Kim Harrison's Blog, page 106

A Perfect Blood ARCs Contest

Yep.  The ARCs are in!  I just got my nine Hollows ARCs to give away to the category winners of the Halloween Costume contest, so if you've not sent me your Halloween photos, now is the time.  I have almost caught up to Halloween's flood of entrants, and if you sent me a photo before this Friday, it should be up by now.  :-)  I want to thank everyone who has entered.  This is the fifth year that I've done this, and it just keeps getting better and better.  Category winners will receive a signed ARC of A PERFECT BLOOD, and since they are in my office right this second, I can ship them out the week the contest ends.  (which is like this Saturday!)  How to enter  This is usually the only way I give ARCs away.

If you are still looking for your signed copy of THE HOLLOWS INSIDER, you may want to take a look at BookPerk.  This is a Harper promotion site that features their authors with fun offers.  Until they last, they are offering a signed, first edition Hollows Insider along with a free copy of Dead Witch Walking.  Shipping is free.

BookPerk

Lots of you have been asking for hints and spoilers for the upcoming release, and I do have some good news for you.  There will be an excerpt in an upcoming, specially priced e-version of Every Which Way but Dead (Not yet, soon.)  I will also be revamping my website in the coming months and will have an excerpt there as well.  Harper Voyager usually has several chapters that they release early, and if you want to get in on that, you might want to sign up for their Author Tracker.  I can't paste the widget here, but there's a sign-up box on the front page of my website.  At the left hand sidebar

I had a great weekend working in my yard.  Got the leaves out of the beds and off the lawn, and even put in a few bulbs.  And . . . I got my hat done.  It's blocking right now, but when it's dry, I'll post a picture.  :-)

I call her, Ms. Reed.

I finally got my rewrite of book 11 done on Tuesday, and it's ready for my editor.  That freed me up tremendously, and with nothing huge scheduled to land on my desk for a while, I can NaNoWriMo!  I've often played along, but never officially participated.  This year, I signed up, so if you want to be my writing buddy, I'm there under Kim Harrison with the burning bunny avatar.  I've got two buddies the last time I looked, and both of them are leaving me in the dust as far as word count.  I can really see how this can keep you motivated.  I've got to get some words down.  Someone help me here . . . do I have to search my current writing buddies out and "buddy" them as well, or is it automatic?

So if  you've been to NaNo and seen me there with my paltry 100 words, you will note that I'm working on something not Hollows related.  My editor was not wowed by my offerings this September in terms of possible next-series, and I came up with something new in the interim.  I can understand why she wasn't roses and candy.  I suck at writing, I excel at rewriting, and much of what I gave her was not what I'd be writing on in the actual series in terms of characters anyway.  I gave her worlds and magic systems, and I'm character driven when it comes down to it.  My schedule has gifted me with time, so I'm dropping back and just writing a damn book–for me.  It might never see the light of day, but I'm up an hour earlier this morning, sitting at my keyboard, dying to get words on paper, so I don't care.

I got much of my prep work done yesterday, picking out a title (which has changed already), names (most of them are weaving terms), assigning rules to the magic (because without rules you are at a severe disadvantage in what-comes-next), getting the beginnings of character profiles in my thoughts, and writing out a three-page synopsis.  I usually will take a few more days at this point and write out more detailed breakdowns of each chapter, but because it's so new, I'm going to forgo that this time and begin writing from the synopsis.

The one thing that sticks out in my mind and makes me like this project more than the others I could be working on (besides the last Hollows book) is that my main character is happy with her life and herself.  She is productive, and good at her job, and is in love.  She is, again, the girl next door–before everything falls apart and she has to scramble to figure it out.  I know her issues, and I like her already.

I'm writing the first chapter today, and her name is Taylor, Taylor Reed.

 

P.S.  Pictures of the event at Nicola's are up.  They have lots of signed HOLLOWS INSIDERS and will ship.

NaNoWriMo? Maybe . . .

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I burned through the last couple of days of my rewrite, finding out that the last chapter that I was concerned about read better than I thought, so I'm good to go and can actually start writing something new.  Seeing as it's only the 3rd, I'm going to jump in to NaNo and play along on the sidelines.  :-)  I still have a week or so of plotting to do, but I might be able to catch up.

Today is going to be interesting as I spend most of it at my desk with a pencil and clipboard, writing out things I WANT.  Things I want to see, want to do, want to touch on.  It's like looking at your box of toys and picking out what you want to play with.  These wants can be as simple as I want to see Jenks kill a bird to as complex as I want to see Jenks fall in love.  (Which he won't.  We don't have enough time to show that, but we will see healing, and that's satisfying, too.)

I'd love to share my I WANT list, but you can understand why I don't.  -grin-  I take my list of wants, then start tossing them into piles of where and how I can accomplish getting them on the page, which starts to naturally begin to organize everything into places and characters, which then leads to a story itself.  Ahhhh, I miss the days of writing as a pantster.  -laugh-

For those of you who like their voice to be heard, I've been made aware of a contest going on over at Goodreads for the best read of 2011.  If you've never been over to Goodreads, you seriously need to.  They are an excellent resource on the web for what is out there for your literary consumption.  Pale Demon is in the Best Paranormal Fantasy category, but until the prelims close on the 13th, you can add in your favorite, even if it's not listed, so go take a look, scroll around, and let your voice be heard!

