Jaye Wells's Blog, page 12
January 2, 2014
Dirty Magic Press Links
With the release of Dirty Magic only a couple of weeks away, here is a handy list of all the links to interviews, guest blogs, and features about the book. I’ll be updating it as more features get posted.
December 16, 2013
Makeover
Did you notice anything different? Yes, my friends, ye olde web site got a makeover over the weekend. Hopefully you’ll find the new design easy to navigate and pleasing to your eye stalks. Huge thanks to Mr. Jaye for doing all the coding. He has proven once again he’s more than just a pretty face.
Some new features you might enjoy are the handy clickable slideshow and list of appearances on the home page. I’ve also reorganized my book page so it’s easier to find out more about my different series. The FAQ has also been updated on the About page. In the near future, I’ll be uploading a handy PDF with all my books in reading order in case you’d like to print it and take it to your favorite bookery.
Have a look around and let me know what you think!
December 11, 2013
Dirty Magic Preorder Offer
With a little over a month until the huge launch of my new Prospero’s War series, Orbit and I have come up with a great offer for you. Preorder DIRTY MAGIC, fill out a quick form on Orbit’s site, and we’ll send you a signed book plate.
But that’s not all: Everyone who signs up to get a book plate will also be entered to win a gorgeous brimstone alchemy necklace from RockLove Jewelry like the one featured on the cover of DIRTY MAGIC!
All you have to do is sign up on Orbit’s site and provide proof of preorder via pasting the text of your preorder receipt or posting a photo. Details are at the Orbit books site and the offer is open to readers in the US and UK. Click here for instructions.
Also, remember that you can read the first EIGHT chapters of DIRTY MAGIC in a free extended electronic preview of the novel. It’s great way to test drive Kate Prospero’s world before you preorder.
Remember: You don’t need an ereader to read the preview. You can simply read it through the etailer’s web site, download it to your computer, or read it on one of the etailers’ free smart phone apps. This format was simply the easiest and quickest way to share the free preview with you in advance of the book’s launch on January 21.
Get the FREE extended preview now!
Happy reading!
December 10, 2013
Free Extended Preview of Dirty Magic
We’re still have a few more weeks until the launch of DIRTY MAGIC, but I have something cool to share with you today. Orbit has released the first EIGHT chapters in a free extended preview ebook through the major etailers. This excerpt gives you ample opportunity to test out Kate Prospero’s world and see if it’s a place you’d like to know more about.
The preview is only available electronically because it’s the easiest method to deliver a preview like this for free. However, the final novel will be available in both print and ebook through all retailers on January 21. I hope if you enjoy this preview that you’ll preorder the novel through your favorite retail outlet. Preorders are crucial to creating early buzz for a book, and since this is a new series we need all the early excitement we can get.
Also, I hope to be announcing a Really Cool Thing later this week regarding preorders of Dirty Magic. Trust me, you’re gonna love this. In the meantime, keep your preorder receipts! Just sayin’.
Happy Reading!
Get the FREE extended preview now!
December 2, 2013
On Ebooks
Let’s get one thing straight from the outset: I love printed books. You may not know that I grew up in bookstores. My mother managed two book stores–the college bookstore at Mizzou and an indie called Chapter 1 in Columbia, MO. In addition, my grandparents owned a well-known used book store in Ft. Worth called The Book Swap. I literally spent most of my summers and after school time in these stores. I shelved books, yes, but mostly I hid among the shelves inhaling the sweet. smoky scent of print books and reading every book I could get my hands on. I love bookstores and I love print books. Period.
I also have been an outspoken advocate of independent bookstores. I was heartbroken when our local indie went out of business, and I constantly steer readers towards Murder by the Book in Houston because the people there are amazing and I know my readers will have a good experience.
That said, the world has changed a lot since I was a kid. Now we have new fangled technological devices that make it easy to get stories on demand. While I still shop at bookstores all the time (preferably indies, but I’m not picky), I do a lot of reading of ebooks, as well. I usually have a print book and at least two devices that allow me access ebooks with me at all times (usually my phone and my laptop, but also often a Kindle or iPad.) Reading is part of my job, so I like the ability to access books in many forms and formats at any given time.
I’ve noticed something lately that surprised me. A lot of readers are emailing to say that they can’t or won’t read my electronic stories because they don’t own an ereader. Most of these comments have nothing to do with a moral objection to ebooks, but more of a “I don’t own an ereader so I’m screwed” kind of thing.
