Kate M. Colby's Blog, page 25

Mid-Month Check-In: September 2015

I can’t believe September is already half over. I’ve spent the last six weeks (seven weeks, if we’re counting my pre-move time off in Kansas) being a full-time author. While a few of those weeks were unproductive (thanks to the move), the last four have been incredibly productive. I’m happy to report that there are several exciting announcements coming up, and I cannot wait to give you a taste of what I’ve been working on in this post!

For a quick refresher on all the goals I’m working on this year, check out my 2015 resolutions (most of which I should probably just throw out the window at this point!).

WRITING

I’ve managed to write about four and a half new chapters in Desertera #2. Admittedly, I have a bit of sophomoric insecurity this time around, so I’ll be sending chapters to my alpha reader as I go so she can help me stay on track. When I wrote The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) (whose cover I revealed yesterday!), I finished the first draft in 30 days during NaNoWriMo 2014. I didn’t have time to be insecure. This time around, I have much more time to fret while writing, so I’m trying to push through it as best I can.

BUSINESS

This is the most exciting part of the news! As many of you will have seen yesterday, I have the ebook cover for The Cogsmith’s Daughter ready to go. As of this writing, I am still waiting on the final paperback cover, but I expect it any day now. Likewise, the novel’s editing and formatting are both done! You can even add it to your “to-read” list on Goodreads! Of course, no novel is ever perfect, so I expect a few typos will emerge when my keen-eyed newsletter subscribers receive their advance review copies this week (assuming they jump right into the book, that is) or when I do my last-minute oh-crap-this-is-releasing-soon third/fourth proofread.

On a purely “business” note, I have established new author photos (one for social media and one for my book covers), which I think fit my genre and brand much better than my old photo. Also, my logo designer, Brenda, saw my business card poll and leaped to my rescue with a gorgeous, professional business card design, which you can see above and below this paragraph. Needless to say, she is the best, and you should all click on her name and bombard her with orders.

Last, I am working on arranging blog tour to promote The Cogsmith’s Daughter during its upcoming launch. I will probably send out more details later, but if you are immediately interested in hosting me on your blog, feel free to shoot me an email to author@katemcolby.com. If you’d like to suggest your own post ideas, I’m game — but I do have a list of my own in case you don’t!

MARITAL

Things are going well in the “real life” department. Daniel is rocking his classes and slowly but surely conquering Greek. Thomas is being a bad ass, as per usual. I’ve started a new job as a copywriter for a wine marketing agency…so even if Boxthorn Press is a catastrophic failure, I can at least say that I am officially a “professional writer!” Other than that, we’re just monitoring our budget and trying to spend quality time together whenever our crazy schedules allow.

HEALTH/WELLNESS

As I am just coming out of temporary unemployment, I am not quite yet re-insured and have become somewhat of a hypochondriac. Despite the fact that I am eating healthy (…who needs exercise when you get your veggies?), I am a bit stressed about health. I’m hoping to join the Yale gym with Daniel and get back to exercising soon. In the meantime, though, I am happy to report that my migraines have been minimal and my outlook (other than the mild hypochondria) positive.

And that does it for my September mid-month check-in. Remember, if you’re interested in helping out with my blog tour, shoot me an email. Also, make sure you stay around this corner of the interwebs for more exciting news to come!

How are your new year’s resolutions going? Have you been keeping up with your own writing goals? Share your progress and/or commiserate as needed!

Filed under: Writing Updates Tagged: Author Business, blogging, book, book launch, dystopian, fiction, goals, health, marriage, new years resolutions, novel, personal life, reading, resolutions, steampunk, writing, writing goals

The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) Cover Reveal

Pardon the cheesy banner, I am just so thrilled to reveal to you my cover for my debut novel, The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1)!  The novel is not available for purchase yet (stay near the site for updates later this week!), but you can add it to your “to-read” shelf on Goodreads by clicking HERE.

Of course, if you want to read The Cogsmith’s Daughter before anyone else, it just may be a good idea to sign up for my author newsletter. You can get all the info HERE.

Cover designed by Damonza.com

WHEN THE STEAM-POWERED WORLD DRIES UP…

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.

ONE KING RULES WITH ABSOLUTE POWER AND UNQUENCHABLE LUST…

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.

UNTIL THE COGSMITH’S DAUGHTER RISKS EVERYTHING FOR VENGEANCE.

When Aya Cogsmith is thirteen, King Archon has 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 for vengeance, she agrees to play the king’s seductress—even though it puts her at risk for execution.

