Awesomesauce Authors: An Interview with Kimberly P. Chase

So if you've been following this blog for more than a minute, you should know that I am a complete and total fangirl of today's author. I'm in love with THE APOLLO ACADEMY concept--Kim is a pioneer in changing how people think about New Adult fiction, while still keeping things sexy. :) Here's a little bit about Kim, her fantabulous debut novel, and an upcoming blog contest for unagented writers! 

About the Author:

Kimberly P. Chase holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let's not forget—kissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, four-year-old son, and two dogs.

Find Kimberly here:

And now, on to the interview!

Tell us a little about your writer's journey so far:

Oh boy. That's a long story, so here's the short and sweet version:

Aug. 2011- I finally gathered the courage to write the book I'd been thinking about for years.

Jan. 2012- the book was "finished."

March 2012- I learned about querying agents...

Aug 2012- I signed with Brittany Howard of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Oct 2012- I went out on submission....

I waited and I waited...

April 2013- I had my first publishing offer.

May 2013- I turned the offer down and decided to self publish instead.

August 6th, 2013- THE APOLLO ACADEMY released! (And it's now a bestselling science fiction romance novel on Amazon! Squee!)

I've blogged about my entire publishing journey from day one, so if you're really curious about all of my experiences in detail----> http://kimberlypchase.blogspot.com/

Okay, let's hear your Twitter Pitch! (140 characters or less.)

This bad boy got me a few requests in Twitter Pitch Parties:

Plummeting 55,000ft-Check. Oxygen malfunctions-Check. Normal for astronaut training? Nope, someone wants Aurora out of the Academy…

What inspired you to write this book? How is it a book only you could write?

I'm a HUGE reader and a few years ago I began to feel like there was something missing in my own reading pile. And you know the saying- Write the book that you want to read. . .

Well, when I mentioned this thought to my husband, he encouraged me to do just that. The Apollo Academy would still be a story sitting in my head without his encouragement.

Looking back now, it's clear to me that I'd been collecting pieces of The Apollo Academy my entire life. From nights spent looking through a telescope, Space Camp, flying lessons, to reading science fiction books. I had everything already in me to write the book I wanted-- a book about a young woman who loved to fly. One that wasn't historical, but fun and sexy.

  

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Getting to express my love of aviation and space exploration.

What's your least favorite thing?

First drafts. I love revising waaaaaay more!

Now it's time to brag a little--What do you love most about your book?

All of the flying scenes. There's this one chapter in the book (Chap 18..I think!) where Aurora experiences a flight malfunction that I still get chills when I read.

Dannie: Me, too. :)

What has surprised you most about publishing post-agent ?

How different everyone's submission experience is. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the publishing industry.  

Okay, now a little about you. (And yes, I stole these questions from In the Actor's Studio with James Lipton.)

What is your favorite word? 

Awesome.

  

What is your least favorite word? 

No.

What turns you on? 

Confidence.

What turns you off? 

Negativity.

What sound or noise do you love? 

Waves crashing. A helicopter flying overhead.

What sound or noise do you hate? 

An alarm clock!

What profession, other than your own, would you most like to attempt? 

A helicopter pilot in Hawaii. I'm determined to eventually become a Whirly Girl!

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear G-d say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

"Kim, you have led a long, exciting, and good life. Your descendants will live on in your name and prosper." That sounds kind of Trekkie of me, but that's what I'd want to hear. Or something like that! "Welcome to your eternal home...."

Finally, what's the one question you've always wanted to answer in an interview? (And of course, you have to answer it!)

I never get questions about The Apollo Academy's book trailer! And OMG that was one of the most fun things to do. I could talk about it for days...Did you know that the flying scenes are me and a former Air Force fighter pilot doing spins in a Cessna-172?! I recorded them on my iPhone!

Dannie: Kim's book trailer is probably one of my favorites ever. It seriously gives me chills. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is!

About THE APOLLO ACADEMY: 

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. All she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-prone life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting. Everything would be perfect if it weren't for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

The Apollo Academy is an action packed story of love, discovery, and survival.

Watch the Book Trailer!

Early Praise:

"I am obsessed with this book! Suspenseful, sexy, and just a great read!" - Cora Carmack, New York Times Bestselling author of LOSING IT.

“Exquisite worldbuilding, thrilling suspense, and a sexy flight instructor! Chase’s exciting debut novel is one you don’t want to miss.” - K.A.Tucker, Author of Ten Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie

"Chase’s first in a four-part series is fast-paced, thrilling and wildly imaginative. Though it takes place more than 100 years in the future, the author makes the world feel contemporary, and it’s a breeze to follow — unlike heavier sci-fi. Aurora is unforgettable and a great role model for new adult fans because she is the epitome of strength. The sexy pilots add just enough spice to this space saga." -RT BOOK REVIEWS

About Trick or Treat With Agents

From Kim: I'll add a note here for any un-agented writers reading this interview. I'll be running the Trick or Treat with Agents contest again this year. (Don't know what that is...ask Dannie! It's how she got Batman to be her agent!) The submission window opens on October 22nd at 0900AM EDT. More details will be up on the blog as we get closer to Halloween.