Chloe Neill's Blog, page 114
March 5, 2011
Knee deep in DRINK DEEP
Hallo, everyone!
My apologies for the recent silence. I have an upcoming deadline (*cough cough* April 1 *cough cough*), so I am hard at work writing DRINK DEEP in order to get it ready for its November 1, 2011 release date.
We are less than two months out from the release of HARD BITTEN, and the ARC reviews so far look positive! I am very excited about this one, and hope you all love it as much as I do.
Stay tuned in the next week or so for details about the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour... Alright. Back to writing!
My apologies for the recent silence. I have an upcoming deadline (*cough cough* April 1 *cough cough*), so I am hard at work writing DRINK DEEP in order to get it ready for its November 1, 2011 release date.
We are less than two months out from the release of HARD BITTEN, and the ARC reviews so far look positive! I am very excited about this one, and hope you all love it as much as I do.
Stay tuned in the next week or so for details about the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour... Alright. Back to writing!
February 14, 2011
Congrats!
Congratulations to Mysteriousrose and Wilson Zoo, the winners of the HARD BITTEN ARCs!
Mysteriousrose and Wilson Zoo, please email me your contact information!
Thanks to all of you who participated, and stayed tuned for more HARD BITTEN contest goodness!
Mysteriousrose and Wilson Zoo, please email me your contact information!
Thanks to all of you who participated, and stayed tuned for more HARD BITTEN contest goodness!
February 7, 2011
Some Frequently Asked Questions
You can read the basic FAQ here, but here are answers to a few more frequently asked questions:
1. Why are covers different in the US and other countries?
Generally speaking, each country has a different publisher, and that publisher chooses its own artwork for the covers.
2. Can I get a signed book, bookplate, etc?
Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to sign individual books or send out bookplates (or other materials) on request at this time. But I try to host plenty of contests and blog tour spots to let folks have a shot at Dark Elite and Chicagoland Vampires swag. You can also visit the store to buy CV and DE gear.
I can send out bookmarks in bulk to bookstores, so feel free to ask your local bookstore to send me an email request.
3. Why are your e-books sometimes more expensive than your published books? Can you make the e-books cheaper?
I can hear your frustration through the Interwebs! That said, the publisher and retailer set the prices of the books, and I have no say in those decisions. (Nor would I want to! Too much maths!)
Generally, as I understand the system, e-books often are lower in price than print copies. In some circumstances, however, a retailer might provide an extra discount on the print copy of the book that makes it appear that the e-book version is "more expensive" than the print version. (Thus, even if it appears the Kindle version of a book is "more expensive" than a paper copy at Amazon, this is actually because Amazon provides a discounted copy of the paper book. The Kindle version would still, for example, be cheaper than a paper copy purchased at a brick-and-mortar bookstore.)
More importantly, e-book sales are only a small fraction of a publisher's current sales. (From what I've seen on the Interwebs, somewhere between 3-5%.) Yes, that fraction is increasing, but publishers still have all the overhead associated with actually publishing and printing the book--paying the author, paying the editors, office and overhead costs, typesetting, cover art, printing, advertising, servers and 'lectronics, web hosting, etc. The only chunk of that not associated directly with e-books is the printing bit, and when 92-97% of books are still sold in paper form, publishers still have all those costs anyway.
That said, it's quite possible e-book prices will drop in the future if (when?) e-books become a bigger chunk of the market. (Who remembers how much VCRs used to cost? Now I think they give them away with the purchase of soup.) :)
1. Why are covers different in the US and other countries?
Generally speaking, each country has a different publisher, and that publisher chooses its own artwork for the covers.
2. Can I get a signed book, bookplate, etc?
Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to sign individual books or send out bookplates (or other materials) on request at this time. But I try to host plenty of contests and blog tour spots to let folks have a shot at Dark Elite and Chicagoland Vampires swag. You can also visit the store to buy CV and DE gear.
I can send out bookmarks in bulk to bookstores, so feel free to ask your local bookstore to send me an email request.
