Joshua Palmatier's Blog, page 18
December 9, 2014
New Book Discussion
I've just posted the latest book discussion at the DAW Books unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! We're looking at Jacey Bedford's debut novel Empire of Dust, the first in her Psi-Tech series. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! We're looking at Jacey Bedford's debut novel Empire of Dust, the first in her Psi-Tech series. Swing on by and check it out!
December 8, 2014
New Releases from DAW!
I've posted the new releases for December 2014 from DAW Books at the unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! We've got new Gini Koch, Laura Resnick, and a new Valdemar anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey. Swing on by and check them out!
dawbooks
)! We've got new Gini Koch, Laura Resnick, and a new Valdemar anthology edited by Mercedes Lackey. Swing on by and check them out!November 24, 2014
Latest Book Discussion
I've just posted the latest books discussion at the unofficial DAW Books, Inc. blog (
dawbooks
). We're looking at THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss, part of his Kingkiller Chronicles universe. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
). We're looking at THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss, part of his Kingkiller Chronicles universe. Swing on by and check it out!November 21, 2014
The Latest Book Discussion
I've just posted the latest book discussion for the November releases from DAW Books, Inc. unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! We're looking at The Future Falls, the third Enchantment Emporium novel from Tanya Huff. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! We're looking at The Future Falls, the third Enchantment Emporium novel from Tanya Huff. Swing on by and check it out!Author Interview: Jenna Rhodes, about "King of Assassins"
This month, we have a few author interviews to share with you all. First up is an interview with Jenna Rhodes, author of the November release King of Assassins, the third book in her Elven Ways series. So sit back and see what Jenna has to say about the book and writing in general!
1. First, introduce yourself!
1. Hi, I'm Rhondi Vilott Salsitz, also known as Jenna Rhodes (and a few other pen names, as well). The multiple names come from writing in several different genres, as well as for several distinct age groups. I've lived mainly in California but I've also enjoyed Alaska and Colorado. I am married, with just enough cats (meaning, I have not yet acquired a number sufficient to be called a Crazy Cat Lady altho I feel on the brink from day to day).
2. Now give us the Hollywood pitch version of your new book/project. Two sentences max. Something along the lines of "[Book Title] is Harry Potter crossed with Aliens, with a touching twist of Knocked Up humor!"
2. KING OF ASSASSINS continues the story of star-crossed lovers Rivergrace and Sevryn as they face the wrath of a desperate queen who feels they have betrayed her. The world of their ancestors is colliding with their inherited world, threatening the existence of all they know and love.
3. Give us an expanded description of the book/project. What makes this project different and worth checking out? What sets it apart from everything else in the field?
3. KING is book three in a four book tale. Publishers' Weekly was kind enough to give me a starred review on the release of book one, and I'm pleased to be able to finish the story of the Vaelinars who were sent into another world through sorcery and have not only survived, but thrived. They called themselves the Lost and were shocked at the end of book two to discover they were Exiled by magic for grievous treason. This book and the next will explain how they were exiled and how to return; and, if they should continue to thrive in a world where they can manipulate the very fabric of their new home, amid scheming and treachery that seems to be native no matter where they live. It is oft said that it is better to find Death on your doorstep than a Vaelinar.
4. What part of the writing process for this book/project did you struggle with the most? Why was that particularly difficult? What did it teach you about the writing process (if anything)?
4. Writing is always a challenge for me because I strive to do better. It's also difficult to write in a series, to set up what has happened without creating a giant stumbling block getting into the new action. I don't care for prologues nor do most readers, from what I understand, so I tried to write around it. There was quite a gap in publication between book two and book three, although not an intentional one. Let's just say "Life Happened". Training an assassin was interesting because Sevryn became a Kobrir assassin and they are not human. He was already a formidable opponent, so he skipped Basic.
5. What was your favorite part of writing this book/project? What gave you chills when you wrote it and made you think, "Oh, this is GOOD!"?
5. My favorite part is dealing with the Dwellers of Kerith. They are a warm-hearted, practical, and lively people. I enjoy their joy of life. I can't say what gave me chills while I was writing. I suffer from common writing delusions: 1, Oh, this is going to be my best book yet. 2, No, wait, it is beginning to turn on me. 3, Oh, damn, this is crap. 4. Well, it's finished and I think it will serve, I hope so anyway. After that, when I re-wrote, I found some really good passages that I'm proud of, and when I copy-edited, I got goosebumps at the end when Sevryn and Rivergrace find each other again.
***********************
And now, if you haven't already, rush out and get all three books in this series! Then report back here on what you thought. Thanks for Jenna Rhodes for taking the time to answer these questions!
