K.R. Conway's Blog, page 22

The 4-1-1 on Indie Distribution

I have had a lot of questions about marketing (basically how I did it with UNDERTOW). I will answer those at a later date (not because I am trying to be sneaky – I am just literally crushed for time).

Instead, I wanted to convey how I released the title, because when it comes to ISBNs and rights, the publishing world has some wild waters to navigate. Please note that I do all layout and cover graphics MYSELF (which saves me a sizable fortune).

So, I learned early on that I needed to own my ISBNs and buy them DIRECTLY from Bowker. DO NOT BUY FROM ANYWHERE ELSE. Places that sell “discount identifiers” will list themselves as publisher and then you end up in a sticky-wicket in regards to rights. Suck it up and cough out the dough. I bought 10 at $250.00 plus a bar code for $25.00

So, once I owned my ISBN, I went to CreateSpace and uploaded my cover art and interior file and ordered a proof ($35.00 I think). I used MY ISBN (they will say “for extended distribution, we will use OUR CreateSpace assigned ISBN”). DON’T DO IT – DO NOT CHOOSE EXTENDED DIST. That Createspace ISBN will not be able to be used ANYWHERE else and therefore titles that are published by Lightning Source won’t take the book title and you will need a new ISBN. You asks, “Well that’s okay, right?” WRONG. You want all your paperback books of that edition to have the same ISBN for sales recording. Extended distribution will be handled by Lightning Source (keep reading . . .).

Once Createspace (aka AMAZON) had the Print-On-Demand copy set for UNDERTOW, I also went into Kindle Direct and set the file up as an ebook (.mobi file). I had KDP do this for $80. It was worth it – trust me. I chose NOT to do the Premier package and get 5 days to set my book for “free” because I wouldn’t be allowed to sell it anywhere else as an ebook for 90 days. Not happening. Plus, I could drop it to $.99 without being in the premier program. I have learned that .99 is basically the same as free in the eyes of consumers.

THEN I went to Lightning Source (this is not for the faint of heart). After a LONG road, they set up the title for POD (Print on Demand) into the world-wide Ingram, Baker & Taylor, and Books in Print catalogs. PAIN IN THE ASS. Why do it then? Because bookstores (large and small), libraries, and schools do not buy through Amazon and CreateSpace – they buy through Ingram. And the only way to get into Ingram without stocking in their warehouse is to set up a POD. You can pay a fortune to Author House to do this (and Lulu) OR torment yourself and save a few thousand and do it yourself. I did it myself. I spent around $150 so far with them (versus $1000 + through Author House).

While LS was SLOWLY loading my title (and it is still loading I think), I also needed an ebook distributer. I was handling Amazon myself (long story on why I chose to do this). I found BookBaby to be a great resource for distribution. They converted the book and uploaded it to all the channels I requested (listed on the top of this blog in the header). For $350 (I think) they set up everything and take nothing for royalties. I highly recommend them.

I also set up UNDERTOW as print for small off-set runs with a local printer, COUNTRY PRESS, in Lakeville. I have been very pleased with them. I did this to get the book circulating into small stores, libraries, giveaways, etc. I could have used CreateSpace, but they charge quite a fee for shipping books. Country Press charges me about $5.05 a book and I pick them up – no one can touch that. I have run 140 books with them so far. I will let you calculate THAT total.

So, in sum, consumers can buy a print copy of UNDERTOW from any number of local books sellers (large and small) and online through the big players (Barnes & Noble and Amazon).

They can buy an ebook everywhere as well, including walking right into Barnes and Noble, paying the cashier and it will upload instantly to their Nook (or Nook account, which is now readable on iPad – SEE? There’s an App for that!).

Plus, B&N has a Starbucks . . .

Filed under: Writing Tagged: Amazon, authors, Baker and Taylor, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, BookBaby, books, books by the sea, Bookwire, cape cod, CreateSpace, Eight Cousins, Eila Walker, fiction, goodreads, Ingram, Lightning Source, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, netgalley, opinion, Raef Paris, reviews, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, teens, Titcombs, Undertow, writers, writing, YA, ya books, ya lit

Why negative book reviews are bad for the reviewer.

