Jocelynn Drake's Blog: Announcements, page 33

Big Things in 2012

After yesterday's 2011 retrospective, I thought I would take the time to look ahead to the great things that are coming for 2012.  I don't have a lot of exact dates to give you just yet, but I'll be posting updates when I get confirmed news.
The Dark Days Series

I know this is going to be a little confusing since yesterday I said that I was finished with Mira and Danaus, but it seems that I have just a little bit more to share.

Prequel #1: Novella
The Dead, the Damned, and the Forgotten



If you've already picked up the Unbound anthology that was released a few years back, then you've already read this novella.  The story takes place in Savannah about a month before the start of the events in NIGHTWALKER (Book 1).  It focuses on Mira's domain and her investigation into a murder that takes place, putting the spotlight on the nightwalkers in the city.  It's the first time you meet Knox and see Mira's dynamic with many of the people that you will see in later books in the series.  It was my first go at a novella and I am pleased with how it turned out.  I think the ending is a little bit of a surprise and if you read carefully, I give a little hat tip to Kim Harrison, who was also featured in the Unbound anthology.

The novella will be released as an individual e-book on January 31, 2012 and will be on sale for $0.99.  It is available for pre-order now if you are interested in getting your hands on this prequel to the series.

Prequel #2: Novella

Untitled

When I wrote this novella last year, I wasn't quite sure how it was going to be released.  The story was actually in reaction to a lot of requests I got from some readers during a book signing I did in my hometown.  One frequent question was about Mira's relationship with Valerio when they were intimate many years before Mira met Danaus.  To tell the truth, I was a little curious myself as to what happened between them and I started the novella just to satisfy my own interest.

The story takes places a couple centuries before the events in NIGHTWALKER (Book 1), well before Mira goes off on her own to Savannah and claims that as her domain.  Mira and Valerio are running errands and generally acting as enforcement for the Coven.  The nightwalker Elders send Mira and Valerio to investigate and stop a creature that is killing off nightwalkers in Spain.  The story gives a good look into Mira's relationship with Valerio, a closer look at Valerio, as well as her relationship with some other characters that you've met in the series. I was even excited to include a glimpse of one unexpected character that you meet in NIGHTWALKER. (hehe... I'm such a tease!)

It was a lot of fun to write, but a little difficult.  The setting is the 19th century versus the 21st century that I am accustomed to working in.  Also, this is Mira more than two hundred years ago.  She's a little different than what you've gotten used to reading.

If you've read the series, this will offer some nice insight into the characters.  If you've not read the series, I don't think you'll be lost since it is a series prequel.  However, it might be a little confusing if you jump from this prequel to the first book as you will be moving forward two hundred years.

Anyway... I don't have a release date on it yet but I will keep you updated here and on Facebook and Twitter when my publisher releases a date for publication.

Also, don't forget that the series is now concluded with the release of BURN THE NIGHT last June. If you haven't picked up all six books to get Mira's complete story, run to your nearest bookstore or online vendor to pick them up!

The New Series

Now you didn't think that just because I finished up the Dark Days Series that I was finished writing?  Hell No!  You could chop off all my fingers (please don't) and I would still write stories.  It would just be a little slower.

Last year, I pitched a few ideas to my editor for a new series and she was kind enough to buy one of them.  To my elation, HarperCollins has contracted me to write two new novels and two new novellas for a new series that will be kicked off in 2012! (No, it's not too late to do a happy dance.)

And earlier this week, we finally agreed on a series title:


The Asylum Tales

I love it!  Asylum has a wonderful double meaning that resonates in your brain when you hear it. You think of either A.) a place to store crazy people or B.) a place of safety and refuge from danger.    With this series, I think it means a little of both.

We have a title for the first book, but I'm holding off on revealing as it still needs final approval from the Sales/Marketing department.  But keep checking back as I'm sure that it will be approved soon.

But your big question is: what in the world is this new series about?

I'm glad you asked.  What I've been telling people is that the new series is about warlocks and tattoo artists.  (And you've just given me the same confused, puzzled, slightly frightened look I've been getting for months.)  Let me explain.

The series is firmly settled in the urban fantasy genre, set in what I like to call an open world (ie, everyone knows about all the other races and has for a really long time, allowing everyone to live side-by-side in a relative, occasionally strained, harmony.)  Some of the races that you meet in this series include, but are not limited to: humans, elves, trolls, dwarves, pixies, werewolves, vampires, ogres, minotaurs, incubus, faeries, goblins, and many many more that are fighting to get their time on the page. At the center of this mess is Gage Powell, a tattoo artist who owns a parlor in a sketchy little neighborhood in Low Town called Asylum.  In a world that is naturally filled with magic, it only makes sense that many of the non-magic folk (like humans) could use an edge.  In this world, tattoo artists aren't just tattoo artists.  They are also licensed potion stirrers.  For the right price, they can help you get an edge.  Need courage, love, or luck?  A tattoo artist can stir a potion to be placed in the ink of a tattoo that can help you achieve those things. 

