Books for kids, teens, & those who are young at heart

Category: Guest (Page 2 of 43)

Nonfiction: THE SUCCESSFUL HYBRID AUTHOR by Katlyn Duncan

I’m always happy to have Katlyn Duncan guest post on the blog. Not only is she an award-winning fiction author, she is also a wealth of information when it comes to the topic of author careers. Her first nonfiction book is TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK: AN AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO RIGHTS REVERSION. Let’s give Katlyn a big welcome as she talks about her latest book THE SUCCESSFUL HYBRID AUTHOR: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR TRADITIONAL AND INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING CAREER.

As an author who has been publishing for 10+ years, I’ve witnessed many different iterations of what a writing career can look like. More importantly, the joining of both types of publishing paths that many people tend to think of as separate. Today, I’d like to share my experience and knowledge about what it means to be a hybrid author, and how both traditional and self-published authors can become one.

A hybrid author is someone who has traditionally published books and also self-published books. The term “hybrid” is used to describe the combination of traditional and self-publishing methods. This allows authors to have the best of both worlds and to gain control over their publishing career.

Becoming a hybrid author is a practical decision that can be made by both traditional and self-published authors. For traditional authors, it can mean having rights to their books revert back to them, giving them the option to self-publish. For self-published authors, it can mean pursuing traditional publishing opportunities while continuing to self-publish.

One of the benefits of being a hybrid author is the ability to have control over your publishing career. Self-publishing allows authors to have more control over the creative process, including cover design and release dates. Traditional publishing, on the other hand, provides authors with a team of professionals to help with editing, marketing, and distribution. As a hybrid author, you have the opportunity to choose which route to take for each individual project, giving you the best of both worlds.

Another benefit of being a hybrid author is the potential for multiple income streams. Self-publishing allows authors to earn a higher royalty rate and to have control over pricing. Traditional publishing, on the other hand, provides authors with an advance and the potential for larger sales. As a hybrid author, you can earn money from both traditional and self-publishing, providing a more stable income stream.

However, becoming a hybrid author also comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the amount of time and effort required to navigate both traditional and self-publishing. It can be time-consuming to query agents, submit to publishers, and to self-publish. It’s also important to have a clear understanding of the rights and contracts associated with both traditional and self-publishing.

Another challenge is the need to constantly adapt and evolve. The publishing industry is constantly changing, and as a hybrid author, it’s important to be open to new opportunities and to be willing to adapt and evolve.

To become a hybrid author, it’s important to research both traditional and self-publishing options. For traditional publishing, research literary agents and publishers that are a good fit for your genre and writing style. For self-publishing, research the best platforms and distribution channels. Building your author platform is also essential, by developing a following on social media and building a community of readers and reviewers.

It’s also important to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with self-publishing, such as editing, cover design, and formatting. It’s also important to have a clear plan in place for marketing and promotion, whether through traditional or self-publishing channels.

You can learn about all of this and more in ‘The Successful Hybrid Author’, a comprehensive guide on how you can take control of your writing career and start earning more income from your books. It’s available now in eBook, paperback, and hardcover.

THE SUCCESSFUL HYBRID AUTHOR blurb:

Are you ready to take control of your writing career and start earning more income from your books? If so, becoming a hybrid author may be the perfect solution for you.

With hybrid publishing, you can take advantage of the best of both publishing paths, such as greater creative control, higher royalty rates, and the ability to release your books on your own schedule.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll:

  • Discover the key differences between self-publishing, independent publishing, and traditional publishing.
  • Learn how to choose the right publishing options for your books to maximize your income.
  • Navigate the world of hybrid publishing and transition from traditional or independent publishing.
  • Get practical tips and advice for starting and growing your career as a hybrid author.

Whether you’re coming from traditional or independent publishing, this guide will give you the tools you need to become a successful hybrid author. It’s time to start your hybrid author journey today.

About the Author:

Katlyn Duncan is a multi-published author of adult and young adult fiction, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels for children and adults. 

When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things. 

Keep up with Katlyn on her newsletter at http://www.katlynduncan.com.

YA Author KE Strand on “Why a New Pen Name?”

KE Strand may be writing under a different name, but she is no stranger to guest posting here on the blog. Let’s give a big welcome to YA author KE Strand (and find out if you recognize her other pen name)!