Here’s the thing: You do not have to buy an expensive ereader to enjoy ebooks. Every major e-book retailer has apps available that allow you to read on a smart phone or tablet. In addition, you can also read ebooks on your laptop or desktop computer. These are free ways to read ebooks (you still have to pay for the book, though, obviously).
While most of my books are available in several formats: print, ebook, and audio, some stories work best as ebooks. I’m thinking mainly about short stories and novellas. The cost of printing those stories would make the price of selling them cost prohibitive based on what the market is saying right now. So when I publish an e-novella like Meridian Six or Rusted Veins, it’s put out as e-only because that’s the best format for the story form. This allows us to sell them inexpensively, as well as faster than a traditional novel, which can take nine months to a year to be released through traditional pipelines.
If supporting Amazon or B&N don’t appeal to you, you can download the Kobo app and link it to your favorite indie bookstore. That way when you buy an ebook you’ll be supporting indies at the same time. Win-win for everyone.
So next time your favorite author puts out an e-only release, don’t automatically think you’ll be deprived of the story simply because you don’t own a Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc. You can read those stories on several different free platforms.
November 26, 2013
Thanksgiving
It’s almost Thanksgiving! This time of year always put me in a reflective mood. This year especially, since lots of changes are about to happen in my life.
The two biggest changes will happen in January. First, I’ll be starting my MFA program in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill. I’m incredibly excited about this. A lot of people have asked why I’m bothering getting an MFA when I’m already published. The main reason is that this degree will allow me to teach. I also find it really fun to teach others about the craft, and have realized that the more I teach others the stronger my own writing grows. My hope is that I’ll be able to parlay this degree into more opportunities to teach workshops and possibly even land a job as a professor in a program similar to Seton Hill’s.
Second, my new Prospero’s War series will debut on January 21. I am so, so proud of DIRTY MAGIC, and the early feedback I’m getting is incredibly exciting. Over the next couple of months, you should keep an eye out for all the cool contests and promotions we’ll be running to get the word out. Case in point, on December 10, my publisher is launching a free, three-chapter preview of DIRTY MAGIC. (For some reason, Amazon is the only retailer with a link up for the preview at the moment, but if you have another preference, keep an eye out on those sites.) If you like what you read, be sure to preorder the book!
Other changes are happening, too. For instance, I’ve begun writing the third Kate Prospero book already, and it will be my tenth published novel. Ten! I can’t believe it. It wasn’t so long ago I couldn’t imagine even completing one novel. Now, I’m a bestselling, award-winning author with lots of books under my belt. It’s been a wild ride so far, and I’m so excited to see where this career takes me next.
But enough babbling about what’s coming. Right now, I’m busy writing and prepping for Turkey Day. Last night, I made some candied ginger to use in a couple of recipes, as well as the brine I’ll be using for the turkey. The candied ginger turned out great. Cool trick: You can use all the sugar that falls off the ginger to sprinkle on top of desserts or put it in your coffee for a little kick.
Our menu is as follows:
Brined/Roasted Turkey
Dressing (my mom’s specialty)
Roasted brussel sprouts with bacon, shallots, and balsamic vinegar
Broccoli with Cheese Sauce (this is a must-have for Mr. Jaye)
Mashed potatoes with gravy
Homemade cranberry relish
Homemade yeast rolls
Pumpkin pie
Chocolate torte
A lot of people drink wine while they’re cooking, but this year we’ll be having Old Fashioneds made using a batch of brandied cherries I made last year. They’re delicious. Also, I tend not to worry so much about getting the meal together when I have some delicious bourbon in mah belly.
What are your must-have dishes for Thanksgiving?
October 31, 2013
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween, sinners! I’m pretty sure it will come as no surprise to anyone whose read my books that this is one of my favorite holidays. To celebrate, I’ve created the plan for the perfect New Orleans style Halloween shindig. Check it out at the Orbit blog.
Of course, my main celebration this year was publishing a Halloween-themed Sabina Kane novella set in New Orleans. If you haven’t check it out, today is the perfect time to do so. Buy links are in the sidebar to your right.
Also, some of you might know that tomorrow marks the beginning of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Basically, people pledge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. This year, I’ve decided to participate because I have a book to write and it needs to happen quickly. If you’re participating, please be my buddy–my user name is Jayebird75.
