If You Don’t Know Now You Know… You Know … The Call!
Those in the know will recognize the nod the Notorious B.I.G. in my blog title. Those who don’t, I’m sorry about that, it’s the lyric that’s been running through my head for the last week or so that along with the probably much more appropriate, gospel lyric, “I’m so glad they prayed for me.” Both are almost equally fitting to my monumental feelings right now.
A little over a week ago, after more years than I’d now care to admit (I’m getting up there ya’ll) I got my first ever CALL. You know the one that all writers dream of and daydream about and make up elaborate stories around. Well, nowadays THE CALL can oftentimes come via email but this one actually did come on the phone.
But before the CALL I did receive an email from my new rock star agent, Rachel Brooks, with the L. Perkins Agency with the subject line: CAN I CALL??? In all caps. And her being the amazing magical intuitive fairy she is, knowing me oh-so-well for the neurotic I am, she put in the email that she had good new and a super fun gif of two women in a lather of excitement because she also knows I love a gif way too much.
I quickly answered her back, yes, and to that Rachel called and let me know that after so many years of trudging my way, I had received an offer from the amazing Selena James for a 3 book deal plus a Novella with Kensington Book’s Dafina imprint. Hold the phone!
What the- Get. Out. Of. Town!
Here is the official announcement from Publishers Marketplace.
I am over the moon right now and so thrilled to be welcomed into this new publishing home. Not to mention, but to mention, being humbled and honored to be in the presence of so many talented writers who have come before me at Dafina. Talk about blown away.
I know my late Nana is smiling wide right now. Her prayers and mine plus those of my mother and all my family and friends have been answered and I hope to make her and the rest of them very proud.
Thank you all, and especially my ever patient Dear DH, so much for all your continued support and love.
I can’t wait to see what the next few years bring us!
All the best with all my heart,
KMJ
#WeNeedDiverseRomance
#WeNeedDiverseRomance … The Tee!
As many of you know I have been beating the drum for more diversity in romance creating the #WeNeedDiverseRomance hashtag on twitter in honor of my Nana and her love of the genre. It has also been a way to thank her for introducing me to the genre, getting me on my career path and always believing in me.
The time for more diversity in romance is now.
So by popular demand the #WeNeedDiverseRomance is here! Show your support for more diversity in the romance genre we read and love with a #WeNeedDiverseRomance Tee
Available in both black and white for a limited time:
Black- http://bit.ly/1GYWvjq &
White- http://bit.ly/1DEVNZl
Join me in sharing the love by wearing our hearts on our chests.
All the best,
KMJ
Slammin’ and Jammin’ at Romance Slam Jam!
So this post is long overdue, but in my own defense I just finally got my bags unpacked last night so there was that. Excuses, excuses. This past week I had the honor of going to Dallas to attend the 20th Annual Romance Slam Jam Conference.
Romance Slam Jam is a fantastic Black Romance reader meet writer conference where you can get really up close and personal. Everyone who goes considers it a bookish family reunion and it really is. I even got to see some members of my private fan group, TEAM KMJ in the flesh. Hey, Sharon, Midnight Ace and Jackie!
The readers get to attend sessions with the writers. Hearing about what that have upcoming, having their questions answered and even playing fun games. And the writes can attend reader sessions learning about what they really look for in the books they love, covers and what keeps them coming back for more!
I was so thrilled when at the annual Emma Awards, two of my good friends were honored with wins. First, Piper Huguley with debut author of the year and then the fabulous, Farrah Rochon with Author of the Year. There were big cheers all around our table!
I had so much fun and can’t wait for next year’s conference in Detroit where the amazing Beverly Jenkins will be the Keynote speaker.
I hope to see you all there next year!
All the best,
KMJ
Sidebar:
Just 1 more day to get BOUNCE for only 0.99 cents! Grab it while you can!
To the Sun
After so many long days and nights buried under the cold cover of snow…
it looks like my little yoga frog is finally out and raising his arms to the sun again.
Now, if only it would warm up we’d all be a little happier
(and the grass would be greener and I’m sure little froggy would maybe like a coat of paint. Winter can be brutal).
