0:00-Welcome to Write to Read podcast, a page in the life of an author. I'm Liv Macy, and these are my pages!
0:15-Page one. And I cannot tell you how excited I am to be finally starting this podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. And I hope you enjoyed the content here that you come back weekly.
0:38-Today's bit of randomness.
1:10-Beyond The Blurb
1:55-Book Spotlight #1 - SNOW DAY- A LITTLE BOO ADVENTURE by Anja Jaeger.
Bio: Anja Jaeger is a creator of spooky, supernatural stories for kids. Ze has a background in folklore, language learning, and has a passion for storytelling that empower younger audiences to feel seen as they explore the world. Ze is most known for hir nonbinary character, lil’ Boo.
Amazon link: https://a.co/d/4UYVgI6
3:24-Book Spotlight #2 - PLEASE EXCUSE OUR CONFUSION by Jasmine Cartright.
Bio: Jasmine Cartwright is a contemporary YA and romance author from Oklahoma City. She writes stories about people who find happiness at the most inconvenient times. She is an advocate for mental health, justice reform, and providing a voice for the often silenced and marginalized voices.
Amazon link: https://a.co/d/fbunldA
4:26-Book Spotlight #3 - THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER by Liv Rancourt.
Bio: Liv Rancourt is a multi-published author of gay and m/m romance. Because love is love, even with fangs.
Amazon link: https://a.co/d/dnr2PDZ
6:24-Liv Macy Author Updates and Information -
Website: www.livmacy.com
10:58-Conversations around the Laptop - Interview with Kim Findlay, Hybrid Author
Bio: Kim Findlay, former English major, was seduced to the dark side (accounting) by mundane issues like paying bills, until her husband enticed her to throw off her business shackles and sail off into the sunset. She currently lives on a catamaran on turquoise waters in the Caribbean while writing romance novels. Bucket list accomplished! You can find her at kimfindlay.ca, @missheyer74, or on Facebook and Instagram (KimFindlayAuthor).
Website: www.kimfindlay.ca
38:47: Industry Information
41:34 Thank you
Welcome to Write to Read podcast,
a page in the life of an author.
2
:I'm Liv Macy, and these are my pages.
3
:Page one.
4
:And I cannot tell you how excited I am
to be finally starting this podcast.
5
:Thank you so much for joining me.
6
:And I hope you enjoyed the content
here that you come back weekly.
7
:I hope you enjoy the conversations
around the laptop segment.
8
:Later on in this show with Kim Finley.
9
:A hybrid Harlequin author.
10
:For today's bit of randomness.
11
:I am reading this week, salt
and broom by Sharon Lynn Fisher.
12
:And also 10 steps to hero by Sasha black.
13
:As is customary for me, I will
not be giving reviews of the books
14
:that I read because I completely
believe that reading is subjective.
15
:And I would never want someone
to read something just because
16
:I have read it and liked it.
17
:And then maybe be disappointed
because they didn't feel the same.
18
:We have reached the beyond the blurb
segment of the podcast, which is one
19
:of my favorite portions of the show.
20
:Here I can have the best of both
worlds to give my listeners the
21
:opportunity to hear about books that
may not have crossed their path.
22
:And also to give authors a
space to share their book on
23
:a wide platform for zero cost.
24
:But it comes with a caveat.
25
:There's no way that I can read every
single book that is highlighted and
26
:to ensure that the authors or the
works aren't problematic or offensive.
27
:I simply don't have the time.
28
:And as such, I must say that I do not
endorse any of the books within this show.
29
:However, I do hope that
you find something amazing.
30
:Happy reading.
31
:Today I am telling you about my
book, my picture book, Snow Day, A
32
:Little Boo Adventure by Anya Yeager.
33
:It is a winter ghost story because
I thought we needed more of them.
34
:Charles Dickens has kind of had his hold
on that for too long and I wanted in.
35
:This is not a holiday or a book
with any religious tones to it.
36
:It is just a winter story about
a ghost who goes out to have some
37
:fun outside and exploring the snow.
38
:The target ages are about three to
six, six ish, six or seven, , and
39
:it is kind of like the Addams
Family meets Calvin and Hobbes.
40
:When I set out to make this book,
I was hoping for, , multilingual
41
:families to enjoy it, , but it has
been really well received with neuro
42
:spicy kids as well as teachers.
43
:I wanted this book to be, , a book
that kids could enjoy with anyone
44
:in their family, regardless of
boundaries or education level, but I
45
:really wanted this to be a book that
was theirs, that they could have and
46
:enjoy by themselves and not have to
wait for anyone, , to be available.
47
:Uh, the series, it is one in a
series, But, , I love Snow Day.
48
:It is, it is a fun little winter story.
