Lucienne Diver's Blog: Lucienne Diver's Drivel, page 20

The Great Agent Hunt

Amy Christine Parker did a good job covering the dos after I had fun with the don’ts in our YA Rebels video this week.  I add a few dos of my own over on my Magical Words post today on The Great Agent Hunt.  If you want more, I did a previous Magical Words blog on the subject, as well a series on querying.  See here for parts I, II and III.

The right and wrong ways to find a literary agent

Amy Christine Parker and I cover the right and wrong ways to find a literary agent.

More whoos and hoos

Our Tuesday YA Rebels video will be up later today, giving tips on how to (and not to) find a literary agent.  I’m not ashamed to say that my thirteen year old son has to upload this for me – not because I don’t know what I’m doing, but because his tech is way more updated than mine, which needs a serious upgrade.  So, more on that soon.

In the meantime, I didn’t get to crow last week (except on Twitter and Facebook and to anyone who would listen) about Rachel Caine’s amazing Morganville Vampires series hitting the New York Times list once again (#10 for Children’s Series)!  DAYLIGHTERS, the fifteenth and final book in the series, launched earlier this month to great acclaim.  For those of you you’ve been waiting for the whole series before starting, this is it!  You can read from beginning to end…and then run out and get all of her other books in various series, because she’s amazing no matter where you start! Speaking of Rachel Caine, she’s donated a signed set of her Outcast Season and Revivalist series to raise money for the Red Cross’s Typhoon Haiyan Appeal.  You can bid here or check out what else Authors for the Philippines has on offer.  Don’t forget, the holidays are right around the corner and books make great gifts, especially when the money for them goes to such a great cause.

In other news, Bookworm Blues did a fabulous piece on fantasy writer Carol Berg and her career here.  Have I mentioned that she has a new series starting in August 2014 with DUST AND LIGHT (which – shameless plug – is already available for pre-order)?  It’s all about fantasy and forensics…two of my favorite things.  I’ve loved everything Carol’s ever written, but I might have to admit to a particularly warm place in my heart for this new series!

More as it happens.

Whoo hoos!

It’s exciting any time a book I rep gets a starred review or some kind of extra attention, but when it’s a debut, especially, I just want to shout from the rooftops, “Yay, I’ve always loved this book and think you should all rush out for a copy to find out why!”  Or two…or three copies…  Books make great gifts!  Anyway, my whoo and hoo are coming out right now for J. Kathleen Cheney’s starred review in Library Journal for THE GOLDEN CITY.  To quote, “VERDICT Cheney’s debut is a masterpiece of historical fantasy, set in early 1900s Portugal, a time and place rarely explored in English-language fiction. The fascinating mannerisms of the age and the extreme formality of two people growing fonder of each other add a charmingly fresh appeal that will cross over to romance fans as well as to period fantasy readers.”  Yay!

Also, I want to congratulate The Knight Agency’s Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award nominees, listed below!  So proud!

Contemporary Romance: SUMMER AT MUSTANGE RIDGE by Jesse Hayworth

Regency Set Historical Romance: WHAT A WICKED EARL WANTS by Vicky Dreiling

Vampire Romance: PRINCE OF SHADOWS by Tes Hilaire

Paranormal Romance: HEART OF OBSIDIAN by Nalini Singh

Paranormal Romance: BLACK AND BLUE by Gena Showalter

Futuristic Romance: HEART FORTUNE by Robin D. Owens

Urban Fantasy Worldbuilding: LAST BLOOD by Kristen Painter

Urban Fantasy Worldbuilding: BLOOD WINTER by Diana Pharaoh Francis

Harlequin Desire: BEDROOM DIPLOMACY by Michelle Celmer

Paranormal Worldbuilding: GUARDIAN DEMON by Meljean Brook *

Harlequin Desire: BEHIND PALACE DOORS by Jules Bennett *

Harlequin Nocturne: TAMING THE DEMON by Doranna Durgin

First Mystery: DEATH COMES TO THE VILLAGE by Catherine Lloyd

 

* Not a TKA title

Romeo and Revisions

First off, I’m so excited that io9 has posted the first glimpse of Rachel Caine’s wonderful trailer for her even more amazing book PRINCE OF SHADOWS, coming in February 2014, but available now for preorder.

