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:
Rafflecopter Giveaway
25 comments:
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.
Congratulations, Kimberly!
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! :)
Congrats to Kimberly!!! Best of luck with the launch!
Congratulations Kimberly, I hope it goes gang-busters. And thank you, I think, to both of you. More temptation.
50 States was a great idea! Glad you plan to do it annually.
Best of luck to Kimberly!
Doing 50 States of Pray again? Count me in right now. :-)
Congrats, Kimberly.
Hooray for Kimberly and The Headhunters Race! And Happy New Year Mark :)
Thanks all for your well wishes! :)
Kimberly! Yay! Sounds like a sweet read! :)
Thanks, David!
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!!!
I loved the blog hop and I'll all in for next year. Love the sound of Kimberly's book.
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.
Thanks so much, Morgan, Susan, and Donna!
Congrats Kimberly! What a way to ring in 2014. :)
Thanks, Nicole!
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
Congratulations to Kimberly!
Love the 50 States of Pray idea. Great reminders for all of us.
I hope you have an outstanding 2014, Mark.
Thanks, Julie!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Now I've got that out of my system. congratulations to Kimberley on her book.
Thank you, Martin!
Happy, happy new year!
Kimberly's book sounds like a fast-paced ride. Congrats to her!
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 :)
Thank you so much, Emily and Klahanie!
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