Deborah Kerbel is the author for this Thursday’s Author Tales, Deborah is the author of Mackenzie Lost and Found, which was released November 17, 2008.
Thanks, Story Siren, for inviting me to chat on your blog today!
To those of you who don’t know me, my name is Deborah Kerbel and my debut YA, Mackenzie, Lost and Found, came out this winter. I’m one of the lucky people in the world who can say, without hesitation, that I absolutely LOVE my job. Being a YA author is really a dream-come-true. I get paid to work from my home, connect with young people who gush on books, and push my imagination to its limits every day.
Honestly, what could be better?
But it wasn’t always chocolate and roses. Getting published is really hard work and writers usually have to get used to a lot of criticism and rejection. Now rejection is hard on everyone…but writers (you know, being sensitive, artsy types and all) can often take rejection harder than others. Sometimes, it can be bad enough to make you want to throw your computer through the nearest window. And sometimes, it can be bad enough to make you doubt yourself to the point of giving up.
But getting Mackenzie, Lost and Found published has been a wonderful confirmation that, yes dammit, I am good at this. And hearing from readers around the world who’ve loved my book is the ultimate validation. So now I’d like to list a few more fabulous things about becoming a YA author.
Drumroll please…
#5. I no longer have to squirm uncomfortably and change the subject when people ask me that cliché cocktail party question: “So…what do you do?”
Because, you know, I’m an author sounds so much better than I hang just out in my pyjamas all day and play around on the computer.
#4. I get to scribble anything I want inside the cover page of my own books under the legitimate guise of ‘signing’. Of course, this is accompanied with the proviso to my children (should they be watching) that “remember, only Mummy…I mean authors are allowed to do this”.
#3. Did you know that, in general, people consider authors to be somewhat intellectual? Yup, even YA authors! As such, I have been granted a lifetime exemption from ‘dumb-blonde’ references. Sweet!
#2. The free personalized bookmarks are a really nice perk.
#1. And the best thing about becoming a YA author is…in the name of hard-working self-promotion, I get to have my own website where I write and blog about me, me, ME all day long (and not appear like a complete ego-maniacal narcissist in the process)!
Mackenzie, Lost and Found is a powerful story of ‘star-crossed’ teenage love set in the Middle East. If you want to find out more about Deborah Kerbel and her books, just click here: http://www.deborahkerbel.com
If you’d like to win a signed copy of Mackenzie Lost and Found leave a comment by Thursday March 19! Contest open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.
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yay I would love to win a copy! :]
your guest blog is really funny and i would love to read your book!
Very funny list! I can certainly sympathize with #5. Whenever people ask me what I do, I have to answer with, “Well, do you want to know about the job that pays the bills, or the passion that I hope to someday be a career?”
Enter me, please!
I’ve wanting to read this book for awhile now. Enter me!
Would totally love a copy!
I love that sentiment, “Because, you know, I’m an author sounds so much better than I hang just out in my pyjamas all day and play around on the computer”. So that’s not an acutally job descriptions *winks*. Thanks for the chance to be entered in this drawing! Indigo
ravensquietscreams@gmail.com
I like that when you’re not published, you just ‘hang around in your pyjamas all day and play on the computer’ but when you are you suddenly become an intellectual. Kinda like the way people who GO to uni are hanging around in their metaphorical pyjamas, but people who have BEEN to uni are respected. People are strange sometimes =)
(don’t eneter me, I’m overseas)
This one looks really good! Thanks for the giveaway.
Being an author sounds like a great job!:)
Please enter me – I love reading about the Middle East!
Oops! *brushes cheese doodle dust off keyboard* Very insightful and hilarious interview. Please enter me to win! My life would suck without this book! *bops self in head* Drat that Kelly Clarkson song!
I would love to win a copy! BTW, love #5.
shelcows AT gmail DOT com
I loved the post, Deborah! I can relate to Number 5 – although I’m still at the pyjamas stage. I hope that VPL has your book. Good luck
This book looks great. Love the post
Megan
bookworm8675309@yahoo.com
Hey Hey Deborah!
Very funny peek into the perks and perils of writing for a living. As for you readers out there, this is one book you’ll devour cover to cover. I know I did, and loved every delicious page!
Marisa.
This post was very funny! Loved it, and I would LOVE to win the book!
I would love to be a YA novelist also =)
Yay Deborah! What a great start to your spring blog tour! I’d LOVE to win a copy!
I love this list, it’s hilarous.
I’d love to win a copy of this to see more of her writing. Laina1312@gmail.com
Great guest blog!! Thanks
poptart675@att.net
I don’t need a copy as I already own this fabulous book!
You’re so right, Deborah. The writing game is rejection city! But all the little pluses along the way can keep you going – like good writing buddies!
Look forward to seeing you on the UK leg of your tour!
Oh, that was fun. Great post, Deborah. I posted a link over at my blog, too.
Haha. Such a great post.
I’d love a copy!
That was an awesome guest blog. Anyway, I would love a copy of this! It looks so cute.
Great post Deborah! Very funny!
(no need to enter me…waiting on your new novel!)
Haha, those are some great reasons!
I’d love a copy!
Please enter me for this book.
I’m not familiar with Deborah Kerbel but this book sounds like a great way for me and my students to get to know her!
I’m interested. And well done for defying the dumb blonde stereotype. Although I’l probably get twice the amount of jokes now that they have one less person to tell them to
I really am blonde, I forgot my email address.
katiepinn@hotmail.com
Please enter me! This book seems really good! And great interview!
jenniferduttle@hotmail.com
Hahaha great post! Very funny
Interesting plot. I think I might be interested in this book. I’d like to read it. Nice post!
thekbseries@yahoo.com
Please Enter Me!
juliematthews7(at)juno (dot) com
Sweet. It sounds really good.
I would love to be entered!
katieb206@gmail.com
Oh pick me, I’d like to read and review this book!
Thanks!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
I love the cover of the book, and it sounds really original and interesting!
paradoxrevealed (at) aim (dot) com
You have a very humorous blog! I enjoyhed it. I would love to win this book!
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
What a great blog – I really enjoy your reviews.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9@verizon.net