As you probably know by now, the staff authors here at Indies Unlimited are referred to as minions. No one is sure exactly how or when that started, but it stuck. What you may not realize is that all the minions (and everyone) here at IU work for free. That’s right, they don’t get a dime out of this. They do it out of the goodness of their hearts. So our Fearless Leader (admin) thought it would be nice to give some props to the minions by featuring each of them in a spotlight interview. We hope you enjoy it.
What is your name?
Kathy Rowe, A.K.A the crazy farmer lady. And my writing name is K. Rowe.
What is your quest?
To write books that people like to read (and sell!). Also, if I didn’t get the stories out of my head, it would explode.
What is your favorite color?
Green! Green! Green! And not because it’s the color of money.
What the heck were you thinking when you did that one thing that one time?
All I can do is plead the fifth and blame alcohol!
If you could be a tree, what kind would you be?
Maple, because they are sweet. I try hard to be a nice and giving person to others, and not always wanting anything in return.
When was your first book published?
2010 — Project: Dragonslayers
What is your favorite genre to write?
Probably military thrillers. If there wasn’t so much research involved, I’d have 20 books in the series done already. I also like sci-fi and romance
What’s the best part about writing? What’s the hardest?
Best part: Getting to create some awesome characters and bring them to “life.”
Worst: Pouring your heart into a book and not seeing many copies sold.
Hardest: When you have bad guys in the book and hate writing about them, but you know you need them to make the story progress.
What makes being a part of the IU community important to you?
The ability to converse with my peers, see what’s new in self-publishing, and also help folks who have written a book and don’t know where to start.
Why do you choose to go Indie?
Starting out with a military thriller genre, no publisher would touch it. So I first ended up with a vanity press (big mistake, but I didn’t know any better) and they screwed me over. Then I investigated self-publishing and realized that maybe I could publish my own books. It took me three years and a lot of mistakes, but I finally did it, and have never looked back.
What do you love most about being an indie?
The FREEDOM to write and publish whatever I want.
What are you working on now?
Books 5 and 6 in the Dragonslayer’s Saga, a historical romance called Fly Boys and Rivet Maids, and a Y/A dystopian fantasy titled From the Ashes. I also have other things in the works, but these are the ones I’m actively writing.
Who is your own favorite character, and why?
Ohhh, tough one!! I have so many! And depending on my mood, that changes. But here’s a few: Col. Eagle Tryggvesson, LTC Douglas MacArthur (D.M.) Elliott, Maj. Cabbott Westmoreland, LTC Galen Remington, Maj. Niko Makarov (all from the Dragonslayers), Capt. Dar Meltom (Space series), Leo Richards (Cowboys and Olympians)…And the list goes on…
What’s going on in your photo?
That was my turkey poult, Brat, on my head. My sister put me up to it. No, he did not poop on my head.
At least Brat isn’t the common, stupid domestic breed. If he were he would have fallen off. lol
Brat is a cross between the lovely Royal Palm variety and hefty heritage Black Spanish. He’s got quite the personality.
Nice to meet you, K. Rowe, and all the other minions. Three years and a lot of mistakes… Hmm.. I can do that (especially the mistakes) even without a Brat of my own. Thanks so much for the encouragement. You guys are the best.
I think now the technical part of self publishing has gotten easier. Back in the day (2011) you had to actually know some HTML code in order to get you book into ebook. Now, the software is improved and it’s far simpler process. Good luck!
-giggles- Great bio, Kathy. And thanks, I just spent ten minutes looking up what’s in bird poop. Just in case I ever need to know…
LOL! Most bird poop (the domestic fowl kind) is dirt, digested bugs- if they have access to them, and whatever feed the owner is giving them. Add a little water (BTW, birds don’t exactly pee- it’s combined in the poop), and you got a usually gooey mess that I try to avoid. But, when you’re a farmer, it’s part of the job. Now if I could just get the duck out of my guest bathtub…