It is no secret that I love to review books I have adored.  If you kick around on this blog, you will find them. And yes – they are raves, because I loved the books and the authors deserve the praise I have given them. Because ultimately a review IS about the ability of the author, and that is what is often forgotten. Which is why I don’t write bad reviews, choosing instead to simply NOT review the book at all.

Because a bad review (the really bad ones), in the grand scheme of things, does nothing for the other potential audience members. I mean – what I may hate (a certain series about 50 gray window coverings comes to mind), they may love and vice versa, right? So, while a great review applauds the work of the author, a scathing review serves only to slap them.

And it is a slap.

The surest way I know a reviewer is not a writer, is when they pen a brutal review and then add “this is not about the author.” *SNORT*

Let me tell ya – IT IS ALWAYS about the author TO THE AUTHOR. I have seen writers be destroyed by a bad review and I tell them, “the person who wrote this is obviously not a writer.” Somehow that makes them feel better . . . briefly. But then they go and write down the reviewer’s name, making sure to find their book IF he / she ever writes one. Sigh . . .

But I do get it, because a brutal review is to kick the tar out of someone’s baby – tell them their kid is scum and ugly to boot. Because a novel is a literary child, raised from infancy, in the eyes of the person who gave it birth. Someone who slaved over it, adored it, and finally gave it life. Sure, their “baby” COULD be the ugliest thing on the planet, BUT I AM NOT TELLING THEM. And quite frankly, I would never slam anyone’s book (okay – well maybe Mein Kampf, which I haven’t read and my review would be ENTIRELY about the author . . . bad me).

First of all, who says I am so brilliant to know what the heck I am talking about? Secondly, if I wrote a bad review, it reflects poorly on me as a person because I am choosing to ignore the fact that someone, somewhere in this universe, WROTE it. There is a real human being behind those pages. And a scathing review reads as excessive grandstanding for attention. Most potential buyers see such reviews as bs and the reviewer’s credibility falls through the floor. And while the book itself is rarely hurt by such reviews, the author is – and so is the reviewer.

So, while I do not write bad reviews, I also do not write many reviews AT ALL because I simply didn’t like the book. If I am backed into a corner by a writer begging me to read their novel (FYI – bad idea in the first place), and I don’t like it, I simply let them know the story wasn’t for me and I was going to pass on reviewing it.  I’ve done this on NetGalley, but I sent it as a note to the publisher (always with praise, followed by a “but” line).

Oh – and one other thing. If you write a bad review of someone’s book, and you yourself are trying to become a novelist / author / journalist / etc remember: author’s are like elephants – what you say about their book, they will never forget.

Cheers all!

Filed under: Uncategorized

For the Love of the Local Bookshop

Admit it – sometimes you go right by those little bookstores that line the road and never look back.

You think, “I have no time to stop and heck – I can just order it online.”

Sometimes the knee-jerk reaction is that the book will cost more at that quaint little Shop Around the Corner which, when you think about it, is ridiculous. Books have a set price, whether sold by an empire or a family’s shop.

But here’s the thing – that set price means a heck of a lot more to that little shop you just drove by, than the behemoth that lives online. That one book sale, when made at the Shop Around the Corner, supports a family that has devoted their heart and soul to their business. That online empire? It doesn’t feel anything when you click “BUY.”

In the realm of the online universe, books sit huddled on cold warehouse shelves waiting for someone, hopefully, to buy them. Books want to be held, to be seen, to have a finger trail over their colorful spines by a browsing buyer – not shuffled by a forklift and gathering dust from the various imports lining the shelves higher up.

Books have a life. A purpose. A burning desire to be tucked into a reader’s hands while snuggled into a fluffly blanket with its owner on a cold night. To become laced with the smell of hot chocolate and cinnamon scones, while their delicate pages are folded on the tips to mark a great scene.

Books live and they live best on the shelves of those little Shops around the Corner.

But to survive, readers, book lovers, and yes, even writers, MUST shop at that little store peeking out from under the willow trees.

