Posted on Sun, Jul. 19, 2009
'Publish me,' she said, her eyes locked on the book editor
By Victor YangHerald-Leader Staff Writer

Jenny Clark's interesting fact for her second Jeopardy! audition? She is a medical physicist by day, a romance writer by night.

At the Lexington Clinic, Clark maintains the accelerator that delivers radiation to cancer patients. At home, she is putting the final touches on her first novel, a 17th-century time-travel romance.

Her professional and writing worlds are not as disparate as they seem. Her book's main character is a modern medical physicist from Lexington's Masterson Station neighborhood. Clark and her colleagues host book clubs together. And she has been dispatching the romance-writing equivalent of job applications, sending out as many as 20 queries to publishers and agents, pitching her book.

"I really want to be published," she said.

Clark's story might seem unique, but her passion to write exemplifies the romance writing scene for Kentuckians in the genre. Many have held novelist aspirations since middle school, but almost no one writes as a vocation. Most romance authors support themselves through another full-time job. A good number flaunt their state pride in their work, often using the Bluegrass State as inspiration. And they enjoy vibrant support networks through their family, friends and professional organizations.

A friendly industry

Kentucky Romance Writers, a chapter of the national Romance Writers of America, started in 1990 as a forum for authors to exchange ideas, share news and provide moral support.
President Kathy Logan says the group of 43 authors is an eclectic bunch. There are extroverts and introverts, a diversity of characters and varied occupations. But they all share one passion.

"I think there's something about the personality that can sit all day and talk to imaginary people," she said of her writing colleagues. "Some people think we're crazy, but that's just part of the life of writing. I just love it."

The group is composed largely of women in their 20s to 50s, but there is one man: Michael Embry of Frankfort.

Embry has written non-fiction sports books and contemporary novels, but he said it is "difficult for a man to break into the romance market." In a genre that is written primarily by women for women, many men might write with female pseudonyms or initials.

Despite the gender challenge, Embry said his membership in Kentucky Romance Writers has been pivotal in his growth as an author.

"In my experience, writing groups come and go, but this group has dedicated members who keep it going with regular meetings, workshops, group book signings," he said. "This organization has a lot of published authors who are more than willing to share their secrets for success."
For many writers — published and unpublished — the mentoring opportunities that such an association can offer are invaluable.

"I thought I was one of those people that could sit at home by myself and write," said Logan, a widow who lives with her mother in Lexington. "But everyone needs a support group and a group to help you promote."

Southern hospitality

Professional networks are not the only help that authors receive. Logan said educational institutions such as the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning in Lexington offer regular writing workshops, and informal support exists as well.

When she was writing her next book — a time-travel novel set on a family farm on Old Frankfort Pike — she conducted research on pastures, Lexington Civil War history and horses. Logan raves of the kindness of people she has contacted in the process: authors-in-residence at the Carnegie Center, University of Kentucky professors, former jockey Pat Day and a radiocarbon dating expert in New Zealand.

"Just pick up the phone and call anybody that you know has the information," she said. "People love to share information with you when they know that you're writing a story."

The right place

J.R. Ward, the only Kentucky author in Kentucky Romance Writers who supports herself financially through writing, had long disregarded her dreams of a romance-writing career as unrealistic. She went to law school and was working in health care administration when her first book got picked up by an agent. Since then, Ward has written 19 books, several of which have reached No. 1 on The New York Times best-seller list.

Ward finds writing to be a solitary endeavor; she treats it as "a much more quiet process" than do some of her colleagues. But even though she does not use workshops and critique groups, Ward, a New England native, said the quality of life in Kentucky is perfect for her writing.

"The pace of life down here is very conducive to writing. ... It's slower in a good way," she said.

"Here I can really focus."

Bluegrass pride

Like Clark, many Kentucky authors choose to draw on local backdrops for their novels.
Jennifer Madden, a former deputy sheriff, is hoping to publish her first book. Preliminarily titled Snickers and Snorts, the novel centers on a Kentucky horse farm owner and his love, a police officer. Her own small-town upbringing inspires the work.

"Kentucky is so equine-based, and I have horses — it just seemed natural to put cops and horses," Madden said.

When her friends discover her hobby, "they kind of laugh," she said. Madden's tough personality makes the idea of her romance writing "odd to put into their minds," she said.

Some people scoff, but others promise to buy her first book when it is printed. And her family has been nothing but supportive. Her husband encouraged her to resign her job, stay home with their two children and write.

