Author: KLScollective
Cover Reveal Week
Until I started typing this post I didn’t realize how truly nervous I am to release my book. I mean, I knew I was nervous, but this is a whole new level!
Anyway, I’ve decided this is the week I will be unveiling my cover for You Will Never Be Him.
Be sure to follow my Facebook Page for the piece by piece reveal. Each day (starting today) will come with a fun fact about the book or a character.
October 2017 Newsletter
And in non-writing news…
My husband and I got to go on our first vacation together…EVER!
All-American Rejects are still amazing live after all these years
and
My children are adorable especially in the fall
When You’re a Writer Who Doesn’t Always Want To Write Right…It’s Alright!
I’ve created a new category for some of my blog posts
“Grammatically Incorrect”
because sometimes I like to write run on sentences…and sometimes I like to bullet journal…and sometimes I like to overuse ellipsis…
I have always tried to keep the incorrect writing to myself, but to keep this blog up to date (which I’ve been told by MANY people is key) then I have to allow myself to publish imperfect posts…on purpose!
So What’s This Book About?
Trying to get people amped-up about a book that’s not out yet by an author who’s never published a book before is quite the task.
Simply putting the title out publicly a few months ago was terrifying, and now I’m moving on to the cover blurb.
I’ve written dozens of variations, shared with two critique groups, and stared at it on the computer screen for hours. I still don’t think it perfect and probably never will, but I have to have one.
So without further ado, here is my current in the works blurb:
You Will Never Be Him
When Chelsea Thames’ family moves the summer before her senior year, her life is turned upside down. No more small town living, no more quiet social life, no more Roger. In an effort to move on from all she’s ever known, Chelsea creates a whole new persona with one goal: survive high school. Her plan unfolds surprisingly well as she scores Garrett Murphy, star football player, as a rebound boyfriend and takes the school by storm. She thinks she has it all figured out until her heart gets pulled in yet another direction, and life becomes an impossible balancing act between her new image and her true self.
Let me know what you think!
- If you enjoy young adult novels would this be a book you would open?
- If you are one of my beta readers and know the story, does this sum it up well?
On The Hunt…
…for the perfect book cover!
For some (I’m putting myself in this category) writing a novel is the easiest part of the process. I honestly shocked myself at how fast I spit out 50,000 words.
This being my first attempt at a novel, I know my view could change, but for now I have to say the writing is by far easier than editing, figuring out blurbs, drafting query letters, and deciding on a cover.
I have scrolled through hundreds of pre-made covers. Several times I thought at first glance YES THIS IS IT, only to realize no he wouldn’t wear shoes like that or her hair isn’t quite long enough.
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but let’s be honest, we all do.
I would love to know what your favorite site(s) are for pre-made (or custom on a budget) cover design!
Eventually, I’ll Actually Start Blogging
I’ve been telling myself I’m going to start blogging more regularly for this site.
That hasn’t happened yet!
Perhaps this is the start of it?
Until then, here are the updates for all of my projects…
The Pin Cushion: The first phase of my apprenticeship is coming to and end (already?!?! ah!). This mean I’ll soon be able to do our most common piercings without supervision. I have four more to check off the list and then have a couple weeks of supervised practice to make sure everything is perfect. I have updated my Body Piercing Portfolio Page, and am looking for a few more volunteers to come in for discounted piercings.
You Will Never Be Him: Two and a half weeks from now my revised manuscript will be going back to the editor for a copy edit! I’m hoping if it goes well I’ll be able to start sending query letters this fall. My beta readers provided wonderful feedback, the most reassuring of all being that they loved my story.
Personal Life: kindergarten meet the teacher is tonight for my daughter….I’m kinda freaking out. Summer has flown by way too fast. I now have a 3 year old, and Olivia’s 6th birthday will be here in 4 weeks. That’s about it actually. Life has pretty much been consumed with kids, writing, and piercing. I’m loving it all!
Why Should You Let An Apprentice Pierce You?
Thinking about getting a new piercing?
Have you considered helping an apprentice start or expand their portfolio with said piercing?
No, hasn’t crossed your mind?
Well here’s why you should:
We have to learn somehow
Professional body piercers have to (well should) start off as apprentices. It is impossible to learn the art without hands on experience. The craft needs passed down and the only way that will happen is for apprentices to become professionals.
We have practiced
My mentor loves to tell stories about how when she was learning to pierce they didn’t have silicone molds to practice on like we do. You simply watched someone else perform the piercing once (twice if you’re lucky) and then had to do it on your own on a live person. Before actually piercing we have practiced all of the steps dozens of times. We have watched our mentor perform hundreds of piercings before being allowed to move to the next phase. It is not an overnight process!
We are closely supervised
Every piercing done during an apprenticeship is supervised by the mentor. If they did not have confidence in the apprentice to do that particular piercing it wouldn’t be done at that time. The mentor will verbally walk through each step so the client feels at ease and the apprentice knows they are on the right track.
You get a discount
Each shop is different, but most will offer great discounts for allowing an apprentice to pierce you. For my particular apprenticeship you pay only a set up fee ($10-$20 depending on the piercing). It’s our way of saying thank you for helping us in our journey!
If you’re in the Frisco, TX area and are interested in letting me pierce you at The Pin Cushion please contact me!
June Updates
I’m somehow always caught off guard when I realize time is flying by. Trying to get into a new summer break routine has been impossible with everything going on. I’m trying to take one day at a time and trust that a semi-set schedule will eventually unfold.
In the mean time, here’s the latest on all my endeavors:
- The Pin Cushion: My apprenticeship is in full swing. July will be even more intense as I work to check off all the piercings needed. Kimberly and I have set my ending date for the middle of August which I know will be here before I know it. I was also promoted to shop manager which was an unexpected and extremely exciting surprise. I am so thankful I found this incredible team to work for!
- You Will Never Be Him: I think this may the first time I’ve shared the full title of the novel I’m working on! My manuscript is currently with my editor (ah!) and so far feedback has been great. Being my first experience writing, I have to say I am super nervous for whats to come next.
- Personal Life: the kids and I actually managed to get away for a mini “vacation”, I surprised my husband with a belated birthday party, and one of my best friends is getting married this week.
- In other news: I haven’t been able to work on my website at all….I haven’t been able to blog at all….I have fallen off the workout wagon (again!)….I have gotten horribly lazy with my cooking and food choices….*sigh*
Clearly I still have lots to work on, but life is still heading in the right direction. Hopefully it won’t be another month before you hear from me again.
And Now For Something Completely Different….
Ready for random?
Life is changing for me (when is it not?). I’ll be updating this site over the next week or so to reflect those changes and what I’ll be offering.
The website design and social media marketing aspect of things didn’t take off as planned and that’s ok. It’s really ok! It opened doors I never expected.
Two major things have happened that I am very excited about.
- Not having a ton of clients allowed me to focus on my novel. I’ve completed the first two drafts and am sending it off for preliminary editing in a few short weeks!
- Remember that part time job I mentioned a while back? I became a receptionist at a piercing shop which has turned into an apprenticeship!
So get ready the extremely random assortment that is Kelsey’s life!
kls-collective.com 