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!)
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.
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.
.JPG)
