Kevin Hardman (Writer-without-Portfolio)
I'm a reading junkie who has relatively recently decided to cross trade lines and try my hand at writing. (Basically, I've got some stories inside me that are dying to be told. Hopefully they will find an audience of some sort, but I've already made my peace with the fact that they may not.) To that end, I've published two novels that garnered enough initial success for me to turn them into series: Sensation and Warden - Book 1: Wendigo Fever.
This blog is still a work-in-progress, but will primarily chronicle my efforts at becoming a successful author. That said, I haven't yet decided on what the proper definition of "success" should be with respect to this endeavor (although from my wife's perspective, it will probably be when the words "working" and "writing" become interchangeable in our household).
My books can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Smashwords (for Sony, et al.), Drive Thru Fiction, and XinXii.
I can be reached at kevinhardman@ihrpublishing.com. If you'd like to know when I release new books, please sign up here.
My books can be found at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, iTunes, Smashwords (for Sony, et al.), Drive Thru Fiction, and XinXii.
I can be reached at kevinhardman@ihrpublishing.com. If you'd like to know when I release new books, please sign up here.
Hi Kevin, got your post on my old blog Today in Shenaya re reviews. If you are interested email me at: gwynnethwhite (@) 4xforum (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI am interested in Warden
cheers
Gwynn
http://gwynnethwhite.blogspot.com/
Hi Kevin
ReplyDeleteI was recently at a friends place, when he introduced me to your Kid Sensation series. I have to say I love it. I picked up the first one and finished it in a few hours. I then read the second and third one the following day. I haven't done something like that in awhile and I was very surprised to find you were self-published, because I honestly couldn't tell, unlike most self-published books.
Like you, I like to read, and a couple of years ago I also found out I like to write. I'm not going to claim I'm any good at it, but I find I enjoy writing just as much as I enjoy reading.
I'm writing to you partly because I can relate to your comment about having some story's in you that are dying to be told, but mainly because I would honestly like to improve my writing skill. One of my problems is that I live in New Zealand. We have a relatively small market for fantasy writers, so small I cant find anyone actually writing commercially. ( That's not completely true, I've read two very bad self-published books from New Zealand authors. )
I am not a writer, I'm a bee keeper, though I would like to be a writer. Because I can't find someone locally to critique my work, I have no direction for improving myself. So I was wondering if you would like to do it?
I'm impressed with the quality of your work, and find your story engaging, which tells me we have similar interests in writing. All I am asking is that I send you the first chapter of what I am working on, and you give me a brutally honest opinion. If you cant make it through the first page, because of my lack of skill, or how boring my story is, I would like to know because right now my biggest problem is I have no clue where I am at. All I am asking for is a little direction from someone opinion I would respect.
If your interested, or would just like to ask me a question or two, my preferred email is.
Kerei@slingshot.co.nz
I only made a gmail account to post this.
Please add my name to it. I get far to much spam and would hate to delete it accidentally.
If your not interested... all I have to say is please hurry the next book along, I only finished the third book a few days ago, but I'm already eager for the next one. :)
Keep up the good work.
Benjamin Kerei
Benjamin,
DeleteThanks for saying such great things about my writing. I will send you a response via email momentarily.
Have to say this book series is one of my favorites, I especially loved book 5. I hope you continue this series to the best of your abilities, and that you succeed in crafting your own name in this world. Though from a teenager point of view, books like these are quite eye catching. Anyway, I'm rambling keep it up and I hope book 6 comes out in the near future!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm glad you're enjoying the books. I'm shooting to get Book 6 out in the near future.
DeleteHello Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI recently started your KS series and I love it. It's the only other story, outside of Brandon Sanderson's Steelheart, that I can't seem to put down. I, like many of your fans, am a writer and I just got my book back from my editor. I'm debating on agent hunting or self publishing. If at all possible I would love to chat with you to pick your brain about it. I'm also curious who does your covers. I can be reached at
rtune86@gmail.com
-Riley
Thanks for the compliments, and congrats on finishing your book. My covers are done by Isikol; you can find examples of his work at http://isikol.deviantart.com/gallery/. I'll reach out on the other issues and you are free to pick my brain, but you'll probably find it slim pickings.
DeleteI wish I had Nightmares ability right about now to tell the truth. Why? Because without book 6 there is a hole in my life. Melodramatic? Nah. So what do I do to try and fill this yawning void? Read the excerpt from the upcoming "Mouse" book of course. And did that help? Absolutely not. Not at all actually. (The exerpt was wonderful of course). So I am going to concentrate really hard and grandpa Nightamre is going to let me use his power to gain insight into your head Mr. Hardman. Then I wont be so damned anxious for every teeny morsel of this story. (Sigh). Nevermind. I guess. I don't like spoilers so I suppose I'll have to just wait for the book. I love this series man. I really do. You have gotten me into a whole different genre and because of it I have almost completely stopped watching T.V. Thank you for kicking my imagination back into gear.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Thanks for saying such nice things about my writing. Hopefully you'll enjoy future books in the series just as much.
ReplyDeleteSo guess what? Did you guess? Hmm. Nope try again... Give up? Good. I was trying to find something to listen to on audible and guess what I see? Book 5 of Kid Sensation. You see I already own this title on Kindle, but Naramore does an outstanding job so now my night does not suck as much as it was sucking before. Thank the maker that it has finally happened. Thats you Kevin.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yes, it's been out about a week. Naramore was under the weather for a while, so it took a lot longer to get that one released. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteHello Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI wanted to message you but I couldn't find your email listed. Hopefully, it's okay that I post this here. First of all, I stumbled upon your blog while searching for superhero novels. I've read your blog which has been very enlightening and enjoyable. As an aspiring writer, I was hoping to get some advice.
