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Book Shop Chats:
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, your go to podcast for indie authors and learning insight into what it takes to write a book (HINT: You can do it too!!)
Join authors as they share their personal journeys, successes, and challenges, providing you with unique insights into the writing process. The discussions explore into various aspects of storytelling, from character development to plot structuring, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the craft.
Whether you're just starting out or have published multiple works, this podcast is your companion in the pursuit of storytelling excellence. Tune in, gather inspiration, and let your passion for writing flourish alongside a community that celebrates the art of the written word.
Book Shop Chats:
Please Hurt My Feelings, But Make It HEA with K.C Harper
Author bio:
K.C. Harper grew up on Canada's east coast and spends her time plotting to destroy the happiness of her characters. She’s an avid reader, developmental editor, and a full-time human servant to a 4.5 lb teacup Chihuahua. She's represented by Helen Lane at the Ki Literary Agency.
Book blurb:
Speed can be dangerous. Letting your past catch up with you is deadly.
An ex-con bad boy is brought to his knees in K.C. Harper’s contemporary debut, perfect for fans of Lauren Asher’s Dirty Air series.
Xavier Bosch has yet to find a rally-car course he can’t handle—or a woman he wants to share the road with. He’s worked hard to keep his criminal record a secret, but when the news breaks that his abusive father will soon be released from prison, his past threatens to catch up fast. Letting a woman into his world would only make her a target.
But when a nasty crash brings Ryah Nolan into his life, all bets are off.
Psychology student Ryah Nolan doesn’t trust easy. Not with a professor determined to make her life hell, an ex-boyfriend who isn’t quite an ex…and a terrifying stalker no one but her best friend takes seriously. Letting someone in is a risk. But despite his gruff exterior and need for speed, Xavier makes her feel safe.
The closer Xavier and Ryah become, the more they want to put their pasts in the rear view. As they race the clock and the dangers they’ve run from give chase, one thing is certain—they will win or lose together.
Links:
To keep up on my publishing related news or purchase my books, people can sign up for my (semi-frequent) newsletter at my website:
https://linktr.ee/kcharperauthor
About Victoria:
Hey there, I’m Victoria! As a writer and developmental editor, I specialize in helping busy writers bring their publishing dreams to life without the overwhelm. Your story deserves to shine, let's make magic together.
Here’s how I can help:
📖 FREE 7 day Writing Reset: Daily support in your inbox for 7 days.
Grab it HERE
📝 Developmental Editing: Get expert feedback that elevates your manuscript, strengthens your story, and polishes your characters.
✍️ 1:1 monthly support: Revitalize your creativity, map out your novel, and unleash your authentic voice.
Your story deserves to shine, and I’m here to make it happen. Let’s turn your writing dreams into a reality!
📱 IG: @editsbyvictoria
🌐 LINKS: Victoria Jane Editorial
Welcome to Book Shop Chats, where we cozy up with books, creativity, and embrace the magical, messy process of writing a book. I'm Victoria Jane, a writer, developmental editor, and coach for sensitive busy writers, and I love to support you on your journey of bringing your story to life. So whether you're here for inspiration, behind the scenes peaks of what it what it means to actually write a book or just some bookish conversations, you are definitely in the right place. And if you're looking for more personalized support. Welcome back to Bookshop Chats. In today's episode, I am chatting with Casey Harper. Again, welcome. Welcome back to the podcast.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you very much. Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_01:I'm excited. Well, you have had a busy year. Um, and it's it's like only November. I say that, but like, how is it November? But you had two books come out this year, which is amazing.
SPEAKER_00:It's yeah, it's been a wild one. And uh yeah, um, between book three of my series coming out and like my fantasy romance series, and then my uh contemporary romance debut, it was yes, it was it has been a busy year.
