Barbara Kyle's Blog: The Rest of the Story - Posts Tagged "barbara-kyle"

It takes a team.

That's a lesson I've gratefully learned in having nine novels published.

I'm blessed with an "A" team—three exceptional people who help me create my books. I'll sing their praises here.

I write a book a year, on average. Before Kensington Books published my historical novels I wrote three contemporary thrillers for Warner Books under pen name Stephen Kyle. Beyond Recall was a Literary Guild Selection. In June Kensington will release my 6th Thornleigh Saga novel, The Queen's Exiles.

Creating a book a year is a challenge. I couldn't achieve it without my support team. Here they are.

My Agent, Al Zuckerman



Al Zuckerman is something of a legend in the publishing industry. He founded Writers House and grew it into one of the biggest literary agencies in the world. He's been midwife to dozens of bestselling books, many of them blockbuster hits such as Dr. Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time, Michael Lewis's Moneyball (made into the film with Brad Pitt), and Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. I'm honored that Al names me as one of his leading clients: http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/...

When I was a rookie in this business, peddling my first novel but knowing nobody, I sent queries out to a slew of agents as all new writers do when trying to break in. I'd read an interview with Al in which he was asked: "What's the one piece of advice you'd give new writers?" Al's answer: "Be willing to work your ass off." Oh, I thought in my dream state of dumb novice, he means the endless book launches, signings, interviews, and fan mail. Nope. Turns out he meant the ass-busting work of writing.

He was right, of course, as he has been with every other piece of advice he's given me over the years in shepherding my novels from stumbling story outline to polished final draft to book contract to foreign rights sales. Al has vast literary wisdom and book-business savvy, and I always heed his counsel. In the words of my late father (who used the following phrase as his highest compliment) Al is a scholar and a gentleman. I'm proud to call him my friend.

My Editor, Esi Sogah



Esi Sogah joined the editorial team at Kensington Books in 2013 after working for years with bestselling authors at William Morrow & Avon where she helped launch the Avon Impulse digital-first imprint. I'm fortunate indeed to have her on my team.

Esi is a joy to work with, a true collaborator, whether we're discussing characters in my current manuscript or artwork for the cover of my latest release or future storylines for my Thornleigh Saga books. She's got that magical mix of passionate story-loving heart and cool analytical head that's the mark of a top notch editor.

Here's my Kensington page: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author...


My Husband, Stephen Best



My go-to guy. Stephen is an invaluable partner in my creative process. Luckily for me, he's no stranger to storytelling. He's been doing it for years as a film producer/director/screenwriter and as a communications expert for progressive organizations furthering environmental and animal welfare issues. (Above, he's with an otter friend.)

In creating each new book I get Stephen to read the first draft, chapter by chapter. He constantly makes suggestions that are dead right. He has also helped me solve knotty research conundrums, such as whether a man can piss while walking. (I told you he was invaluable.)

For that answer, and more, read my post about Stephen: https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...

Writing as a team sport? I say "Go, team!"

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My new historical thriller, The Queen's Exiles, will be released 27 May 2014.