Her dream? "Write romance profitably," Madden said.

Money matters

Madden's ambition is one that many authors share.

"Everyone I know writing would love to stay home and do it full-time," said Logan, an executive assistant to the president of a mining-machinery company.

Heather Turner of Nicholasville wrote and sent in her first book to a publisher under a pen

name, Sophia Danu. A computer programmer by trade, she went through the publishing process in secret; not even her family and friends knew.

"When I first turned it in, I didn't tell anybody. If I was going to be rejected, I didn't want anyone to know," Turner said. "But then when I got accepted, I wanted to spread the word so that they could buy my book."

Turner has enjoyed a 100 percent success rate submitting her work to online publishers. Writing has proved profitable, she said, but not enough for her to make it a career.

For authors, online publishing, or e-publishing, has become an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional New York publishing houses.

"With all of the (Amazon) Kindles, reading devices, and how everything's gone to computers, it seems like that is the way of the future," Turner said of e-books.

Several writers have enjoyed greater success in submitting their work to the smaller presses.
But e-books might not be the most lucrative avenue.

"If you do your research as an up-and-comer, you know going into it that your earnings will be a pittance," said Tracy Preston, a Kentucky romance author. "Do mass-market publishers pay out more royalties? Heck, yeah."

Logan said that e-book publishers pay royalties of about 30 percent on online downloads and 7 percent for print books. In contrast to contracts with New York publishing houses, there is no advance lump sum. Although "you don't get rich," most authors write for the love of it, Logan said.

Many Kentucky writers reflect this reality — that romance is their passion and their hobby.

"I want to write about love and people getting together," Turner said. "That's big for me."
As an emotional person herself, Clark, the medical physicist/romance writer, loves to get emotionally involved with her characters.

There's "so much junk going on in the world that it feels good to get to the end of a book," she said.

Clark's sentiment captures the essence of one universal term used around the world of romance writing: "HEA." What does it stand for?

"Happily ever after."

The Search For Cover Art . . .

The closer I come to completing the final editing of THE RUBY BROOCH the more thought I have given to the cover. The cover of the book should definitely have a picture of a brooch, but finding the right brooch was a challenge.

I've spent hours researching Celtic designs, the history of the plaid brooch, and types of rubies and have changed the description in the story more times than I can remember. Recently, I came across a website called Ruby Lane. How could I not spend time "strolling the cobblestone streets of Ruby Lane visiting some of the 2000 independently owned shops from the around the world showcasing Antiques, Books, Vintage Clothing & Accessories, Vintage Collectibles, Dolls, Fine Art, Glass, Antique & Vintage Jewelry, Artisan Jewelry, Porcelain, Postcards, Pottery, and Silver." In one of the Antique & Vintage Jewelry shops I found the perfect brooch that looks just like what I imagined the ruby brooch would look like, sans ruby. I bought it!

Things men have made with wakened hands, and put soft life into, are awake through years with transferred touch,
and go on glowing for long years.
And for this reason some old things are lovely,
warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them.
- D. H. Lawrence

Two Babies and a Book Contract

Meredith Lyle
was born on Saturday, December 13 weighing in at 8lbs. 8oz. She arrived early - calling a halt to the birthday celebration planned for her daddy and three year old brother, Lincoln, both of whom were born on the 14th. The boys better watch out because this little chickadee isn't going to let them get ahead of her on anything at anytime!

Compared to Henry's birth this past May - this was a piece of cake. Labor started at 5:00 a.m. but progressed slowly. At 4:40 Lynn was only 5 cms dilated, but when they checked her again at 5:00 she was complete! Meredith might start slow but when she picks up speed - watch out!

While this was all happening in Northern Kentucky, Lorie waited patiently in NewYork City for news. What would we do without text messaging and emailing pictures. It's the next best thing to being there. Which reminds me . . . (great seg way) . . .

When Kit goes back in time in THE RUBY BROOCH she has to give up her Blackberry. Of all the modern conveniences (showers, food, transporation) the absence of instant communication is the most difficult one to live without. For Lynn this past Saturday, it would have meant being unable to share the excitment of her daughter's birth with her sister!

This is my third Christmas grandbaby in four years - and second grandbaby this year. Throw in a book contract, wonderful friends, and a job that I truly enjoy and what could possibly make the year any better? It has been a blessed year and one that I will always remember.

Kake's grandbabies!

Picking a grandmother's name is a serious matter. Before Charlotte was born Lorie, Lynn and I decided on "Kake".