Goodreads prelim voting for best read of 2011-closes Nov 13

And for you readers who actually get their storytelling fix the original way (by audiobooks) I've just updated my website to include links to audio samples of the books that Harper produces.  I have the widgets parked at each individual page at the web site, but here is one so that you know what to look for.  I absolutely love how Ms. Gavin reads the books.  She has truly become the voice of the Hollows.

One moment, please . . .

Last night's signing was fabulous!  I hope to have pictures of the event up soon, but the honest truth is that with the Halloween costume contest going, I am all pictured out this morning and I can't bring myself to open up a new page.  (forgive me. . . .)  I'll have them up by the end of the week, but it was a great event.  We gave away a lot of books, the last of the Hollows t-s, and EVERYONE MUST TAKE A CUP OF CANDY!!!  Yes, it is true.  I made everyone take my leftover Halloween candy home with them.  (laugh)  Backlists were signed, and I got an agreement from the store to continue to supply signed (not personalized) copies of The Hollows Insider.  If you're interested, give them a call.  They have the first edition, glow-in-the-dark copies as of today.  Nicola's 734.662.0600

[image error]I'm feeling somewhat bombarded this morning, so I'm going to leave you with a picture of my raspberries.  They gave me about a pint of fruit this summer, and I've been snacking on the much larger berries that they decided to produce this fall.  We had our first frost, but I think they will finish ripening.

 

Signing at Ann Arbor, MI tonight!

I'll be at Nicola's tonight at 7:00 to sign The Hollows Insider, and since it's likely to be a somewhat smaller event, I can slow down and sign your back list, too, if you feel inclined to bring them in!  We've still got a few Madison books to give away, and, er, candy, a few T-shirts, and of course Rachel's conference badges.  I am looking forward to seeing some of you there.  This is the first time I will be signing at Nicola's, and they have gone out of their way to make available to people unable to get to an event the chance to get a signed and personalized first-edition, glow in the dark cover Hollows Insider.  You have to put your order in now, though, so I can sign them when I'm there.  Give then a call at 734.662.0600 Price is 25.99 plus tax and shipping.  We may be able to continue this after tonight, but the book might not be personalized.

We had a great Halloween night giving away candy on our doorstep.  I just about panicked at one point because of the number of people standing at the bottom of my porch steps wanting candy.  If we had run out then . . .   Seriously, it was fabulous fun, and some of the costumes have had a lot of thought put into them.  I'm still getting tons of photos from you for the  A Perfect Blood ARC contest.  I try to give everyone a day at the front page of the contest before I move them back, so please be patient until I get to yours.  :-)  Contest!

I also have a few more links from Comic Con that are still coming in.  The first is from Publishers Weekly, the second from MTV  :-)

It is also National Novel Writers Month, or NaNoWriMo for those of you in the know, or simply NaNo, where thousands of published and pre published writers hammer out 45,000 (?) words in one month.  I was hoping that I would have this rewrite done in time to start with you and play along on the sidelines, but alas, it is not going to happen this year.  I've got about three days yet to wrap it up, and then a week to plot before I can do a big push of rough draft.

The best part about NaNo is that it's not quality that is your measure, but quantity.  The goal is to push out as much tripe, garbage, and "word vomit" (pardon me) that you can so that you can find both the satisfaction of completing a novel, (no matter how sucky) and realize that in that mess of words is a story that is GOOD!  You just have to go back and rewrite it–after you write THE END, and not a moment sooner.  It's kind of scary how close this NaNo method to writing is to mine.  Interested?  Here's the jumping in point.

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Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  It's one of my favorite holidays, and I'm even going to cut out of work early so I can watch the trick-or-treaters!

[image error]We've got tons on Halloween costume contestants up at the website, and my inbox is full of even more, so give me a day or two to get them cycled through the front page.  Contest runs until November 12th, so there's plenty of time.  Photos and how to enter

Just as a reminder that I will be at Nicola's tomorrow (Nov 1) at 7:00 to sign.  I'm not sure if I will be doing a Q&A due to the size of the store, but I will sign everything you've got since it is unlikely that there will be a huge crowd.  :-)

If you can't make it, you can still get a personalized first-edition glow-in-the-dark copy by calling them at: 734.662.0600 before I get there on Tuesday night.  After that, I'm not sure if I will be able to personalize them or just have my signature.  (I'll know more tomorrow.)  Price is 25.99 plus tax and shipping.

