Kristin Miller's Blog, page 5
July 25, 2011
Have you heard the news? Intervamption releases tomorrow!
Here's the deets:
What:
Intervamption
The blurb:
Congratulations!
Either one or both of your parents has vampire blood. Welcome to the vampire race!
Please keep a few things in mind as you ease into the most difficult phase of your life:
1. Light sensitivity, humming teeth, and stomach pains are completely normal. You'll also be faster, stronger, and sexy as hell (if you're lucky).
2. You'll bloodlust and go crazy if you deny your body's urge for blood. Why fight it?
3. Do not pierce the skin of a mundane involuntarily. We're not animals and will not behave as such.
4. Therians, our shapeshifting brethren, cannot be trusted. Their loyalties shift as often as their identities.
And finally,
5. Lighten up—you're not dead.
Contact Dylan, owner of ReVamp, in Crimson Bay, California, for more information.
When:
E-Version releases July 26th, 2011
Print copies available August 9th, 2011
Where:
Avon Impulse
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
How much:
E-Version $3.99
Print: $7.99
Why?
"Crisp writing, an intriguing world, wicked humor, and scorching romance—I love Kristin Miller's InterVamption. If you love paranormal romance, this series is 'the same but different' in spades! Get ready to be blown away."--Virna DePaul, National bestselling author of Chosen By Blood
**I hope you read the book, I really do. And hey, why don't you stop by and tell me what you think? I'd loooove to hear from you.
What:
Intervamption
The blurb:
Congratulations!
Either one or both of your parents has vampire blood. Welcome to the vampire race!
Please keep a few things in mind as you ease into the most difficult phase of your life:
1. Light sensitivity, humming teeth, and stomach pains are completely normal. You'll also be faster, stronger, and sexy as hell (if you're lucky).
2. You'll bloodlust and go crazy if you deny your body's urge for blood. Why fight it?
3. Do not pierce the skin of a mundane involuntarily. We're not animals and will not behave as such.
4. Therians, our shapeshifting brethren, cannot be trusted. Their loyalties shift as often as their identities.
And finally,
5. Lighten up—you're not dead.
Contact Dylan, owner of ReVamp, in Crimson Bay, California, for more information.
When:
E-Version releases July 26th, 2011
Print copies available August 9th, 2011
Where:
Avon Impulse
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
How much:
E-Version $3.99
Print: $7.99
Why?
"Crisp writing, an intriguing world, wicked humor, and scorching romance—I love Kristin Miller's InterVamption. If you love paranormal romance, this series is 'the same but different' in spades! Get ready to be blown away."--Virna DePaul, National bestselling author of Chosen By Blood
**I hope you read the book, I really do. And hey, why don't you stop by and tell me what you think? I'd loooove to hear from you.
July 21, 2011
Good News Galore!
INTERVAMPTION COMES OUT IN FIVE DAYS!!!!!!
*ahem*
Now that I got that out of my system, I feel better.
There are days--oh, believe me, I've had 'em--where I feel like nothing is going right. The writing is sluggish, at best. And I just don't know how I'm going to break-in to the industry that is full of so many wonderfully talented authors.
Everyone's so great! And I'm so...well...I'm just me. From the bottom of the mountain, the climb to "measure up" is steeper than hell.
Today was NOT one of those days. Today was a great writing day. A big day.
At nine o'clock this morning, the UPS guy pulled into my driveway. We weren't expecting a delivery. Husband went outside, received the package, came back in and said, "It's from Harper Collins."
He had me at "Harper".
I opened the package, heart in my throat, and found this:
Wanna see InterVamption's sexy backside? I do...
They're mass market size! They're dark and crisp and perhaps the most beautiful thing I've seen--perfect children aside, of course.
As if today couldn't get any better, InterVamption got it's first review! Here is the link from Goodreads, though I don't know if it's going to show if you don't have an account. It received 4/5 stars and I'm THRILLED to death that the reviewer liked it as much as she did.
I was also asked to be a featured author on a blogging event coming up later this month, but I don't have the details yet. The blogger contacted my publicist, who contacted me...gosh that sounds weird...and of course I agreed to do a Q&A, because HELLO, who wouldn't?
To top the cake, the writing FLOWED today. It was one of those everything-is-in-place-and-right-with-the-writing-world-kind-of-days.
I like those.
Night all.
*ahem*
Now that I got that out of my system, I feel better.
