Therapy through writing exercise became starting point for Kaylin McFarren's path to publication

My most favorite part about writing this column is to help aspiring authors in the Virginia Beach area as well as other parts of the country find their own way to publication.  Today's story is about a young lady named Kaylin McFarren who I have come to truly adore in the few weeks I've known her.  Since the publication of her new book, Flaherty's Crossing, it's really been a breath of fresh air to listen to this woman talk about ways she's helping to spread the word about her book - offering contests, embarking on a two-month virtual book tour, using social networks to talk about her book, and basically throwing herself into an area that is very new to her, but somehow feels as comfortable as an old shoe.

Kaylin McFarren has always had an active imagination, attributing it to her Irish roots burrowing into her brain. For most of her life, she was an avid romance reader, longing to slip into Jane Austen’s corset. She tried her hand at poetry and writing short stories – anything to express her love of the written word – during high school and college and even had some of them published in school publications. But for the most part, they were tucked away in various drawers.

Sixteen years ago, things changed for her. Her father died and she found herself obsessed with sitting in front of the typewriter coming to terms with unresolved issues by banging on keys. “This silent venting became a sort of ‘therapy through writing’ exercise,” she says. “This exercise slowly evolved, taking on a life of its own.”

Kaylin began creating a related fictional story about a woman’s personal journey, titled it Flaherty’s Crossing, and in the process of exploring her main character’s growth, she found herself learning and growing as well.

Her path to publication, however, was a bit of a rocky road.

She entered Flaherty’s Crossing in numerous contests, knowing that agents and editors would be involved in final round judging. “I was amazed that I won time and time again,” she says, “but there was never a request for a full manuscript. I set to work creating a great query letter, collected reviews from my rough-draft manuscript, and participated in pitch sessions at various conferences.

“Although I eventually received numerous requests for full copies, time and time again rejection letters indicated, ‘the writing is strong, your voice is unique, the dialogue is right on. You’ve chosen a controversial subject, and we’re not sure how to market this story.’ Now this didn’t prevent my manuscript from grabbing the interest of one highly-established agent in New York. She complimented me for being original, and absolutely fell in love with Flaherty’s Crossing. However, after being under contract for only six months and having my story rejected by eight large houses, she felt that changing the story line completely and focusing on romance would be the best solution. Long story short, we parted ways and since I no longer had agent representation, I sought out smaller publishing houses on my own.”

Kaylin admits her “call story” is pretty straightforward. Within a few months of sending out the requested full manuscript of Flaherty’s Crossing to Ellen Smith at Champagne Books, she received an exciting email from her offering a contract.

“I was ecstatic to say the least,” she says. “I called everyone I could think of and poured myself a large glass of Merlot to celebrate. Even now when I think of it, I have to pinch myself to confirm it’s real.”

Kaylin will be on virtual book tour throughout the months of February and March ’10. Anyone who posts comments on ALL of her book tour locations has an opportunity to win a Sony Pocket Reader valued at $180 – along with copies of Flaherty’s Crossing and other great prizes. Simply visit the Events page on her website at www.kaylinmcfarren.com where you’ll find a complete listing. Winners will be announced on March 28th.