Kate Wrath's Blog, page 14
July 17, 2014
5 Cupcakes for E (and you know I like cupcakes)!
Author, Kate Wrath:
This morning, another review for E went up. Check out this blog, Booklover 2.0, run by a very talented young lady who is also an aspiring writer. Laquesha writes about all kinds of fun stuff on her blog, with a focus on books, fashion, and love.
Reading this review made me, yet again, a happy writer. Laquesha really connected with my story, and I just love that. I’m super-excited that I get to do an interview with her soon! She has already sent me the questions, and let me tell you, they are awesome. It’s the coolest thing when someone ‘gets’ your work, and then you get to talk shop with them!
Tons of love and thanks to Laquesha for taking the time to read and review E for me.
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July 12, 2014
A great review from an amazing reviewer
Author, Kate Wrath:
There are reviewers, and then there are reviewers. When I asked Rae Slater to review my novel, it was not without trepidation. Why? Because she is an amazing, thoughtful, intelligent reviewer. She doesn’t miss much, and she doesn’t hold back. And while, yes, these are the perfect qualities that any reader would want in a reviewer, for an author it can be scary.
Well, I really believe in my work, so, cringing just a little, I handed my baby over.
…Then there was the waiting. Would she like it? Would she hate it? Would she find problems that I was not even aware of as a writer? I mean, let’s face it. This is the girl who gave The Fault In Our Stars a 4 out of 5. That’s just plain intimidating.
OK, so the verdict is in. Rae has give E 4.5 out of 5 stars (yes!), and the missing points were taken off because of my cover. I can so live with that! (Guess who I’ll be asking for advice on my next cover, by the way!) You can read all of Rae’s comments on her blog What Happened to the Wallflower? where she details everything and awards points by category for cover, narrative, plot, and characters.
This one really made my day. I feel like I have passed a test or something. Many thanks to Rae for taking the time to read and review E!
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July 10, 2014
Behind the Novel: 5-star review, and first impressions from Booklover 2.0
Author, Kate Wrath:
It was an exciting morning. I love getting nice stuff in my inbox. And there’s nothing nicer than hearing good things about my book! This was all a complete surprise. I knew these lovely ladies were both going to review my book eventually, but I didn’t know it was coming today. And not just one, but two nice chunks of feedback. It was a bit like Christmas. 
So…
You can see Alice Dee’s five-star review of E on her writing blog, Behind the Novel.
And on Booklover 2.0, Laquesha has blogged about her first impressions as she gets into E. (As an author, I just love the peek into the mind of a reader who has not finished my book yet!)
Oh, and if you haven’t seen my featured artist spotlight on Light Knocks yet, that is definitely worth a read.
Lots of love to all you awesome bloggers, readers, and my fellow authors. Hope you are all having a feels-like-Christmas day, too!
Read the first 2 1/2 chapters of E:
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July 7, 2014
E is available in print!
Author, Kate Wrath:
As promised, E is now available in print! I received my proof a couple of days early, and everything looks good. I’ve gone ahead and approved it for sale. So… if you have been waiting for the print version of E, you can now get it.
E is available in the Createspace eStore for $8.99 (plus shipping) as of now. Within 3-5 days, the print version will also be on Amazon. International pricing is comparable.
I’ve tried to keep the print pricing down as much as possible. In order to do this, I have forgone placing E in some expanded distribution channels that would allow me to market to libraries, bookstores, and so on (because doing so raises the print costs). This is for the time being, and I will be adding E to those sales channels eventually, which will increase the price by a few dollars, FYI.
Meanwhile, I have started my first edit of TMT, and I have also done some more writing of the rough draft of the prequel, which may be my favorite book yet!
Here’s a preview of the first 2 1/2 chapters:
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July 4, 2014
I’m this month’s talent on Light Knocks!
Author, Kate Wrath:
Light Knocks is an awesome website for creative people, run by Jerome and Tiffany, who describe their site as “a collective community of creative minds that are pursuing a common goal, living a purposeful life, collaborating our talents, showcasing our passions, and bringing awareness to our generation.” At Light Knocks, you will find all kinds of awesome talent across the board of the creative industries. There’s music, film, writing, and more.
In addition to artist spotlights, you will find inspirational quotes, advice, and a lot of thoughtful articles to help keep your creative juices flowing. There’s something at Light Knocks for everyone.
I’m absolutely thrilled to be featured on Light Knocks this month! A big thanks to Jerome and Tiffany for having me!
OK, so head on over to Light Knocks and check it out!
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July 2, 2014
Reviews and Reviewers
Author, Kate Wrath:
A couple of things:
First, I wanted to share these two new reviews that just came in on Amazon.
Every single time I read a review from one of my readers, I am filled with gratitude that someone took the time to let me know what they thought of my book. A big thank you to all of you who have taken the time to review, or drop me an email, or both. You are the ones who remind me that I am not just shouting into the void. That I’m not just writing for myself. That people are out there, connecting with what I do, and that E has become more than just my story. It belongs to all of us.
So far, every single piece of feedback I have received about E has been positive. If there are people out there who have read and not liked E, they have not bothered to let me know. Now, I know that I can’t expect everyone to love my book. That’s not realistic. Eventually, someone will just hate it, for whatever reason. (I suspect it will have something to do with rats or discount sausage.) But right now, my track record is looking pretty good. The only thing is… as a new author… as a new Indie author, especially… not many people know about my book.
