Readers Change Lives!

By Kimmie Easley

As writers, we hope to give something to our readers; joy, hope, inspiration, direction, laughter, or even a sense companionship for a few hours. We have a goal in mind.

What we don’t always expect is when a reader takes the time to give something back; to give us insight into how our work has impacted their own personal lives.

I have been blessed with one such reader. I’ve asked this reader, and now friend, if I could share a little piece of her heart and she graciously agreed.

Like any other day, my daughter asked to check the mail. When she came inside she was bubbling with excitement when she handed me a handwritten envelope addressed to, ‘Author Kimmie Easley’. I quickly opened it and started reading. When I was done, I couldn’t move or talk. I was blown away.

Kimmie,

I wanted to let you know how excited I was to learn that I had won a copy of your new book “Souls Set Free” in the Goodreads giveaway. Fortune and luck are not familiar to me. I also wanted to let you know that it couldn’t have come at a better time. When the package was delivered, I found a book I had been hoping for; and autographed none the less, and my sister (whom I live with) looked at me and said, “Finally! You need something good right now.” Which gives you an idea of the hand that the universe has dealt me the last few years.

Then I read the first paragraph, those three sentences and cried a little. I don’t do that. Ever. Especially due to a book or movie. The book was put away because I knew that I wasn’t ready to read it yet. But eventually I did, and what I read will stay with me. It is beautiful how, as an author, you wrote the story through the eyes of someone who feels like the bad guy, who “happy people” could never sympathize with, yet make her the single most human character I’ve met in years. The familiarity was harrowing. At one point, I c aught myself realizing that I wasn’t simply sympathizing with the troubled main character, that I WAS her. That I didn’t want to hug Emma, I wanted to hug Jansen, and because I was already Emma and I knew how inexplicably important it was that Jansen was the man he was. The book proves that strength can help you up, but it can also pull you down. I know that your intention for the book was most likely NOT a lifeline, but it turned out that way. Like I said, it showed up on my doorstep at the right time.

The day I finished the book, I went to visit my mother at the restaurant where she works. When she saw me she was happy and asked, “What do you want to eat? The usual?” I told her I wasn’t getting take out, that I just wanted to swing by, give her a hug, and say hi. She stood and stared for a minute, then asked what I wanted. J These spontaneous drop-ins should happen more frequently, she sees me roll with the punches and move on. She doesn’t see me improve or rise above.

I’m hoping that when an opportunity arises, the voice of Emma will remind me to TAKE that opportunity!

Now that my spiel is done, THANK YOU again for your gift, and for understanding the power of writing! I can’t wait to see what’s next. Maybe another haunting tale of empowerment, I could use a reminder! J It’s a great work, and it’s found a permanent home in my library. Good luck in everything! You make a difference!

*

Now, I’ve probably read this letter twenty times. I pull it out when I feel down or unmotivated. I made sure to touch base with this woman, and found her to be a beautiful, kind, and giving soul. She’s continued to give me uplifting words and she helps drive me more than she knows.

To show my appreciation, I wanted to give something back to my amazing and encouraging readers. In addition to offering Souls Set Free for .99 CENTS over the Holiday weekend (SOULS SET FREE on AMAZON), I wanted to do a reader/reviewer giveaway to say thank you!

After reading Souls Set Free, you can link your review to this event (SOULS SET FREE HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY) and be entered to win goodies, including a $25 Amazon gift card! Tell your friends and let’s make it a party and remember, YOU READERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Romance Rockstars

The romance genre is a tricky one. It’s not quite as easy to categorize as, let’s say sci-fi or paranormal. It comes with an abundance of stigmatisms, assumptions, and clichés. Mentioning just one is the fine line between steam level among mainstream romance vs. erotica. Yes, I went there. The big ‘E’ word. The genre many people don’t like to talk about, and certainly don’t like to admit they read.

It may seem like a far off topic for me since I don’t write erotica. Shoot, I don’t even write steamy romance! But I do read, and I appreciate all storytelling (when done well). I believe in the ‘to each, her own’ literary philosophy.

This is why it astounds me the number of people who won’t admit they read, and actually enjoy, steam. Not only do they hide their own preferences, they are quick to judge anyone who would read such a book. I’ve come across this with not only erotica, but romance in general. The word sends some people running for the hills!



If this is the case, how is it that the romance genre made up 16.7% of the consumer market for the USA in 2012? That’s the largest percentage for any literary genre. Romance sales are estimated to be worth approximately $1.350 billion this year. [i]

*** Big shout out to our favorite romance experts for that little tidbit of information. *** 

Like I mentioned, I don’t write steam (yet). I write about love. I write about relationships, and whatever that might entail. However I choose to display that relationship varies and depends on the characters, the scene, and the way the story will be propelled forward from said scene. It’s not because I’m embarrassed or ashamed to write at a hotter level. I just haven’t reached a point where I find it to be the right option. I salute the amazing authors who do, and do it well. I am proud to say I have quite a few mentors in that area should I decide to take that route.

I suppose to sum up my semi-rant, I’d like to say thank you.

Chances are, if you’re reading a blog called “Smart Girls Read Romance”, you are not a closet reader. We appreciate ALL of our readers, but I’d like to give a special shout out to you and your dedication to reading what you love. You get it. You understand it’s not easy to do what we do. Words do not simply find their way into books while authors sit around with their fingers crossed making a wish, especially when it comes to those love scenes and the storylines that surround them.

Not a single one of us would amount to a hill of beans without you. So I’d like to thank you for reading our work, showing support with reviews and word of mouth, and encouraging us to move forward; to push ourselves to strive for new levels of excellence within our craft. You are very much appreciated and deserve many cupcakes.

[i] http://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=580