Blog Archives

Writing a Picture Book Is Fun

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — No Comments ↓

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Playing with Word and Pictures

Okay. The whole Boston thing has me bummed. I’m turning off the news and turning to something fun: writing Caleb’s book.

I’ve been struggling with the way to start. Going from a novel that allows you 250 words to a page (and lots of pages) to a baby book, where I must rely on pictures and very few words to carry the story is a challenge. But I’m enjoying it.

I took a lot of pictures when I visited his mom pre-Caleb’s arrival, and I’m playing with Photoshop to make them work in the story.

Yesterday, in the car, I came up with the first few lines (probably the first few pages, considering this is a baby book and pictures matter most):

Caleb came home with his mommy and daddy on a windy day in March.

Caleb slept a lot at first, because he was born early. Sleepy Caleb.

One day, Caleb stopped sleeping and started looking around.

The first thing he saw was Maya. Hi Maya!

Okay, that’s it so far. Granddad says that the first thing Caleb should see is his parents. I, personally, think a dog is more interesting to an infant that his parents.… Read the rest

Posted in Uncategorized

Making an Audiobook: Interview with Audiobook Narrator Leah Frederick

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 4 Comments ↓

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Please welcome Leah Frederick to the blog today. Leah is the narrator for my first released audiobook The Unintended Bride. [I know, I know, why am I doing them out of order -- it wasn't on purpose, it is just the way things happen.] Amazon and Audible have teamed up to let authors and narrators work together to make audiobooks through the ACX program. This means the author and narrator are the two people who do all of the work. I provided the manuscript, the narrator provided the audio talent and expertise. So far, I’ve listened to three of my books several times to ensure high quality audiobooks. Two more are in the pipeline, and two more will be finding narrators soon. This made me naturally curious to know how it worked from the narrator’s end. I asked Leah a few questions and got some very interesting answers.… Read the rest

Tagged with: acx, audiobooks, narrating an audiobook, news, the unintended bride
Posted in About a Book, My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed, Pardon My Gossip

Just Call Me Granny

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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A New Granny Needs Title Help Fast!

Caleb Jeremiah arrived just after midnight. 4 lbs and 11 oz. Mom and Dad are happy, but exhausted.

The rest of us are still wrapping our minds around the fact that he’s here and we weren’t expecting him until April 29th. Good thing his parents have the nursery all stocked and ready.

I have decided I like the retro title Granny. We’ll see if Caleb agrees.

However, this puts the book I wanted to write for him on priority one (i.e., I have to do more than take photos and think random thoughts).

When I was out in California, I bought him some little finger puppets (okay, more for me than him for quite a few years), and small stuffed horsie. I took pictures and I’m going to use them as a springboard for characters in the book.

…and that’s as far as I’ve gotten.

To be fair, I thought I had at least two more months (reading to a 2-week old is not all that exciting).

There’s a poll on the sidebar about the title. I’m going with easy and simple. We’ll save the complicated stuff for when he’s ten.… Read the rest

Tagged with: baby books, grandchildren, granny, news, writing
Posted in Pardon My Gossip

Audiobooks — The New Frontier for Indie Authors?

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 4 Comments ↓

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Is Listening Really Reading?

I have a confession to make: I have become an audiobook junkie.

Back in the day, when an audiobook cost $80 dollars and came with a tray of cassette tapes 20 strong, I had to be highly motivated to check one out of the library. Even when my family purchased the last Harry Potter on CD for a long car trip, it was not a lightly made purchase.

But then along came .mp3, digital media, and now I love listening to books when I’m in the car, out walking, or running on the track at the Y.

In the car, I listen to Book Radio on Satellite radio when I can (bits and pieces, but I love it anyway). On our summer trip across the country, my husband and I must have listened to ten books in various genres. Some good, some not so good. All better than most of the choices on FM radio.

I hadn’t considered turning my books into audiobooks, though. It seemed like too much work. Until Audible (an Amazon company) performed its magic and created ACX — a platform that allows authors and narrators to team up to produce and sell audiobooks.… Read the rest

Tagged with: acx, audible, audiobooks, digital evolution, news, writing
Posted in Crazy or Genius?, My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

A DIY Retreat With Style and Economy

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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When Is It Time for a Retreat?

The Northeastern winters get tough on me. I’m not fond of trudging through snow. I start to feel housebound. I have tried many things to keep myself in a healthy and creative mindset: going to the Y, curling up with a great book by the wood stove, trying delicious sounding soup and stew recipes.

