself again. And on the way, he learns that it is just as important to stop and help others. Whether you believe in the book he carries or not, the message he carries is faith and being good to one another — something people in the apocalypse always need to relearn.

3. The Silo Trilogy

Major spoilers ahead. Hugh Howey’s apocalypse is masterful, because the characters don’t even realize they are in an apocalypse at first. Humans destroyed the world, literally hitting the reset button on society, with the hope that the civilizations that emerge in the silos will learn to be better. The trilogy touches on themes of political power, climate change, isolation/containment, and the very essence of human nature. And the lesson? At about 150 pages from the end, I’m fairly certain that the whole project was useless, that humanity will adapt no matter what it is given, but in the end, the same traits that destroyed the world will be the ones that defy the well-intentioned plans.

4. Supernatural

This is where fans of the show roll their eyes and ask which one. For me, the almost apocalypse I most enjoy is the Biblical one, where archangels Lucifer and Michael are meant to battle it out on Earth. Here, humanity doesn’t really matter. The apocalypse is not our fault, and it’s not even about us anymore. We’re caught in between the longest standing family feud in the mythical world, and yet, everything these supernatural beings feel is inextricably human. Betrayal, jealousy, anger, sadness. There’s nothing humanity can do to stop its destruction…and yet, the Winchesters find a way. Because, as weak and feeble as it may be in the eyes of angels, humanity is still a force to be reckoned with.

5. Interstellar

I felt every labored breath through this entire movie, because it felt too real. Seeing that dusty wasteland on Earth, hearing how it would be the last harvest for okra, it’s freaking terrifying. That is the apocalypse of climate change, and as someone who works in a tangentially agricultural field (wine), it’s a serious concern that I read about on a weekly basis. Again, Interstellar is another triumphant tale, whereby insignificant humans rally together to save their species. As a sucker for underdogs (and a total daddy’s girl), you can bet I teared up several times. I just hope the underlying lesson is not forgotten: as of right now, we as humans have no where to run.

As I said before, this is by no means a definitive list, but I think each apocalypse speaks to the themes I like: a probable cause, dusty isolation, and the undefeatable human spirit. Because I know someone will ask, yes, I love me a good zombie apocalypse, too. But, as I’m sure many science fiction fans will agree, those warrant a whole other discussion…

What are your favorite apocalypse stories? How do you feel about the apocalypse genre? Share your thoughts below!

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Geeky Things Tagged: apocalypse, interstellar, mad max, post-apocalypse, science fiction, supernatural, the book of eli, the silo trilogy

Book Review: The Cogsmith’s Daughter

A thoughtful, detailed, and downright stunning review of The Cogsmith’s Daughter from my friend and fellow writer, Amrita. She really “got” what I was going for with the characters and the themes of the novel, and people like her are exactly why writing is my life’s calling!

Of Opinions

I am usually not drawn to books by their cover (at least, that is what I like to believe), but the cover image of The Cogsmith’s Daughter, the debut novel of author Kate M. Colby, aroused my curiosity from the first time she revealed it

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Filed under: The Cogsmith's Daughter, The Desertera Series Tagged: book, book review, desertera, dystopian, fantasy, post apocalyptic, reading, science fiction, scifi, self-pub, steampunk, the cogsmith's daughter

National Poetry Month: Revenge, Regret, Remorse

Poetry isn’t a medium that comes naturally to me, and I would never dare call myself a poet. However, I do find it a refreshing way to let off some steam when I am feeling especially emotional, and I did write my fair share during my time in university.

Therefore, in honor of National Poetry Month, I’d like to share a short set of poems from said college days and encourage you all to leave your own (or links to your favorite poems) in the comments. Let’s fill the world with art today!

The following is a set of abstraction poems written in my Poetry Writing I class and refined in my Advanced Poetry Workshop. As readers of my fiction will know, I do love a revenge theme.

Revenge

sneaks behind the bar,

dressed in fishnets and stilettos,

and sprinkles cyanide in his shot glass.

