Faith Kaiser's Blog

Okay, I have been nominated for, and won by a landslide, the worst blogger ever!  It’s true. Great intentions but apparently no focus whatsoever. I do not make New Year’s Resolutions as a rule, but this year, I do.  I AM going to update this blog at least once weekly and pray for a following!

Initially, being all full of myself at having had my novel published, my flawed but good intentions were to aide and assist in any way I could, newbie writers who are trying to carefully get through the sticky business of getting a novel published.  Thank God I have been lazy in my blogging!

Don’t get me wrong. Any questions new authors may have, IF I can answer them, I will more than gladly do so.  I have been/am somewhat timid about approaching “real” authors and asking for advice and directions. So I ever so humbly thought, “Well, I’ll just share what I know and they won’t have to ask.”  Truthfully I have found “real” authors play their cards pretty close to their chests, so when I have gotten up the nerve to ask, I really haven’t gleaned, or been given, much information. Some great information I thought I had…well, turns out it may or may not be true. Then, I ran into a “real” author in the bookstore. In the most honest, generous act of humanity, she reminded me that I AM published and that I AM an author.  How wonderful. She also shared some business secrets with me, that once I am sure I fully understand them, I will share with you. I’m inviting her for dinner once the holidays are over.

What I HAVE learned over the last six weeks is YES, if you are a full time, professional writer, you CAN make a living writing.  These are the writers that we either don’t see or don’t understand what they do when they say, “I am a writer.” The writers, most also most published authors, write for magazines, newspapers, blogs, teach school, do whatever they have to do to, but not in the bad way that sounds. They love being in front of the computer all day, most days I suppose,  and WRITING, the career they chose, makes them a living.  I am an upstart who intends to make a living from writing. A living may be a stretch, but I plan on authoring several more books and will hopefully show a profit and entertain some of you in the process.  I write because I love to write, not for money. I finished a novel entertaining an elderly friend, not for money. I am working my ass off trying to get this book in stores, get readings and book signings, learn things I don’t want to know about social media.  Why?  Not money. I so hope my first novel finds its own wings and legs and storms through the land, shocking and entertaining you. Not for money, but for “it”.  Kind of like hoping your child does well out in the world, on their own. Weird, right?

I was honored to have launched my book at the University of West Alabama with a reading and book signing. I was nervous but it went well.  I cannot thank Christin, the Dean, Dr. Taylor and all, enough for that opportunity.

My second big reading and book signing was December 12 at the Page & Palette, our local and wonderful bookstore here in Fairhope. Thanks to a large family, a lot of wonderful friends, and even a few strangers, the event was well attended and 47 books were sold, 2 more ordered.!!!  I do not know if she was just being kind or not, but the the hostess at the Page & Palette said that it was good for a book signing. I choose to believe her.

The holidays have been nearly perfect, though extremely busy and I turned 65 yesterday! How did I get to be 65?

Today, the most wonderful thing happened. I was in the local art supply store in Mobile and asked for a print out of this years purchases for you know who, the IRS. When I wrote my name down, the lovely, nay beautiful and extremely intelligent, young woman looked up and said, “I’m reading your book! I Love it. I love the story and your writing style. I have two more pages to go but do not want it to end!”  Yes, I almost cried.  Then, she asked for a picture…with ME!  Really? How fun is this?

Until next week, if not sooner……Faith, the grate, published “author”.

 

 

Newcomers, I suppose to any business, can expect some flack from those who are well embedded, especially for those who have done whatever they do, for a living. I have met two such authors. Yes, they write novels, but they also write articles for magazines and newspapers. They have both made a living from writing over a span of 20-40 years. What I lack in experience, I make up for in enthusiasm. Or so I thought. Seems my enthusiasm and admission of being a "part time writer" until now, just ruffles the feathers of those who have done this writing thing for a living. I am learning. I am an upstart. I have not earned my stripes. I wouldn't want some newbie stating "facts are facts" when they haven't been around the block yet. So, I will try to not be so annoying to the established while maintaining my uncontainable bliss over my first book being published!

Today, Secrets of the Devil Vine, was put on the shelves in two places at the Page & Palette Book Store in Fairhope, AL. I simply cannot describe to you the feeling of walking into a real book store and seeing a book displayed there that has your name as author.  Overwhelming and wonderful. I am so grateful to so many who helped this day come. Plus a lady bought the book while I was there…Tedda…and I got to autograph it for her. Cool.

HI EVERYONE! I hope eventually there will BE an everyone!

Exciting news! My local book store, the Page and Palette in Fairhope, Alabama, notified me yesterday that the books are in and will be on the shelves today! I am so excited I can’t stand it.  I will go  “see for myself” today and will, of course, post a picture!  In the meantime, I hope you will spread the news that this blog exists and that the book is available locally.

I am trying really hard to keep up this blog on a regular basis…so far, I am miserably behind schedule!

A friend asked me yesterday, “what is it that you are trying to accomplish with a blog?”  Well, for one, I hope to be able to build an established email list for my readers and be able to answer your questions (either about the book or the process) here, on Face Book, or by email. Secondly, as a green horn writer, not having a clue as what to do “next” in this book process, I wanted to “pay it forward” by providing information on my experience and answering questions, to the degree that I can on YOUR process and progress. With the exception of a couple of wonderful authors, most I have found, are either too busy to discuss or just not inclined, to give newbie authors any heads-up or advice.

