Issue date: 5/7/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Angie Rosillo Kacey Kuebler recently published her first book "The Forest Singer: Earth Magic," which took her nearly two years to write. [Click to enlarge]

Sacramento State junior and author Kacey Kuebler has sold approximately 500 copies of her first book, "The Forest Singer: Earth Magic," this semester.

The book, which is the first in a trilogy, was released Jan. 8 and can be purchased on Amazon's website, her publisher BookSearch's website and Border's website.

Starbucks on Howe Avenue and Fair Oaks Boulevard is also selling the book.

Kuebler used Kay Ceryn as her pen name for the book. She said that the name was for privacy purposes.

"I love writing because I escape into another world and forget everything that's going on around me," Kuebler said. "It's a waking dream."

However, she hasn't been able to write much because of her busy schedule.

As a full-time student, most of her writing has been for classes. She works at least 40 hours per week between her internship at Redwood Palms Pictures and working at Starbucks.

When one cannot write, one daydreams.

"I daydream a lot … about everything and my future," she said.

Kuebler daydreamed often as a child because she is an only child, and had to play alone.

"I would sit down and write out the game I wanted to play and the character I wanted to be today and act that out," she said.

Those who watched her grow up felt she was full of talent.

Kuebler's aunt, who is also her editor and illustrator, Kathleen Karesa, 53, said Kuebler used to act and sing all the time as a toddler. Gradually, in grade school, she started writing.

"Kacey was born old," Karesa said. "Some kids are never kids … so advanced and so different that it's like they are already grown up."

Kuebler's other companions were books. As a child, one of her favorite authors included Tamora Pierce, author of "Lady Knight" and "Wild Magic." Both books are set in the medieval times, have mystical creatures and female lead characters.

Her love for books led to making up her own scenarios and eventually writing short stories as a teen.

Kuebler was determined to write a whole book. She started writing "The Forest Singer: Earth Magic" when she was 16 years old. Two years later, she finished handwriting her book.

"I typed slowly, and it flows better when I am writing," she said.

After a couple years of editing, adding illustrations and sending out about 50 query letters, she had finally accomplished what she set out when she was 16.

Much like Pierce's use of mystical creatures and period, Kuebler's book is of a young girl discovering herself.

Alexis Thorn lost her whole family and friends only to be forced to fight with evil half-cat half-humans and run for her life from those who want to sell her for her ability to speak to animals.

"I hated to put her through it," Kuebler said. "She goes through so many struggles and overcomes them."

Set in the medieval time, the young adult, action adventure and fantasy book follows the life of 16-year-old Alexis Thorn. She journeys to discover herself, learns to appreciate her ability, which she initially thought as a hindrance, and moves forward with her life.

Kuebler's love for nature and animals is captured in "The Forest Singer: Earth Magic" as Thorn travels through forests and meets all sorts of animals and creatures.

"The character is someone I really wanted to be when I was little because I always wanted to talk to animals," Kuebler said.

Kuebler's love for animals came from her parents, who heavily worked with animals.

"I love cats because they have their own personalities," she said.

She said that she doesn't own a cat because her roommate would probably kill her.

Business major Jennifer Johnson was the first one to order her roommate's book online.

"The writing is so good and so complex that it amazes me that a college student wrote it, let alone my roommate," Johnson said.

"I don't like to read," she added. "But it really grabs you, so I couldn't stop reading."

Karesa added in that Kuebler had a gift of words.

"The way she writes is so descriptive, capturing and conveying feelings that just make my back shiver," Karesa said.

Karesa, who is from the small town of Smith River, asked her local library in Crescent City if it would be interested in having Kuebler do a book signing there.

Del Norte County Library took a step further and sponsored Kuebler to drive up to Crescent City in late March.

Kuebler said that to her amazement, about 50 people attended the book signing.

"As I was talking to some people, I looked over and saw a lady reading my book," she said emotionally. "I almost burst into tears."

Kuebler's definition of success is not measured by money.

"What makes a book successful is when I walk through a store, airport or park and see someone sitting there reading my book," she said.

Kuebler said that it's an amazing accomplishment to be able to have so many people read her books.

When asked how she felt about getting published at a young age, she modestly answered that it hasn't kicked in because the book hasn't been marketed much.

She is a perfectionist who thrives to produce excellent work.

"I can't read my book because I'm always thinking I could have worded this better," Kuebler said.

She started the second book of "The Forest Singer" last summer but has not yet finished it.

Deur Julie Tcha can be reached at djtcha@statehornet.com

Click here to view Kuebler's page on Amazon.com.

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