Also, also I don’t think I’ve mentioned here on the blog that I’ve joined the gang at the Hide and Create podcast. Each member of the podcast represents a different approach to the industry: I’m the traditionally pubbed author, Moses Siregar is the Indie author, Jordan Ellinger is a tie-in writer, and Joshua Essoe is the editor. Each week, we post 30-minute shows about a variety of writing topics. This week we discussed creating tension in writing. Upcoming episodes include a 2-part interview with my agent, Rebecca Strauss, and an epic throw-down where we each defend our own writing paths. If you’re a writer, you should totally check us out.
I hope you each have a fun and safe Halloween. Remember: Friends don’t let friends eat stale Tootsie Rolls!
Happy haunting!
October 28, 2013
Rusted Veins Release
It’s finally here! My new Sabina Kane novella, RUSTED VEINS, is out! It’s a Halloween-themed novella set in New Orleans, and the action takes place a couple of years after the end of the completed series. Yes, you get to meet Giguhl and Valva’s demon kids. Yes, the usual suspects are all there: Sabina, Adam, Giguhl, Valva, Brooks, Erron, Rhea, Nyx, etc. If you’ve been missing Team Awesome you’ll definitely want to check this out! Alternately, if you haven’t read the Sabina Kane series yet, this is a great way to get your toes wet for only $2.99.
Orbit has created a special page for the story with excerpt and buy links. Go check it out!
October 22, 2013
News for Good
I’ve been sitting on this news for a couple of months now, but I can finally reveal it. I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be contributing a short story to Fantasy for Good: A Charitable Anthology. Proceeds from the anthology will benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance.
Two years ago my grandmother was stricken with colon cancer and several years ago my great aunt was, as well. I’m happy to report they’re both healthy and feisty as ever because their cancer was detected early and treated quickly. So I didn’t hesitate to sign up when I was asked to donate a story.
The story I’m contributing is called “The Bluest Hour” and is set in New Orleans. It’s about Soul Singers, people who use music to guide the souls of the departed on to the afterlife. It’s a bit of a departure for my stylistically, but I’m having a ball writing it.
The complete list of contributors to the antho has not yet been announced, but the ones they’ve shared so far are all incredibly talented writers of fantasy. But more names are coming. Big ones. Be sure to like the anthology’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest news.
Here’s a list of the contributors so far:
Michael Moorcock, Piers Anthony, Jay Lake, Alan Dean Foster, Carrie Vaughn, Jane Lindskold, Samit Basu, Nnedi Okorafor, Kelley Armstrong, Jordan Ellinger (co-editor), and Richard Salter (co-editor).
Also, if you’ve ever wanted to know how I write, be sure to check out my post today at Chloe Neill’s blog as part of her Show Your Work series.
Also, also remember that it’s less than a week until the release of RUSTED VEINS!
RUSTED VEINS
Halloween in New Orleans is usually a treat. But for Sabina Kane and the rest of Team Awesome, this year’s celebration has its share of nasty tricks. When Brooks’s new waitress goes missing, the Changeling asks Sabina to help him find her.
The problem? The missing mage is one of Adam Lazarus’s old flames, and having her show up in their lives is giving Sabina heartburn. Plus saving her may also threaten the fragile peace Sabina’s achieved for the Dark Races. Luckily for Adam’s ex — but unlucky for her kidnappers — Sabina Kane isn’t easily spooked.
Click on the cover image for an excerpt!
October 7, 2013
Dirty Magic News
So we’re just over three months out from the big release of DIRTY MAGIC (Jan. 21, 2014). Because Advanced Reader Copies are starting to leak out to reviewers, I’ve been getting emails and people coming up to me at events with news that they love this book. This is incredibly exciting. But then, last night, I received an email that absolutely blew my mind.
The email was from Laurell K. Hamilton.
(Pauses to let that sink in.)
Not only was the email was from Laurell K. Hamilton, but it also contained a cover quote for DIRTY MAGIC.
Here is what she had to say:
“Jaye Wells has created a fresh, magical world full of potion junkies & alchemists that promises to break new ground in paranormal thrillers.”
Laurell K. Hamilton
And that, my friends, is how you get me to do the Running Man in my kitchen.
Preorder Dirty Magic now from Amazon | B&N | Apple
