Rachel Vincent's Blog, page 6
June 18, 2012
Guess what I finished?! (+ blog tour stop)
This week is packed with work for me. I have to finish and send off all the BIW blog tour posts--I'm dreadfully behind on that, because until two days ago I was busy FINISHING WITH ALL MY SOUL!!! I also have to start (and hopefully finish) rewriting the seventh/final Soul Screamers novel, because two days ago I FINISHED THE FIRST DRAFT OF WITH ALL MY SOUL!!!
And, my birthday is this week (I'll be 34) and I'm taking that day off. I'm also taking part of Friday off to go to a work function with No 1, then we're going to see Brave, and I'm excited, because I love the premise.
[Note: Yes, I watch animated movies. Not all animated movies. Just the good ones. We saw Madagascar III this weekend, and loved it. I love how they've managed to maintain the level of hilarity in all three of those movies and I LOVED the third as a series ender. It really brought things about full-circle. I may have taken notes. I am, after all, a writer. ;)]
Also, did I mention that I FINISHED WITH ALL MY SOUL? Because I totally did. The first draft, anyway. For those interested, here are the numbers:
I believe this is my 18th full-length novel written. (Three of those are "trunk" novels you'll likely never see.)WAMS is my second novel written in 2012, out of a projected four novels.It'll be my fifteenth full-length novel to hit the shelf (April 1, 2013).The rough draft weighed in at around 89,000 words, which is shorter than I expected, but I believe that makes it the longest SS novel, in rough draft form. I expect it to top 100,000 words in rewrites and revisions.With All My Soul was written in four weeks, over a five week span, with a week off near the end when I went to BEA and had company over. I managed 25,000 words a week for the first three of those weeks, but after my week off, I promptly forgot how I'd intended to end the book and spent several agonizing days trying to remember, which slowed me down drastically. (Note: I never remembered my original intentions and had to come up with something new, but I think it may actually be better than what little I remember of my original intent. What did I learn from that disaster? ALWAYS WRITE STUFF DOWN!)WAMS is the seventh and final full-length novel in the Soul Screamers series.
For those who will inevitably ask (and I love that you're all so interested!), yes, I have started both a new YA and a new adult project. No, I can't talk about them yet. Mira Books already owns the first book of the new adult project (it was the fourth of four books on my most recent contract, and the only one left to write), but the YA project has not yet sold. Because it hasn't gone out on submission yet. Because it's not done yet, and I want to sell it as a completed book, rather than as a proposal, so it will be as strong as possible.
I plan to finish the first books in both projects this calendar year, but it'll be tough, because I'll also have revisions for both OATH BOUND and WITH ALL MY SOUL.
And I'm sure that's all the business talk anyone wants to hear for now, so here's something fun: today's Before I Wake blog tour stop has an interview with me, and another chance to win a copy of the book and to be entered to win the grand prize! Go check it out and enter the giveaway!
Here are the previous posts:
Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun
Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog
Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy
And, my birthday is this week (I'll be 34) and I'm taking that day off. I'm also taking part of Friday off to go to a work function with No 1, then we're going to see Brave, and I'm excited, because I love the premise.
[Note: Yes, I watch animated movies. Not all animated movies. Just the good ones. We saw Madagascar III this weekend, and loved it. I love how they've managed to maintain the level of hilarity in all three of those movies and I LOVED the third as a series ender. It really brought things about full-circle. I may have taken notes. I am, after all, a writer. ;)]
Also, did I mention that I FINISHED WITH ALL MY SOUL? Because I totally did. The first draft, anyway. For those interested, here are the numbers:
I believe this is my 18th full-length novel written. (Three of those are "trunk" novels you'll likely never see.)WAMS is my second novel written in 2012, out of a projected four novels.It'll be my fifteenth full-length novel to hit the shelf (April 1, 2013).The rough draft weighed in at around 89,000 words, which is shorter than I expected, but I believe that makes it the longest SS novel, in rough draft form. I expect it to top 100,000 words in rewrites and revisions.With All My Soul was written in four weeks, over a five week span, with a week off near the end when I went to BEA and had company over. I managed 25,000 words a week for the first three of those weeks, but after my week off, I promptly forgot how I'd intended to end the book and spent several agonizing days trying to remember, which slowed me down drastically. (Note: I never remembered my original intentions and had to come up with something new, but I think it may actually be better than what little I remember of my original intent. What did I learn from that disaster? ALWAYS WRITE STUFF DOWN!)WAMS is the seventh and final full-length novel in the Soul Screamers series.
