Fresh Fiction Blog | J. Kenner | The Inside and Outside of Being a Writer. Or, Why I Love Meeting Readers!

Writing is a lonely (and, dare I say it, insecure) business. Sure, there's the validation of that first sale and then of sales that follow. There's that little thrill that comes when your parents say, "My daughter is an author," or the validation that comes with reading your own words – finally there on the page after slaving over the how and why of what you want to say – and sitting back with a sigh and a feeling of "Yes! That's the emotion I was going for."

But despite that "yes!" there's always that little niggle of ... "what if I'm the only one who likes these characters, setting, story, plot, emotions, history, prose, etc. etc. insert-favorite-insecurity here." And that's where readers come in!

As I write this blog post, I'm at the 2013 Romance Writers of America conference. Last night was a massive (and I do mean massive, with over 400 authors!) booksigning that was open to the public in addition to the conference attendees. The signing is always fun, albeit exhausting, and last night was no exception. And it's not because I always get to sit next to authors who are fun an interesting or because I get to wander the room before the signing officially starts and scope out books that I want to read. All those things are great, of course, but what makes the signing so special is the readers.

Because it's the readers who come by and say how much they love a book—how much reading about Nikki and Damien in the first two books of the Stark Trilogy both entertained and affected them. How much they got sucked in. How excited they are for book three. How they drove three hours in the rain (wow!) to come to the signing to meet me and other authors there last night.

That—and similar emails and website comments and tweets and Facebook posts—are like water for an author lost in a desert, that desert being the lonely parameters of our office (or perhaps our little corner of Starbucks). It's nutrition and energy; it keeps us going and adds fuel to the writing fire.

The "inside" part of writing is what happens in an author's head--it's that "writing cave" you hear so much about. But the "outside" part is feedback from readers. Like the hard cookie outside and the gooey middle of an Oreo, the two go together. You can have the hard cookie without the gooey middle ... but it's so much more fun with the cream!

XXOO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) has published over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. You can find out more about her at her website,, or connect with her through social media on Twitter or Facebook as Julie Kenner or as J. Kenner.

And if you want more official bio-y stuff, read on!

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a "flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations," J.K. is also a two-time RITA finalist, the winner of Romantic Times‘ Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Contemporary Paranormal of 2001, the winner of the Reviewers International Organization's award for best romantic suspense of 2004 and best paranormal of 2005, and the winner of the National Readers' Choice Award for best mainstream book of 2005. She writes a range of stories including sexy and quirky romances, young adult novels, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, CARPE DEMON: ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. Her popular dark paranormal Shadow Keepers series originally issued as author J.K. Beck has been reissued as J. Kenner titles.

The first book in her current Stark Trilogy, RELEASE ME, was a multi-week New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Book two, CLAIM ME, debuted at number two on the New York Times list and remained on that list and the USA Today list for multiple weeks. Book three, COMPLETE ME, will be on sale July 30. The series has sold to over a dozen countries.

Julie lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.

Release Me
#1
BN.com
Kindle
iTunes
Kobo

Claim Me
#2
BN.com
Kindle
iTunes
Kobo

Complete Me
#3
BN.com
Kindle
iTunes
Kobo

One Commenter will win a copy of COMPLETE ME, US addresses only

Comments

The book is not yet available here in Philippines! I really
wish I could win this! I want to read it please! ♥
(Irna Javines 1:59am July 8, 2013)

Sounds like a great book. Hope i win a copy!
(Sarah Bauman 12:02pm July 23, 2013)

sounds like a great book, i want to read this one! thanks
(Debbi Shaw 12:06pm July 23, 2013)

i would love to win a copy of your book so excited to read it
(Denise Smith 12:27pm July 23, 2013)

Love the covers. I would love to win her book.
(Sue Brandes 6:48am July 23, 2013)

I haven't read the series, but have heard about it. I would love to read it!!!
(Peggy Roberson 7:01am July 23, 2013)