Unfortunately, Gage has a secret that keeps coming back to haunt him despite his attempts to keep his head down and his nose somewhat clean.  Lucky for him, he had a pair of employees that help him out.  The first is Bronx -- a patient troll who manages to keep a level head  and his sense of humor when things get bad.  The second is Trixie -- a elf who is pretending to be a human because she's got her own problems, but she still manages to make time to give Gage a hand when he needs it.

Here are some answers to some burning questions you might have:

1. I don't like tattoos and I'm not interested in the tattooing world.  Will I still like this series?

Yes!  Do you like action, craziness, and stranger creatures?  That is more of what this series is about.  It's about the cool people that inhabit this world, not tattoos.  The tattoos are sort of just a common thread that tie the people and some of the events together.  It is not the core of the story.

2.  Is this a romance?

Err... not really.  There is a romantic subplot for Gage, but it is not the main thrust of the story.  It is an urban fantasy story, not a paranormal romance.  However, the romantic subplot moves faster in the new series than it did in the Dark Days series.

3.  Do I have to read the stories in order?

No! Unlike the Dark Days series, where you needed to read the books in order so you could understand everything that was happening, I am writing this series as more of an episodic adventure.  There are plotlines that run from the first book to the second, but the stories are told in such a way that you don't have to read them in sequential order to understand them.

4.  Are there vampires?

Sort of.  After writing the Dark Days series, which I loved, I needed a break from vampires.  Sort of.  Vampires exist in this world so that means that they can definitely make an appearance, but as of this moment they do not have a starring role.  Also, these vampires are different from the vampires in the Dark Days series.

5.  Will you ever write vampires again?

Definitely.  I love vampires.  They have always been my favorite.  But with the Dark Days series, I managed to say everything I wanted to say about vampires, so I thought it was time to move on.  When I have something new to say about them, I will circle back.

6. Are The Asylum Tales going to be as dark as the Dark Days series?

No.  By the nature of Mira's world and the fact that they were constantly on the edge of everything falling completely apart, the stories seemed to naturally become dark.  It also worked that way because of Mira's personality.  Gage is different.  Yes, he can be dark like Mira, but most of the time he's not.  The world isn't going to end if Gage fails, but a lot of people that he cares about could get seriously hurt if not killed.  The world is strange, weird, funny, and frequently unexpected.  There is danger around every corner, but Gage and his friends know how to handle a lot of it because they live there day in and day out.  The Asylum Tales will still have death, violence, and lots of dangers, but I'm hoping that you're going to spend a little time laughing as well. 

7.  What do you have finished of The Asylum Tales?

The first book has been accepted by my editor and has been moved on to the copy editing stage.  That means the story is set and now I'm tweaking wording and such.  The two novellas have been written and are awaiting approval from my editor.  If approved, they move on to the copy editing stage.  If not approved, I go in and do some revisions.  I am currently writing the rough draft of the second book, which is due to my editor in mid-February.

8.  When will the new series be released?

I don't know.

This is where things get complicated, because things have shifted from the original plans.  The original plan was to release the first book as a mass market paperback (like the Dark Days series) in late June.  You may have even seen the pre-order go up on Amazon or Barnes and Noble, listing the book as ANGEL WINGS.

Well, shortly after that listing went up, my publisher reaccessed the market, as well as my sales record and a few other things.  As a result, HarperCollins is now releasing the first book as a trade paperback.  This is a slightly bigger book than the mass paperback.  It tends to be slightly more expensive, but I'm not sure on any exacts as everything is currently shifting in the market, including price.  Due to the change in format, the release date of the first book has been moved from June to October 2012.  This will give my publisher more time to plan for the release of the trade paperback.

I know, that's a long time between books!  But never fear.  We still have a few things to tide you over to make the waiting more manageable.

Before the release of the first book, the two novellas for The Asylum Tales will be released as e-books.  Prior to revisions, they are both hovering close to 100 pages each, so they are a nice read. The two stories are prequels to the series and detail the events that surround Gage meeting Bronx and Trixie.  Both stories were a lot of fun to write, but I think Bronx's story is my favorite at the moment.  (That silly troll!)  Last I heard, they were going to release both stories in a single e-book, but that might change since that was the plan before the release date was pushed to October.  I'll keep you updated.

