Kym Brunner's Blog: Kym Brunner - Young Adult Author, page 4

Choose Titles for Your Blog Articles Wisely....Or You May Anger Readers

Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos/Stuart Miles
I was blessed with the opportunity to write an article for Chuck Sambuchino's "Guide to Literary Agents" column for Writer's Digest. Considering how many hits Chuck's blog posts get, I was in debut author heaven. After being given the okay for a guest column with the freedom to choose the topic, I excitedly detailed how I came about writing multiple POVs for Wanted:  Dead or In Love, my YA novel about Bonnie & Clyde taking over the bodies of two modern day teens (which resulted in four POVs interspersed in the story). I figured readers might wonder how and why I chose to write it in alternating POVs, and so I gave (what I hoped was) the interesting background about my thought process.
Before it appeared online however, someone at WD changed the title of my article from "Cracking Down on Multiple POVs:  Surrender and Nobody Gets Hurt," to "You Should Write From Multiple POVs if Your Story Demands It." Perhaps mine was too long or they felt it wasn't catchy enough. Although I thought my title with the criminal undertones was clever and fit my article, I wasn't upset.

No biggie, right?

I didn't think so....until I saw the list of comments on the Writer's Digest Facebook Page that linked to my article (which has since been taken down). People were writing angry comments that my post was nothing but a promo for my book and didn't give advice about whether or not to write from multiple POVs. The thing is...I hadn't intended to do that.

I left one short polite reply on the Writer's Digest Facebook page explaining that my original title had been changed and basically, sorry for the misconception. (I'm not sure if my comment caused them to take down the post or if the fury of the commentators did, but either way, it's probably a blessing for both of us).***Editing to say that on the webpage itself, there were lots and lots of wonderful comments by readers. Definitely the lovely outweighed the grumblers. Thank you, positive readers! :)

Here's the thing:  the title gave readers a different expectation. And I guess, looking at it from their perspective, I can see why they might have had some sour feelings. They wanted a checklist or guidelines of when you should use multiple POVs in your story and when you should stick with a single POV. I'm not sure there's a right/wrong answer to that question, except to say that uh (ahem) you should do it if your story demands it.

That said, I guess I learned that blog post titles have more significance than I knew. With that in mind, I decided to create a few guidelines for choosing blog post titles:

1) CRAFT A CATCHY TITLE - it's important that you make readers curious to see what your article is about. If you're tweeting a link to your article, you only have a split-second to catch a reader's attention. "Write a Title That Fits" wouldn't have been as interesting as the one I chose for this blog post, although it would have reflected the content.

2) DELIVER WHAT YOU PROMISE - the title should reflect the content. No one likes bait and switch. Yes, it should be catchy, but it can't promise something that you don't deliver. Make sure the reader gets what he's coming to your blog for, or they might not come again.

3) REFRAIN FROM GENERIC "GRABBER" TITLES - there are many tweets that say, "Check this out!" or "You won't believe what you'll see by clicking HERE." Yes, we are curious by nature, but when you've seen enough of those, you stop following the link. No one likes surprises THAT much.

Those are all the rules I can think of at the moment (except maybe if you host someone as a guest on your blog, don't change their title without running it past them first.) :)

If Chuck Sambuchino or anyone from Writer's Digest reads this article, I want to reiterate how grateful I am for the opportunity to post an article for your organization. Hopefully the readers that left those angry comments will surrender their feelings and no one will get hurt. :)

Care to share any other guidelines that I missed?

'Til next time...xoxo, KYM

BEST. NIGHT. EVER! MY FIRST YA AUTHOR EVENT....

If I never publish another book, I will forever treasure the moments that I am experiencing this summer with the release of my debut novels: WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE from Merit Press, and in a few weeks, ONE SMART COOKIE from Omnific Press.

Maybe it's because it took me ten years to get here that I now cherish this moment so much, but I've come to realize that the difficult journey might be what is making this reward all the more precious.

I have acknowledgments and dedications in my books to thank all the hundreds of supporters and writers and friends who made my dreams come true, but still felt I needed to share this glorious night with those who couldn't be there in person.