49
:, it is one in a series of Little
Boo adventures, and it's a great
50
:addition to the library of any
little monsters in your life.
51
:Hi, everybody.
52
:This is Jasmine Cartwright.
53
:I'm an indie author from Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma, and I'm here to talk about my
54
:debut novel, Please Excuse Our Confusion.
55
:Please Excuse Our Confusion is a
YA rom com, and it follows a young
56
:girl named Bowie as she navigates
friendships, self discovery, and
57
:her own personal secrets, as well as
holding secrets for her loved ones.
58
:Bowie finds herself in an interesting
situation with her best friend.
59
:And while feeling obligated to
this, this kind of situationship,
60
:she also finds herself wanting
more out of her personal life.
61
:It's a story about secrets.
62
:It's a story about.
63
:It's friendship, it's a story about
sexuality, and it's a story about
64
:what happens when we don't allow
people to truly be themselves.
65
:Hi, I'm Liv, and I want to talk to you
about a book called The Lighthouse Keeper.
66
:It's an M.
67
:M.
68
:Victorian Gothic spooky witch's magic
heat shenanigans romance with slow
69
:burn and opposites attract, grumpy
sunshine, and Yeah, it, it, it was
70
:all about the spooky with this one.
71
:Vincent is our hero and he is a
witch, which is unfortunate because
72
:it means he got pruned from his
family tree because in:
73
:people didn't practice witchcraft.
74
:And so he is a bit adrift.
75
:And the witch's council sends
him to Seattle to find an object
76
:called the Pharaoh's core.
77
:And the Pharaoh's core
is magic and it's evil.
78
:And its keeper has been staying at a
remote lighthouse outside of Seattle.
79
:So Vincent travels there.
80
:He's been told.
81
:The, the keeper has passed away.
82
:You're going to meet his widow
and his son, who's a kid.
83
:And you're going to have no problem
getting up there, charming your way
84
:into their lives, picking up the
Pharaoh's core and trotting it back to
85
:the witch's council in San Francisco.
86
:Unfortunately, the son is not a kid.
87
:The son is in his mid twenties somewhere.
88
:And from Vincent's point of view,
he is rather awkwardly handsome.
89
:And so the two of them.
90
:Need to work together to find the
Ferox core, because in fact, Rafe's
91
:father hit it before he passed away.
92
:So they need to find it before
Rafe's father can cross the veil
93
:between worlds on Samhain or
Halloween and mess everybody up.
94
:And so, yeah, that's the,
that's the driving force.
95
:It's, it's about spookiness
and romance and fun.
96
:There's not any higher
purpose to this book.
97
:Before I get into my updates.
98
:I just want to take a moment to thank
you for taking a chance on a new podcast.
99
:I know your time is valuable.
100
:And I'm fortunate that you
chose to spend it with me.
101
:Some of the segments may get
tweaked, , as time goes on, as
102
:the feedback kind of rolls in.
103
:, this will be a work in progress
until I now what really works.
104
:, So please, if you listen through
the whole show, , send me a message.
105
:Let me know what you have liked so far,
what you'd like to see in the future.
106
:, okay.
107
:So my updates, I am actively
starting book four in the infinites
108
:universe, which includes searching
for my heroine and her soulmate.
109
:I am a visual type of person.
110
:So when I am writing, when I'm drafting.
111
:I kind of want to stare at the
person that I'm writing about.
112
:In order to.
113
:Kind of accurately put down.
114
:What I'm seeing.
115
:Um, I know, not everybody does that.
116
:I know everybody's different
with what kind of puts them into
117
:the story that they're creating.
118
:But for me, I am a literal type of person.
119
:I want to see that.
120
:What I'm what I'm describing.
121
:I want to smell it.
122
:I want to experience it.
123
:I want to feel it.
124
:I want to do as much.
125
:Use as many of the senses
of my five senses as I can.
126
:While I'm writing.
127
:Obviously there are paranormal
and fantastical elements to some
128
:of the books that I'm writing.
129
:I cannot experience everything, but.
130
:As much as I can.
131
:I really, I really strive to do that.
132
:So it takes a lot of time.
133
:Uh, researching through Pinterest
and Google and modeling companies,
134
:because I have in my mind's eye,
what this person looks like.
135
:And I need to find an actual live.
136
:Interpretation of that.
137
:That is always fun.
138
:Um, Particularly when it's a bunch
of eye candy, both female and male.
139
:And so.
140
:You know, someone has to do it.
141
:I will take one for the team.
142
:Uh, of course I'm also writing.
143
:I will actually be furiously writing
every day so that I can take time off
144
:for the holidays so I can spend it with
my family and my friends of course,
145
:with my kitchen, because I am a big.
146
:Cook.
147
:I like to make a lot of
the meals for Christmas.
148
:For traditions.
149
:And of course that takes time.