A thrilling retelling of the star-crossed tale of Romeo and Juliet, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Morganville Vampires series.

In the Houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and—if they survive—marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely. Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona—and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona…

…And will rewrite all their fates, forever.

 

In other news, as kind of a part II to our NaNoWriMo tips of last week, Amy Christine Parker and I did our video for YA Rebels this week on the revision process.  I might brandish a sword.  (Not well, mind you, but still.)

Jeannette Cheney talks about killing…your darlings

J. Kathleen Cheney’s debut fantasy novel THE GOLDEN CITY debuted yesterday to wonderful reviews (see below) and much fanfare.  She’s here today with a little insight into what it took to get there!

Quotes:

“Cheney’s The Golden City pulls readers in right off the bat, as the story kicks off with our heroine in a desperate situation that will leave you rooting for her almost instantly. Oriana’s “extra” abilities are thoroughly intriguing and readers will love the crackling banter and working relationship between Oriana and Duilio.” —Romantic Times

“An ambitious debut from Cheney: part fantasy, part romance, part police procedural and part love letter to Lisbon in the early 1900s.” —Kirkus Reviews

“I honestly cannot wait to read what Cheney writes next.” —Bookworm Blues

 

Kill Your Darlings (Not Starring Daniel Radcliffe) by J. Kathleen Cheney

Yes, we’ve all heard that saying–that a writer must be willing to give up that one sentence, idea, or plot point that they loved…for the greater good of their work.

When I was in second grade, my teacher, Miss Baeza, wanted to send one of my stories to Highlights to see if they would publish it.  Even then, I knew this was a Big Deal.  But there was a catch; she wanted me to change the ending.

In my story, a group of animals escape the zoo, only to end up being magically trapped as the animals in a carousel.  My teacher wanted a happy ending.  But in my second-grade wisdom, I felt that mine was the correct ending.  I hid the story in my father’s file cabinet and told her I couldn’t find it.  This, by the way, became the truth because I never did see that story again.

Now fast forward lots of years and I’m a professional writer.  (I have paperwork from both RWA and SFWA that say I am, so I know it’s true.)  At a workshop a few years ago, I learned a very important phrase from author Steven Savile: I can do that.

If you’re seeking traditional publication, that’s a useful sentence.  If your agent makes a suggestion, if your editor makes a suggestion, if your publisher makes a suggestion, they have a reason for doing so.  So when my agent or editor suggests I change something, I listen.  Then I usually say: I can do that.

Admittedly, I still go and hide my manuscript in the metaphorical file cabinet and sulk for a few hours.  How could they not appreciate my untrammeled genius???

But because I’m not in second grade any longer, the next morning I get that manuscript back out and start analyzing their suggestions.  No, I don’t slavishly obey those suggestions. The book I just turned back in to my editor?  I had some changes I considered but, for one reason or another, they didn’t work for me.  My editor will look at my edits and decide whether to press me on those things again or let it drop.  It is a give and take relationship.

Editors have given me some pretty awesome ideas.  My editor for “Iron Shoes” asked for me to add another scene with interaction between my heroine and the villain.  Once I’d wrapped my mind around it, not only did I get to add another historical character, I also found a chance to slip in some very pertinent plot information.  My editor for “The Golden City” suggested a huge change at one point, making one character not as villainous as I’d previously thought him.  Figuring out the logic behind that alteration opened up new avenues for me to explore in this setting, and it made that world more realistic.

So I’ve learned to be open to changes.  The truth is that a traditionally published book isn’t just mine.  There’s a team involved in producing the book.  There’s an agent who sold it, editors who’ve picked over every word, an art department that has produced a beautiful cover, a sales department, a publicity department…well, I could probably list more.

But if you’re hunting traditional publication, cooperation is a good thing.  If I’d known that in second grade, I might have been published decades ago!

Exciting new releases and NaNoWriMo Tips!