For those who will inevitably ask (and I love that you're all so interested!), yes, I have started both a new YA and a new adult project. No, I can't talk about them yet. Mira Books already owns the first book of the new adult project (it was the fourth of four books on my most recent contract, and the only one left to write), but the YA project has not yet sold. Because it hasn't gone out on submission yet. Because it's not done yet, and I want to sell it as a completed book, rather than as a proposal, so it will be as strong as possible.
I plan to finish the first books in both projects this calendar year, but it'll be tough, because I'll also have revisions for both OATH BOUND and WITH ALL MY SOUL.
And I'm sure that's all the business talk anyone wants to hear for now, so here's something fun: today's Before I Wake blog tour stop has an interview with me, and another chance to win a copy of the book and to be entered to win the grand prize! Go check it out and enter the giveaway!
Here are the previous posts:
Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun
Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin Paranormal Blog
Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy
June 15, 2012
Winner! New Cover! Blog tour!
I'm sorry it took me so long to determine a winner in the Before I Wake contest. You guys were so awesome and there were so many great entries, including many songs I'd never heard of, so there was some listening involved. But I've finally picked a winner!
But first, have you seen the Soul Screamers omnibus Volume 2 cover? Harlequin Teen revealed it yesterday, and here it is next to the volume 1 cover. I think they look amazing together!
It was my editor's idea for the Vol 2 cover to be a sort of negative of the Vol 1 cover, and the art department ran with it, and I could NOT be more pleased with the results.
Volume 2 comes out Dec 1, 2012 (I believe), just in time for holiday shopping, and it includes My Soul to Keep, My Soul to Steal, and the novella "Reaper," in print for the first time.
Also, today's stop on the Before I Wake blog tour includes a guest post from me, discussing how and why I kill off major characters. Check that out to enter to win a copy of Before I Wake and to enter for the grand prize, a BIW-themed iPod.
And now for the Before I Wake winner. She is...
Kayla Powell
Kayla, please email me (admin1AT rachelvincentDOTcom) with your shipping information, and we'll put your prize in the mail ASAP!
For those interested, here is Kayla's entry:
Her # 2 & 3 songs were perfect, and in fact, were already on my mental soundtrack, but it was her first song that made up my mind. I'd never heard of either the song One Life or the artist Hedley, but the lyrics were perfect, and the up-beat tone really captured the one real bright point of the story in If I Die. Thanks so much Kayla for introducing me to the song!
And thanks so much to everyone who entered! This was an awesome contest with really fantastic results for me--I discovered so many new songs!
But first, have you seen the Soul Screamers omnibus Volume 2 cover? Harlequin Teen revealed it yesterday, and here it is next to the volume 1 cover. I think they look amazing together!
It was my editor's idea for the Vol 2 cover to be a sort of negative of the Vol 1 cover, and the art department ran with it, and I could NOT be more pleased with the results.
Volume 2 comes out Dec 1, 2012 (I believe), just in time for holiday shopping, and it includes My Soul to Keep, My Soul to Steal, and the novella "Reaper," in print for the first time.
-----
Also, today's stop on the Before I Wake blog tour includes a guest post from me, discussing how and why I kill off major characters. Check that out to enter to win a copy of Before I Wake and to enter for the grand prize, a BIW-themed iPod.
-----
And now for the Before I Wake winner. She is...
