Staying the Course – Interview with Author KA Cummins

As an occasional reader of speculative fiction, I had seen the name KA Cummins in Havok Magazine. She is the author of a number of clean fantasy/spec fic short stories for teens. This year, however, her debut middle grade science fiction, The Snow Globe Travelers: Samuel’s Legacy, has already received a Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Review.

I am thrilled to have had the chance to interview KA about her experience and share it with you.

K. A. Cummins is a math lover, techie, consumer of mass amounts of information, art enthusiast, a homeschooler, and an indie author. She also enjoys seizing opportunities for adventure, when they arise. Her work has appeared in Havok Magazine and she regularly contributes to Lands Uncharted. She was awarded an Honorable Mention in the Writers of the Future contest for the 3rd Quarter of 2016 and was runner-up in the Realm Makers Scholarship Contest hosted by Endless Press in January of 2018.  

KM: As an author who writes for MG, YA and adult, I’d love to hear your perspective on what makes writing for MG readers unique. Do you approach the MG work differently? If you do (or don’t), can you elaborate about why? Was there anything specific that drew you toward writing for this audience?

KAC: Our youngest son was a big part of why I initially gravitated towards writing middle grade. We struggled to find books that challenged his mind without challenging his morals or introducing him to concepts too early. I’ve since fallen in love with middle-grade stories.

Overall, middle-grade stories aren’t very different from teen and adult stories, and the approach to writing them is the same. Tone, content restrictions, and the intensity of emotional plot points separate them from teen and adult more than anything else. A middle-grade story needs to have fun exaggerations and comic relief to break up the more serious elements that drive the plot. Consideration should also be given to the appropriateness of content.

KM: When marketing to middle grade, many people consider not only the readers, but the gatekeepers (librarians, parents/grandparents, teachers). What have you learned as you’ve prepared to launch your debut MG?

KAC: Marketing has been a challenge for me. I think I’ve tried pretty much all of the advice I’ve encountered. My only suggestion would be to focus on how the book adds value to the lives of children and to look for avenues to cultivate relationships that align with who you are and the path on which God has you.

KM: What advice, suggestions, or encouragement would you offer a new MG writer?

KAC: Let God guide you, even if it goes against conventional wisdom. He knows you better than you know yourself and He has a plan for you. Be mindful and intentional in all of your choices (this can be a tough one, it has tripped me up before), and stay focused on God and His Word so you know when you’re drifting from the path.

Kell McKinney earned a B.A. in journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. in documentary studies from the University of North Texas. She’s a part-time copywriter, double-time mom and wife, and spends every free minute writing and/or hunting for her car keys. Connect with her on Twitter @Kell_McK or kellmckinney.com.