Larissa Ione's Blog, page 10

Stuff and Stuff

Happy President's Day!

I'm celebrating by…writing! Yeah, not much different from any other day…

Anyway, today I'm up at The Pop Culture Divas, where I'm discussing one of my favorite fiction categories: dystopian/apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic.

Speaking of "apocalyptic," I got a four-star review from RT for Eternal Rider:

"Eternal Rider is the first in a new series, Lords of Deliverance, featuring the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse. The sexy and intimidating Ares was introduced in Sin Undone, a title from Ione's Demonica series. Like the Demonica series, this first offering is just as compelling and powerful. Ione has the amazing ability to create intimidating, powerfully sexy and utterly compelling heroes. And her heroines aren't too shabby either! Love, hope, sin, redemption and, of course, end-of-the-world danger fill the pages." YAY!

Today I'm also at the Dark Faerie Tales blog talking about…sex! *gasp* See why I write it and comment for a chance to win a prize!

Also, if you're a writer and are using Scrivener 2.0 for Mac and would like a romance template for it, please feel free to email me. It'll save a ton of work when you start new projects, and if you're just test-driving Scrivener, it'll make learning it SO much easier. This is only for Macintosh — I don't have a Windows version. Email me at larissaione AT gmail DOT com for the template.

I'm sure I had something else to blab about, but I can't remember what, so I'm going to get to work. The Horsemen are calling me!

Thickening Skin and Review Scars

"Grow a thicker skin."

I really, really hate those words. Authors hear them all the time, generally when discussing reviews. Really, can we please stop telling authors that?

It's not that I don't think authors need thick skins to deal with bad reviews…it's just that telling someone to "get" one is like offhandedly telling someone to fall out of love. Or to stop being sad.

You can't just turn off your emotions. Growing a thicker skin is a process, and sadly, the process involves being exposed to bad reviews over and over until you become desensitized. Until your skin toughens up and you develop some scar tissue.

Yes, there are people who are naturally thick-skinned. Yay, them. I wish I was one. I'm not…I tend to be a little tender when it comes to animals, children, and my work. I try to look at the bright side of being sensitive — sure, it hurts like hell and makes me obsess about the puppy lit on fire by scumbags or the child bullied and beaten at school. But that same sensitivity also makes me passionate and apt to speak out against abuse and stick up for the underdog.

Being "sensitive" isn't necessarily a bad thing. We need people who feel strongly about issues, no matter what they are. I think we all have thin skin about certain things. What hurts me won't hurt someone else, and vice versa, and simply telling someone to toughen up isn't going to help. It has to happen naturally.

I know this because I realized something recently. I realized that I've definitely developed a tougher skin when it comes to reviews.

See, by accident, I clicked on a link that led to a blogger who reviews for a book review site, and she was doing a contest. This blogger will forever stick out in my mind because…well…let's go back to the beginning.

It's July 2008. My very first novel is about to hit the shelves. It's the first book in a new series, and I'm excited, nervous, and terrified. If that first book doesn't do well…the rest of the series is screwed. I'll have let down my editor, my publisher, my agent, myself. I need good reviews. Need them badly.

So I wait on pins and needles for those first reviews of Pleasure Unbound to come. And suddenly, in my inbox is a note from a review site. Pleasure Unbound has been reviewed! My very first review!

I'm sweating, my heart is pounding, my fingers are trembling so hard I can barely click the link.

I start reading. Starts off good…whew! Then…then…devastation. The reviewer thinks the storyline is weak. Oh, horror of horrors…she hates it!

My very first review leaves me aching for days. Compounding the ache was the fact that she left comments in other blogs detailing all of the book's faults. It felt like she was going out of her way to warn people off my books.

Fast forward to yesterday. For some reason, I decided to look up that old review. I prepared to cringe.

But you know what? It's not a bad review! OMG. If I got that review today, I'd shrug. Heck, I don't know that I'd even spare the energy to shrug. That's how NOT awful it is.

Oh, it's not a great review for sure, but in the days since that review, I've been torn apart far, FAR worse. I've had scathing, snarky reviews that made my jaw drop. I've been accused of copying other authors (seriously, Twilight???) I've had hate mail. Threats of violence, harassment from people who swore to ruin my career. None of that is fun, and I've had a lot of stressed-out days.

