Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My first 23 books were traditionally published through Harlequin and Dell. Even though they were category romance, they pushed the boundaries and dealt with original topics. I wanted to write something totally different, so I switched to mainstream suspense with my Denver After Dark series. It’s edgier and more graphic and much more fun to write. The first book After Midnight won the Best Indie Suspense Novel of 2013 and was named a Readers’ Favorite. The second book Cries in the Night was just released and has received great reviews. These books are all written under my name.
Under the pen name of Bob Kat, my husband and I also write a young adult time travel suspense series called CUL8R (See You Later). The first book OMG (Oh My God) was named Best Indie Young Adult Novel of 2013. The second book BRB (Be Right Back) just won the top prize as a Readers’ Favorite of 2013. The third book BION (Believe It Or Not) was just released. We’re having a great time researching and writing this series and are currently working on RIP about the ghosts in the Stanley Hotel in 1911.
Also under my name is a New Adult series called Scandals: Baby Daddy is about five 20 somethings who find out they have a shared relative who has died and left them a legacy. The question is, do they want to give up the lives they have for this new and shocking family.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Cries in the Night is the 2nd book of the Denver After Dark series that is centered around 3 brothers, one a cop, one a firefighter and one a paramedic. Cries in the Night is about the firefighter who works hard and plays harder. He becomes involved with a Victim’s Advocate who works for the Denver Police Dept. Someone is out to kill her, and his protective instincts kick in. But the secrets from her past could be even more dangerous.
My father was a firefighter, and he loved his job more than anyone else I’ve ever known. I’m impressed by the commitment and fearlessness with which they approach even the worst fires. I was a Victim’s Advocate in Colorado and dealt with all the types of issues my heroine does in the book. It was a subject I’d never seen in a book and felt it not only put her in the center of the action, but also as a target for a psycho.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not a morning person. I can’t put together a coherent sentence before noon, so I do all my writing at night. My creative juices don’t start flowing until around seven or eight at night. I work until one or two in the morning or until the voices in my head stop. Another odd thing is that I have to have the TV on. There’s something about the noise and the dialogue distract my logical (left) brain so my creative (right) brain can work. I heard Mozart’s wife would read aloud to him while he was creating his music for the same reason. It may not work for everyone, but it works for me (and Mozart!)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My love of reading started with Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley who wove wonderful stories about horses. I graduated to Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart who created classic books. During my years as a romance writer, I admired Janet Dailey and Sandra Canfield for their compelling characters. Currently, I love the edgier suspense novels by Karen Robards and Linda Castillo, and of course Sandra Brown. The uniqueness of all of these authors have combined to create my own eclectic style. I believe the most important part of any book or film is the characters. If you don’t care about them, nothing else matters.
What are you working on now?
I really excited about our New Adult series Scandals. The first book Baby Daddy will be released in November, 2013. The story centers around five 20 somethings who have grown up in different states and under different circumstances discover they have a shared relative who death may change their lives forever. But first they must solve what they believe is his murder. Each of the five adults will have their own book, but the first one, Baby Daddy is about Killeen whose athletic scholarship is threatened when she finds out she’s pregnant. Her ex-boyfriend had jetted off to Europe and she’s got less than three weeks to find a new place to live and a job. When she is presented with four new brothers and sisters, they must all learn to deal with each other and their unconventional connection. They each view this change in their lives through different filters and the path to acceptance isn’t always the clear one.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Promoting an e-book is so much more work than having your publisher do it for you. You are suddenly a new item on a shelf that already has millions of items, and the trick is how to jump out and be noticed. Social media is important, as well as being active on readers’ and writers’ boards and blogs. I’ve entered several contests (all of which my books have either won or placed in the finals) and I’m lucky to have already gathered some loyal readers from my traditionally published books. There doesn’t seem to be an easy answer as to why some books break out from the pack and do huge sales, while other, equally good or better ones remain unheralded.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and be patient. Writing is hard work. One of my favorite sayings is, “A goal is a dream with a deadline”. Always have a dream, but make sure you have a goal.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be open to criticism. If one of your beta readers tells you they have a problem with something in your book, then consider changing it. Remember, you won’t be there to explain troublesome passages to every reader who buys your book. Don’t throw the reader out of the story on unnecessary or awkward details.
What are you reading now?
I just finished the new Carl Hiaasen and Janet Evanovich books and I’m currently reading a new writer’s book as a beta reader. After that it’s an Amanda Hocking book that I’ve had on my Kindle for a few months. I’m looking forward to Linda Castillo’s new book that will be out soon.
What’s next for you as a writer?
RIP (Rest in Peace) is our next project, and we’re having fun researching the Stanley Hotel and its ghosts in 1911. It’s a beautiful hotel that I’ve visited several times. I was lucky enough to go on a ghost hunt with the real Ghosthunters Jason and Grant several years ago where we explored the underground tunnels in total darkness. If that doesn’t make your skin prickle, nothing will.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Wow, I’ve read so many books that I couldn’t name just one. I remember reading Larry McMurtry’s Moving On many years ago. It is the only book that when I got to the last page, I went back to the beginning and read it all the way through again. I love the Twilight series and anything by Amanda Hocking because those two authors are so great at characterization. And of course, there’s Gone With the Wind that is an amazing book.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kathy Clark Website
Kathy Clark Amazon Profile
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