Kayla Powell
Kayla, please email me (admin1AT rachelvincentDOTcom) with your shipping information, and we'll put your prize in the mail ASAP!
For those interested, here is Kayla's entry:
#1 Song: One Life
Artist: Hedley
When Kaylee knows that she doesn’t have much time left and she’s going to die.
WHOA
it’s a great big world and you’ll see
it could pass you by a light speed
you’ve got one life one life
don’t stop living up
WHOA
if it’s the last night in these streets
you would be a fool to take a seat
you’ve got one life
OH OH
one life OH OH
one life
don’t stop don’t stop living up
#2 Song: Awake and Alive
Artist: Skillet
I feel that this song has If I Die all over it, the meaning behind the lyrics has Kaylee’s story all over it, i think the song should start playing when Kaylee dies, and then she wakes up
I’m at war with the world
And they try to pull me into the dark
I struggle to find my faith
As I’m slipping from your arms
It’s getting harder to stay awake
And my strength is fading fast
You breathe into me at last
I’m awake, I’m alive
Now I know what I believe inside Now it’s my time
I’ll do what I want ’cause this is my life
#3 Song: You and Me
Artist: Lifehouse At the end where Kaylee and Todd are back together to again and playing during credits.
‘Cause it’s you and me
And all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
And it’s you and me
And all the other people
And I don’t know why I can’t keep my eyes off of you
Her # 2 & 3 songs were perfect, and in fact, were already on my mental soundtrack, but it was her first song that made up my mind. I'd never heard of either the song One Life or the artist Hedley, but the lyrics were perfect, and the up-beat tone really captured the one real bright point of the story in If I Die. Thanks so much Kayla for introducing me to the song!
And thanks so much to everyone who entered! This was an awesome contest with really fantastic results for me--I discovered so many new songs!
June 11, 2012
A funny thing happened on the way home from BEA (+ blog tour)
First, with the release the
Before I Wake
blog tour kicks off today, with my guest post at Fiktshun's site, listing my top five favorite-to-write Soul Screamers scenes (SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS!) as well as page numbers for some of my favorite scenes in Before I Wake (in case you're curious when you get your copy). The full blog tour schedule is listed, with links, at the end of this post. Don't forget to check it out!
So, it’s been a while since I posted, and here’s why. Last week was INSANE. As most of you know, last week I spent two days at Book Expo America, which was awesome, as usual, and even more so this year because I managed to pack two signings, three meetings, and dinner and a Broadway show with my editor into just those two days. Unfortunately, because my trip was so short, I was only able to see several writing friends in drive-by style greetings between signings and meetings, and now that things have calmed down, I’m really disappointed by that. But it couldn’t be helped this time. I had to hurry home for a family weekend and a house full of guests. Which was awesome.
My best friend (Kim Haynes, photographer extraordinaire) and her family came down for a long weekend, and we spent two days in a row showing her kids the wonders that comprise Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where I was seen in public in a bathing suit, which was only worth it because I got to play with Kim’s baby (Jace!!!) in the pool! He is such a sweetheart! And I don’t know where that kid gets so much energy! He was go-go-go! all day long. Every day. Good thing he is SUCH a doll! As are his older brother and sister, two of my favorite kiddos in the world.
Kim and her family went home on Saturday afternoon, and I spent most of the next day and a half brainstorming my new adult series, which I got to discuss with my editor in person at BEA last week. That’s become one of my favorite parts of BEA—getting to discuss my upcoming works with my agent and editor.
Speaking of which, I had the most awesome breakfast meeting ever with my (awesome! amazing! brilliant!) agent, Merrilee Heifetz, who is both amazing and brilliant. And also, awesome.
But after all the awesome signings (there were way more people than books) and meetings and before all the Six Flags fun, there was my disastrous trip home from NYC. Here’s how that went:
I got on a plane at JFK and promptly fell asleep on the runway (I was exhausted from all the awesome), then woke up an hour later to find that we were still on the runway. The pilot said there were huge weather delays at D/FW (where I had a layover) and that in order to fly around the weather, we’d have to make an unscheduled stop in Kansas City for more fuel. Why we couldn’t get more fuel at JFK is beyond me.
