Jaye Wells's Blog, page 23

Guest Post: Kevin Hearne

Happy Tuesday, campers! As reading fans may be aware Tuesdays are always exciting in the book world because it's on this day each week that bookstores lay down new releases. Just so happens that there's a very special debut novel releasing today. Kevin Kearne is not only a new author, he's also the newest League of Reluctant Adult member. I have to say, he's jumped right into that motley fraternity with gusto. I hope you'll welcome here tot he blog with equal enthusiasm. Or better yet, get thee to a bookery and buy HOUNDED! And now, heeeeere's Kevin!

——

Someday, Jaye and I are going to meet in person, and then we are going to get our drink on. We are plotting to do so with proper flagons, from which Conan the Barbarian was always quaffing wine or ale to slake his mighty thirst. No wussy pint glasses for us! We want tankards, dammit! And if we can get Conan to pour the drinks, so much the better. But I think that might be better for Jaye than for me.

In other news, we also want action figures for our series sidekicks—and they will have the sort of triggered motions that come with Capitalized Titles. Gighul will come with a Diabolic Two-Pronged Schlong Attack, and Oberon will alarm/distract opponents with a Uncomfortably Extended Crotch Sniff. Demand them from your favorite toy manufacturer today!



If you're unfamiliar with who I am, I'm the guy who's been in The League of Reluctant Adults since last November but is just getting published now. My urban fantasy debut, HOUNDED, is out as of May 3 and will be followed up by HEXED on June 7 and HAMMERED on July 5. I'm kinda all over the Internet(s) today, and the full rundown can be found on my blog.

Jaye and I kind of got excited about the whole flagon thing via Twitter. We want to start a flagon club of some kind to promote drinking out of flagons, but we're not sure what to call it. We could use your help. Do you like any of the options below, or should we come up with something else?

FBI = Flagon Bureau of Intoxication

FDA = Flagon Drinkers of America

FU = Flagons Unlimited

ATF = Associated Tankards and Flagons

FFA = Frothy Flagons Anonymous

Many thanks to Jaye for letting me hang out here! Hope to chat with you soon!

 

Violet Tendencies

Happy Monday, campers! Even though Mondays are usually a drag, I have a couple of fun things to report today.

First, on Saturday, Mr. Jaye took me to go see my first roller derby bout. If you read the excerpt at the end of Green-Eyed Demon, you'll recall that Silver-Tongued Devil (out January '12) has a roller derby element. I'd done tons of research but hadn't made it to a bout yet.

The event was actually a double-header. First up were the Lone Star Assassins vs Viva La Revolucion and then the Bombshell Brigade vs. The Deadly Kennedys. Given the team names how could it be anything other than awesome? We had a blast watching the ladies haul ass and take names. If I had any  coordination at all I might be sorely tempted to try out for a team myself. Alas, I am not, but it's so much fun to sit track-side and cheer them on. I highly recommend checking out your local team if your city has a roller derby league.

Second, and most exciting, is that today marks the release of my short story, "Violet Tendencies." This is the story that finally answers the question of what happened to Valva the Vanity demon between The Mage in Black and Green-Eyed Demon. I'm releasing the story through the new Orbit Short Fiction program. They've launched a new web site for the program, which you should totally check out because several awesome Orbit authors are offering new shorts for your entertainment. You can find an excerpt of Violet Tendencies there, as well as buy buttons for most of the major ebook retailers. Easy peasy. Plus? All the ebooks are priced at a very reasonable $1.99, which makes it a great way to check out some new authors on the cheap. Click on the handy dandy widget for more info!

Violet Tendencies

by Jaye Wells

Books! Road Trip! Scandal!

In today's big, exciting announcement, I'd like to warn anyone who lives in or near Texas or Louisiana: Nicole Peeler and I are coming to gitcha!

It's the SNARK-LA-TEX Book Tour! Come for the signing, stay for the snark!

Sunday, May 15th — DALLAS, TX

4:00 pm, Borders (965 West Bethany Dr., Allen, TX 75013)

Monday, May 16th — AUSTIN, TX

7:00 pm, BookPeople (603 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX 78703)

Tuesday, May 17th — HOUSTON, TX

6:30 pm, Murder By The Book (2342 Bissonnet St., Houston TX, 77005)

Thursday, May, 19th — BATON ROUGE, LA

6:30 pm, Books-A-Million (2380 Towne Center Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70806)

Friday, May 20th — SHREVEPORT, LA

7:00 PM, Barnes & Noble (Bayou Walk, 6646 Youree Drive, Shreveport, LA, 71105)

We'll be reading, answering questions, and probably saying something offensive. So strap on your snark and come play!

And by the way, here's a reminder of what happened the last time Nicole and I signed together. Escandolo!

