Meet the Author: K. Rowe

K. Rowe is a prolific multi-genre author who has been writing for more than twenty years. Blending fact and fiction in her writing, she spends hours researching technology and locations for her work.

Kathy draws from over twenty years of active military service, stationed at various bases around the U.S.A. and in Europe. She retired as a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

Kathy now lives in eastern Kentucky with her husband, two dogs, two cats, and three horses on a 100 acre farm. She loves interacting with her fans, and appreciates reviews and feedback.

“I can’t seem to stop writing. I hardly get one project finished and I’m on to another one or two. My best friend is amazed how I can keep everything straight in my head,” she says.

The area of her writing Kathy says she’d most like to improve is in developing her characters. ” I’d like to work on making my characters deeper and more meaningful to readers. Although I’ve gotten lots of reviews that say my books should be movies.” Well, that’s not too shabby.

Marketing is the part of being an indie author she finds most challenging. “I was a Girl Scout for something like 15 years, and yes, I sold a crap-load of cookies. But selling books—your books is a whole different ballgame. Having to learn about Facebook, Twitter, and all the other places to market can make your head spin. And finding just the right tactics can drive you mad. I thank my many author peers who have been kind enough to pass on some of their secrets of success. I’ve taken bits and pieces of what they’ve said and created a ‘shotgun’ approach to marketing. The bottom line is writing a compelling book and getting folks to read your books and wanting to come back for more.”

Kathy has found Facebook to be an exciting way to reach out to and interact with her readers. “My best friend badgered me to get a Facebook account. I argued in the beginning, but when I discovered the chat feature, I was hooked. I built author and book pages; then invited my “friends” to like them. I also began putting those links in my books, so folks could find them. Facebook is probably the biggest way I interact with my readers. I’ll be on there and will live chat with them- it’s loads of fun.”

An active member of the community of indie authors, Kathy belongs to a number of author Facebook groups ranging from erotica to sci-fi/fantasy and horror. “I’m a member of the Military Writers Society of America, and am trying to get a foothold into some screenwriting groups as well. Living in the sticks it’s hard to attend seminars (even the web-based ones) so I do what I can. Probably the FB groups have been the most beneficial because I can pose a question to my peers and get 20-30 different answers/recommendations. It’s like having a writing group sitting in my house.” It is like that, except you don’t have to provide snacks, clean up after them, or wonder who was going through your medicine cabinet.

Kathy feels very positively about the indie author movement. “Traditional publishing has had control for far too long. There are loads of great authors out there that can now spread their wings and tell their stories. But, on the cautionary side, I think anyone striving to be an Indie author should take the necessary steps to make sure the work they put out is the highest quality they can (and can afford). Copy editing isn’t cheap, so having beta and proof readers will at least help catch things that could ruin a good story. No, we’re not perfect, but seemingly, our readers expect us to be.”

Her advice to aspiring writers? “Don’t be afraid to write a story. Write it and see where it leads you. And when you publish that first book, don’t expect it to be an overnight best seller – keep your goals realistic and understand that it takes years for a writer to even make enough to pay a single bill. I may be retired from the military, and having that check is fantastic, because if I was to solely rely on my royalties (even after being published 2 years) I’d STARVE! Keep your day job and write when you can. If you are a devoted writer, it will happen. Seeking help from your peers can also be a big help. They are not always your competition, so use what they have to say and apply it- especially if they are successful.”

Kathy’s latest release is the sci-fi novel, Space Crazy. This title is currently listed on Amazon and Smashwords. Here’s a little about the book:

The Ontarrin Galaxy is a rough and tumble place. Young Dar Meltom knows this for fact. As the half breed offspring of an incredibly unlikely joining between an Earthling male and a Satiren female, he knows what fighting is all about. Having spent his childhood on Erotis 3 getting into fights because he was different, Dar’s only solace comes from watching the stars. He’s crazy about them. He dreams about them, and secretly wishes he could be among them.

His mother, Denrika, knows her son is at a disadvantage. Living in a purebred society, his chances for getting a job after he graduates school are slim. Until one day, a large alien strolls into the general store where she works. His name is Gwog, and he’s captain of the space freighter Cunik. Little does he know, Denrika will convince him that he needs another crew member—a seventeen year old half breed with his head in the stars.

Dar joins the crew of the Cunik and quickly learns that space life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. After being on board only a few days, he’s stricken with Skrinnian fever and nearly dies. Gwog and Karnis nurse him back to health, and then he learns more important lessons about death, pirates, love, and the value of the friends he’s made. Until such time as he’s on his own, Dar absorbs everything Gwog teaches him. Then, one night, a game of Sirrixian poker changes his life forever…

You can download Space Crazy FREE from Amazon or Smashwords. To learn more about Kathy Rowe and her many other titles, please visit her Amazon Author Page. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

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Stephen Hise is an author and the Founder and Co-Administrator of Indies Unlimited. For more information, please see the IU Bio page and his website: http://stephenhise.com/

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