All the best,
KMJ
Underneath…
This has been a fast winter, but a really long February and early March with the amount of snow dumped on us weekly or bi-weekly.
But alas there is a light! And this week the forecast is calling for above freezing temperatures for the WHOLE week. Could it be that these piles of snow and ice will start to thaw? I’ve almost forgotten what grass looks like in real life and can’t wait to see what’s unearthed underneath it all (oh great, now I’m singing that song. Happy Earworm! LOL).
All the best,
KMJ
Seasons
Oh so much snow. This winter has been weighed down with it. Thick and heavy and seemingly never ending.
Poor Jack has barley been out more than a few moments at a time with the temperatures constantly below freezing so all we do are quick runs in and out. As we go along on our dashes we both look back out at the porch with longing. Dreaming of the days to come when we can once again sit out and have the sun shining warmly on our faces.
But from now on those lovely porch sits will be different forever changed. Our very good friend not by our side but always in our hearts.
Happy Birthday Nana.
With all our love.
Always,
KMJ
and the Jackster
No Bull About It… character interview from author Jeanine McAdam
Today on ye old blog we have a different kind of interview going on. I’m talking with Caleb Cooper, general pain in the behind from my friend and RWA/NYC chaptermate’s novel THE BILL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER. Let’s go Caleb…
Thanks for hosting me today Kwana, my name is Caleb Cooper. I am from THE BULL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER where I consider myself a villain but others would probably call me a pain in the ass. But in my own quirky and loveable way I redeem myself in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY because I’m the hero of that book. Not a knight in shining armor sort of hero but a decent guy nonetheless.
How did you come to your author’s attention?
My brother Logan Cooper is the hero in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BARE BOYCOTTER. Many, many times in that book I told my brother he was an asshole, an idiot plus all sorts of other rude stuff. I think the brutal honesty of my words caught Jeanine’s attention. I don’t think she completely agrees with how I treated my brother but it does create one hell of a story with interesting characters.
Did you give your author a hard time when she was writing your story?
No, not at all. I’m not that type of guy. Unlike my brother Logan, I have lots of potential as a human being. It just took a little bit of finessing on Jeanine’s part to turn me from a loudmouth idiot into a sensitive man. But I’m here to tell you, it happened in THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY.
What do you do for a living?
Next question. Holy hell, did you read the title of the book?
Ok ok! Next question…Who is the love of your life?
If I told you that THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY would be ruined. It’s called a spoiler. Look it up.
If there is a ‘love of your life’, what was the first thing you noticed about her?
She was pregnant. Hugely pregnant.
What’s your greatest fear?
Falling off a bull, hitting my head and turning into an imbecilic. Then again maybe that’s an old fear. If I were to update my fears, it would be Carrie Wang leaving me. Jesus H. Christ, I can’t believe I just said that. I hope Carrie doesn’t read this interview, she’ll think I’m a wimp.
What is the kinkiest thing you’ve ever done?
Now, you’re really pushing it (rolls shoulders). Have sex with a woman that I didn’t impregnate. By the way, Carrie was seven months along at the time we got together but I was gentle. That’s all I’m saying about her, don’t ask me anymore.
Will we be seeing you in future books?
You betcha. There’s THE BULL RIDER WEARS PINK. It’s about my sister Cassidy. She wants to compete against the men. You didn’t hear this from me but she’s probably a better rider than Logan and I combined. Her problem is, she’s a lousy Mom. Then again, she’s planning to work on that and I guess she gets involved with Pastor John. Talk about opposites attracting, I don’t know what Jeanine was thinking bringing those two together.
Blurb:
Sexy bull rider Caleb Cooper keeps falling off his bull and hitting his head. Smart neuroscience graduate student Carrie Wang is studying him. There’s just one problem, Carrie’s attracted to her broad-shouldered research subject. But she shouldn’t be, because Carrie is pregnant with Charles Winston’s baby. However, that one-night-stand occurred in a beaker closet and Charles wants nothing to do with her or the child.
