Carla King, writing, publishing, adventure travel.
Carla King is an author, memoir and essay writing teacher, and self-publishing consultant. She writes about travel and solo motorcycle adventures and helps authors make informed decisions about publishing their own books.
Her work brings together storytelling and technology. She began as a technical writer in Silicon Valley and was sharing travel dispatches online in 1995, during the early days of the web.
Her books include the motorcycle memoir American Borders and guides and workbooks for independent authors. She also teaches writing craft, with a focus on memoir, short essays, and personal stories.
Through consulting, courses, and workshops, Carla helps authors and publishing assistants understand the steps from manuscript to publication: editing, production, distribution, marketing, and the business decisions behind a book.
Vicarious Reads
Carla’s travel writing follows the people she meets and the complications of getting from one place to another, often on a motorcycle that has other ideas.
American Borders recounts her 10,000-mile solo journey around the United States on a Russian Ural sidecar motorcycle. In 1995, she shared dispatches from that trip online, before travel blogging became commonplace.
Her travels have taken her to China, India, Europe, and beyond, on two wheels, three wheels, and sometimes a bicycle.
Her memoirs and essays explore cultural encounters, mechanical mishaps, and the choices that come with traveling alone.
Find her travel books and anthology contributions on the Books page, or start with Stories from Elsewhere below.
HELP FOR AUTHORS
Carla helps independent authors turn a manuscript into a publishing plan, with practical advice on editing, book production, distribution, and marketing.
Her consulting services include book strategy sessions, manuscript reviews, production checks, and support with publishing and marketing decisions.
She works with memoirists, business authors, and other fiction and nonfiction writers. Her courses also help publishing assistants understand the process so they can better support their clients.
Her teaching connects writing craft with the work of publishing: shaping a story, understanding its audience, evaluating options, and planning the next steps.
Visit Work With Me to explore consulting services and book a complimentary clarity call, or browse Courses and Workshops for learning options.
Author Friendly: publishing guidance on Substack
