Another author interview and I am extra excited this time because I get to interview an author. . . who just happens to be my very own cousin! I am just so so excited to pick her brain and talk with her about the ins and outs of the publishing process, and her tips for young writers.
Fun fact, you can publish a book by the time you're fourteen. It is possible! And I know it because Kelci literally just did it!
But enough of me, let's hear what Kelci has to say.
First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself and your debut novel, we were survivors.
My name is Kelci Kempson, and I am 15 years old. I am a goalie, writer, and a senior in high school. I self-published we were survivors in June at 14 years old.
Now, we were survivors is a very specific, unique book, in a genre that often feels very cliche. What and/or who gave you inspiration?
I have always loved dystopian and fantasy novels. I knew I wanted to write one in that genre from the beginning.
And why did you start writing in the first place?
I have a very wild imagination and have been writing short scenes since I was 6 or 7. I’ve always wanted to write a book but could never finish one until my co-op held a Teen Authors class.
Were there certain books that inspired you to write we were survivors specifically, or books that inspired you to start writing in the first place?
I read the book Red Queen, The Scourge, and a few other books that gave me a jumble of thoughts. I’ve been reading since I was 5ish and all those books helped me write this one.
Bouncing off of that, you are a very avid reader, and have always been. What would be your advice to parents with young children who aren’t avid readers? Were there any specific books or series that really got you into reading?
I actually didn’t like reading when I was younger, but I started reading more for school and finally found the right type of book. I would say let your kid read a lot of different genres because it takes a while for someone to find their type.
Ok, why did you write we were survivors? If you could sum up your mission for writing we were survivors in one phrase or sentence, what would it be?
I wrote it for my co-op class and for myself. I wanted to prove it to myself that I could finish a book.
Were there certain people in your life who helped you along in your journey from reading to writing for other people to read? And what would be your advice to young writers who are wanting to seek support from friends and family, but don’t know how to?
My teacher Mrs. Emerick edited my entire book and helped me along the whole way, also all of my family and friends were very encouraging. I would say that you should try to find people who also enjoy writing and make a place where you can all write and share with each other. Also, ask them to give you feedback on something you’ve written, it may be daunting, but everything is at first.
If you could go back two or three years, and tell your younger writing self one thing, what would you tell her? And why?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and you just have to keep going and working at it.
Were there ever times when you just wanted to give up? And what would be your advice to young writers who often feel like giving up?
Basically, what I said above, you just have to keep going. And I felt like stopping all the time. Especially in the middle of my book, it was just like your writing words and you can’t see the end of the road. That’s why you make a plot beforehand, and then when you feel lost you just go back to the plot and start writing.
In your publishing journey, you went the route of independently publishing, any specific reason? If you were to do it all again, would you go that same route?
It was the easiest thing to do for a new writer like me, and I didn’t know how to send my book to a publishing company. I wouldn’t change what I did but when I write another book I would like to try and publish it with a company.
What are some tips for others who are thinking about independently publishing, or already going through that process?
Get familiar with the process before you start, research the platform your using, and keep revising until you're done. I had 15 different versions of my book I went through before I published it.
And for our final question, what is one thing you wish you had known before you started writing this book?
Take time with the plot, get familiar with your characters, and love your book plot before you start.
Wow, that was a lot. Thank you so much, Kelci, for letting us pick your brain and glean some insight into the world of a young writer.
It really is so encouraging to know that it is possible to publish at a young age, and there is a way to get through the dark shadows of the publishing world.
Thank you for being an encouragement to all of us wannabe published authors, and for giving us hope that someday we can hold a physical book, written by ourselves, in our hands.
I would most definitely recommend we were survivors, and you can check it out here on Amazon.
And now I can't wait to publish something of my own so I can really talk shop with Kelci.