Today I’m with Melissa Kirk, a publishing professional who provides invaluable support services to creatives…
Hi Melissa and welcome. Can I start, as always, by asking you a little about yourself?
Sure! I’ve lived in the east bay of the San Francisco bay area for most of my life, grew up in Berkeley, and now live in Richmond. My first jobs were all about publishing and words…a bookstore, a newspaper, a small publishing house. I worked in publishing houses for 17 years, and have been freelancing as an editor and book coach for 2 years.
I just got the wonderful opportunity to serve on the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission, which I’m excited about.
In my spare time, I hang out with my cats, laugh with my friends, and grow vegetables.
What prompted you to start CreateBuzz Writing and Words to Honey Editing and Publishing services?
Well, about two years ago, I lost my 13-year job at a publishing company.
I knew this was a sign that I needed to really choose carefully what I wanted to do next. I ended up hiring a coach to help me figure it out, and we explored how much I love the arts and the creative world, and collaborating with creative people. It’s something I would do for free if I could!
So both my businesses are ways for me to help creative people in different ways, to get their voices and their work strongly out to the people who will love what they’re saying.
What kind of services do you offer to writers and creatives?
I started CreateBuzz as a way to help creative people get the clients and customers that would help them be able to make an income from their creativity. I help clients with marketing and community-building, which is all marketing really is. Whether its social media, writing web copy, doing video, holding art shows and events, submitting work to galleries, pitching services to potential clients, or brainstorming “out of the box” ways to get your creative work seen, I can help with that, and I can do the marketing work that many creative people don’t want to do, because they’d rather be doing their creative work.
Words to Honey is my editing and book coaching business, where I provide the same services to writers as I did at my old job and then some: editing, writing coaching, help with proposals and pitches, market research, pitching to publishing houses, book representation, ghostwriting, and marketing. But it’s better than my old job, because I can truly collaborate with the authors instead of being the gatekeeper, as I was at the publishing company. I focus on nonfiction.
Beach or city girl? Where are your favourite holiday destinations and why?
Oh, I’m not a city person at all. I’d much rather be in nature, whether the beach, the forest, mountains, or desert. I really love the desert, actually.
If I could pick any “holiday” travel (not that freelancers get holidays!) I’d go on a road trip across the states. I’ve always wanted to do that. I love exploring this country. There are so many cultures, landscapes, and types of people. One thing I like about having two freelance businesses is that I get to do so many different kinds of things. I get bored easily. On a road trip, there’s a potential adventure around every corner!
Have you ever been tempted to write fiction? If you have, what genre would you choose and why?
I used to try to write fiction. I have two half-novels I wrote during NaNoWriMo, but I could never finish them. One of them is about a bunch of freaks living in New Orleans, one of whom turns out to be a vampire. LOL. The other was about a woman who leaves an abusive relationship and drives across the country on a motorcycle.
If I were to try again and if I could finish something, I’d probably do something in the magical realism/dark future realm. I love that stuff.
And lastly, you are planning a dinner party. If you were able to invite four famous guests (living or dead) who would you choose and why?
I’d probably invite Nikola Tesla, Alan Turing, Ada Lovelace, and Grace Hopper. I’m fascinated by the history of tech – how we got these crazy tech devices we have now. I’d just sit back and listen.
ABOUT MELISSA
Melissa Kirk is an editor, writer, book coach, businesswoman, and marketer living in the SF bay area.
WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/wordstohoney/
Twitter: @words_to_honey
June was born in June and she always loved the moon. She comes from Slovenia, a country in the middle of Europe.
the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had seven books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and an eighth coming in Jan 2018. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press as well as writing several single titles for the Wild Rose Press.
Hi Jo and thank you so much for having me on Tuesday Talk. What an honour! My real name is Debbie Johnston (not to be confused with Debbie Johnson the published author). I write and blog under the name JB Johnston but generally answer to any name. I’ve gotten quite used to my alter ego. I’m from Northern Ireland and I live about 14 miles outside of Belfast. In my ‘official’ job I’m a social worker working in Children’s Services. In my other life I’m a reader, blogger AND author. I blog over at Brook Cottage Books where I coordinate virtual book tours for authors as well as sharing reviews. And, I’ve written a novel which has been critiqued by a reader in the Romantic Novelists Association New Writers Scheme. I’m not sure I’ll ever get the thing finished! Still a lot of work to do! I’m also married with 2 children and 2 step children and over the past year I’ve become slightly addicted to yoga. I lead a very busy and stressful life and I find it’s a wonderful escape from all that.
My lovely friend Les Moriarty who sadly died in 2016, was an amazing support and was always encouraging me to apply to become a member of the Romantic Novelists New Writers scheme, but I was too afraid. Les was so supportive of so many writers that lots of us owe him a huge debt of gratitude for pushing us out of our comfort zones. When Les died in 2016 I was devastated and decided to finally make that leap and join the scheme. The scheme has been amazing in terms of support and guidance. I had the opportunity to submit my manuscript for critique back in August. I received an in-depth report which at times wasn’t easy to read. Looking back on it now with a slightly more rational mind I can see a lot of it was very good advice, so I’ve been working on incorporating some of the suggestions on how to improve the story and my writing. The RNA also holds an annual conference and I attended that and was even a member of a panel on one of the conference days. Again, I received some wonderful support from other authors on the scheme and have made life long friends. I can’t sing the scheme’s praises highly enough. The RNA is simply amazing, and its members are the friendliest people!
Originally from Lyon in France, I have been living in Lancashire for the past few years. I write both contemporary and historical romance, always with ‘a French twist’! A SPELL IN PROVENCE is my first contemporary romantic suspense and is available from Accent Press. ANGEL HEART, my debut historical romance, THE LION’S EMBRACE and DANCING FOR THE DEVIL are published by Accent Press too. Watch this space for LITTLE PINK TAXI, my new contemporary romance, which will be released by Choc Lit in February 2018!
Jane was born in Devon and now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, four cats and two dogs! She works part-time and also teaches creative writing. Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and has a first class honours degree in creative writing.
Lynda grew up in the mining village of Bentley, Doncaster, in South Yorkshire,
Chatty is an actual cat. My cat. Chatty was rescued by the local RSPCA and named Twinkle. A few days of moving in she chatted so much I soon named her Chatty Cat. Social media is great for showing people things and of course within a day or two of Chatty moving in I posted a few photos of her. As the days went on people were asking about her and wanted to see more pics so I set up a FB page for her. I was then contacted by some who are not on FB saying they wanted to keep up to date with and a blog was built. Chatty narrates her own books and as they follow her life they also give valuable info to the children reading her books e.g. how to look after a cat, an introduction to bullying, dementia etc. Book five which is out soon follows Chatty and her furry friends and their adventures and the passing of one of their cat friends. There are some sad chapters in this one but it teaches children about death and that you can talk about it.
Internationally selling author, Suzan Collins, enjoys writing fiction as it allows her to make up stories – and eat cake! She also writes non-fiction to inform others – and eats cake!
Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballet dancer or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels. Her first crime novel, ‘Hunter’s Chase’ set in Edinburgh, Scotland will be published by Crooked Cat Books on 02.02.2018. She is now writing the sequel, ‘Hunter’s Revenge’.
Anne Allen lives in Devon, by her beloved sea. She has three children, and her daughter and two grandchildren live nearby. Her restless spirit has meant a number of moves which included Spain for a couple of years. The longest stay was in Guernsey for nearly fourteen years after falling in love with the island and the people. She contrived to leave one son behind to ensure a valid reason for frequent returns.
JO LAMBERT 