What is your name and/or pen name?
We are co-authors - KC Frantzen and May, a small Schnauzer!
What genre do you write?
Several years ago we used to say "middle grade adventure" but so many young adults, parents and grands enjoyed them too, now we say our books are for animal lovers 8 and up.
What made you want to be a writer?
KC has been writing since 5th grade but got the bug after winning a school-wide writing contest. These days, it's what God has called her to do. As a rescue dog, May thought telling her story might help humans who started off in a bad place too. That with God's grace and a healthy dose of spunk, plus good decisions, things turn out for the best. She always says, "Opportunity is on the way!"
What do you use to keep yourself inspired while writing?
Travel inspires us, though the international kind we discuss in our books isn't feasible for May in real life. Still, we pore over different places we can use to tell a story. We like to have a theme and overall message for each book, then weave lots of mischief and challenges to keep pages turning. Most of what happens in the first book May on the Way: How I Become a K9 Spy is actually true in real life! Books 2, 3, 4 are known for being accurate, even down to street names and real life events, but they don't necessarily happen to May.
One thing for sure, May loves to tell her own story. They are all written in first dog.
How do you feel about the writing community as a whole?
When we started ten years ago, we were astounded by the assistance so many others offered. Writing can be a fairly lonely business. As has been said, BICHOK is a must - Bottom in chair, hands on keyboard. This must be done alone, or if you're co-authoring, side by side with at least one if not both working quietly. (The other may/may not be snoozing at any given moment.) So having support online and at conferences is such a blessing.
Have you or will you be willing to collaborate with other authors in the future?
It's so much fun to collaborate! May and KC brainstorm a potential story, then KC types (since May finds it difficult to type without thumbs) the rough draft in the computer using the Snowflake Method. Once it's formulated about 3/4 of the way, we work together to edit and polish. Then submit to our first readers and work on writing the end. Then rewrites, submission to another batch of beta readers, many more rewrites, then off the manuscript goes to our wonderful editor, Sandra Byrd. Once her comments come in, we polish and rewrite more, then we begin work with the illustrator. (We've used 3 different illustrators so far.) As those pieces come in, we submit the nearly final manuscript to our proofreaders and back to the beta readers for final read throughs... Once that's finished, it's off to the formatter and finally the printer! Wshew!
Tell us about your book and if it’s upcoming or already published.
We have a fully illustrated 4 book series already published in hardcover and e-book. In the first story, May is rescued from a really bad situation, and moves to the home of a grouchy Labrador. Shortly thereafter, the entire family moves to rural Tennessee. One day May is out where she's not supposed to be, and sees something she's not supposed to see, and that starts her journey to be a K9 spy. In book 2, May Finds a Way: Peril in Paris, May is in K9 spy boot camp where an exercise goes awry, and she's dognapped and ends up in Paris. She teams up with a feral French cat who lives in a cemetery to thwart an evil plot. May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino, Book 3, finds our heroine encountering enemy dolphins and nuclear submarines while helping rescue her family. In our latest, May Saves the Day: Situation in St. Petersburg, May is ambushed! As the back cover says:
Undercover missions are challenging, especially with a sinister chef and a Cheetah on deck.
Agent May returns, working incognito to protect young delegates of the international Mastermind contest as they travel from Tallinn to St. Petersburg and beyond.
An elite K9 Squad and Cassidy, an unforeseen Schnauzer ally, join her to fend off Falcons and skilled Russian spies… Leading to a situation she hoped never to encounter.
Are you planning to write more?
Many have asked us to! For now, we are content visiting students in public and private schools, where we introduce our stories and teach a writing lesson, all free of charge. We simply ask for travel expenses and the opportunity to sell our books and coordinating plush toys at a discount. There's more information on our website about that. So far, we've visited schools in CO, GA, TN, TX and even Calgary, Alberta. We also appear at events held at libraries and craft fairs.
Is there anything you would say to other writers, that want to write and publish a book?
Sure! Get your story on paper! Editing a blank page is impossible, plus no one wants to read a blank page. Tell the story God wants you and only you to tell. Then, research the actual craft of writing through books, online courses, in person conferences and seminars. Be sure to check out online resources such as http://seekerville.blogspot.com and others. The writing community, we've found, has been so helpful.
The main thing is, get started!
May wants you to know that a cozy spot to snuggle and edit, and delicious treats, are musts also. BOL!
Where can my readers find your book and how they can follow you on social media?
Thank you for asking! Please visit our website: www.maythek9spy.com where you'll also find a link to Facebook. While you're on the website, listen to and read the first chapter of each book and order e-books and hardcover versions. Be sure to let us know what you think.
By the way, our first story is free in e-book on Amazon, Kobo and Nook. Check it out!
And do us a HUGE favor, please. When you're finished reading the books, leave an honest review. It helps us to improve our stories and for other readers find us.
Thanks again! Hope to see you online or at a school near you soon!
May on the Way: How I Become a K9 Spy
May Finds a Way: Peril in Paris
May Leads the Way: Trouble Near Tofino
May Saves the Day: Situation in St. Petersburg
Facebook: https: //www.facebook.com/MaytheK9Spy
Thank you so much KC and May. When I was in elementary school I won an award for writing. My family was not supportive of this so I never thought I could be a writer, until I was almost 40 years old. So I really love the fact that you go out to schools, and help with inspiring young minds.
You rock for doing that.
I really hope everyone that loves animals and is 8 and up, will check out KC and May’s books, and then follow them on social media.
Happy Reading and Writing Everyone
G. D. Talbot
I Love Kc, May and all the books!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the opportunity to meet your readers!
ReplyDeleteWe adore our school visits and afterwards receive so many wonderful notes, artwork and HUGS! And on occasion, an original story makes its way to our inbox!
THAT inspires us for sure. Such creativity!
It's fun to return to see students and hear what they've been writing and drawing too.
Keep doing what you do, and thank you again, G.D. A pleasure to be here. :)
Great books and adventures. Love the plush toys.
ReplyDelete