SPEAKER_01:So well, I would love to hear a little bit about uh these books. Obviously, the last time we chatted, um, you had the first two of your fantasy series out in the world, or at least very close to, uh, and then these two were not out yet. So yeah, I'd love to hear a little bit about uh I guess now that the series is complete, like how how's that? That's pretty cool.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it's kind of wild to think that like, you know, with each successive book, you're like, I can't believe I have another book. I can't believe I have another book. But then, but then knowing I have a concluded series, like, you know, it's a different kind of feeling, right? Because, you know, now the full journey of those characters, and you know, and you know, you've you you know birthed those characters, you created them and then walked through every single step, and now suddenly like they're out in the world in completion, and there's just something, you know, heartwarming about it and and terrifying. It's like it's it's exciting and terrifying in equal measure because you know, it's the whole like, you know, lots of authors say this, but you know, I'm so excited to have my book published, and I'm utterly terrified to have my book published because people will be able to perceive me, and that's great for you know, that's great and it's terrifying at the same time. So, you know, but yeah, I'm so happy to finally have this this book. This these characters have just been I've loved every second with them. So, you know, and and I took them on a pretty emotionally intense journey. So, you know, it it's it's nice to have the conclusion finally.
SPEAKER_01:I love that. I love that. I'd love to hear obviously like a little recap. Like it's been a minute since we've um we've we've heard about these characters, and I feel like, especially when you're reading a series, it's always nice to have that like, oh, wait a minute, like, who are these people again? Like we have like so yes.
SPEAKER_00:So so for the the moonlight series, um, I'll I'll kind of give the recap of book one so I don't give spoilers or anything. So book one is uh Briar Stone, she's the FMC, and she's a uh she's essentially kind of a witch. Um and so she has the ability to read auras and she can read people's auras, but in the aura, she can see their past and see the events that have happened to them. And so um she ends up being pulled into an investigation uh because there's a serial killer in her kind of paranormal world, and uh and she gets pulled into an investigation to help read the bodies of the dead to see if they can help find the serial killer. Uh, the problem is that she has to work alongside her alpha werewolf ex. Um, and things between them ended very badly four years previous, and uh, and she has to work alongside him in order to kind of help that he's you know, he needs the help and she's needs access to uh a kind of a medication, a cure for her brother who's addicted to a vampire venom, um drug that's slowly killing him. So it's the only reason she really agrees to help is because she she wants to save her brother. So it's like high stakes, high emotion, it's enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake dating. It's a whole gamut of of uh of fun tropes. So um yes, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I love that. Uh yes, that's uh so it's so cool to just uh see these these stories, these characters, and these worlds kind of come to life. And I always am fascinated by these wildly like insane worlds that you essentially make up. And you're like, okay, so this is this is all in my head, and now it's on paper. Yes.
unknown:Yes.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and it's fun because you know, and it's something that my agent kind of she loves and she like like lovingly yells at me about. Um, because like I'm I'm the type of author who's like, how can I make this worse? How can I make this worse? Like it's bad, but how can I make it worse? And you know, so uh so she's like, but did it have to get worse? It didn't have to get worse, it was already bad enough, you know. So anyway, it's kind of a running joke between the two of us where um where she's like, you know, she she loves that I'm mean, but she hates that I'm mean at the same time. So but it's just you know, part of my it's you know, I feel I feel like it's part of my calling card.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, yes. And I think that's why people gravitate to authors is because they have that, they have that thing. They know how they know they're going to get their heart broken in the best kind of ways. Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and that's that's you know, uh like hurt me, heal me. That's what I'm looking for. Like I, you know, that's what I love, that's what I like to write. And and uh yeah, and those those are the kinds of books I seek. I love those kinds of books. They just, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Give me all the angst. I'm here for it.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, yes. Angst, pain, rip my heart out, but just put it back together by the end. That's all it's fine.
SPEAKER_01:It's fine. Yeah, as long as everything ends up all right at the end, we can go on this ride together.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly.