Updatepalooza

Hello, lovelies! I apologize for my extended absence, but last week I gave myself a much-needed break and enjoyed a trip with my family for Spawn's spring break. But now i'm back in the saddle and lots of cool things to share with you.

First, you'll be relieved to find out that the launch party for GREEN-EYED DEMON was a smashing success. The king cakes were a huge hit, as were the Mardi Gras beads. Everything's better with cake and bling, don't you agree? The folks at a Real Bookstore couldn't have been more welcoming and many books were sold, which is always a good thing.

Second, in related news, a Real Bookstore has offered to be the go-to place for fans who want signed copies of my books but can't make it to one of my signings. This is a great solution for all of us because I don't have to feel guilty about not being able to make it all over the country and you get to get your copies signed without traveling hither and yon. They have several copies on had with just signatures, but you also have the option of ordering a personalized copy. Since the store is in my hometown, it'll be easy peasy for me to drop by and sign your books so they can get them to you ASAP. Plus there's the added bonus of supporting a wonderful indie store. How cool is that? For more information on how to make this happen, check out a Real Bookstore's site.

Third, I also had a book signing in Houston at Murder by the Book. It's another awesome indie and one of my favorite places to have events. I met several people who were new to the series, so it was fun to indoctrinate new victims fans. Thanks as always to the adorable John Kwiatkowski who set up the event. If you're in Houston but missed this event, fear not. I'll be back at the store in May, but more on that soon.

Fourth, when you got the end of Green-Eyed Demon and closed the book, did you–in addition to thinking "Damn that Wells for making me cry!–think to yourself, "What the hell happened to Valva?" Well, my friends, I have news for you. On April 18, the fine people at Orbit will launch a short story called "Violet Tendencies" which will finally answer that question.

Here's the blurb:

Former assassin Sabina Kane heads to Los Angeles to find her kidnapped sister. Helping her on the mission are her hot mage partner, her Mischief demon minion, and a Vanity demon named Valva. The problem? She's got to figure out how to find her sister without letting her enemies know she's back in town. But when Sabina seeks out an old ally — a vampire strip club owner named Fang — for help, Sabina learns the hard way that Vanity demons don't know the meaning of the phrase "low profile."

The short will be available in all ebook formats for $1.99. Preorder now on Kindle or .

Fifth, Paul Goat Allen, prophet of paranormal fantasy, emailed the other day and asked if I'd be willing to do an interview for Barnes & Noble's Explorations: BN's SciFi and Fantasy Blog. Of course, I said yes because I like Paul and also enjoy prattling on about myself. Little did I know he'd post the interview along with his own review of GREEN-EYED DEMON. Let's just say few reviews have made me happier or more humbled.

Here's a taste of what Paul had to say about GED.

Wells burns up the pages as if they were soaked in gasoline.

Last year, I wrote that Jaye Wells had the potential to be the next coming of Laurell K. Hamilton and Kim Harrison. This year, I'll amend that slightly:  Jaye Wells is the next coming of LKH and Kim Harrison.

Wow, right? Check out the full review and interview here.

Wheh, I think that's it for now. Oh, except I have officially started book five in the Sabina series, which I think will be titled BLUE-BLOODED VAMP. I was really hoping we could call it PURPLE-HEADED WARRIOR (suggested by Heather Osborn), but for some reason when I suggested it I just got blank looks. Oh, well, can't win them all.

E-book Pushing and Suburban Drug Deals

Happy Monday, campers! Around these parts, February's exit and March's arrival marks the beginning of a time I call The Crazy Season. Crazy good, but crazy nonetheless.

This week, tomorrow in fact, the ebook and audiobooks versions of Green-Eyed Demon officially release. Why not preorder them now so when you wake up tomorrow morning, it will be waiting in your e-reader queue. It'll be just like Christmas morning, only with more voodoo and drag queens. Kindle version here. Nook version here.

Also this week, I'm hosting a Mardi Gras themed launch part at a Real Bookstore in Fairview, TX at 7pm. I know Fat Tuesday isn't until next week (March 8th) but we'll be eating king cake and tossing beads like the Krewe of Bacchus, only we'll be calling ourselves Krewe Blood because that's how we roll at a Jaye Wells signing.

Speaking of King Cakes, if you've been following my twitter or Facebook feeds, you know that my quest to provide delicious cakes to my fans at this party has been somewhat of a saga. Originally, I planned on making them myself, but sometimes a woman just has to accept that she is not Superwoman. So I enlisted the help of a friend whose studying to be a pastry chef at the Cordon Bleu. She whipped up six of those bad boys for me over the weekend. The best part of this story, though, involves the moment when I picked up the cakes.

