Writing process – Kate Kenzie Writes

After finishing one manuscript ready for submission and nearly completing another, the idea of self publishing is never far away. With the benefits of more control, freedom in the exploration of ideas and flexibility in deadlines (a biggie for this disabled writer) it is tempting so when Random Things Tours offered me a place on the blog tour for Rudo Muchoko’s Awakening the Power of Self-publishing, I jumped at the chance.

Scroll down to see my honest and unbiased opinion

Book Review: Awakening the Power of Self-Publishing by Rudo Muchoko

Awakening the Power: Self publishing the ultimate guide by Rudo Muchoko

Title: Awakening the Power of Self-Publishing

Author: Rudo Muchoko

Publisher: RMP Blueprint

Release date: 2nd March 2023

Purchase link: https://bit.ly/3FHm2RU

Blurb

‘Awakening the Power of Self-Publishing’ by ‘Rudo Muchoko’

Having worked in the publishing industry, it is fascinating how, once a book has been created and placed on Amazon, self-published authors tend to relax since, in some strange way, Amazon is meant to sell the book. It seems there is no clear guidance for self-published authors on what to do following the publication of their work. Although publishing your book on Amazon is a significant accomplishment, did you know that there are a tonne of other things you can do with it after that? Herein is the value of Awakening The Power of Self Publishing.

In this guide, you’ll discover: The importance of building an author brand and establishing author credibility, The differences between traditional publishing methods and self-publishing, The advantages of getting book reviews, Establishing and maintaining meaningful publishing relationships, Maximising your online presence, Creating a successful book marketing strategy, Keeping your book relevant and profitable after it has been published! Although the book publishing process can be complex, you can effectively develop your author brand if you are persistent, have a good work ethic, and are dedicated.

My Thoughts

A small, pocket size book which delivers a punch of information. A nice overview guide of what’s needed for self-publishing which could form a useful platform to build knowledge from. It’s such a big topic, making it impossible to tell all in few pages but the information is clear, accessible and helps prepares you for the long term journey of being an author.

Author Biography

Photo of Rudo Muchoko a smiling Black woman with many plaited hair. Wearing a white tropical printed jacket. — Rudo Muchoko

As a creative, publisher, and author, Rudo Muchoko has become a passionate supporter of publishing works. She writes, edits, publishes and sells books, magazines, and audiobooks with the aim to lead and mentor authors using the suggestions in her book Awakening the Power of Self Publishing: the ultimate Guide. Based in Birmingham UK, Rudo is also a Guest Blogger for The Book Network and an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine.

https://rm-pa.org/how-to-boost-your-online-presence-as-an-author-in-6-easy-steps/

Instagram: @rwashe_m

All about Books, Guest post, Meet the Author, Writing journey, Writing process

Guest Post: Does It Get Easier The More Books You Write?! by Rachel Brimble

July 24, 2022July 23, 2022 kakenzieblog

I’m excited to hand my blog over to historical fiction author, Rachel Brimble today for her views on whether writing gets easier the more you write. As an unpublished author with one novel written and another in progress, I can’t wait to find out the answer.

Does It Get Easier The More Books You Write?! by Rachel Brimble

I recently attended a local book fair where I was selling my books as well as advertising my First Chapter Critique service (https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/). There was a nice level of interest in my books, with many lovely historical readers complimenting my book covers or asking questions about my Edwardian and Victorian romance series. Yet, the most frequently asked questions asked were 1) “How did you start writing?” and 2) “Does writing get easier the more books you write?”

I love that so many readers dream of becoming writers as I was one of them for so many years and it seems the advent of phones, iPads and Netflix has not lessened peoples’ love of a good novel!

So, let me answer these questions…

I started writing because it was something that I had wanted to do ever since reading Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven series, around the age of eight or nine. On and off through the years, I would write articles or short stories and send them to magazines and online story websites. After some success, I was encouraged enough to write a novel. So, when my youngest daughter started school full-time, I got serious about publication!

After a few rejections from other publishers, the book was accepted by The Wild Rose Press in 2007. I have been lucky enough to have at least two books a year published ever since.

Question number 2…

Unfortunately no, writing does NOT get easier the more books you write – I wish I could say differently, but I would be lying!

Writing is hard work. It is something that takes discipline and commitment. It means walking around with the skin of a rhino and smiling through the disappointments and long, long, LONG waits for publishers and agents to get back to you. It is sitting your butt in the chair in front of a blank screen, finding the words to fill it and then repeating the process 360 plus times until you have a finished novel.

