Kathleen Collins's Blog, page 5

Update for the New Year

Hello! So a new year is upon us and I couldn’t be happier. 2016 was a tough year for a lot of people, myself included. For awhile I was doing really well recovering from my stroke, then I went downhill again.

My husband and I made the decision to sell our house so I could quit working and focus on getting better. Temporarily we are residing with my folks and it is going wonderfully for all of us, I think. And most important, I’m getting the chance to heal. I am also getting the chance to write.

I am officially a full time writer and hope to stay that way which means I need to get my rear in gear which is much easier to do when I’m not wearing myself out all day and trying to write at night.

I have several projects in the works, but this year should bring you both the Becoming Mrs. Kendrick short and the fourth book in the series, Prophecy’s Child. After that, you’ll be getting some new stuff from me. There is a fifth book in the series, but that has been what I considered a bonus book. I still intend to write it at some point, but I’m going to take the opportunity to work on some other things. All of the questions you have about Juliana, her family and her enemies will be tied up in book four.

Since I have more time, I will be attempting to update the blog more as well and send out semi-regular newsletters.

If you haven’t signed up for the newsletter yet, you totally should. Newsletter peeps get exclusive snippets, first look at new covers and flash pieces.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter Stuff

Hello! So I sent out a newsletter this week. What was in it? Exclusive snippets along with two flash pieces I wrote for other blogs. If you want in on the fun, click Newsletter to get added to the list.

What you’ve been missing

I tend to post more on Facebook than anywhere else just because it’s more convenient. But given their lovely programming I’m pretty sure like a tenth of my followers see most of my posts. In case you missed out here’s what I’ve been talking about.

Secret project #1 – A little hint. (or big one as the case may be)

I posted a lovely picture of a girl in a blue dress with a knife in her hand standing in front of a castle with much heart detailing.

Secret project #2 – A snippet for you

He leaned his back against the fence when he got there and she hoped he hadn’t seen her looking at his ass when he turned around. It wasn’t her fault his jeans looked like they were painted on. That just wasn’t playing fair. As usual, he looked a day past needing a shave. She didn’t know how he seemed to keep a constant state of stubble, but she wasn’t about to complain.

And proof I am working on Realm Walker #3.5

“Trust me, I know it’s my wedding, but let’s be honest here. The guest list includes several Wardens, a former demigoddess of love and the director of the Gathering, My bridesmaids are wearing tuxes, you know because they’re guys. Though Nathaniel would look cute in a dress. And the dark fae god of death is giving me away. It’s not like it’s a normal wedding anyway.”

 

 

Deep Thoughts with Kathleen Collins – Working for Free

I received a Facebook message the other day from someone I didn’t know. No big deal, I like hearing from people. Except this person wanted me to write for their new magazine. For free. This is an increasingly common thing, expecting authors, artists of any type really, to provide you with their work for free. Promising them exposure is not payment.

Here’s the thing, I’m not saying I might not contribute a piece to something I felt worthwhile or release a free short for my readers. Heck, The Making of Michael Bishop has been free for a year now. But I would never ask a stranger to give me their work for free. I wouldn’t even do that to someone I know. This is no different than me asking an architect to design a building for free. I mean people will see their building right? That’s exposure for him, right?

People for some reason tend not to see the correlation between creative products and tangible ones. Maybe it’s because when we publish a book, or paint a picture, or sing a song, in some manner we’re selling an idea. But I work hard for those ideas. And if I’m going to spend my time writing, it’s going to be on my next story or book, not an article for a magazine that someone else will make money from.

That’s my musings for today. What do you think? Do you have a different take? Please share.

 

So in an effort to be more productive…

I’ve decided to no longer limit blog posts to only writer related things. I mean technically it’s all writer related because it’s all about me and I’m a writer, but you know what I mean. See the thing is, I can’t share a lot of what I’m doing until it gets picked up or whatever and why I can say “I’m writing” or “I’m editing” it means little to you if I can’t sure what I’m working on with you.

A little update on me. I’ve had to cut my hours at work. There’s this thing called post stroke fatigue which pretty much kicked my ass. I hit a wall and my brain won’t think of anything else or do anything else. And the effect is cumulative so every day I was a little worse than the day before. I’m hoping that the cut in hours will allow me to operate at a level slightly above zombie when I’m home. That means in turn I will hopefully be more productive with my writing.

