Welcome to Jinxed Lotus Productions!
Kaylyn Gabbert
Where are you from?
I'm originally from Seattle, Washington, but I travelled around the states with my mom
and family, until I moved in with my dad when I was about to start high school.
I currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.
What is your age?
I'm twenty-seven years old.
Tell us briefly about where you like to write.
I can write just about anywhere, and I pride myself on that. All I need is noise like the TV
or music playing in the background.
What made you want to write books?
When I started writing as a child I tried my hand at all forms of writing such as
screenwriting, poems, songwriting, but I always gravitated back to writing books.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing for over fifteen years.
Which genres do you write?
I prefer to write fantasy and horror.
How many books have you written?
I have published two books, but I've written three.
Which book are you best known for?
I'm best known for Head Hunters.
What's your favorite book that you’ve written?
My favorite book that I wrote is Head Hunters because I was exploring a boarding school for students that are more than
human. A group of high school supernatural students have to decide what they want to do about hunters who want to study them or kill them for body parts. They can choose to ignore it, or face it now because as they get older this threat is not going to go away.
Any current WIPs?
Can you give the readers a snack to nibble on, so they know what to look forward to reading from you in the coming year?: I have three Head Hunters' spinoffs that take place after the events of Head Hunters. We see how that affected other people and families across the country. One story follows a group of a special-ops team protecting supernatural innocents from Head Hunters, kidnappers, and abusers.
Another one deals with a small town in California dealing with a severe kidnapping problem, and the town comes together to face the kidnappers. In the last of the Head Hunters spinoffs, the story follows different groups of people travelling to the safe house in Washington state for protection, a new life, or simply a new job.
What are your favorite things to eat and drink while writing?
I love eating finger food like cracker sandwiches and drinking juice or soda while I write.
Have/Will you include an author photo in your books?
I don't believe I added an author photo in my previous books, but I have plans to add one in my next book.
Are you an indie author or are you with a publisher?
I'm an indie author that published with Authorhouse's help.
If you're an indie, how have you found the world of indie authors? Have you struggled or found it easy? What barriers have you had to overcome?
I found it through my research when I was looking to publish my first book. I struggled to get answers from some self-publishing companies. I didn't know how much work went into publishing, so I'm glad I had help.
If you're with a publisher, who? What do you think about the world of publishing company authors? Have you struggled or found it easy? What barriers have you had to overcome?
The publisher, Authorhouse, helped get me start out as an author. They answered all my questions without missing a beat, and they were more confident than other companies I called. After reading the contract carefully things were easy. Thanks to their help people know my name and my work.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I can get inspiration from just about anywhere like ghost stories, work, and even my nightmares. Sometimes I even collect inspiration and
put it in a binder or an idea notebook for later.
When is your muse most active/when is the best time for you to write?
The best time to write is almost always after the sun goes down or as I'm trying to fall asleep.
Do you design your own covers? If not, would you like to shout out to the one who makes them? If you make your own, would you like to say what inspires you to make them?
I had a friend, Mariah Paul, designed the concept art for my first book, and my husband, Richard designed the concept art for my second book. Mariah Paul wanted to hear my basic idea before drawing the concept art whereas Richard, my husband, already had an idea for the concept art.
Would you like to recommend your fellow authors any services?
Throughout my writing career I've come to know a lot of editors like Michael Velzy, Evette Chico, Jennifer Jones, Ashlynn Stone, Kimberly
Cooper, Beth Boss, and Tiffany Arnold. For a cover designer I'd recommend Mariah Paul.
Who is your favorite author and why?
My favorite author is James Patterson because his writing style helped me find my own writing style.
What is your favorite book/series and why?
My favorite series is Maximum Ride by James Patterson because they helped me grow as a person as well as a writer.
Which indie authors books do you plan to buy and read next?
I'm looking forward to books by Elana A. Mugdan, Nephrys Darkwater, Ashlynn Stone, and Kimberly Cooper.
Any books you would like to recommend?
For books to help with writing, I'd recommend Bullies, Bastards, and Bitches by Jessica Page Morrell. That book would help with creating a more three-dimensional story. For fiction, I'd recommend Rise of the Zelphire by Karim Friha and Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.
Do you have any advice for your fellow authors/aspiring authors?
If you write for yourself, you'll have more success than writing for a possible fan base. It shows when you're uncomfortable with what you're writing. In that same vein, it helps if you want to publish your work for other than a paycheck up front. It is hard to start off getting well-
paid as an author. My other advice is that there is not only one way to write, and if possible, bring a notebook or notepad app to take notes for possible inspiration on the go.
Is there anything you would like people to know that I didn't ask here?
I'm still learning what kind of writing is my favorite.
Are you a mentor or do you teach writing classes online?
I'm volunteering as a creative writing mentor for Full Sail University, but I'm an editor for $18-$20 an hour.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
I want to thank my dad, Mama Chico, my husband, Richard, Twin, Eric, and Mike
If you would like to follow Kaylyn, simply cruise her sites:
Her site
http://kaylynsworldinwords.com/
Drag Me to Hell
Head Hunters
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/head-hunters-kaylyn-gabbert/1121950242?ean=9781496971166