Here are some pictures from one of the best writer days of my life thus far––billed as "A YA AUTHOR EVENT" at Barnes & Noble––when I was actually part of the panel instead of an attendee. Woot!! The other three authors were not only cordial, but funny, sweet, and super smart too!

Barnes & Noble Window Display in Arlington Heights, IL



The four of us who presented: me, Stacey Kade, Elizabeth Fama, and James Klise (they were all awesome!!)
A few members of my amazing SCBWI writers' group:  Terri Murphy, Terry Flamm, me, and Mike Kelly
The adorable Ruby clan - family friends and super supporters!
My good friend and colleague, Pam Lily - who was with me when I got the original "call" from my agent!
FORTY MINUTES INTO THE PRESENTATION - about 60-75 of you in all!
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT! You seriously have no idea how much it meant to me to see all of you!Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to come cheer me on. 
Giant thanks also to the B&N managers, Ralph & Amy, who were wonderful to work with!

SUMMER READ GIVEAWAY!

Splash into summer with great books from your favorite YA authors!

The authors at Darkly Delicious YA have banded together for a huge giveaway. With lots of fun prizes, there's something for everyone.

One lucky winner will receive a $40 gift card.
Plus there are lots of other amazing prizes from the authors at Darkly Delicious YA.

 
Good luck! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

My new (and totally 100% perfect!) book cover for ONE SMART COOKIE...

When Omnific Press bought One Smart Cookie, I freaked out with delight. This book is so true to who I am (Polish, a little crazy and awkward at times, and naturally clumsy), that it feels like a little slice of my own life on the page. While my parents are happily married and didn't own a bakery, I did have a spirit-conjuring Busia who believed ghosts lived in her house and took her glasses when she couldn't find them.

When the Omnific Press art direction team sent me a page asking about the story and all the characteristics and the feelings one would get when reading my book, I knew they were serious about getting the cover just right.

But it wasn't until I actually saw the cover choices, that I knew they had nailed it.

They listened to me and it shows.

The other choices they sent were super cute too, but when I laid eyes on this one, I swear it was like the movie Ruby Sparks - a character I wrote about actually became flesh. And just like the character Paul Dano plays in the movie, I fell in love with her.

So here she is, Sophie Dumbrowski, on the cover of my YA humorous romance:

First SNEAK PEEK at my YA humorous romance, ONE SMART COOKIE (coming out July 15, Omnific Publishing)

You'll probably enjoy ONE SMART COOKIE if you....:

1) Love to laugh
2) Get a hankering for bakery treats

3) Ever felt embarrassed by your actions

4) Have ever been in love....or wanted to be
source
5) Are Polish or have Polish friends
6) Dream about the perfect romance



IF you've checked off any of the above items, feast your eyes on this official first sneak peek of ONE SMART COOKIE at my author blog HERE  (or click the awesome emblem below) :)

Holy Hot Press, Batman! I was interviewed by THE BIG THRILL MAGAZINE!

WOW!

I'm sooo excited and feeling blessed and mighty thankful for all good things that come my way. It really does take a village to raise a writer, and I have to give a shout out to publicist Bethany Carland-Adams at Adams Media/F+W Media (https://twitter.com/bethanyc_adams) for setting me up with really cool promotional opportunities!

Thanks for asking great questions, Stacy Mantle https://twitter.com/stacymantle  *roar of applause for these two ladies

Source
CHECK OUT THE BIG THRILL INTERVIEW HERE:

http://www.thebigthrill.org/2014/05/wanted-dead-or-in-love-by-kym-brunner/

WANTED: DEAD OR IN LOVE book baby BORN TODAY!

After 36 months of labor, I'm finally out of the ER, the nurses and doctors have gone home, and they've allowed me to view my virtual ebook baby.

She's a beauty all right. *sighs loudly, brimming with joy

BEHOLD, for the very first time in public, WANTED:  DEAD OR IN LOVE!

A Month Before My Double Debuts Release...What's It Like?

In a word.....MIND-BLOWING.

