I’m K.C. Neal, author. You should read the rest of the interview because later on I reveal *the* magic formula for writing the most captivating, perfect story possible. That’s right! But that part of the interview is written in invisible digital ink. If you paypal $49 to my email address, I will send you the special ink decoder!
N.L: Wow, that answer was AMAZING. I just fell in love all over again. Moving on.
Q: Tell us a little about the work you are here promoting.
A. My debut novel, Pyxis: The Discovery is the first book in a YA fantasy series. The main character, 16-year-old Corinne, discovers there are two universes - the waking universe we live in every day, and a universe our minds enter when we're asleep. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two universes, to keep evil and harm from cycling between them, but the person who was supposed to teach her everything died unexpectedly. Her friend Mason has a role in all of this, too, and together they search for answers. I don't want to give away too much, but there are some fun paranormal elements to the story - ESP, pyrokinesis, things like that. It’s a fast-paced read that's full of mystery.
Q: As a writer, do you have plans for world domination, or do you have a day job as well?
A: Oh my gosh, have you been spying on me? I talk about my plan for world domination daily! I’m dead serious - my closest friends can confirm this. It’s a 5-phase plan, and I’ve almost completed Phase 2. I do have a day job, too, though. Cackling over my world-domination plans doesn’t pay the bills. Not yet, anyway. I work full-time as a Medical Writer.
N.L. Ha, I have actually been spying on you. In a friendly way. I’m an easy stalker to get along with. Anyway…onward!
Q: Self-published, traditional, indie or part of an indie collective? If not yet published, what are you doing to make it happen?
A: I’m a bit of a hybrid, in a way. I don’t have an agent, but I do have a publisher, StoneHouse Ink. It’s a pretty awesome set-up, actually. I work directly with my publisher and have a lot of say in the decisions that get made. I had a ton of input into my book’s cover, for example. And just this last week I got to choose a voice actor who will do an audio version of my book. I’m a bit of a control freak, so this arrangement really suits me. My publisher is really more of a business partner, and we both work really hard to give my book the best chance possible.
Q: How do you handle bad reviews? If you haven't had one...would you be willing to take part in a social experiment? Basically? Would you grant me permission to trash your writing, just to see if you cry?
I haven’t had any reviews yet, so I’m not sure how I’ll react. But, being a Medical Writer has been good training in terms of getting my writing picked apart and put back together. When I write medical content, half a dozen people or more review and edit it. You learn really quickly not to take any of it personally. And my manuscript got pretty much shredded earlier this year, which led to a major revision. I’ve built up some calluses, I guess you could say. :)
UPDATE ALERT: K.C has been getting reviews that I’ve obviously read. Hint, they are glowing! Congrats! Next…
Q: Are you nervous yet and do you prefer white or wheat bread?
A: You know, I AM kind of nervous. White for garlic bread and grilled cheese sandwiches, wheat for everything else.
Q: Do you blog? If so, don't you wish you were as cool a blogger as I?
A: I do blog, but I’m nowhere near the force de blog that you are. You’re like a power blogger! (Are you susceptible to flattery, btw?)
N.L.: I am always open to hearing how awesome I am. =)
Q: What is your favorite creature, monster, or fantasy based thing you write about?
A: No creatures in my series, but there’s plenty of magic. The ESP is the part I really dig, though. All kinds of interesting ways to use that in interactions between characters.
Q: Are you planning to give something away (if not, good luck getting anyone to read this thing) and if so, what are your demands for winning (I assume, your book because why else would you stop by?)
A: Sure, I’d love to give away an ebook! My demand is this: that you worship at the altar of my Twitter account. By following it.
Q: =) Any advice for aspiring writers?
A: I don’t think of myself as particularly qualified to give advice to writers, but since you asked…. One, find a skilled, more experienced writer to critique your work, and don’t fear criticism; a good critique will help your writing improve by leaps and bounds. Two, an idea for a story isn’t the same as a plot; a book needs a plot and a plot needs tension and conflict, not just cool ideas. Three, read voraciously; aside from actually writing, reading is your best training.
N.L. I totally agree. Tick off a few indie authors you look up to.
Q: Angeline Kace, who just released her debut novel, Descended by Blood, in August. She wrote a great book and worked really hard marketing it, and her book is killing it in the Kindle store. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m getting into ebook publishing too late, I missed the wave, but her success gives me hope that it can still be done.
Aaron Patterson, who heads StoneHouse Ink (my publisher), is a bestselling author and just as talented at the business part of publishing as he is at writing, which I imagine is a rare combination. His first book came out back before there was this enormous wave of self-published books, and he’s kept out ahead of the changes in the industry the past few years.
Really, I admire any indie who can sell well enough to make a living off their books. It’s not easy out there!
Q: Are you, or are you not a douche bag? Heh, you don't have to answer that. That's just for my enjoyment.
Definitely not! Wait, that’s probably something a douche bag would say, isn’t it…?
Q: =) Sell your book, right now, to your host without once mentioning your book, blog or twitter handle.
A: I command you: BUY IT. Hee hee.
Q: Alright, where can readers find you on the web?
Alright now, the giveaway! One digital copy of:
A Blurb: Two worlds.... One 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both.
The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her how is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?
The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her how is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?
Blogger Demands.
1.Leave me a nice comment including your e-mail addy. REQUIRED
2.1. Follow K.C. Neal on Twitter. @KCNealTweets. (Not required but makes winning more likely).
2.1. Follow K.C. Neal on Twitter. @KCNealTweets. (Not required but makes winning more likely).
3. Following the blog is not required, but appreciated. Good Luck! This giveaway will end on November 16th.
5 comments:
Thanks for the great interview, Natasha! :D
You were wonderful to have K.C. LoL, I got an entry via a twitter message for some reason.
This sound awesome!!!!
sorry forgot my email
lmarste@yahoo.com
I am dying to read this book. I absolutely love paranormal books. I so want this. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sthrnsweetie115@AOL.com
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