Guest Author-Kathryn Le Veque
I’m tickled pink, as my grandmother used to say, to have Kathryn visiting my blog today. She’s sharing about her path as an author.Â
My path as an Author
By Kathryn Le Veque
The first jobs I wanted as a kid were a Forest ranger (so I could ride horses), a Jockey (see Forest Ranger), or a dentist (no horses in dentistry, so I’m not sure what the attraction was there). But that didn’t happen. My path to being a writer is different than most – I started writing at a very young age and wrote my first ‘novel’ at age 13. It was a teen age sci-fi drama (I still have it in a box and it is really BAD), but the point is that I started writing very early. I started dreaming about being a published author by the time I got into high school and I took every class I could to help me learn ‘how’ to write a book. I wrote a lot of smaller stories and I practiced, and I considered writing both my passion and my hobby. Some people painted, some people played soft ball… I wrote.
Fast forward into the ’90. I was determined to become a published author and I became acquainted with an editor from Avon Publishing back in the days before the internet. The Avon editor came to know my work, through my agent, and then she and I started corresponding. She was very helpful on a lot of things, mostly the basics – explaining that the H/H should meet within the first five pages of a book or else you risk losing your reader, try to start your book off with a hook, and things like that. Things from her perspective that were incredible helpful to me. She really took the time to give me feedback, which is extremely valuable. However – I submitted THE WOLFE to her, which is currently my best seller. She read it and the feedback I got from her was this – Great story, well written, but way too long. Cut it in half and we’ll talk. Well, I wasn’t going to cut it in half. It was perfect the way it was and I knew that someday, somehow, I’d be able to publish it as-is. It took me 18 years to do it, but it did happen, so the moral of the story is this – believe in what you have, believe in your product, and stick to your gut instincts on it. Take everything editors or reviewers tell you with a grain of salt. It’s all subjective. Most of all, write for yourself. Don’t write what someone else tells you to. Write from the heart and you can’t go wrong.
Kathryn has a new release!Â
The Thunder Knight on Amazon:
ABOUT KATHRYN
KATHRYN LE VEQUE is an Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance and Historical Fiction. She has been featured in the NEW YORK TIMES and on USA TODAY’s HEA blog along with numerous other publications and blogs.Â
In September 2014, Kathryn was the 41st MOST READ author on Amazon and now she is finding success on other platforms. She is extremely prolific with over 50 published novels and 37 #1 Hot New Releases in Medieval Historical Romance since May 2012.Â
You can find Kathryn on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ibooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. Please visit Kathryn Le Veque’s website for a complete list of books and ordering information.
On Amazon
On iBooks
Kathryn Le Veque on iBooks
On Barnes and Noble
Kathryn Le Veque at Barnes and Noble
On Smashwords
Kathryn Le Veque on Smashwords
On Kobo
On Facebook
On Twitter
On Tsu
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How many of you are medieval romance fans like me?Â
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Wonderful advice- it is so easy to doubt yourself and to get caught up in what we “should” be doing. Congrats on the release!
I don’t know how many authors I know who chose to ignore the experts advice and it was to their benefit.
I always thought I’d do something horse related as well. It definitely didn’t pan out.
This series sounds fantastic. I definitely can’t wait to read it.
You sound like my daughter, Jonel.
That is a wonderful story with some great advice! I know that I have a lot of self doubt for sure, so I’m happy that you trusted in yourself! Congrats on the release 🙂
I think all authors have a degree of self-dougt, Aleen. That’s good if it makes us stronger writers in the end.
I love medevial romances!
And Kathryn is the queen of medievals!
It is a good thing you didn’t take the editors advice. Look at you now! 🙂
And aren’t we glad she didn’t take that editor’s advice?
I love that Kathryn always believed in herself and what she could do. She’s very inpirational. Wonderful interview.
Isn’t she, Ashley?
Some expert advice stems from the arrogance of the person and not the reality of the situation so follow no advice blindly and always be true to yourself as you follow your dream.
Well said, Bonnie!
I love that you’ve wanted to write for so long!! I didn’t start until my late 50s. Shared.
I was 51 when my first book was published, Ella.
Oh, I just loved this! I’m not the only one who wanted to write for a two thousand years, only to keep getting editors saying, “I love it, but…” Gah! Hugs to Kathryn!
Don’t you hate that word, “but”?