Kelly A. Harmon's Blog, page 7

I Turned Down a Book Deal!

Did I get your attention?

The offer came at the end of last year for a novel that I’ve been shopping for a long time. It was from a highly respected company, and one I’d been courting for a while.

But the offer was bad. I had to walk away from it.

Why am I telling you this now?

Well…it explains the inactivity here on the blog, and gives me a chance to tell you about some changes.

The reason for the inactivity: I’ve been working hard to complete a three-book urban fantasy series. It’s a bit of depa...

Recording Done for Audio of Blood Soup!

The narration is complete for the audio version of Blood Soup! I’ve listened to all the files and notified Audible that I approved them.

Now, we wait for Audible to do their own quality checks. This could take anywhere from fourteen to twenty days, according to Audible — but my narrator Edoardo Camponeschi of menestrandise.com tells me that it’s been running about a week. I’m hoping that’s the case.

I’ve pictured the new cover art here. Audible requires the square, ‘jewel case’ format. I was ab...

Audio Book, Coming Soon!

I’m very pleased to announce that I’ll very shortly have an audio version of my book, Blood Soup available!

It’s a short novel, and the timetable is happening so quick, that it’s likely it will be available from Audible (and elsewhere) by the end of February!

I’m even more tickled to announce that the reader is none other than Edoardo Camponeschi of menestrandise.com who has read so far the first three of Christopher Paolini’s “Inheritance Cycle” books to much acclaim.

When I submitted the book...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

Writing Prompt – Soured Relationships

It’s that time of year where you’re hitting party after party and seeing friends and family you might not have seen for years–or at least about a year.

You know them: the folks you wouldn’t associate with otherwise.

Seeing them turns an otherwise delightful party into a so-so affair. (Or maybe, a total bust.)

Having to socialize with folks like that reminds me of a book I remember a friend reading in high school. I can’t remember the name of it, or who wrote it, but the pages were full of pithy...

Writing Prompt – The Personal Essay

I rarely explore prompts categorized as “personal essay.” I include them in a lot of suggested prompts, but they aren’t often the focus of my blog since I generally talk about fiction.

But personal experiences bolster fiction. It’s these experiences that allow authors to write what they “know.” They lend realism to an otherwise imaginative tale.

When you choose a suggested prompt below, spend some time remembering the details of what occurred or visualizing events or objects before you start to...

Dear Family: Your Christmas Cards Are In the Mail

Hey Friends and Family!!

I finally got my Christmas Cards out this morning.

Mom taught me that my Xmas cards should be perfect and beautiful, that I should use a Christmas stamp, that I should take my time so that you know I did my very best for you…

Sorry, Mom. Here’s the deal:

This year, some of you will receive cards that I’ve used in the past. I got rid of all those leftover ones and twos that have been hanging out for years. Apologies in advance if you received the same card you got last...

Writing Prompt – A Little “Best Of”

I’ve been traveling.

Last week it was a convention and this past week it was out of state for a friend’s book launch.

Since I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, I figured we’d do a little “best of” the writing prompts this week.

In honor of Friday the 13th, you could revisit the Attack of the Phobias Writing Prompt.

Here’s one for poets: Structured Poetry, The Tanka

Here’s a writing prompt about collections: What do your characters collect?

Writing Prompt: Lost

For something unthemed, you migh...

Writing Prompt – Something Wrapped

Are you buying gifts for the holidays?

I am.

(I’ve got about half my gifts bought and wrapped already–though I’m a bit behind this year. It makes me crazy to be this behind.)

I plan to do a bunch of online ordering in order to save time and effort. And internet shopping is the best!

I can’t stand crowds, I hate to browse, and I like the idea of being able to comparison shop from my desk chair. I can shop for almost everyone in the course of a single afternoon!

Here’s Your Prompt:

What’s the fi...

Dr. Seuss and Sandwiches

I’m in Massachusetts for the next day or so, celebrating with my friend Trisha Wooldridge for the launch of her debut novel, The Kelpie

.

Since I’ve never been to Massachusetts before, she’s taking me around and seeing the sites (in between book stuff and writing) and it’s been loads of fun.

First we went to The Doctor Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden to see some sculpture created of the characters in his books. (I LOVE Dr. Seuss!) The Gardens are part of the Springfield Museums, so we g...