1. First, introduce yourself!
1. Hi, I'm Rhondi Vilott Salsitz, also known as Jenna Rhodes (and a few other pen names, as well). The multiple names come from writing in several different genres, as well as for several distinct age groups. I've lived mainly in California but I've also enjoyed Alaska and Colorado. I am married, with just enough cats (meaning, I have not yet acquired a number sufficient to be called a Crazy Cat Lady altho I feel on the brink from day to day).
2. Now give us the Hollywood pitch version of your new book/project. Two sentences max. Something along the lines of "[Book Title] is Harry Potter crossed with Aliens, with a touching twist of Knocked Up humor!"
2. KING OF ASSASSINS continues the story of star-crossed lovers Rivergrace and Sevryn as they face the wrath of a desperate queen who feels they have betrayed her. The world of their ancestors is colliding with their inherited world, threatening the existence of all they know and love.
3. Give us an expanded description of the book/project. What makes this project different and worth checking out? What sets it apart from everything else in the field?
3. KING is book three in a four book tale. Publishers' Weekly was kind enough to give me a starred review on the release of book one, and I'm pleased to be able to finish the story of the Vaelinars who were sent into another world through sorcery and have not only survived, but thrived. They called themselves the Lost and were shocked at the end of book two to discover they were Exiled by magic for grievous treason. This book and the next will explain how they were exiled and how to return; and, if they should continue to thrive in a world where they can manipulate the very fabric of their new home, amid scheming and treachery that seems to be native no matter where they live. It is oft said that it is better to find Death on your doorstep than a Vaelinar.
4. What part of the writing process for this book/project did you struggle with the most? Why was that particularly difficult? What did it teach you about the writing process (if anything)?
4. Writing is always a challenge for me because I strive to do better. It's also difficult to write in a series, to set up what has happened without creating a giant stumbling block getting into the new action. I don't care for prologues nor do most readers, from what I understand, so I tried to write around it. There was quite a gap in publication between book two and book three, although not an intentional one. Let's just say "Life Happened". Training an assassin was interesting because Sevryn became a Kobrir assassin and they are not human. He was already a formidable opponent, so he skipped Basic.
5. What was your favorite part of writing this book/project? What gave you chills when you wrote it and made you think, "Oh, this is GOOD!"?
5. My favorite part is dealing with the Dwellers of Kerith. They are a warm-hearted, practical, and lively people. I enjoy their joy of life. I can't say what gave me chills while I was writing. I suffer from common writing delusions: 1, Oh, this is going to be my best book yet. 2, No, wait, it is beginning to turn on me. 3, Oh, damn, this is crap. 4. Well, it's finished and I think it will serve, I hope so anyway. After that, when I re-wrote, I found some really good passages that I'm proud of, and when I copy-edited, I got goosebumps at the end when Sevryn and Rivergrace find each other again.
***********************
And now, if you haven't already, rush out and get all three books in this series! Then report back here on what you thought. Thanks for Jenna Rhodes for taking the time to answer these questions!
November 19, 2014
New Book Discussion
We're talking about Jenna Rhodes' third Elven Ways novel, King of Assassins, over at the DAW Books unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check it out. Then pick up the book for yourself!
dawbooks
)! Swing on by and check it out. Then pick up the book for yourself!Review: "Throne of Amenkor" Series
Rob H. Bedford has posted a review of all three books--The Skewed Throne, The Cracked Throne, and The Vacant Throne--in the Throne of Amenkor series over at SF Signal! Swing on by and read what he thought of the series. Then stop on by your favorite online bookstore and order the books, for you or for a friend as a gift!
November 14, 2014
Last October Book Discussion
I've just posted the last October release book discussion at the unofficial DAW Books blog (
dawbooks
). Swing on by and read about Bastion, the fifth book in the Collegium Chronicles from Mercedes Lackey.
dawbooks
). Swing on by and read about Bastion, the fifth book in the Collegium Chronicles from Mercedes Lackey.Latest DAW Book Discussion
I've just posted the latest DAW Books (
dawbooks
) book discussion at the unofficial blog. We're looking at Tanya Huff's Blood Debt, part of her Blood books being re-released in trade paperback. Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
) book discussion at the unofficial blog. We're looking at Tanya Huff's Blood Debt, part of her Blood books being re-released in trade paperback. Swing on by and check it out!November 5, 2014
New Releases from DAW!
I've posted the new releases from DAW Books over at the unofficial blog (
dawbooks
)! There's new Tanya Huff, Jenna Rhodes, Patrick Rothfuss, E.C. Blake, and a debut author Jacey Bedford! Swing on by and check it out!
dawbooks
)! There's new Tanya Huff, Jenna Rhodes, Patrick Rothfuss, E.C. Blake, and a debut author Jacey Bedford! Swing on by and check it out!