But I've also come a long way. My skin has toughened up so much that I look at the review that was devastating to me as a new author, and brush it off. For a while now, I've grown much less sensitive about reviews — I still don't like negative reviews, especially if they are extremely harsh, but it takes a lot more harshness to make me blink. I can so easily brush off reviews that, when I was new, bothered me for days. Now they're out of my mind in about 30 seconds.

I think that's partly due to the fact that in retrospect, those old reviews are really not that bad. (Okay, there are a couple bad ones, especially for the first Sydney Croft book that still sting, but for the most part, those old reviews simply seemed horrible at the time.) And I've also toughened up. I've gotten that thick skin that people told me to get. Getting it wasn't pleasant, but ultimately, it's made my online life a lot easier.

So what is the point of this post? Mostly, I just want to tell new authors that it will get easier. You will grow a thicker skin, and though it'll hurt like hell along the way, it'll happen.

Sure, if you're like me, you'll still feel the sting of a particularly harsh or vicious review, and steam will probably still come out of your ears if someone gets the facts wrong or whatever. But for the most part, it'll get easier. If it doesn't, then I suggest avoiding reviews altogether. I've gotten to the point where I never read Goodreads reviews, for example. Too much potential to ruin my day. I avoid Amazon reviews as well. And I there are a couple of review sites and blogs I avoid. It's just easier.

Just remember that reviews are subjective — what one person likes, another won't. The reviews are not for you…they're for other readers. We might not like every review, but reviewers perform a service to both authors and readers, and ultimately, they bring us exposure we might not otherwise have.

So when it comes to a bad review, I'm not going to tell you to toughen up or get over it or to just deal with it. I'm going to tell you that it gets easier. Cry, scream, binge on chocolate…do whatever you have to do to feel better (though I would avoid going whackadoodle on the reviewer's blog, but that's just me,) and then get back on the writing horse.

Write, write, write! How else will you get more bad reviews to toughen you up?

Anti-Valentine's Day Winners + More

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! Not that I celebrate it, but for those who do, I hope you get lots of whatever it is you want. Me…I think I'll hit my favorite fast-food joint.

Okay, so. I needed three male names to kill off in my third Lords of Deliverance book. I ended up snagging four — three that were picked through Random.org and one I picked myself because this person just needed a bloody end.

Here we go:

Winner of the tote bag and voodoo love kit:

Amber, comment #3 (Chad)

Winners of swag and bookmarks:

Lola, commnet #107 (Ian)

Cid, comment #250 (Rhys)

Extra winner of swag and bookmarks because wow…what a slime:

Erika, comment #70 (Shylon)

Winners, please email me via the contact link above, or email me at larissaione AT gmail DOT com

Thank you to everyone who played! Wow…quite the response! Seems like there are a LOT of Kevins, Christians, Michaels, and Rob/Bobs who have done some damage. I have to say, I've knocked off a Michael in a book or two because of *ahem* personal reasons.

Okay, so, if you didn't win here, there's another contest going on at Twimom's blog…she's got a month long celebration, so there are lots of chances to win stuff from lots of authors!

I'm also thrilled to announce that Ecstasy Unveiled won a CAPA award over at the Romance Studio! Yay for Lore! He was up against some pretty stiff competition, so I'm extra excited!

Have a great day, everyone!

An Anti-Valentine's Day Contest!

Yeah, I'm a romance author. I write about love and feelings and happily-ever-afters. But if you've read my books, you know that there's a lot of blood, gore, and darkness too. Because ultimately, I'm not the kind of woman who gets all squishy when my husband sends me roses. I'd rather he send me a pair of zombie-stomping boots or a good vacuum cleaner. Yep, that's me, practical instead of romantic.

I probably shouldn't admit this…but…*lowers voice to a whisper* I don't even like weddings. My secret is out.

Okay, so now that you know all of this, it should come as no surprise that I really don't like Valentine's Day. Color me red and put antlers on my cat, I'm a Valentine's Day Grinch.

