The Creation of Undead and Undone
When I started writing Undead and Undone, I intended to upload it to Wattpad for readers to access and form an opinion about. Unfortunately, once I finished the book and uploaded it, I had reads but no comments. In other words, no feedback. I wanted to build a platform, but with no interaction with my readers occurring, I ended up removing the book and opting to self-publish it. I’d fallen in love with my characters and their stories, and I had this nagging fear telling me someone could steal my idea and have better luck than me in publishing it. So, why not go on ahead and publish it myself?
Originally, this idea was a spin-off series to another that I was working on, a Paranormal Romance/Fantasy series. Undead and Undone was supposed to be set in the past, occurring prior to events in the series that inspired it. This other series was halfway complete, and I’d queried literary agents and publishers. After receiving about forty-five rejections on the other series, my heart was left broken and my motivation to continue the series gone. In fact, with every rejection, I began to loathe that series, believing that it must’ve been trash. It was my first round in the boxing ring, and I got knocked TF out!
Metaphorically left bleeding internally and clutching my ribs in a corner of said imaginary ring, I spewed bloody spit on the manuscript and cried myself through the pain.
Then I started fantasizing about this couple that could’ve been part of the series, and soon, they became a whole new book. A new series. A spin-off series. …And then when I tossed the old, bloodied manuscript of the other series in a metal trash can and set fire to it (not literally), I revamped the book I’d begun, making it its own series. Not a spin-off. Just an epic tale of Madison Lowe and Dorian Ward. She’d be a newly turned vamp, one who wasn’t actually supposed to be left alive by the serial killer vamp who originally only wanted her blood. His M.O.? Blondes. Madison and her friends had no idea Club Vudu was owned and operated by vampires, or that their clientele would be prowling the place for victims. After being turned, Madison found herself in Dorian's apartment the following morning, and she soon learned he was a werewolf, one she was drawn to, even over her blood lust. Because he worked at Vudu (a bouncer), he was able to get her a job there as a cocktail waitress. I wanted Vudu to be an overly sexualized place, envisioning leather-clad vampire strippers, blaring electronic metal music, flashing lights and... the secret rooms. I wanted some humans to be aware of the supernatural world, and for them to even partake in willingly letting a vamp feed on them. The code word to enter the backrooms? Skeeter. When Madison took the job at Vudu, she had revenge in mind, hoping the vamp who turned her would show up again. She ended up digging into Vudu's secret rooms and how they were operated, discovering disturbing things when she did. Her snooping ended up putting her and Dorian at risk, and suddenly, things got even more complicated.
I dont want to give away too many spoilers, so I’ll stop there.
Anyway, back to how I ended up self-publishing.
I had beta readers who loved the book, but being rejected by agents and publishers like I had been with my other book was something my mental health couldn’t handle at the time. So I thought, “Well… let’s do this instead, then. Let’s self-publish this book and see what happens.”
This is exactly what a ton of authors are doing these days. They’re self-publishing novels in hopes of reaching readers who will love their book as much as they do. When traditionally publishing a novel doesn’t work out (e.g. rejection after rejection), self-publishing is a great way to get your book out there.
While Undead and Undone began as a test to see if I could develop a platform and a fanbase, it turned into a little piece of love that wedged itself inside my heart.
Now, Untamed and Undone (book #2 in the Undone series) is in progress, and this novel is told from the POV of Madison’s best friend Hailey. I don’t want to give too much away on book two, so I’ll stop there. BUT just so you know, I only have a couple chapters left before it’s complete.
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While Draft2Digital (I’m self-publishing through them) will notify you when I’ve published a book, you won’t get special news (like cover reveals, blog posts, etc.).
To anyone who has read Undead and Undone, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to view my work, to see my heart and soul (because every piece I write comes from those places). I hope that you enjoyed the story, that you’re even looking forward to book 2! I’m excited to see what you thought of Undead and Undone, so please, feel free to leave me some comments on this post!
XOXO,
K.R. Cook