Press - Karen A. Chase

Historical Novel Places 2nd in William Faulkner Competition

November 9, 2017 By Karen A. Chase

I am thrilled to announce that two of my novels have placed in the 2017 William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition. Dedicated to promoting unpublished works, the competition received a total of over 3000 entries in 8 categories.

In the Unpublished Novel category, which amassed 502 entries, my historical novel, CARRYING INDEPENDENCE (about the signing of the Declaration of Independence), was short-listed to the top 12, and secured the 2nd-place position as runner-up.

I also entered the contest’s Novel-in-Progress category, just one of the 313 entries. My women’s fiction novel, DECOYS, still in development and set on a fictional island off North Carolina in 1957, was selected as one of 76 finalists.

I believe a big thank you for this goes to James River Writers (JRW). Through my membership, the opportunity to learn about the craft and the publishing industry has been phenomenal, and I found a writing tribe. Kris Spisak, helped me edit both novels. Kristi Tuck Austin and Katharine Herndon, among many, many other JRW members, have encouraged me to keep writing and editing when I needed it most.

For more information on the contest, JRW, my literary agent, and the books I submitted, a formal press release is here.

Oh La La. Bonjour 40 is now an International Award Winning Book

May 20, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

In addition to the three awards for Independent Book Publishing, Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log has also garnered a 2013 International Book Award. In all competitions, her self-published book competed against small- to mid-sized independent publishers, university and museum presses, and corporations that publish fewer than 50 titles a year.

Jeffrey Keen, president of USA Book News who hosts the international competition says of the awards, “The 2013 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the world.” Over 1000 entrants submitted not only books but marketing materials. Chase’s self-published book was among those selected by a “distinguished panel of industry judges who bring to the table their extensive editorial, PR, marketing, and design expertise.”

Bonjour 40 also won an IPPY Silver Medal for best Travel Essay in the Independent Book Publishers Award, and in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards it won a Winners Medal for Best Design Non-fiction, and a Finalist Medal for Best Travel/Travel Guide.

“Needless to say, I’m simply thrilled, and it shows me, once again, that I’m helping to change the stigma for independent authors. Self-publishing doesn’t have to mean unfit to publish.”

While this award doesn’t include a swanky event gala in New York, Chase will be flying high knowing Bonjour 40 is heading into the Book Expo in New York touted by three award companies for both writing and design.

The newest press release about the award can be downloaded here.

Bonjour 40 is available with over 100 original photos on Amazon.

BONJOUR 40 Print Wins Three Book Publishing Awards

May 7, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

I am THRILLED to announce that my first print book, Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log, has won three (yes, three) independent book publisher awards.

Bonjour 40 won an IPPY Silver Medal for best Travel Essay in the Independent Book Publishers Award, and in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards it won a Winners Medal for Best Design Non-fiction, and a Finalist Medal for Best Travel/Travel Guide.

What does this mean? It means a trip to New York City at the end of the month to attend the awards ceremonies (both of them if I can swing it, as they are on the same night). More importantly, I think it shows me that self-publishing is changing. In just the IPPY awards, the book went up against over 5000 participants from small- to mid-sized traditional publishers and university presses. Self-published used to mean unpublishable, but that stigma is changing as we are judged and win among the professionals.

Everything about this book (writing, design, photography, editing, production) was self-published, but I didn’t do it alone. So, a great shout out for those who helped me proof the book, and thank you to Kristen Weber and April Michelle Davis who helped me professionally edit the manuscript. Stay tuned for news and pictures from the trip to New York, and if you haven’t yet read it, I hope you’ll skip on over to Amazon and say Bonjour 40!

If you would like to share, publish or read the formal MSWord Press Release about Bonjour 40 wins, please do so.

Will Travel For Words: Down the Rabbit Hole

April 18, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

My April column on Shelf Pleasure,”Will Travel for Words,” is up and live. Come with me as I explore the Center of the Earth, the “Hidden Cities” of the world according to Moses Gates, and we’ll even take a little dive into dreamland… How writing fiction, bravery and exploration will lead us down the rabbit hole.

Bonjour Self-Publishing

April 12, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

Where can you learn about self-publishing? How about the library?

Friends of the Richmond Public Library have invited me to host their May author event to chat about all things self-publishing.

