Oooh-Da-Lolly!! Golly what a day! Ain't Fridays wonderful?!
Straight from the lush wilds of the Oregon Coastal Mountains, DEBRA KAYN is kickin' it with us today! Whether it's a Biker Babe In Black or a vivacious vet who needs rescuing, Debra delivers a power-packed punch of passion and romance to every story.
I've known Debra for a little over a year now and have seen her take the plunge from aspiring author to published pro with a back list. Set down your kickstand and belly up to the screen, because we're getting down to the nitty-gritty on what lies ahead for every novice writer with a hunger for publication!
Thank you for having me here today, Sarah. I love visiting your blog and learning from all your inspiring posts and guests. When you contacted me wanting me to talk about going from a debut author to a multi-published author, I had to smile, because in lots of ways I feel like a newbie still. It has been a very busy year and a half. Lol
I'd like to say that there isn't much difference between publishing your first book as it is publishing your fourth or fifth book. I still get nervous submitting a manuscript, sweat over hearing back from the publisher, and get excited over every cover. Maybe my insecurities run deep, but I don't think I'd change a thing. I like all the emotions I go through with each book. I believe it keeps me on my toes and forces me to submit the best book I can create.
One thing that stands out about going from one book, one publisher, to six books and two publishers, is the amount of time I spend doing promotions. Each publisher has their own readers groups, group blogs, and scheduled chats that I like to attend. My amount of editors increases, and I have a lot of promotional activities I put on to get my name out in the world of readers. Very time consuming, but I really love the interactions I have with readers. I think that is my favorite part of writing…the readers I get to meet because we have a love of reading.
My advice for those who are aspiring writers would be to keep on writing. I know you hear that all the time, but write every day. Don't give up. What one publisher doesn't accept, another publisher might love. The publishing world is subjective just like one reader might like paranormal and not enjoy reading historicals, but somewhere out there, a publishing company is going to love your story.
I'd also like to give a copy of LOVE RESCUED ME to one person who leaves a comment today.
Blurb: Love Rescued Me
Multi-published author, Debra Kayn, is not only a writer; she's a wife and Mom to four great kids. When she's not staying up late dreaming of new stories to write, she enjoys riding motorcycles, gardening, playing tennis, and spending time with a fishing pole in her hands.
She lives in the beautiful Coastal Mountains of Oregon on a hobby farm. Her love of animals includes dogs, chickens, goats, rabbits, turkeys, geese, and yes...pigs. The peacefulness of a flowing creek across her property provides an excellent spot to read a book on a summer day, go swimming, and catch the ever-elusive fish.
One thing she can promise is her books will always have a happily-ever-after. In a world where the news is discouraging and people are busy, she wants you to live, laugh, love…for eternity.
You can find out more about Debra at http://www.debrakayn.com/, visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage and follow her on Twitter at @DebraKaynWrites.
Living in the sweltering heat of California's central valley has made me pea-green with envy of Debra's peaceful mountain paradise. One of these days she's gonna find me standing on her doorstep! LOL That will show her to watch she posts on Facebook. If not writing, the lady is cooking, fishing or playing on her ATV in the forest! Now, that's my kind of fun!!
I'd like to thank Debra for the awesome post. She definitely set the scene for some weekend productivity. :)
THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! We're in the thick of summer and what better way to beat the heat than a original video from THE BEACH BOYS and DON'T WORRY BABY! *sigh* This is one of my fav songs and ohhhh Mike Love, what a hunk!! Catch a wave and we'll meet up again on Moanday!
Straight from the lush wilds of the Oregon Coastal Mountains, DEBRA KAYN is kickin' it with us today! Whether it's a Biker Babe In Black or a vivacious vet who needs rescuing, Debra delivers a power-packed punch of passion and romance to every story.
I've known Debra for a little over a year now and have seen her take the plunge from aspiring author to published pro with a back list. Set down your kickstand and belly up to the screen, because we're getting down to the nitty-gritty on what lies ahead for every novice writer with a hunger for publication!
Thank you for having me here today, Sarah. I love visiting your blog and learning from all your inspiring posts and guests. When you contacted me wanting me to talk about going from a debut author to a multi-published author, I had to smile, because in lots of ways I feel like a newbie still. It has been a very busy year and a half. Lol
I'd like to say that there isn't much difference between publishing your first book as it is publishing your fourth or fifth book. I still get nervous submitting a manuscript, sweat over hearing back from the publisher, and get excited over every cover. Maybe my insecurities run deep, but I don't think I'd change a thing. I like all the emotions I go through with each book. I believe it keeps me on my toes and forces me to submit the best book I can create.
One thing that stands out about going from one book, one publisher, to six books and two publishers, is the amount of time I spend doing promotions. Each publisher has their own readers groups, group blogs, and scheduled chats that I like to attend. My amount of editors increases, and I have a lot of promotional activities I put on to get my name out in the world of readers. Very time consuming, but I really love the interactions I have with readers. I think that is my favorite part of writing…the readers I get to meet because we have a love of reading.
My advice for those who are aspiring writers would be to keep on writing. I know you hear that all the time, but write every day. Don't give up. What one publisher doesn't accept, another publisher might love. The publishing world is subjective just like one reader might like paranormal and not enjoy reading historicals, but somewhere out there, a publishing company is going to love your story.
I'd also like to give a copy of LOVE RESCUED ME to one person who leaves a comment today.
Blurb: Love Rescued Me
Veterinarian, Samantha James, moved to a new town to escape the crooked cops who framed her younger brother and sent him to prison for a crime he didn't commit. With the goal of setting up practice and making a home for her brother when he gets released, she didn't plan on falling for the local forest ranger.