There are days--oh, believe me, I've had 'em--where I feel like nothing is going right. The writing is sluggish, at best. And I just don't know how I'm going to break-in to the industry that is full of so many wonderfully talented authors.
Everyone's so great! And I'm so...well...I'm just me. From the bottom of the mountain, the climb to "measure up" is steeper than hell.
Today was NOT one of those days. Today was a great writing day. A big day.
At nine o'clock this morning, the UPS guy pulled into my driveway. We weren't expecting a delivery. Husband went outside, received the package, came back in and said, "It's from Harper Collins."
He had me at "Harper".
I opened the package, heart in my throat, and found this:
Wanna see InterVamption's sexy backside? I do...
They're mass market size! They're dark and crisp and perhaps the most beautiful thing I've seen--perfect children aside, of course.
As if today couldn't get any better, InterVamption got it's first review! Here is the link from Goodreads, though I don't know if it's going to show if you don't have an account. It received 4/5 stars and I'm THRILLED to death that the reviewer liked it as much as she did.
I was also asked to be a featured author on a blogging event coming up later this month, but I don't have the details yet. The blogger contacted my publicist, who contacted me...gosh that sounds weird...and of course I agreed to do a Q&A, because HELLO, who wouldn't?
To top the cake, the writing FLOWED today. It was one of those everything-is-in-place-and-right-with-the-writing-world-kind-of-days.
I like those.
Night all.
July 16, 2011
Would you rather...
write one book that hits HARRY POTTER/TWILIGHT hard, then drop off the face of the publishing earth,
OR
write book after book, making a long-standing career in the writing industry?
I've heard this question asked a ton. By my non-writing friends. By critique partners. And I think the response could depend on where in the writing industry you stand. If you've already hit it big and can't seem to make another book work as well (anyone read Meyer's The Host?), you may long for a slow and steady career. But, I could imagine someone on the other foot, coveting that #1 NYT or USA Today Bestseller slot.
I'm not sure where I stand. I look at the Twihards and Potterfreaks and think wouldn't it be cool to have a following like that? I could only dream of writing something so profound that it comes to life and overtakes a generation. All Rowling's money aside (and it'd take boatloads to cast that lot aside, I'm sure), I don't know if she'll ever be able to write anything again, for fear it'll inevitably be measured against Harry Potter...and fail.
Could I write one book or a series of books and be done? Could I stuff the storytelling inside me? I don't think so...
It makes me wonder where Rowling hides her scribbling notebooks. And how much they'll be worth when they're uncovered.
What about you? Which would you rather write? One HUGE hit or a series of steady ones? (Not that we have any control over that, of course, but it's fun to ponder.)
OR
write book after book, making a long-standing career in the writing industry?
I've heard this question asked a ton. By my non-writing friends. By critique partners. And I think the response could depend on where in the writing industry you stand. If you've already hit it big and can't seem to make another book work as well (anyone read Meyer's The Host?), you may long for a slow and steady career. But, I could imagine someone on the other foot, coveting that #1 NYT or USA Today Bestseller slot.
I'm not sure where I stand. I look at the Twihards and Potterfreaks and think wouldn't it be cool to have a following like that? I could only dream of writing something so profound that it comes to life and overtakes a generation. All Rowling's money aside (and it'd take boatloads to cast that lot aside, I'm sure), I don't know if she'll ever be able to write anything again, for fear it'll inevitably be measured against Harry Potter...and fail.
Could I write one book or a series of books and be done? Could I stuff the storytelling inside me? I don't think so...
It makes me wonder where Rowling hides her scribbling notebooks. And how much they'll be worth when they're uncovered.
What about you? Which would you rather write? One HUGE hit or a series of steady ones? (Not that we have any control over that, of course, but it's fun to ponder.)
July 7, 2011
Guest blogging this morning. Follow me--this way!
Just wanted to stop in to let you know I'm guest blogging over at author Lisa Sanchez's blog today talking about What I Learned at the RWA National Conference.
Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win two free e-copies of my romantic suspense novel, Dark Tide Rising!
Stop by and leave a comment for a chance to win two free e-copies of my romantic suspense novel, Dark Tide Rising!
July 6, 2011
RWA Parties! Parties, galore!
Every night at RWA National was a party.
The first night my friend and I went to the Hard Rock and heckled two bartenders--one, a Billy Idol look-a-like, and the other, a middle-aged Hispanic man who entertained us while we tried to order (poorly) in Spanish.