The plane took off and flew us to Kansas City, where we were given granola (but no water) by the flight crew and were informed that we probably wouldn’t miss our connections at D/FW because they were all horribly backed up. The plane lost some passengers in Kansas City and gained a few more, then we took off for D/FW.
When we landed in Dallas, we sat on the plane for THREE HOURS. They handed out more granola, but again, no water, so I had no way to take the prescription anti-inflammatory my doctor gave me for sciatica. Which was irritated by sitting on the same plane for eight hours (by the end).
My connecting flight was delayed, then delayed again, then delayed some more, while we waited for a gate. At one point, the pilot said there was only one open gate at D/FW and at least THIRTY waiting planes. We could see them lined up out the window.
It was after 12:30 am when they finally let us off the plane. The line of people waiting to schedule connections and presumably get hotel vouchers was HUNDREDS of people long (remember those 30 waiting planes?) so I skipped it. No 1. had already scheduled me for a flight to Austin early the next morning (the same morning, as it was already past midnight?) and I was willing to pay for my own hotel, if that would get me out of the airport. (I heard the next morning, from fellow passengers, that American Airlines set up cots for many of them IN THE AIRPORT.) So I headed down to baggage claim. I’d had to check my suitcase because a souvenir gift took up too much room in my bag, forcing me to carry my conference bag as a carryon.
Yet when all the suitcases were unloaded, I realized mine was missing. When I asked about it, I was informed that it was on its way to San Antonio. Without me. So my bag and my guests were in San Antonio, but I was stuck in Dallas. At 1:30 in the morning. With no hotel room, because they were all booked.
But No. 1 and my best friend worked their internet magic from San Antonio and booked a room for me. The last room, I was told, at the Hilton Garden Inn. So I stood in line for a cab. For another hour. No cabs came, in all that time, and the line of people kept growing. So No 1. called Dallas’s Yellow Cab company and told them to send 30+ cabs to the airport. A few minutes later, a line of cabs showed up. When my turn came, I got in and headed to the Hilton. Where I was informed (at 2:30 am) that there were no empty rooms at all. There was some kind of system error at the central booking office which was showing openings at multiple hotels, none of which actually existed.
The night clerk was very nice, and she called some other hotels and found a room for me. Then she called me another cab. While I was waiting for this new cab, another woman arrived from the airport with a phantom reservation. She found a room at the Omni, which was farther away, but had plenty of openings. We decided to share a cab.
That may be the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
When the cab arrived, we got in and the driver promptly SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF US BOTH. In retrospect, I can see that I should have gotten out of the cab and waited for another. But at nearly 3 in the morning, in a city not my own, with a flight scheduled for five and a half hours later, I didn’t even notice something was wrong until we were already on the road. At which point the driver (who hadn’t turned on the meter) demanded fifteen dollars up front from each of us. When we refused to pay up front, he threatened to kick us out of the cab. At 3 am in Dallas. On the side of the road. Then he insisted he didn’t have change and pulled into a gas station where he wanted us to go in and get change. We decided then that we didn’t want change, so he proceeded to ask us personal questions on the way to the other woman’s hotel, despite the fact that mine was closer.
She called her husband from the cab, and I called No 1 (and scared him to death) to let them know where we were, and that sudden violent death might be imminent. Looking back, I realize that sounds melodramatic (and I didn't spell that out in front of the driver), but in the moment, it felt very real. This driver was scary.
When I realized he’d taken us to her hotel first and that I would then be alone in a cab with no number that I could see, no credit card machine, and no running meter, I decided that I’d rather sleep in her hotel’s lobby than stay in the cab and hope I actually got to my room. So I threw a twenty at the driver and fled the cab. Fortunately, the Omni had a room for me too, so I paid $200 (with fees) for the privilege of a two hour nap, before I had to get up and head back to the airport, where a plane took me not to San Antonio (they couldn’t get me directly there for another day) but to Austin, where No 1 and my best friend’s husband picked me up and took me home.