Packed with high-society intrigue, dappled with seduction, and driven by revenge, The Cogsmith’s Daughter is a steampunk dystopian novel with the perfect mixture of conspiracy and romance.

Thank you all for your support for my indie author journey! As I said at the top, don’t wander too far away…there is much more exciting news to come this week!

Filed under: The Cogsmith's Daughter Tagged: book, cover reveal, desertera, dystopian, independent publishing, indie author, new adult, reading, romance, self-publishing, steampunk, the cogsmith's daughter, the desertera series

Building Your Author Platform: Your Author Photograph

My new author photo for social media

Your author photograph is a key part of your author platform. After all, it is literally the face you are showing to your readers, fellow authors, publishing professionals, and the world at large. However, many authors struggle with producing or choosing the right author photo for them and their brands. Don’t be one of these authors. Follow these simple steps to create the perfect author photograph for your brand.

1. Hire a professional or use professional equipment

If you are traditionally published, your publishing company may coordinate this for you. However, if you have not yet signed a contract or are planning to independently publish, you will have to arrange your photographs yourself. If possible, hire a professional photographer — just like you would hire a professional editor and/or cover designer. Sure, you can probably take a passable photo on your smart phone, but a professional photo is always better. If you will be working with a professional, check out this article with tips on working with a professional photographer from Joanna Penn.

If hiring a professional photographer isn’t in the budget right now, at least try to use the best equipment possible. For example, my husband and I bought a low-end professional camera to record our wedding. We used this camera when taking my most recent author photos. Would the photos had been better if taken by a professional and if edited by one? Probably. But they beat the old photo I used that we snapped from his iPhone at our engagement party.

Tips: If you can’t afford a professional, try asking around your local college or art classes. Likely, there will be an amateur photographer seeking to build a portfolio who will work with you for free or cheap. Alternatively, look into renting professional camera equipment.

2. Research basic portrait photography

Even if you are not taking your own author photos, do a quick Google search on the topic. Figure out the best time of day to meet your photographer or snap your own shots (Hint: the “golden hours” are early morning and just before sunset.). Learn which lenses and settings will look best for the shot you are trying to achieve. Take a few test pictures at different times of day and in different locations to sort out lighting issues. A little research goes a long way.

My old author photo

3.  Dress to impress — but still look like you!

Traditionally, author photos only include the face and perhaps the tops of the shoulders. Of course, waist-up or full body shots can also work in the right circumstance. However, even if you plan to only show your face in the photo, make sure you dress nicely, fix your hair, and consider wearing makeup. Looking your best not only makes the photo better; it will also make you feel more confident.

4. Keep in mind your branding

In my first author photo, I had my hair perfectly curled and my brightest red lipstick on. It was taken at my engagement party, and while I looked gorgeous (in my humble opinion), it didn’t look like me and it certainly didn’t look like my author brand. If I were a romance author, it would have been perfect, but my debut novel is a steampunk dystopian. My new photo doesn’t feature a corset or wasteland backdrop, but it looks like me and is much more genre-neutral.

What is your brand? If you are a romance author, perhaps you want to look friendly, like you’re ready for a date. If you write thrillers, maybe your photo should feature your brooding scowl in black and white. If you write nonfiction, consider working your topic into the photo. Do you write about dogs? Let Snoopy in the pic! Your imagination is the limit — just make sure that, whatever you do, it still looks professional.

My author photo for my fiction book covers and professional events

5. Consider selecting a few different photos

While it is always good to have consistency across your branding, keep a few back up photos handy. For example, if you write fiction and nonfiction (or two drastically different fiction genres), you may want separate photos for each. Likewise, you may want a friendly, welcoming photo for your social media and a more serious or professional one for your book covers, author website, or networking events. If you use multiple photos, just make sure they both are easily recognizable as you and have a brand consistent feel to them.

In the end, as with every aspect of your author platform, your photographs are up to you. Make them as professional as you can, dress to impress, coordinate with your brand, and most of all, have fun!

And remember, if you can’t choose, asking your family, friends, or readers to help you is a great way to get your loved ones involved in your author career (without making those “non-readers” pick up your book) and a great way to market yourself!

For more on building your author platform, click here.

How did you decide what you wanted your author photo to look like? What tips do you have for authors trying to put their best “faces” forward? Share in the comments!