Thanks for having me today, Katie. I love visiting your readers!

Today I want to talk about my brand new book, Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls, which I’ve published under a brand new pen name, KE Strand. Why a new pen name you might ask? Let’s start there.

Having multiple pen names isn’t the easiest way to go about authoring. Each time you publish under a new name you must find a new audience, but the same is true when you publish multiple genres under the same name, which I’ve also done (rolls eyes at self.) Let’s take my list of books published under Kai Strand, for example. I’ve published both middle grade and young adult under this name. While many readers are happy to buy both, not all young adult readers will step backward into a middle grade story, nor do most parents want their middle grade reader to read the more mature stories available in young adult. Within those targeted audiences, I’ve published both contemporary and fantasy. Within the fantasy, I’ve published fairy tales and superheroes. So, you see each time I publish a new book, I’m often targeting a new group of readers. I chose to publish my new Oak Grove High series under a new pen name, KE Strand, because I want to separate these books from the rest for a very crucial reason. All the books I publish under this pen name will be clean, wholesome young adult romance. That means, no swearing and nothing more than kissing. I want young adult romance readers to know what to expect when they pick up a book by KE Strand. Do you like a clean teen romance? Then you can count on KE Strand.

BAD BOYS DON’T DATE CLUMSY GIRLS blurb:

When the school’s bad boy infiltrates her shelter, will she lose her sanctuary or her heart?

Hopelessly clumsy Ava, is too focused on graduation and keeping both feet on the ground to have a boyfriend. She has enough to worry about with a less than ideal home life.

Bad boy Dylan can’t help but find Ava’s klutziness entertaining. That doesn’t mean he wants to date her.

When court-ordered community service forces them together at the animal shelter, Ava fears she’s lost her refuge. Dylan’s arrogance gets under her skin. And she finds it unforgivable the dogs prefer him after everything she’s done for them. A spontaneous water fight heats things up and suddenly she anticipates each meeting. But his reputation might be too much for her to overlook.

Will Ava be forced to find a new escape? Or will she stumble her way into his heart?

Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls is a light-hearted, clean young adult romantic comedy. The first book in the Oak Grove High series by KE Strand. It will make you cringe, cry, and cackle.

Buy Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls for your latest binge read today.

Available in ebook, print and from Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author:

KE Strand escapes within the pages of a book when real life thwarts her own outdoorsy adventures. But her favorite escape is into a story about young love. KE Strand writes clean teen romance because she loves those heart pounding moments of having a crush. The excitement, fear, and confusion of falling in love for the first time. And the relief and thrill of the first kiss. Each time you pick up a KE Strand book you’ll fall in love for the first time. You can find her on the following social media:

Email: kestrand@kestrand.com

Facebook| Instagram| Newsletter

Middle Grade Author Micki Bare on Needing Distractions from Writing

I’m very happy to have children’s author Micki Bare on the blog to talk about the writing life and her latest release, the middle grade novel SOCIETY OF THE SENTINELIA. Welcome, Micki!

What do fairy tea, gardening, and closet karaoke have in common?

Let’s start with the fairy tea. I recently discovered it in a boutique shop a few blocks from my house. It smells amazing and is quite soothing after a long day of work on top of author obligations. It’s whimsical, yet practical. It occupies all my senses as I sip.

Next we have gardening. My hubby built a new raised bed this year. The tomato plants are heavy with green fruit. The cucumber and pepper plants I grew from seeds tossed in the soil are huge and healthy. The grapevine I planted last year has dozens of clusters bursting forth. The plants require almost daily attention, pulling me outside into weather of all sorts.

Then there’s closet karaoke. That’s when I crank up the music on our Echo Show (it displays lyrics) and I belt out my favorite tunes along with the artist. I do this when no one is home. When I’m writing, editing, or working, I have the music on in the background. But when a song jolts me into the present with a blast from my past, I have to get up and sing. I stand, I stretch, and I forget everything except the lyrics as scenes from the 30-something-year-old music video flash through my memory.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, fairy tea, gardening, and closet karaoke are distractions. And while distractions often get a bad rap, they also have a glass-half-full side. Distractions can reignite creativity. They can ease the messy, uncomfortable aspects of life. Distractions can also help an author who is on the precipice of a book release maintain their sanity.