SPEAKER_01:Amazing. Well, I'd love to hear a little bit about your um contemporary romance. I feel like that's got to be a little bit of a shift into like a world that's very like non-existent in our world to something that is like real life.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, that it was quite a shift because this is my very first attempt at ever writing a contemporary and also at writing a standalone, because I'd only ever written series before. So writing a standalone was was like hats off to people who write standalones all the time because it was a job. I think, you know, I think usually um contemporary romances are between like 70 and 90,000-ish, and I was at a like 107,000. I'm like, this is way over. So I still, you know, even by the time we were putting it out on submission for my agent to try and sell it, it was still sitting at 96,000. I was able to cut quite a bit, but it was still above industry standard. But it's because I was, you know, I had kind of I was learning on the job on how to really wrap up a book in one book. I was used to just dropping threads that would carry forward um to the next book, and you know, until you could finally conclude it by the end. But yeah, wrapping everything up in one book is it was actually a skill set that I really had to learn. So um, touch wood, I'm feeling a little more comfortable with it now. But but yeah, when I was writing rear view, it was it it was a job. And uh, but yeah, no, I I loved that story. So that one in particular is um it's a rally car racer, and so he's very rough around the edges. He's an ex-con. Um and he uh has his kind of meet cute with Raya, who's the FMC, and she's a psychology student at her local university, and she is being stalked by a stranger, so she has no idea who this person is. And Xavier, because of his past, he's had a bit of a traumatic past um over and above the prison. Uh, and because of his past, he's a very protective kind of guy. So she's someone who's going through, you know, a dangerous circumstance, and he's someone who's who's got it like a you know, kind of a hero savior kind of deal going on. So yeah, they're they're a well-fitted pair. And uh yeah, it's it's um, you know, it's a slow burn. Um, and you know, there's found family, there's um he falls first and he falls hard. And uh yeah, it's just it's an intense kind of slow burn love story.
SPEAKER_01:I love it. I'm so here for that. I feel like there's just something about this kind of like um MMCs that just it's just they're it's per perfection, really. Yes.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, I I love an MMC, even if you don't see it all the time. I love an MMC that you later learn his life, his world revolved around her. Everything was around her. You may not see it on the page or figure it out fully until the end that everything he does, but I love those stories. Love those. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. So, so here for that. Um, and just the I think the having sort of the the trauma, I feel like that's something that I do really appreciate with a lot of um where fiction is kind of trending now, is that I feel like the the MMCs get their own like story. Like it's not just the girl that needs quote unquote saving. Um, it's like together both of them need to heal and they do that separately and together. And I think that's a really cool thing to see kind of play out in these.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and that's one of the things that I try and do, like along with the character arc, but I try really hard with my FMC and my MMC for the love interests to have each of them need something um at a core level that the other one can supply, you know. So this character is miss some missing something that that character can supply, and vice versa, like this that character is missing something that this character can supply. So it's just, you know, it's that they have something the other one needs, and it's just a matter of them really figuring that out. So uh, and you know, and I find that it really kind of connects them in different ways because yeah, they're longing something that that other person has.
SPEAKER_01:Definitely. And I feel like it just makes such a like a rich kind of like story when that all kind of like you get to see it play out, and then all of the the fears and insecurities and like the external stuff that kind of like influences that and like you know, picks at that wound that they have is a really uh it's I mean it's relatable, it's real life, right? Like it's it's a lot of us navigate that, whether or not it's exactly like that is not always true, but I feel like it's it still feels relatable and it's not perfect. And I think that's what we we love about these kind of stories.
