I am pleased to participate in A.K. Alexander's Daddy's Home Virtual Book Publicity Tour hosted by Pump Up Your Book.
About A.K.:
Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, A.K.!
A.K. has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to her.
To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below.
This giveaway is open to Canada/US only until 12:01 AM EST on May 11, 2012.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I started writing when I was nine-years-old. I used to write short stories on my dad’s notepads. One day he read one and he said to me, “You are a writer.” It stuck. My dad is still my biggest supporter and he is also my mentor in many ways. I went to college at The University of Southern California. My parents though didn’t think that “creative writing” at USC was a major that would likely be lucrative in the long run, so I figured I would be logical and look at writing in the journalistic field. God (the Universe), etc. had a different plan for me. Soon after I graduated from USC I gave birth to my first son. He was six weeks premature and he had some health issues, which caused me to decide that going into a career at that time would not benefit my son. So, I stayed home with him and I wrote my first book. That first book is tucked away in a box somewhere because it’s pretty darn bad, but it gave me the confidence I needed to know that I could start, write, and finish a book. From that point on, it took me twelve years to become a published author and several manuscripts. It has been a wonderful and amazing process, and although many challenges have presented themselves along the way, I have never quit writing. It is my passion!
My other passion is Horses. These amazing animals are very dear to my heart and I have been known to take in “strays.” My daughter and I are very active in the horse world. My daughter is involved in pony club and three day eventing.
My other passion is Horses. These amazing animals are very dear to my heart and I have been known to take in “strays.” My daughter and I are very active in the horse world. My daughter is involved in pony club and three day eventing.
I enjoy work with other writers when I can , especially kids. I designed a program for young writers to help them learn how to write short stories and picture books to writing complete novellas for older kids. I have mentored several students now and it’s a joyful experience to see young writers and their creative minds at work. It is something I am working on expanding with some local teachers in my area.
Family and friends are extremely important to me. I am the proud mother of three amazing kids who have always supported me and are just great, awesome human beings (yes, I know I sound like every mother in the world about their kids, but I really mean it). My husband is my best friend and a very patient man, which is a real positive—he is married to a writer after all. We also have three dogs, a kitty, and eight horses.
When not writing, riding, or being a taxi-cab driver for my youngest, I try to find time to do a little yoga, meditate or cooking. I love cookbooks and cooking!
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Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, A.K.!
A.K. has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to her.
Why a Pen Name?
by A.K. Alexander
I have been asked why I use the pen name as well as my name Michele Scott. I am writing thrillers that are pretty dark and a bit twisted, as well as ramping up the romance in them versus the light romance I write in my mysteries. I am writing these thrillers under the pen name A.K. Alexander. I actually wrote a few of the thrillers years ago and had sent them out prior to having a literary agent. One of the scripts was actually picked out of a slush pile and went rounds at Harper. At the time (9 years ago) I kept thinking "this is it," because the editor even contacted me over the phone! However, after nine months of waiting, I received a letter that stated it wouldn't fit into their line. I was so disappointed that I can remember standing in my kitchen in tears. My middle kid who was nine at the time came in and saw me crying. He asked me why. I told him that I didn't think I could keep on writing. I had finally reached a point where I felt beat. I had been submitting for 12 years at that stage with continual rejection. I had completed 8 manuscripts. I figured that maybe it was time to quit.
However, my son said to me, "Don't you know, Mom, that God wouldn't have made you a writer if he didn't think you could do it." Okay, so how do you quit after that? You don't! I didn't. I went on to write Murder Uncorked and got an agent and within two weeks had a three book deal with Penguin. I wound up selling nine books with them. After six years of writing for them, I ventured off into the world of Indie publishing and have never looked back.
I am writing under a pen name for my thrillers because they are so different from my mysteries. They are a separate “brand.” This way a reader doesn't get confused when they download a Michele Scott book versus an A.K. Alexander book.
I was wondering who else is using pen names out there and if so, what is your reasoning? If you’re not a writer, does it matter to you as long as you know what the book is about, or does it help you to be able to recognize which name delineates the type of book you will be reading? Do you think it's a good idea?
Thank You!
Cheers,
Michele
Thanks so much for joining us today, A.K.!