First, three crazy-exciting new releases today: DAYLIGHTERS by Rachel Caine, the culmination of her Morganville Vampires series (15 books and all awesome – how does she do it?), a fabulous fantasy debut, THE GOLDEN CITY by J. Kathleen Cheney and TO DANCE WITH THE DEVIL, the latest Blood Singer novel from Cat Adams Here’s a little bit about each:

DAYLIGHTERS by Rachel Caine (hardcover and digital from Penguin)

(Amazon, B&N, Books-a-Million, Indiebound)

While Morganville, Texas, is often a troubled town, Claire Danvers and her friends are looking forward to coming home. But the Morganville they return to isn’t the one they know; it’s become a different place—a deadly one…

Something drastic has happened in Morganville while Claire and her friends were away. The town looks cleaner and happier than they’ve ever seen it before, but when their incoming group is arrested and separated—vampires from humans—they realize that the changes definitely aren’t for the better.

It seems that an organization called the Daylight Foundation has offered the population of Morganville something they’ve never had: hope of a vampire-free future. And while it sounds like salvation—even for the vampires themselves—the truth is far more sinister and deadly.

Now, Claire, Shane and Eve need to find a way to break their friends out of Daylighter custody, before the vampires of Morganville meet their untimely end…

THE GOLDEN CITY by J. Kathleen Cheney (trade paperback and digital from Roc Books)

(Amazon, B&N, Books-a-Million, Indiebound)

For two years, Oriana Paredes has been a spy among the social elite of the Golden City, reporting back to her people, the sereia, sea folk banned from the city’s shores….

When her employer and only confidante decides to elope, Oriana agrees to accompany her to Paris. But before they can depart, the two women are abducted and left to drown. Trapped beneath the waves, Oriana’s heritage allows her to survive while she is forced to watch her only friend die.

Vowing vengeance, Oriana crosses paths with Duilio Ferreira—a police consultant who has been investigating the disappearance of a string of servants from the city’s wealthiest homes. Duilio also has a secret: He is a seer and his gifts have led him to Oriana.

Bound by their secrets, not trusting each other completely yet having no choice but to work together, Oriana and Duilio must expose a twisted plot of magic so dark that it could cause the very fabric of history to come undone….

TO DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Cat Adams (Tor Books)

(Amazon, B&N, Books-a-Million, Indiebound)

In To Dance with the Devil, the latest entry in Cat Adams’s Blood Singer series, Celia Graves’s newest client is one of the last surviving members of a magical family that is trapped in a generations-old feud with other magic-workers. She’s supposed to die at the next full moon unless Celia can broker peace between the clans or break the curse before it can take effect.

For the first time in a long while, Celia’s personal life is looking up. Her vampire abilities seem to be under control, her Siren abilities have gotten more reliable, and even though her office was blown up, her services are more in demand than ever now that she’s fought off terrorists and been part of the royal wedding of the year. Her friends all seem to be finding love and her grandmother has—finally—agreed to go to family therapy.

The only trouble spot is Celia’s love life. Not long ago, she had two boyfriends. Now she barely has one and she isn’t sure she wants him. But Bruno DeLuca is a powerful mage and Celia needs his help…especially after she’s attacked and her client is kidnapped.

In other news, Amy Christine Parker and I have our latest YA Rebels video up today with NaNoWriMo Tips.  Check it out!

In case anyone’s wondering – yes, the disembodied voice on tip #10 is that of my husband!

GCC Interview with Sara Hantz

One quick thing before I introduce Sara Hantz, who’s here today to talk to us about her new book, IN THE BLOOD.  I’m so pleased to say that Faith Hunter and Chloe Neill are both up for the Goodreads Best of 2013 Award in the category of Best Paranormal Fantasy for BLOOD TRADE and HOUSE RULES respectively.  If you’re so inclined, please go vote for your favorite. So many wonderful books to choose from.  (In other news, I’m completely stunned not to see Ramez Naam’s CRUX up there for Science Fiction. There are a lot of great choices here already, but I notice you can write in votes!  I’m just sayin’.)

And now, without further ado, I’m pleased to present Sara Hantz and her latest book IN THE BLOOD (releasing tomorrow from Entangled Teen).

Blurb:

For seventeen years, Jed Franklin’s life was normal. Then his father was charged with the abuse and murder of four young boys and normal became a nightmare.

His mom’s practically a walking zombie, he’s lost most of his friends, and the press camps out on his lawn. The only things that keep him sane are his little sis; his best friend and dream girl, Summer; and the alcohol he stashes in his room. But after Jed wakes up from a total blackout to discover a local kid has gone missing—a kid he was last seen talking to—he’s forced to face his greatest fear: that he could somehow be responsible.