150
:So the next book, I am hoping.
151
:We'll release in February.
152
:Mid February to end of February.
153
:Which means that I have to get
my butt in the chair every day.
154
:And that is exactly what I'm doing.
155
:Um, But I also have to temper that
with not wanting to hit burnout.
156
:I am attempting to pace myself,
even though I'm trying to
157
:write as much as possible.
158
:Um, Pacing myself is actually
laughable to anyone who knows me in
159
:the publishing community because.
160
:I don't know why, but I am
deadline driven, uh, and
161
:even being deadline driven.
162
:I still procrastinate
until the last possible.
163
:Moment.
164
:I tend to take on projects
and jump into things.
165
:That needed to be done yesterday.
166
:And I don't know why I do that.
167
:I do it to myself.
168
:I know.
169
:Um,
170
:unfortunately, that's
just the way I am so far.
171
:Fortunately it seems
to have worked for me.
172
:Everything seems to always fall
into place and get finished on time.
173
:And.
174
:Yeah, I've been very fortunate
that that's happened.
175
:I guess I would be probably
one of those people that.
176
:If I get burned by that,
I won't do it again.
177
:So I'm hoping.
178
:That everything continues
to work out in my favor.
179
:And if it doesn't well I'll
guess I'll learn my lesson.
180
:I don't learn how to schedule.
181
:And pace myself a little bit better.
182
:And on that note, please make sure
that you follow me on social media.
183
:Or you can subscribe to my
newsletter to be kept up to date.
184
:On what is going on with the podcast.
185
:And now I'm so excited to bring to you.
186
:Conversations around my laptop.
187
:I have a special episode today
with Kim Finley, who I have
188
:invited to be my first guest.
189
:And here she is.
190
:So, Kim, hi.
191
:Thank you so much for joining me.
192
:I am so pleased that you asked me.
193
:I feel so special.
194
:You are saying.
195
:But, um, because we've never
actually met in person.
196
:It's all been online.
197
:Yes, but it has been a great
experience knowing you.
198
:I have told people, like, one of
the big pieces of advice that people
199
:want for writing is, like, to find
a community like we have on Discord.
200
:Um, it just helps so many ways.
201
:So I am very glad.
202
:I can't, was it Susan or
somebody who started it and she's
203
:gone and we just kept it up?
204
:Yeah, she's, yep.
205
:Yeah, either way, it's, it has
been an absolute lifesaver.
206
:The writing community
is the most important.
207
:So, um, absolutely agree.
208
:It's, it's been a, it's
been a great support.
209
:Um, so why don't you start out and
tell us a little bit about yourself?
210
:Uh, as I mentioned, you
are a hybrid author.
211
:Um, I actually, and when you're talking
about community, I was, First published
212
:by Harlequin, and that happened as
a result, again, of somebody I knew.
213
:It was actually somebody in my
church who was writing for the
214
:Love Inspired Suspense line.
215
:And I followed her on social media, and
it was kind of like, Ooh, she's a writer.
216
:Like, I'd always wanted to be.
217
:And she would post about opportunities
and contests that they had with Harlequin.
218
:And they used to have, um, So You
Think You Can Write Contest every year.
219
:And whoever won would
get their book published.
220
:And the first year I did
it, it was on Whatsapp.
221
:You had to put your book on Whatsapp
and people voted on the first chapter,
222
:or they judged the first chapter and
then the community voted for the winner.
223
:And so I joined Wattpad for that.
224
:And even though I was one of
the 50 chapters they picked,
225
:I did not win the book.
226
:It wasn't that strong, but
also like I had no followers.
227
:I didn't know anybody on
there, but it got me into it.
228
:And then later they had this thing that,
a kind of contest thing they called a
229
:blitz that they don't do anymore, where,
um, as I figured out, one of the lines
230
:that needed more writers, or they, they
wanted more content, you could send
231
:in a synopsis in a first chapter, and
instead of going into a big slush pile,
232
:they would respond within like 30 days.
233
:And that is how, um, an editor like
my story wanted to, to see a, a full
234
:manuscript, and My biggest problem to
that point was I had so many ideas I never
235
:finished anything because something else
would, you know, Ooh, that looks shiny.
236
:I'll go after that.
237
:And that is how I ended up with
Harlequin and getting published.
238
:I'm like, I had no idea about
getting agents or any of that stuff.
239
:So I was traditionally published
without even having an agent.
240
:And again, it was because of somebody
I knew who just let me know what was
241
:out there because I did not know.
242
:That's awesome.
243
:I would have never, I don't
think I would have put myself
244
:out there like that in a group.
245
:Um, so that's Well, because
it's somewhat anonymous, right?
246
:You're just sending in online.