So. No Valentine's Day contest for me. Nope, I'm going to have an ANTI-Valentine's Day giveaway. You can enter to win the stuff pictured here — a Demonica tote bag, various swag, and a mini Love Voodoo Kit that comes complete with a teenly little voodoo doll, pins, and a 32-page booklet.*

***Disclaimer: Larissa Ione can not be held responsible for any breakups, marriages, or zombies that may incur as a result of use of voodoo love doll.

How to enter? Here's the fun part. See, I need some names for my current book. These will be people who will get killed in horrible ways.

I want YOU to choose the names. Got an ex who won't pay child support? How about a jackass co-worker? Maybe an ex boyfriend who cheated? Now is your chance to have fun with them!

The name can also be totally made up. Do you like — or hate– the name Tim? Use that. Can't stand a certain fiction character named Edward? Choose that.

Simply comment with a male name, and for legal reasons — FIRST NAME ONLY, PLEASE. I'll announce the winner on the 14th, so be sure to check back. I'll need three human names from any country, culture, etc., so there will be three winners. One person will win the tote bag, and two others will receive one piece of swag and some bookmarks.

Let the naming of soon-to-be-dead-characters begin!

Winner of Enclave ARC!

***Apologies for the lateness! I picked a winner, hit publish on the post, and then took off to make dinner and something flubbed and the thing didn't post!!!!! ***

The winner of Ann Aguirre's awesome ARC is…

Beth, comment #29

Congrats! Please email me at larissaioneATgmailDOTcom or use the contact form above to send me your address!

Everyone else…stay tuned, because I have a fun Valentine's contest to post tomorrow!

Wanna Win Enclave?

First off, I have to say that I love Ann Aguirre's adult books, especially those she writes as Ava Gray. She has a bold, fearless voice that appeals to me.

As I like to say to her, she has teh ballz! No, Ann knows no fear when it comes to her writing.

So when she told me she had written a dystopian young adult novel, I was intrigued. I don't read a lot of young adult stuff, but I had to try hers, and when she put up an excerpt of Enclave, I was hooked. She graciously sent me an Advance Reader Copy (I might have begged,) and I immediately tore into it.

O.M.G.

Enclave is hands-down the best YA I've read. Oh, sure, I don't read a lot of YA, but here's the thing; it wasn't just the best YA…it is one of the best books, adult or YA, I've read in months. It's kind of a cross between The Road, The Walking Dead, and The Lord of the Flies, with kids trying to make their way in a post-apocalyptic world filled with Freaks (mutant humans who eat people,) disease, scarce food, harsh rules, and gangs of vicious thugs. It's grim, dark, gritty, disturbing…and utterly engrossing.

My 13 year-old son is reading it now, and can barely put it down. He'll have it finished tonight, so guess what? I'm going to send one lucky commenter this slightly-used (okay, we've read the hell out of it,) ARC. I've already pre-ordered a copy for my keeper shelf, so this ARC can be yours.

All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me what your favorite disaster/apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic/zombie movie or TV show is. I happen to love Independence Day as a disaster movie, and The Walking Dead for zombies, though I have to say, I'm a sucker for anything zombies. Or apocalypse.

So…what about you?

I'll announce the winner Thursday by 5 PM EST. Be sure to check back to see if you're the winner. Good luck!

Cool Contest(s)!

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoyed the Superbowl last night — I did, since the team I was rooting for won!

Anyway, today I have a couple of contests to steer you toward. First up, there's a fun interview at I Smell Sheep (love that name for a blog.) The generous ladies there are giving away the coolest prize pack:

Demon Dr. Prize Pack:

Yellow tote bag with a skull

Bandages 40 count

Large Bandages 6 count

Bag of Blood (candy)

Medical Tools (children's toy set)

Gummy body parts

*AND an ebook copy of Larissa Ione's Eternity Embraced

So head on over there to enter!

And then, over at the Order of Smut Vixens blog, they're doing this neato 14 Days of Love thing where "Love Bucks" that can be used to buy signed books. Today's preview of stuff is for Eidolon, Wraith, and Remy! Be sure to check it out!

And come back tomorrow, because I'll be holding a contest here for an ARC I just read that blew me away. You don't want to miss this!

Eternal Rider Video!

Look what Lea made for Eternal Rider! I think it's her best yet (I LOVE the pic of Ares with the fire behind him!)