Friday, May 3 ~ 7:00 p.m.
Main Library ~ 101 East Franklin Street
Davenport Special Collections Room

When I first launched Bonjour 40, the blog, I had not intended to write a book based on it. However, once the publishing notion came along, I thought perhaps I would use this book, my first, as an experiment. By navigating self-publishing for both the e-book and print versions, I’ve learned a few things. I wish I had someone over a year ago who knew what I know now.

You can. We’ll chat about:

• Tips for blogging
• Going from blog to book
• E-book versus print
• Amazon, online retailers, and bookstores
• Self versus traditional publishing
• Self-promotion for self-publishers

I hope you’ll join us. Reward? Self-publishing know-how from a been-there, done-that author. Plus, two attendees receive a free signed copy of the book, and one of my Paris photographs.

The Other Stephen King Interview

February 20, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

While I often have guest writers on my blog, this week I was lucky enough to land my own guest spot with the “Other Stephen King.” Stephen is a local Richmond writer, and James River Writer member who chats with other authors about their work, their writing, and even their favorite dessert:

Come visit with me on the Other Stephen King on Writing.

My First Radio Interview

February 13, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

I just did my first radio interview about Bonjour 40 and writing!

Tim Bowring of 102.9 WHAN Radio invited me into the studio to chat about Bonjour 40, about writing, blogs and more.

For you writers out there, we also chat about my experience in self-publishing, editing a book, turning a blog into a book, and using secret Pinterest boards as a research tool. Thanks so much, Tim, for having me on your show! Nerve wracking? A bit. Fun? Absolutely!

Hope you enjoy it. Click and take a listen.

KChase_WHANRadioInterview

Will Travel For Words

January 16, 2013 By Karen A. Chase

I am thrilled to announce that beginning today, I will have a monthly column on the website Shelf Pleasure–a destination spot for women who love reading. My column is called Will Travel For Words. Once a month, I’ll share with you my travels and explorations in my quest for the best story and the best research. If I take a jaunt for anything book related, you can come along.

This month, I take readers up the road, and back in time, to George Wythe’s house for research on my novel about the Declaration of Indendence. We’ll venture into his study in Colonial Williamsburg. So, come on over, take a read, and travel with me to find just the right words. Click here, to go there.

Bonjour 40 – Le livre est arrivé!

December 14, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log, the print version, is now available on Amazon!! Oh la la!

So many readers asked for it and it’s finally here. After the success of the eBook and receiving an eLit award, I went out to find an agent and a traditional publisher. But then I got to wondering what kind of book they would make. What would it look like? What would the design feel like compared to my trip? I’m a professional designer, and we like things just so. After some searching and a lot of encouragement, I eventually gave in… no, stepped up, and said, “Karen, you can do this.”

So I combed through the thousands of photos from the trip, and added in some new text. Then I went at it. Now it is 132 full-color pages, 8.5×8.5, with over 100 images. It feels more like a photo journal and a pictorial journey through Paris, but it still has my stories about a strange pillow and Bandit the dog.

If you loved the eBook, I hope the print version will be on your gift list–for yourself and others. Joyeux Noël.

For those who want to know how I produced the book, my process included:

~ InDesign for the page layout of the interior and cover.
~ Photoshop to crop, resize and color correct all 109 images.
~ Worked with April Michelle Davis to edit the copy in the new layout.
~ Opened an account through Createspace (Amazon’s print self-publishing).
~ Submitted a PDF of my files and they sent me a physical proof.
~ Based on the size and page numbers, Createspace helped me set pricing.
~ Approve it all, and wait 5-7 days for it to hit Amazon.

A few of the inside pages are below. To see more, you can “Look inside” on Amazon.

Guest Post: Austen Hill

December 5, 2012 By Karen A. Chase

This week I have the pleasure of being a guest blogger on my dear friend Kelly’s website, Austen Hill. In the spirit of the gift-giving season, it’s not only time to give to others, but a time to plan a bit for yourself for the new year. Where would you like to go? What would you like to accomplish? Have you ever considered traveling alone? A few tips and a few pics – read my guest post on Austen Hill.

I hope you’ll stay to explore a few more of the posts on Kelly’s blog – a delightful collection of lifestyle, fashion, food and tips chronicling the adventures of an 19th century girl in a modern world.