A Journey of Co-Authoring Diverse Fiction (with your Spouse) by K.J. Long

Sitting at the kitchen counter, stuffing our faces with cereal and coffee, we laugh and high five over the great ideas pouring onto the page as we draft a plot for our newest novel. Plotting with your best friend is absolute cloud nine.

When we sit down to write, we open a google doc and team write, or sometimes we take turns drafting chapters. Whoever is feeling the spark takes the lead and then we review and tweak. We work to make each other laugh, or give a hearty “AHH SNAP” in surprise at a scene. And the novel ping pongs back and forth this way for about three months until we have each directly edited the book at least three times over. The final step is sitting side by side on the couch over a weekend and reading aloud to each other. 

And honestly, the whole process is a blast! When one of us writes in a new idea, it gets the other hyped. After all, real life is full of surprises and these left turns help us keep the writing fresh and unexpected for the reader. Plus, when we get blocked, we have a partner who knows the book inside and out, so we can talk it out. Or when one person is unmotivated, the other takes the lead, and their writing brings new motivation back to the team.

It takes flexibility to pull this off. We both come into the process in agreement that nothing is written in stone (until it reaches the editor). We are both willing to cut whole chapters in favor of a better idea. How do we agree what’s better? That’s where luck and love goggles comes in. 

Being a married writing duo, we can’t hide our LGBTQ+ identity from the readers, particularly when we write our author bio. Or maybe we could, but it would feel wrong to do so. But that doesn’t come without fear. LGBTQ+ authors who don’t focus on LGBTQ+ themes in their writing know the decision all too well: out yourself and risk alienating readers who may have anti-LGBTQ+ views, or be true to yourself through visibility. We decided to be visible and hope for the best, even if this means affecting sales. 

And then there is our second layer. We write main characters of Color. As an interracial couple, race is a part of our daily life, and this comes out in our writing, particularly in our newest novel which we’ll be pitching to agents in early 2021. Our MC is a young African American boy from Detroit. Race isn’t the central theme, but it’s a reality in this fantasy adventure which follows shape shifting pre-teens through their summer school adventures. Our hope is that this novel brings forward a fun fantasy adventure for kids who can connect with the characters.

Peace and Love, 

K.J. Long 
(Kelly and Jay)

The K.J. Long author name is a reflection of spouses Kelly Long and Jay Long.

Dr. Kelly Long has been writing novels since 2010, alongside non-fiction research articles that appear in peer-reviewed journals. Kelly works by day as a college administrator and professor, writing fiction novels by night.

Jay Long is an attorney and professor by day, has long had a passion for writing fiction, and has non-fiction scholarly publications as well.

When they first met, the pair spent the days they couldn’t see each other co-authoring a romance novel, ironically while they lived their own romance story. Now they spend nights weaving fantasy fiction in the middle-grade genre. As an interracial LGBTQ+ couple, Kelly and Jay know what it’s like to be on the outside of the mainstream, and they have a passion for serving black and LGBTQ+ communities. They live in Michigan with their hound dog, Smuggler.

• Learn more at their website: https://www.kjlongauthor.com/
• Find their first MG novel, Briar Coats and the Tunnel of Styx here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F6L8ZTR

Coming up on the Mitten Blog: 

A book review to jump-start your new year and our final roundup of Hugs and Hurrahs for 2020. You inspire us, and we want to share your writing, illustrating, and publishing successes! Please email your good news to Sarah LoCascio by Dec. 14th to be included. 

Speaking of good news, here's something to look forward to: 

Planning is underway for the SCBWI multi-region Marvelous Midwest Conference! This might be one of our first, long-awaited, in-person, large events! More information to come.

Here's something to look forward to sooner:

In January 2021, Sleeping Bear Press is launching their first Own Voices, Own Stories Award for BIPOC and LGBTQ writers. This award elevates their mission to recognize and amplify new and diverse voices in children’s literature.

Submissions will be accepted from January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021 with winners notified by August 1, 2021. Awards include a Grand Prize (publishing contract and cash prize) and Honor Awards (cash prize and consulting session with an editor). Please see the submissions section of their website or visit them on social media for more information.

Don't delay!

The Books with Barbers book drive continues until Dec. 15th.  Learn how to donate a book here: https://michigan.scbwi.org/2020/11/02/the-scbwi-mi-equity-inclusion-team-presents-books-with-barbers/

See you next Friday!

Kristin Lenz