Author Interview: KELLY MARTIN

I'm pleased to welcome an author to the blog today who's celebrating the very recent release of their second middle grade horror. It looks so much fun!
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The Author...
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Kelly Martin lives in a possibly haunted house in a small southern town. While she'd like to say paranormal things have only happened to her at her home, it would be a lie...

She is an active member of the Horror Writers Association and an international #1 best selling author in horror, paranormal, contemporary, historical, young adult, and mysteries. All of Kelly's books have one thing in common-- imagine the real world is tilted slightly on its side. You don't really know what's going on, what's missing, but there is a tilt, a hum you can barely hear, telling you that something is off.

Follow Kelly here! 

Website: www.kellymartinbooks.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/readkellymartin
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/kellymartinbooks

The Book...
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​The sign over the covered antique mirror said DO NOT TOUCH. Twelve-year-old Nora wished she had listened.

Mirrors reflect what is in front of them, but what happens behind the glass—to the reflections themselves? Nora finds out when her own reflection, aka Fake Nora, changes places with her one night. Nora is shoved in a place that looks exactly like her house with no echoes, dull lights, and muted sounds. It isn’t her home at all, simply a shell of a place she loves.

Fake Nora is living her best life in Nora’s house, feeding on the fear of her little brother while no one else at the house knows anything is wrong.

Inside “reflectionland,” Nora meets thirteen-year-old Jesse, who has been stuck in his mirror since the forties, and he warns her that they aren’t alone in the house. There are others sneaking around, known as the bad ones—spirits of people who gave up after vanishing in the mirror.
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Refusing to stay a reflection forever, Nora conjures a plan to escape, but Fake Nora isn't about to give up her life in Nora's home. And Jesse? He could become a bad one forever.

Grab your copy here! 

The Interview...
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Did you always dream of being a writer/illustrator?

I've loved writing since elementary school, but it wasn't something I ever thought of doing as a job-- well, maybe in my wildest dreams. 


When did you start pursuing publication of your work? 

My very first book was written during NanoWriMo 2011. I wrote it and revised it. I figured I should try to get it published since I'd done so much work on it. It's been solid and consistent since then. 


How long did it take from that first thought to release day?

I was very lucky. I queried I think in March. The book got picked up by a small press in July and released in October 2012.


What's been the hardest part of publishing a book so far?

I think the hardest part is staying positive. Publishing and writing in general is so up and down (emotionally) that I had to learn to give myself grace. I also have hypothyrodism (which can make you super tired) and PMDD (which I wouldn't  wish on my worst enemy) so I had to learn that it's okay to take small breaks and give myself permission to have rough days with the knowledge that tomorrow will be better. 


And the easiest, or most enjoyable?

Readers. Hands down. I love when someone tells me they've read my book (good or bad). It's like... whoa! I wrote something from my brain and people actually read it. It's so cool!
What's next for you? 

Fake Nora, my spooky middle grade, comes out March 2nd. I love that book, and I love writing spooky middle grade! What's next? I'm not sure. I have one project I've been querying. One that is finished and ready for edits. One that I need to have finished and to a publisher by June/July.

And one I want to start for an October release. It's always busy in my head lol


What's one piece of advice you'd give to writers just started their pursuit of publication? 

Take time to feel your feelings. Feel the emotional highs of the good. At the same time, it's okay to feel bad for the low times. Take a second or two and wallow, but don't let it overwhelm you. Use the 'no's and 'unfortunatelys' (aka the worst words ever to get in a publishing email...) to push yourself forward. And have a "happy buddy". Someone in the industry who is your sounding board and encourages you to keep going. This one is very important. Tell your happy buddy that you got a rejection. They will tell you how sorry they are... then ask you how many words you've written today. Find someone like that and be that person for someone else. 

Last book you just read?

Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon (READ IT!... SO GOOD!)


What book are you reading now?

The Fear Zone by K.R. Alexander


Best book you've ever read?

Ever... hmmmm... Probably The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde


Fave author?

Mary Downing Hahn


Best moment of your writing life?

Winning Best Horror Novel at the Imajinn Awards and being asked to be a keynote speaker at a convention.


Name of your newest WIP?

Bell Witch meets Amityville ;)


If not an author, what would be your dream job?

In my much much younger days, I wanted to be an actor.