What do we know:

1. The Dead, the Damned, and the Forgotten e-book novella will be released on 1/31/2012

2. There is one more Dark Days prequel novella e-book to be release in 2012. (Date TBD)

3. There are two novella stories for The Asylum Tales series to be release in e-book format in 2012. (Date TBD)

4.  The first book in The Asylum Tales series will be released as a trade paperback in October 2012.



What we don't know:

1. Official release dates for three of the four novellas to be released in 2012.

2. The OFFICIAL titles for any of The Asylum Tales stories.

3. Covers.  (I haven't seen anything yet.  They are still working on them)

4. The winning Powerball numbers for the lottery.

So, my job is to finish the second book and update you on three of the four items that we don't know as I get information from my publisher.  (I'm not telling you the lottery numbers if I manage to mystically see them.)

I think those stories should keep you busy throughout 2012, giving me time to line some stuff up for next year.  (Wow!  Scary thought.  I'm already writing for 2013.)

If you've got any other questions, please feel free to leave them here or on my discussion board.  I will answer them as best as I can.  Thanks!

A Look Back at 2011

I know I'm about a week late for the 2011 retrospective and I honestly wasn't planning one, but when the usual disgust/relief that hits me at the end of the year finally faded, I realized that it really wasn't such a bad little year.  All it needed was a little love.

Professional

2011 started out rough as I spent the first few months waiting on pins and needles to find out if I was going to get another book contract from my current publisher.  Brick-and-mortar book stores were languishing all around me until one after another seemed to fall dead at my feet. 



What's more, we had just come out of our first holiday season where the "it" gift was an electronic reader.  For months, authors had been whispering to each other, their spouses, and their agents about the fate of the publishing industry.  What was going to happen to us?  Were we never going to see our books in print again, sitting happy on a shelf, waiting to be picked up and loved by a reader?  Were we all going to be sitting in the streets, holding signs that said "Will tell story for food"?



A year has passed since that point, and honestly, we still don't know what's going to happen with the publishing industry due to the increase in popularity of e-books and self-published authors.  But I kind of feel like it's always going to be that way.  Editors and publisher are constantly looking for that mega-hit book that will launch the next trend while many authors scramble to catch that wave before it breaks.  There are so many variables in publishing, countless unknowns that are impacting all aspects of the industry.  For me, I've decided to sit back and focus on the one variable that I can control: writing a damn good book.



That's what I tried to do as I closed out the Dark Days Series.  This was my first series.  I never thought it would last for six books.  Hell, I didn't think it would get published in the first place.  I was just doing what I've been doing since I was twelve -- writing a story that I wanted to read.



In June 2011, BURN THE NIGHT hit the shelves and was downloaded onto e-readers all over.  Readers indulged in what I believe will be the last adventure of Mira and Danaus.  As I knew it would be the last chance to get the gang all together for one last party, I tried to draw in as many characters as I could from the previous five books and novella.  It was disappointing that I didn't get to include Alexandra or Bertha, but the book was already packed and we got to see many faces, so I was happy.



With BURN THE NIGHT, I finally got to do the one thing that I had been doing since the world met the naturi Rowe.  I got to tell some of the story from the point of view of a naturi.  Yes, for Mira, Rowe is the villain, but only to a point.  He's trying to do what he thinks is best for his people.  Isn't that what we all do?  By allowing Nyx to tell part of the final book, you get some inside detail into the naturi monarchy and culture that you would NEVER have seen if Mira told the entire story.  I liked to think that you also got to see a somewhat softer side to Rowe as well.



While I am happy with where I left Mira and Danaus at the close of BURN THE NIGHT, I still miss them.  I worked on Mira and the Dark Days world for more than seven years before closing out the series.  They cross my mind on a daily basis even now, but the frequency is fading.  I imagine there will be a time when I will go days without thinking of them, but Mira and Danaus will always be a part of me and I want to thank readers for loving them. 



As to whether I will ever write any spin-off books for some of the other characters from the Dark Days series, I just don't know.  I am currently hard at work on a new series (more about that tomorrow), but I will have an opening later this winter to give it some serious thought.  There are a few guys from the series that I would like to see what they would do after Mira got settled with Danaus.



If you loved the series, or maybe just enjoyed the diversion, the best thing you can do is share the love.  Please, recommend the series to other urban fantasy readers.  Now is really the best time, as the e-book for Nightwalker (Book 1) is on sale for $0.99 for one month.  Buy it as a gift for someone and get them started on a great adventure.

