Post date: May 4, 2016 1:29:06 PM
Kevin James Breaux interview with David Alan Binder
I love the motto he has adopted!
http://kevinjamesbreaux.blogspot.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/713646.Kevin_James_Breaux
@kevinbreaux
1. How do you pronounce your name (only answer if appropriate)?
Breaux is pronounced BRO. It’s Cajun French. It’s a fun last name. People seem to dig it.
2. Where are you currently living?
The Great Pacific Northwestern Trendkill. Basically…Portland, Oregon.
3. What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?
To find a skilled and trusted editor to partner up with. And to protect
your creative rights and properties. I work with a kick-ass editor, her name is Gretchen Stelter.
4. What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?
As an artist and an author, I want creative control of my book’s cover art. You know, it would kill me if a book I wrote had ugly artwork attached to it. I believe in a symbiosis of art and words and I like to try and maintain a good balance there.
5. Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?
I dream and yearn to be traditionally published with a big house like TOR. (Hey, TOR! Love you!) Most of my work has been published by small press. My newest book is self published with Createspace in order to rebrand myself and hopefully capture the attention of new readers.
6. Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?
Keep writing. Don’t rush. After you write a book edit it 10-12 times. Don’t rush. Search for agents, and keep sending queries. Don’t give up after the first round of rejections. Or the second. Or third. If you’re serious about your craft you should be studying and learning and working in it. Writing is both an art and a business.
7. How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent? Any tips for new writers on getting one?
I sent queries for over ten years. Well, longer even. I was sending queries when the only way to send them was snail mail and with a SASE inside. (If you don’t know what a SASE is, Google it. lol)
Agents are constantly changing what they are looking for. So you need to keep sending your queries out. Break some rules. Send a second query to an agent who rejected you. Keep trying. And I suggest using an Excel spreadsheet to track your send and reply status. Ask other authors for help…at least to review your query before you send it.
8. What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?
No matter how much you think you are done editing, you probably are not. No matter how many times you proofread…there is going to be a mistake that sneaks by all ninja-like.
9. How many books have you written?
I have written seven books to date.
* (3) Epic Fantasy. (1) Dark Fantasy-Horror. (2) Urban Fantasy - Paranormal. (1) MG Boys Horror.
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)?
Reward system. Jonathan Maberry, my mentor from a few years back, taught me that you need a reward system. And it works. You can reward yourself after each chapter or when a book is done. It helps motivate you. And when editing starts to drain you, a reward can help power you up again.
11. What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?
I’m a multi-genre author. So I like to blend genres. My newest book, ONE SMOKING HOT FAIRY TAIL is a mix of Urban Fantasy, Supernatural, Paranormal-Paranormal Romance, Action-Adventure, Horror, and more. Blending allows my books to not be so easily labeled. And I like that. I want to appeal to male and female readers and readers who enjoy all kinds of stories.
12. What are some ways in which you promote your work?
I do blog updates. I run promotions. I do book signings. I do giveaways. I tweet (although when I tweet, I feel like I’m just one person in 10 million screaming like a hot dog vendor at a baseball game…”ice cold beer here!”). I use my graphic art skills to design banners and web graphics and other advertisements. I have also made book trailers in the past. I will do whatever is needed.
13. What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?
I would not have had my fantasy novels published at the small press publisher they were picked up by years ago. Instead, I would have edited them another few times, waited, not rushed, and then maybe just e-book self published them. They were never the best representation of my work. More a labor of love for the genre.
On the upside, they did garner me some really great fans, but I am a perfectionist and I would have liked those books to have been at their best. But that was years ago. And as I said, I’m rebranding myself now.
14. What would you like carved onto your tombstone? Or what saying or mantra do you live by?
My motto is: WRITE MAKES MIGHT!
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