Kay Kenyon's Blog, page 2

How to pick your next read

Here are some fantasy recommendations I compiled. Check them out, and note the cool site that lists "best books" in all genres by topic. Invited authors list five favorites that have something in common with their own work. My list is about fantasy that twists expectations. You might find some books that are right up your alley! https://shepherd.com/best-books/fantasy-that-twist-stories-you-thought-you-knew

Proofs Needed! Anyone able to help?

My new fantasy series-in-progress, The Arisen Worlds, needs a proofreader for the last book, book four, Keeper of the Mythos Gate. If you fancy yourself a sharp-eyed reader with a penchant for finding errors, this job may be up your alley.

I have several proofreaders right now (you know who you are--and thank you!) but not everyone can stay with the project through all four books, and now I need one more. The catch is that the new guy will need to be up to speed on the story so far. (Makes proofing a bit easier.) Thus I'm looking for someone who will have already read books 1 and 2, The Girl Who Fell Into Myth and Stranger in the Twisted Realm.

For the new proofreader, I would provide a free copy of Book 3 around December, and then Book 4 in draft form (probably in June of next year.) Book 3 proofing is already done, so I won't be asking for help on that. I'd be providing it as a thank you for pitching in on the project.

If interested, contact me on my website contact page and tell me a little about yourself: https://www.kaykenyon.com/contact

(Shown on left, Book 3. Book 4 cover is in design phase.)

Perfect Things 30% Off

Kobo is offering my alternate history fantasy, A Thousand Perfect Things, on sale for a limited time. This sale only in US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Ends October 1. Check it out!

Promo code: SEPT30

In an alternate 19th century, there are two warring continents on a re-imagined earth: scientific Anglica (England) and magical Bharata (India). Tori, an aspiring botanist, sets out to achieve emancipation by making her scientific reputation in Bharata. In the glittering court of a raja, she will encounter ancient ghosts, silver tigers, the love of two suitors—and the impossible quest for perfection.

"{F}lawless world-building and a diverse cast of characters driven by conflicting and wholly believable desires. This is a rich, gorgeous, and marvelously detailed tapestry of a book.” —Sharon Shinn, Author of The Shuddering City

Let's meet up!

Here are two upcoming events where I'll be looking to connect with readers. (And writers, too.) One is local, and the other is in the world of Zoom.

On Saturday September 16th, I'll be in Leavenworth WA to sign Stranger in the Twisted Realm, the second book of my new fantasy quartet. Yup, it'll be out soon--on Tuesday--and those paperback copies (and hardcovers) are beautiful!

If you're local, drop by between 1:00 and 3:00 and say hi. A Book For All Seasons is a great bookstore. You can also order signed, personalized copies: info@abookforallseasons.com

'Course, book one is already out. We'll have those, too!

Boost your writing chops

This regular Zoom meet-up is on odd-numbered months, so the next one is September 14. I'll answer questions on writing or your work-in-progress and others will jump in to help. Grab a jolt of inspiration, or just listen in to see how the magic happens! 5-6:00 PM PDT. From WOTR. $5 for nonmembers. Why only one-hour? Because you're that busy (me too.)

40% Off 3 eBooks on Kobo

I have three titles in the Kobo 40% OFF sale. THROUGH MONDAY, JULY 31. If you haven't snagged these books yet, give them a look! (Sale is only in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand.)

To get the discount: At check out, use this code: 40JULY

Fantasy

An alternate history fantasy set in 19th century England and India--when a Victorian woman takes on the scientific establishment, palace intrigues, ghosts, and a great mutiny--by marshaling the powers of magic. "Romantic and fantastical."

Fantasy

An enchanted ship on a dark voyage and the woman who must steer her way home.

"Fascinatingly conceived, brilliantly handled." --Mike Resnick

"Romantic, theatrical, magical." --Sharon Shinn

Science Fiction

No matter how bad things get, there will always be people who refuse, rebel, and survive. Enter these dystopian worlds of the Singularity, designer medicine, a few all-too-plausible oppressive ideologies and, of course, the plain-old end of the world.

Kay talks Scenes

Tomorrow! July 13th - A quick look at SCENES. And then questions, sharing ideas, and growing as writers.

One hour only. (BUT: This meet-up repeats every other month!) 5:00 pm PDT.

Fiction, or nonfiction, the long form of creative writing is built upon scenes. We all think we know what they are, but let's look more closely! I'll take ten minutes and tell what I think is most important in a scene and some of the sand-in-the-tank stuff that gets in my way, and maybe in your way, too.

Presented by Write on the River. $5 fee to

attend. In odd-numbered months. Get a jolt of inspiration!