I rolled up into the Olive Garden parking lot. Approached the unmarked sedan. "You got the sweets?" I asked. She looked around, like she expected a raid at any moment. "I got the sugar, you got the bills?" I slipped her the money and grabbed the cakes, which were double wrapped like bricks of cocaine. When I got home I stash the contraband in my freezer like any good pastry pusher. I hope you guys appreciate the scandalous lengths I go to give you your cake fix.

In addition to all that debauchery, I'll be spending my week wrapping up revisions on Silver-Tongued Devil.  Luckily, my editor loved the book and only had a few suggestions for minor surgery. More like having a few unsightly moles removed than brain surgery. But it's always weird to work on a book that won't come out for several months while simultaneously talking up a book I finished a year ago. It's like time travel! Or schizophrenia!

Anyway, those of you who have already bought GREEN-EYED Demon–thank you! I hope you're enjoying Sabina, Adam and Giguhl's exploits in the Big Easy. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Winner!

First of all, thanks to everyone who entered to win the GREEN-EYED DEMON prize pack. Believe it or not, I'd forgotten some of the Giguhl quotes you shared and it was fun to be reminded of some of his gems. Also? Brace yourself. He's in rare form in GED so be prepared to add some new quotes to your list.

So who won the prize?



Angela L. who said, " Oh my gosh how can anyone just choose one!!! Giguhl is my favorite demon character of all time and by far my favorite character in the book."

Congratulations, Angela! Email me at jaye(at)jayewells(dot)com and I'll get your prizes out to you ASAP.

For the rest of you, GREEN-EYED DEMON is out almost everywhere in paperback today. If your store doesn't have it out yet, please ask. Some stores have different rules about when to lay out titles. Chances are good, though, that if the book isn't already out on an end cap or on the shelves, it's on a cart in the storeroom waiting to be placed. Also, be nice to the bookseller you ask. They work really hard.

Happy reading!

Chock Full of Goodness

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. If you didn't, I'm sorry. Always know you're loved here. It's a snarky love, but love nonetheless.

Also, don't forget to enter my seriously awesome contest for a Sabina Kane prize pack (post below this one). Just enter your favorite Giguhl line in comments for a chance to win.

Now, we're gearing up for the RELEASE DAY OF DOOM around here. I've got my swag ordered, my bookmarks ready and I've written a metric ton of guest blogs and interviews. I tell ya, a book pimps work is never done. But I'm super excited because the early review of Green-Eyed Demon are fantastic.

Here's a few for your edification:

Wicked Lil Pixie says, "Jaye Wells is now the Queen of all things snarky … I can count on one hand authors that make me laugh out loud, Jaye Wells is one of those authors." 5 stars!

The Spinecracker says, "The tightly-nit story will keep you up until the wee hours of the morning, promising yourself you'll put it down at the end of the this chapter… or maybe the next." 4.5 Stars!

Paperback Dolls says, "This series just gets better and better with every book and Green-Eyed Demon knocks it out of the park for me this time around."

Rex Robot Reviews says, "Let me just say wow! Had to be the best ending to a novel that I've read in a while as the final showdown has so much drama and suspense I couldn't catch my breath." 4 Robots!

Can you feel my joy coming at your through your screen? Okay, that sounded weird, but I'm happy. I love this book and I'm excited that fans of the series agree.

Now for a couple of bits of housekeeping. First, word on the street is that GED is already shipping from B&N. So if you just can't wait until next week, hie thee to B&N.com and get yourself a copy.

Also, I have a few signings coming up over the next few months, but I just can't be everywhere. There's a possibility of more events being scheduled, but right now that's it. So if you're not in Dallas or Houston and you're not going to Romantic Times in Los Angeles in April to get a book signed, I have a solution for you.

On March 12 at 4:30 p.m., I'll be signing at Murder by the Book in Houston. Because John and everyone else at the store is so awesome, they've set it up so you can call and preorder a copy for me to sign while I'm there. They will then ship your copy to you. It's not the same as attending the event, but it you're someone who likes your books signed it's a great solution. Plus it's also a great way to support a fabulous independent book store.

To preorder Green-Eyed Demon or any of my other books, all you have to do is call Murder by the book at 888-424-2842. One of the helpful peeps at the store will take down your order, your address, your CC# and ask for any inscription requests. But please note you must call in advance of the signing. I don't live in Houston so I won't be able to fulfill any requests at the store after March 12.

In the meantime, Nicole Peeler and I are spending the next two weeks thrilling and shocking the readers over at Border's Books Babel Clash. Today, I posted about romance in UF and why it's rarely a destination for UF characters.