SPEAKER_00:Absolutely, you know, and it gives them that realistic dimension, right? Like, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Amazing. I love that. Like I feel like so. Now that you've got these two books done, how how has that been? Like I imagine that that's like, okay, like now, now what? Like it's yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00:Sorry, I'm at the tail end of a cough here. Um, so the yeah, I for like since 2023, since I signed the first like three book contract, um it's been go, go, go with like you know, developmental edits for book one, and then copy edits for book one, and then proofreads for book one, and then transitioning to book two, and then same thing. And so, like, and then transitioning to book three and then adding the rearview book. And so at one point I had like three to four books going with edits back and forth. I think February of um, no, not February, January of this year, I had 11 deadlines just in that one month. It was wild, yeah. So it just it's you know, it was a very stressful month. And it was funny because it was a month that we actually thought was gonna be my agents, and I were like, Yeah, I think I've got a little bit of time here because I was thinking that I was gonna work on a different project. And then all of a sudden it was boom, boom, boom, email. I was like, Oh, I don't know how I'm gonna get through this month, but I did. And but yeah, so it was wild from like 2023 right up until about May of this year, just deadline after deadline, and then it was done because everything was ready for pub, you know, everything was ready for production or pub. And and so I was like, Well, I I don't know what to do with myself. I have I have so much time on my hands. So I literally spent the whole summer reading. I I think I, you know, I think I read like 20 or 30 books between June and August, and and then in September again I started writing a new project that I've been working on. So yeah, but it's been I I'm one of these people who does really well having I don't want to be too busy, but I like having things to do. I don't know what to do with myself. It's kind of like that uh Will Farrell scene where he's like, I don't know what to do with my hands, you know? I don't I don't know what to do with myself when I have time. So yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I think I think that is something as as hard as that is, it is really needed. And I think we often forget as as as writers that reading is such a great way to become a better writer. It is uh and just immerse yourself in stories. And it's cool to see like the understanding now as I read. I'm like, oh, I can totally see why they did this, or you know, I wish this kind of happened here, but I can see why they maybe made it happen later and all that sort of stuff. So I think that it's it's hard because there's also this pressure, I think, of um the just like fast-pacedness of like our world these these days. I feel like, especially, I mean, obviously, with traditional publishing from the kind of like conversations I've had with a lot of authors, it is kind of hurry up and wait, or it's like it's like there's like time between typically the, you know, you've got the book, it's been out on submission, it's been picked up, and then you're like, okay, so now I've got all this time between when it comes out. But then, and then everything, like you said, picks up really quickly. And then with like indie publishing, like we've got authors pumping out like eight books a year, and it can feel really like, oh my gosh, like what am I doing? Um, so that's been something really interesting to kind of like oh sit back and be like, wait a minute, like what's my like number? What am I good with it? And just learning that um, I imagine is quite a challenge.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, it is, yeah. Yeah. I uh, you know, I'm I'm thankful for my when I get downtime and stuff, and like, or you know, if my husband and I go away or you know, take vacation or whatever, it's usually the time where I'll suddenly bloom a whole bunch of ideas. Like I think um I sent my agent by the time by the end of August, I had sent my agent like five um pitches for different books that like just kind of five different books that came in my head over the summer. So, you know, I uh but you know, had I not had that time, that that wouldn't have happened. There's no way that would happen. So yeah, that the time is so good for your brain to just rest and recover and start regenerating and then just you know be able to be creative again. Because, you know, if you burn yourself out, like creativity isn't possible with you know, when when you're tired or exhausted or you know, I'm I'm better to edit when I'm more tired because not I shouldn't say tired, but when my brain isn't in that like easy space because I can be more analytical at those times, but I can't be creative at those times. Yes. Yes. I once heard somebody say that um writing is the art and editing is the science. And yes, and I forget I would credit who it is, but I cannot for the life of me remember who it was. But I was like, that yes, that's that's perfect way of saying it.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, that makes so much sense because it it really is like using two completely different parts of your brain.
SPEAKER_00:Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:Um, and that that's such a great way of looking at it, of just giving your like because you do, you need that space to just be um be a human and not constantly be creating, because we're not meant to do that. I think it's it's kind of unfortunately the downside of I feel like our like current like world. And I feel like obviously social media definitely influences it just because it's so fast-paced. Um, so it's yeah, of just like learning how to slow down and like be okay with that. Oh, it's hard though.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, it's there's so many influencers too, because you know, because we're encouraged as authors to, you know, to um one of the good things about you know, and I think it does depend on your publisher, but I've been lucky enough with my publishers that I'm not pressured to participate in social media. So some people are, it does depend on your publisher, it does, you know, but I've I'm lucky enough that that has not been the case for me. Any social media involvement that is because I've chosen to. Um, however, it's hard not to engage in social media. When you have your own, it's hard not to like talk about your books or push your books. Like it would feel weird for me to have books published and then just never speak about them. But um it's more that like also when you're on social media and you're constantly seeing what's happening for other people or you know, how things are progressing, you know, it's it's hard as I think, especially as creatives, not to get imposter syndrome, not to compare, not to so sometimes I'll find myself intentionally disengaging. Like if I, you know, if I go on to Instagram, I'm posting what I need to post and piecing out as quickly as I possibly can because I don't want to get other voices in my head because then I, you know, then you start regressing or then you start like kind of overthinking things. And so I try and remove myself as much as I can so that I don't don't fall into those traps, I guess. Yeah. And they're self-laid traps because I don't need to doom scroll. I don't need to do those things. I know they're totally self-laid traps, but yeah, right. It's so true.