Personal

Much like my professional writing career, my personal life had a rocky start to 2011.  The company I worked for as a dayjob parted ways with me near the start of the year.  The economy is rocky and you just have to roll with the punches.  I'm still looking for that next adventure to go along with my book writing.



[image error] However, things quickly picked up when I got engaged.  It wasn't really a surprise as we had been discussing it for a while.  On the other hand, the wedding was a surprise.  We had traveled to Hawai'i for vacation (and only vacation).  Yet, a few minutes spent with the hotel concierge, a trip to the Department of Health for a marriage license, and a stop by Hilo Hattie's for a dress had us ready for a intimate wedding on the beach on Sunday, July 31.



That is how you get married.  No hassle.  No fuss.  No worries.  I wish my family could have been there, but it was just a great opportunity to do the romantic wedding in a beautiful spot.  I'm now a Mrs. instead of a Miss, and I think I'm adjusting well.

In addition to marriage, the "Drake" family took on one other bundle of joy.  In late August, we adopted an adorable puppy, who we believe to be a type of Hound/Labrador mix, we named him Max.  He is now about eight months old and extremely playful.  The sweetheart loves to lounge at my feet while I'm working and desperately tries to play with the cats, who want nothing to do with the big goof.



He keeps my Other Half (OH) company when he plays video games, wakes me up in the morning when I try to sleep late, and keeps me company while I'm working.  Yep, I think he's going to fit right in with the family... if only he could learn to stop chasing cats around the house in an effort to play. :)



With 2011 over and 2012 in full swing now, I'd like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your lovely comments and words of encouragement over the years regarding the Dark Days Series.  Thank you for your support in buying the books and spreading the word.  I've had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to lots more.



From Jocelynn, the Other Half, Max, and the girls (Harley and Demona), we wish you an exciting 2012 filled with laughs, tears, thrills, surprises, and success!

Holiday Book Deals

It's the last days before Christmas and I am happy to say that I'm not spending them at the shopping malls and packed stores looking for those last-minute gifts.  (Though, I am sending warm thoughts to all those poor souls who are.)  The baking continues in the Drake household.  I recently tackled chocolate chip cookies and I'm thinking of making some peanut butter chip cookies for my brother's birthday on December 31.  My containers are so filled with cookies, muffins, and candy that I'm starting to crave celery. Scary, I know.

My holiday rituals are nearly complete.  I've shopped, wrapped, and trimmed the tree.  I've had dinner with my mom's side of the family.  I've gone to the Krohn Conservatory holiday display.  I've gone to the Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights.  And I've watched White Christmas with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. 



What's left?

Watching A Christmas Story with my husband.

Breakfast with my family on Christmas day.

Watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with my parents.

Enjoy the peace and love of the season.



Part of that peace comes with settling in to enjoy a good book.  There are still tons of great deals to be had on e-books.  I stumbled across this link just the other day to Dear Author, where the writer lists a long collection of books that are one sale for $1-2.  You can't miss out on something like that!  I've already bought several books and I might check the list one last time.



Avon Books continues with its 12 Days of Christmas Sale.  You can check out the list here on Facebook, or at the Avon Romance Blog, or if you're on Twitter, just follow Avonbooks for regular updates.



Of course, my own imprint Harper Voyager is having its own celebration.  Check out their list of books for sale at their new website.



And finally, if you're more interested in just winning books instead of buying them at bargain prices, I suggest you wander over to Supernatural Underground.

A Holiday Tradition

Every family has their holiday traditions.  They could be big or small, but they are always treasured.



Yesterday, I enjoyed one of my all-time favorites: a trip to the Krohn Conservatory to see their holiday display.  The Krohn Conservatory is an exquisite glass hothouse that contains a vast collection of delicate and exotic plants.  I have been going to the Conservatory since I was very young.  My parents would take us every year and my brothers and I would get a new ornament we picked out for the Christmas tree.  I looked forward to it every year; more so than the trips to the zoo for the Festival of Lights and walks through downtown Cincinnati to see the window displays.



There's something so peaceful about the Conservatory.  Voices aren't raised and the whole place has a hushed, almost reverent feel to it as you walk through, looking at the displays.  When I step into the Conservatory, I can feel just a warmth in my soul.  It's beauty.  It's good memories.  It's home. 



As you walk in the door to the Conservatory, there's always a giant Christmas tree that is covered in hand-made ornaments.  Most of the ornaments are made from leaves, nuts, and bits of twigs.  I find myself standing before the tree for several minutes, trying to see each ornament on the tree, but my family is always anxious to move along to the main exhibit hall, where they have the giant poinsettia tree and trains. 



