Jennifer: When did you publish your first book and who published it?
Kate: I wrote two history shorts for the book “Fairfax County Stories: 1607-2007”. It was published by the County of Fairfax, Fairfax Virginia in 2007.
Kate: I wrote two history shorts for the book “Fairfax County Stories: 1607-2007”. It was published by the County of Fairfax, Fairfax Virginia in 2007.
Jennifer: Please describe your novel writing process?
Kate: I’m a type A personality so I outline outline outline, write using brackets to signal what I need to go back to and research, revise revise revise, and then polish it. My process is a lot of organizing and a ton of revising.
I read a biography of Alexander Hamilton a couple of years ago (“Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow) which was fabulous. Hamilton used to pace around, talking to himself and organize his thoughts in his head before writing. He would then sit down and write an entire pamphlet in one draft. I’m the exact opposite and would love to be in the Hamilton mode!
Jennifer: If you are self-published--who does your book covers? Who does your copy editing and proofreading?
Kate: I’m a type A personality so I outline outline outline, write using brackets to signal what I need to go back to and research, revise revise revise, and then polish it. My process is a lot of organizing and a ton of revising.
I read a biography of Alexander Hamilton a couple of years ago (“Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow) which was fabulous. Hamilton used to pace around, talking to himself and organize his thoughts in his head before writing. He would then sit down and write an entire pamphlet in one draft. I’m the exact opposite and would love to be in the Hamilton mode!
Jennifer: If you are self-published--who does your book covers? Who does your copy editing and proofreading?
Kate: My first mystery novel, “The Happy Housewife,” was self-published this year. I used Stewart A. Williams for the cover and Diana Cox for proofreading.
Jennifer: Do you have an author blog? What is your blog's address?
Kate: I have a blog, “The History of …” where I write about the history behind current events. http://www.katecooch.com/blog/
Jennifer: Where do you go to request reputable, free reviews?
Kate: I have taken advantage of the compilation sites that are out there for “Indie” authors. The only filter I have is that I refuse to pay for reviews.
Jennifer: What have you done that has successfully increased your online sales?
Kate: Giving away free content can lead people to the writing you want people to purchase. In my case, I have been publishing history articles for years so I give them away at my website and on Smashwords. At the end of the article where I have a brief bio, I reference my mystery novel. Free can then lead to paid.
Jennifer: What advice would you give aspiring authors about publishing or self-publishing?
Kate: First and foremost is to make sure your product is ready. Many times I have let enthusiasm for my subject get ahead of the basics of writing. The publishing process ensures that you have a professional product so that one really excited individual (me!) cannot leap ahead of good practices. Self-publishing requires that you manage writing, editing, and reviewing, as well as, your own eagerness.
Jennifer: What projects are you working on now? Please describe.
Kate: I am working on a second mystery novel as well as, more history shorts for my blog, “The History of …”
You write historical shorts and give them away for free. Please elaborate on your love of history and about your non-fiction shorts.
Kate: In 2000 I was finishing up flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot had been my goal for quite some time and now I was ready to find a new objective.
I had always been interested in history—in college and in many of the books I chose to read for fun. I liked the independence of writing so I decided to put the two together.
During my flying tour at Air Station Los Angeles I wrote as a hobby and was published in “Military Heritage Magazine.” I kept up with history writing after I left the Guard. To this day I keep a binder with all the questions I want to research and get to it when I can. I used to publish these shorts with others, now I use them on my site and blog as promotional tools.
Kate: I have taken advantage of the compilation sites that are out there for “Indie” authors. The only filter I have is that I refuse to pay for reviews.
Jennifer: What have you done that has successfully increased your online sales?
Kate: Giving away free content can lead people to the writing you want people to purchase. In my case, I have been publishing history articles for years so I give them away at my website and on Smashwords. At the end of the article where I have a brief bio, I reference my mystery novel. Free can then lead to paid.
Jennifer: What advice would you give aspiring authors about publishing or self-publishing?
Kate: First and foremost is to make sure your product is ready. Many times I have let enthusiasm for my subject get ahead of the basics of writing. The publishing process ensures that you have a professional product so that one really excited individual (me!) cannot leap ahead of good practices. Self-publishing requires that you manage writing, editing, and reviewing, as well as, your own eagerness.
Jennifer: What projects are you working on now? Please describe.
Kate: I am working on a second mystery novel as well as, more history shorts for my blog, “The History of …”
You write historical shorts and give them away for free. Please elaborate on your love of history and about your non-fiction shorts.
Kate: In 2000 I was finishing up flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Becoming a Coast Guard helicopter pilot had been my goal for quite some time and now I was ready to find a new objective.
I had always been interested in history—in college and in many of the books I chose to read for fun. I liked the independence of writing so I decided to put the two together.
During my flying tour at Air Station Los Angeles I wrote as a hobby and was published in “Military Heritage Magazine.” I kept up with history writing after I left the Guard. To this day I keep a binder with all the questions I want to research and get to it when I can. I used to publish these shorts with others, now I use them on my site and blog as promotional tools.
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