247
:It's not actually, for me, throw
something out, you know, in an email
248
:or something is not scary because,
you know, they can not answer, delete
249
:your email and you may never know.
250
:So that's not, that's not the scary part.
251
:In person, I find that
much more intimidating.
252
:Yeah.
253
:Still a little ballsy though, I think.
254
:Um, so now you are working
on self publishing, correct?
255
:Yeah, um, writing for Harlequin
was a great experience.
256
:I learned a lot.
257
:Uh, but I've written in, I've published
with heartwarming and love inspired
258
:suspense and heartwarming is a language
you will never earn out your advance.
259
:And sort of as I got to know more and
I had story ideas that didn't fit in
260
:that line, um, you know, I did the
querying thing and, and I had an agent
261
:who then dropped me and then I just
lost my agent recently because in the
262
:last month the owner of the agency died
and so the agency's been disbanded.
263
:So the agent thing is seemingly
not working out for me.
264
:And so, um, Thanks mostly, I think,
to our Discord group and people
265
:there who are self publishing.
266
:Um, I've doing that.
267
:I've also My first two books were
hockey romances, and that's kind
268
:of where I really enjoy writing.
269
:But I, one time when I pitched a book
on, I think it was in Savvy Author's
270
:Pit, because, you know, I'll throw
things out there online all the time.
271
:Uh, Sourcebooks editor said,
Hockey romance does better self
272
:publishing, indie publishing.
273
:And then a couple things came up, um,
I'd had a hockey Christmas romance in
274
:an anthology a couple years ago that
went nowhere, but in the, there's a
275
:Facebook group for people who write
hockey romance because it's a thing,
276
:and somebody was doing an anthology for
Christmas stories, and I thought, well, I
277
:already have the story, I've already had
it edited, so why not see if that will
278
:go in there, and I thought, well, also,
I had one other hockey book that Serena
279
:Bowen's Um, her, she set up a publishing
company so people could publish in her
280
:world, and it's a hockey romance, and
college, and people love the epilogue.
281
:So I had come up with this idea
of, you know, doing something
282
:after that epilogue with one of
the side characters in that book.
283
:And this little short story was
also in that world with somebody
284
:from that college community.
285
:And it's like, well, you know,
if I was ever going to do
286
:it, here I've got a chance.
287
:You know, to get that short
story out there to hockey
288
:people, maybe it's a good time.
289
:And then, um, sometimes you need to
be careful about things you suggest.
290
:Um, I had, I have joined a couple of
these Book of the Month clubs, where you
291
:get a free book every month, and you're
signed up for people's newsletters, but
292
:it's a way to try different authors and
see if you like it, and then go back
293
:and get more of their work if you like.
294
:And I suggested in this hockey author
group that maybe just a hockey focused
295
:book of the month club would be an idea.
296
:And their response was,
that's a great idea, Kim.
297
:Thanks for doing it.
298
:It's like, wait, I've never done this.
299
:I haven't self pubbed yet.
300
:I don't know what I'm doing.
301
:But, uh, I have found that the
writing community is very helpful.
302
:One of the people interested In this
book of the month club is in another one
303
:and the person who ran that gave me an
email like step by step instructions.
304
:We now have we're getting
close to like 6, 500 people who
305
:have signed up for the club.
306
:It started in September.
307
:So it's following the hockey season
you get two free books a month.
308
:So as the person who's doing it
I can have my book in there and
309
:it and everybody promotes it.
310
:So I have this chance if I was
going to self publish I have
311
:the short story coming out.
312
:The, the giveaway ends on December 1st.
313
:There's already more than 8, 000
people who have, uh, downloaded that.
314
:And now we'll be, I will have
their email addresses so I
315
:can tell them about my books.
316
:There's all these people from the hockey.
317
:book of the month club,
including some really big names.
318
:I was surprised at some of the
people who joined these authors.
319
:I've got a big following and it's
like, well, if you want a way to launch
320
:it, I've got this, these thousands
of people who like hockey romance
321
:who are going to hear about me.
322
:That would not.
323
:Otherwise, I'd just be sort
of in the massive, Here it is.
324
:Books out there.
325
:So, yeah.
326
:So, um, in January, uh, it should,
my first book should be out.
327
:That's, that's incredible.
328
:I definitely think that that's, I feel
like it's fair to say that a lot of self
329
:publishing is not necessarily luck, but
just the way things fall into place.
330
:Like the fact that you had the anthology
that you did with Serena and then You
331
:know, people liked the epilogue, and
it just kind of led to one idea, to
332
:one idea, to another idea, and then
here you are now, self publishing.
333
:Yeah, and I think it was, uh, like,
having ten authors do a series over
334
:three years, like, the spreadsheets,
the back and forth, but you got to know
335
:these people, and, um, that's how I
got into the Facebook group, and, you
336
:know, was sort of a little more active
there, and, yeah, it's, it's all kind
337
:of, you know, it's been rolling along,
so, um, Um, it's kind of like if this
338
:is right now, hockey romance is hot.