Writing a book is a huge accomplishment. If you also want your work “out there,” being an author includes the publishing process and marketing. Many authors, like me, also work full time. When I signed the contract for my Zahra of the Uwharries middle grade series in August 2021, I essentially took on a second full time job.

When you write, edit, and market before work, then write, edit, and market after work, and then write, edit, and market on weekends and holidays to make your dream a reality, you can burn out. You can become a little batty. You can run out of every ounce of steam. That’s why you need distractions.

My closet karaoke habit, which I developed as a tween with my boom box and my version of lyrics, gives me an extra boost of energy. It also cranks up feel-good hormones, which help authors overcome imposter syndrome.

My thumb wasn’t always green, but I enjoy being out in the dirt so much that I’ve gotten better over time. The smell of dirt, vegetable plants, and herbs always makes me feel better. That feeling of accomplishment when I pick herbs for Friday pizza or harvest tomatoes and squash for summer recipes fills me with hope, inspiration, and resolve to make healthy choices.

Discovering the fairy tea a week before the release of the first book, Society of the Sentinelia, was serendipity. I’m going from the moment I wake up until I try to sleep at night. The tea pulls me away from the chaos without pesky ‘I’m wasting time I need to be doing something’ guilt tied to it. Technically, because it’s called fairy tea, I’m researching a product I can use in my marketing or networking endeavors. For example, I may bring some to the session I’m presenting at the SCBWI-Carolina’s fall 2022 conference and give it away as a door prize. Or maybe I’ll send fairy tea to my editor as a thank you.

You don’t have to be a crazy busy writer to need distractions in your life. We’re all busy and we all need the oasis of a rejuvenating break now and again. Reading is another great distraction. For tweens (and adults, too), I humbly recommend Society of the Sentinelia. And while you’re busy reading, discussing, and recommending it, I’ll be knee-deep into book 2, THE BLIND FAIRY, due out May 2023.

SOCIETY OF THE SENTINELIA blurb:

Zahra, a sprite-like tween no bigger than a loblolly pinecone, befriends an 11- year-old human on a quest to find her parents and sister. When a neighbor muddles their plans, kidnaps Zahra, and threatens her new friend, Zahra discovers unnerving truths about herself and her family.

Set in the Birkhead Wilderness of the Uwharrie Mountains in central North Carolina, Society of the Sentinelia is the first book in the Zahra of the Uwharries series that chronicles Zahra’s unique and critical role in saving her species.

Buy Link: https://tinyurl.com/yc4myafz

About the Author:

Micki Bare is a graduate of N.C. State University. In addition to Society of the Sentinelia, she’s the author of three early reader chapter books and has short stories published in two anthologies. She wrote a weekly human-interest column for 18 years and published articles in Thrive Magazine, Piedmont Parent, Asheboro Magazine, and Our State. Her career in early childhood spans more than two decades, with service as a teacher, administrator, and marketing director. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement for Randolph Partnership for Children. She has three grown sons. She and her husband, Dave, live in central North Carolina.

Visit her website at www.mickibareauthor.com or connect with her on social media: Twitter @turtleauthor, TikTok @inspiredscribe, Facebook @MickiBareAuthor, Instagram @mickibare.

Her main character in her middle grade novels also has an Instagram account: @Zahra_Aylward.

Interview with Katlyn Duncan Author of TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK

I’m very excited to host my amazing critique partner Katlyn Duncan today to talk about her latest release TAKE BACK Y OUR BOOK: AN AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO RIGHTS REVERSION AND PUBLISHING ON YOUR TERMS. Katlyn is the author of many YA and adult works of fiction and this is her first work of non-fiction. It’s so full of relevant information about the business of publishing and rights reversion, and I think any author or aspiring author will feel empowered after reading it. Welcome, Katlyn!

The inspiration behind a book is frequently talked about when writing fiction, but there’s often an interesting inspiration story behind non-fiction. What gave you the idea for TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK: AN AUTHOR’S GUIDE TO RIGHTS REVERSION AND PUBLISHING ON YOUR TERMS?

When the book rights for my debut Young Adult paranormal series (The Life After series) reverted to me in 2019, I immediately looked online to see what I should do with the book. But there weren’t many recent articles about what to do after book rights reversion. I had to do a lot of research myself, which was mostly scouring writer groups and working my network to find other writers who had their book rights reverted. For those authors, all of their stories were different, which helped me understand that I had to make a lot of decisions on my own.