SPEAKER_01:I mean, realistically, that's it's the app is doing what it's meant to do. Um, and I think it's just it's it is that reframe of like, how can I treat this as a tool? How can I use it as um, you know, like networking, right? Like, because ultimately that I feel like was the original goal, and then it became something very different of like social, it's social, it's connection, it's like opening up the doors to people that you wouldn't have otherwise been able to connect with. So it's such a great reminder of like having those boundaries. Uh it's like so key. Um, so speaking of like marketing, as you mentioned, like your publisher doesn't really like how is that for you as a Trad published author? Is that something that you find um you kind of have full control over? Are they like they're doing it for you?
SPEAKER_00:So they have their own market, yeah. They have their own marketing strategies, most of which are behind the scenes that you'll you'll never see, you know, like it's kind of they're dealing with booksellers, they're you know, dealing different kinds of advertisings and stuff like that. So it's stuff that even I won't even see, you know? And uh and you know, it's discussed as part of the contract or it's discussed with your editor, like what's the plan, what are they going to do behind the scenes? But yeah, from from thank God, from you know, like I said, I've been lucky enough that my both of my teams for both my publishing houses have not been, you know, have not uh been like you have to, you have to, you have to, because um, yeah, because that's an added pressure as well, right? So, and you know, and being creative is kind of hard enough. So, you know, I uh I I heard uh someone else, somebody, I think it was my agent at one point might have said to me, like, it's the author's job to write the book, it's the publisher's job to sell it. So, you know, and you know, at that at there, you know, there is a certain level of like involvement, obviously, that the author has to have, you know, you want to talk about your book and you're excited about your book. So, you know, but uh but yes, I not having to for me is very helpful because I'm I'm admittedly like subpar at best at social media. So I, you know, hats off to people who are good at it because there are some people who are phenomenal. Like, where did you get this idea? Or like, how did you, you know, I'm fascinated by that type of stuff, but uh subpar is like that's my baseline.
SPEAKER_01:So yeah, I think I think it's so true when it is like not ex like it's not required and you just can do it for like the fun of it. You get to just show your personality, then it becomes like the pressure is off. And I think that's something that I've really been mindful of. Like, I'm like, I'm just gonna do what I like. And is it trending? Oh, um, but we're gonna do it anyway because it's making me feel happy and this is all I have the capacity for. And I'm not really gonna stress about the engagement because it is what it is. I yeah, right. It's something that I feel like we have like very little control over anyway. And I think, you know, the a lot of the authors I've been chatting with have have really been loving like in-person um connections and um that kind of stuff. Because I think it it just talking one-to-one with someone, whether like on a podcast or like in in person, I feel like it just brings the humanness back into it. Whereas social media is can be a little like, oh, my post got a hundred likes. That's so bad, versus if you talk to a hundred people, like that would be like, oh my gosh, like what? That's wild. So I think it's it's uh really cool to bring that back. So is that something that you have like done, or is that something like that you get to choose if you want to kind of like participate in in sort of like um different events or book tours or that kind of stuff?