339
:I have a chance to sort of get a step up.
340
:So I'm going to do that.
341
:And I still have a three book series
with a small publisher that I've
342
:sort of been leaving off to the
side to focus on the hockey for now.
343
:Wow.
344
:Well, you have a lot, a lot of books
on your plate, I feel like, and a lot
345
:of ideas to simmering in your brain.
346
:I know.
347
:I don't, you probably find the same
thing when you're writing along and.
348
:To make the other characters in
the book like real people, you
349
:sort of imagine their whole story.
350
:And as they're doing stuff, and you're
sort of giving them a voice like,
351
:you know, I have these hockey players
that are joking around in a group.
352
:And it's like, you sort
of get to know them.
353
:And then it's like, oh,
they need a story too.
354
:And then you start thinking of that.
355
:I do do that, but I have to,
I have to bring myself to it.
356
:And center myself because I
will just keep going on and I'll
357
:never finish what I'm working on.
358
:So I, I have to, I kind of
put it in aside in one sense.
359
:Like I think what I absolutely need to
do for that character, for that book.
360
:And I put the rest of it aside because
if I do, if I dwell on it, I'm going
361
:to want to write their story instead
of the one that I'm currently on.
362
:Uh, so it's a little bit more
of a streamlining thing for
363
:me, but I think, but I do know.
364
:But like if you're, if you know them, then
as they're in your other books, you're
365
:developing them for when they finally
get their shot and, and even if they
366
:don't get a full book, like you could
do a short story, a bonus thing for, for
367
:your newsletter people or something or
stick it in an anthology like there's.
368
:I have another idea for an anthology
with the hockey thing, but I'm kind of
369
:afraid to mention it to anybody because
they're going to be, Oh, good idea, Kim.
370
:And it's like, wait, I just
learned how to do a book club.
371
:I don't know how to do an anthology.
372
:So tell me what you think of this.
373
:I was imagining that I heard something
that they were saying that like Christmas,
374
:there's so many, there's, I think, three
or four hockey anthologies out there.
375
:What about a Halloween one?
376
:But, you tell the author, it's going to
be about a Halloween party, each story,
377
:like, they don't have to over connect
or overlap, they just have to have a
378
:Halloween party in their short story,
and hockey related, but you give them
379
:the trope and the Halloween costume,
like, or have the readers vote on it.
380
:So they get, they have their hockey team,
whichever level they're playing at, you
381
:maybe give them a position So here's
the position they play, their Halloween
382
:costume, and this is the trope you have
to bring in, whether it's second chance
383
:or, you know, brother or best friend,
sister or secret baby or whatever,
384
:and, uh, see what they come up with.
385
:I mean, I don't really know
anything about hockey at all.
386
:I think anything that is new and,
and, um, fresh is always going to be.
387
:Really, um, sought after, um, because I
think a lot of people are kind of getting
388
:burnt out on the not necessarily same
old, same old, um, but kind of, kind
389
:of in that vein, um, people are getting
burnt out on that readers and authors.
390
:So I think whenever you have
something fresh or new, I
391
:think that would be incredible.
392
:So.
393
:I guess to my listeners, um, Kim
is actively actively considering
394
:and, um, yeah, so maybe you might
want to think about joining her,
395
:her Facebook group, which by the
way, what is your Facebook group?
396
:Um, right now I've just
got Kim Finley author.
397
:I'm going to need to get a reader
group for the hockey series, but,
398
:uh, I don't have that at the moment.
399
:Um, like what you're in reference
to what you were saying, I,
400
:I, somebody had posted it.
401
:He thought the book of the month clubs.
402
:We're sort of overdone and people
were getting burnt out at them.
403
:And I remember Zoe York saying, she wasn't
giving up on the idea, but she would be
404
:careful about what she wanted to join.
405
:And she was one of the authors who
joined, signed up for the club, but
406
:because her books are in KU, her hockey
books, they couldn't do that because you
407
:have to give the, have to have the book.
408
:You know, available through book funnel
for free for the month, but so that was
409
:something just a little bit different.
410
:It runs a hockey season.
411
:There's two books a month.
412
:So yeah, if you can just give it a
slightly different twist, I think I agree.
413
:I definitely think readers and,
and authors are then more apt to,
414
:to join in and, and enjoy those
types of things a hundred percent.
415
:So, yeah.
416
:You're actively working on the book
that's going to be released in January.
417
:And you've already mentioned
you have a few more plans.
418
:Um, are they all hockey related as well?
419
:At the moment, I'm working
on a hockey series.