In a life that’s spiraled out of control, Jed must decide if he chooses his own destiny with Summer by his side or if the violent urges that plagued his father are truly in the blood…

Praise for IN THE BLOOD:

“Sara Hantz doesn’t pull any punches shaping this story of one of the toughest, most complicated family situations that a teen could face. Jed’s emotions are raw and real. I ached and raged with him and frantically turned pages to see where he would end up.”  Stephanie Kuehnert, author of Ballads of Suburbia and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

“In The Blood is a gut-wrenching look inside the mind of a young man living with a nightmare. Jared has to learn to face life after his father is accused of an unspeakable crime. A ripped-from-the-headlines story that illustrates the power of unconditional love.”  B. A. Binns author of PULL, and Being God

“A dark and deliciously tense story that will make you wonder how alike our parents we can be.”  Kelley York author of Hushed.

Interview with Sara Hantz

What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you schedule time to write each day or are you a spree writer?

I am definitely a plotter. And my writing process is very linear. I try to write each day, fitting it in with my day job – luckily I don’t mind interruptions.

What is the hardest part about the publishing process for you and how do you get through it? (For me, it’s copyediting and sour cream and onion chips.)

I’m an instant gratification person and that doesn’t work with publishing. Everything seems to take so long and demands patience – I was definitely at the back of the line when that was handed out. How do I get through it? Hmm….. a lot of muttering, checking my emails every 5 seconds and a few jelly beans!

We drop your hero or heroine on a deserted island. Quick, what are the three things he or she can’t live without?

Jed is a pretty solitary person – so probably his iPod; a book on famous bridges; a photo of Summer (the girl he’s in love with).

If your story were a film, who would you cast?

Jed: Paul Wesley (although he’s maybe a bit too old), Summer: Ellen Page

 

Author’s Bio:

Sara Hantz originally comes from the UK and is one of four children, having three younger brothers. Although she was an avid reader from a very early age, she didn’t get the writing bug until much later in life, though English was always one of her stronger subjects. She’s an avid sun chaser and now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Australia (via 10 years in New Zealand). Sara lectured for many years before deciding to devote more time to her writing and working in the family hospitality business. She has two grown-up children and when not writing, working, or online with her friends, she spends more time than most people she knows watching TV – in fact if TV watching was an Olympic sport she’d win gold. Sara’s books: In The Blood, The Second Virginity of Suzy Green and Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up (due out May 2014).

Halloween, Hauntings and De-Gunking

Annually, the YA Rebels have a pumpkin carving contest.  Here’s the contribution Amy Christine Parker and I made to the whole thing.  Quick note: I’m supposed to be Abby from NCIS, but no doubt she’d have been immensely less squicked-out by the squishy innards.  You’ll see what I mean…

 

And here’s how my pumpkin turned out when my husband got his hands on it (and his dremel tool) the next day.  Spiffy!

Happy Book Birthdays

It’s an exciting day here with new submissions flying fast and furious, so I’m sorry to be a little late logging on to wish Christina Henry and David Mack happy book birthdays for their new releases!

BLACK HEART by Christina Henry, the latest Black Wings novel

Featuring Madeline Black, Agent of Death, and her junk-food eating, wise-cracking gargoyle Beezle, which makes the books sound lighthearted, and while they’re certainly fun, they’re also dark and suspenseful and wonderful.  You can read an excerpt here.

Book Blurb

As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…

Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.

Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…

STAR TREK: THE FALL: A CEREMONY OF LOSSES by David Mack

THE NEEDS OF THE MANY

Despite heroic efforts by Thirishar ch’Thane, the Andorian species is headed for extinction. Its slow march toward oblivion has reached a tipping point, one from which there will be no hope of return.

THE NEEDS OF THE FEW

With countless lives at stake, the leaders of Andor, the Federation, and the Typhon Pact all scheme to twist the crisis to their political gain — at any price.

THE NEEDS OF THE ONE

Unwilling to be a mere bystander to tragedy, Doctor Julian Bashir risks everything to find a cure for the Andorians. But his courage will come at a terrible cost: his career, his freedom … and maybe his life.