 

Regret

is the brown bottle, blue bottle,

clear bottle, spirit bottle, long-necked

bottle, bottle neck spiraling

down your throat.

 

Remorse

ferments in the brain, drips down

the spinal cord, commands the hand

to put down the bottle

and pick up the gun.

Filed under: Poetry, Writing Samples Tagged: alcoholism, creative writing, murder, national poetry month, poem, poems, poet, poetry, regret, remorse, revenge, suicide, writing

How Copywriting Has Helped My Fiction

As you may know, by day I am a copywriter at a wine marketing company. Essentially, I write product descriptions, tasting notes, and catalog spreads about wine. Oh, and I do get to sample my fair share, too!

Now, a lot of writers say that, if you must have a day job, it shouldn’t be related to writing. I get that. Mentally, there are some days where I feel as if I have no more words to give the world. Physically — now this is where the real toll hits. Some days, I’m so sore from sitting at a desk for hours, and my fingers are so tired that they barely want to move (I’m just counting down the days until carpal tunnel syndrome really hits. I know it’s coming.). On those days, writing fiction after work is literally painful.

But, despite those few negatives, I’ve actually found that copywriting has greatly benefited my fiction. In case you’re thinking about doing double duty in the writing field (I’m looking at you, fellow English majors!), here are some ways that being a professional writer may help you with your creative writing.

Learning how to handle criticism

Nearly every word I write must be reviewed by someone else in my department — at the very least just to check for typos. After receiving daily critiques on my copywriting, it’s been much easier to handle my editor’s feedback on my fiction.

Separating myself from my writing

Along those same lines, being a copywriter has helped me separate myself from my writing. At my day job, everything I write is owned by the company. Since nothing is mine, it’s simple to detach myself from the work emotionally. I’ve been able to apply this skill to my fiction, and it’s helped me view my work more objectively at an earlier stage in the writing process (though, fiction is still my baby!).

Basic grammar

Even the most seasoned writer can use the occasional brush up on grammar. As a copywriter, I’m constantly learning (or relearning) the rules of writing and practicing my editing skills on my and my coworkers’ pieces. I’ve also had to learn AP (Associated Press) style, which has broadened my technical knowledge, too.

Better copywriting for my fiction business

I’m still no expert copywriter — not by a long shot! But the basic skills of the trade have helped me write better blog posts, emails, and even book reviews. I’m learning, one step at a time, how to sell wine, and in the process, I’m gaining valuable strategies for how to sell more books. It’s a win-win!

Self-discipline

At work, it doesn’t matter if I’m in the mood to write or not. If there’s a deadline, I have to meet it. This self-discipline has carried over to my fiction writing. Now, instead of allowing myself to ignore my self-imposed deadlines, I’m regularly keeping them.

Exploring new topics and cultures

Right now, I can’t travel around the world. But every day, as I write about new wines, I also get to research their countries of origin, the local cuisine, the climate, etc. Exposing myself to a whole new aspect of my culture and seeing how it translates in other nations has been incredibly inspiring and often generates fun fiction ideas.

Refining my passions and goals

I love my job. I work with wonderful, talented people, am able to sample some of the best wines in the world, and genuinely enjoy going to work everyday. Being a professional writer is a great source of pride for me, and has reaffirmed that writing is my calling in life. That being said, it has also reaffirmed that fiction is my true love and that going independent was the right choice for me and the author side of my career. Sometimes it takes doing something almost perfect to realize what is truly perfect for you.

As you can see, being a professional writer won’t destroy your fiction writing ambitions. In fact, it can often be a huge benefit to them. That being said, I’ll leave you with a few words of advice.

If you are a writer by day and an author by night, I recommend:

A) making time for your health and breaking the sedentary cycle whenever possible

B) keeping the two forms of writing entirely separate in your life

C) making sure that you have other hobbies or opportunities that allow you to take a break from writing and go out and live a little!

How does your “day job” help with your author work? What questions do you have about being a professional writer? What advice do you have for writers with duel careers? Leave it all in the comments!