One day, you and I were discussing self-publishing, and the idea came so quickly to me. There weren’t any resources out there about the process of rights reversion all the way through re-publishing the book, so I wrote it myself hoping to help any authors who are or will be in the same position.

Let’s turn the inspiration to you! What made you want to become a writer?

Storytelling has always been a huge part of my life. As a kid, I loved drama class and acting in plays while devouring movies as much as I could. Eventually, that stemmed into penning my own plays and movie scripts (which will never see the light of day, by the way!). Then when I was in my early twenties, I started to write fiction novels and I haven’t stopped since.

What’s one book you wish you had written? And (of course) why?

Can I say ‘Twilight’? I wouldn’t mind living in Stephenie Meyer’s shoes right now with the ability to auto sell anything I write and take all those lofty advances to the bank.

I think we’d all say yes to Stephenie Meyer’s advances! You write both fiction and non-fiction. How was writing TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK different from writing your fiction projects?

There are a few ways it was different. First, I had to do a lot of research for this book, more than I have for any of my fiction novels. Previously, I had saved some articles from when I was going through the book rights reversion process, but there was so much more to outline for the reader. I had to make sure that I listed as many options for a reverted book as possible, which meant exploring as many publishing paths as I could, along with outlining the self-publishing process from start to finish, and beyond to marketing and future plans for the book.

Second, writing a non-fiction “arc” is much different than a fiction one. You have to structure the book in a way that is compelling and makes sense as its own type of story while allowing author voice to shine through instead of a character’s voice.

Obviously TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK is full of advice for authors, but what’s one important takeaway you’d like to leave readers with today?

Regarding book rights, make sure you understand what you are signing away and how long your rights will be in someone else’s hands. This is where community is very important. Ask fellow authors in both the “traditional” and self-publishing spheres and find where your book belongs before you put pen to paper and sign any contract.

It’s so important to understand what is in a publishing contract before you sign. One last thing, what is next for you in your writing career?

I’ve completely veered away from traditional publishing and diving head-first into self-publishing. I’m re-publishing my debut YA series under a new pen name (Katy Duncan), starting with ‘Soul Taken’ in September 2021, followed soon after by book 2 (‘Soul Possessed’) and book 3 (‘Soul Betrayed’) in 2022, in addition to publishing adult thrillers after that.

TAKE BACK YOUR BOOK blurb:

Revive your book from the bottom of the charts with rights reversion.

Have you sold your book to a publisher, but years later it’s not selling the way you want? Are you frustrated with their lack of marketing and little to no royalty payments?

It’s time to take back your book rights.

This guide will give you the knowledge and confidence to get your book rights reverted and how to place it in front of new readers, on your terms.

In this book you’ll find:

  • The basics of rights reversion
  • What to do with your book after reversion
  • How to re-publish your book
  • Long-term considerations for your author business and backlist
  • Stories from authors successfully reverting and republishing their books

You will always be your book’s biggest champion. Don’t condemn it to years of neglect at someone else’s hands. Take back your rights and make them work for you for years to come.

Buy the book on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and these other book retailers.

About the Author:

Katlyn Duncan is a multi-published hybrid author of adult and young adult fiction and has ghostwritten over forty novels for children and adults.

When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things.

Find her at katlynduncan.com, YouTube, and Instagram.

Writing Nature Fantasy with Sara Webley Author of ZO IN THE ROOSTING TREE

Crows are an important part of my witchy middle grade book, so it felt very serendipitous when I connected with Sara Webley, author of ZO IN THE ROOSTING TREE. Let’s give a big welcome to Sara and and her clever crow character Zo!

Besides writing books for young readers, I’m an editor of texts ranging from academic writing to consumer health to kids’ books. I’ve also worked in the zoo and aquarium field as an animal technician and zookeeper. I love fiction and nonfiction about animals and nature. So when I decided to write a fantasy about a young girl who switches places with an American Crow, I wanted to combine the real with the magical—nature with fantasy. Write what you know, but…twist it! I wanted my readers to view nature from the perspective of the animal.

So I had to decide: How to construct Zo in the Roosting Tree? How to bridge reality and fantasy?