But sometimes nothing works and I find myself sitting under a blanket wishing I were in Hawaii (I’ve never been, but in my mind, that’s the place where creativity reigns unfettered).

I begin to search online for writer’s retreats, or spas where I might spend two weeks having someone else make my meals, wandering around warm snow-free walking paths, joining a yoga class every morning…and, most of all, having hours of solitary focus on my writing. It always sounds like heaven…expensive heaven.

Running Away on the Cheap

This year, I knew I needed to find a way to get away. I trolled my usual suspects, but there was no way I could afford them. Then I got an email from Virgin America about a sale. I could nab an inexpensive ticket to San Francisco. My daughter, my sister, and my cousin live in San Francisco.… Read the rest

Tagged with: DIY writer retreat, news, rules for writer's retreats, running away from home
Posted in My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

The New Shop and Let Die Cover: Is it too bloody, or just right?

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 5 Comments ↓

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Here it is. I appreciate all the feedback from everyone.

It never fails to amaze me how differently we all react to covers.

I went with my heart (after a somewhat generous addition of blood to give it that mystery edge). It perfectly captures several elements of the book (Molly’s mystery shopping, and the serial killer who is targeting shoppers).

I really love it.… Read the rest

Tagged with: book cover art, mystery shopping, news, shop and let die
Posted in About a Book, Pardon My Gossip

My ‘The Authors Corner’ Interview Link!

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 1 Comment ↓

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I was scheduled to talk to Elaine Raco Chase on her blogtalk radio program, The Authors Corner, on Thursday night, but Elaine had an emergency and had to cancel (everything is fine now). We rescheduled for Saturday and had a blast talking about mystery shopping — something it turns out we both have experience with. Although I think Elaine could have been a better candidate to turn into my mystery shopping sleuth Molly because Elaine had some real adventures in her shopping experiences. (You’ll have to listen to the show to hear what I mean.)

You can find the show to listen to here: The Authors Corner 2/10/13 and you’ll find me on at 9:30 — but why not listen to the whole show, because Elaine is very good at prying secrets out of authors.… Read the rest

Tagged with: blogtalk radio, elaine raco chase, mystery shopping, news, the authors corner
Posted in My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

New Book, New Cover Decision

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — 6 Comments ↓

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Judge Not, Lest Your Cover Be Judged

I’m getting a little closer to turning Shop and Let Die into a real novel. I just made a revision to the first chapter that I think finally gets that chapter into shape (thanks to Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story). I’m hoping to get the full draft to my critique group next week.

This weekend, I was discussing the mockup cover designs my designer sent me. There will be some tweaks, but just to give you an idea of how things start, these are the three designs on the discussion block:

… Read the rest

Tagged with: artist, cover design, cozy mystery, momlit, news, serial killer
Posted in Crazy or Genius?, My, How This Business Has Changed, My, How This Business Has Not Changed

Next Big Thing Blog Hop: Shop and Let Die

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Kelly McClymer — No Comments ↓

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THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

Welcome to the NEXT BIG THING Blog Hop.

What is a blog hop? Basically, it’s a way for readers to discover authors new to them. I hope you’ll find new-to-you authors whose works you enjoy. On this stop on the blog hop, you’ll find a bit of information on me and one of my books and links to five other authors you can explore!

My gratitude to fellow author Kimberly Llewellyn for inviting me to participate in this event. You can click the following links to learn more about Kimberly and her book.

Website: http://kimberlyllewellyn.blogspot.com/

Buy her books: http://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Llewellyn/e/B001H6QYJC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2?qid=1357067872&sr=8-2

In this blog hop, my fellow authors and I, in our respective blogs, have answered ten questions about our book or work-in-progress (giving you a sneak peek). We’ve also included some behind-the-scenes information about how and why we write what we write–the characters, inspirations, plotting and other choices we make. I hope you enjoy it!

Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions. Here is my Next Big Thing!

What is the working title of your book?

Shop and Let Die. Because my protagonist is a mystery shopping mom influenced by Harriet the Spy and James Bond movies, I’m planning all the series titles to be an homage to Bond, with a shopping twist.

… Read the rest

Tagged with: mystery shopping, next best thing blog hop, secret shopper mystery, shop and let die, writing
Posted in About a Book, Pardon My Gossip

Blog Archives

Playing with Word and Pictures

A New Granny Needs Title Help Fast!

Is Listening Really Reading?

When Is It Time for a Retreat?

Running Away on the Cheap

Judge Not, Lest Your Cover Be Judged

THE NEXT BIG THING BLOG HOP

A Christmas Feast for the Squirrels and Birds