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.

Welcome to the first chapter in Road Trip to Publication, a series of interviews with authors at various stages in their careers.

This first story features YA author L.K. Madigan. She does a fabulous interview series called Authorial Intrusion on her blog. But I figured it would be fun to stick her in the author seat, especially since she just sold a book of her own!

L.K. Madigan and I share an agent, Jennifer Laughran at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. And L.K.’s first novel, FLASH BURNOUT, recently sold to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for publication in Fall 2009.

Synopsis from PW Online: FLASH BURNOUT chronicles a chaotic year for sophomore Blake, who, when he took a picture of a passed-out street person for his photography class, didn’t expect to find himself ditching his girlfriend, prowling skid row and tracking down his best friend’s long-lost mother.

So, you recently scored a two-book deal thanks to your fantastic agent and awesome writing. Of course, I haven’t read FLASH BURNOUT yet, but Jenn has great taste and the premise sounds fascinating. Congrats!

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 FLASH BURNOUT?

I’m a plunger, not a planner. I get an idea for a story, or a character shows up in my head and starts talking. I pay attention and take notes. Once the notes get really detailed and the voice gets really insistent, I start writing the story.

Blake, the main character of FLASH BURNOUT, is a minor character in the novel I wrote before this one. I loved the setting of the first book so much that it was hard to leave it behind … so I decided to stay. I liked the idea of taking a character from the sidelines of one book and allowing him to step into the spotlight in another. The two main characters cross paths a few times in each book, but they don’t really interact.

Blake’s story was born from a conversation I had with a friend who is a medical examiner. He mentioned that he saw a lot of meth-related cases (he still does), and wondered if I had ever thought about tackling that subject.

I’m writing a male POV for the first time, and getting inside his head can be challenging. What challenges (if any) did you face in writing about a protagonist of the opposite sex? What did you really love about it?

I’ve been boy-crazy since the age of twelve.

I have spent decades staring at, listening to, laughing with, and fretting over boys of every age. I’ve had lots of male friendships, but only one true love. I’ve been able to study him up close for many years … and now we’re raising a boy.

I think perhaps all of that intense focus on the opposite sex might have given me some insight into the male psyche, because Blake’s voice was so real while I wrote that I sometimes felt I was transcribing his story, rather than making it up as I went along. My inner boy is strong! It remains to be seen whether or not readers will believe him, but I was gratified when my editor told me that some of her colleagues didn’t realize I was a woman when they read the book.

Which role would Blake play in THE BREAKFAST CLUB (the nerd, the princess, the jock, the rebel, or the recluse)? Does he have a hobby or trait that seems contradictory to his character?

Blake is more of a class clown … closer to the nerd than the rebel. He has a gift for empathy that he’s not even aware of, because he’s too busy tallying up laughs.

Okay, I’m dying to know what book 2 is about. I’ll give you a cookie for a clue =)

Remember that first book I mentioned above … in which Blake is a minor character? That’s not Book 2, and will most likely never see publication. Its premise is too similar to a book my editor has already published. But that manuscript did demonstrate to my editor that I am capable of writing more than one marketable book, I think. Writers who are working toward publication should keep writing, instead of pinning all their hopes on one manuscript. FLASH BURNOUT is actually the third novel I’ve written, but the first one I sold. And who knows? When an editor has finished reading your book, he or she may ask, “What else ya got?”

But to answer your question, Book 2 is still a work-in-progress at the moment, and my editor has not seen any of it, so I have no idea if it will even appeal to her. It may end up languishing in a drawer. I’m not too worried, though. I have a head full of more books than time to write them.

Let’s talk about the road that got you to this wonderful place. How long did your agent hunt last and how many did you query? Got any suggestions on how to deal with the dreaded form rejection?

Well, first I had to wait for my agent to decide she wanted to be an agent. =)

I finished writing FB in December 2005, and I signed with Jennifer in November 2007. I submitted the manuscript to eighteen agents and two editors during that time. Some people would say that’s not very many rejections before the YES, but it certainly felt discouraging to me while it was happening!

As for how to deal with a form rejection? All I can suggest is what worked for me: keep submitting. Not very many writers find their perfect match right away.

I read your wonderful story about Call#2 (the publisher offer). Is there anything you’d like to share about Call#1—when your agent offered representation? At least, I’m assuming it was a call. Some do email.

I had known Jennifer for a couple of years before we embarked upon our professional relationship. I think she may actually be the first person I “friended” on LJ … I thought her blog posts were funny and smart and scathing. We even met in person a couple of times, once in each of our respective cities. When she was toying with the idea of becoming a writer herself, I invited her to join my critique group. (And if she ever does decide to write a novel, you can be sure it will be devastating.)

I formally queried her with my first three chapters last October, and when she requested the full manuscript, I thought, “Aw, that’s nice of her. I wonder if it will be more or less painful to be rejected by a friend.”

When she emailed to say that she would like to speak on the phone, I allowed myself a glimmer of hope, while bracing for disappointment. She said a lot of nice things about my book, then uttered those beautiful, elusive words, “I want to represent you.”

And we lived happily ever after.

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

I could spend pages responding to this with various versions of: “Yes! A good agent is necessary! A good agent knows more than you ever will about the publishing industry in general, and contract negotiations in particular.”

But here’s the short answer: Jennifer found the perfect editor for my book, someone I never would have known to target on my own.

It’s difficult to get an agent, though, so I understand the appeal of going directly to editors. One of my crit partners sold her YA novel without an agent, so it is possible.

Did you have to revise before your book went on submission?

I had done some revisions to the book before signing with Jennifer (for an agent who ended up passing), so it was in pretty good shape. She suggested some minor fixes, which I implemented, then it was ready to go!

Response times in the publishing world can be rather unpredictable, but we writerly types love stats. How long did it take you to get an offer after your agent submitted the manuscript to publishers?

It was a matter of weeks.

I know!

But believe me, I paid my dues in the Writers’ Waiting Room.

Did you manage to form coherent sentences during your first conversation with your new editor?

No.

Sigh.

I blathered.

She asked me what made me decide to write from a boy’s perspective, and I burst out, “His voice was just so loud in my head!”

Yeah. I’m eloquent like that.

We spoke for a few more minutes – it was mostly a get-acquainted conversation – then I hung up, and immediately cursed my loquaciousness. (It’s worse when I’m nervous.) I’m a writer! I don’t haz speech good. But if you let me write it down, I’ll be fine.

If you could design your own book cover for FLASH BURNOUT, what would it contain?

I really really really couldn’t say. I just don’t have that kind of vision. So I am very excited to see what my publisher comes up with. There are lots of actual photos by famous photographers mentioned in the book, as well as fictional photos taken by the main character … so there’s plenty of fodder for inspiration.

Saundra Mitchell, a writing friend whose book, Shadowed Summer, also debuts in 2009, created a fan art cover for me:

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

As soon as I could hold a fat pencil and print words that other people could read.

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

Thai food or Chinese?

Thai!

Oooh, I agree! Thai all the way, baby! Thank you so much for your time, L.K. I very much look forward to your book coming out in Fall 2009. All of you reading this must buy it That’s an order.

Next up is Brian Kell who is represented by Rachel Vater at Folio. Just be forewarned: The interview contains severed heads.

If you would like to be interviewed, please read the requirements and follow the directions in the previous post. Thanks!