She also made one with the UK cover that'll be made available by Piatkus, my UK publisher.

Anyway, I'm squeeing with happiness!

New Cover!

Isn't it gorgeous? Yayayayayayay!!!!

Okay, so what is it? It'll be the combined digital release of two individual short stories from The Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romance; Shiloh Walker's Don't Walk Away and Sydney Croft's Code Word: Storm.

Code Word: Storm is an ACRO story about Creed and Annika that fits into the ACRO series between book 1, Riding The Storm, and book 2, Unleashing The Storm.

So if you didn't pick up The Mammoth Book of Special Ops anthology and want to try a couple of stories or want the Creed and Annika story to round out your collection of ACRO books, you'll have your chance. Even better, you get Shiloh's story!

We'll let you know more when we have a firmer release timeframe, and then we'll be sure to tell you when it's up on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all the other ebook retailers!

Welcoming Back Zoe Winters!

Hi all!

Zoe and I have sort of done a blog swap — I was over at her place yesterday, and she's here today with a giveaway! Yay, Zoe!

Say hello, everyone!

~ INAPPROPRIATE HUMOR ~

Hi guys, it's great to be back at Larissa's blog to promote my new release, Save My Soul. The book is about an incubus who has been trapped by a fifty-year-old curse. His cabin fever has given way to a few strange, neurotic quirks. When Anna buys the house, at first she thinks it's haunted by a woman named Beatrice Stone. It's only later that she discovers she's got a big bundle of evil hotness living under her roof.

If it was me, I'd be OUT of there, do not pass go, do not collect $200. I'd put that house up for sale faster than I'd bought it and that would be the end of that. But Anna is incredibly stubborn. She's also big on the inappropriate humor. She uses bitchy snark and sarcasm to cover her fears and feelings of being overwhelmed, a trait Luc finds too adorable for words.

Rather than go all blah blah on you about it, why don't I give you a taste? This snippet is a scene featuring Anna, her best friend, Tam, and Luc:

When Anna returned, Tam was cozied up on the couch with the incubus. She cleared her throat, and the two of them looked up guiltily. Of course they were guilty. They looked far too snuggly together on the couch, talking like old lovers sharing inside jokes. If he thought he could sleep with her friends, he was insane. Feeding him did not include giving him access to every female she knew.

"Stay away from her." She wasn't sure if her voice shook from anger or fear.

He looked up, his expression mild. "Why? Are you jealous?"

"Oh yes, I'm jealous that you might suck the life right out of her. Pick me, please pick me," she said dryly.

"Really, nothing was going on," Tam said, stars still in her eyes.

Anna ignored her. She wasn't angry with her friend. Who could resist Luc? He had that nefarious thrall thing going on that he was probably using to make Anna jealous. Which wasn't working, by the way.

She grabbed Tam by the arm and had to practically drag her into the kitchen.

"He's so . . . wow," Tam said. Her voice was dreamy and breathless, like a Stepford Wife. That bastard had hypnotized her. Anna was going to find a way to rip his appendages from his body, starting with the one he needed most for survival.

"Yes, I have eyes. I can see him. But I'm not going to think about having sex with him because I have this thing called a survival instinct."

Tam's eyes lit up like she thought she was in on a secret. "You like him."

"I do not!"

"But there was banter. I saw it."

"We don't banter. We snark, and that's a completely different vibe," Anna said.

"He likes you. Didn't you see the way he looks at you?"

"You mean like a fancy restaurant he can't get a reservation at?"

Tam was drooling a little bit. "But just look at him . . . My God, the muscles he must have hidden under that shirt."

Anna rolled her eyes. "He's trying to seduce you."

The book isn't all snark, there's also a heavy dose of angst and drama, which I decided to focus on for the book trailer:

Book Trailer: Save My Soul by: Zoe Winters from Zoe Winters on Vimeo.

Save My Soul is available currently in ebook. Links can be found here. If you're looking for print, it should be available soon at Amazon and B&N. Or you can also order it from your local bookstore.

I'm also giving away a signed print copy of Save My Soul to one reader here (U.S. residents only, please), as well as a digital copy to another reader (international). To enter, just leave a comment and let me know if you're in the U.S. or international.

Thanks for reading!