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Thursday, January 2, 2014

New Year means it's time for Kimberly Afe's New Book

Aloha,

It’s the second of January, so I hope your eyes don’t glaze over when reading the words “Happy New Year,” but I sincerely wish everyone a, well those words above :)

I want to begin with a heartfelt appreciation for the amazing feedback I received before, during and after the 50 States of Pray event – and would love to make this an annual event. (Score one for the good guys :)

To get 2014 off to a positive start, I’d like to help share Wednesday's launch of Kimberly Afe’s new book, THE HEADHUNTERS RACE.

In her own words, here’s Kimberly's journey to publication.

The Headhunters Race has a bit of a long journey.  The idea was born on June 26, 2011 after a Zelda game commercial inspired me.  The commercial was brilliant and I thought why can't they make a movie that cool?  And then I thought, why don't I write a cool adventure myself! 

So I brainstormed this story with my son over a dinner of spicy spaghetti a couple of nights after the idea came to me.  We worked out the entire novel:  the characters and their motivations, the world, and the details of the race as I frantically wrote it all down.  My husband and daughter also helped me brainstorm items that I needed worked out.  I then spent a little while playing around with Avene's voice and then wrote like crazy.  I finished in December of 2011.  I actually started having critique partners read it in November of 2011 and began querying agents in January of 2012 after more revising.  I also entered it into a few popular contests around the blogosphere in early 2012.  Then I took a very long break due to life circumstances with hubby’s heart and moving.  Early this year I got back into writing.  I’d been thinking about self-publishing for quite a while so when querying a few more agents and a handful of publishers didn’t work out, I decided to go for it, and now, 2 1/2 years later, the book is out there!  Wahoo!

Super congrats, Kimberly, and good luck with this and your future books :)

Book Summary

Sixteen-year-old Avene was sentenced to prison at thirteen for a crime she didn't commit. Now she has a chance to win her freedom back – if she enters the Headhunters Race. Second prize isn't so bad either, an upgrade to the Leisure Prison if you make it to the finish line. To win either prize, Avene and the other prisoners must navigate one hundred and fifty miles of dense forest, desert, and worst of all, cannibal territory.

With a mechanical collar timed to strangle the prisoners if they're not back in nine days, Avene allies herself with seventeen-year-old McCoy, another prisoner that insists on helping her at every turn and a boy she's trying hard not to fall for. Together they battle nature, other prisoners, and the timed death collars to win the coveted prize. But when Avene is tested with one deadly conflict after another, she realizes there is more at stake than winning her freedom – first she has to survive. 

Author Bio

Kimberly Afe is the mother of two awesome kids, wife of the nicest man in the world, and her dog's best friend. She works by day and writes middle grade and young adult science fiction and fantasy novels in her spare time. She lives with her family in the beautiful Sonoran Desert.


Kimberly’s Social Sites:

Website     Goodreads     Twitter     Facebook     Blog  

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25 comments:

Frankie Miller said...

Hi Mark,
Happy New Year to you, and it's still okay to keep the wishes coming. I still haven't got over that awesome 50 States of Pray. Thanks for that, too.
I've beaten Alex here(he must be still partying!) and everyone else - ha, ha!
It seems that Kimberly is onto a winner here.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations, Kimberly!

Kimberly said...

Thanks so much Fanny and Alex. And thank you so much Mark for hosting me. :)

50 States of Pray was fabulous and such an awesome idea - I look forward to it again this year! :)

Libby said...

Congrats to Kimberly!!! Best of luck with the launch!

Elephant's Child said...

Congratulations Kimberly, I hope it goes gang-busters. And thank you, I think, to both of you. More temptation.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

50 States was a great idea! Glad you plan to do it annually.

Best of luck to Kimberly!

Misha Gerrick said...

Doing 50 States of Pray again? Count me in right now. :-)

Congrats, Kimberly.

Jessica Lawson said...

Hooray for Kimberly and The Headhunters Race! And Happy New Year Mark :)

Kimberly said...

Thanks all for your well wishes! :)

David P. King said...

Kimberly! Yay! Sounds like a sweet read! :)

Kimberly said...

Thanks, David!

Morgan said...

Aloha, Koop!

I am so very, very glad to be visiting here... seems like it's been too long! I'm just now seeing the 50 States of Pray as I'm catching up on blogging. Mark, what a beautiful thing. I'm sad I wasn't a part--I've loved seeing the posts around. Thank you for organizing something so lovely!

And how neat with Kimberly---so proud of her! I love seeing people live their dreams. I hope your holidays have been wonderful--it's time to catch up and set some hard core goals!!!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I loved the blog hop and I'll all in for next year. Love the sound of Kimberly's book.

Donna K. Weaver said...

I've seen this on other blogs. I have it on my TBR list. Too bad more books don't go straight to audiobooks, where I do most of my reading.

Kimberly said...

Thanks so much, Morgan, Susan, and Donna!

Nicole said...

Congrats Kimberly! What a way to ring in 2014. :)

Kimberly said...

Thanks, Nicole!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic article ! You havemade some very astute statements and I appreciate the the effort you have put into your writing. Its clear that you know what you are writing about. I am excited to read more of your sites content.
jeu amour

Julie Musil said...

Congratulations to Kimberly!

Love the 50 States of Pray idea. Great reminders for all of us.

I hope you have an outstanding 2014, Mark.

Kimberly said...

Thanks, Julie!

Martin Willoughby said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now I've got that out of my system. congratulations to Kimberley on her book.

Kimberly said...

Thank you, Martin!

Emily R. King said...

Happy, happy new year!

Kimberly's book sounds like a fast-paced ride. Congrats to her!

klahanie said...

Hey dude,

I totally understand you have been eagerly waiting for my comment. Wait no more.

Your 50 States of Hey and Yay, went real well :) Good to note that as I stayed discreetly in the background doing my own thang!

I'm really pleased to notice Kimberly's book launch being publicised on your blog. Good luck to her and very good of you to do this, Mazza, old chap.

Cheerio and all that sort of rot.

A peaceful, positive 2014 to you and yours, my friend.

Gazza :)

Kimberly said...

Thank you so much, Emily and Klahanie!

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