So the thing, of course, is to work on getting it out there. I am considering doing a little paid advertising, for the first time. I hear from other Indie authors that this can yield mixed results. Everything I put into this comes out of my own pocket, and let’s just say I have bills to pay and mouths to feed, like the rest of you. Before I invest in advertising, I would like to have as many reviews up as possible. So this is where I ask: If you have read E, and you haven’t yet reviewed it, would you please take the time to do so? It would be greatly appreciated.
And if you would like to do more beyond that, check out this page: Help Kate Out! I’m just going to go ahead and say thank you now. Thank you, all of you, who have done so much to help E find its place in the world.
And if you haven’t read it yet, you can read a preview below.
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June 29, 2014
How cool is this: A reader poem inspired by E!
Author, Kate Wrath:
I just had to share this, because I thought it was so super-cool. No one has ever written a poem inspired by my work before, so this must be a milestone or something, right?
Fellow author and screenwriter Samuel Patrick Jones said: “I believe you are a very talented writer and have a unique vision. When I read something that sparks my interest, I always write a poem.”
(Which is just cool, anyway!)
Here’s the poem:
STRUCTURE
The blind man’s mark, the fool’s self chosen snare.
Found Fancy’s scum and drums of scattered thought.
Band of all evils and cradle of causeless care.
The webs of will, whose end is never wrought.
Desire, desire I have too dearly bought.
Who should my mind, to higher things prepare.
Yet in vanity, has my ruins sought.
In the maddest, to all things aspire.
In the kindest, all the smoky fire.
For virtue, has this a better lesson taught.
Within myself, to seek my only hire.
Desiring not, but how to kill desire.
In a trance, to our omnipotent God.
I stand near the ultimate consequence.
Before the beginning of years.
There came to the making of man.
Time, with a gift of tears.
Grief, with a glass that ran.
Pleasure, with pain for leaven.
Summer, with flowers that felt.
Remembrance, fallen from heaven.
And madness, risen from hell.
Strength, without hands to smite.
Love, that endures for a breath.
Night, as a shadow of light.
And life, a shadow of death.
He who bends to himself a joy.
Does the winged life destroy.
But he who kisses joy in fleeting.
Lives in eternities sunrise.
-by Samuel Patrick Jones
(used with permission from the author)
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June 28, 2014
Dinner conversation in a house of writers…
Author, Kate Wrath:
So this is the kind of thing that regularly occurs in my family. You know, between “Please pass the salt,” and “Mmm, tasty. Is that a hint of oregano?”
Tonight…
Me: I’m contemplating doing something evil.
My husband: I say go for it. The evil-er the better.
(We continue eating.)
A few minutes later…
My husband: Wait. In a story or in real life?
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June 27, 2014
The Proof is in the Pudding… or in the mail, in this case.
Author, Kate Wrath:
Proudly reporting that I did it: I finished my revisions to the print version of E. All the files were cleared this morning, and the proof is on its way. I expect to receive it on or around July 8th. I’m feeling really good about this one. So, fingers-crossed, the print version should be available shortly after I receive the proof. I’m excited.
Here’s a mock-up of the back:
There will be an extra bar-code, of course, and the print version will be trade paperback in 6×9.
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June 26, 2014
Been working away…
Author, Kate Wrath:
Hey everyone! I know I’ve been a bit quiet this week. Things have been busy, as usual. I figured I better take a moment to drop in and let you know what I’ve been up to.
I know I’ve been slacking off on the promised print version of E, and some people have been asking for that. So, I’ve been working on the cover to try to sort out the issues with it printing darker than I like. This is a slightly experimental process, so it may be a while yet. But it is on the way. Promise. I’ve also done some improvements to the spine, thanks to my pal Nicola’s great, insightful advice. (Her book, Chasing Freedom, has an awesome spine, so I felt I really needed to listen to her on this one!) I really like the way it has come out, so now, if it just prints right…. We’ll see.
I’ve had some ideas for changes to TMT, so I think I know what I want to concentrate on when I do start editing. I haven’t touched it yet (except for one sentence I just had to change). I’ve made some notes. I had an epiphany or two. And I think I have settled on a title. I want to give the title a while in the back of my brain and see if I still like it later, though. In the meantime, we’ll still call it TMT.
I’ve also been mulling over cover ideas, and to be honest, I’m a bit stumped. There are a lot of elements and ideas that I would like to include, but honestly, I have not found anything that just clicks with me yet. I also want to keep some consistency between the books in the series, so I am considering how to keep some of the things from the cover of E. I’m betting there will still be a lily.
…And, I’ve started going through the first book in my FE fantasy series, so I can really think about getting it ready for publication. Picture this: me + machete + book + evil grin. Yep, that’s about right. It ain’t pretty.
And of course, we’re all excited over at Rock the Book as the site is getting off the ground and taking off. We’ve had lots of traffic, and we’re all having fun getting to really be part of the Indie community.
I’m probably forgetting plenty, but as you can see, I’ve had my hands full.
I hope everything is going great for all you amazing readers out there, and you’re all keeping cool and enjoying the summer!
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