Post date: May 14, 2016 2:44:55 PM
Carly Kade interview with David Alan Binder
Her bio from her website: Carly Kade is an Arizona-based equestrian author. Creative writing makes her spurs jingle! She writes fiction about horses, horse shows, western pleasure and a handsome cowboy or two. Her books are for people just like her ... crazy about reading, horses and cute cowboys!
In her free time, Carly enjoys competitively showing her registered Paint Horse, works on her next novel, reads voraciously, spends time with her husband and two adopted dogs, and loves exploring the great outdoors
In The Reins is a new romance novel based in modern cowgirl culture for readers who love horses, handsome cowboys and a captivating love story. The book is available now in paperback and eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iBook’s.
Visit Carly's blog where she shares new videos, photos and stories that highlight interesting cowgirl topics, horse tips, In The Reins sequel sneak peeks, updates, and release info!
Website:
http://www.carlykadecreative.com
Blog:
http://www.carlykadecreative.com/blog
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/carlykadecreative
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/author/carlykade
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/carlykadecreative
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CarlyKadeAuthor
@CarlyKadeAuthor
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carlykadecreative
1. Where are you currently living?
I’ve lived in the North, the East, the South and now the West in the process making two cross-country road trips with my horse in tow for new career opportunities. When I arrived in Arizona, I knew that Scottsdale was going to be my forever home. It also felt like the perfect place to release my debut novel. Since its Arizona launch at the end of 2015, In The Reins has steadily climbed the charts and is an Amazon equestrian bestseller.
2. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
Partnerships. You can’t do it on your own. I decided to self-publish my book because I wanted to have creative control of the process and the book design. My background in marketing, social media, brand and public relations helped a lot to prepare for being a self-published author but when you publish a book you are starting a small business. I’ve had a lot of help along the way and I’ve partnered with other small businesses to form wonderful support networks where we promote/help each other. You must be kind and give in order to grow. My webpage wouldn’t look as great as it does without the coaching I’ve gotten from Weebly Zen. My author photos wouldn’t be as amazing as they are without Melanie Elise Photography. I was introduced to my editor by a colleague. I’ve paired up with other equestrian authors too to help spread the word on our books. I’ve been very lucky to have worked with some terrific people. Partnerships are very important. Taking care to nurture those partnerships is even more important. I think the golden rule is to treat others as you would want to be treated and BE AUTHENTIC!
3. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
My sticky notes are everywhere! These little sheets are my savior! I write notes on them constantly to remind myself of ideas I have for the sequel when I'm away from my laptop. I use them in the car when I am driving, when I wake up in middle of night to scribble my dreams, and after my workouts at the gym. My little notes to myself even wind up in some interesting places. I found one stuck to a CHEEZ-IT box when I went to make my lunch! I had the crackers with me at the barn over the weekend. They make a good horseback riding snack! You can see pictures of the sticky notes in action in my blog post “Where Inspiration Strikes: Writing the Sequel to In The Reins.”
4. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
a. Who is the name of your publisher and in what city are they?
I am a self-published author. I publish books under Carly Kade Creative. I knew that I wanted creative control of In The Reins. As I mentioned, my background in marketing, events, social media, brand and public relations gave me a foundation for doing the launch of the book myself. I read like crazy too and devoured tons of books on self-publishing. My husband always jokes that I’ve earned myself a self-appointed doctorate on the topic!
Most importantly, I know my audience. I wrote this book for readers just like me … horse crazy, book crazy, and crazy for handsome cowboys. I will pick up anything with a horse on it and I know where horse people spend their time. I know my market best. I wanted to be as close to my readers as possible because they are just like me.
Beverly Cleary once said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.” I think I’ve read everything in existence about horses, cowboys and romance. However, I couldn’t find a horse book series written about the western pleasure discipline. I wanted to read a love story themed around the type of horse shows I enjoyed competing in so I wrote In The Reins to fill that desire. I am so happy to hear that others are enjoying it so much they are finishing it in a weekend and in some cases an evening!
5. Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
I prefer a physical book. I earmark the pages. I write in the columns. I underline passages. My current book comes with me everywhere. I like the way a book looks after I’ve lived with it for a while. My books earn their place on my book shelves. I run my fingers over their broken in bindings and re-read my favorite parts of each of them from time to time. I stare at a screen all day for work (and for my writing) so reading the pages of a physical book provides a nice break from technology too.
6. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
Don’t be afraid to self-publish! Writers are so lucky to live in a time where that is possible. I recommend that anyone going this route read up on the legal aspects of becoming a self-published author. There is a lot to learn but so worth it to control your own book!
7. Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?
You must make the time to write! I recommend setting a goal like writing for 60 minutes uninterrupted or not stopping until you’ve reached a thousand words. I often wonder if I'll have anything to say when I sit down to my writing sessions but then I JUST DO IT and the words magically come. Just start ... that's all you have to do (and don’t share it with anyone until you’re finished with the first draft.)
8. What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
That I would have to legally start my own business! If you are thinking of self-publishing go buy the book called the “Self-Publisher's Legal Handbook: The Step-by-Step Guide to the Legal Issues of Self-Publishing” by Helen Sedwick. It is available on Amazon.
9. How many books have you written?
In The Reins is my debut novel and the first book in a series of at least three. I am currently working on the sequel and hope to have the follow up to In The Reins out in late 2016 or early 2017.
10. Do you have any tricks or tips to help others become a better writer (please be as specific and information as you possibly can)?
Read. Read. Read. And, listen to your editor!
I highly recommend reading “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft” by Stephen King. I loved the book as a reader and a writer. I've never read anything by Stephen King (I've seen the movies) because I don't much like being frightened but now I want to devour his material. I discovered this book through its high ratings in the writing community. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. This is a book for anyone who writes, anyone who aspires to write, anyone interested in knowing a little more about the life of an author or someone interested in knowing more about Stephen King as he gives a brief history of what led him to where he is now. Highly recommend.
11. Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?
I think the best stories are told from the heart. I don’t always know where my characters are going to take me. I let them lead and write down their journey. I don’t think you can force a twist or a turn. I think it just naturally comes when you tap into that special writing zone. Let your heart lead your writing.
12. What is In The Reins About?
In the Reins is about a city-girl-gone-country, a handsome cowboy and a Paint Horse that meet by fate on a southern farm. She’s looking for a fresh start and unexpectedly falls for the mysterious cowboy. But he has a deeply guarded secret and struggles to open himself up to the wannabe cowgirl in the saddle next to him. Full of equine epiphanies, In The Reins captures the struggle between letting life move forward and shying away from taking the reins.
13. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
There are a lot of equestrian novels out there that focus on dressage or jumping or rodeo but I haven’t found any (yet) that focus on world show quality western pleasure competitive horse showing at breed shows like Quarter Horse, Paint, Pinto or the Palomino Horse Circuits.
In The Reins is not your typical cowboy romance, the book is based in modern cowgirl culture for readers who enjoy equestrian stories with a message similar to The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans, The Longest Ride by Nicolas Sparks, or Flying Changes by Sara Gruen.
In The Reins is not a bodice-ripper or overly-graphic. It is a clean romance where the horses play as much a leading role as the human characters. I think this book dances between YA and Adult fiction. I think it is appropriate for both. What pleases me most is that readers who don’t know anything about the horse world are saying in their reviews that they learned a lot about horses and didn’t feel lost in the story due to their lack of horse knowledge.
14. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I have created a presence on social media. You can find Carly Kade Creative on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. I love making videos for my YouTube channel. I have Goodreads and Amazon author profiles. I blog regularly on my website and I’ve just started contributing articles to Horse Nation, an online horse network for horse lovers. I am open to meeting with book clubs and speaking opportunities.
15. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I am happy with how the process went. I took my time and made sure that the book editing was strong. I would tell any author to take your time and spend money on a good editor. Even after editing In The Reins what felt like 5,000 times I still found a few errors. I think that is the case with any published book. Nothing ever gets printed 100% error free. I’ve just made adjustments as I went along and took mental note of learning for the next time!
16. What would you like carved onto your tombstone? Or what saying or mantra do you live by?
"Just like every cowboy needs a hat, every cowgirl needs a good book, a loyal horse, and several pairs of boots!" – Carly Kade, Author of In The Reins
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