420
:I, I'm more of a pantser than a plotter,
but I did some sort of plotsing, cause,
421
:um, partly to make sure that these
characters would be consistent all the
422
:way through and to know who they are.
423
:I, because I'm an accountant,
I did spreadsheets to organize.
424
:So I had.
425
:Sort of eight books worked out and
now, you know, there's these secondary
426
:characters who are kind of pushing
in wanting a book too, but I have
427
:And one of the things my editor
suggested was to have an arc for
428
:the series not just for each book.
429
:So there is The team is going through
a you know An arc to something happens
430
:in the first book that they have to
overcome and it'll take them to the end
431
:of the series then So I thought that
was good and it's adding a bit more
432
:tension and I find now that I'm writing
book three I just got the notes back on
433
:book two and I need to change a bunch
of stuff and it's like oh yeah, now
434
:that I've done book, this book three
stuff, that has to be pushed back in.
435
:Anyways, I'm going to have to, I'm going
to start spreading them out, it's a little
436
:intense right now but I wanted to get
that, the first three launched within
437
:the first six months of 2024 if I could.
438
:Wow, that is a very fast pace.
439
:Yeah, part of it is a gain.
440
:It's because of the
book of the month club.
441
:My book's coming out in May.
442
:I get to control that
because it's my club.
443
:So I wanted to have a book out in
January and that book will end up
444
:being given out in the club in May.
445
:Have the second book out and the
third book at least up for pre order
446
:so that if people do get invested
in this series I can, hopefully, you
447
:know, there's enough there to get
them hooked while they're waiting
448
:for the rest of the series to pop up.
449
:We'll see.
450
:Very smart.
451
:I hope.
452
:I hope.
453
:And I hope I don't burn
out in the meantime.
454
:But, after the first three books, yeah,
it is slowing down, trying to do that.
455
:Do you have a Do you have a rough idea
of how slow you want to do it or how fast
456
:or you just given set number of books?
457
:I'm thinking maybe four books a year.
458
:I could do like three in the
hockey series and one other
459
:something a little different.
460
:And I've also got a couple other sort
of offshoots of the hockey series
461
:if that one keeps, you know, if, if
people like that and want more of
462
:that, but I have more ideas in time.
463
:So I'm not so much worried
about having enough ideas.
464
:I'll just suddenly wake up in the
night and not be able to get back
465
:to sleep because my brain keeps, you
know, going through another idea.
466
:And you do this full time, correct?
467
:Mostly full time now.
468
:I'm doing a little bit of accounting,
uh, but since we have, you know, done
469
:our lifestyle change, I'm giving this
a shot, um, so for the next few months
470
:anyways, as I get these first three
books out, it should be mostly full time.
471
:Yeah.
472
:Otherwise, I'm not sure
how you keep that up.
473
:Well, real quick, because some of the
listeners may not have known, what, what
474
:was your lifestyle and how has it changed?
475
:Um, I am a CPA and I was running my own
business, um, out of my house, actually.
476
:And it was in the film and
entertainment side of accounting.
477
:Um, Toronto has a lot of film
production and that's where we lived.
478
:We had started sailing as a hobby
and my husband Goes all out when
479
:he does something like that.
480
:So he suggested we do cruising.
481
:And it's like, oh, so we're gonna live
on a boat and travel all the time.
482
:And it's the carrot he
dangled to see if I'd do it.
483
:It was like, well then you
could give up accounting and do
484
:writing, you know, for doing this.
485
:Um, so we actually left Toronto in August
of:
486
:was not really an ocean cruising boat,
but we were going to give it a test year.
487
:Our kids, who had just finished
university, stayed at the house with
488
:their dog, so they had like a four bedroom
house for cheap to, to stay in, and we
489
:gave it a try, and we left in August,
and the following April, we went back,
490
:we sold that boat, sold the house, bought
Catamaran in Panama in the next August,
491
:and Until June, we lived on a boat and
we, um, we've just now moved to land.
492
:My husband's, uh, got a yacht brokerage
office here, so we're going to, and, and
493
:we're now officially residents of St.
494
:Martin, so that's where we're, we're
headquartered for a little bit.
495
:We'll, we'll see.
496
:Well, since you're doing
CPA now a little bit more.
497
:Is that going to cut into your
writing time or are you just
498
:going to try to add it in?
499
:Um, one of the things I found when I
first started, uh, branching out onto
500
:my own, and you don't want to turn down
work, right, when you're self employed.
501
:Um, so I was taking on a work,
all the work I could, and I was
502
:working evenings and weekends.
503
:I actually got bursitis in my shoulder
from too much accounting, you know,
504
:keypad, number pad, mouse, doing
this enough, but I could do it.
505
:But I find with writing, there
comes a point where my brain's
506
:just like, done, that's it.
507
:If I'm editing, it's just like, yeah,
fine, fine, fine, like you have to stop.