Another night was the Avon cocktail party at The Boathouse in Central Park.
It was BEAUTIFUL. See?
I sat outside on the patio with a Cosmo in hand, watching a family of turtles bob in the river below. The sun set, slashing red and orange across the sky, making me dizzy in disbelief. (How on earth did a little gal from northern Cali end up here?) I'm beyond blessed to have been invited to such an event. It wasn't long before people gathered around me on the patio--a few agents (Hi Nalini, Christine and Marlene!) and author Elizabeth Jennings. They are just the nicest people on the planet and I'm thrilled I got to experience that night with them. It was magical. (Yes, Elizabeth, I will go to the Italian Women's Festival with you. No, not this year. Maybe next.)
I felt like I'd stepped into a dream world where NYT Bestselling authors were kind and humble and enjoyed gabbing about writing as much as I did. Oh wait...that's EXACTLY how it was.
*That's NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Eloisa James, posing inside a cut-out of her own cover.
*And that's me, casting adoring glances at the lion. I'm a Leo, you know. We lions gotta stick together.
Another night was the Spencerhill Literary Agency cocktail party. It was great meeting the other writers who are represented by my agent. (They're all smart and savvy and sooo nice, fyi)
*Whatcha think of my dress? *grin
No matter how much fun I had when the sun went down each night, I was glad to get back to my room. (I don't do well running on such little sleep.) Here's an invite and my "comfortable" shoes:
The first night my friend and I went to the Hard Rock and heckled two bartenders--one, a Billy Idol look-a-like, and the other, a middle-aged Hispanic man who entertained us while we tried to order (poorly) in Spanish.
Another night was the Avon cocktail party at The Boathouse in Central Park.
It was BEAUTIFUL. See?
I sat outside on the patio with a Cosmo in hand, watching a family of turtles bob in the river below. The sun set, slashing red and orange across the sky, making me dizzy in disbelief. (How on earth did a little gal from northern Cali end up here?) I'm beyond blessed to have been invited to such an event. It wasn't long before people gathered around me on the patio--a few agents (Hi Nalini, Christine and Marlene!) and author Elizabeth Jennings. They are just the nicest people on the planet and I'm thrilled I got to experience that night with them. It was magical. (Yes, Elizabeth, I will go to the Italian Women's Festival with you. No, not this year. Maybe next.)
I felt like I'd stepped into a dream world where NYT Bestselling authors were kind and humble and enjoyed gabbing about writing as much as I did. Oh wait...that's EXACTLY how it was.
*That's NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Eloisa James, posing inside a cut-out of her own cover.
*And that's me, casting adoring glances at the lion. I'm a Leo, you know. We lions gotta stick together.
Another night was the Spencerhill Literary Agency cocktail party. It was great meeting the other writers who are represented by my agent. (They're all smart and savvy and sooo nice, fyi)
*Whatcha think of my dress? *grin
No matter how much fun I had when the sun went down each night, I was glad to get back to my room. (I don't do well running on such little sleep.) Here's an invite and my "comfortable" shoes:
July 3, 2011
Photo Diary of My Week at RWA's 2011 National Conference
Registration Goody Bag:
**Wanna know something cool?!? The Conference was partly sponsored by Avon, my publisher. A thumb drive was part of the registration package. On that driver were four sample pieces of work...one was MINE and the other was my fellow SFARWA member and conference roomie, Rachael Herron! How sweet is that?!?
Me, in front of the Harper Collins office:
*I was sooo nervous for the Avon sponsored Digital Day, can you tell? I'm uber-glad Rachael was nice enough to come with me and show me the ropes. The Digital Day was great. I met everyone from the editors, to the marketing team, to the cover artist who designed my FABULOUS cover, to other lovely Avon authors. It couldn't have gone better.
Holding up my t-shirt at the Avon Signing:
**Wasn't that sweet of them to print it up?!? Totally made my morning. Can't wait to be a part of the signing next year!
Avon Author Spotlight:
*Wanna know the coolest thing about the spotlight? Seeing my cover on the bigscreen. Hearing my wonderful editor, Esi, gush about the book. It feels amazing to know that someone loves my work as much as I do. Oh, and hearing the crowd ooh and aah over the cover and blurb wasn't too bad of a feeling, either. *wink
A little hole in the wall Italian restaurant my roomies found on the last day of the conference:
*It was the BEST Italian food...