Undercover narcotics officer, Bobby Thorn, was only in Skamania posing as a forest ranger to apprehend the ex-officer who killed his partner. He didn't have time for romance, but the fiery vet left him speechless and stole his heart. How is he going to keep his identity secret, catch a killer, and keep the woman he loves safe?
Multi-published author, Debra Kayn, is not only a writer; she's a wife and Mom to four great kids. When she's not staying up late dreaming of new stories to write, she enjoys riding motorcycles, gardening, playing tennis, and spending time with a fishing pole in her hands.
She lives in the beautiful Coastal Mountains of Oregon on a hobby farm. Her love of animals includes dogs, chickens, goats, rabbits, turkeys, geese, and yes...pigs. The peacefulness of a flowing creek across her property provides an excellent spot to read a book on a summer day, go swimming, and catch the ever-elusive fish.
One thing she can promise is her books will always have a happily-ever-after. In a world where the news is discouraging and people are busy, she wants you to live, laugh, love…for eternity.
You can find out more about Debra at http://www.debrakayn.com/, visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DebraKaynFanPage and follow her on Twitter at @DebraKaynWrites.
Living in the sweltering heat of California's central valley has made me pea-green with envy of Debra's peaceful mountain paradise. One of these days she's gonna find me standing on her doorstep! LOL That will show her to watch she posts on Facebook. If not writing, the lady is cooking, fishing or playing on her ATV in the forest! Now, that's my kind of fun!!
I'd like to thank Debra for the awesome post. She definitely set the scene for some weekend productivity. :)
THANK YOU, TLN'ers!! We're in the thick of summer and what better way to beat the heat than a original video from THE BEACH BOYS and DON'T WORRY BABY! *sigh* This is one of my fav songs and ohhhh Mike Love, what a hunk!! Catch a wave and we'll meet up again on Moanday!
13 comments:
Hi Debra,
Just wanted to come by and say hi to you! Love the new book cover you have. Nice!!
Hi Debra, add me to the list of green eyed monsters. I would love to live somewhere peaceful but with kids of my own, that would never happen no matter where I move. I just wrote the first thing on my bucket list, I am going to live on the edges of a lake in Alaska for six months (after the kids are grown) and write my little heart out in front of a roaring fire! But for now its 'keep writing' and 'finish the damn book'.
Yours sounds great! 6 books and 2 publishers sounds like a scary dream... How do you find the time?
Excuse my ramblings, my youngest coughed all over me and shared her lurgy :(
Bronwyn.
Congratulations on your new release, Debra. I have to agree about the publishing world and readers being subjective. Not giving up is great advice. I like your new cover BTW.
Hi Karen!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you are having a great summer. :-)
Bronwyn - I understand about kids. I have four of them (20,17,14,14)and they bring some fun into my peaceful days. lol I'll join you in Alaska. ;-) I actually lived in Alaska as a child and would love to go back someday. It is easier to write now that the kids are all in the "I don't need my mom hanging around anymore" phase and I don't have another job to work around either. I'm always amazed at how authors can hold full time jobs AND write. That's dedication!
Shelley - Thanks Shelley! You are so sweet. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
Sarah - You know you always have an open invitation to come up and when you do, we're going fishing! lol
Hi Debra! Great advice.
I don't think the thrill of acceptance and the whirlwind of editing and promotion will ever get old for me.
Congrats on your new release and yes, the cover is awesome.
Gina
Thanks Gina! I think authors love the adrenaline rush of a new book the same way a racecar driver likes to speed. lol It just never gets old. :-)
I think I'm a day late to get in the drawing -- darn. Oh, well. Debra, thanks for the encouragement re: publishers and their likes being as varied as readers'. Congratulations on your success. Sheri
Hi Sheri, you are not too late. Sarah told me she would pick a winner on Sunday afternoon and post who won on Monday. She's a good one on making sure everyone gets a chance to post. :-)
We all need encouragement, even the more seasoned authors. It's so nice that we have social networks were we can ask questions and do some handholding when someone needs help.
HEY! If Debra and Bronwyn are hanging out in Alaska I'm coming too! That sounds awesome!
And Debra, you've got a deal. I do love to fish, but I don't have a pink pole. LOL I'd have to use my hubs old Ugly Stick.
Hi KMN, Shelley, Gina, and Sheri!
Thanks for stopping by! :)
KMN: I agree w/ you 100%! Debra's new cover is a treat for the eyes.
Shelley: After suffering through a couple contests, I learned how subjective reading is. LOL The love the advice about not giving up, too. :)
Gina: One of the things I love about starting this blog and hanging out of the authors loops is how they've taught me to promote. When I have a book to get out there I'll be ahead of the game or at least have a clue of what I'm doing. LOL
Hey Sheri!! You're not late! I do some promo on Thursday nights so the emails are in in-boxs for the night owls and the early birds. LOL One of my promo habits. Still got my fingers crossed for you, friend! :)
Sarah - An Ugly Stik will work! lol It sounds more like we're all going to Alaska...poor Bronywn won't find any peace once we all show up. Although, getting together with a group of people who love to write sounds like so much fun!
Ack! I meant Bronwyn! My fingers were flying and I jumbled your name.
I'm yawning, so I'm going to call it a night. Thank you so much for having me here, Sarah. I also want to thank everyone who stopped in and left a comment. In some ways the internet is a huge place, but writers and readers always seem to bump into each other in different place, so I'll say "See ya around." :-)
Thanks for being here with us, Debra!! :)
The winner will be picked on Sunday and posted on Monday. Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun! We appreciate you swinging by!
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