My thought for the day concerning writing a book.  It is my heartfelt belief that most, if not all, of us have a book either started or in your head. My “advice”, such as it is, is  STOP SELF EDITING. Spoken from my own experience.  I would work on a chapter, go back later, reword, rework, re, re, re.  That kept me stuck on one chapter. Trust me.  Throw it alllll on paper and finish it.  That is the important thing and the most wonderful feeling in the world.  Then, you can go back and rework it, a few times if you like, then find yourself a decent editor (I looked on-line for local editors and mine popped up). Not all editors will want to edit your book. Like publishers, they normally want the first 20 pages or the first chapter. If they decline to be your editor, don’t take it personally. Typically, they may be writing their own book or the genre you want them to edit is simply not in their wheelhouse.

 

 

October, 1 2017

 

Hello Reader(s)!

 

I’m not actually sure who reads blogs and why, but I least I can vent here! My goal with this blog is to bring the newbie writers through the process and to inform those who are just curious.  From time to time, I might put in juicy personal stuff.

 

Of course, in order to be of help, I started at the beginning and therefore should go in order; however, interesting things are happening now, so I’ll start there and go back and fill in the blanks, or put in order.

 

I wrote the book.  I thought it was perfect.  I hired a well known author/editor to edit it. 2/3 of the original manuscript wound up on his floor, much of the lost some of my favorite parts…meaning they will show up in future books. I sent it off to a publisher who agreed to publish and mailed me a contract.  I signed the contract that gave the publisher up to two years to publish before rights of the book came back to me. The publisher published within one year and suddenly I had a release date of 10/20/17.  What am I supposed to be doing?

 

A friend of mine, in the music business, said I needed a publicist. I chose one, who was soooo rude to me that she was fired before she was hired. She was well known in the southern publishing community. I chose one that was as far away from the south as possible. I could buy a flat fee package or an expensive monthly package. I chose the flat fee package as editing was not inexpensive.  When I spoke with my publicist, it became apparent that I was at least six months behind. Really? How was I to know and what was I to do?

 

Social media, you old dawg.  Instagram for the younger set of readers and Face Book for the older set, a web page and a blog.  Instagram, for me, turned out to the the Masher Site. I have never had so many hearts, flowers, “how are you today my darling”s, turns out I am the lost wing of an angel who has been looking for me. Daily, every day, day in and day out.  I thought about a “Masher of the Week” award, but decided that was rude. So, I erased my Instagram Icons because I cannot figure out how to quit Instagram. If you are looking for a date, a lover or a husband, perhaps someone who doesn’t speak English, I can highly recommend Instagram. In my ever so humble opinion, it has done squat in terms of promoting Secrets of the Devil Vine. The Facebook Page has been most helpful.

 

I “assumed’ (as we were taught, bad, bad, bad) my local Independent Book Store would jump at the opportunity to carry my sure to be best seller…and have a book signing and reading. Gosh, my friends and family alone would pack the joint.  Well, assume nothing, my friends. Though I think it might eventually happen, it would appear I am going to have to launch my book somewhere else, as I cannot hold the attention of not only the local, but the only local independent book store.  Maybe New Orleans will be interested in my new novel?

 

Bitching over.  More later!

Okay, I am a newbie to the world of book publishing.  I, like many of us I suspect, have secreted away at least five unfinished books in my desk drawer, carefully packed with each of many moves as my husband was transferred from one end of the country to the other. When a brief moment from raising children and working for a living appeared, I would eagerly return to one or the other of my “books”, piddle with it, edit it myself instead of just writing, then squirrel it away until more time would make itself available.  I was very sure I would finish each and every one and that at least one would get published. One Day.

 

An elderly friend of mine called one day. She was bored, she said. She had nothing good to read, she said. What was I reading, she asked? I glanced at one of my manuscripts and offered to send her the finished chapters to see what she thought. She was happy and I was elated as I popped the dog-eared pages in the mail to her. A few days later, and every two days after that, she called, demanding more, more, more. She needed new chapters. I wrote them quickly, didn’t self-edit them, and mailed them off. By the end of summer, I had actually finished, well first draft finished, one of my books! Secrets of the Devil Vine was born!

 

What to do next? Didn’t have a clue.  I went on the internet searching for Independent Publishers, knowing full well that I would never get the attention of a larger publishing house.

Ignorance is bliss and when the website said that new submissions were accepted in June, I waited until June and mailed my masterpiece off! I got word from the publisher, via one of his grad student assistants, that I needed to get it edited and when I did, he agreed to reread it! The assistant explained she had never heard of him doing a “reread”.  I was excited and set out to find an editor.  Back to the internet.

 

I would love for you to join me as I take you from writing to publishing to releasing my first novel. There is much to do on the business end of the book stick, none of which I knew about, much less was prepared for. So, next time I’ll explain how much fun (not) editing was and, more importantly, what and when you should do this and that.