This year's exhibit was entitled: Trains, Trestles, and Traditions.  For several years, the Conservatory displayed a giant rotating music box that depicted places in Cincinnati.  It wasn't there this year, but the display they had was absolutely beautiful.  They had several trains running around the exhibit hall and little buildings made to resemble places that were well-known around the city.  The small incline trolley is a replica of the incline that use to run up Mt. Adams many years ago.



Also, here's another well-known building for Cincinnati.  The rounded building in the background of this picture is Union Terminal.  Long ago, it was one the main train station for the city.  Many people were shipped out to fight in World War II from this terminal many year ago, and some say it is now haunted.  The Union Terminal is still a train station, but it also houses the local history museum and Omnimax theater.  It's an exquisite building to visit if you're ever in town.



And a few places that aren't quite a part of Cincinnati, but beautiful all the same.  I'm not quite sure why they included this unless it's supposed to be a replica of the Tower at King's Island, which is a smaller replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.  Regardless, it is cool all the same.





From the exhibit hall, you find into the desert exhibit, which is filled with beautiful cacti and spiked plants.  This room is fun because I've seen the occasional little animal squirreled away during the summer.  The summer sees doors opened, allowing birds to flit in.  I've seen little lizards creeping along between the cactus and even a small family of what looked to be quails (Take this with a grain of salt, I don't know anything about birds.  They were at least small and quail-like.)  Throughout the desert room, they have little hand-made ornament hanging from some of the larger plants, adding a little color to the thick green room.



The desert room leads to an enclosed Orchid Exhibit.  This is the newest room of the Conservatory, being less than a decade old, I believe.  It is humid and warm, making you regret your winter coat, but it is worth the short jaunt through.  Filled with delicate orchids, this room is an explosion of color.  I love orchids, but I would never attempt to grow one.  I'm sure that if I killed the plant, I would be heartbroken, so I happily visit the Conservatory to get my fill of the lovely plants.



The Orchid Exhibit leads to the Bonsai Room, which is also relatively new.  The local Bonsai society allows the Conservatory to display their collection and it is amazing.  They have some plants there that are over fifty years old and have been in training for more years than I have been alive.  I have included the picture of the one bonsai that I look forward to seeing every time I visit Krohn.  I believe it is called The Grove.  My mind just explodes with fantastical ideas when I see it.  I can so easily imagine a little pixie or faerie living among the tiny trees.



From the Bonsai Room, you walk out and can then visit the two rainforest rooms.  Both have water displays containing enormous koi fish as well as a few turtles.  At the end of one room, there is a large waterfall that you can walk behind through this stone tunnel.  There's also a banana tree.  When the world is cold and gray, the Conservatory is a place within the city you can go and be enveloped in a world of warmth and green.  It's stepping into another world, like stepping into a safe jungle where you can explore without the worry of contracting malaria or getting eaten by a jaguar.



After you're done with the Conservatory tour, you can stop outside to see the nativity scene with real animals and life-sized wax figures.  This nativity scene first appeared in Cincinnati in the late 1930s and was moved to the Krohn Conservatory in 1967.  Regardless of your religious beliefs, it is a neat exhibit.  I just like to stand outside the exhibit and "baaa" at the sheep.

Tonight, my mother's side of the family is gathering for their Christmas celebration. There will be food, gifts, games, and lots of laughter.  My O.H. is cooking a cheesy potato casserole to take and I've been baking a little bit all week.  The presents are mostly wrapped and I'm getting ready to start the self-beautification process.


To close for the week, let me leave you with a few links.


First, pay a visit to Literary Escapism.  This post not only includes updates on many great authors, but it appears that Avon Books is running an awesome sale that you want to check out!  I'll be picking up a few books myself.


Speaking of book deals, I heard from my editor today.  She said that Voyager (my imprint publisher) is going to be running an e-book sale starting on Monday.  Nighwalker will be included, selling for $0.99 until early February.  I'll post more details soon!


Second, be sure to stop by Supernatural Underground everyday until Christmas as the authors there will be giving away lots of books!  You don't want to miss out!

Change Happens

If I've learned anything over the past several years since becoming published it's that things change ... frequently and without warning ... in the publishing industry.  Best advice: roll with the changes.

I can't tell much at the moment as things are still being nailed down at my publisher, but the release date of my first book has been pushed back to October from the end of June.  Nothing is wrong with the book.  It has been accepted for publication and is moving on to the copyedit stage.  We are taking another look at the format and doing some collective thinking. Trust me: this is a good thing.  We are also still tinkering with the title of the first book.  When things are nailed down, I'll pass the news along.