I’d had two hours sleep. No 1 hadn’t had much more. But we spent the next two days at Six Flags, determined to have fun. And we did! But when Kim and I got off of the Goliath (roller coaster) I had a text message from my bank, informing me of suspicious activity. Someone had been using a fraudulent debit card with my account number on it and was treating herself to dinner and shopping, straight from my bank account. If I hadn't gotten cash from an ATM in Dallas within an hour of one of her charges in a completely different state, who knows how long it would have been before anyone (including me) noticed.
So...long delays, missed flight, expensive 2-hour nap, psychotic cab driver, missing luggage, wrong-city arrival, and a stolen debit card. If that's not a comedy of errors (minus the comedy) I don't know what is.
My bag has since been found, and No 1. will bring it home from the San Antonio airport after work today. And with any luck, that’ll stand in memory as the worst travel day I’ve ever had.
Who? Me? Nervous about next year’s trip to Australia? Never….! ;)
Here's the full schedule for the Before I Wake blog tour. Check in each day for a daily chance to win and for a grand prize, at the end!
Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun
Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin
Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy
Monday, June 18th - I'm Just Sitting Here and Read
Tuesday, June 19th Book Birthday - Book Soulmates
Wednesday, June 20th - Late Bloomer Online Friday, June 22nd - Mimi Valentine
Monday, June 25th - Tynga's Reviews
Wednesday, June 27th - The Page Turners
Friday, June 29th- A Cupcake and A Latte
-----
So, it’s been a while since I posted, and here’s why. Last week was INSANE. As most of you know, last week I spent two days at Book Expo America, which was awesome, as usual, and even more so this year because I managed to pack two signings, three meetings, and dinner and a Broadway show with my editor into just those two days. Unfortunately, because my trip was so short, I was only able to see several writing friends in drive-by style greetings between signings and meetings, and now that things have calmed down, I’m really disappointed by that. But it couldn’t be helped this time. I had to hurry home for a family weekend and a house full of guests. Which was awesome.
My best friend (Kim Haynes, photographer extraordinaire) and her family came down for a long weekend, and we spent two days in a row showing her kids the wonders that comprise Six Flags Fiesta Texas, where I was seen in public in a bathing suit, which was only worth it because I got to play with Kim’s baby (Jace!!!) in the pool! He is such a sweetheart! And I don’t know where that kid gets so much energy! He was go-go-go! all day long. Every day. Good thing he is SUCH a doll! As are his older brother and sister, two of my favorite kiddos in the world.
Kim and her family went home on Saturday afternoon, and I spent most of the next day and a half brainstorming my new adult series, which I got to discuss with my editor in person at BEA last week. That’s become one of my favorite parts of BEA—getting to discuss my upcoming works with my agent and editor.
Speaking of which, I had the most awesome breakfast meeting ever with my (awesome! amazing! brilliant!) agent, Merrilee Heifetz, who is both amazing and brilliant. And also, awesome.
But after all the awesome signings (there were way more people than books) and meetings and before all the Six Flags fun, there was my disastrous trip home from NYC. Here’s how that went:
I got on a plane at JFK and promptly fell asleep on the runway (I was exhausted from all the awesome), then woke up an hour later to find that we were still on the runway. The pilot said there were huge weather delays at D/FW (where I had a layover) and that in order to fly around the weather, we’d have to make an unscheduled stop in Kansas City for more fuel. Why we couldn’t get more fuel at JFK is beyond me.
The plane took off and flew us to Kansas City, where we were given granola (but no water) by the flight crew and were informed that we probably wouldn’t miss our connections at D/FW because they were all horribly backed up. The plane lost some passengers in Kansas City and gained a few more, then we took off for D/FW.