Filed under: Author Platform Tagged: author, author photos, author platform, head shot, head shots, independent publishing, indie author, photograph, photography, portrait, portrait photography, self-publishing, social media platform

Indie Book Review: The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes

The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Fairy Wren by Ashley Capes is a fantasy novel. It follows Paul Fischer during one of the worst times of his life. Paul is separated from his wife, about to lose his bookstore, nagged by a shady friend, and dealing with an Italian runaway. On top of all of that, he receives a mysterious phone call that makes him concerned for his ex-wife and seems to be stalked by a fairy wren, who appears to be more than just a normal bird.

Paul is the working person’s hero. While he is not in a blue collar field, he has that “real” person charm, which is most strongly reflected in his fights (both literal and figurative) with the rich real estate tycoons. Paul is a complex, imperfect character, and I mean “imperfect” in the best way. He is flawed, and he recognizes it. He reacts poorly under stress, and he quickly becomes the underdog that the reader cannot help but root for.

There are a lot of secondary characters in The Fairy Wren, and Capes does a fantastic job of balancing them. Each character feels fleshed out, even the ones we do not see often, and fits firmly in his/her place in the community. Likewise, the relationships between Paul and the supporting characters feel organic and filled with history. This chemistry makes the story that much more compelling.

As far as the plot goes, there is a lot going on in The Fairy Wren. Paul’s life is falling apart, piece by piece, and he is juggling conflict from all angles. However, Capes masterfully leads the reader down each path and manages to interweave them in a way that is simultaneously creative, sensible, and satisfying. There is rarely a dull moment in the novel, and with the wide variety of Paul’s problems, there is something that will interest nearly every reader in this novel.

That being said, my one critique of The Fairy Wren is that I think the author’s classification of it as a fantasy novel isn’t entirely accurate. There are fantasy elements, most notably at the end, but the rest of the novel reads much more like literary fiction, or perhaps light magical realism. Likewise, there is a thriller element to the novel, especially with the plots around Paul’s friend and Paul’s ex-wife. This was a pleasant and captivating surprise, and I think advertising the thriller edge might attract even more readers.

Overall, The Fairy Wren is a compelling and complex novel. It grapples with serious themes—everything from life, death, and love to financial problems, psychological imbalance, and criminal activity. The novel is captivating and will pull readers through to the end quickly. With the diverse plot points, there is something for everyone (specifically readers of fantasy, literary fiction, magical realism, and thrillers) in The Fairy Wren.

View all my reviews

If you are interested in reading The Fairy Wren and would like to help sponsor my writing and research, you can purchase it through my Amazon Associates Store. By doing this, you will not pay a cent extra, nor will the author receive a cent less, but I will receive a small commission on the sale. Simply click the book’s title or the book’s image.

Filed under: Fiction Book Reviews Tagged: book, book review, books, fantasy, fiction, magical realism, mystery, reading, self-publishing, supernatural, thriller

My 9/11 Experience

Kate M. Colby:

This my 9/11 experience. It is one of millions, but it is mine.

Every year, I choose to honor the tragedy with art by listening to “Skylines and Turnstiles” by My Chemical Romance (the song I reference in this post) and by making art of my own. If you are the creative type, I strongly suggest it as a way to find your own silver lining and peace on this day.

Originally posted on Kate M. Colby :

At this point, I think it’s pretty safe to say that most people (especially Americans) born in the 1990s or before can remember when and where they heard the news about the 9/11 attacks. More importantly, I would assume that most people can name several ways that 9/11 has affected their lives. Even if they did not witness the attacks or lose a loved one to them, most people feel the effects of 9/11 through rigorous airport security, ongoing American involvement in the Middle East, or just seeing “Patriot Day” on their calendars.

For some, 9/11 was life-changing. Take, for instance, my favorite musician and writer, Gerard Way. Gerard was commuting to New York City when the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings occurred. As he tells it, Gerard saw the bodies falling from the buildings, heard his fellow commuters call to quit their jobs or propose to loved ones…

View original 555 more words

Filed under: Musings and Fun Things

Indie Book Review: Oak and Mist by Helen Jones

Oak and Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles #1) by Helen Jones

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Oak and Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles #1) by Helen Jones is a young adult fantasy novel. It follows the journey of Alma, a seemingly-normal teenage girl, who learns she is prophesized to find the lost Regalia of the land of Ambeth and restore the balance of Light and Dark in the world. If she fails, Ambeth and the human world will be lost to the Dark and eventually fall to destruction.

For fans of fantasy, Oak and Mist’s fictional realm, Ambeth, will be a dream. The land is beautifully described and has just the right amount of magic to be enchanting without feeling overdone. However, Ambeth is not perfect and peaceful. There is a subtle danger lurking behind the beauty, not only in members of the Dark but also in certain themes of the land, which leave the reader feeling just the right amount of unsettled.

