I'm very pleased to announced that on Monday, January 3rd I will be doing my first author reading in front of a large crowd *bites nails* at Lady Jane's Salon in New York City.
Lady Jane’s Salon is Manhattan’s first reading series devoted to romance fiction, founded by romance authors Maya Rodale, Hope Tarr, Leanna Renee Hieber and blogger Ron Hogan. On the first Monday of every month at Madame X in Manhattan you can hear your favorite authors read from their latest works. Admission is $5.00 or one gently used romance novel. Cash bar. Proceeds to benefit organizations that support women in need.
Along with myself, HQN Historical romance author of everything naughty Delilah Marvelle and Wild Rose Press and World War II author Lisbeth Eng will read as well.
This is also extra special for me because I will be one of the first to read a GLBT romance at the Salon and will be reading from The Prince's Groom. Plus Mho will be coming along, and not only will he have some fun promo swag to give out, but there will be a raffle to win a print copy of my best selling romance- The Princess's Bride:
Your chance to win a copy of The Princess's Bride! (Also free post-its and magnet calenders promoting my hot F/F and M/M love! )
I was asked back over the summer to read at Lady Jane's, and was so very honored by the opportunity. I guess you can say, for me to read in public is a form of validation for me as an author.
Ever since I became published, I have questioned myself more than I should. I was shaken up a few days ago when a person confronted me at the gym, accusing me of not being a "true" author. This older gentleman and I happen to take the same cycling classes and we will share pleasantries and so forth. Last week he noticed my T-shirt my mother had made me for my birthday with the cover of Lovestruck on it and the phrase- "Best selling author." The man pointed out my T-shirt and asked what I wrote.
I went into great detail explaining the genres I write and where I publish. Instead of this man nodding and just smiling and saying, well isn't that nice, he did the exact opposite. He proceeded to tell me in great detail that I had no right to call myself an author. I've taken the backdoor way of getting published and only when I have an agent and actually publish with a "traditional" publisher, as in a New York publisher, then I have the right to call myself an author. He also said a few choice words about what I publish and how it's fluff and drivel, among a few other things.
Now I don't know if this person has tried to get published in the past and failed or has some sort of bias with what I write and with epublishing, but before I could lose it in front of him, I simply walked away. I have to admit his opinion did upset me.I know there will always be critics, especially those who feel that authors who epublished are not real authors.
I also know that some will see my books and roll their eyes thinking it's crap, fluff and total bull shit that has no real meaning. I also know that as a blogger becoming an author, some believe I have no right to be published, as if I'm overstepping my bounds in some way. There will always be those who turn their noses down at you. I learned this long ago and have tuned them out. But some days I do wonder what role I'm playing. Am I truly an author or just playing one and failing at it?
I went home after this confrontation filled with anger and sadness.And yet, I sat down and continued working on my current project, which for all it's drivel and fluff is something I'm quite proud of.
And then something amazing occurred. I tend to check my Amazon rankings from time to time. Okay, I won't lie, I check my sales everyday. I'm in the top ten best selling Lesbian fiction for the Amazon Kindle for The Princess's Bride, as well as in the top 100 for best selling ebook Erotica and Print Erotica.
Not only that, but then The Romance Studio announced their 7th annual Cupid and Pysche Awards. The CAPA's given are by The Romance Studio for excellence in romantic and erotic fiction.
Lovestruck, my very first novel and a F/F romance at that, was nominated in the Contemporary Erotic Romance category among such well known authors as Maya Banks and Lauren Dane.
What does this prove? In the big scheme of things, probably not much, but at least I know that people are reading my books, whether they feel they're drivel or not.
I think I'd rather listen to those positive influences in my life and ignore the others one who are right there to put others down.
If you're in the NYC area and having nothing to do next Monday night, why not come down and listen to some authors read from their books? Plsu, you'll have the chance to cuddle with the world famous Mho Fho and take pictures.
Hope to see you at Lady Jane's Salon!
21 comments:
Being half a world away, I can't make it to the Salon, but all the best!
And that nasty man - you can laugh all the way to the bank. He obviously doesn't know what he's talking about, and he's not worth a minute of your time.
Lynne, if he knew what I made this year he'd cry. :)
How awesome you are reading at Lady Jane's Salon!!!! I'm so happy for you!!
And what business is it at all of that man?? Very big of you to just walk away.
Mandi: I'm reading man lurve also!! Woot.
It's a good thing I didn't have a dumbbell on hand. Gr.
What the fuck.
Excuse my F-bomb, but honestly, WHO DOES THAT? What kind of manners was that guy taught? I may be a youngester (23) but I sure as shit know not to disrespect someone like that.
1) Congrats on your nomination!
2) Have a great time at the reading....I wish I could attend (to heckle you of course...."Read the naughty parts! The naughty parts!!!!!")
3) That guy is an idiot. Get with the program, Buddy. It's a new day and age for all of publishing...big and small, e-pub and print, straight and gay...but the fact that sales for romantic fiction are sky high pretty much speaks volumes. You should make t-shirts w/ all your book covers and wear them to the gym every day.
