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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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When Do You Need #IWSG?

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When do you need #IWSG? Anytime. But during a book launch it’s essential, so how lucky am I to have writers in my corner this very day when my next middle grade book, Sign of the Green Dragon is officially published.

Many of you have read and reviewed the story on Goodreads already, so I hope you’ll post your reviews on Amazon as well. No one else knows better than you how important those reviews are for writers. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Question of the Month

This month’s question is interesting, and I look forward to reading the answers when I visit your blogs.

My very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer of fiction was called Bad Ass Attitude. While it’s published, it didn’t get to keep the title I wanted, and it came out as Sliding on the Edge. Here’s a bit about it:


A teenager who cuts herself.  A doomed horse. And a grandmother with guilty secrets.

Shawna has spent the first sixteen years of her life in Las Vegas and learned to handle anything from a Las Vegas hustle to skipping out on the rent. Scarred inside and out, she’s survived with a tough, hardened attitude. When her mother abandons her, with only a bus ticket and the name and number of stranger to call, this troubled, desperate teen finds herself on a California horse ranch with Kay Stone, the steely, youngish grandmother she’s never known. 

Kay overwhelms Shawna with rules and daily barn chores, and Shawna baffles Kay with her foul-mouthed anger and shrugging indifference to everything–except the maltreated horse on the ranch next door. But it’s worse than even Kay suspects: Shawna’s driven to cut herself by Monster, that strange voice inside her head. Kay fears that unless she helps this girl, she could lose her last living family member.

As this unlikely pair struggles to co-exist, will they overcome their suffering and transcend the past?

I write in two very different categories because I need variety or I go stale. What do you write? Are you insecure when you first put a book out into the world? Besides #IWSG what do you do to manage it?

Comments

  2. Congrats again! I'm just getting caught up with IWSG now–yikes. I'm definitely nervous when I launch a book. And whenever I see a new review has been posted.

    Good luck, Lee…not that you need it!

  3. Sorry i am so late to post here but congrats on your new book. Too bad you couldn't keep your title but your first book sounds quite good

  9. Wow that's amazing that Sliding was your first! And that's a great title but I admit I love your first title too.

    Congrats on another great release!

  11. Hey Lee, I've been outta blogsville for a few days. Your pre-ordered book downloaded, so when I get a chance (don't hold your breath)I'll read/review. Super congrats!

  15. Do the teenager and her grandmother overcome their suffering and transcend the past? I'm not giving anything away. Readers must find out for themselves! Sliding On the Edge is a FABULOUS story!

    Congrats on launching Sign Of The Green Dragon!
    Sounds like ANOTHER good story!

  16. Interesting to know Sliding on the Edge originally had a different title! I like both titles. 🙂
    ~Jess

  17. Hi Lee – that's great Green Dragon is published … and fascinating to read your back story re Sliding on the Edge: it does sound a book to teach us a few things … cheers Hilary

  18. Excellent book, Sliding was. As was the Dragon. I'll get my review posted. Thanks for the reminder!

    I sort of like Bad Ass Attitude, but I can see where Sliding is a better fit.

  28. I loved Bad Ass Attitude and am sorry it didn't keep its original (much more descriptive) title. And, on the strength of it bought Sign of the Green Dragon last night.

    • Well, I may take that title back with a re-issue. Thanks for buying Green Dragon! Now I'm biting my nails. People are reading the book I wrote. That always strikes terror in my heart.

  30. Hi, C. Lee!

    It's a shame they changed the title of your first story. I like Bad Ass Attitude, but Sliding On the Edge is cool, too.

    My first published piece was an interview I conducted with the host of the media market's #1 rated morning radio program, published in a magazine. I am definitely a flasher and have not attempted to write a full book.

    Thank you for visiting SDMM, dear friend C. Lee. I appreciate your support!

  31. You have been so busy writing! Nice to see you have another book out! Congratulations! Yes, the blog community can be very helpful in promoting new releases.

  32. Congratulations on your new release. I've seen it pop-up all over the blogging world. Good for you! Wishing you many sales with your latest book. Your first story sounds like a good book. Yay, for holding onto such a good story and getting it published.

  34. Hi,
    I can understand the publisher changing the title back then, but the title you had was terrific, A Bad Ass Attitude. That would have caught the eye of so many who probably needed to read it at that particular time.
    All the best for your launch. My review went out this morning all over my social network and it was immediately approved by Amazon Germany. Like within five minutes. Normally, they state you will hear from them in twenty-four hours, but I heard from them in five mintes.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Pat

  36. I stress. I don't want to, but I do. And my body usually takes the blunt. Right now I have a terrible lower back ache. BUT doesn't mean I'm not thrilled for you, Lee. You worked hard. You deserve success.

    • It's a toss up as to whether my back will go out first or my brain. 🙂 So sorry you're having that kind of pain, too. Rotten. Thank you for your comment. Appreciate it.

  37. Although I have yet to experience sending a book out into the world, I'm sure I'll be very stressed when it does happen.

    I'm pretty sure I'll only write in the fantasy genre, since I need the ability to make up my own rules in order for my story to work.

  38. I just started Signs of the Green Dragon during lunch today. So far, so good. I like how the main character is introduced–showing not telling is excellent here.

    This other book sounds intriguing as well, especially the cutting part. It's hard to imagine how someone develops that habit.

    • That's the reason I wrote Sliding. I couldn't understand how anyone would inflict pain on themselves. I had to find out and when I did, I started writing the book.

  43. I love that you write in the two different genres. I have a couple side genres that have only appeared in short stories to this point, but eventually I'll have to publish my adult dark humor…under a pen name.

  44. Congrats on your new book release!! I just downloaded it and I'm looking forward to reading it. Congrats on publishing your first book, too! I'm always insecure when I put a story out into the world. It's a scary thing.

  45. Congratulations on your new release!!! I am going to be buying it soon. 😀

    Sliding on the Edge is on my list to read before the end of the year. I quite like the title Bad Ass Attitude, though. 😉

  46. I'm terrified deep down to my bones to put my stuff out there – but I'm getting closer 🙂

    Got my review up for you! Such a fabulous story!

  48. Wow, Sliding on the Edge was your fist piece of writing? I'm impressed, Lee.

    Congratulations on Sign of the Dragon finally being released to the world. May it soar and roar and attract attention!

  52. Good luck with your book Lee,I loved reading about your first write. Such an important write I think as it paved the way to the successful writer you are today.
    Yvonne.

  53. That is a good title for your first book. Congrats on getting it published. It sounds like an intriguing read. Also, congrats on Book Launch Day! I'll get my reviews up on Goodreads and Amazon. I truly enjoyed reading your Dragon book and wish it much success!
    Mary at Play off the Page

    • Thank you, Mary. I really appreciated your reading and reviewing this one for me. You do great play reviews, so I Iook forward to reading the one for SOTGD!