Writing is HARD!

BUT…it is also the most rewarding vocation in the world (notice I say vocation, not job – this has to be the pursuit of your heart’s calling, my loves!) and it is something that gives bucketloads of satisfaction whenever an author receives a book contract, a great review, their box of paperbacks in the mail or, of course, a royalty cheque…

If you are an aspiring writer with a burning desire to write a romance or women’s fiction novel but unsure where to start, then feel free to check out my First Chapter Critique service (https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/) or email me at rachelbrimble@gmail.com with any questions about you might have about the service. I am a multi-published, bestselling romance author on a mission to help other romance writers achieve their publishing dreams! So many other writers helped me when I started out, I love paying it forward.

If, on the other hand, you are a reader rather than a writer, why not check out my latest series? If you like the Edwardian era The Shop Girl series will be for you or, if you’re more of a Victorian lady, check out the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy.

Happy Reading!

The Shop Girl Series

Book 1 – A Shop Girl In Bath

Book 2 – A Shop Girl Gets The Vote

Book 3 – A Shop Girl’s Christmas

Book 4 – A Shop Girl At Sea

Purchase: https://rachelbrimble.com/books/penningtons-department-store/

The Ladies of Carson Street trilogy

Book 1 – A Widow’s Vow

Book 2 – Trouble For The Leading Lady

Book 3 – A Very Modern Marriage

Purchase: https://rachelbrimble.com/books/victorian-sagas/

Author Biography

Photo of author Rachel Brimble. Dark, curly haired woman with glasses, smiling. A bookcase is in the background. — Rachel Brimble

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and releases 17^th October 2022.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.

To sign up for her newsletter (a guaranteed giveaway every month!), click here: https://bit.ly/3zyH7dt

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3AQvK0A

Facebook: https://bit.ly/3i49GZ3

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3lTQZbF

Characters, NanoWriMo, The Enchanted Emporium's Bookshelf, work in progress, Writing journey, Writing process

Hello July and Camp NaNoFinMo

July 1, 2022 kakenzieblog

Long time since we’ve had a catch up and it’s July already. I swear time is speeding up or is this normal once you get over 40? It feels like it should be in the depths of February not in the summer past Solstice.

So what’s been happening? Personally, a lot but writing wise not so much. I’m plodding on with my Silver Swan novel and looking for a home for my witches of Whitby novel, A Blend of Magic.

With the witches of Whitby in mind, they have their own book review blog and Instagram account. Amber and Willow became fed up of my procrastination at telling their stories so they’ve gone rogue. The Enchanted Emporium bookshelf will showcase their favourite books with a fantasy or paranormal leaning, give small insights into their lives and hopefully, share interviews from visiting authors, bloggers or anyone else they fancy talking to who stumble into Black Cat Alley.

Rosa, the only non-supernatural member of staff doesn’t want to be left out and as a fan of romance novels, she will periodically choose a book from her Rosa’s box of Romances to chat about.

All this can be found here –

Blog The Enchanted Emporium’s Bookshelf

Instagram – witch_of_Whitby

To give myself a final kick over the finish line of my second draft of the Silver Swans, I’ve joined Camp NanoWriMo or as the aim is to finish a novel NaNoFinMo. This is much needed as I have agents and publisher waiting for the finished product – maybe this is why procrastination is rife, once it’s out there the fear of rejection is unleashed. The high of wow someone in the industry want to read it crashes into full blown imposter syndrome.

I’ve just read Stop Worrying, Start Writing by Sarah Painter which has helped with facing my writing demons and self-doubt but it still creeps in when faced with an unformed chapter.

NaNoFinMo National Novel Finishing month image. A shark swimming in water — National Novel Finishing Month

Time to stop procrastinating and let the fun commence.

Happy writing

Love

Guest post, Meet the Author, Writing process

Guest Post: Starting My YouTube Channel by Emma Bennet

May 10, 2022May 9, 2022 kakenzieblog

Today, I’m excited and pleased to pass over my blog to author, Emma Bennet to discuss starting her YouTube channel. Over to you, Emma.

Starting My YouTube Channel

Being an author is without a doubt the best job in the whole wide world, but it is a job in an industry which has changed very rapidly in recent years and is showing no signs of stopping – only recently Kindle Vella has emerged as a brand new, and very exciting opportunity for example.

