Buy ‘f2m: the boy within’ as a Kindle e-book

Converting a whole book to Kindle format was a new experience for me. It was a challenge to navigate forums, helpful blogs and Amazon’s own Digital Text Platform (DTP) help pages to get the instructions I needed. I actually converted it from Word to HTML (Amazon converts it to Kindle format) with a sprinkling of Kindle-only snippets that I’m sure are only included to liven up the conversion process.

One of the main reasons for writing ‘f2m: the boy within’ was to share information with as many people as possible about what it’s like to transition gender. The e-book version gives us the opportunity to make the book more accessible to those people who want that information in an easy-to-read format.

I’m glad we did this, and I look forward to working on the audio book!

f2m: the boy within will be launched by Kevin Hague, Green MP and Rainbow spokesperson at 6pm on Wednesday 21st July 2010 at Unity Books, 57 Willis Street, Wellington.

Featuring co-authors Hazel Edwards (via Skype) and Ryan Kennedy, Mani Mitchell and the Tranzform transgender youth group.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Download PDF invitation | Facebook event

No need to RSVP. Queries to (04) 499 4245 or 0800 486 489

Links

• Hazel Edwards, co-author
• Kevin Hague, Green MP and Rainbow spokesperson
• Unity Books, Wellington
• Mani Mitchell
• Tranzform
• Ford Street Publishing

]]> http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2010/06/f2m-wellington-launch/feed/ 1 http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2010/04/f2m-in-the-wild-reviewed/ http://ryanscottkennedy.com/2010/04/f2m-in-the-wild-reviewed/#comments Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:46:22 +0000 Ryan http://ryanscottkennedy.com/?p=621 It’s been a busy couple of months, starting with the (first) launch of f2m: the boy within in Melbourne and now gearing up for the second launch in Wellington, NZ. Subscribe to email alerts and you won’t miss it!

I’ve been tweeting our reviews so far. In case you missed them, here’s a recap:

Recent reviews

Paper Tigers blog – A combined review and guest blog by Hazel Edwards.My favourite quote: “I read the book at one sitting – it’s a fast-paced and compulsive read.” For some reason I love hearing that readers get through the book quickly.

Sue Bursztynski in January Magazine and her own blog, The Great Raven – Sue describes herself as a ‘writer, librarian, book reviewer, educator’ so I’m honoured that she even read our book. I love that she pointed out that “the novel also explores the punk rock sub-culture, which is interesting in its own right.” I’ve been waiting for someone to say that! Exploration and accurate representation of the punk scene was just as important to me as the transgender aspects. An interesting comment conversation ensued on her blog.

ReadPlus – Recommended! by this resource site for teachers and parents. It sounds like this reviewer was immersed in the story: “I wanted to shake Finn’s mother and friend, Marla, for their initial lack of support, and I was surprised when Finn made judgments about others.”

The Reading Stack – Reviewed by Jo Burnell, a Paediatric Speech Pathologist and writer. “f2m provides answers to questions people don’t dare ask.” Being an out transgender person, I have been asked quite a few off-the-wall questions in my time. If you’ve ever wondered about it, someone’s asked it. That’s how I knew which questions to answer.

Aussie Reviews – Sally Murphy takes a break from blogging and writing children’s books to review ‘f2m’. “Teen readers will be drawn into Finn’s story.” I certainly hope so!

Here I am signing copies with Hazel while author Sofie Laguna looks on:

Our publisher from Ford Street Paul Collins said a few words to start, then Hazel took the floor and explained some of the quirks of our writing process, namely being in different countries.  At the point this photo below was taken, I am pointing out that the book is the ultimate in recycling, as I drew from my online journal to start the writing process.

My favourite photo from the day: myself and author/illustrator Felicity Marshall, gazing into each others’ eyes for effect (we’d met that day).

And there was cake! It was delicious.

A fabulous day in all. Thanks to everyone who came! I’m very proud to be a part of this collaboration and the opportunities it will bring to readers.

Life Matters interview

Our interview on Life Matters with Richard Aedy was aired on Wednesday morning. Recording in the ‘Tardis’ at Southbank was an experience in itself. I have new respect for anyone working in radio.

Listen to the Life Matters podcast

Please come along and bring anyone who’s interested. For catering purposes it would be great if you could RSVP by 10 February to info@fordstreetpublishing.com.
Queries: Lindy Dadd on (03) 9426 5688 or
Paul Collins: (03) 9481 1120

When: Sunday 14th February at 2pm
Where: Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond
Click for map of venue
Download the invitation as a PDF

I hope to see you there!

f2m:the boy within trailer

Blog interview

Since last update Hazel and I were interviewed for The Clock Monkey, a cool blog by Ella, a teenager in Argentina. It’s my first interview and I had a lot of fun writing the answers to some interesting questions.

Read our interview with Ella from Clock Monkey

Cool black and white PDF promo ad

Well, not quite yet, but I’m guessing working like a working-very-hard-person in 2009 will pay off at some point, in terms of reaching my goals, if not cash (have I mentioned, writing doesn’t pay too well?).

Which brings me to my goals. I started my adult life with two goals, neither of which I thought would ever bear fruit.

One was to be a writer. The other was to be a rock star.

In some ways I’ve achieved them both, although I spent most of my teenage years and twenties lamenting that I hadn’t come anywhere near it. I’ve written a book, and it’s being published. I’ve played in a couple of much-loved local bands, so you could say I’ve had at least a micro-taste of what it feels like to be a rock star.

This book has given me so much more than ticking an item off a list. I’m starting to think of myself as a writer. Finding myself looking for more opportunities to write, and thinking about my next big project, I’m plotting how to make this a full-time gig. I can put in the hours. I could really do this.

Coming up: I’m being interviewed for Melbourne’s queer radio station Joy FM 94.9 tomorrow, for the Southpaw Grammar show, 12-2 on Tuesdays. I’ll post a link when it’s broadcast.

Cool promo ad: Paul from Ford Street Publishing has sent us this cool black and white ad for f2m:the boy within which will appear in future books. Thanks!

First copy of f2m (to arrive at my house)

It’s thicker than I thought it would be.

I’m not a particularly good photographer so the focus does something interesting and blurs the title. The little figures are glossy and embossed, and the rest is matt.

So, only three months until lots of these hit the stores!

I co-wrote it with Australian author Hazel Edwards, recently nominated for the Astrid Lindgren award.

Synopsis

What happens when who you are on the inside clashes with what you are on the outside?

All adolescents face the quest for identity, but gender change complicates ‘coming of age’.

School-leaver Skye plays guitar in her all-girl band, The Chronic Cramps. Making her name in the punk music scene is easier than FTM (female to male) transitioning: from Skye to Finn, from girl to man. At the school reunion, Finn faces victimisation, but challenges the bullies.

Uncovering genetic mysteries about family heritage tears the family apart. Gran’s loved sibling Al was also Alberta. Transgender identity is more than hormones and surgery, it’s about acceptance. Going public, Finn sings FTM lyrics on TV.

With a little help from bemused mates and parents who don’t want to lose a daughter, but who love their teenager, Finn is transitioning.