The main characters in Oak and Mist are well-developed. Alma is a typical teenage girl—a little bold, a little shy, and very much prone to being love-struck. Caleb also has decent depth, as he struggles to balance his intellectual interest in the quest, his friendship for Alma, and his deeper feelings for her. The side characters are also well-developed; though they are not as complex as Alma and Caleb and sometimes feel a bit flat.

As far as plot as concerned, Alma’s quest is captivating and keeps the reader guessing. At times, the plot does become more preoccupied with Alma’s love life and friendships. While this provides good character development, I would have liked to actually sit in with Alma on some of her meetings with the elders and learn more about the lore of Ambeth. Moreover, the non-quest aspects of the novel take up so much of the text that the actual first part of the quest feels a bit too easy and makes the ending seem rushed. Likewise, at times, Alma’s crush on Deryck feels way too juvenile. I understand that this is a young adult novel, and I remember what it was like to be a teenage girl in “love,” but at times it feels forced and makes Alma seem shallow.

Overall, though, Oak and Mist is a fun and enchanting novel. Ambeth is a gorgeous and mysterious realm, and Alma’s quest will surely continue to be an intriguing adventure. I expect the target audience will enjoy the romantic subplot and some of the drama more than I did and will strongly identify with Alma and the other young characters. Fans of young adult fantasy will adore this novel.

View all my reviews

If you are interested in reading Oak and Mist and would like to help sponsor my writing and research, you can purchase it through my Amazon Associates Store. By doing this, you will not pay a cent extra, nor will the author receive a cent less, but I will receive a small commission on the sale. Simply click the book’s title or the book’s image.

Filed under: Fiction Book Reviews Tagged: amreading, book, book review, books, fantasy, fiction, magic, reading, self-publishing, YA, young adult

Vlog: My First Line Edit Experience

In this vlog, I discuss my first line edit experience with The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1), including: a brief overview of the process, the kinds of comments I received, and how I feel about the experience in retrospect.

For those who dislike vlogs or who are hearing impaired, here is a summary of this video. 

My line editor took approximately two weeks with my manuscript. When she was finished, she called me to discuss her notes and comments, her mindset being that A) if she just sent over the worksheet, I’d make my own assumptions about her comments and B) it would yield a more productive conversation than email. I really appreciated the phone call, and it was incredibly helpful for me to discuss everything with her. After we talked, she sent me her notes page as well as the comments within the manuscript. I spent about a month doing my revisions based on her comments, then she spent another two weeks doing more revisions, then I spent 10-12 days with my final revisions. She did one final search for a few grammar rules, then passed it along to the proofreader.

Thus far, line editing has been my favorite part of the editing process. It is not as extensive (nor does it feel as artistically painful) as content editing, and it is really fun as a writer to see your work go from just a story to a beautiful, fluid story. I learned so much from this experience, and I already know my writing craft has improved because of it.

Red Adept Editing

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How have your editing experiences been? What advice would you give to authors preparing for their first round of edits?

Filed under: Indie Publishing, The Cogsmith's Daughter, Vlog/Video, Writing Updates Tagged: author, Author Business, blog tour, blogging, editing, fiction, independent publishing, indie author, indie publishing, line editing, publishing, red adept editing, revising, self-publishing, video, vlog, vlogging, writing

Indie Book Review: The Slapstyx by Annabelle Franklin

The Slapstyx by Annabelle Franklin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

The Slapstyx by Annabelle Franklin is a charming children’s novel. It follows twins Gemma and Georgie on their mission to stop the Slapstyx goblin tribe from producing dirt and put environmentally-UNfriendly cleaning product ZOOM!!! out of business.

The Slapstyx contains numerous characters and themes that children love. It has magic – goblins, mermaids, and dreamwalking – that is playful and never too scary. Georgie and Gemma are both ambitious, clever, and kind. While I would have liked to have seen a bit more personality distinction between them, both girls are well-developed and very likable. The villain, Zachary Zigstack, is comically portrayed and the perfect level of evil for the twins to face. The side characters, while a bit simple, are developed enough for a children’s novel and touch on issues that many children have to tackle, including friendship, a parent’s remarriage, and (step-)siblinghood.

The over-arching theme of The Slapstyx is environmental consciousness. Franklin spends ample time explaining how ZOOM!!! adversely affects the environment. While much of the plot is enveloped in magic, there are still “real-world” elements that teach children about environmental issues, such as hints to capitalistic greed, toxins in the ocean, and animal endangerment. The environmental theme is well done and a great way to introduce children to this issue.