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. So uh my my publisher uh again, I was very lucky um because I know that you know it does depend. But um, but yeah, I was very lucky that again, both of my publishers said um the level of engagement uh in public uh or you know, on like it's up to you how much you do or don't want to. Well, because for some people, yeah, um public shuts them down, right? Yeah. Thankfully, touch wood. I'm I'm not I'm not a shy person. I uh I grew up moving around a lot when I was younger. My father's RCMP. So, you know, we I I was forced to constantly meet people. So introducing myself to people, thankfully, you know, has it's come in handy at this stage of life. You know, it did and so I've done multiple book signings and um when uh in July um I did uh a kind of like QA style one, um which was a lot of fun. And so yeah, that was my first QA, which you know was wildly terrifying because you don't know if people are gonna show up. So if you're sitting at the head of the room and there's a whole bunch of empty chairs, you know, like it's terrifying. But yeah, I was lucky it turned out fantastic. So, you know, and thankfully, you know, thankfully I'm not shy. So those types of things don't don't bother me. I just try to keep it so that I'm not over over taxing myself or over, you know, doing it. So so that I can kind of still keep the creativity going by not overworking myself. So that's that's kind of the balance I try and find.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, I feel like that's something definitely because it is it is very draining, right? Like as much as those those um like uh experiences can kind of like uplift and like inspire and stuff, and and you get to like see people, uh it's it is a lot. It's a lot, it can be quite a lot on the body and the mind. And it's that like I need a couple days to recover after.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and that was the thing. Like my husband uh was, you know, he he picked me up and when he drove me home, and I think I was like, that is it, I was out, like that was it, done for the night. Like, no, nothing left to give. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:There's no, there is nothing. I'm staring at a wall for the next three hours, guys. This is it. Amazing, awesome. Well, I'd love to hear a little bit about how just like I feel like we touched on it maybe a little bit on our first episode, but this sort of writing how how have you found things change since that like first book versus like where you're at now in terms of like maybe your style of writing or how you structure your books or that kind of thing?
SPEAKER_00:I yeah, so I feel like my voice has changed drastically in that I found my voice. Yes. So it took me a while. It took me probably the first four years, five years before I found felt like like here it is. I just I found it. And because I I'd been writing and I felt like it was, you know, good at the time. And I realized I was, you know, once I started querying and trying to find an agent, I realized I was not where I should be. Um, but yeah, so initially when I started off, uh my developmental editing was was pretty weak. I I would say looking back now. Um, and my line editing, my line editing was okay. And so now I feel like it's drastically improved. Like I've, you know, I'm somebody who's as few sentences or as few words in the sentence as I possibly need. Um, cut, cut, cut, like remove, you know, keep it as condensed as possible. Um, even if it's a longer sentence, I still, you know, as few words as I can get in there as possible. Um, you know, and and then just yeah, finding my voice was the big one. And that that, like I said, that was about year five. And uh, and then once I found my voice, and then once I did the developmental editing course, that was that was where um, you know, the next book I wrote after that was the one I signed with my agent on. And so yeah, that was where the change really came. But it's, you know, and everybody finds their voice in a different way or in a different time. And and the only way to do it is just to keep writing. Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing. Yeah, yeah. That was it for me. I think it was on my fifth or no, it was my sixth book that I that I had written that I finally felt like there it is, there it is.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, yeah. It's that's so yeah, it's so true. It's like really the the best way to become a better writer is to keep writing. And like taking some kind of course on developmental editing is like the best thing ever. Like it's so, so, so helpful. Um, obviously, like as a writer and a developmental editor, it's so easy to miss all of the stuff in your own writing.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, yeah. Well, because you're too close to the project, right? Like too close, you know. Yes, yeah. Well, because I remember one time, like I had just one of the manuscripts recently that I sent to my writing group. Yeah, um, because I the same as you, I do developmental editing. And so, you know, I sent it to my writing group, and one of the girls pointed something out. And when she pointed it out, I was so mad, not at her, at myself for being like, How did you miss that? But again, it was just one of those things where like you you're too close to your own project, your eyes, you know, you you you skim over things, you miss things, you fill in the blanks in your head where you think it's been filled in in the book. So yeah, you completely miss things. And and you know, I've I'm getting better at giving myself some grace. It's when it's something where it's so obvious.
SPEAKER_01:I'm like, how did I how did you miss that? Yes, I've had that a few times where I'm like, oh my gosh, I swear I know how to write, I think, but like this is just ridiculous. But like you said, it is it is you're it's I'm constantly reminding myself that like the amazing books that you read, like you don't know what how many versions that they had to get there, right? Or you do. I mean, you know, like you you know how much effort it takes to go from the draft to the final publicated or pub publication and stuff. So it's just one of those things that it can be hard to for your brain to like go back and remember. Wait a minute, we are writing trash, but it will get better.