Wonderful and crazy and busy and exciting and scary and unbelievably cool...and maybe a smidge stressful, too. Kinda like this:

Source Source Don't get me wrong––it's off-the-charts even better than I'd even dreamed about. Was it worth the wait? YES. Even if my books don't sell as fast as say.....these French Bulldog teacup pups....I'm happy.




Happier even than Pharrell Williams!


Nothing beats the feeling from having accomplished a HUGE personal goal. Kinda like this bird - just bursting with pride.
SourceBut if you're wondering a little bit more about the specifics, here you go. In the past two weeks, I've:
received final chapters to approve and/or revise of One Smart Cookieafter sending them back, had my final look at the final editsbeen contacted by both publishers to answer questionsbeen interviewed by three different groups (Sun City News, ThrillerZine, and International Thriller Writers organization) received requests to have books sent, contests begun, and articles writtenarranged for two book signings written what feels like 1,000 emailsHope you get a chance to experience this feeling once (or maybe twenty) times in your life, too. What has been your proudest moment?

Where in the World should you base your SETTING?

What IS the best setting for a book?
The short answer has always been: a place you’ve been or can visit.
That’s why the majority of my stories happen in or around Chicago (or Wisconsin) because I’ve lived here (and hung out there) my whole life. I know the area/culture/ people so well and it feels natural and easy.
But what if the story  needs to take place you’re unfamiliar with? Like if you want your story to take place on the moon, a tiny apartment in Paris, or in say, an African safari?
When I first began to write WANTED:  DEAD OR IN LOVE, I wasn’t worried about setting the story in my hometown. Surely the legendary outlaws Bonnie and Clyde (who appear heavily throughout my story) committed crimes in the Chicago area, just like all the other famous 1920’s gangsters such as Capone, Dillinger, and Bugs Moran….right?
Wrong.
To read the rest of this article, head over to Uncommon YA where I hang out with some pretty fabulous writers! CLICK HERE

WOOT! A COVER REVEAL of Margo Kelly's YA novel, WHO R U REALLY?

To celebrate the cover reveal for Who R U Really? Margo Kelly is giving away TWO Advance Reader Copies of the book! Visit www.margokelly.net to enter by Sunday, May 11, 2014!

WHO R U REALLY?by Margo KellyMerit Press -- September 18, 2014
Description:
Thea's overprotective parents are driving her insane. They invade her privacy, ask too many questions, and restrict her online time so severely that Thea feels she has no life at all. When she discovers a new role-playing game online, Thea breaks the rules by staying up late to play. She's living a double life: on one hand, the obedient daughter; on the other, a girl slipping deeper into darkness. In the world of the game, Thea falls under the spell of Kit, an older boy whose smarts and savvy can't defeat his loneliness and near-suicidal despair. As Kit draws soft-hearted Thea into his drama, she creates a full plate of cover stories for her parents and then even her friends.
Soon, Thea is all alone in the dark world with Kit, who worries her more and more, but also seems to be the only person who really "gets" her. Is he frightening, the way he seems sometimes, or only terribly sad? Should Thea fear Kit, or pity him? And now, Kit wants to come out of the screen and bring Thea into his real-life world. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit's allure, and hurtles toward the same dark fate her parents feared most. Ripped from a real-life story of Internet stalking, Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea's life spins out of control.
And now...for the beautiful new cover or WHO R U REALLY?
DRUM ROLL PLEASE....TA DA!

 

About the Author:
Margo Kelly is a native of the Northwest and currently resides in Idaho. A veteran public speaker, Margo is now actively pursuing her love of writing. Who R U Really? is her debut novel and will be published by Merit Press in September 2014. Margo welcomes opportunities to speak to youth groups, library groups, and book clubs.

Links:Website: www.margokelly.netGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21444891-who-r-u-reallyTwitter: https://twitter.com/MargoWKelly Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.authorBarnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-r-u-really-margo-kelly/1118847853?ean=9781440572760Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Who-R-Really-Margo-Kelly/dp/1440572763/ref=la_B00JY4LYZS_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398971448&sr=1-1