Since readers will have to wait longer for a new book, I will work on trying to come up with a little extra something for 2012 to help tide you over until the first book hits the shelves and e-readers.  But 2012 won't be a bad year.  We've got:

A. audiobooks for Dark Days series being produced

B. 1 more prequel novella for the Dark Days series to be released

C. 2 short stories for the Tattoo Artist series to be released

D. 1 new book to be released

E. new website to be launched

Oh, I didn't mention that?  Yes, my web designer is working on a new website for me, which will include awesome background information for both the Dark Days series and the new Tattoo Artist series.  We are aiming for a spring launch.

You want more?

Okay, since you asked so nicely.  I'll see what I can do.

Where'd The Time Go?

Where did this week go?

I remember Monday, then there was this blur that had nothing to do with alcohol and then BOOM! It's Friday.  Well, that's just craptastic.  I was hoping to be a little more productive this week and it just didn't happen.  Don't get me wrong. I got stuff done, like cleaning the kitchen, the laundry is done (though not completely put away), and I finally got some of the Christmas decorations organized into plastic bins.  But writing?  Not as much as I wanted.



I am happy to report that I have seen the cover for the e-book of my first Dark Days series prequel novella.  "The Dead, The Damned And The Forgotten" was originally released in the Unbound anthology, but it is being re-released as a stand-alone e-book novella on January 11, 2012 and the cover is so awesome!  So, if you're missing Mira and haven't picked up a copy of Unbound, then you will get the chance to read a little more in January.



Also, do you like audiobooks?  Do you know someone who would like the Dark Days series, but doesn't read?  My publisher is hard at work on releasing the rest of the series on audiobook.  I have seen the last cover for the audiobooks.  I don't have any dates yet as to when they will be released, but I will report back as soon as I hear something.



What I know about audiobooks couldn't fill a thimble.  I'm strange.  I don't like listening to books and I've actually never listened to my own books -- I'm too self-conscious and I start criticizing every word I hear so it's best if I don't.  However, Nightwalker and Wait for Dusk are already available and they are working on the other four.  From what I've seen of the new covers, Hillary Huber is reading the new ones and she's read books for Lara Adrian and Larissa Ione.



For those interested, I know that Audible is a popular site for audiobooks, so here is a link to the audiobooks that I have available. Audible. If you know of another site that legally provides audiobooks, please leave a comment and I'll put the info on my blog.



In addition, we've got other things in the works for 2012.  Here's a quick list:



Dark Days re-release of novella prequel: "The Dead, The Damned And The Forgotten" : Jan. 11

Dark Days release of novella prequel: "Bound To Me" : release date TBD 

Tattoo Artist release of novella prequel: "Bronx's Story" : release date TBD (spring 2012)

Tattoo Artist release of novella prequel: "Trixie's Story" : release date TBD (spring 2012)

Angel Wings: A Tattoo Artist Story (a novel): June 26



And then if we're lucky, we'll also have an audiobook or two.



2012 is going to be a busy year.  I better get back to work and finish one item on that list.

Matching Music to Mood

The words, they are a flowin'.  I'm making some serious headway on the short story, which took an unexpectedly dark turn but I think we're back on track again.  As long as I can keep my storyteller under a tight leash, I think I've got just one more chapter to write before it is done.  With any luck, the first short story will be finished this weekend and the second story will be loosely outlined as well so I can start writing fresh on Monday.





Now that my new main character Gage and I have been spending so much time together, I thought it was time for us to sit down and make out a playlist.  It's easier to stay in his mindset if I've got his music playing in the background.  For one thing, it keeps me from channeling other characters when things take a dark turn.



So, my friend Gage pulled up a chair and plopped his feet down on the edge of my desk, ready to "help."  Yeah, it turns out that we don't always see eye-to-eye when it comes to music.  There are songs he likes to listen to that I don't like writing to.  It's too much of a distraction.  Oddly, the music that he usually listens to is rather different than what Mira, my nightwalker, enjoyed.  When I was working on the Dark Days series, it was a lot of Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Korn, Linkin Park, and a selection of movie scores such as Queen of the Damned, Underworld, and Constantine.



Gage will NOT let me listen to movie scores.  I've tried several times and been forced to change music before I could finish a paragraph.  However, we've started to come up with a working list.  Here's a sneak peek at an early version:



Everyday I'm in a good mood music:



Shaman's Harvest

Stone Temple Pilots

Violent Femmes

White Zombie/Rob Zombie

Puddle of Mudd

Cage the Elephant

Buckcherry

Bloodhound Gang*

(*I can't write to this band, but I can revise to it)



I'm drinking alone and I'm in a crappy mood music:

"Freak on a Leash" by Korn

"Bleed It Out" by Linkin Park

"Golgotha Tenement Blues" by Machines of Loving Grace

"Shadow on the Run" by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club



This is just the initial list and I'm sure more music will be added to the playlist as we go.  Oddly enough, Blue October didn't make the initial cut.  I wrote most of the first book listening to Blue October and yet it doesn't seem to fit at the moment.  I'm wondering if maybe they proved to be a transition band for me from Mira to Gage.