So I, as writer and avid book addict, ask you to kindly shop at your local, privately owned bookstore whenever possible. I understand that sometimes there is no option to access that petite, wonderful shop, and you will turn to your computer screens. But whenever possible, buy from your local Shop Around the Corner.

Because, in the end, the dragon online will never starve, but that little bookshop just might.

Please visit these wonderful, local sellers who have UNDERTOW on their shelves:

TITCOMBS, EIGHT COUSINS, and BOOKS BY THE SEA.

Filed under: Writing Tagged: authors, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, book shops, book shops dying, books, books by the sea, bookshops, cape cod, Eight Cousins, Eila Walker, falmouth, fiction, goodreads, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, massachusetts, netgalley, new adult fiction, novels, opinion, osterville, reviews, sandwich, school, self-publishing, soul their, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, teens, Titcombs, Undertow, writing, YA, ya blog, ya lit

Author Event and Book Signing! HELP!

You know why I write? Because it allows me to be invisible . . . somewhat.
I can tell these elaborate whoppers in literary form and hide behind the pages. And people like to be told tall tales – who’d thunk it? Of course, once the story is out (and you inadvertently gain some hard-core fans) you realize you DO have to crawl out of your shell and meet your readers – IN PERSON. Gulp.
Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE TALKING with my readers, though almost always via Facetime, Twitter, or Facebook. My fans are the reason I write, period. They are the fuel that powers my determination!! God, I LOVE my readers! They bring Eila and her crew roaring to life, especially when they argue who is hotter - Raef or Kian?
On the downside, I hate public speaking. I’ve gotten better, thank goodness, but it makes me DAMN NERVOUS. I blame my mother for this knee-jerk reaction and stage-fright hell.
But this is EILA!!! And damn it, I haven’t slaved for her and her crew just to wimp-out now. So, yes, I have author events coming up. And if you are a library or bookstore from another state other than Massachusetts, I will try to link with you somehow – possibly via Skype.
Or . . . maybe I’ll trip on a pot of gold, twist my ankle, and the Leprechaun will want to avoid a lawsuit so he will dish over the dough. Then I can come in person! I do have standing requests from other states, so they get first dibs if I ever become loaded enough to get there.
Anyway, I hope to see you at the Sandwich Library :)
PEACE Ya’ALL!

Filed under: stories, undertow Tagged: #AmEditing, #AmWriting, #askagent, #BookMarket, #freebooks, #IndieAuthors, #LitChat, #MemoirChat, #NaNoWriMo, #ScriptChat, #WordCount, #WriteChat, #WritersLife, #WriterWednesday, #WritingParty, #yalit, #YALitChat, @sharkprose, Author Event, authors, Barnstable High, best book review blogs, Best Sellers, blog, book blog, book reviews, Book signing, cape cod, fiction, giveaway, goodreads, K.R. Conway, KR Conway, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, netgalley, new adult fiction, novels, opinion, Raef Paris, Reading Diva, Red Raiders, reviews, sandwich library, sandwich MA, Storm Front, twitter, Undertow, writers, writing, ya lit

WIN A COPY OF UNDERTOW

Super awesome book review site, READING DIVA, is giving away a print copy of UNDERTOW.
A PRINT COPY??? HECK YEAH! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!
And what’s that you say?
Can’t get enough of a certain lethal duo?
Feel free to download TEAM RAEF and TEAM KIAN badges below by dragging the hot soul sharks to your desktop.
Come on . . . you know you want to ;)

Filed under: stories, undertow Tagged: Ana and Kian, ARC copies, B2TV, Barnstable High School, best book review blogs, bodyguard, books, cape cod, Eight Cousins, Enter to win, free book, giveaway, Kindle, NA, netgalley, new adult, new adult fiction, Nook, paranormal romance, Raef and Eila, Reading Diva, reviews, romance, Titcombs, Undertow, upcoming books, writing, YA, ya books

Meet the UNDERTOW cast – Ana Lane

Every character in UNDERTOW has their own back story – not just little details, but HUGE stories. I wrote it that way so that readers would connect with multiple characters and not just Eila and Raef. As book review blog Twin Spin writes, “Although there was one main character in Eila, there was a great and entertaining supporting cast that were interesting enough to be able to stand on their own within the story.  Often I find that beyond the main character the rest are either boring or annoying.  Not in this case.  I found myself invested in all of the characters.” (See the full review here: TWIN SPIN).