...but the company made it better:
*That's A.J., Rachael and me. They seriously made the trip the AWESOME experience it was. We got along so well--it's too easy to LOVE them--that every night I laughed till I cried. I'm gonna miss those slumber-party nights...
The LOOT I ended up taking home:
*Forty-eight signed books in all. $374 worth of top-notch reading material for a $25 checked bag fee. Not too bad, eh? My TBR pile is enormous. Can't wait to dig in.
More to come tomorrow...
**Wanna know something cool?!? The Conference was partly sponsored by Avon, my publisher. A thumb drive was part of the registration package. On that driver were four sample pieces of work...one was MINE and the other was my fellow SFARWA member and conference roomie, Rachael Herron! How sweet is that?!?
Me, in front of the Harper Collins office:
*I was sooo nervous for the Avon sponsored Digital Day, can you tell? I'm uber-glad Rachael was nice enough to come with me and show me the ropes. The Digital Day was great. I met everyone from the editors, to the marketing team, to the cover artist who designed my FABULOUS cover, to other lovely Avon authors. It couldn't have gone better.
Holding up my t-shirt at the Avon Signing:
**Wasn't that sweet of them to print it up?!? Totally made my morning. Can't wait to be a part of the signing next year!
Avon Author Spotlight:
*Wanna know the coolest thing about the spotlight? Seeing my cover on the bigscreen. Hearing my wonderful editor, Esi, gush about the book. It feels amazing to know that someone loves my work as much as I do. Oh, and hearing the crowd ooh and aah over the cover and blurb wasn't too bad of a feeling, either. *wink
A little hole in the wall Italian restaurant my roomies found on the last day of the conference:
*It was the BEST Italian food...
...but the company made it better:
*That's A.J., Rachael and me. They seriously made the trip the AWESOME experience it was. We got along so well--it's too easy to LOVE them--that every night I laughed till I cried. I'm gonna miss those slumber-party nights...
The LOOT I ended up taking home:
*Forty-eight signed books in all. $374 worth of top-notch reading material for a $25 checked bag fee. Not too bad, eh? My TBR pile is enormous. Can't wait to dig in.
More to come tomorrow...
June 23, 2011
It's the little things...
I wasn't expecting a package from UPS yesterday, so you can imagine my surprise when the big and brown truck pulled in front of my house and blared the horn. The package was big. Fluffy. The return address read "Harper Collins Publishers."
My heart sped.
Look what was inside:
There's a bracelet, a NYC magnet featuring Times Square, a subway map in a nifty little holder, and a book called, "My First New York" about famous people and their first trips to the city. In case you haven't heard, RWA's national conference is being held in New York City next week. I'll be there from Monday-Saturday.
This little package, preparing me for my trip, was over the top. I cried. The publisher didn't have to send anything like this. They didn't have to think of me...but they did. It was the littlest thing--a bag filled with goodies---that made all the difference for me; I still don't think of myself as "making it" in the writing industry (and doubt I'll ever think that way), but as of yesterday I feel like I'm giving NYC a run for its money.
Writing update: I'm on Chapter 3 of my novella, still on page 60 of Book3 in the Crimson Bay Series. I should be finished with the novella by the conference and Book3 by Fall. And I must admit, I'm having much more fun writing the novella than I thought I would!
My heart sped.
Look what was inside:
There's a bracelet, a NYC magnet featuring Times Square, a subway map in a nifty little holder, and a book called, "My First New York" about famous people and their first trips to the city. In case you haven't heard, RWA's national conference is being held in New York City next week. I'll be there from Monday-Saturday.
This little package, preparing me for my trip, was over the top. I cried. The publisher didn't have to send anything like this. They didn't have to think of me...but they did. It was the littlest thing--a bag filled with goodies---that made all the difference for me; I still don't think of myself as "making it" in the writing industry (and doubt I'll ever think that way), but as of yesterday I feel like I'm giving NYC a run for its money.
Writing update: I'm on Chapter 3 of my novella, still on page 60 of Book3 in the Crimson Bay Series. I should be finished with the novella by the conference and Book3 by Fall. And I must admit, I'm having much more fun writing the novella than I thought I would!
June 15, 2011
There's a first time for everything--a novel and a novella?
Ever wonder the difference between a novel and a novella? According to thefreedictionary.com:
nov·el 1 (nvl)n.
