September 30, 2013


Hello all,

A while ago I found a Literary Agency that had a link to a blog called Pub Rants.  Out of curiosity I pulled it up to find that it contained a lot of very useful information as well as a similarity of mind that I admired. 

I followed the blog on and off for a while before looking further into the agency's website where I found a link to some webinars that Kristin Nelson, the author of the blog provided.  I was hesitant to sign up for any of them as I felt like I, as an author, was not capable of becoming better.  I had convinced myself that because I had no English degree and that my life had taken me in a different direction entirely that perhaps I was just meant to give it up and move on. 

At the beginning of September I pulled the website up again to find that there was a webinar for creating your query letter.  I read the description and the date and time and found that I could actually do this one and that perhaps I should reconsider my previous position about giving up.  Mind you I had continued to write I just felt that it was really just for me at this point. 

The information I gained from Kristin was more than I could have hoped for.  In addition I had a question after the seminar and I sent it in, and it was answered!  I really felt that this particular grouping of people had a genuine interest in seeing authors succeed. 

I have continued on and with the information I gained from the webinar and the information I obtained from the newsletter, yes they also provide a newsletter with a lot of information, I feel that I can make improvements in my writing and am currently taking another look at what I have done and reorganizing and re-editing with the hopes of soon submitting my manuscript again with a much better written query. 

If you are interest in looking at their site here is the link www.nelsonagency.com.

Perhaps next time I post I will have some more exciting news. 

Until then,

Katie

New beginnings

Hello my few fans,

I have been dreadfully delinquent in blogging, for a writer I am not very committed to this form. I have contemplating going back to school this coming fall and in addition to that have composed several letters to agents in a hope of getting some help in producing and selling my work.

I have to admit that my business keeps me busy from November through February every year so I have not been attentive to my books and my New Years Resolution is to devote more time to myself and my characters. I really need to do some exercises in character developement before I write any more manuscripts.

I hope you all had happy holidays and got to spend some good quality time with your families. I will try to post again soon and in the mean time keep those mental juices flowing by reading and if you are so inclined writing.

Till later.
Katie

MidWest Book Reviews

Hello,

It has been quite some time since I last wrote. It has been an eventful summer, some sad things and some happy. Please continue to pray for my cousins family, they are dealing best they can with the loss of thier precious little boy and still need our prayers.

I had some exciting and good news in August. My book was picked as the Reviewer's Choice for the month of August by MidWest Book Reviews. I am particularly excited about this because I did not have to do anything but send in my book. They liked it so much that I was picked. Very exciting! For those of you who don't know, anyone can get a review, if you want to pay for it. There are companies out there that will write the nicest review for you at a very reasonable price. I am joking, the price is outrageous and I am actually suprised that people do that. I personally want my work to stand on its own, I wouldn't want someone to say nice things about it because I paid them to. However, some people do and so the companies exist.

I am close to meeting the end of my contract for Bia and I am really hoping to get my next book, a children's chapter book, based on my two older children into production. Shhh, I have not sprung this on my husband yet and since I know he doesn't read my blog I feel pretty safe posting it here.

Anyway with school back in session and religion classes about to begin I might possibly find some more time to write. I have started on a second children's chapter book and also an adult chapter book, though that is not what I do best so I wouldn't look for that one any time soon.

Well, that is it for now. I hope you all had a great summer and will enjoy the upcoming fall.

Take care.

Until later.
Katie

Today I took the time.

On July 4th my cousins 6-year-old passed away at 6:20 after a hard battle with cancer. It was a sad day for his family. He was a remarkable little boy with great faith and love in his heart. He was surrounded by his family during his last moments and his passing was peaceful. He now rests in the arms of Jesus, who he regularly talked about coming down off the cross to snuggle him in his bed. This image gives his family great comfort and I am sure he is playing with the angels right now.

So last night while my 6-year-old took time to play in the tub I took the time to just watch, just watch and be greatful that tonight I had that opportunity. I usually clean or pickup until he yells he is done. Sadly like a lot of other mothers I hate bath time. But for tonight I was just greatful and I took the time to ENJOY that time with my son.

Please pray for all children everywhere who are suffering with illness, as Tony once told his mother God was taking care of him so we should pray for all the other children.

Till next time.
Katie

Presentations, presentations, presentations!

I have had a great time recently presenting and reading to different schools and day cares. The kids have been great and the teachers are so nice.

I am hopeful that my book will gain some interest this week at the BEA in New York. If you are reading this wish me luck.

Shor post today, very busy.

Talk again soon.

Katie

Book Bums

Good Morning,

Usually I will write about what is going on with my book but I had such a great week at Book Bums that I decided that they would be the subject of my writing today.

For those of you who don't know Book Bums is a very cute reading/coffee shop/gathering place in West Chester, Ohio on Cincinnati-Dayton Road, right in front of St. John's Church. The owners are probably two of the nicest people I have ever met, Mike and Christy Williams. They provide a great comfortable space to read, drink coffee, or just play with the kids. There is a lending library and toys and games avaiable for the kids. On Tuesday my son and I spend an hour or so there while waiting for my daughter to finish religion class. We met two teenagers this week, Britnay and Matt who invited Eli to play games with them and then read a book. They were wonderful with him and it has been a very long time since I have seen two teenagers that were so kind and considerate to the people around them.

On Saturdays they have music from local musicians. This week it was Emmaus Road and as I had suspected they were Christian musicians. The music was some original writings and some from other musicians but it was all very enjoyable. We sat and played cards, then Sorry, and then a golf ball game, (it was one of those figure it out things, no same colors touching, but I managed to do it once) while listening to the music and having our cookies and tea. There was another mother there with three children and they ate and then sat and played UNO. It was a lovely evening, very relaxing and so cozy.

They provide a small menu. They have some great cookies, also made by a local woman and they are so delicious. I had the chicken salad on Tuesday and on Saturday I had a strawberry shortcake, both delicious. An array of coffees and drinks are available.

The best part of going there is that they are so welcoming and always have a smile and a pleasant hello.

If you are in need of a space to meet or tutoring I would definitely contact them, you can find the link on my website. There are also book clubs for both children and adults. During the summer Christy, who is a first grade teacher, runs classes for young readers. Eli and Olivia both enjoyed them previously. You will find it comfortable immediately.

I hope you all have an enjoyable week.

Till next time.
Katie

What a wonderful weekend!

Hello all,

I had the most extrodinary weekend full of excitement, information and meeting of new friends. I could not be more happy about how the book signing at my old high school, Mount Notre Dame in Reading, Ohio went. I met a really nice author who used my same publisher, so information exchanged was very important, as well as her parents and husband who were super nice. So supportive and encouraging. It is so nice to meet people who are not all about the competition.

I also got to see some old friends from high school as well as meet their children and had the opportunity to read to them. The donuts were not bad either.

So I came away with a renewed determination to get off the fence and make this book sell!

I really need to thank Alisia from Mount Notre Dame and the school for allowing her to put on this event and remembering me in the process. I cannot say thank you enough.

Sunday was spent selling Girl Scout cookies, and well those things sell themselves, there is not much work to put into that but it went well also, so Thank you Mason Kroger for allowing us to have the opportunity to sell in your store.

It feels like the weather and is breaking, we have officially sprung forward, and it will soon be warmer and lighter during the day.

I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well.

Kristy, I hope you have an easy deliver and a healthy baby. Good Luck, and don't forget to post a picture!

Till next time, take care.

Katie