When we landed in Dallas, we sat on the plane for THREE HOURS. They handed out more granola, but again, no water, so I had no way to take the prescription anti-inflammatory my doctor gave me for sciatica. Which was irritated by sitting on the same plane for eight hours (by the end).
My connecting flight was delayed, then delayed again, then delayed some more, while we waited for a gate. At one point, the pilot said there was only one open gate at D/FW and at least THIRTY waiting planes. We could see them lined up out the window.
It was after 12:30 am when they finally let us off the plane. The line of people waiting to schedule connections and presumably get hotel vouchers was HUNDREDS of people long (remember those 30 waiting planes?) so I skipped it. No 1. had already scheduled me for a flight to Austin early the next morning (the same morning, as it was already past midnight?) and I was willing to pay for my own hotel, if that would get me out of the airport. (I heard the next morning, from fellow passengers, that American Airlines set up cots for many of them IN THE AIRPORT.) So I headed down to baggage claim. I’d had to check my suitcase because a souvenir gift took up too much room in my bag, forcing me to carry my conference bag as a carryon.
Yet when all the suitcases were unloaded, I realized mine was missing. When I asked about it, I was informed that it was on its way to San Antonio. Without me. So my bag and my guests were in San Antonio, but I was stuck in Dallas. At 1:30 in the morning. With no hotel room, because they were all booked.
But No. 1 and my best friend worked their internet magic from San Antonio and booked a room for me. The last room, I was told, at the Hilton Garden Inn. So I stood in line for a cab. For another hour. No cabs came, in all that time, and the line of people kept growing. So No 1. called Dallas’s Yellow Cab company and told them to send 30+ cabs to the airport. A few minutes later, a line of cabs showed up. When my turn came, I got in and headed to the Hilton. Where I was informed (at 2:30 am) that there were no empty rooms at all. There was some kind of system error at the central booking office which was showing openings at multiple hotels, none of which actually existed.
The night clerk was very nice, and she called some other hotels and found a room for me. Then she called me another cab. While I was waiting for this new cab, another woman arrived from the airport with a phantom reservation. She found a room at the Omni, which was farther away, but had plenty of openings. We decided to share a cab.
That may be the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.
When the cab arrived, we got in and the driver promptly SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF US BOTH. In retrospect, I can see that I should have gotten out of the cab and waited for another. But at nearly 3 in the morning, in a city not my own, with a flight scheduled for five and a half hours later, I didn’t even notice something was wrong until we were already on the road. At which point the driver (who hadn’t turned on the meter) demanded fifteen dollars up front from each of us. When we refused to pay up front, he threatened to kick us out of the cab. At 3 am in Dallas. On the side of the road. Then he insisted he didn’t have change and pulled into a gas station where he wanted us to go in and get change. We decided then that we didn’t want change, so he proceeded to ask us personal questions on the way to the other woman’s hotel, despite the fact that mine was closer.
She called her husband from the cab, and I called No 1 (and scared him to death) to let them know where we were, and that sudden violent death might be imminent. Looking back, I realize that sounds melodramatic (and I didn't spell that out in front of the driver), but in the moment, it felt very real. This driver was scary.
When I realized he’d taken us to her hotel first and that I would then be alone in a cab with no number that I could see, no credit card machine, and no running meter, I decided that I’d rather sleep in her hotel’s lobby than stay in the cab and hope I actually got to my room. So I threw a twenty at the driver and fled the cab. Fortunately, the Omni had a room for me too, so I paid $200 (with fees) for the privilege of a two hour nap, before I had to get up and head back to the airport, where a plane took me not to San Antonio (they couldn’t get me directly there for another day) but to Austin, where No 1 and my best friend’s husband picked me up and took me home.
I’d had two hours sleep. No 1 hadn’t had much more. But we spent the next two days at Six Flags, determined to have fun. And we did! But when Kim and I got off of the Goliath (roller coaster) I had a text message from my bank, informing me of suspicious activity. Someone had been using a fraudulent debit card with my account number on it and was treating herself to dinner and shopping, straight from my bank account. If I hadn't gotten cash from an ATM in Dallas within an hour of one of her charges in a completely different state, who knows how long it would have been before anyone (including me) noticed.