Filed under: General Writing Tagged: author, books, copywriting, fiction, marketing, professional writer, writing, writing advice, writing skills, writing tips

How to Be Taken Seriously as a Writer

So writing is your creative calling, your life’s purpose, your ultimate joy. Congratulations! You’re part of (in my totally unbiased opinion) one of the best groups of people in the world. You know it, I know it — and yet, your friends and family don’t.

After all, what’s so special about being a writer? Literally billions of people on the planet write every day. It’s a basic life skill, one of the first we learn. And as a career? Psh! You might as well steal a cardboard box from behind your local grocery store and get comfy on the street.

Let’s get this out of the way: writing is a viable career and meaningful task. Whether you do it professionally or for pleasure, you deserve to be taken seriously and to receive the same respect that other professionals or dedicated hobbyists receive.

That being said, there are ways to make it easier for your friends and family to take your writing seriously. Here are a few:

Write (and write regularly)

This may seem obvious, but you would not believe how many people I knew in college (myself included), who did more talking about writing than actual writing. That doesn’t work. You have to write to be a writer. Period. I know how to dive, and I enjoy doing so when the mood strikes and I happen to be at the pool. But I don’t go diving regularly. And I would never call myself a diver.

Once writing, call yourself a writer

Often, “aspiring” writers feel like imposters for calling themselves writers. Don’t. If you write regularly, enjoy writing, and intend to make writing a part of your professional or personal life, you are a writer. The sooner you embrace and use the label, the sooner your friends and family will, too.

Treat writing like a job

In order to finish a writing piece, you’re going to have to put in a lot of work. This means protecting your writing time. If you’re stuck at the office with a huge deadline and your friend asks you out to lunch, what do you do? Hint: you stay and get your work done, lest your boss fire you. If you want to make writing a career, you must be equally vigilant. When you make your writing a priority, others will see that it is, too.

Don’t play into “writer” cliches

There is this insane idea floating around the internet that writers are miserable. Like, we don our berets, pour a glass of whiskey, and slit our wrists over the keyboard. Is writing always fun? No. It’s actually pretty difficult work. But it also shouldn’t be torturous (if it is, you might look at a different field). There is no nobility in self-induced suffering. And if you exude misery to your friends and family, they’re not going to view you as “authentic.” If they care for your happiness, they’re probably going to encourage you to quit.

Don’t downplay your accomplishments

When a lawyer wins a trial, she doesn’t say, “Oh, yeah, I said some stuff and the bad guy went away.” When you finish a book, publish it, or receive a publishing contract, don’t be self-deprecating (but don’t be an asshole, either). Own up to your success, thank those who have supported you, and reach for an even bigger goal.

Be clear about your goals

If writing is a dedicated hobby, that’s fine. Call it that, and inform your loved ones exactly what you get out of it (satisfaction, stress relief, joy, etc.). If writing is your chosen career, explain your plans. Describe what kinds of books you intend to write, your publication plans, and where you see your writing business in five to ten years. If you are driven, logical, and enthusiastic (and can back up your dreams with action plans, facts, and figures), the people in your life will realize that you have thought this through and that writing is a viable life choice.

And if all else fails…let people think what they want. In the end, what matters most is how you view yourself. If you are happy and fulfilled as writer, if you know that your hobby or career is right for you, and you just plain love writing — that’s all you need.

How do you people in your life view your writing? How did you convince naysayers to take you seriously? Share your tips in the comments.

Filed under: General Writing Tagged: author, independent publishing, self pub, self-publishing, writer life, writing, writing advice, writing tips

What Are Your Dream Steampunk Gadgets?

As part of my Brain to Books Cyber Convention Facebook takeover, I held four games where I gave the winners an ebook of The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1). By far the most popular game was asking people to share their dream steampunk gadgets.

I didn’t have the space to share many of my own, so I thought I’d list a few here — AND ask you all what steampunky technology you’d love to own.

