Meet Candace Kade | Novelist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Candace Kade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Candace, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
The Chinese character for crisis, 危机, is one that has helped me in how I think about risk taking. The first character 危 or wei, means “dangerous.” The second part, 機 or ji, is the character for “opportunity.” It showcases how a crisis can be both dangerous and an opportunity depending on how you look at it.

This life lesson is one that plays a big role in my book Hybrid, book two in my young adult sci-fi series. It’s also one that’s played a big role in my own life.

Most risks in life come with a degree of danger but also a hidden opportunity. Often times it comes down to how we view the world. Some of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life have resulted in the most beautiful opportunities. Take for example my overseas move to Beijing.

I was offered a relocation assignment from my corporate job to China. Making the move alone to work in my second language seemed like a big risk. But I knew there would be countless opportunities as well. As a result of my time living in Beijing, I was filled with inspiration and wrote my debut novel, Enhanced. Without moving to Beijing, that novel never would have been born.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m a young adult adventure novelist. My debut novel, Enhanced, book one in the Hybrid Series, just released last year.

Having spent nearly half of my life living in China and the other half in America, has had a huge impact on my art. The stories I tell tend to center around characters who slip between the cracks of two worlds.

For example, in Enhanced, the main protagonist lives in the Asian Federation where society is sharply divided by those who have genetic enhancements and those who are born naturally and are without. She’s a Natural by birth but is adopted into the high society of the Enhanced elite. She must conceal her genetic identity for the safety of her family. Thus, she straddles the lines between Enhanced and Naturals.

Enhanced, and my other stories, tend to resonate with third culture kids, adoptees, refugees, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

It brings me so much joy to see Enhanced (book one) and Hybrid (book two) resonating with so many people from all walks of life. However, the path to publication wasn’t an easy one for me.

Most people don’t realize how exceedingly long it takes to get a book deal.

For many authors, seeing their stories in print takes years of blood, sweat, and tears. Literally. I enrolled in martial arts courses to help me write better fight scenes. Bloody and battered, I finally managed to draft those scenes.

As an author, success comes mostly from one factor: determination.

I remember researching the publishing process as a teenager and finding out just how much the odds were against me. The only reason I didn’t give up then and there was my love of writing.

Thankfully, determination is one of my strengths. I wrote myself a letter promising I would never give up on the dream of becoming an author until I’d received over five hundred rejection letters from agents and/or publishers.

Publishing requires determination and if you don’t have that, you’ll never make it. That, and coffee. Always coffee.

Now, with two books out in the wild, I’m working on my third and final novel in my YA sci-fi series. I hope that through it, I can continue to encourage and inspire people all while immersing them in a fun, fast-paced adventure.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were to visit, we’d have an adventure that’s for sure!

We’d probably start off with some chill activities like high tea. Scones, dainty tea cups, beautiful artwork, and plush arm chairs oh my! You can never go wrong with some fun girl time while sipping tea.

Next, we’d want to do something more adventurous. If it were winter, we’d explore the outdoor ice-skating rink. Growing up, I played hockey and my best friend is a good skater as well. When the two of us got together at the rink, it inevitably ended up with us showing off our hockey stops and spraying unsuspecting people with ice. Thankfully, we’ve both matured since then and our skating probably wouldn’t involve spraying anyone. Probably. . .

After that, we’d most likely just spend a lot of time catching up on life whether that be at coffee shops or other interesting locations. Basically, if it’s cute, international, or adventurous, we’d be there!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents encouraged me to pursue my passion for writing as a teenager and have been some of my biggest supporters ever since. They’ve never doubted me. If it weren’t for them instilling in me a love for reading and writing, I never would have discovered my love for it.

Additionally, my friend and fellow author, Nova McBee deserves a shoutout. She encouraged me to take myself seriously as an author.

Finally, my dear husband. He has spent countless hours with our toddler and baby, bouncing them, playing with them, taking them to the park—all so that I squeeze in time to write. This creative journey wouldn’t be possible without him.

Website: https://candacekade.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candace_kade_author/

Other: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22854090.Candace_Kade Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/candace-kade

Image Credits
Daniela Liang