One last thing before I dart off, I want to pass along a link to an excellent blog entry written by Richard Kadrey on John Scalzi's blog site, Whatever.  The Big Idea: Richard Kadrey is just a great call to writers to stick to their passion, love their art, and realize that it just takes time and persistence.  Check it out!

I Played Chess

Today is going to be this insane rush forward in an attempt to squeeze in everything I want to get done before company arrives. Last weekend, my Other Half (O.H.) and I picked up two games. We both have an addiction to playing games when we can get a few people together. Some of the household favorites include: Trivia Pursuit (on PS3), You Don't Know Jack (on PS3), Bezzerwizzer, and Apples to Apples. We recently picked up a copy of Harry Potter Scene It? We are both huge Harry Potter fans (read all books and seen all movies), so it was only natural that we scooped up this game that includes scenes and trivia from all 8 movies. Tonight, we're having my brother and his girlfriend over dinner and a couple games of Harry Potter Scene It? It should be interesting since they are huge fans of the series as well.

Also, last weekend, we picked up one of this multi-game sets. You know the ones that include chess, checkers, backgammon, and a half a dozen others. My O.H. had been wanting to teach me to play chess, but I wasn't overly enthusiastic. I just thought that I would never be able to remember all the different ways to move the pieces as well as plan any long-term strategy. Particularly since I regularly get my butt kicked at checkers. But for him, I was willing to give it a try.

I love chess!

We played a long game, which featured me asking a ton of questions, while also discussing with my opponent my own strategy. (Yeah, way to launch a sneak attack, Joce!) It was amazing and a great way to open my mind to plotting books. For books, I spend a lot of time in the mind of the main character, figuring out his plan. How is he going to attack this problem? How is he going to react?

But chess forces you to not only worry about your plan, but to also try to weigh your opponent, consider his personality and what his likely approach might be to the game. Since the pieces are set in how they can move around the board, you can actually play out several scenarios, weighing risks and rewards. You find yourself in certain scenarios that no matter how you move, you will lose something and you will consider what to sacrifice and what to protect.

I never expected to see so many similarities to writing. What's more, I never expected to feel as if my own plotting and crafting skills would improve if I played chess.

I also never ever expected to become a potential addict. We've agreed to play another game later today after a run to the grocery. It may be years before I'm any good at the game but the exercise for my brain is thrilling.


The only thing now is that I want a nice chess set. The one I have is great for just beginning, but I now want something a little fancier. And I think I found the one I'm looking for.

Homeward Bound

It's just before 1pm in Honolulu, Hawai'i (or nearly 7pm at home) and I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight home. I really wanted to blog while I was in Waikiki, but the internet at the hotel wasn't strong enough for it.

I'm tired from a long, wonderful week and maybe even a little cranky, but feeling very relaxed and somewhat sunburned. Hawai'i is fabulous. It's a dream surrounded by the bluest waters I have even seen and inhabited by the nicest people on the planet. I really don't want to go home, but I miss my cats and it's time to return to reality.

So much was said and done over the past several days that it might take me a couple days to get it all overviewed on the blog. First, it was a roughly 10-hour flight to get from Cincinnati, Ohio to Honolulu (with a layover in Chicago). The flight wasn't bad with my stack of books and movies on iPad.

We arrived in Honolulu in the early afternoon and took a taxi to Waikiki to our hotel Outrigger Reef on the Beach (which I highly recommend if you are ever staying in Oahu). The hotel is perfect, the location is excellent, and the people are so wonderful. We grabbed a bite to eat in the bar/restaurant, sitting by an open window that looked out onto the beach and Pacific ocean. Afterward, we wandered around the city along the beach and finished the night with killer drinks and karaoke.

The next day was a total relaxation day: pool and beach. Dinner was sushi followed by some gift shopping and then more drinks and karaoke. While simple, it was a perfect day. I laid by the pool, read a book, and just let my mind go blank for a few hours. Batteries were completely recharged.

