By the time you read this, my sophomore novel, Can't Help Falling, will
have just been released. Coming just under six months from the release of my
debut novel, Close To
You, has made for a busy year!
Before I was published I remember hearing a few times that your second novel is
scarier than your debut. As I prepared for the release of my first book, I
couldn’t understand how that was possible. Your debut is the first of
everything! First time working with a publishing house, first time navigating
cover and title selection, first one-star reviews, first readers letting you
know what they didn’t like about your book or what you got wrong.
You’re (Usually) Writing Under Contract For the First Time
When I wrote Close To You it was the crazy story that I genuinely
believed no publisher would be interested in. Who would want a romantic comedy
set in New Zealand about a Lord of the Rings tour of all things? I had no
expectations and no deadlines beyond the (moveable) ones that I set for myself.
If life got in the way of writing it wasn’t a big deal.
When I signed my publishing contract for two books all I knew about the second
book was contained in one sentence. It was to be set in Oxford and have a C.S.
Lewis theme. I had eight months to take that and turn it into a 90,000 word
manuscript.
This time the day job being crazy, children being sick, the muse not showing up
or you feeling more like spending your evenings watching reality TV over
wrestling with obstinate characters were irrelevant. There was a deadline set in
a contract with an advance that would have to be paid back if I didn’t deliver.
At the back of my mind was the insistent voice asking over and over What if
I can’t do this? What if the best that I’ve got in me is that first book? What
if I’m about to fail my editor, my agent, myself, and all the people who have
believed in my author dream?
Expectations
Your debut novel is a crazy exciting terrifying time. Your first book baby is
being released into the world and you have no control over how readers are going
to react to it. However, readers also don't have any expectations based on
previous reading experience as to what they expect from a "X Author" novel. You
have a blank slate as an author. This changes with the sophomore novel. People
have thoughts, opinions and hopes as to the kind of story you might be deliver.
Now you feel the weight of hoping, praying, that your new story will not be a
disappointment to those who enjoyed your first.
You Know How Really Hard It Is To Get Readers To Take A Chance on a New
Author
With your debut novel you knew this in theory. As a reader you knew how hard it
was to convince you to spend your hard earned money on an unknown author when
your budget didn't even reach to all those authors you already know and love.
But you naively hope that between sheer force of will, your great hook, and
feeling like you're wallpapering the internet with all your guest
posts/interviews/articles that readers will flock to your story.
With the sophomore novel, you've learned in the trenches that you are the rule,
not the exception. You've eyeballed sales figures that have you wondering if the
system lost a digit somewhere. You've let out many a silent virtual scream at
people assuring you that they can't wait to read your book, they're just waiting
for the e-version to be made free. You've seen much coveted positive reviews in
sought after publications give your sales figures a low double digit bump that
week. You've learnt from experience that this author thing really is a long game.
But, in all of that, you also know the joy of having readers who love your
writing. A tribe of people cheering you on for no other reason than they love
your imaginary friends. Readers who become friends and tell you you can do
this. And that makes facing down the fear worth it over and over again.
A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a
mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque
Oxford, England.
Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous.
But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy
Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for
the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic
results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends
for the damage she has caused.
Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best
rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s
determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent
disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one
person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.
When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the
attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of
Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together
when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets,
an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with curious a wardrobe bring the
world of Narnia to life in Kara Isaac’s inspiring and romantic story about
second chances.
Inspirational Romance
| Inspirational
[Howard Books, On Sale: October 11, 2016, Trade
Size / e-Book, ISBN: 9781501117343 / eISBN: 9781501117350]
Kara Isaac lives in Wellington, New Zealand. Her debut romantic comedy, Close To You, is
about a disillusioned academic-turned-tour-guide and an entrepreneur who knows
nothing about Tolkien who fall in love on a Tolkien themed tour of New Zealand.
Her sophomore novel, Can't Help
Falling, is about about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a
mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque
Oxford, England and was recently named an RT Top Pick for October 2016.
When she's not working her day job as a public servant, chasing around a ninja
preschooler and his feisty toddler sister, she spends her time writing horribly
bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She
loves to connect on Facebook and Twitter.
Giveaway
Kara is giving away a copy of CLOSE TO YOU and CANT HELP FALLING and a
mini-journal
The pressure to complete the second novel must have been nerve wracking. The main thing is you did it and it sounds interesting.
(Anna Speed 12:49pm October 19, 2016)
Congrats on the new release! It sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing.
(Bonnie H 10:40am October 25, 2016)
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