Since then little voices have called me on the phone, climbed in bed with me in the middle of the night, and given me lots of early morning hugs. They are precious, adorable children, and I love them with all my heart.

This Christmas I will have my fifth grandchild in four years! And, my third Christmas baby. God is awesome!

The top picture is of Charlotte, age 4; James (almost) 2, and Baby Henry. These two are of Lincoln, (almost) 3, wearing his dinosaur costume and riding in his wagon.

The Ruby Brooch - a time-travel, historical romance

"Tell me about your story . . ."

As an author, I am often asked about my work-in-progress. Instead of going on for five minutes about the story line, I've learned to narrow it down to a high concept statement:

The Ruby Brooch is an R-Rated "Little House on The Prairie" meeting "Somewhere In Time" with a "Perry Mason" moment.

After that high concept statement, I have a pitch:

From the twenty-first century white-planked fenced pastures of Lexington, Kentucky, to the nineteenth century Oregon Trail, Katherine Lowry Logan weaves a story rich in detail and mystery and takes us on one woman’s journey of recovery and discovery as she searches for her true identity.

Following the tragic death of her parents and fiancé, Kitherina MacKlenna discovers an antique trunk. Inside is an exquisite, hand-made Chantilly lace shawl monogrammed with an M, and a Celtic brooch made of Iona marble with a stop-light red ruby in the center. The brooch has mystical powers that transport Kit back to the nineteenth century along the Oregon Trail. The dangers Kit faces along the way do nothing to distract her from the grief and guilt she carries. Though she willingly risks her life to save her traveling companions, when faced with Cullen Montgomery’s over-protectiveness and the passionate feelings he inspires, Kit finds her nerve crumbling. Is she brave enough to love again, or live permanently in a time not her own?

Cullen Montgomery is a quintessential Renaissance man. The last thing he needs is a reckless, mule-headed female distracting him from his legal career and the sweetheart waiting for him in California. But the pain he recognizes in Kit's green eyes reflects his own deep-seated guilt. Can he heal them both without falling in love with the woman who stirs his passion, ignites his fury, and confounds his logic? Or will he lose everything along the Oregon Trail, including his heart?

And after the pitch, I say . . . “I'll send you an Amazon link when the book is available! I hope you'll enjoy it.”

The Scottish Clan Montgomery

The hero in THE RUBY BROOCH is Cullen Montgomery. I decided on Cullen's name for a couple of reasons. My grandson, James Cullen, is named after his great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Cullen, who was part of the 1916 Easter Uprising in Dublin, which eventually led to the foundation of the Free State of Ireland and then to the Republic. During the uprising, he was stationed at the Four Courts, which saw heavy fighting. He was also a member of the Celtic Literary Society.

The name Montgomery is from my side of the family and dates back to Major John Montgomery born in 1670. Major Montgomery's grandson, John, immigrated from Ulster to America in 1720 and married Esther Houston. They settled in Augusta County, Virginia. Their daughter, Dorcus Montgomery, married John Edmondson Lowry. Dorcus was my great-great-great- grandmother.

The name Montgomery dates back to Norman times. The clan name first appeared in Scotland in the 12^th Century.

For more information check out the Clan Montgomery Society.

Blessings

On Saturday, May 24 at 8:45 a.m., my son-in-law called to tell me that my daughter's water had broken and they were at the hospital ready to deliver their third child six weeks early. Within two hours I was on a plane to New York City. I arrived at 4:00 p.m., and Baby Henry was born three hours later then spent the next sixteen days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Presbyterian-Cornell Hospital.

While Baby Henry was never in a life-threatening situation, his tiny body was subjected to needles, x-rays and ultrasounds, and the dreaded blue lights that kept his tiny eyes hidden behind protective goggles. I watched my daughter and son-in-law remain calm in the face of uncertainty as the doctors and nursing staff reported on his breathing problem that appeared to be a normal condition for premature babies.

As a parent, I wanted to do everything I could to protect my child, to fight for my child, to fix the problem for my child. But if I had done so, the natural order of things would have been disrupted. It was time for me to step back and let my child fight the battles for her child.

My role was to be a friend, to offer a shoulder to lean on, to keep the lines of communication open to those not able to be at the hospital, to take care of the other children, to pray, and to just be there - for just such a time as this.

Henry is home now with his sister, Charlotte, and brother, James, and I am back in Kentucky editing THE RUBY BROOCH, which I sold to The Wild Rose Press five days before Henry was born. To be so blessed is overwhelming!