3. Why are your e-books sometimes more expensive than your published books? Can you make the e-books cheaper?
I can hear your frustration through the Interwebs! That said, the publisher and retailer set the prices of the books, and I have no say in those decisions. (Nor would I want to! Too much maths!)
Generally, as I understand the system, e-books often are lower in price than print copies. In some circumstances, however, a retailer might provide an extra discount on the print copy of the book that makes it appear that the e-book version is "more expensive" than the print version. (Thus, even if it appears the Kindle version of a book is "more expensive" than a paper copy at Amazon, this is actually because Amazon provides a discounted copy of the paper book. The Kindle version would still, for example, be cheaper than a paper copy purchased at a brick-and-mortar bookstore.)
More importantly, e-book sales are only a small fraction of a publisher's current sales. (From what I've seen on the Interwebs, somewhere between 3-5%.) Yes, that fraction is increasing, but publishers still have all the overhead associated with actually publishing and printing the book--paying the author, paying the editors, office and overhead costs, typesetting, cover art, printing, advertising, servers and 'lectronics, web hosting, etc. The only chunk of that not associated directly with e-books is the printing bit, and when 92-97% of books are still sold in paper form, publishers still have all those costs anyway.
That said, it's quite possible e-book prices will drop in the future if (when?) e-books become a bigger chunk of the market. (Who remembers how much VCRs used to cost? Now I think they give them away with the purchase of soup.) :)
February 4, 2011
Foodie Friday
It's a bit of a cheat (in that it relies on cake and pudding mixes), but you really can't beat the taste or look of this fabulous glaze-soaked rum cake featured on Design Sponge.
I've made one before, and at Jeremy's request, I'll be making it again this weekend in a stadium pan* for Super Bowl-watching.
And to those of you who've asked, GO PACKERS! :)
* - Nordic Ware Stadium Cake Pan. I haven't used this particular pan before, but I'm assuming LOTS of pre-buttering to reduce stickage in the upper-level seating. :)
I've made one before, and at Jeremy's request, I'll be making it again this weekend in a stadium pan* for Super Bowl-watching.
And to those of you who've asked, GO PACKERS! :)
* - Nordic Ware Stadium Cake Pan. I haven't used this particular pan before, but I'm assuming LOTS of pre-buttering to reduce stickage in the upper-level seating. :)
February 3, 2011
DRINK DEEP
The cover for DRINK DEEP (CV5, Nov. 2011) just arrived in my mailbox today!
February 2, 2011
The HARD BITTEN Valentine's Day Contest!
Yes, ladies and germs, it's that time -- time to give away TWO HARD BITTEN ARCs!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'll give away two, signed Advanced Readers Copies of HARD BITTEN, the fourth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series, on February 14, 2011. HARD BITTEN will be released on May 3, 2011.
And now, the rules: To enter, leave a comment on this page (no emails, please) identifying your favorite Chicagoland Vampires character.
You may only leave more than one comment per day, but you may enter once per day through February 13, 2011. Entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. CST on February 13, 2011.
Each comment will receive one entry. You will receive one additional entry by doing one or more of the following (and listing them in your comment):
1. Friend me on Facebook 2. "LIKE" the Chloe Neill Facebook page.3. Friend me on Goodreads.4. Tweet about the release of HARD BITTEN.5. Blog about the release of HARD BITTEN.6. Facebook post about the release of HARD BITTEN. 7. Join the Meritverse Forums.8. Follow this blog.9. Join my mailing list.10. Select a Chicagoland Vampires book as your book club's selection for February or March 2011.11. Participate in the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour (info on that coming soon; feel free to go ahead and take the point if you plan to participate).12. Post the HARD BITTEN BUG below on your blog or website at least through the month of April (but you're welcome to start now!)
13. Recommend HARD BITTEN or the Chicagoland Vampires series generally on a book board or forum (for example, an Amazon book forum or "recommended read" forums on other authors' web sites).
The two ARC winners will be announced on February 14, 2011, and must contact me on or before February 21, 2011 to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be distributed to new winners.
