Tuesday, August 14, 2012

August is Awesome Because of Kyra Lennon


Now just how awesome does one have to be to have two covers for their debut novel?  You have to be at least as awesome as Kyra!  

Give Kyra a great big Strands of Pattern welcome!  

Game On, Kyra!


When I first realized I wanted to be a writer, I wanted what every writer wants in the beginning. A contract with a top publisher, and to see my books in the shops amongst the books of the writers I admire. I can’t say I’ve given up on that dream, but what I can say is that self-publishing seemed like the right choice for me at this time. Here’s why.

I’m impatient. When I was naïve about how the publishing industry works, I thought it was fairly simple and quick. Once someone snapped up your book, it’ll be published within a few months, right? Ha ha, how stupid of me! The reality is, it takes a lot, lot longer than that and my first novel, Game On, had already been sitting around in my laptop for six years! I figured, why leave it any longer when I can just as easily do it myself, right now?

Kyra Lennon is Awesome!
Another reason for choosing to self-publish was keeping control of the story and everything that goes with it. I talked to a lot of self-published authors, and several traditionally published authors, and most of them agreed that giving up some of the control was something they didn’t really like. We’re not talking petty fights over small edits, but being asked to change bigger parts of the story, and having no say over cover design. Those are just a couple of examples. I weighed up all the options in my mind, and decided that because this story means so much to me, I wasn’t entirely willing to compromise on the way it plays out.

Finally, I was tired of being asked, “Oh, you’re a writer? Do you have anything published?” I don’t usually bow to pressure, but I wasn’t keen on the pitying looks when I told people I didn’t have a book out yet. Book or not, a writer is what I am, but to people who don’t understand, I was basically just “unemployed” and “messing around on the internet all day, “ neither of which is true at all. So, I caved. It was in no way the biggest factor in my decision, but I can’t deny, it did have a small part to play.

Game On Book Cover
Kyra's Debut Novel (Cover #1)
I am pretty sure that at some point in the future, I’ll dip my toe in the querying waters, because I don’t think I’ll feel like a real writer until I get my first rejection letter! But for now, self-publishing is definitely the right choice for me.

Visit Kyra at her blog Write Here Write Now and...

Get your copy of "Game On" at:
Amazon Kindle version

Amazon.com Paperback

Amazon UK Kindle version

Amazon UK Paperback

Smashwords

Kyra's Debut Novel (Cover #2)
Game On Synopsis

After swapping her small town life to work for one of the top soccer teams in the U.S, Leah Walker thought she could finally leave the ghosts of her past behind. However, when she meets serial womanizer, Radleigh McCoy, the memories of her old life come swarming back, and she is forced to ask herself whether she has really changed at all.




Yeah, I know Kyra likes the original cover, but I've got to admit...  Those are some nice legs!!  {:-D

23 comments:

  1. Thank you for being a part of the Game On blog tour! :D Ha, it's funny how guys seems to really like the new cover! ;)

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    1. It was a pleasure, Kyra! Maybe you'll be able to get some sleep soon. :)

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  2. Impatience seems to be the common factor for most self-publishers. I'm getting towards that point myself, so I'm absorbing everyone else's self-pubbing stories, so that I can decide if I really want to do it!

    I agree that the 'have you published anything?' question can get very tiring when the answer's no. I had that conversation last night, and it was so great to say 'yes, search for it'!

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    1. Self-publishing is fun! :D And yeah, it is SO great to say you have a book published!

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  3. You're a writer no matter what!
    Hey CassaStar sat around for almost thirty years before I did anything with it.

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    1. So you write CassaStar when you were ... 3? :p Heh, thirty years is a long time to hold on to something, I'm glad you let the world see it! :D

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  4. You're one of my kind. Patience is like the most hidden virtue I may have. I loved your post and the personality I see behind it. You make things happen. Good for you!

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  5. Good job going for it, Kyra. I like the second cover because it seems to fit the blurb about the book a lot better. I'm totally going to add this to my Goodreads TBR list.

    I'm really enjoying your August is Awesome series, Jeff. Great work there.

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  6. I think self-published writers are very brave, taking the plunge all by themselves.

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    1. It is scary, but it feels really good when it's done and you can see your book out there! :D

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  7. The 2nd cover is going to draw more people (male and female). The first looks (to me) like a cover for a tweens novel. The second says "adult."

    That may just be me.

    Anyway, I get a kick out of telling people I'm not published but they can read it if they want. They usually glaze over at that point and I get a good laugh.

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    1. It's not just you. Many people assumed it was YA, which is why I changed it. However, I love the original cover art and I'm letting it live for a while on the paperback version. :)

      And LOL! :D

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  8. Good for you for taking that step. It's a big decision for writers these days. And you're doing an incredible job of promoting your book. A lot more than I see many presses doing these days.

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    1. Thanks, Christine! It's really hard work, but it seems to be paying off. The support has been fantastic!

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  9. You're so brave, Kyra! Congrats on taking this step!

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  10. Cool, Kyra. Sounds like you self-published for some of the same reasons I did. My journey was 10 years ago, so I am now playing the query field. Much success to you. :)

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    1. Thank you! I hope the querying goes well for you! :D

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  11. Good stuff, Kyra. I'm leaning towards the DIY side of publishing at the moment, for a lot of the reasons you mention. I don't like the idea of too much compromise either. A lot of work, but you seem to be handling it with a smile!

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    1. LOL, I'm trying! If you need any help with anything, let me know!

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