My Personal Path to Publication - Kathy Bennett

The fierce and fabulous Kathy Bennett joins us today on the blog.  A former Los Angeles Police Department officer, she now writes great cop drama with "killer" action.....get it?  Her book, A Dozen Deadly Roses, is available now and her book cover and blurb will be featured at the end of her Q & A.  Now, may I introduce...Kathy Bennett!

1.   How long have you been writing?

I’ve ‘seriously’ been writing novels for about thirteen years.  Prior to my retirement, my work- schedule as a Los Angeles Police Officer made my writing process sporadic.

2.   Are you published and if so, how long have you been a published author?  If not, what’s your plan?

(See below)

3.   Which route did you choose for becoming published, the traditional route, with an agent, the “indie” route, going directly to the publishers yourself, or deciding to self-publish?

I self-published my book, A Dozen Deadly Roses in June of this year (2011)…so I’ve been published for three months!

4.   Why did you choose that particular route?

My intention had always been to go the traditional publishing route.  But, for most publishers you couldn’t submit unless you had an agent.  It seemed harder to get catch an agent’s interest than a publisher.

Just about the time I was getting some serious interest from some agents, I started hearing about self-publishing.  The more I heard, the more I liked.

5.   How long did it take you to write your first novel?

My first novel took about five years to write.  It has NOT been published.

A Dozen Deadly Roses took me about a year and a half to write…the first draft.  Revising and polishing took several more years.  I found a fantastic critique group and they’ve really helped me make my work the best it can be.

6.   How long did it take you to publish it?

Once I’d committed to self-publishing – about four months.  That time was spent on having it professionally edited, having a professional book cover made, and formatting the manuscript.

7.   How many times did it get rejected before it got published?

Gosh, I know there are people who keep track of such things, but I’m not one of them!  Probably about 30-40 times.  That’s both agents and editors.

8.   Tell us about worst rejection letter.

It was a form rejection.  That part wasn’t bad, but the fact they’d had my manuscript for eighteen months was.  That particular publishing house would “frown upon you and your work” you if you submitted to someone else while they had your work.  All that time…lost! 

9.   What was the best news you ever got in your writing life and how did it make you feel?

It was my very first ‘stranger’ fan letter.  They said they loved my book and couldn’t wait until my next one came out.

Those comments made me feel validated and like I was connecting with the readers.

10.                What’s the worst piece of advice you ever got?

Don’t become a cop!  Just kidding…I’m sure you’re talking about writing advice.  By the way, I loved being a cop.

The worse piece of writing advice I ever got was to not self-publish.

11.                Now, tell us the best!

The best advice came from my husband:  “If you feel that publishing your book yourself is the way to go, then do it!  You’ve got my support!”

12.                What’s the one thing you would want an aspiring writer to take away from your personal path to publication?

There is no right or wrong way to publish your book.  Everyone’s path is different.  Follow your gut…or your heart – whichever speaks louder to you.  (For me, it’s my gut.)

13.                Where can we read your blog?  Buy your books?  Connect with you on facebook?  On Twitter?  Your website?

Thank you for asking.

You can find my blog at http://www.KathyBennett.com/blog  I post once a week – usually late on Sunday nights.

Get my book at:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/A-Dozen-Deadly-Roses-ebook/dp/B0054EU1KQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314546610&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/a-dozen-deadly-roses

          Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/64237

             My last thought…

          I don’t write for myself.  I write for the readers.  I want my readers to

          ‘experience’ the lives my characters live. 

          I love to ‘chat’ with my readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact me

          at KathywritesLAPD@sbcglobal.net

        

Los Angeles Police Officer Jade Donovan is being hunted.  There’s the lieutenant who’s out to get her, the psycho who’s stalking her and leaving dead roses at her door, but most frightening of all, she’s been assigned to partner with her son’s father, Mac Stryker  Mac doesn’t know he’s Donnie’s dad, and Jade will stop at nothing to prevent him from finding out and possibly taking away her son.  She will protect and defend him at all costs.

Mac Stryker is a cop with something to prove.  Five years ago, he’d been forced to resign the police department in disgrace when he was too drunk to take action during a shooting.  Now, Mac is sober, back on the force and back working with Jade Donovan, the rookie who’d saved his life.  Worse, he finds himself attracted to Jade and her precocious son, Donnie.  But Mac is through with love.  The violent death of his wife and daughter turned him into an alcoholic, and he won’t put his job or his heart at risk again.  He will protect and defend them both at all costs.

But when the deadline looms on Jade’s dozen deadly roses stalker, will the two partners manage to put aside their differences in order to save their son?

 Hope you enjoyed meeting Kathy as much as I enjoy having her as a friend.  Like she stated, she would love to meet you, too.  But get ready, she is one arresting woman!