I have just finished writing my first novel, and I am now on the dreaded editing phase. I have been writing for awhile but never finished anything until now. I have a degree in English, have taken courses in Creative Writing and have read "Creative Writing for Dummies" cover to cover. Not that any of those things make me a good writer or successful, but I like to think I have an edge on some of those would-be writers with horrific grammar, story flow, understanding of plot and structure etc.
I want to become a full time writer because, like you, I have a ton of stories in my head I want to get out there. I don't plan on becoming rich (though I wouldn't be opposed to it), I just want to make a living writing the stories I want to tell. So my questions for you are: What advice can you give to an aspiring writer? How many words (approx.) do you write a day? Because it seems like you write novels at a blistering pace. What steps should I be taking now that I've actually written something with a beginning, middle and end? Should I look into self-publishing? An agent? Hire a proofreader/editor? I kind of don't know what to do now that I've written everything out.
Anyway, thanks for listening. Hopefully you can take a few moments out of your time to answer me. You can shoot me an email at jrod83901@gmail.com if you'd like. Thanks for your time and I plan on reading some of your novels in the near future for more inspiration.
Jesse,
DeleteNo problem with posting here. I just sent you an email.
Kevin cannot find Mouse's Tale in audio books when is it coming out there.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to audiobooks, "Mouse's Tale" is a couple of places back in the queue. My goal is to release a new audiobook every month until I'm caught up, but that puts Mouse's Tale at least a few months down the road. (I'm flogging my narrator in an effort to get him to work faster, but apparently he can only work so many hours per day.)
DeleteKevin just read Terminus on audio books. I give it 3.5 out of 5. First Mikael Naramore did a great job. I like the book and would like to see more of them. BUT there r spots in the book like the fight in the bathroom where you just in to much detail. my mine start to wonder an I thank ok already let's move on. yes if you take that out it would shorten the book by over an hour but you could fill that in with more story line. That is the only reason I say 3.5 out of 5. Thank you for writing good books I have over 300 books in my library. I am happy to add you to that list like Orson Scott Card, Token, Harrison and Campbell plus many more. Please keep up the good work. Robert Jolley CPO Ret, O/O
ReplyDeleteThank you for your compliments and your candor, and if I'm among the names mentioned in your library then I am in good company.
DeleteFrom what I read of Terminus and understand from the book is that it is in the same universe as the Andromeda Ascendant and Dylan Hunt. The Nova Bombs and the timeline matches that timeline. (-: Robert Jolley CPO Ret O/O
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, but no, it's not set in the same universe as Andromeda. I'd actually forgotten about that show, and - unfortunately - only saw the very first episode. (Back then I already had a full slate of sci-fi/fantasy on my plate - eg, Buffy, Angel, Farscape, Lexx - and just couldn't squeeze another show into the rotation.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the series yet but it's pretty funny someone though it was set in the same world (ignoring the legal ramifications of course)
Deleteso the series is about the common wealth being destroyed by the nechians?
LOL! That's not exactly the premise...
DeleteIs Amped going to go audio and if so when.. If Amped and Mouse comes out I will get them.. PLease keep up the good work. Thx Robert Jolley CPO Ret O/O
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement. Both Amped and Mouse's tale will be released in audio. Taking a wag as to possible release dates, the Amped audiobook will probably come out in April. Ther Mouse audiobook will probably be May or June.
DeleteWhen is your next book coming out I cannot wait much longer. Haha
ReplyDeleteLOL. I'm trying to finish up the second Fringe Worlds novel. After that it's probably Warden #4, followed by Kid Sensation #6.
Deleteany update on the audio book for Mouses story
ReplyDeleteThat one's probably next in the queue for audiobooks. Unfortunately, I haven't asked my narrator for a timeline on it yet. Assuming he can get to it sooner rather than later, we're probably talking some time in September.
DeleteSo how come you aren't more popular? Why can't I find more of an online presence for you? I read all your Kid Sensation books (except for the side stores) so far and they seem amazing. I'm gonna sing your praises sir and I hope you can soon make "working" synonymous with "writing" (mainly or my reader gluttony)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thanks. I certainly appreciate readers singing my praises. As to your questions, I traditionally haven't done much advertising. That said, in addition to this blog, I do have a twitter account and a Facebook page. Last but not least, I have a website that will be coming online any day now. Beyond that, I haven't been releasing books as quickly as I'd like, but I'm trying to change that.
ReplyDeleteMr.Kevin big fan. I just finished reading coronation. It was awesome, especially the statue twist, enjoyed every bit of it.
ReplyDeleteI have two questions.
1. When is the next kid sensation novel #6 coming out or is it out?
2. I did not understand the last line of coronation, about yorn saying john indigo and not j'dgo and his grandmothers expression.
Thanks for your support and for being a fan. As to your questions:
Delete1) KS #6 is no out yet. I'm way behind on finishing it, but hope to be done in the next week or two.
2) "John Indigo" is the first part of Kid Sensation's given name. The implication is that the J'h'dgo that Yorn was talking to is a future version of Kid Sensation.
Hey Kevin!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you are going to see this. I'm actually a middle schooler, and lately I have been obsessed with these Kid Sensation Novels! I finished the series yesterday. It was really good, and I can't wait for conjuration to come out! There are something I that I hope change in the plot, but we'll see. I still don't know why you don't have a LOT more recognition for your books! Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that your books are amazing!
Thank you so much! There's not much higher praise for an author than when someone says they like your book. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm working hard to finish "Conjuration." If you need some to while away the hours before that one comes out, I'd encourage you to check out my "Warden" series. Thanks again for the compliments.
Delete