NOTE: Obviously, the list of stuff above is intended to help market the Chicagoland Vampires series and the release of HARD BITTEN. Word of mouth is just crucial for releases these days. It's important--and really, really helpful--work, and I appreciate everything that you all do to help get the word out.
Alright, folks -- Start your entries, and good luck!
xoxo
Just in time for Valentine's Day, I'll give away two, signed Advanced Readers Copies of HARD BITTEN, the fourth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series, on February 14, 2011. HARD BITTEN will be released on May 3, 2011.
And now, the rules: To enter, leave a comment on this page (no emails, please) identifying your favorite Chicagoland Vampires character.
You may only leave more than one comment per day, but you may enter once per day through February 13, 2011. Entries must be received before 11:59 p.m. CST on February 13, 2011.
Each comment will receive one entry. You will receive one additional entry by doing one or more of the following (and listing them in your comment):
1. Friend me on Facebook 2. "LIKE" the Chloe Neill Facebook page.3. Friend me on Goodreads.4. Tweet about the release of HARD BITTEN.5. Blog about the release of HARD BITTEN.6. Facebook post about the release of HARD BITTEN. 7. Join the Meritverse Forums.8. Follow this blog.9. Join my mailing list.10. Select a Chicagoland Vampires book as your book club's selection for February or March 2011.11. Participate in the HARD BITTEN Blog Tour (info on that coming soon; feel free to go ahead and take the point if you plan to participate).12. Post the HARD BITTEN BUG below on your blog or website at least through the month of April (but you're welcome to start now!)
13. Recommend HARD BITTEN or the Chicagoland Vampires series generally on a book board or forum (for example, an Amazon book forum or "recommended read" forums on other authors' web sites).
The two ARC winners will be announced on February 14, 2011, and must contact me on or before February 21, 2011 to claim their prize. Unclaimed prizes will be distributed to new winners.
NOTE: Obviously, the list of stuff above is intended to help market the Chicagoland Vampires series and the release of HARD BITTEN. Word of mouth is just crucial for releases these days. It's important--and really, really helpful--work, and I appreciate everything that you all do to help get the word out.
Alright, folks -- Start your entries, and good luck!
xoxo
February 1, 2011
The time has come . . .
The first chapter of HARD BITTEN is up!
Enjoy, and stay tuned for details about contests and more sneak previews of HARD BITTEN, the fourth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series!
I didn't even need to glance back to know that he'd stepped behind me. The rising chill along my spine was indication enough. Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan House, the vampire who'd added me to its ranks. READ MORE
Enjoy, and stay tuned for details about contests and more sneak previews of HARD BITTEN, the fourth book in the Chicagoland Vampires series!
January 31, 2011
An end to Yahoo Groups . . . and a beginning to forums
Hi, everyone! I've found that the Yahoo Group process is a bit unwieldy, so I'm going to retire both the board and the spoiler board.
That said, I'm happy to announce the brand-spanking-new MERITVERSE Forums. Feel free to drop by to share your thoughts about the DE and CV series, what might happen in HARD BITTEN, and the magic in HEXBOUND.
Enjoy!
That said, I'm happy to announce the brand-spanking-new MERITVERSE Forums. Feel free to drop by to share your thoughts about the DE and CV series, what might happen in HARD BITTEN, and the magic in HEXBOUND.
Enjoy!
January 28, 2011
DRINK DEEP cover copy
Without further ado, the back cover copy for DRINK DEEP, book 5 in the Chicagoland Vampires novels, which will hit shelves in November! (And yes--the first chapter for HARD BITTEN will be popping up soon. Details to come.)
Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can't tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city itself in turmoil over paranormals and thestate threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven'tbeen this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. Ifonly they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.
That's when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.
Chicago's mayor insists it's nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She'll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who's behind this, and stop them before it's too latefor vampires and humans alike.
January 26, 2011
HARD BITTEN
Also, did you guys realize it's only three months (and change) until the release of HARD BITTEN!? That popped up fast!