There’s a huge amount of information for writers to keep up to date with nowadays, particularly if you’re an independent or hybrid author, like me.

Over the last few years, I’ve self-published some of my contemporary romance novels while others were taken on by traditional publishers. I’m extremely lucky to be able to do this, and it’s a career which simply wouldn’t have been available to me, or at least as readily available to me, even ten years ago.

Being a hybrid author means that I get all the advantages of having a toe in two parts of the publishing industry, such as the fact that my publisher spends money marketing the books I publish with them, and the higher royalties and control I have over the books I publish myself. However, there are also some disadvantages, and one of those is having to negotiate and understand twice as much as an author who is either traditionally or independently published.

I’ve learnt a huge amount over my years as an author, and am continuing to learn. Sometimes I haven’t found it easy to quickly find the information I need – I don’t want to have to wade through a four thousand word blog full of so many ads it won’t load on my laptop, or watch an hour-long tutorial. Working by yourself can also make you feel like you’re the only person experiencing the things you are, and alone in dealing with the problems and issues a lot of authors face. And so, I decided to start a YouTube channel to help other writers with these difficulties.

My aim is to provide support, advice and encouragement to aspiring as well as veteran writers. I’ll be sharing my own publishing journey as well as plenty of short (and to-the-point) how-to videos, book recommendations (particularly books on the craft of writing), and generally letting you know that I’m just as weird as you and things like weird clauses in a contract you don’t understand, and Amazon messing up formatting your paperback happens to the best of us!

My channel can be found at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKJKt8kmDXrWQAGkTV1VHMQ

I’d absolutely love it if you would subscribe if you find my content interesting!

My books can be found in ebook and paperback formats on Amazon.com:

https://www.amazon.com/Emma-Bennet/e/B00DK8SSE4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1647886138&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Williams/e/B08J3ZMMKY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1647886115&sr=8-1

And Amazon.co.uk if you’re based in the UK:

https://amzn.to/36FTmv2

https://amzn.to/3NaJPN2

www.emma-bennet.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/emmabennetwriter

https://www.instagram.com/romanceemma/

https://twitter.com/romanceemma

https://www.tiktok.com/@emmabennetromance?lang=en

Author biography

Photo of Emma Bennet — Author Emma Bennet

Emma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, 4 children, and many animals a few miles outside of a small Welsh market town. She can often be found in rivers attempting to control two overexcited chocolate labradors.

Seven charming romances are currently available from the Amazon bestselling authoress:

Number 1 Australian kindle bestseller, ‘His Secret Daughter’, is the heart-rending story of Iris, a woman falling in love with the father of her child. The only problem is she never told him they had a daughter.

The beautiful landscape around her home gave Emma the inspiration for ‘The Green Hills of Home’, a tale of love and duty in which country girl Gwen struggles to save her family home and avoid her feelings for her handsome, suave new boss. Is he quite all he seems?

‘Snowed in for her Wedding Day’ is a novella picking up Gwen’s story as her wedding day approaches, but with terrible weather, and an absent groom, will she have the happy ending she so deserves?

‘Just Desserts’ is a novella about confused chef Leah, who’s falling for her handsome French co-worker Jean-Claude, but meant to be marrying to Dan in just a few weeks! Who will she choose?

‘Her Perfect Hero’ was released in July 2015 as ‘I Need a Hero’, it’s a lovely comic romantic read for anyone who’s ever searched for Mr Right (and failed to find him!). Despair of Bronte, a romance writer, incapable of spotting when the perfect man is right next door! Full of horses, country houses and dentists, just beware of the foul-tempered cat Mr Darcy!

‘Starstruck’, proves that falling in love with a rock star is harder than you’d think! When newly divorced Kate finds school friend, now super famous rock star Joseph Wild, on her doorstep, her whole quiet, ordinary life is thrown into disarray. Is the attraction between them enough to make up for all the hurdles they have to cross if they want to be together?

Latest release, ‘Her Sister’s Baby’ is a beautiful and emotional story about grief, the promises we make and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!

Thanks for popping over Emma Bennet. I’ve subscribed to her channel, have you?

Love

All about Books, Book review, Writing journey, Writing process

Book Review: Write It All Down by Cathy Rentzenbrink

January 24, 2022January 23, 2022 kakenzieblog

Welcome to my first book review on the topic of writing this year – Write It All Down How to put your life on the page by Cathy Rentzenbrink. I’ve never considered writing a memoir but the blurb of this book caught my eye and I wanted to know more.