Also, I'll be speaking on several panels at ConDFW this weekend in Dallas. Here's my schedule:

Friday:
Panel Room 2 – Manchester
3pm – The Business of Writing
Panelists: Paul Black (M), Jaye Wells, Kerry Tolan, A. Lee Martinez, Shanna Swendson, Candace Havens
Do you think being a writer means sleeping until noon and sitting in your PJ's all day while you go through the creative process?  It certainly could, but that may not be the most productive use of your time.  Hear what our panelists have to say about what it takes to turn your passion or hobby into your career.
Saturday:
Panel Room 2 – Manchester
12pm – Writing Jokes or Writing Irony?: Trends in Humor.
Panelists: Robert Stikmanz (M), A. Lee Martinez, Shanna Swendson, Linda Donahue, Jaye Wells, K.B. Bogen
What is the definition of a humorous joke?  Is it to make your audience smile?  Is it to make your readers laugh?  What makes readers laugh in today's world?  Our esteemed panelists attempt to enlighten you without resorting to cream pies, and perhaps they will be able to define satire in an ironic way. Panel Room 2 – Manchester
4pm – The Darkness Around Us: Trends in Urban Fantasy
Panelists: Aelle Ables, Rachel Caine, Frances May, Jaye Wells, Stina Leicht, Candace Havens
More and more fantastic worlds are being wrapped around a current or even future society.  But as magic and fantasy intrudes, the darker the worlds seem to get.  From Butcher's "Dresden Files" to Rowling's "Harry Potter", it seems the fantastic has a darker side.  Our panelists take a walk on the wild side, and seek to explain the current trends in Urban
Fantasy.
Sunday:
Panel Room 4 – Churchill
11am – Escape from the Slush Pile
Panelists: Lou Antonelli (M), Ciara Gold, Jaye Wells, Selina Rosen, Richard Weber, O. M. Grey
As the number of hopeful writers increase, the number of submissions increase.  Piles upon piles of stories overwhelm every publisher and editor, and they have to make decisions on what makes it, and what is tossed in the slush pile.  Our esteemed panelists discuss how to avoid being buried in the pile, and the mistakes to look out for.
2PM-Reading with Shanna Swendon. Come get a sneak peek of GED!
That's all for now, my lovelies. Have a great week!

Win!

Contest time!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Since I love you guys so much, and because another major event–the release of Green-Eyed Demon (March 1!)–is also coming up, I've put together an amazing prize pack for one lucky winner.

Witness the awesome!

As you can see, I've been collecting lots of fun goodies for you guys. The list of prizes includes:

1 copy Green-Eyed Demon, personalized by your's truly

1 audiobook of Red-Headed Stepchild

1 Dracula Pez

1 Shiny fang-a-licious wallet

1 bottle "Vampire blood" antibacterial gel, plum-scented (because what else would vamp blood smell like?)

1 pair red plastic fangs

1 bag, blood candy (consume at your own risk)

1 Squishy skeleton head (with fake blood and rubber worms inside)

1 "Be a New Orleanian Wherever You Are" sticker

1 Set of "Blood Krewe" Mardi gras beads

1 Set Limited Edition "Got Evil" Giguhl Mardi Gras Beads

So how do you win? In comments, post your favorite line from Giguhl from any book in the series. Or, if you haven't read the series yet (crazy), post why you'd like to start. All entries must be in by midnight (CST) on February 21. This contest is open only to US residents. Sorry, but I'm worried about shipping vampire blood overseas. You understand.

Now get to entering!

GED Excerpt

Hello, my pretties! You've waited a long time for GREEN-EYED DEMON and luckily your wait is almost over. To help tide you over, Orbit has posted chapter one of the novel at their site. Check it out here. Even better? If you follow that link, you can enter to win the whole series. Run!

Well, damn. How did it get to be the end of January alrea...

Well, damn. How did it get to be the end of January already?

As usual, the weathers gods are playing fast and loose with the Texas climate. This weekend it was in the 60s and gorgeous. But apparently we're about to get another visit from Jack Frost. What gives? My thick Texan blood can't handle these shenanigans. I don't know about you but I hope that effing groundhog sees his shadow this week.

Speaking of this week, guess what? Green-Eyed Demon will be unleashed in the Uk on Feb. 3. If you're a saucy Brit, please to rush over and order your very own copy.

What's that I hear? Grumbling? I hear you, American fans. I do. But sadly I do not control release dates.

But you know how you can get back to the smug British types who will likely gloat at reading the book first? You can have the distinction of buying enough copies to put me on a bestseller list. Just imagine the pride you'll feel when you can say, "I personally put Jaye on the NYT bestseller list." I'll even make a special badge for your blog if you make it happen. Won't that be fun?

Ha! You're thinking. Jaye made another one of her witty jokes about that NYT thing. But am I really joking? Only one way to find out. Get thee to a bookery on March 1!

Sigh. Now I feel dirty. Why do you people make me beg for your love?