While the story mainly revolves around Eila and Raef, two other characters have a tendency to scene-steal: Ana and Kian. Their whole, tumultuous history from the summer before will come out as a novella called CRUEL SUMMER. So when I was looking for a face for Ana, I needed someone who was petite, but feisty, with big expressive eyes and a take-no-shit attitude. I needed someone who could really convey the character, switching between emotions and have it show on her face. I found that one girl on Leslie McKinnon’s Facebook page and it happened to also be her BFF – Christa Mullaly.

Here is the 4-1-1 on Christa Mullaly, aka ANA LANE.

Age: 18

Hometown: Barnstable

High School: Barnstable

Favorite Bands / Musical Groups: It is way too hard for me to just pick a few.

Hobbies: playing guitar, piano, singing, painting and camping

Favorite quote (from anywhere): ”Never mistake wisdom with education”

How did you first find out about the fact that some random author (me – lol) wanted to use you as a cover model? Was it through me or someone else? I found out through Leslie!

What made you say “yes” and did you think I was insane when we talked on the phone before the shoot? I said yes because it was something new for me, and for Leslie too, so I figured it’d be something fun to try with my best friend.

What was it like to be the physical embodiment of a fictional character? It felt really cool being a character! When I read the book it was fun to try and see how much me and Ana had in common. She’s very strong willed and I love that.

What did you think of the shoot when you were there? My family didn’t even really know too much actually. It was kind of just, “oh hey by the way I’m going to be on a book cover” haha

Did you have any worries? I was nervous at first with all the clothes and make up and green screens. Also, shooting with some people I didn’t know worried me a little. We all had so much fun though, I wasn’t worried for long.

You are the face of Ana Lane – a tough, take-no-shit blonde who had a prior relationship with bad boy, Kian O’Reilly. In the book, Kian is still trying to gain your trust, but you go toe to toe with him. The relationship between your two characters gets a lot of comments and cheers. Do you enjoy being the face of such a tough character?  I already like Ana the best, so being her was awesome :)

You knew Justin Blaze (Kian O’Reilly) before the shoot, and you two seemed to easily flow into the characters. It was fabulous! How were you able to do it? Well I knew Justin a little bit before the shoot, so it wasn’t too bad. We got along really well and had a lot of fun it was no problem at all!

Would you be willing to be shot again for the UNDERTOW series in the future if need be? Maybe sign books as the character, Ana Lane? I would absolutely shoot again! It was so fun and I’d love to be a part of it in the future.

Filed under: stories, Uncategorized, undertow Tagged: Ana and Kian, Ana Lane, authors, Barnstable, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, book blog, book reviews, cape cod, Eila Walker, fiction, goodreads, killer, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, Mean Girls, MJ Williams, net galley, netgalley, new adult fiction, Nikki Shea, novels, opinion, Raef Paris, Red Raiders, school, self-publishing, shape-shifter, soul their, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, supernatural, teens, Undertow, writing, YA, ya blog, ya books, Young adult novel

Meet the UNDERTOW cast – Christian Raines

In searching for faces to represent UNDERTOW, there were a couple of characters that I didn’t really think I would even try to find. For one, I knew no one who could fit the bill for either Christian Raines or Rilin West. Secondly, they were “big reveal” characters, therefore I was unsure if I could give them a face to begin with.

Christian Raines . . . well, I can’t really talk about him because I will blow the twist in UNDERTOW. But we did find his face – by accident. John Sullivan had called in a few “extra” people for the photoshoot in case I needed some more faces. When we started shooting Jeremy Peacock, I figured he could be an extra. Then I looked through photographer Alex Daunais’ view finder on his camera and instantly saw Christian Raines. What was crazy was how much older he looked on film. He was perfect!

This is the 4-1-1 on Jeremy Peacock, aka CHRISTIAN RAINES.

