I first met Kaza Kingsley shortly after she got her eight book (yes,
EIGHT BOOK) series deal with Simon and Schuster. She is a friend of a friend,
who put us in contact when I first started writing. I was a rank newbie and
Kaza graciously took time to say hello. Shortly afterwards, she happened to be
in the Chicago area on a signing tour, so I snagged a slew of signed books for myself and my kid’s teachers. At the time she
was promoting her third book in the Erec Rex series (1-The Dragon’s Eye, 2-The
Monsters of Otherness, 3-The Search for Truth). Since then she’s released Book 4
(The Three Furies) and Book 5 is set to come out February 7th (The Secret of
Ashona), which you can preorder here. Yay! The Erec Rex series is a great combination of magic and mystery,
one that lovers of Harry Potter will enjoy.
My kids love a good, long series
like this (me too – keeps them occupied). The series has won many awards and hit the bestseller
list (so exciting!). Here’s the blurb:
Life is not easy for
twelve-year-old Erec Rex. His single mother can barely support her six adopted
kids. And they’ve moved into an
apartment so tiny that Erec sleeps with the washing machine. Worse, there is a
strange force within Erec that is making him do odd things. His urge to obey
these thoughts grows — until it becomes impossible to resist them.
twelve-year-old Erec Rex. His single mother can barely support her six adopted
kids. And they’ve moved into an
apartment so tiny that Erec sleeps with the washing machine. Worse, there is a
strange force within Erec that is making him do odd things. His urge to obey
these thoughts grows — until it becomes impossible to resist them.
Then one morning, Erec’s
mother is missing. The force inside Erec commands him to find her, leading him
on an adventure that will change him forever. When he arrives in Alypium, a
hidden world where old knowledge of magic is kept, Erec learns that his mother
and the entire kingdom are in peril. And he might be the only one who can save
them.
mother is missing. The force inside Erec commands him to find her, leading him
on an adventure that will change him forever. When he arrives in Alypium, a
hidden world where old knowledge of magic is kept, Erec learns that his mother
and the entire kingdom are in peril. And he might be the only one who can save
them.
Me: Kaza, I love the story of how you got started with Erec Rex,
basically venturing out on faith in your book and, with the help of a friend,
self-publishing. This was before the advent of Kindle and the self-publishing
craze, which are just now coming around to (maybe) embrace middle grade
e-books (The Dragon’s Eye was first published in 2007, in print, the
old-fashioned way). Can you tell us a bit about what made you decide to take
that leap?
basically venturing out on faith in your book and, with the help of a friend,
self-publishing. This was before the advent of Kindle and the self-publishing
craze, which are just now coming around to (maybe) embrace middle grade
e-books (The Dragon’s Eye was first published in 2007, in print, the
old-fashioned way). Can you tell us a bit about what made you decide to take
that leap?
Kaza: It wasn’t my plan at first to
self-publish in the beginning! I was extremely lucky and got a great agent –
Jennifer Lyons who was with Writers House in New York at the time. Writers House is the
top agency for kids / YA lit, as well as a lot of amazing adult lit. My
manuscript sat there forever, though, and she gradually sent it to only a few
places where it got rejected. Jennifer then left Writers House and I stayed
with them . . . only to find out that none of the other agents there wanted to
take my book on as it had been sent out to a few places already!
self-publish in the beginning! I was extremely lucky and got a great agent –
Jennifer Lyons who was with Writers House in New York at the time. Writers House is the
top agency for kids / YA lit, as well as a lot of amazing adult lit. My
manuscript sat there forever, though, and she gradually sent it to only a few
places where it got rejected. Jennifer then left Writers House and I stayed
with them . . . only to find out that none of the other agents there wanted to
take my book on as it had been sent out to a few places already!
I could have gone with another
agent, or even tried a small press, but I happened to meet Amy Collins who had
just left F and W Publication and had 15 years experience in book sales with
Penguin Books. It seemed like fate – Amy loved my book, and between her
expertise and my efforts, the big bookstores (Borders and Barnes and Noble)
bought large quantities of Book One (Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye) that year! The sales were great, and after Book Two (Erec
Rex: The Monsters of Otherness) came out Simon and
Schuster bought the entire 8 book series. It was very exciting!
agent, or even tried a small press, but I happened to meet Amy Collins who had
just left F and W Publication and had 15 years experience in book sales with
Penguin Books. It seemed like fate – Amy loved my book, and between her
expertise and my efforts, the big bookstores (Borders and Barnes and Noble)
bought large quantities of Book One (Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye) that year! The sales were great, and after Book Two (Erec
Rex: The Monsters of Otherness) came out Simon and
Schuster bought the entire 8 book series. It was very exciting!