Pet or animal

Source

It’s no secret that I’m an animal lover. And Charlie, Aya’s mechanical pet frog and the novel’s cover star, originated purely out of my affection for my own pets. Of course, he ended up being a rather important part of the novel, but my original idea for him was strictly companionship. What mechanical pets would I want? Maybe a little horse or mini dragon. But this crab is sure cute, too!

Goggles

Source

I don’t know why, but I think goggles are cool. Maybe it goes back to my childhood swimming in my pool and pretending to be a mermaid…and maybe it’s just that they are bad ass. Give me a new lens through which to see the world, throw in a nifty feature or two (night vision, anyone?), and color me a happy camper.

Astrolabe

Source

This is more nautical than “steampunk,” but I’ve recently fallen in love with astrolabes. You know those pretentious people who wear pocket watches just to look fashionably vintage (I’m looking at you, hipsters!)? Imagine whipping out an astrolabe and checking the position of the stars to tell the time or navigate to the all-night thrift market. Boom — hipster down.

Corset

Source

Male or female, the Victorian-inspired styling of the steampunk genre is just gorgeous. While I have rocked a corset with a Halloween costume before, I don’t have a proper “steampunky” one. There’s just something about buckles and laces and military-style buttons that make me want to throw my arms out and twirl. Though, I probably shouldn’t, lest I pass out from the constriction.

Motorcycle

Source

I’m not even sure how this would work, mechanically speaking, but how awesome is this bike? A exoskeleton of cogs and gears, gleaming metal, and (I suppose) a fuel tank full of environmentally friendly water and a steady puff of steam streaming from the tail pipe. I just hope it would still have that rumbling Harley (yes, mine would be a Harley) roar.

I could go on and on, but I’ll spare you the gushing. If you do want to see more steampunk items I fancy, there’s loads to ogle on my Pinterest page. Don’t forget to check out my inspiration board for Desertera #2.

What steampunk gadgets would you love to own? What are some of your favorite technology from books and movies? Share in the comments!

Filed under: Musings & Fun Things, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Geeky Things, The Cogsmith's Daughter Tagged: cool stuff, desertera, dream, fantasy, gadgets, science fiction, steampunk, technology

Brain to Books Cyber Convention Author Interview – Kate M. Colby

Charlie (the mechanical frog from the cover of The Cogsmith’s Daughter) is interviewed in this post! If you already know about TCD, scroll down to the bottom to jump straight into the interview.

ALSO – I hosted the B2BCC Facebook page this morning and am giving away FREE ebooks of The Cogsmith’s Daughter AND my prompts booklets. Enter by the end of the day for your chance to win.

Giveaway 1 

Giveaway 2

Giveaway 3

Giveaway 4 

SALE UPDATES

100 Romance Writing Prompts (Fiction Ideas Vol. 2) is FREE on Amazon today.

The Cogsmith’s Daughter is still $0.99 USD until tomorrow evening!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords

Cartopia

Car here. This is a series of interviews I’m doing for my author, Rebekah Webb, for the participants of the 2016 Brain to Books Cyber Convention. (https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/154267-brain-to-books-cyber-convention-2016) Since I only interview inanimate objects, I have used the power of booze and lack of sleep to transform my interviewees into assorted objects of their choice.

Today I am going to interview Kate M. Colby, aka Charlie the mechanical frog. When she isn’t hopping around, being wound, or flirting with mechanical ducks, she’s the author of The Cogsmith’s Daughter.

 

Book Title: The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1)

Book Blurb

In a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland, one king rules with absolute power and unquenchable lust, until the cogsmith’s daughter risks everything for vengeance.

Two-hundred years ago, the steam-powered world experienced an apocalyptic flood. When the waters dried up, the survivors settled around their steamship in a wasteland they named Desertera. Believing the…

View original post 1,211 more words

Filed under: Author Interviews, Musings & Fun Things, The Cogsmith's Daughter Tagged: author interview, desertera, fantasy, kate m colby, science fiction, steampunk, the cogsmith's daughter, writing, writing advice