 

Age: 19

Hometown: Osterville

High School: Barnstable high

Favorite: The Beatles

Hobbies: Film

Favorite Quote: “The sky is the limit, so reach for the stars”

How did you first find out about the fact that some random author (me – lol) wanted to use you as a cover model? Was it through me or someone else? Mr. Sullivan told me he had a character opportunity for the book and it sounded like a great opportunity.

What was it like to be the physical embodiment of a fictional character? I was asked to help as an extra and while I was there was changed to Christian, a main character, so it was unexpected and awesome.

 What did you think of the shoot when you were there? Did you have any worries? I was in plays and always liked acting but had never been photographed, it was cool and new. It was a pretty professional setting but the atmosphere was calm and easy going.

What has your family and friends thought about the whole thing? They are proud of the opportunity and want me to keep doing things like this.

You became the face of Christian Raines, a character who appears in the very first scene of UNDERTOW. It’s a violent scene, which has been very popular among readers and agents. Christian himself has dark history. Does it feel odd to possible have your face associated with this character? No, I feel comfortable playing a violent character. It’s different for me but it’s a cool twist to what I normally play.

Would you be willing to be shot again for the UNDERTOW series in the future if need be? Maybe sign books as the character, Christian Raines? Yes definitely

Filed under: stories, undertow Tagged: authors, Barnstable, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, book blog, book reviews, cape cod, Eila Walker, fiction, goodreads, killer, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, Mean Girls, MJ Williams, net galley, netgalley, new adult fiction, Nikki Shea, novels, opinion, Raef Paris, Red Raiders, school, self-publishing, shape-shifter, soul their, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, supernatural, teens, Undertow, writing, YA, ya blog, ya books, Young adult novel

Meet the Undertow Cast – MJ Williams

Finding MJ was up there with finding Kian – basically I was screwed. I had resorted to digging through RF sights and praying I could drop a nameless model into what I needed. But after weeks of searching, I came up with a big, fat NOTHING. When I relayed the fact that I needed a shaggy-haired, tall, surfer-esque kid but hadn’t found anyone, John Sullivan said he might have who I was looking for.

As luck would have it, I had seen this kid, Sean Potter, before – as Kenickie in the Drama Club’s production of Grease. He was awesome in the part and he fit the bill for MJ perfectly. Super-tall and lean-muscled, mildly crazy and decidedly exuberant, he literally WAS the character, right down to personality. He was a perfect fit.

Here is the 4-1-1 on Sean Potter, aka MJ WILLIAMS:

Age: 19

Hometown: Cotuit, MA

High School: Barnstable High School

Favorite Bands / Musical Groups: Opeth, Dissection, Watain, Morbid Angel, Jeff Buckley

Hobbies: Heavy Metal, Theatre, Magic: The Gathering, Super Smash Bros., Singing

Favorite quote (from anywhere): “It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me” – Bruce Wayne

How did you first find out about the fact that some random author (me – lol) wanted to use you as a cover model? Was it through me or someone else? I found out about via my old theatre teacher and personal mentor John Sullivan. He essentially told me “I got you a job modeling”, and I couldn’t argue with that!

What made you say “yes” and did you think I was insane when we talked on the phone before the shoot? I said yes for two reasons. Reason one is that I’ve always wanted to model, and I wanted to see if I was any good at it. Reason two is that Mr. Sullivan basically told me that I was doing it, so I didn’t have that much choice in the matter… I thought Kate was a little addled, certainly, but doesn’t every author have to be a little quirky?

What was it like to be the physical embodiment of a fictional character? I’ve been doing theatre since 2007, so I’m used to embodying fictional characters and giving them life. Most plays and movies are based on books anyways, so it didn’t feel that different at all.

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What did you think of the shoot when you were there? Did you have any worries? I had an excellent time at the shoot catching up with my friends, particularly the legendary Justin Blaze. There was enough pizza to keep me satiated, so I had no worries whatsoever.

What has your family and friends thought about the whole thing? My family was happy that I was able to do something dramatic over the summer. My friends all thought it was pretty awesome that I got to be part of something like this.

