Kay Kenyon's Blog, page 3

Personalized copies!

I have a section in my bookcase for signed, personalized copies of books. I've got Harlan Ellison, Mike Resnick, Louise Marley, Sharon Shinn, George R.R. Martin and other favs. But it's not always easy to get autographed copies, and so I've partnered with a local bookstore to supply signed copies of my new fantasy novel, The Girl Who Fell Into Myth. (Available at all online retailers as well as many independent bookstores on March 1.)

If you'd like one—in paperback or hardcover—just email them and they'll arrange it. Also, if you'd like it personalized to you, we've also got that arranged; just give the book store all the relevant details. I wish I could say I'll be at a con in the near future where people could get a signed copy, but I don't have any in-person plans for this year, at least outside of north central Washington State.

So the best bet is A Book For All Seasons, in Leavenworth, Washington, USA. They are a beloved local bookstore, generous supporters of local authors and champions of good books! To contact them, you can email them at this address: events@abookforallseasons.com

Happy collecting!

Finally the right link!

Excuse my mistake the other day, but I had a glitch in the link to Goodreads.

If you'd like to enter the giveaway for a print copy of the first book in my new fantasy series, The Girl Who Fell Into Myth, here is the real, absolutely true, verified, and unimpeachable link:

Enter for real .

Goodreads Giveaway!

My new book drops in 20 days, and I'm so pumped about it! To celebrate, we're giving away two free paperback copies of it on Goodreads. Even though I'm complimenting myself, I have to say the paperback is gorgeous. Remember, this is book 1 of a 4-book series, so grab this chance to check out the series and see if you're hooked.

What is The Girl Who Fell Into Myth about? Well, a girl who really does fall into a medieval kingdom! Enemies everywhere, very few allies; a magic power she hates and has to hide; a sorceress you'll love to hate and, of course, a slow-burn romance. You know you want it. Stop by Goodreads and enter to win. Until February 25.

"A story of powers and magic on a grand scale. This will be a series to treasure.” —Louisa Morgan, author of The Great Witch of Brittany

Enter giveaway. Now on preorder. Available: March 1

Stump Kay

January’s an odd-numbered month, so that must mean I’m running another Boost Your Writing Chops fiction chat group! Yup, it’s a regular thing by now: a bunch of writers and aspiring writers get together on Zoom and try to Stump Kay with writing questions.

I start out with a ten-or-so minute chat on some cool and/or tricky aspect of fiction. Sometimes I even reveal hitherto closely-guarded secrets of getting a story on the page. Then it’s open season for questions and I do my best to answer. And thankfully, sometimes I get help from a few others in the group. We also talk about the writing life: butt-in-chair issues.

So check out the next one-hour meet up Thursday, January 12th, 5:00 to 6:00 PM (PST). All genres and levels of experience are welcome.

Write on the River charges $10 a session for nonmembers, but I volunteer my time. Why just one hour? Because we're all so busy and it's refreshing to get a quick jolt of inspiration and an answer to a nagging question or two. All while hanging out with other writers for a bit. I would love to see you there! REGISTER HERE (free to members, but please register).

Need to miss this one? Next meet-up is March 9th.

Cover reveal!

It's always nail-biting time when you get your designer's cover art on a new book! I've been through this seventeen times now, and I always take a deep breath before I open the email.

But, in this case, all is well! All is brilliant, rather. I love this cover, and hope you do, too! This is book two in The Arisen Worlds quartet that launches in March with The Girl Who Fell Into Myth.

The gist of the series: There are hidden worlds--real worlds--that arose from myth. These kingdoms, such as the realms of witches and the elven, exist side-by-side with the modern world. Outsiders are forbidden to enter. Except for one woman, who is commanded to come.

If so inclined, you're welcome to pre-order Book 1 - coming March 1 and Book 2, coming Sept 5.

Don't go it alone!

Writers sometimes feel that writing is a solo job. You, your computer, the story. Full stop. But the writing life is also about the support of other writers. Even Tolkien had a writer's group! Other writers understand what you're trying to do. And that's supportive, right there.

So check out my one-hour chat group on Thursday, November 10th. I'll deliver a short spotlight on an aspect of fiction and then we'll drill down with questions and discussion about fiction strategies, story, and the writing life. All genres and levels of experience are welcome. And if you just want to listen in, that's good, too.

Through Write on the River, I zoom-host this meet-up on second Thursdays of odd numbered months, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time. Why just one hour? Because we're all so busy and it's refreshing to get a quick jolt of inspiration and an answer to a nagging question or two. All while hanging out with other writers for a bit. I would love to see you there!

WOTR charges $10 a session (for nonmembers) but I volunteer my time. Because I need to be around other writers, too! To register. (Need to miss this one? Next session: January 12.)

Warning: Your cat may find this event boring.

My new book on preorder

I'm excited to announce that my new book, The Girl Who Fell Into Myth is available for preorder! This is the first book in a high fantasy series I've been working on for the past year. It's a portal fantasy about a 21st c. woman's journey to lands of myth and her quest to find her rightful place among medieval customs and political intrigues. There'll be four books in this series, and I'm already deep into book 2. Check out the Books page on my website and preorder if so inclined. The Girl Who Fell Into Myth is on preorder at all the major e-retailers. The book will be available in eBook, trade paper, and hardcover March 1.

Should you bring your work to the beach?

That's not a question most people ask themselves, but it's a good question for writers. Writers have to be so determined. Generally people aren't urging one to write. The only one who cares a whole bunch is the writer, and thus we've got page goals and a big work ethic. I've learned to write when it isn't quiet, write when it isn't going well, and write well past my morning ideal hours. I even--and I'm a little embarrassed to admit this--write in the car on long road trips with my husband. (I think "Six hours in the car? Definitely gotta write.) This is not necessarily a good way to live, I'm thinking.

But write at the beach? Especially if you live a long, long way from the beach, one really should not bring a computer. Or at very least stay off social media. And I have finally come to this conclusion: Give the novel a break at the beach. I just got back from the glorious Cannon Beach, OR, and though my brain felt like writing, I held the line and discovered how to spend a day without getting pages. It was a little weird, perhaps a tad guilt-inducing. But I persevered! Glad I did.

I'm ready to get back in the ring now. And I think I'll be a better writer for my new beach habit.

These stories for free.

Need to fill up your e-reader with summer SF, fantasy, romance, and mysteries? If so, here you have a bunch of writers who've put together over 60 titles for you to try.

Ever feel like busting out of the habit of reading the usual authors? Me too. This spring I tried two authors whose work I'd never read before. M.J. Holt's The Devil's Safe, (mystery) and Mick Herron's Slough House, (espionage). Ended up really enjoying them. Just sayin'.

What ever titles you choose, the author asks that you join their newsletter. Get to know a new author, is my suggestion for today.

All dressed up in a new website

Hey, my new website! I'm excited to have a fresh look and platform for my musings, books, and news. I hope that you'll find it easy to navigate (one of the reasons for moving to Wix). Some features still have to be added in--such as Extras mentioned on the Books page. Hope to have these up soon.

This website re-do is just in time to showcase my new fantasy series (which has been generally under wraps for the past year). There'll be more on the series later in the summer, but I Can reveal the title of Book One: The Girl Who Fell Into Myth.

Meanwhile, thanks for checking out the site, and welcome to my writing world!