SPEAKER_00:Yes. Well, and that's the thing that I I tell people too, where it's like for the Shadowed Moonlight series, uh, between my writing group, my agent, and my pub team, um, just the ones working on the book, there's 11 people over and above myself. So, you know, like it did not happen in a vacuum, you know. You you've got so many eyes on those things. And and so yeah, it's just it's uh you know, I'm that's part of why it's impressive with um self-pubbed authors. Um, because like I I I needed a team of 11 people to make this happen.
SPEAKER_01:Truly. I need I need that too.
SPEAKER_00:No, like like I I do. I I uh I very much admire the work that goes into indie pub and and self pub and so much work.
SPEAKER_01:Truly, yeah, it's it's wild just like seeing the tip of the like just kind of like still like I haven't even scratched the surface of all of the things, but it's so interesting just to see, yeah, the the differences and really how it it is sort of like a pro con like both of them are great options depending on your goals as a writer. And I think right, like yeah, and that's exactly it.
SPEAKER_00:It's it's all about what your goals are and and you know, and what you think like for me, it it's what I knew, you know, and I know that everybody approaches it differently, but for me personally, it was what I knew I was or wasn't capable of.
unknown:Right.
SPEAKER_00:And and so the marketing side was something I knew for me personally, there's only so much I can give, or that I'm feel like I'm I know my wheelhouse and I know I know what I am good at and what I'm not good at. And marketing is definitely not something that I feel like I'm strong at. I'm sure I could improve, but then I would have to ask myself if I want to improve. And yes, and so because that takes time too. So, so you know, so it's like it's the it's the choice of the path that's best for you. And I just had to choose the one that for me that I knew was the one that was the most logical for for my strengths and for my weaknesses.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, definitely. I think that's a really cool thing. And I feel like it's been it's so cool to watch um, you know, authors that started out uh indie, self-published, and then they end up with their trad deal or the other way around. I'm or vice versa, with yeah, where they're like, I know this book is gonna be really hard to market, but I know that there are readers for it. So I'm gonna put it out there anyway. So it's kind of cool to see that sort of like difference. But yeah, I I definitely can see the pros of having a team. That is like the one major, like big check mark. Yes, please help me. I need help. Yes, please help me.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah, please help me. I'm wandering in the dark here. Yes.
SPEAKER_01:It is truly, it is truly. There's just so many moving pieces. And to be able to, again, like you said, have those extra eyes on it um is huge because the amount of times that you look at I'm like, how did I miss these mistakes? Like I've stared at this manuscript 5,000 times, which is probably the problem, is that you've at it so many times you don't even see it.
SPEAKER_00:Uh well, one of my favorite things to do now uh for specifically for the proofreading stage um is I'll so you know in Word how it has the read aloud function. So I I turn on the read aloud function and I scan the document at the same time it's reading it aloud to me. So that you know, I'm looking, you know, I'm listening to the words to see, you know, does the sentence flow work or does am I missing words that suddenly like the sentence sounds choppy? And then if it's, you know, if it's like giving me certain words like their T-H-E-I-R, T-H-E-R-E, you know, is it spelled correctly? Am I using the right version? So I'm scanning with my eyes to look for that. And I've found that my ability, one, to get through proofreads significantly faster, uh, and two, to find infinitely more errors by doing both at the same time. Um, because it, you know, it reads faster than I can read. I'm actually a pretty slow reader. Um, but but it also enables me to kind of concentrate on the spelling and where the, you know, where the comma is with my eyes while listening to the sentence flow to make sure that you know it sounds the way it's supposed to sound. So yeah, I've found that that's really helped me with like specifically the proofreading phase.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, I feel like that's such a great way. Like I I love like reading aloud. Um, but then to have somebody else do it for me is quite enjoyable. So I feel like that would be a like an awesome way to like, you know, figure out, like you said, the the not only that, but like how the dialogue sounds, because that's something that's so that can be so um it can come off really clunky sometimes. Yes. Especially when we're we're trying to write in a way that people talk, which isn't always grammatically correct. So it's that balance of like, how can we um word this in a way that doesn't get the grammar police all like fired up, but also not have it sound so like polished that you're like, who talks that way? It doesn't authentic to their character, right? Yeah.