Me: I can only imagine! Over the time that you’ve been writing Erec Rex, what’s been
the biggest change in the middle grade market that you’ve seen? Fantasy still
seems to be king in middle grade, but do you see that waning or growing in the
future?
the biggest change in the middle grade market that you’ve seen? Fantasy still
seems to be king in middle grade, but do you see that waning or growing in the
future?
Kaza: It seems that everything gets
compared to whatever is the best selling book out there at the time. At
first everyone was talking about what my series had in common with the Harry
Potter books (I’d say suspense, mystery, humor – but a very different story.)
Then when Eragon was hot everyone talked about how Erec Rex had dragons. Now
it’s Twillight that people mostly bring up – no . . . sorry, no Vampires in
this book. But the market seems pretty much the same to me. Kids like to buy
good books, whatever the good books might be at the time!
compared to whatever is the best selling book out there at the time. At
first everyone was talking about what my series had in common with the Harry
Potter books (I’d say suspense, mystery, humor – but a very different story.)
Then when Eragon was hot everyone talked about how Erec Rex had dragons. Now
it’s Twillight that people mostly bring up – no . . . sorry, no Vampires in
this book. But the market seems pretty much the same to me. Kids like to buy
good books, whatever the good books might be at the time!
Me: I think this is very true and often forgotten – what NY is publishing this year may change with the season, but the books kids love to read don’t change radically from year to year. You still have three books to go (THREE! Whew!), but have
you thought about what might be in store after Erec Rex?
you thought about what might be in store after Erec Rex?
Kaza: I have a lot of ideas for books I
want to write – too many unfortunately to find the time for them all! I’m
working on Book Six now, but I’m also developing another story I’d like to
sneak in before Book Six comes out. It’s unrelated to the Erec Rex series, but
something I’ve been playing around with for a while…
want to write – too many unfortunately to find the time for them all! I’m
working on Book Six now, but I’m also developing another story I’d like to
sneak in before Book Six comes out. It’s unrelated to the Erec Rex series, but
something I’ve been playing around with for a while…
Me: That sounds exciting! And it must be fun to play with something different for a while! What is your best advice for aspiring writers who would like
to follow in your footsteps?
to follow in your footsteps?
Kaza: WRITE! Seriously – the more you do
it the better you will get.
it the better you will get.
- Join a writing group. It’s great
to get feedback, and even better to read other people’s work and learn how to
critique it. That process will help you improve your own work the most.- Read books on writing. There are a
lot of great books out there that talk about writing fiction – characters,
plot, scene and setting . . . Fiction writing is unlike any other and nobody
can reinvent the wheel. A wise person once said to learn what all the rules are
so you know what you’re breaking.- Make sure you have perfected your
work before you submit it to an agent. You have one shot with it – always put
your best foot forward!
Me: Great, solid writing advice! Thanks so much for visiting with us today! I wish you (and
all the Erec Rex books) great ongoing success!
all the Erec Rex books) great ongoing success!
Kaza: Thank you, too, Susan! It’s a
pleasure being on your blog. I look forward to seeing you again sometime as
well!
pleasure being on your blog. I look forward to seeing you again sometime as
well!
Not only is Kaza an inspiration, she’s a delightful person as well. Next time your munchkin comes looking for books, get them started on this series! You’ll hear the quiet sound of pages rustling (or ebook swiping) for some time.
*****
p.s. the winner of the Indelibles on Fire Giveaway of Open Minds is … Jennifer Clements! Thank you to everyone that entered the Giveaway!!
What a neat story on a publishing journey! I'll have to recommend them to our library! Kids and especially parents LOVE series!
This sounds awesome! And congrats to Jennifer.
This might be the first thing I've ever won and I couldn't be more excited!!! Great story! Thanks for Sharing!!
Jennifer
Always love to find a new mg series! My kids will be thrilled to discover it. Great interview. Inspiring story. Thanks, ladies.
Congratulations to the contest winner 🙂
Also, great interview, ladies. It is awesome to read about the differing journies to publication. Sometimes, we just never know what fate has in store.
My son enjoys this series, but I admit that I haven't started yet. Time to change that, I think. 🙂
an 8 book deal? Holy cow! And great interview.
I know, right? Thanks for stopping by! (And man, I love this threaded commenting.)
Wow.
Sounds like a great series! =)
Thanks for stopping by Anna!
Thanks so much for sharing Kaza's story with us, Sue. It's great to hear of mg novels/series being successful.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I feel like I just hit the jackpot. I'm off to grab this series for my classroom. Thank you. Thank you. I can't wait to read it.
Yay! I'm sure they'll enjoy it! 🙂