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You ask, and sometimes, it happens. . . -grin-

There has been some questions lately on the possibility of me finding an outlet for signed, even personalized copies of the Hollows Insider, and between me, my publicity guru, and my new local store, we have cobbled together what I hope to be a beautiful friendship.    Right now, Nicola's is going out of their way to put into place before Tuesday night, a way for you to order a signed, personalized-to-you, first-edition, glow in the dark Hollows Insider.  I'm hoping that this grows into a new signed book outlet, but for now, I'm delighted that they can scramble about and provide this way for you to get a signed Hollows Insider.  (25.99 plus tax and shipping)

If you are interested, call Nicola's Books at: 734.662.0600  and give them the info that they need.  I will be able to personalize them if you contact Nicola's before Tuesday night.  After that, I'm not sure if they will be personalized or just signed.

of Ann Arbor, Mi

Breathe

I think I shot my wad yesterday with all the news revolving around Comic Con, The Hollows Insider, the costume contest, and oh yeah . . . the little thing about the TV opportunity.  -grin-

I will admit that I'm more relaxed right now than I've been in about a week or so, having gotten Comic Con and most of the tour signings behind me.  There was pressing business on my desk as well, which is being shipped off this AM, leaving me with what I've been trying to finish up all month.  My schedule looks pretty clear until February.  (dude!) and I'm going to need it.  I've been busting my hump trying to get this rewrite off my desk so I can participate in NaNoWriMo from day one, but it looks like I'm still going to be coming into it about a week late.  I'm up to version D now on book 11.  I wanted to turn in version C, but I'm not quite happy with some of the transitions, so I'm going through it one more time.  Tweaking should be minimal, and I'll probably finish it up by the 1st.  I'll need a week to plot out the next one, and then I can start to write with all you NaNo'ers.

If you're gearing up for NaNo and find yourself staring at a blank page, I do have a couple of past posts on how I outline that might help jump-start you.  But please remember that there are as many ways to write as there are people who want to do it, and you just have to keep trying things until you find what works for you.  (I'm thinking of writing something as a Pantster this summer, which both scares and delights me.)  If you click the link, you'll have to start at the bottom and work up.  :-)  How Kim Outlines

I got my author copies of the Insider yesterday and sent out the thank-you copies to the winners of the reader contest I had this summer for inclusion into the HOLLOWS INSIDER.  If you remember, I actually had the chance to meet two of the winners in person at Comic Con NY, and give them their copy early.  That was Too Cool.

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The Hollows on TV?

If you're on my FaceBook, you probably heard the news yesterday that there is a chance that the Hollows will be translated to the small screen.  i.e., a TV series.  (insert wild happy dance here)

I've been sitting on this news since last February, and now that the news has broken, I can talk about it!  (insert second wild happy dance)  I'm going to send you right to the site that explains who is chaperoning this opportunity and writing the pilot, (insert third wild happy dance) but much like the military, it is very much hurry up and wait at this point for me while things are still being settled.

It feels very fragile, much like Trent's 20-5-1 screen saver and the words I live by, but on the other hand, this is a very real opportunity, and I am eager to see how it develops.  I have been in contact with Julie and Jordan a few times, and they seem very keen on using much of the elements that are mainstays in the books.  I'm hopeful that this two-way communication continues, as even though they are looking at what's already on the page, it is hard to realize the depth of balance and counterbalance that I've put into play and why with just one look.

I'm still very invested in the series, and I am eager to see how the Hollows can be successfully translated to the small screen.  And it is a translation.  The two medias of paper and film have different requirements in the storytelling, and that has to be respected. THE STORY BEGINS . . .

I also have to show you a fabulous video interview I did with RT about the series as a whole and the newly released Hollows Insider.  You can see the madness of Comic Con New York in the background and find out why I go.  It is too much fun!  RT-Hollows Insider Give-Away  They are also giving away a copy of the Hollows Insider, so go check it out.

Lastly . . .  I have pictures of the signing last night up at Schuler Books and Music.  It was a very busy day.  :-)  I will be in Ann Arbor on the first of November at Nicolas.

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Hollows Insider out today!

The Hollows Insider is FINALLY out today!!!  I will be at Schuler Books & Music (2820 Towne Center Blvd

Lansing MI )  tonight at 7:00 to celebrate, and then Nicolas (2513 Jackson Av, Ann Arbor, MI) next Tuesday.   I did get in touch with my promotion person, and I have the okay to bring a bunch of Early to Death, Early to Rise Madison books to give away with each Hollows Insider sold.  (until supplies last, but we've got a bunch.  Don't make me take these back home with me!!)  These will be the first edition Hollows Insiders with the glow in the dark covers, and I can't wait to see some of these in your hands.  :-)

If you by some chance missed me talking about the Hollows Insider, I have a page at the website as a teaser, but one of the best explanations has come from Paul over at B&N.  You gotta check it out!

Another one of the promotional interviews from Comic Con has gone live, so here is a link to that.  Brian: Secret Identity.  You can easily jump right to my interview if you want to skip the other stuff.  My bit starts at about 56 minutes into the show.

I have also been busy over at the Halloween costume contest page, and there are a bunch of new photos to look at.  This is the fifth year I've done this, and I have tons of fun with it.  We've already got a great start with entries in every category, so keep your photos as you start to party and send them in.  I'll be giving away an ARC of A PERFECT BLOOD for each category winner.  Rules and how to enter.

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