Wonderful book and series. Best wishes and much continued
success.
(Sharon Berger 9:35am July 23, 2013)

Looking forward to reading the series. Thanks.
(Pam Howell 10:21am July 23, 2013)

I would love to read this book! Congratulations and thanks for the
giveaway!!!
(Linda Brennan 10:45am July 23, 2013)

I already have the first 2 books ordered so winning COMPLETE ME would be awesome. A house in Ireland...I'm jealous.
(QuenKne M 10:48am July 23, 2013)

Oops!! Sorry - my email got jumbled & I thought YOU just purchased a house in Ireland!! lol
(QuenKne M 10:53am July 23, 2013)

I had read the excerpts of all three. And they were H. O. T. And S. E. X. Y.
Loved the excerpts. Wouldn't mind any one of the books. Thanks.
(Kantu Malhotra 11:57am July 23, 2013)

I just found another series to add to my reading list. I'll have to wait awhile and request it through my library. They might have to add it to the collection. It sounds like I better start at beginning so I know where this story is coming from.
(Laura Gullickson 12:57pm July 23, 2013)

Hmmm. I never thought of how lonely authors can be....I always
thought the characters in their head kept them busy. Although
when I look at the way you put...I guess I have to stalk some
of my authors I like...I DON'T want any authors to feel lonely
:)
(Billie Gaskill 3:29pm July 23, 2013)

I like the Oreo analogy! Thanks for the chance.
(Sue Galuska 4:36pm July 23, 2013)

Your books all sound good and I will be sure to put your books on my TBR list. This series I want to get started on first and some of your others. Congrats on them being on the bestsellers lists and your many other awards. Don't feel lonely, as it sounds like you've got numerous readers, because you're a great author!!!
(Linda Luinstra 5:33pm July 23, 2013)

Congrats on your new book: COMPLETE ME. I would love to
become a famous lonely Author like You in the future. Your
book sounds fascinating and I would love to win it and read
it this summer. Thank You. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 5:55pm July 23, 2013)

I LOVE this series! I cannot wait for Complete Me! Would love
to win a copy! :)
(Reagan McGee 7:54pm July 23, 2013)

I love this series and can't wait for Complete Me's release
(Kelly Mann 8:03pm July 23, 2013)

Someday I'll make it to the RWA conference and I'll be one of
the readers gushing over you and your books! I might scream
and act a little crazy cuz meeting one's favorite authors IS
like meeting a movie star! :)
(Barrie MacLauchlin 8:48pm July 23, 2013)

I have been searching for a series that kept me as intrigued as Fifty Shades. J. Kenner has got a winner with Damien and Nikki. I read the first two books in just 4 days and cannot wait for the third. I know I'm going to be so sad for the ending Complete Me. I guess I'll just have to start over and read them all again. Anxiously awaiting July 30!!
(Christy Medlin 8:49pm July 23, 2013)

Just brought Release Me and Claim Me from the UK, would love to complete the series with Complete Me..
(Karen Daley 10:41pm July 23, 2013)

The Stark Trilogy sounds so interesting. I'm going to have to read this trilogy. Thanks for the interview and book description.
(Kai Wong 12:48pm July 24, 2013)

Congratulations on the release of Complete Me. It is a great series with such an intense hero.
(Maureen Emmons 6:15am July 24, 2013)

I guess writing could be lonely---I'm an accountant and that profession can get lonely, too.
(Sue Farrell 4:11pm July 24, 2013)

Thanks for writing books I want to read. It's kindof like
breathing to hear how you write with intuition and sass.
(Alyson Widen 8:53pm July 25, 2013)

Would love to win this, thank you so much for the chance !!
(Susan King 9:07pm July 26, 2013)

Loved the first two books in this series and looking forward to reading Complete Me!
(Bonnie H 10:17pm July 26, 2013)

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J. Kenner | The Inside and Outside of Being a Writer. Or, Why I Love Meeting Readers!

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