SPEAKER_00:I had been given that piece of advice when I kind of first started writing that specifically with dialogue to read it out loud because it will you, you know, when you read it in your head sometimes, it's different. Like when you say it out loud, you'll see if it sounds natural. And if it doesn't sound natural, then maybe I need to play with the wording or something. And so that's something I I you know, I was lucky enough to have that advice kind of right right from the jump. And uh, and so that's something I I do. I kind of read it out loud to myself, or now with with that read aloud function, I'll use that to to kind of gauge. Did that sound no, that didn't sound right. That sounded a little lucky, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's definitely definitely true because sometimes you're like, this is this is not even a sense, like this makes no sense. No one would say this. So yeah, it's it's having all of these different tools really are helpful, uh, especially getting through the self-edits, because those can be quite a slog. Yes.
SPEAKER_00:Well, and and you know, it's one of those ones that like it's different if I'm on a deadline, but when I'm not on a deadline, it's a self-imposed deadline.
SPEAKER_02:Yes.
SPEAKER_00:And, you know, so you have to kind of push yourself. And so if I have a tool that can make something a little bit easier, um, you know, whether it's a new method or, you know, the read aloud function, um, I I, you know, that's my that's that's kind of the one specifically with proofreading, because because I'm a slow reader, it would take me twice as long. So the the read aloud function has helped me um kind of, like you said, be able to listen to it and be able to scan it at the same time. And I find a lot more errors that way.
SPEAKER_01:Definitely. It's just different ways of processing, right? Like, and I think that's always always always needed when it comes to that. Um that stuff because it's there's so many words, it's so easy. But even with like probably 25 people, there's still gonna be errors in the books.
SPEAKER_00:Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Well, like I said, I, you know, there was 11 people on on the Shadow Moonlight series, and I I have I haven't looked because once it's published and I can't change it, I I don't look. Um, but I have no doubt that there's probably typos in there somewhere. I have no doubt that there's something in there somewhere.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's just it's just proof that it was a human, guys. Like it's it's all proof that it was a human.
SPEAKER_00:It's a human process. There's bound to be human errors. So yeah. That's not the type of thing, like it's not the type of thing when I read a book that that doesn't bother me at all. Because I I know like as an editor, as a writer, as you know, like I I get it. Like there's these things slip through the cracks, and there's so many eyes on it, but we all um, you know, we're human, so we make mistakes, we miss things. It just happens.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, it does bring me joy when I'm like, oh my gosh, it's not it's not just me. It's not me. Amazing, amazing. Well, I would love for you to share where people can find you and follow along like your writing journey and also get their get their hands on your books because obviously needed.
unknown:Yes.
SPEAKER_00:So my uh my website, caseharper.com, um, is and so it's kcdelettersharper.com. Um, and so you can purchase my books through there. You can also read the first chapter of Shadowed Moonlight for free there and the first chapter of Rearview free free there. Um, and then you can also find me on Instagram, Twitter, threads, uh, TikTok, and then I have my author page on Facebook as well.
SPEAKER_01:Amazing, amazing, awesome. Um, I was pretty stoked when I picked up your book in chapters, um, my my Canadian showing. And I was like, oh my gosh, this is so cool. We got to chat. Um, this is it's always neat to see like the books in the wild. Um, so that's pretty, pretty darn cool. Everything will be linked to the show notes. So it will be super easy for people to click through and find you and your books. And thank you so much for chatting today.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_01:Thanks so much for listening to today's episode. And if you really loved this author, I highly encourage you to go check out their links and comment and share their work because let's be real, as an indie author, all that stuff makes such a difference. And if you're feeling a little stuck on your draft and just want some gentle accountability, check out my one-to-one offers that are linked in the show notes as well. I'd love to support you with your writing or editing journey. And if that's not quite where you're at, I've also put together a really amazing free resource to help with taking your writing to the next level because there are so many amazing resources available without needing to spend a ton of money or get that MFA or all of the things that you may think that you need in order to write a book. Until next time, keep writing your way and trust yourself enough to tell your story. Because I promise, if it's coming to you, there's a reason and someone needs to hear it.
