I'm entering a competition. It's for a chance to be published with a well respected publisher. I seriously don't think I'll be one of the finalists judging from past winners, but it gives me a chance to be seen by local industry professionals. Some would say, 'why bother?' Well, first off, I'm a paid member …
Literary Speed Dating
Last week I did my second Literary Speed Dating event. This event was online unlike the previous one I did. Back then I joined a large number of eager authors waiting in line to impress representatives from publishing houses. We rehearsed our spiel, performed for an acquisitions editor, answered questions, then joined the next queue hoping …
When AI steals your cover art
Some freaky things are happening. Authors are receiving emails with AI generated praise to convince them to sign up for paid promotions. Several of us have been comparing these in online writers' groups. Two popped into my inbox in just as many days and they sound like this: I just finished reading about Drama Queens …
Writing to a deadline while on holidays
In two months, my first self-published novel will be out. Well, at least it will be at the time I write this blog. It's titled Grayson's Magical Mishaps and is part of the Haunted Hearts: Season of the Witch collaboration - eleven Urban Fantasy romances written by gay authors. I usually spend years on a …
How harsh should a beta reader be?
When I first beta read, I was harsh. Not in my criticism. In my tone. Since then when I'm asked, I share both praise and critique, preferring to share my notes on a video call so the right tone is applied to my comments. Last week, a beta reader contacted me after reading my first …
Author News Update – 23 June, 2025
Welcome to another author update. I can now announce that I'm one of the gay writers who are collaborating on the second series of Haunted Hearts novels. Last year, a group of queer male authors released the first series, one by one, leading up to Halloween. You can find them HERE. Last year's books centred …
As an author, how are you perceived?
Several things happened recently which made me reevaluate. I had an email conversation with one of the staff of our local queer book store. In his last reply he encouraged me to submit manuscripts to certain publishers. But they were all Romance publishers. My books are rarely in their store while self published friend's novels …
How long does it take to write a novel?
This is a tale of two novels. One I started five years ago and is still a work in progress. It’s set in the 90s around the gay scene of Sydney’s Oxford Street. Eight drafts have been written, but after it failed to spark interest, I had it assessed. I found the State Library research …
Writing to a deadline
I have a deadline. A novel I'm writing needs to be published in five to six months. I usually take years on my manuscripts, working on a draft, then putting it aside for a few months. When I pick it up again, I'll see what needs work, fix, then put it aside for another few …
So, you’ve lost interest in that book you’re reading.
I admit, it takes me a long time to ditch a book. I always get into a story, admiring the prose, until there may be a point three quarters in where I lose interest. But at least I've given that novel a decent read. Sometimes I'm still keen to know the ending and skip to …
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kevin klehr 