1. A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters
no·vel·la (n-vl)
n. pl. no·vel·las or no·vel·le (-vl, -vl)
1. A short prose tale often characterized by moral teaching or satire.
2. A short novel.
If you've been around this blog, or me, any length of time, you know I'm a novel-writing fool. Or at least I try to be. Although Dark Tide Rising was complete at 77,000 words, the two paranormals contracted with Avon Impulse are over 100,000 words each.
To think about writing something for the Harlequin Nocturne Bites line, I need a complete, kick-ass, dark and wild story between 10,000 and 15,000 words. That's cutting down a lot for me!
I've learned two things about myself, after writing one complete chapter of the work:
1-I can't keep it short and sweet.
2-I have a serious problem with massive amounts of plot
I think I'm going to have to try to keep it as concise as I can, then go back and weed unnecessary things out. The hard part? Deciding what's unnecessary.
Side note: I got copy edits back for Intervamption yesterday. I'm going to be working on those this weekend, along with trying to finish the novella. Maybe I'll give you a hint what it's about when I get closer to knowing that myself. *grin
nov·el 1 (nvl)n.
1. A fictional prose narrative of considerable length, typically having a plot that is unfolded by the actions, speech, and thoughts of the characters
no·vel·la (n-vl)
n. pl. no·vel·las or no·vel·le (-vl, -vl)
1. A short prose tale often characterized by moral teaching or satire.
2. A short novel.
If you've been around this blog, or me, any length of time, you know I'm a novel-writing fool. Or at least I try to be. Although Dark Tide Rising was complete at 77,000 words, the two paranormals contracted with Avon Impulse are over 100,000 words each.
To think about writing something for the Harlequin Nocturne Bites line, I need a complete, kick-ass, dark and wild story between 10,000 and 15,000 words. That's cutting down a lot for me!
I've learned two things about myself, after writing one complete chapter of the work:
1-I can't keep it short and sweet.
2-I have a serious problem with massive amounts of plot
I think I'm going to have to try to keep it as concise as I can, then go back and weed unnecessary things out. The hard part? Deciding what's unnecessary.
Side note: I got copy edits back for Intervamption yesterday. I'm going to be working on those this weekend, along with trying to finish the novella. Maybe I'll give you a hint what it's about when I get closer to knowing that myself. *grin
June 13, 2011
The NEW COVER is here!! And a RELEASE DATE!
I'm sooo excited this morning!!! I can finally post the cover, title, and release date for the first book in my Vampires of Crimson Bay Series. It's dark. Sexy. Mysterious. Ominous. Just like the book itself.
I'm absolutely, positively in love with it.
Ready?
*
*
*
*
Isn't it GORGEOUS?!? Avon's graphic design team really outdid themselves.
Intervamption will be released from Avon Impulse July 26.
It's right around the corner! How'd that happen?!? I'm glad you won't have to wait long to get your copy. If I were shameless I'd say it's super smokin'-hot good, but I'm not...so I won't.
I will say that I'm uber proud of this book. Esi, my fabulous editor, and I worked hard smoothing kinks and making the pararnormal world really Pop! I can't wait to give a teaser. I can't wait to skip around the net on my blog tour. I can't wait for you all to meet Slade, my shapeshifting assassin hero, and Dylan, my Vampire Rehabilitation Specialist heroine. You'll love them...
Whatcha think?
I'm absolutely, positively in love with it.
Ready?
*
*
*
*
Isn't it GORGEOUS?!? Avon's graphic design team really outdid themselves.
Intervamption will be released from Avon Impulse July 26.
It's right around the corner! How'd that happen?!? I'm glad you won't have to wait long to get your copy. If I were shameless I'd say it's super smokin'-hot good, but I'm not...so I won't.
I will say that I'm uber proud of this book. Esi, my fabulous editor, and I worked hard smoothing kinks and making the pararnormal world really Pop! I can't wait to give a teaser. I can't wait to skip around the net on my blog tour. I can't wait for you all to meet Slade, my shapeshifting assassin hero, and Dylan, my Vampire Rehabilitation Specialist heroine. You'll love them...
Whatcha think?
June 6, 2011
New Nook Commercial: Read Forever
I love absolutely everything about this video. But I mostly love the focus...reading...from whatever device moves you. Whether you love the eBook or the traditional print book, just read. Read forever.
I'm reading Gena Showalter's Heart of the Dragon right now. It's paperback and happens to be the last book I bought from my local Borders before it closed down. What about you?
I'm reading Gena Showalter's Heart of the Dragon right now. It's paperback and happens to be the last book I bought from my local Borders before it closed down. What about you?