I began by researching crow behavior, crow myths, crow intelligence. Write what you know—and anything you don’t know, educate yourself about it! So I was continually checking: How would a real crow act in the scene I’m writing? What cool example of crow behavior can I include? This research gave me a framework for creating my plot and characters. What I aimed for was a fantasy close enough to reality that it would pull my readers in and make them wonder…Could that really happen? Would the crow I see outside my window every day be able to do that? And…Is that crow watching me?

The crow and human needed to switch places, so they could each learn about the other’s world. Because of my own bond with nature, I created a human character who loves birds: a young girl named Jae, who would live inside Zo the crow’s body. And the crow would live inside Jae’s human body. That’s the magical “Switch”—girl and crow, crow and girl. I hoped to excite young readers about a bird they probably see every day and don’t think much about. I wanted them to care about animals by being one for a while.

I made choices about plot, scenes, conflicts, and fun based on what I know about real crows. Planning my storyline, I wanted the magical crow Zo to behave in ways that reflect reality. Crows are smart, social, playful, adaptable birds. So I made Zo clever, fun-loving, family-oriented. Crows recognize human faces—people they like, and people they don’t. Crows are also problem-solvers, comparable in intelligence to monkeys and dolphins. They can use tools to find hidden food, slide down a snowy windshield just for fun, or surf the clouds by gripping a big piece of bark with their toes. So I set some problems in front of Zo to see how she might solve them—like being hunted by a scary owl at dawn. Zo may live in a fantasy world, but her behavior reflects the skills of a real crow.

But what’s fun about writing nature fantasy is not having to be totally accurate! After editing academic writing for years, I needed a 180-degree turn. So I took liberties: A real crow would not be friends with a young cardinal. A real crow would not ride on a snapping turtle’s back. I enjoyed starting with what I knew about the true nature of crows, and then twisting that into fantasy.

My goal was also to get readers interested in the much-maligned crow (think: Hitchcock’s The Birds) by presenting a sympathetic crow who teaches us something about natural behavior. This winter, a friend told me that she’d seen a huge group of crows gathering in a parking lot before they flew off to roost for the night. She said it made her think of “the apocalypse.” That’s what I wanted to counter with Zo’s character, by showing readers how crows communicate, play, and care for each other. In that parking lot, those crows were probably discussing where to find food the next day, not planning the apocalypse!

Nicer beliefs exist about crows, too: they’re famous for leaving “gifts” for humans. There’s some disagreement about that among bird scientists, but I wanted to use a shiny gift in the plot. I make silver chain maille bracelets, so I decided that Jae would have one. The real bracelet jump-starts the magical crow-and-girl Switch. Nature and reality…with a fantasy twist.

ZO IN THE ROOSTING TREE blurb:

Caw! Zo looks like a crow, sounds like a crow, and flies like a crow. But Zo thinks she’s a human girl inside!

Zo in the Roosting Tree tells the story of a clever crow, through the eyes of a human girl. A girl who loves being a crow, but who must find the secret to being human. Follow Zo’s adventures as she wakes up one morning in the roosting tree, learns to fly, plays games with a goofy cardinal named Rufus, and surfs the wind with her wings in the clouds. Kahr! Kahr!

Being Zo the crow is fun. And Rufus has become her best birdy friend. But when Zo discovers the dangers of her new life—owls and bobcats and cars—she misses her human family. Time is running out. Can a mysterious snapping turtle help Zo find the magic she needs to go home again?

Learn more about the book at zointheroostingtree.com or purchase it at Amazon, Vermont Institute of Natural Science, IndieBound, or Norwich Bookstore.

About the Author:

When Sara Webley was ten years old, her grandmother’s monthly magazine published Sara’s poem about a lobster…minus the final stanza. Not too happy with Grandma’s editing, Sara became an editor and writer herself. She has helped others do their best work through her editorial company, JAS Group Writing & Editing. Sara’s poetry has appeared in Flyway, Cold Mountain Review, and Appalachia.

Also trained as a veterinary health technician, Sara worked at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo and New England Aquarium caring for seals, otters, porcupines, coyotes, snakes, monkeys, turtles, and other animals. Currently, she volunteers handling hawks and owls at a nature center, where she met one very special American Crow. As an author, Sara combines her love of animals with her love of books for young readers. She enjoys watching the crows gather at dusk in their roosting tree near her home. Follow Sara and Zo on Instagram @sara_webley_author and @zo_crow at facebook.com/zointheroostingtree.

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