Curiosity Quills Acquisitions Editor: Kathleen Kubasiak

Bio: Acquisition Editor Kathleen Kubasiak is living the dream life, surrounded 24/7 by her devoted fan club (aka: her children).  She draws on her degrees in Education and Language Arts, as well as her Masters in Library and Information Sciences, in order to homeschool her children while exploring all the nation, and the world, has to offer, thanks to her husband's career.  

First of all, Katie, I’d like to thank you for inviting me to be a part of your blog.  I love what I do, and I love the company and people I work for, so I welcome any opportunity to talk about work. 
1.       Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.  a.      As with all good things, I happened upon this opportunity when I least expected it.  Jessa Russo, now an editor for Curiosity Quills Press, contacted me about the position and urged me to apply.  I did, and Voila!  Here I am, enjoying my third year with CQ.    2.      What does your job entail?a.      Authors submit their manuscripts via our submission portal, https://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/, and the appropriate submissions make their way over to me.  I read the query and the sample pages and determine whether or not the manuscript is a good fit for Curiosity Quills.  I continue requesting more chapters until I make the decision to reject the manuscript or offer a contract.  At that point I work with the author to make sure they understand the contract and that they feel comfortable with what they are signing.  After everything is squared away, I hand off the author to the marvelous editors at CQ.  3.      What do you enjoy most about being an acquisitions editor?a.      Overall, what is so enjoyable is that being an acquisitions editor provides the perfect excuse to read ALL THE TIME.  Either I am reading and taking notes on submissions or I am keeping up with the current market.  It’s lovely to have one’s favorite hobby become a job, especially when I can help others achieve their dreams in the process.
4.      What have your experiences been like working with the authors?a.      I have been consistently impressed by the professionalism of the authors with whom I have worked.  The majority of these authors have been very open to receiving feedback and critique.  It has been clear that they take pride in their work, as a career and as an art. 
5.      What is the hardest part of being an acquisitions editor?a.      The rejections.  Knowing that an author has put so much of her/himself into a manuscript makes the act of rejection difficult.  I try very hard to offer tangible feedback to all authors in the hopes that I can help them find a home for their manuscript. 
6.      And what is the best part?a.      The best part is helping authors’ dreams become reality.  It is so rewarding to help an author sign a contract for their book.  It is especially wonderful to be involved with an author’s first publication.  I am proud to be a part of the company that welcomes novice authors.
7.      What kind of manuscripts do you enjoy and are looking for, and how can an author submit to you?a.      I read mostly Young Adult literature, but also enjoy Middle Grade and New Adult.  I love a strong, dynamic character and am always keeping an eye out for a male protagonist.  Historical romance and historical fantasy are high on my list this season, but I always love anything with a paranormal slant or with a well-developed mystery.   Submission can be made through the Curiosity Quills Press website, https://curiosityquills.com/submission-guidelines/. If you are particularly interested in having your manuscript reach me, please include my name in the query portion of your submission. 
8.      If you were suddenly struck by lightning/bitten by something/exposed to toxic waste, and ended up with super powers, what would it be and why?a.      Holli Anderson introduced me to the idea that super powers interfere with a person’s ability to use electronic devices and now I’m convinced that I must have a super power.  That is clearly the only explanation for why every electronic device I ever touch has an immediate meltdown, but the rest of my family can use them without an issue.   Now, I’m not sure what my super power is, but it seems to be pretty strong.  I’m hoping it has something to do with my eyes, an evil eye, a death stare, laser, the ability to use my eyes as headlamps…something like that.  I’ll let you know when I figure it out J
Thank you again Katie for having me as a guest on your blog.
Here are some of the wonderful authors with whom I have had the privilege to work:
The Darkworld Series by  Emma L. Adams: http://www.emmaladams.com/index.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/Darkness-Watching-Darkworld-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00FQXND14/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419229653&sr=1-1&keywords=Darkness+Watching

Five: Out of the Dark and Five: Out of the Pitby Holli Anderson: http://www.holli-anderson.com/http://www.amazon.com/Five-Out-Dark-Holli-Anderson/dp/1620072998/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419229568&sr=1-1&keywords=Five%3A+Out+of+the+Darkhttp://www.amazon.com/Five-Out-Pit-Holli-Anderson/dp/1620075113/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419229604&sr=1-1&keywords=Five%3A+Out+of+the+Pit

Copied by S.M. Anderson: http://www.smandersonfiction.com/http://www.amazon.com/Copied-S-M-Anderson/dp/1620074117/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419229776&sr=1-1&keywords=Copied

Legasea by Krystalyn Drown: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6480737.Krystalyn_Drownhttp://www.amazon.com/Legasea-Krystalyn-Drown/dp/1620071630/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419229433&sr=1-1&keywords=legasea+by+krystalyn+drown
 LOOK! IT'S ME! -->(KIYA Trilogy by Katie Hamstead: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Hamsteads-Stories/247238178656484http://www.amazon.com/Kiya-Hope-Pharaoh-Katie-Hamstead/dp/1620072475/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419230305&sr=1-3&keywords=Kiyahttp://www.amazon.com/Kiya-Mother-King-Katie-Hamstead/dp/162007379X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_yhttp://www.amazon.com/Kiya-Rise-Dynasty-Katie-Hamstead/dp/1620074753/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_z

I can’t wait to see these books in print!  Coming in 2015:Dead Girl by B.C. Johnson: http://www.bc-johnson.com/Acne, Asthma and Other Signs you May be a Dragon by Rena Ford: http://drfaeriegodmother.blogspot.kr/
A Curse of Ash and Iron by Christine Norris: http://www.christine-norris.com/