508
:So I'm doing like an hour or two
of accounting a day and it, it's
509
:a break and it sort of fits in.
510
:And kind of just, yeah, gives you a
moment to re, refill your creative well.
511
:And you know when it's right,
like you reconcile your bank, the
512
:difference is zero, you got it.
513
:I, I cannot go back over anything
I've written without trying to fix it.
514
:So like, it's never.
515
:Reconcile.
516
:Yeah.
517
:Yeah.
518
:That can be tough.
519
:I'm not a math person by any means, but
I can, I could see the logic of that.
520
:Yeah.
521
:Like ABC, it comes out to the end.
522
:If you've done everything right,
there is one right answer.
523
:And that's a nice change.
524
:Like it was nice.
525
:I love writing.
526
:I'm very, I think I am creative.
527
:I think of ideas, but sometimes it's
nice to know, no, I've got this right.
528
:It's not like, Oh, validation.
529
:Yes, validation is so, uh, I
don't want to say it's important
530
:because it really isn't.
531
:It shouldn't be.
532
:It depends.
533
:We crave that.
534
:I think in others, are you writing just
for yourself or you're writing for others?
535
:And I mean, there's part of, it's for
yourself, but you also, I, if you're,
536
:um, you write for yourself, but I
think you also write for others or
537
:else you wouldn't be publishing it,
you wouldn't be putting it out there.
538
:So, Mm-Hmm, . And the thing
is, it is a learning thing.
539
:Like you, just because you
write it and create it doesn't
540
:mean it's perfect or Right.
541
:It can be, it can improve.
542
:So that outside validation, even in
writing that, you know, when you're.
543
:Depending on whose it is, and you could
say like you're compromising, but the
544
:thing is like if you're trying to reach
people and maybe move them with your
545
:story, finding out that it works, that's
a kind of validation, but it also tells
546
:you like your, maybe your craft is
getting better and you're doing that.
547
:So you've been doing this a while now,
obviously, what, how do you, um, tell the
548
:difference between validation like that?
549
:And the fact that, uh,
reading is so subjective.
550
:I don't think there's one perfect
answer, but I have shared with you guys.
551
:A horrible edit experience I
have had that was not validating.
552
:That was frustrating and
irritating and it just made me
553
:want to pull apart what they did.
554
:And I've shared some of it with you.
555
:I don't think this is me being a
diva and I've talked to other people.
556
:This is not how an edit supposed to go.
557
:Um, with the edits I've been getting
for the, for this hockey series, like
558
:it can sometimes kind of hit hard,
like, Oh, but then like, So I've gone
559
:through the development edits with one
or editor and then going to the copy
560
:edits and When you get like, oh, I like
the way this is going or way that went
561
:and you know Some of that came from
the development edits that you changed.
562
:It's like, okay So this is making it
better and one thing too that I think
563
:to know like as far as edits These
editors are like this is your story.
564
:This is what I think you take with it
You know, you can take what you want.
565
:Whereas the the horrible ones it was
just Um, and I'm just rewriting and
566
:changing things without any of my input.
567
:Um, but I guess it's kind of,
you base the value of it partly
568
:on who it's coming from, right?
569
:If it's somebody who you
trust to know what they're
570
:doing and partly how you feel.
571
:Like, do you feel like, like one thing
on this second book that came back and
572
:she was for the development said, I think
this was a mistake, this happening here.
573
:And it's like, I didn't really
want the story to go that
574
:way, but I thought I had to.
575
:I had to, I thought I had to get that
sex in there earlier, so I sort of
576
:shoved it in because I thought I should.
577
:And when she came back and said, no,
I think this is more the slow burn.
578
:And it's like, that
was my initial feeling.
579
:So you know, I didn't trust
it, but maybe I should have.
580
:And I, so I'm going to make that
change because it's what I had
581
:wanted to do at the beginning.
582
:But, anytime somebody, you know, likes
what you've done, I guess maybe part of
583
:the thing is that that validates you,
and maybe sometimes you have to step back
584
:and say, am I just liking that because,
you know, it makes me feel good, is,
585
:is it, and I think that's one of the
things with writing, uh, when you get
586
:feedback to, to know how to take it, I
don't know if there's a perfect answer.
587
:Yeah.
588
:I mean, there, there definitely
isn't, and I think it would
589
:be different for every person.
590
:Yeah.
591
:Yeah.
592
:Yeah.
593
:Yeah.
594
:Um.
595
:So real quick, um, before we wrap up,
did you want to tell where readers
596
:can find you or what you would like to
be, like, where would you like to be
597
:reached or where can you be reached?
598
:Um, I have a website, www.
599
:kimfinley.
600
:ca, hit CA because I'm Canadian,
and that has the links for my books.