The next day was touring the island. Oahu is a relatively small island. You can drive from Waikiki to the North Shore (which is the farthest point on the island) in roughly an hour. We rented what are called Mini Coupes -- they are essentially mopeds with a two-seat car body over them. In them, we ran a couple errands, explored downtown Honolulu and then drove up the eastern shore. I'm not sure how far we got, but I think we got close to Lanikai. That side of the island had some mind-blowing scenery. At all times, there's the ocean on one side of you and a mountain range reaching up on the other side of you. There were moments when I got tears in my eyes when I was surrounded by this beauty. By evening, we returned to Waikiki for dinner and just crashing in the hotel room. Yet another perfect day.

The next day was going out to the western side of the island for snorkeling and dolphin watching. The shuttle picked us up and took us out to the Ko Olina Resort. On the way out to the snorkeling site, we passed where Disney had placed the Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie in dry dock. We found a pod of Spinner Dolphins, which were feeling frisky. Spinner Dolphins get their name from the fact that they jump and spin out of the water. From there, we settled near a reef and snorkeled for about an hour. This was my first snorkeling adventure and it was AWESOME! The fish were beautiful and I got to swim by a sea turtle! Afterward, we had lunch while the boat was taken back to the marina. Another perfect day.

In an attempt to just reach epic proportions of awesomeness on this trip... I got married. It was arranged on Friday and completed on Sunday at 1pm on the beach in Waikiki looking out toward the ocean and Diamondhead Peak. It was a simple ceremony with just myself and my now husband, the officant, and the photographer. We then closed out the day at the Paradise Cove Lua'u. It was filled with amazing sights, a killer sunset, excellent dinner, and a romantic slow dance. Best. Day. Ever.

Yesterday was the last day and we closed out our trip with an all-day tour of Pearl Harbor. It was solemn and informative. A great day.

This was just a very quick summary. I may pop back in with more trip comments, but all in all, it was the PERFECT vacation/wedding/honeymoon.

The Beginning of the End

I stopped for a late lunch at a favorite spot with a dear friend today and afterward we wandered down to my local Borders bookstore. On Monday, news had hit the wires that they were closing all of their stores, causing my heart to briefly stutter in my chest for too many reasons. On Friday, they had begun their liquidation sale.

I paused just at the threshold of the store as a weight seemed to settle on my chest. The shopping plaza that housed the Borders store was relatively new but I had a lot of memories attached to the store. I shopped here regularly, wandering aimlessly down the aisles looking for new authors, new stories. It was the first place I saw my own book, Nightwalker, on the shelves. It was the place I did my first solo signing, terrified no one would come.

As I entered the store, I found it teaming with people. There was a low murmur buzzing around the large store as people hunted for good deals on books they had put off purchasing for one reason or another. At first, my reaction was to want to shout at the top of my lungs “Where have you been? Couldn’t you have come when the store was dying?” But then, I realized that most of them probably had come while the store was in decline. This Borders store had always been a busy one, and I couldn’t begrudge anyone the right to find a book at a good price. I was just happy to see anyone reading a book, regardless of its format.

I walked slowly down nearly every aisle of the store, trying to memorize it all. My fingers slid along the spines of the books, caressing the embossed titles and author names. A part of me wanted to take them all home. I needed to know these books were going to a good home, somewhere they would be loved and read.

More than once, my friend wrapped an arm around my shoulder, comforting me. I looked as if I had lost my best friend. I felt as if I was standing at the bedside of a dying friend, watching him struggling for each ragged breath, knowing he wouldn’t have the energy to take too many more.

Before leaving, I quietly signed the copies of my own books, leaving a special message for anyone who picked up those particular copies.

Over the past several years, I’ve watched dozens of independent stores close their doors permanently. And now a major chain has tumbled. In my own hometown, there are still several bookstores close by, but I’m scared. I don’t want to live in a world where there are no bookstores. I’ve found so many authors by wandering down the aisles, waiting for a cover or a title to catch my attention. I’ve found things that would never have been recommended to me based on my previous reading habits.

Yes, I’ve finally made the switch over to e-books and I do love my e-reader, but there is still something comforting in walking through a bookstore, your eyes dancing over millions of stories. In that moment, standing before giant shelves lined with books, I feel safe and happy because I can see all the stories that people have written; I can see the evidence of their dreams. I am disconnected from those dreams when browsing an electronic store.

I don’t know what the future is going to bring. I tell myself that people aren’t going to stop reading just because bookstores are gone. I tell myself that books will always be in print. But standing there, watching the store get picked apart, knowing that the shelves will never be refilled, my heart broke a little bit.

To the workers in the Borders stores, you have my heartfelt well wishes. Thank you for years of wonderful assistance and smiles.

To the world, I ask you to keep reading.

And keep dreaming.