The writing itself is clear and simple, which allows the story and the characters to be the focus of the novel. The tone of The Slapstyx is playful and witty. Even in moments of danger, Franklin keeps the tone light and inserts comic relief. However, the novel does end on a rather violent note. While I do not think it was too violent for children, it did come as a bit of a surprise after how playful the rest of the novel was.

Overall, The Slapstyx is a fun novel with an important message. If your child (or even you) likes magic, adventure, take-charge characters, and socially-conscious themes, you will enjoy The Slapstyx.

View all my reviews

If you are interested in reading The Slapstyx and would like to help sponsor my writing and research, you can purchase it through my Amazon Associates Store. By doing this, you will not pay a cent extra, nor will the author receive a cent less, but I will receive a small commission on the sale. Simply click the book’s title or the book’s image.

Filed under: Fiction Book Reviews Tagged: book, book review, books, children, children's lit, childrens book, fiction, goblin, magic, mermaid, paranormal, reading, self-publishing, supernatural, YA, young adult

Month-End Update: August 2015

 

Hello, everyone! In case you missed the memo, it is officially September. I know, I know, I’m freaking out, too. The insane heat of summer is coming to an end, and gorgeous fall will soon be upon us. (Being a new East Coaster, I refuse to even think about winter just yet.)

Anyway, I got off to a bit of a late start this August. With the move taking up the first week of the month and my blog safely babysat by brilliant guest posts, I didn’t get back to my author business until week two. However, I am happy to report that being unemployed (until yesterday!) in a new state was just about the best and most productive thing that could have happened to my author business. I accomplished a LOT this month, and I have a feeling next month will be even more exciting!

Without further ado, here’s the run down of my August:

Writing/Drafting

Blog Posts Written — 12
Fiction Words Written — 7,252
# of Days I Wrote Fiction — 6
Outlines Written — None, but I did write my first poem in years!

Editing/Revising

Drafts Revised — Finished second line edit revision of The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1)
# of Days I Revised — 10
Misc. Editing — N/A

Books 

Books Finished

The Winter Garden  by Kara Jorgensen
The Art of the Imperfect, a murder mystery set in Scarborough by Kate Evans
The Sleeping Angel by Margarita Morris
The Slapstyx by Annabelle Franklin – review on the way




Books Begun/In-Progress

Self Publisher’s Legal Handbook by Helen Sedwick
Oak and Mist by Helen Jones




Books Reviewed

The Winter Garden  by Kara Jorgensen – read review
The Art of the Imperfect, a murder mystery set in Scarborough by Kate Evans – read review
The Sleeping Angel by Margarita Morris – read review

Author Business Activities

Completed the second line edit revision for The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1)
Sent TCD off for proofreading
Prepared print-on-demand format template for TCD
Participated in Joanna Penn’s Creative Freedom FREE video training

Goals for September

Return to writing Desertera #2
Continue working on another new project
Actually put out an author newsletter (sorry for missing August, friends!)
Begin cover design process

What have you accomplished this month? What are your goals for September? For the rest of the year?

Filed under: Writing Updates Tagged: Author Business, blogging, book review, books, editing, goals, independent publishing, indie author, manuscript, revising, self-publishing, writing

The 777 Challenge

Amanda N. Butler has tagged me in The 777 Challenge! The premise of the challenge is to share seven lines from the seventh page of your current work-in-progress then tag seven writers to do the same. I’m going to be sharing an excerpt from The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1), a flashback of a conversation between Aya, my protagonist, and her father. If you enjoy the sneak peek, be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive your advance review copy in a month (give or take) and thank Amanda for nominating me!

Aya’s brows furrowed. “But King Archon is good, isn’t he? No one speaks ill of King Archon. He must be good.”

Papa motioned for her to stand and looked her straight in the eyes. “That’s right, Aya. You must never speak ill of King Archon or Prince Lionel or the Queen, no matter who holds the title.”

“I won’t, Papa.”

“Good.” Papa smiled and squeezed her shoulders.

Aya pursed her lips and tapped her chin. “Papa?”

“Yes?”

“Why did the Almighty King want a different bed? Was his too stiff?”

Papa chuckled. “Something like that.”

Nominated Writers

Kara Jorgensen
Margarita Morris
Zachary Chopchinski
A.M. Offenwanger
Jonas Lee
Judy Molnar
Charles French

Filed under: Blog Awards Tagged: 777 challenge, author, blog award, blog challenge, blogging, desertera, fiction, indie author, the cogsmith's daughter, writer, writing