My Personal Path To Publication - Patricia Kiyono

Today on the blog, I get to introduce a new friend.  Patricia is a new author/friend recently discovered to us at Astraea Press.  Her first book released is The Legacy, something completely different for our current list.  Astraea has done historical romance before, but never Japanese history!  With Patricia's unique perspective, the book promises to be that exciting blend of fact and fiction historical drama and romance should always be.  A life-long writer and member of Romance Writers of America, I look forward to getting to know Patricia much better and the many manuscripts I'm sure are bubbling just under her creative surface.  Some of us submitting have it easy, some hard, Patricia seems to have had it charmed! Check out her journey to publication below and be amazed!  Note, that she is a great example of the power of writing and critique groups!

1. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I learned how to put words on paper. I've always loved to create worlds where people had problems but overcame them in the end. I started writing romance about ten years ago, when I found out about Romance Writers of America. Since then I've joined two writing groups and am part of a critique group.


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

My novella, The Legacy, was published by Astraea Press this past July. I'm so happy to be affiliated with this company, and have plans to submit more manuscripts to them soon.

(Note: I just submitted a second manuscript to Astraea Press and am waiting to hear if they will accept it.)


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 chose to go directly to the publisher.


4. Why did you choose that particular route?

I wanted to go through a publisher because I wanted the support of additional editing, marketing, and a good cover artist. I submitted to Astraea Press for two reasons: their policy of clean romance fits best with what I like to write, and the company had put out a call for a line of stories for which all proceeds would go to charity benefiting Japan after the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster. Since I'm Japanese-American, this really appealed to me.

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

I started writing my first full length novel about six years ago. I'm almost finished with it! My novella, The Legacy, features the great-great-great grandson of the main character in that novel, and I wrote it in six weeks.


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

I was amazed at the speed at which things happened. I submitted my story on May 31, and six days later I received an e-mail notifying me that it was accepted. The novella became available on July 28.


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


None. Astraea Press was the only publisher I sent it to.

8. Tell us about worst rejection letter.

I haven't had any terrible rejection letters. Usually I would get a note with "I'm sorry, we don't feel your story is a good fit for us." But the worst comment on a writing contest was probably one in which the judge simply said, "I can't get into this story." There was no explanation of what was wrong with it, but I guess she just didn't like it.


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


My son-in-law wrote on my facebook wall that he had just read The Legacy. And then he just said "Good stuff." Those two words were such a great affirmation of my writing.

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


I'm not sure I've gotten bad advice. The writers I associate with are a great bunch and very supportive.

11. Now, tell us the best!


Get your thoughts down first, and then worry about editing. So many times I'm searching for the right word or the perfect phrasing, but when I "turn off my internal editor" and just write, I get so much more accomplished. I can always edit later.

12. Where can we read your blog?

Since I love so many creative arts (sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and painting as well as writing) my blog is called Creative Hodgepodge and it can be found at www.creative-hodgepodge.blogspot.com

13. Buy your books?

The Legacy is available at Astraea Press (www.astraeapress.com) as well as at Amazon, the Barnes and Noble's website (barnesandnoble.com), and Bookstrand.

14. Connect with you on facebook?

My facebook author page is at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-  Kiyono/149294485148710

15. On Twitter? I haven't tried this yet.

16. Your website?

 www.patriciakiyono.com

Blurb for The Legacy:

When Andy Tanaka finds an old wooden chest in a storage shed on his family’s flower farm, he can’t wait to share his discovery with his best friend, Leigh Becker.

Inside the dusty lacquered chest are a pair of swords, some Japanese clothing, and a mysterious scroll, which could provide links to his samurai ancestor. They find someone to translate the scroll and then research the significance of the other items, intent on ensuring the legacy isn’t forgotten.

In the process, they learn not only about samurai history, but also some surprising truths about themselves.

I asked Patricia to give me a little personal information about herself also and this is what she told me:  My grandfather came to America from Japan in 1915. My grandmother came a few years later. So my dad and his brother were full-blooded Japanese. Fortunately, the family avoided being "relocated" in the infamous internment camps during World War II, because they were the only Japanese family in Michigan. My mother is from Japan, so I have close ties to that country.

And I have more good news to share.....Patricia has another novella coming out!  Her Greek Island story, titled Aegean Intrigue, will be published by Astraea Press! More details coming soon! 

It's clear to me, Patricia is the one to watch!  Keep your eye on her and you won't be disappointed.  :D