My family and I are trying to relocate to Florida. Why? Mainly because we love it there. We’ve talked about it for a few years now and if this stroke has taught me anything, its that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Reach for what you want, don’t put it off until twenty years from now you wonder how your life would be different if you’d taken that chance. The goal is for me to be a full-time writer/mom when we move. That would be fantastic. Keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer if you’re the praying kind. Talk to you soon!

 

Hello Friends!

Okay, here is your update. I’m still working on the health stuff, but I am writing. I rewrote a fantasy and turned it into my agent. And I’m working on the first book in a twisted fairytale series. The short story is still coming in Realm Walker and there will also be a fourth book that ties up all the loose ends. I also have another short and a fifth book on the pipeline but the timeline on those depends on if I’m under contract for something else. Is there something you’re just dying to know? Ask me in the comments, send me an email or something.[image error] For those of you who don’t follow me on facebook (why don’t you) here’s the cover for the short story. And don’t forget to click on the newletter link and sign up for that to be the first to get the news when I have it.

Well…

Here’s the deal. After the surveys and talking to people, we are are going to have a conference in Kansas City, MO October 19-22, 2017. I would love to see any or all of you there. You can get more info here It is going to be an absolute blast.

The Midwest Reader Con : Coming 2017.

Take a Survey (or 2) and help me out

So I have gone crazy and have started pursuing an idea that’s been in the back of my brain for a long time. A Midwest Reader’s Conference right in my own backyard of Kansas City. I’ve made a couple of surveys to get info, etc to help us plan. If you’re interested in helping out, please fill out part one and part two. Part Two is also where you can leave your name and email if you want to be kept in the loop.[image error] Even if you can’t go, I’d love your input.

 

Thanks!

A Health Update

For all of you incredibly patient people. To be completely up front with what’s going on with me, I had a stroke on February 18th. It was in the part of the brain that effects balance and coordination and for a long time I couldn’t even look at the computer screen without my eyes hurting. Unfortunately at that time we also discovered a previous stroke on the other side that we had been unaware of. Needless to see this has been an emotional, stressful experience.

The good news is that I am getting better every day. I started writing again this week and I believe I have decided on my next series which I am extremely excited about. My brain overall is working differently than it did previously, though I’m not entirely sure that’s a bad thing. It’s quieted down a bit and made it easier to focus. It just takes some getting used to. I’m used to hearing a lot of noise in there, you know.

So, dear reader, fear not. You have not been forgotten and I am working. I still intend to have carpal tunnel surgery but that’s obviously been postponed a bit. For the time being I’m working on healing and writing when I can.

On a personal note, let me just say this. After I took a few days to process everything the doctor’s were telling me, it occurred to me that I could have died that day. I could have never seen my babies again (though at their ages I’m sure they’d protest me calling them babies). Remember, weird random crap happens every day and we might never see our loved one(s) again. Let them know they’re loved.

Also if you’re the one that pays all the bills and you do it online, make sure your partner knows all the user names and passwords. ;)

 

 

 

Happy New Year!

Hey guys.

First, let me thank you all for reading and loving my series. You guys are so supportive and it means a lot that you like what I write. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that your 2016 is trouble free and filled with happiness.

An update from me about what you can expect for the rest of the Realm Walker series.

Next up is a short titled Becoming Mrs. Kendrick. In case it’s not obvious, the story centers on Juliana and Thomas’s wedding. That can’t be all of course. The wedding planning is interrupted by a case that takes up far more of Juliana’s time than she’d intended.

After that is book four, Prophecy’s Child. I’m not going to give away too much on that one other than to say that you (and Juliana) will finally get to meet to her mother.

Another short titled Finding Juliana Norris comes after that. This gives you a glimpse into the early days when Thomas took Juliana in off the streets.

And finally, the conclusion to the series will be the as yet untitled fifth book.

As I believe I’ve mentioned before, I know where the series is going. I know how it ends. I’m not going to give you a timeline other than to say I’m working on it and I’ve asked my cover artist to do the next two covers. I would love to give you firm dates, but I don’t want to disappoint anyone. The discussion with the doctor this week indicated that carpal tunnel surgery is likely on the horizon. I have no idea when that might happen or how long I’ll be out of commission.

I will also be starting a newsletter soon, so keep an eye out for that. Sign up and you’ll be the first to know release dates and there may even be some newsletter exclusive snippets, contests, etc.

Again, thank you all for the support. As always, you rock! And don’t forget that I love to hear from you with questions, comments or concerns. Hop over the Contact Me page and shoot me a message.