First Draft Novel Giddiness

A milestone! Just finished the first draft of book three in my new series, THE ARISEN WORLDS. Fireworks are going off! Hurrah, people are celebrating with me! Or... oops, it's almost the 4th of July, so maybe I'm celebrating by myself. That's ok, because today, as always, to finish the first draft of a novel feels like I have climbed a mountain (or at least a serious hill.)

Servant of the Lost Power has 381 manuscript pages, 103,196 words, and 32 grammar suggestions from my ever-diligent spell check program, which I call Fosdick.

Fosdick is a former pencil sharpener and office busybody for whom grammar is a sacred calling. He holds tight to the straight and narrow, and god help the novelist who dares to occasionally depart from the rules-as-taught-by Mrs. Peabody in the 8th grade. I don’t know what he’d make of Cormic McCarthy, who didn’t wholeheartedly believe in punctuation.

Where was I? Oh, book 3. Yes, first draft finished! I love the book, warts and all! I’ve had fun getting deeper into the world and the characters, including Rusadka, a favorite from book one. She is a kick-ass warrior who . . . oh, wait, no plot leaks!

I plan to release Book 3 in February of next year. And, lest ye forget, Book two, Stranger in the Twisted Realm – now on pre-order - is coming September 5! Book one, The Girl Who Fell Into Myth, is available at most online booksellers. You can get signed and/or personalized copies at A Book For All Seasons in Leavenworth, WA: info@abookforallseasons.com

Punishment for the wicked

Here is a quote from THE GIRL WHO FELL INTO MYTH, book one of my new fantasy series. The ambiguous Numinasi noble, Valenty, who has tentatively befriended Yevliesza, is showing her the great Tower of the castle.

They looked down. Very far down, for the fall from the Tower through this door was not only to the base of the Tower but three times that far, down the rock cliff to the bottom.

“It's a wicked punishment,” she whispered.

“For the wicked.” Valenty sometimes forgot she was of the Earth and had not the hardness of Numinasi women.

In ebook, paperback, and hardcover at all online bookstores and signed copies here: info@abookforallseasons.com

Write Now: In-Depth or a Chat

This week on Zoom you writers (you know who you are) have two cool choices for learning the ropes.

First, the In-Depth: On Saturday morning, March 11, Write on the River presents successful and prolific indie author Trish McCallan giving an introductory on self-publishing! She'll demystify the process and the opportunities of doing-it-yourself, with an eye to practical been-there, done-that tips. ($30 for nonmembers.) We'll have an hour and a half with an expert, and if you're near Wenatchee, WA, the class will be in-person, too. I'll be there, so hope to see you on Zoom or in the room! To register.

And here's the chat: Pressed for time? Me too! That's why I run a bi-monthly Zoom meet-up for for fiction writers called Boost Your Writing Chops. I give a quick bit about a key aspect of fiction writing, and then we chat, folks ask questions, and I draw on my 20+ years of novel and short story writing to answer. All levels of experience are welcome. This one is on Thursday, March 9 from 5:00 to 6:00 PST. Why only an hour? Because we're all so busy! Hope to see you! ($10 for nonmembers.) To register.

Giddy For One Day

Today my new book went live! This is always a big event in an author’s life, no matter how many books we might have out there. But this one feels very special to me.

I guess all books are a labor of love. I’ve even heard authors call them their children. (I guess that explains why bad reviews are so hard to take!) But I’m particularly grateful for this one. It came at a time when I was concerned about big publishers and how some of my books had been handled by them. I felt discouraged to be in such a tough business. I considered taking a few years off and fill them with European travel.

Then I decided to write this fantasy series. I wanted a twisty, deep plot, but I also wanted to dive into the emotional lives of my characters and explore a milieu that would feel familiar and yet be radically different at the edges. I’m really pleased by what came to me. Originally, I thought it would be a trilogy, but I soon realized the story needed four books. Since I usually write my novels in four sections, having a quartet of books is allowing me to more clearly understand the overall series arc.

Book two is wrapped up and waiting for a September release, and I’m on page 105 of book three. I am so in love with the whole thing! Sorry to be patting myself on the back in public. Maybe I can be giddy for one day?

Here are some of the things you’ll discover in The Girl Who Fell Into Myth:

· where witches went when they were driven from Earth by fear and prejudice

· how the alter-worlds of the Mythos are connected with each other

· what happens when a 21st century young woman finds herself in a medieval culture

· an old woman who is best friends with a dragon

· how a lightning strike changes Everything

· what the worst myth in the world is and the havoc it’s going to create

· a castle on a towering hill where foreigners are unwelcome, but where a foreigner is just what they need

I hope you’ll give the book a try. If inspired to rate or review it, please consider doing so on Goodreads, or at your favorite online book store. Thank you for your attention. And may your life be full of wonderful reads!