Besides being handsome in a long-haired, scruffy sort-of-way, Caleb Cooper is kind and quirky. Carrie can’t stop touching him and their unprofessional attraction is mutual. Problems abound when Carrie’s traditional Chinese mother and Charles come to the rodeo. Carrie’s mother wants her to hook a husband and Charles wants Carrie to give the baby up for adoption. Carrie knows she could never let a stranger raise her child. Can Carrie go against everyone’s wishes and raise the baby on her own? Or could Caleb become a father to this child?
About Jeanine:
Jeanine McAdam is a writer of twenty-five romantic short stories, a few spicy anthologies and three cowboy books. Telling stories about imperfect people finding perfect love is her thing. Even though she lives in New York City she’s fascinated with the American west. She’s currently writing about bull riders and the spunky urban women who adore them in her Skirts and Spurs Trilogy. When she’s not writing she spends time with her teenage sons, ultra marathon running husband and two rescue Labrador retrievers named Desdemona (Desi) and Aaron.
Find THE BULL RIDER AND THE BABY:
http://jeaninemcadam.com/booklist/the-bull-rider-and-the-baby/
Find Jeanine at:
Web Site: www.jeaninemcadam.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeaninemcadambooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeaninemcadam
Thanks once again for being here!
All the best,
KMJ
Diversify… Now!
Happy Valentine’s Weekend!
I hope you are having a wonderful one filled with plenty of sweets and your favorite sweetheart 🙂
You all know that I’m a big advocate for diversity in romance and to speak to that I’m proud to have been invited to participate in a Romance Writer Chat #RWChat on twitter this Sunday 2/15 with the fantastic Alisha Rai to talk about diversity in the romance industry. If you are around at 7PM EST please hop on Twitter and join in as we’d love to have you. You know my motto: #WeNeedDiverseRomance Hope to see you there!
All the best,
KMJ
Believing is Doing…
Happy New Week!
So I’ve done all the blizzard prep I’m doing and what I have, I have and what I don’t, well, I don’t. Right about now it’s pretty much sit and wait time. I hope wherever you are the weather is kind and if not you’re warm and dry.
During this storm, as long as I have power (and if I don’t I have notebooks) I plan on working on my current WIP which truth be told has been my longest WIP ever. It’s a story that came to mind many years ago and when I got it I was so excited that I plotted it out and was ready to dive right in. Well, once I started I felt that it was a little (see a lot) more challenging and complicated than I anticipated and maybe I bit off more than I could chew. So I put it aside and wrote another book. Then that other book written I pulled the complicated WIP out again…. stalled again, put it aside and wrote yet another book. This process went on and on, the tough book haunting me while I went on to write and publish 3 more books!
What was stopping me with this book that I could write other full books while stalling on this one that I KNEW I wanted to write? Was it fear? Was it believing that I couldn’t do it?
Well the time is here that I MUST finish this book or lose my mind in the process. Giving up is not an option (well, it is an option but not one I’m happy with). Who knows if it will ever get published, but I know there needs to be a THE END or there won’t be any peace of mind for me. Wishing me luck peeps. Time for me to start believing and get to doing.
All the best,
KMJ
Dreams Always Matter… #WeNeedDiverseRomance
Happy Martin Luther King Day here in the US!
I always think of this as a day of reflection and not just a day of sales or a day off from work. I’m sure it helps that my children share a birthday with the great Dr. King which I always thought was a great honor and never missed an opportunity to remind them of that. They know the history and how far we have and sadly how far we still have to go. Recently, with the passing of my Nana, piggy backing on the powerful and important #WeNeedDiverse books hashtag, I started the #WeNeedDiverseRomance hashtag attempting to honor Nana’s love of romance and highlight the lack of diversity in the genre. Yes, we even have a long way to go when it comes to publishing and getting equal representation when it comes to our stories of happily ever after. And this is me with this hashtag hoping in some way to bring awareness and enact a bit of change to help balance the scales. It may be a small dream but it’s a DREAM all the same.
#WeNeedDiverseRomance
And if we have learned anything from Dr. King it’s that Dreams Always Matter.
All the best,
KMJ