One lucky winner will win a paperback copy of Daddy's Home.
A killer stalks his prey...
A calculating and deadly killer is in search for what he terms as his perfect family. Preying upon single mothers and their innocent children, the police have dubbed him “The Family Man.”
He watches them…He takes them…
He plays out his role as the perfect father. When things don’t go so perfect in his insane fantasy world, the family man kills.
Holly Jennings is on the case…
Crime Scene Investigator Holly Jennings of the San Diego Police Department is determined to track him down and see that justice is served. With Holly being a single mother herself, this man’s crimes are deeply personal to her, and turn more so when a friend and her daughter become the latest victims of “The Family Man.”
Along with tracking an evil killer, Holly is dealing with her own internal demons. She is raising her daughter Chloe alone after the death of her husband–a death she feels guilty for.
To complicate her life further, Holly is doing her best to avoid possibly falling in love again with charming veterinarian Brendan O’Neil. As Holly delves deeper into solving the murders, she finds herself being sucked into a game of cat and mouse by “The Family Man,” that may lead her down a dark path too horrible to bear. One that may cost her gravely-her family, her new found love, and even her life.
To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below.
This giveaway is open to Canada/US only until 12:01 AM EST on May 11, 2012.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Participants
Monday, March 19
Book reviewed at Celtic Lady’s Reviews
Thursday, March 22
Book reviewed at Mary’s Cup of Tea
Tuesday, March 27
Book reviewed at The Bookish Dame
Monday, April 2
Book Review at Rainy Day Reviews
Tuesday, April 3
Interview & Book Giveaway at Literarily Speaking
Thursday, April 5
Interview at The Book Connection
Book Review at Booksie’s Blog
Friday, April 6
Interview at Pump Up Your Book
Monday, April 9
Interviewed at Book Marketing Buzz
Tuesday, April 10
Guest Blogging at Fantasy Pages
Wednesday, April 11
Interview & Book Giveaway at Cafe of Dreams
Monday, April 16
Interview at Review From Here
Tuesday, April 17
Interview at The Writer’s Life
Wednesday, April 18
Interview at The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer
Thursday, April 19
Book review at Ce-Ce’s Garden of Reviews
Friday, April 20
Interview at Blogcritics
Tuesday, May 1
Guest Blogging & Book Review at Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Friday, May 4
Guest Blogging & Book Giveaway at Darlene’s Book Nook
Monday, May 7
Book Review at I’d Rather Be Reading at the Beach
Tuesday, May 8
Guest Blogging & Book Giveaway at The Book Faery Reviews
Wednesday, May 9
Book Review at From the TBR Pile
Interview at Examiner
Thursday, May 10
Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner
Friday, May 11
Interview at American Chronicle
Book Review at Sweeping Me
Book Review at The Avid Reader
Book Review at Paranormal Romantic Suspense Reviews
Interview at Examiner
* *Book Review at Book Nook Club (RESCHEDULING)
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I never did like the idea of pen names. Im not saying that the writers feel this way but it seems to me like they are hiding behind the name because they are ashamed of what they have written. I mean why else would you not want people to know you wrote it? Shouldnt it be something that your proud of and want to show off. I guess its the same reason why I never leave anonymous comments. Either way thats just the way that I feel about it. I'm not a writer.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think pen names are a great idea. It's a good way for a writer to separate their works and to reinvent themselves. I read an article that said book sellers are more likely to try their luck with a debut author than a published author with poor sales. Stephen King used apen name to see if it was his name that was selling..or his writing. When his pen name got out he sold 100,000more more copies...so it does say something.
ReplyDeleteAs a reader, I am on the fence. If I like the writer enough, I would love to read ALL their works. But if I don't like one work of a writer, I might give up on the rest and try a new name instead.
But ultimately, I usually pick my books according to recommendations.
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
I appreciate knowing what type of story an author has written and different pen names is a good way to alert a reader to that.
ReplyDeleteI don't care if someone uses a pen name or not. As long as I know what author I like and can find their works easily
ReplyDeleteI don't mind pen names. If a story catches my interest I will read it whether I recognize the name or not. Pen names might help readers distinguish (or know what to expect from a book) between a book genre especially if it's really different for let's say, YA versus adult.
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