God I would love to get on a plane to New York for the Salon- wish you all the best with your reading.
And as for the guy in the gym: what a douchebag! I'd let that roll off like water off a duck.
April: I guess he thought he had the right to speak his mind.
Penelope: I may even say the word "cock" *snicker.
When I told the asshat that I write FF as well, the look on his face was priceless.
Congrats on the nomination at TRS, and will be sending you good thoughts for a FANTASTIC reading at the Salon.
As for the old geezer...are you fricking telling me you didn't rip him a new one?? What a jerk! Time for you to think up some good come back lines. Things like...
Right, I forgot you're an author yourself. What's the name of your book again?
Wow! It's so amazing how everyone is a critic about something they know nothing about.
You know, you're absolutely right! The experts were wrong. There really are brainless, parallel bipeds still roaming the earth.
Stupid @*)#@$*@&%$%($#( thinking he knows what is and isn't entertainment for the masses.
Kate, I hate to tell you this, but even at the NY level, some people think you're not a real author if you write romance. It's just how it goes.
You just have to decide not to let it get to you. Looks like you already made that call. ;)
I haven't read one of your books yet (I don't have an e reader bcz I still want to hold the real book in my hands, I'm building my courage to change that) but I try to read your blog regularly. Normally I don't react, this time I wanted to say something.
How can anybody judge that you're not an author when you publish ebooks? I can imagine that somebody doesn't like the genre you are writing, after all we all like different things. That doesn't mean you are not an author. I think it's very good of you to take advantage of the modern day and age and get yourself published. I can imagine sometimes bad comments get to you, even when you try to block them.
I just hope that the good comments you get will touch you even more, because you are an author! You have published books and there are people out there who like your books. Keep on writing and (I think even more importantly) enjoy the fact that you are writing.
Yay!!!!!
Congrats on your author reading in NYC. If my house wasn't burried in snow, I'd say for sure whether I'd go-LOL. I'll try to get there (with some non-romance buddies- trying to convert them as usual). We're planning a little jaunt to NYC next week, so this is perfect!
And that guy needs a Martin or Thomas in his life badly. It's always a little sad and funny how those who haven't done it (or haven't done it successfully) become the experts and attack those who are doing it. Don't listen to him; I bet if he sat at a computer for weeks and months on end, pounding away at the keyboard, 'his' drivel wouldn't make amazon top anything list.
Gosh, read 'The Divinch Code' once and you swear you're the ebert and roper of the literary world.=/
Please include him in your next work. "Smarmy guy from the guy #1". Spewing pessimistic nonsense from his elliptical machine of doom. =)
/Congrats on your achievements! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!
How obnoxious, and good for you for walking away.
Someone who feels the need to put down someone they don't actually know on the basis of things that they don't really understand is so not worth your time.
Success is always the sweetest form of revenge.
Keep in mind how many people have read and loved your stories. The good reviews are all over the internet. You have given a number of people some wonderful reading experiences!
You did the right thing to just walk away from that man. Don't let him rain on your parade! (I've been listening to Glee!)
That man! Unbelievable! I agree with Julie M. - you have given people hours of fun and enjoyment with what you write, and people love it.
Only somebody who feels bad about himself reacts to your awesome news like that! Also, SO cool about Lady Jane's!! Wow, I so would love to go to that.
Congrats on getting to do the reading and your success with your sales!!
...don't listen to the naysayers. I'd like to know what that guy has accomplished in his lifetime. In my experience, usually the vocal ones like that are the people who tried and failed.
<3,
-J
I wish I was closer so I could come to Lady Jane's Salon! Good for you for walking away from that stupid man. Don't believe a word he said! I love all your books and can't wait for the release of your next one.
I've had to correct someone close to me about that.
What a stupid, STUPID person! He is one of those snobby dinosaurs that thinks the traditional way is the only way to go and don't you waste anymore of your precious time thinking about it! Its AUTHORS like you who keep me going.
You deserve all the wonderful accolades that are coming your way and I wish I could be there to attend your first reading.
Good for you!
Some people have ideas of being an author that are so narrow only two or three people will ever fit into their category. They remind me of exclusive Christians who think the bible has to be interpreted literally in order for you to BE a Christian. It's exclusivity for the purpose of bolstering themselves up. Just wait, in ten years anyone who isn't publishing via e-book won't be an author. Or someone who doesn't make a specific seller's list won't be an author.
I write with a crayon.
Therefore I am an author.
Yes, bow before me.
U rock KT (hugs)
What an asshole! Eff him and continue to be proud of the success you've gained so far.
That man, really, was a jackass. Quite frankly, anyone who tells you that you are not an author because you e-publish is just living in the past. You're absolutely an author. You are doing the work. You are honing your craft and putting it out there. There are thousands and thousands, if not millions and millions of people out there (myself included) who write very well but don't do what you've done. No matter what anyone ever says, be proud of that. You're making your dream come true. How many people can say that? My guess... it's a number far fewer than it should be. Do what you're doin, gal, and know that you're making it happen. :)
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