We have had a lot of comments about how damn cool your character – MJ – is. Is it weird to be the face of a character that so many adult women (and teens) adore? It doesn’t feel any different yet, because I haven’t met anyone who’s said anything to me about it! And I don’t view M.J. as “my” character. It’s Kate’s character who I simply got to embody. The screaming adults and teens should be thanking her for writing such a damn good book!

Would you be willing to be shot again for the UNDERTOW series in the future if need be? Maybe sign books as the character, MJ Williams? Hell yeah.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: authors, Barnstable, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, book blog, book reviews, cape cod, Eila Walker, fiction, goodreads, killer, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, Mean Girls, MJ Williams, net galley, netgalley, new adult fiction, Nikki Shea, novels, opinion, Raef Paris, Red Raiders, school, self-publishing, shape-shifter, soul their, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, supernatural, teens, Undertow, writing, YA, ya blog, ya books, Young adult novel

Meet the Undertow Cast – Nikki Shea

When I wrote the character known as Nikki Shea, I never wanted her to be the typical mean girl. Most people who read the novel though, automatically assumed she was a stick-thin blonde. But in my head? In my head she was Jessica Rabbit crossed with Scarlett O’Hara. She was this curvaceous brunette who knew how to work her curves, with a body built for badness, and an attitude that could slay a small country. I am happy to say that I knew no one like her when I was in high school . . . thank God.

The irony here? I DID in fact know someone who could bring Nikki Shea to life. I just didn’t realize it until I stumbled across one of Megan Jones’s Facebook photos and knew, instantly, I had someone who could nail Nikki Shea. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to convince Megan to come to the shoot, especially because she is the sweetest kid on the planet. But she did it, and once she fell into the mind-set of a bitch-on-wheels, she nailed the look.

This is the 4-1-1 on Megan Jones, aka NIKKI SHEA

Age: 16

Hometown: Centerville

High School: Barnstable High

Favorite bands / Musical Group: Everything and anything!

Hobbies: field hockey and lacrosse

Favorite Quote: “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be”. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

How did you first find out about the fact that some random author (me – lol) wanted to use you as a cover model?  Was it through me or someone else? I was first contacted by Kate in late May. She briefly explained her position and said that she believed I would fit the role as Nikki Shea. I have met Kate in person before and she had also looked at my pictures on Facebook.

What made you say “yes” and did you think I was insane when we talked on the phone before the shoot? I already knew she was insane because she has been a good friend of my aunt haha! I could tell how enthusiastic Kate was when we first talked on the phone, so I was excited to see what she had planned for the shoot. I also thought it would be an awesome experience, something I normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to do.

What was it like to be the physical embodiment of a fictional character? Embodying a fictional character was challenging yet fun at the same time. It was so cool to be able to put myself into Nikki’s shoes and play the role of the mean girl for once.

What did you think of the shoot when you were there? Did you have any worries? I had a great time at the shoot. I met new people and had the chance to work with a great photographer- and of course the wonderful Kate Conway. I was somewhat intimidated to portray such a bold character, but it went great!

What has your family and friends thought about the whole thing? My family and friends are excited to see the book in stores and online. My friends have seen the posters in school and love pointing it out to me. My mom even sometimes refers to me as Nikki when she means business!

You are the face of Nikki Shea – the most loathed and feared girl in school. She is both hated and adored as a bad-girl by readers and she will play a bigger part in STORM FRONT. Was it weird to try and get inside the head of this ultimate mean girl? Nikki Shea and I are complete opposites. I think that’s what made the shoot so fun. At first, it was weird trying to convey the “mean girl” look but after a few try’s I think I had gotten the hang of it. I’m excited to see what Nikki Shea is going to bring to storm front!

Would you be willing to be shot again for the UNDERTOW series in the future if need be? Maybe sign books as the character, Nikki Shea? I would without a doubt participate in another shoot for any future books in the UNDERTOW series. Signing books as my alter ego would be awesome. I can’t wait to see this series take off! I can’t wait to see this series take off!