601
:And if you sign up for my newsletter.
602
:Um, because for Harlequin, I wrote
sweet books and my others are not sweet.
603
:Um, I actually allow people, every now and
then there's a survey in my newsletter,
604
:so you can pick if you want just the
sweet newsletter that comes out in the
605
:middle of the month, or the one with the
spicier books at the end of the month.
606
:So you can kind of get what you want,
but that, that, um, keeps up with me.
607
:And also from there, you'd be able
to find out I'm on Facebook and, uh,
608
:Instagram, and I'm on Blue Sky, which
is where I've gone from Twitter because
609
:Twitter's just not what it used to be.
610
:And my editors are, are on, uh, Blue Sky
and seems like a, so far a good place.
611
:All right.
612
:And then, um, the one other thing I
wanted to ask you to close out is if
613
:you had to give, Not a piece of advice,
but if you had to tell someone not
614
:to do something, what would it be?
615
:I would say based on a particular,
my particular experience,
616
:don't rush to sign a deal with
either an agent or a publisher.
617
:My first agent, um, I had a
two book deal with Harlequin.
618
:So I think she just
assumed it would be great.
619
:But then when I started dealing with
her, she didn't really like my stories.
620
:I don't think she had invested in that.
621
:And it's fine, I mean, but then it was
very deflating to get that message.
622
:And with the one small publisher, probably
there were some warning signs, but I
623
:figured, ah, this is a story that's not
going anywhere, maybe they'll do anything.
624
:And now I'm going through
these horrible edits.
625
:So, um, it's, you want the agent,
you want the books published.
626
:But, maybe sit for a minute and know
that it's nice that somebody wants you.
627
:But, um, do more research than I did.
628
:So that you can find out whether
this is going to be a pleasant,
629
:uh, relationship or not.
630
:That's great.
631
:That's actually It's hard, though, because
you want to say, Oh, I've got an agent.
632
:Oh, I've got a deal.
633
:And, um, people tell you that,
you know, the bad one is worse.
634
:But it's hard to imagine.
635
:But, yeah, it can Even if you get
your books out there and stuff, or
636
:whatever, it's just that sometimes it can
really make you second guess yourself.
637
:So, I mean, you're already doing
that if you don't get a deal, so,
638
:but yeah, um, do take your time.
639
:Do your research.
640
:Find a community where you can find
people who will help you to evaluate
641
:that decision before you sign.
642
:That's awesome.
643
:Kim, thank you so much for joining
me on my very first episode.
644
:Um, I, I so appreciate your time.
645
:Well, I feel so special that'll,
that's my validation for today.
646
:Thank you again.
647
:Okay.
648
:Thanks Liv.
649
:This segment is for industry information.
650
:And I'll preface this with,
this has been my path.
651
:And everyone's path is different.
652
:Every week I'd like to share.
653
:Information on either things that I
have done or things that have learned.
654
:Or resources I've found on the internet.
655
:And.
656
:This week I would like to discuss.
657
:The.
658
:Idea of multiple paths.
659
:I have had multiple interviews
with people this week that I have
660
:recorded for future podcasts episodes.
661
:And.
662
:The thing that keeps coming back,
the, the recurring theme is.
663
:That everyone's path is different.
664
:Every author is different.
665
:Every book is different.
666
:And that is.
667
:So incredibly true.
668
:On literally every
facet of the publishing.
669
:Industry.
670
:It doesn't matter if it's your cover.
671
:Or your marketing or, uh, how
you even write a story, whether
672
:you, you plot or you pants it.
673
:And.
674
:That is one of the key
things that I think.
675
:Is very hard for new
authors to wrap their.
676
:Heads around.
677
:There is no one way of doing something.
678
:There is no formula.
679
:You can follow.
680
:There is no guaranteed.
681
:If you do it this way.
682
:This is going to happen and you'll
sell lots of books and you'll become.
683
:An overnight sensation it.
684
:Does not exist.
685
:And.
686
:I don't want to.
687
:Say things over and over, but
it is consistently a theme.
688
:We have to, as authors.
689
:Truly understand.
690
:That.
691
:We have so many options.
692
:And we can do any one of them.
693
:And what works for me may not work
for you may not work for someone else.
694
:And once we actually grasp that.
695
:And realize it's okay.
696
:To do things the way.
697
:Feels right or better, or.
698
:Consistent with our brand
or whatever you have that.
699
:Validates.
700
:Your opinion on the way to publishing.
701
:Then we are golden.
702
:Thank you for listening.
703
:If you'd like to follow me,
my handle on all social media
704
:platforms is Liv Macy Author.
705
:You can also sign up for
my newsletter at livmacy.
706
:com to stay up to date on things like new
releases of the Right to Read podcast.
707
:This is the end of a
page in my author life.