Book Review: Write It All Down by Cathy Rentzenbrink

Book cover for Write it all down How to put your life on the page by Cathy Rentzenbrink — Write it all down How to put your life on the page by Cathy Rentzenbrink

Title: Write it all down How to put your life on the page

Author: Cathy Rentzenbrink

Publisher: bluebird books for life

Genre: Non-fiction, memoir writing

Release Date: 6^th Jan 2022

Blurb

Why do we want to write and what stops us? How does the urge to express ourselves fight with the worry that no-one will care or that we will get in trouble? How do we identify and overcome everything that gets in our way so we can start making work?

Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink shows you how to tackle all this and more in Write It All Down, a guide to putting your life on the page. This is a kind, encouraging and stimulating book that explores the nature of memoir writing and offers helpful guidance on how to write your life on paper. Rentzenbrink will help you to discover the pleasure and solace to be found in writing; the profound satisfaction of wrestling a story onto a page and seeing the events of your life transformed through the experience of writing the self.

Perfect for both seasoned writers as well as writing amateurs and everyone in between, this helpful handbook will steer you through the philosophical and practical challenges of writing the self. Intertwined with reflections, anecdotes and exercises from successful writers such as Dolly Alderton, Matt Haig, Kit de Waal, Sathnam Sanghera and Maggie O’Farrell, Write It All Down is at once an intimate and enjoyable narrative and an invitation to share your story.

Talking points and feature ideas:

• ‘How writing changed my life’ – Cathy’s personal story

• Top 5 tips on how to write your own story

• How to use this book for your own wellbeing

• Writing in a digital world: the importance of storytelling

• New Year’s Resolutions – why you shouldn’t diet, but learn something new instead

• Therapy – both Cathy’s personal experiences, and how to use writing as therapy

My Thoughts

The introduction begins with the words – Dear Writer, I am so pleased to meet you. Welcome. – and that is how I felt the instant I began reading. I felt as if Cathy had welcomed me into her writing world and she was giving me a personal lesson in writing. Write It All Down is a highly accessible read and can be read from the beginning to the end like I did or dipped into.

I’ve read a several how to write books now and attended tutorials and conferences on the subject but this book contained fresh hints and viewpoints on the subject. The idea of writing about my life is slightly horrifying but this book isn’t just about writing to be published it’s about exploring yourself and tapping into your life and being creative.

It covers many aspects that are relevant to all types of writing including tackling first drafts, mindset, edits in all their forms and what happens when the words don’t flow. I came away from reading this uplifted, inspired and less daunted on writing my current project. I also have pages of thoughts on my own life that I know I can explore in the future.

Yes. I’d recommend this not just for those who are considering writing a memoir but for all writers at the beginning of their journey or stuck in a rut. The friendly tone, simple exercises, and explanations provide a safe space to explore ideas, and inspire creativity. It gives a nudge towards facing the fear that can block writing.

Write It All Down is a welcome addition to my forever reference shelf and will reread parts in the future when I need a positive reminder that I can write and the reasons behind my motivation to do so.

Author Biography

Cathy Rentzenbrink is the author of the Sunday Times best-seller The Last Act of Love and of A Manual for Heartache, Dear Reader: The Comfort and Joy of Books and Everyone is Still Alive. It took her twenty years to wrestle her own life story on the page and she loves to use what she has learnt about the profound nature of writing the self in the service of others. Cathy has taught for Arvon, Curtis Brown Creative, at Falmouth University and at festivals and in prisons, and welcomes anyone, no matter what their experience, education, background or story. She believes that everyone’s life would be improved by picking up a pen and is at her happiest when encouraging her students to have the courage to delve into themselves and see the magic that will start to happen on the page.

Website – https://cathyreadsbooks.com/

Instagram – @writeitalldown_

Twitter – @catrentzenbrink

Thank you Random Thing Tours and Bluebird Books for Life for inviting me to this tour and providing an advanced copy for me to review and give my honest and unbiased opinion.

Happy writing!

Love

Book Review: Awakening the Power of Self-Publishing by Rudo Muchoko

Blurb

My Thoughts

Author Biography

Does It Get Easier The More Books You Write?! by Rachel Brimble

Author Biography

Starting My YouTube Channel

Author biography

Book Review: Write It All Down by Cathy Rentzenbrink

Blurb

My Thoughts

Would I recommend?

Author Biography