Filed under: stories, undertow Tagged: authors, Barnstable, Barnstable High, blog, bodyguard, book blog, book reviews, cape cod, Eila Walker, fiction, goodreads, killer, literary agent, literature, lunaterra, Mean Girls, net galley, netgalley, new adult fiction, Nikki Shea, novels, opinion, Raef Paris, Red Raiders, school, self-publishing, soul their, soul thieves, star crossed lovers, stories, supernatural, teens, Undertow, writing, YA, ya blog, ya books, young adult

Meet the Undertow Cast – Kian O’Reilly

I honestly didn’t think I was going to find someone to represent Kian O’Reilly. In fact, I had started searching through RF photos (random model shots) in an attempt to find the character.  I always used young Friday Night Lights actor, Taylor Kitsch, as my baseline when writing for Kian. And I was sure there wasn’t a real-life Cape Codder wandering around that could fill the dark character’s description.

Thankfully, John Sullivan (of Quahog Corner) DID know “someone who might work” by the name of Justin Blaze. When Justin walked through the door of the studio, I literally saw my character strolling in. I couldn’t believe he was such a perfect match. Taylor Kitsch got the boot pretty darn quick after meeting Justin . . . Sorry Taylor.

Here is the 4-1-1 on Justin Blaze, aka KIAN O’REILLY

Age: 20

Hometown: Osterville, MA

High school: Barnstable

Favorite Bands: James Taylor and Dave Matthews Band

Hobbies: Tennis and Basketball

Favorite Quote: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” – Calvin Coolidge

How did you first find out about the fact that some random author (me – lol) wanted to use you as a cover model? Was it through me or someone else? I found out about the book and potentially representing a character when I opened a Facebook message from my high school Drama director Mr. Sullivan. I was teaching tennis when I opened the message and I was kind of confused at how random this opportunity was but I was excited at the same time.

What made you say “yes” and did you think I was insane when we talked on the phone before the shoot? I said yes to the offer because it sounded like such a great idea. No, I did not think you were crazy after we spoke on the phone. I knew you were passionate about your idea and excited at the thought of your words and characters actually coming to life. Your excitement made me want to represent “Kian” even more.

What was it like to be the physical embodiment of a fictional character? It was different. Whenever I read a book or watch a movie I would always try to put myself in one of the characters shoes. But when I read this book I knew I was supposed to actually be one of the characters. The entire time I was reading, I was constantly comparing myself to this fictional person to see just how alike we really were.

What did you think of the shoot when you were there? Did you have any worries? The shoot was a lot of fun. I have done a few shoots before so I was comfortable.

What has your family and friends thought about the whole thing? This is a very different experience and my friends and family are excited to read the book and see it succeed. My mom has printed out the posters of me and hung them up. A few of my friends have saved the digital pictures to their phones and can’t wait to read it. But as for my four brothers, they try to make fun of me as much as they can. I love it.

You are the face of Kian O’Reilly – a dark character whose tormented relationship with Ana Lane gets crazy amounts of screaming fan mail. Some women even confess to DREAMING of him. Is it strange to be the face of a character that sends hearts racing? It is very strange because after reading the book I know that Kian and I are two very different people. Kian is a very dark character and I wish that I could pull that off, but in reality I am a much more optimistic and up beat person than my fictional counterpart. Although I know we are two different people, it is funny to think that readers will associate my face when thinking/dreaming of Kian.

 

You also didn’t know Christa Mullaly (Ana) very well before the shoot, yet you two instantly fell into the characters beautifully – how were you able to do that so well? It really helped that I read the book before the shoot, so that I knew who I was representing and the kind of relationship that Kian was involved in. The photographer really gave us no direction as to what to do other than have my right arm wrapped in front of her, so I just kind of thought of what Kian and Ana went through in the book, and attributed similar life experiences that I have had when there is really nothing to say, and all you can do is just hold on.

Would you be willing to be shot again for the UNDERTOW series in the future if need be? Maybe sign books as the character, Kian O’Reilly? We may need crowd control . . . I would definitely be willing to be shot again for UNDERTOW, but I did just get a haircut so id have to wait until the summer to grow my hair back out to look the part again! Sign books? Why not!

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