The Tara Tracks

Welcome to the second chapter in Road Trip to Publication, a series of interviews with authors at various stages in their careers. You can check out the previous interview with L.K. Madigan here.

The second story features YA author Brian Kell. His blog shows off his wonderful sense of humor and even includes a CLUE-like story about his LJ writing buddies. Only it throws in a little twist. Why is ljuser_zero still alive and who saved him?

Brian Kell’s humorous YA fantasy won the representation of hard-to-get agent Rachel Vater at Folio Literary Management.

Synopsis (provided by Brian, shortened by me–so it’s my fault if it’s butchered): CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE is about nineteen year old Briton Bloomfield who is shot dead under mysterious circumstances and arrives, by elevator, into the Realm of Purpose. He’s assigned the position of Cupid and teased about his wardrobe, a diaper and a pair of fluffy wings. Briton is given love lessons by his contemptuous mentor, Kincade Van Wort, and gets assigned to his first target, a video clerk named Raymond Blake Hobson. If Briton misses the shot or chooses the wrong woman for Raymond, ‘a preponderance of violence and death may occur’.

CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE is currently seeking a home at a publisher near you.

So, in your own words, tell me what CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE (awesome title) is about?

Simply put, it is a contemporary take on Cupid. A young man dies, goes to the Realm of Purpose (one post within the afterlife) and is relegated the position of Cupid. Some of the other occupations available are Serendipitists, Shining Rehabilitators, Bereavement Inquiries, etc… Cupids have it the toughest, of course.

Oh… it’s a humorous YA urban fantasy.

Some writers dream of their ideas, others let their characters dictate the plot, and some plan everything out via flash cards beforehand. How did you come up with the idea for CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE?

I can honestly remember just sitting at the kitchen table, staring at the phone for some reason. I was thinking about fables and mythical creatures, trying to figure out what was left to write about that would be original. For some reason, Cupid hit me. Right in the nose. As clotted drops of blood dripped onto my leftover Salisbury steak and green beans, I jotted down a few notes. Then I finished my supper.

I wrote most of it straight forward. No outline. But I find that outlining makes it easier now.

Apparently, you have a severed head as a main character in another novel. Do tell me more…

His name is Vladimir Caspar Moses, a noble, pompous knight working for Chancellor Manwaring. He’s cast to seven pieces (head, arms, legs, torso, heart) by an emerging Hag named Charmrot.

The book’s called CHRONIC JOE AND THE HEAD OF VLAD THE SLAYER (humorous MG fantasy). A young boy known as Chronic Joe finds Vlad’s animated head and must help the knight piece himself back together before Charmrot reigns supreme over Mystic Forge.

The book is finished and in the hands of my agent.

Which role would your ‘severed head’ character play in THE BREAKFAST CLUB? (the nerd, the jock, the rebel, the princess, the recluse)

Actually, I picture him as the principal. I can see Vlad walking amongst a group of his men and spouting, “You blundering knuckleheads best shut your yaps or I’m cracking skulls!”

Let’s talk about the road that led you to an agent offer. How long did your agent hunt last? What did you love about it? What drove you nuts?

Good Lord! When I look back at this road… it goes on for miles and miles. With speed bumps, chuckholes, rodent corpses and horse poop. Lots and lots of horse poop. But I’m glad I took it. So very glad.

I started submitting my first book back in 1997, second book in 1999, third book in 2001 with some nice bites but no takers. I started writing Cupid, my fourth book, in 2005 (after a break for five years of college night school to get my engineering degree).

I began the search (with CUPID) in February 2006 and signed with Rachel in August 2007. It took a long time, lots of rewrites, re-submittals, but the result couldn’t have been better; a tight manuscript and the best agent around.

What I love about it is how I’m able to help other authors with the knowledge I gained from the experience. The waiting drove me nuts. (Surprise!)

A lot of writers question whether or not an agent is necessary. What do you really love about having an agent?

The best part is having someone who loves my work so much their willing to spend their own FREE time helping me get published. Next is having an expert with more knowledge about the industry then I could ever hope to learn in my lifetime. Not to mention someone who knows the right editors, knows how to negotiate and will always look out for their authors. Not that there is anything wrong going straight with editors, I just chose this route because it was right for me.

Now, unless something has changed, CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE is making rounds in the publishing ether. How often do you check your email every day?

Actually, my email is always on at work. I’ll get a little blue box in the lower right corner of my screen if I get a new message. So, my answer is literally ‘all the stinkin’ time.’

Have you found ways to distract yourself?

I can physically take myself away from the computer, the books… but my mind is always on it, it seems. Always (ask my family). I’m not sure it’s possible to turn that off.

Who will be the first person you tell after getting The Call?

My wife. Then my kids. Then I’ll change my underpants.

A lot of writers question whether or not the critique group deal is right for them. Others are content with a couple trusted partners. And some actually do the whole thing solo. What’s your preference?

I go the trusted partners route. LJ has been extremely helpful. Besides my wife, so many kind folks (Rhona, Reardon, Robin, Christy, Carrie, Megan, Kzee) have all read my stuff and offered great help. It’s priceless really. Writing is definitely a group effort.

If you could design your own book cover for CUPID IN THE REALM OF PURPOSE, what would it contain?

Man… I wish I could offer up a great idea, but to be honest. I’m blank here. Seriously. The best I can think of is a close-up of the tip of an arrow with my MCs eye just behind it, admiring the lethal point of the weapon.

**Fun author factoids**

Which character in THE BREAKFAST CLUB were you in high school? And how did you totally blow that stereotype to shreds?

I’m the Neo Maxie Zoomed Dweebie. (Is that the term the jock used?)

Actually I was a bit of the nerd/jock/recluse. I played some sports, I played the guitar in a band, and I loved to read books.

I think that’s still who I am, so no shredding here. Is that sad? Maybe not.

Name one thing that hasn’t changed about you since you were a teen. Come on, there’s always something.

I’m still with my girlfriend; I’ve been with my wife since I was 17. I still love Heavy Metal music and Alternative music. Still love to read. Still play air guitar. Oh… crap that’s more than one thing.

If you could nominate one author to rule the world, who would it be and why?

Holy mackerel. Hm. I guess I’d say Stephen King. The man’s been through it all. Seen it all. Experienced it all. And he’s smart and funny. And loves AC/DC. So, yeah, Stephen King.

Bonus question: Is there anything else you were dying to answer? If so, go for it!

Why would an editor, who may be reading this interview, want you as one of their authors?

Gee! There are so many reasons. A boatload, honestly. I do a pretty good Dr. Evil impression. I can make my kids crack up with just a look. I can juggle.

But, as a comic in all seriousness, I’m so set on becoming a bestselling author that, to save us all time, they should contact Rachel and get the proverbial publishing ball rolling. Time’s a wastin’! I will do anything, within the laws of the great state of Wisconsin, to attain my dream.

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To end, I’d like to thank this wonderful lady (I’m drawing a blank on her name again) for allowing me to do this interview. My first. It’s been fun.

Thanks Tara!!!!

And there you have it. Brian Kell, Ladies and Gentlemen. Remember this name–even if he forgets yours. I expect to see CUPID in bookstores within the next couple of years!

Thanks again, Brian! You were a pleasure to interview

Next up is Chelsea Campbell who is represented by Nancy Gallt. She’ll be telling us about a super hero’s trouble with the big V on Monday!

Are you an author or industry professional interested in being interviewed? Please check out this post for further information.

Tags: author interview, brian kell, rachel vater, road trip to publication, YA

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 9:44 pm and is filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.