Appearances

Quick reminder: I've started an author Facebook page; feel free to friend me. See the post before this one for more details.

Anyway... hello everyone! I just got done with a very exciting and new experience -- I spent this past Thursday and Friday at Fall Creek Middle School here in Wisconsin, talking to seventh and eighth grade English classes about writing and publishing (with an emphasis on revisions -- for teachers who might like me to come speak to their students, I'll include in a little greater detail the things I covered at the end of this post). I had so much fun, the groups were great, and they asked some excellent questions. So I just want to give a shout-out to them, and their teachers, who made me feel so welcome and made this an experience I definitely want to repeat. Thanks a bunch, you guys!

Some more news: Legacy was reviewed by Bobbi Carducci, the director of the Young Voices Foundation, for About Families. Please check out both of the links! Here's the review:

"Legacy is the story of conflict surrounding the life and destiny of seventeen year old Princess Alera of Hytanica. Alera is a young woman of independent nature, struggling to live in a world where women exist to serve men. As princess, it is her duty to marry the young man her father has chosen for her; a man who suits the King but not his accomplished daughter.

"Just as Alera is about to give in to her father, she meets Narian, a teenage Cokyrian boy, who tells her of a land where women are respected leaders who choose their own mates. Alera wants to know more about this new way of thinking and about the boy who challenges her to think for herself. Unfortunately an alliance between them could spell doom for Alera and all of Hytanica.

"Ultimately, Alera must decide where her true destiny lies.

" 'At some point, the choice you will face is whether to carry out your duties or live your life.' "

"Legacy is the first novel written by a talented young writer I believe will have a long writing career. At the age of fifteen, Cayla Kluver has created a fantasy adventure story that will appeal to readers of all ages. I recommend that you Buy the Book!"

I was really heartened by this review, and so thankful toward Ms. Carducci once again.

Now for teachers: basically what I do at these kinds of workshops is read an excerpt from the book (Legacy), hand out a packet with some supplementary materials for what I plan to cover, then go through a timeline of the writing and publishing process, including a bunch of physical examples such as industry standard rejection letters from literary agents, uncorrected proof/galley copies of the book (bound manuscripts for review services), book covers before they're bound, and an amusing example of what can go wrong in the printing process. Once I've completed the timeline, I go back and elaborate on the importance of editing and revising, including major changes that were made between the first and final drafts of Legacy, and some general tips that apply to any form of writing. Then I take questions with however much time remains. If this is something you would be interested in for your own students, please send an email to editor[at]forsoothpublishing.com to make arrangements.

Thank you so much for visiting!

Cayla