So...long delays, missed flight, expensive 2-hour nap, psychotic cab driver, missing luggage, wrong-city arrival, and a stolen debit card. If that's not a comedy of errors (minus the comedy) I don't know what is.
My bag has since been found, and No 1. will bring it home from the San Antonio airport after work today. And with any luck, that’ll stand in memory as the worst travel day I’ve ever had.
Who? Me? Nervous about next year’s trip to Australia? Never….! ;)
-----
Here's the full schedule for the Before I Wake blog tour. Check in each day for a daily chance to win and for a grand prize, at the end!
Monday, June 11th- Fiktshun
Wednesday, June 13th - Harlequin
Friday, June 15th- All Things Urban Fantasy
Monday, June 18th - I'm Just Sitting Here and Read
Tuesday, June 19th Book Birthday - Book Soulmates
Wednesday, June 20th - Late Bloomer Online Friday, June 22nd - Mimi Valentine
Monday, June 25th - Tynga's Reviews
Wednesday, June 27th - The Page Turners
Friday, June 29th- A Cupcake and A Latte
June 1, 2012
Teen-only BIW giveaway (+announcements)
I have just a couple of things to announce before we get to the Teen-Only Before I Wake giveaway...
First, it's June 1, which means that if you couldn't get Shadow Bound (adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance) before, you should be able to get it now, if you live in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, I believe. Including e-book format. So...for those of you who have your copy, I hope you like it!
I've been getting a lot of confused and surprised reactions lately to the fact that I don't always know where/when my books are out. Sometimes I forget that publishing details like that are not common knowledge to readers/reviewers, so here's the deal:
I know my US print release dates. Those are the big dates. The ones they set 12-18 months ahead of time.Sometimes I know the ebook dates (those are usually on the first of the month following the print "shelf date"). But that is not always the case. Sometimes I don't know the ebook is out until readers tell me they have it.My books release in Canada at the same time and in the same formats as they do in the US (though some parts of Canada also get a French translation that may not come until later).I usually have no information on foreign release dates (including UK and Australia) until someone from those countries writes to tell me my book is coming out or it occurs to me to ask one of my overseas publishers. And it rarely occurs to me to ask, because I have thirteen books in print in the US (not counting the omnibus or short stories) and they come out at many different times, in many different countries, as much as 5-6 years after the US release. So I don't even have a starting point, in most cases. Nor do I know which publishers to ask, in most cases. This is because my US publisher has world rights to my books, which means they can choose to or not to license the foreign rights to whomever they want. And I don't always get the message when that happens. My editor doesn't even always get the message, because Harlequin is like the hydra of publishing. There are so many different heads, each responsible for a different aspect of the business, that communication often works on a delay. Keep in mind that HQ works with HUNDREDS of authors at a time, and it's very difficult to keep each one of us up to date on every single aspect, with every single book.I rarely know that a book of mine is in printed ARC format or available on NetGalley until someone tells me (or some arrive in the mail, which doesn't always happen). That someone is usually a reader/reviewer. That's just the way it goes. Things slip through the cracks, and I do my best to keep up.
Okay, so that may be more than you ever wanted to know about publishing, from the author's perspective.
First, it's June 1, which means that if you couldn't get Shadow Bound (adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance) before, you should be able to get it now, if you live in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, I believe. Including e-book format. So...for those of you who have your copy, I hope you like it!
-----
I've been getting a lot of confused and surprised reactions lately to the fact that I don't always know where/when my books are out. Sometimes I forget that publishing details like that are not common knowledge to readers/reviewers, so here's the deal:
I know my US print release dates. Those are the big dates. The ones they set 12-18 months ahead of time.Sometimes I know the ebook dates (those are usually on the first of the month following the print "shelf date"). But that is not always the case. Sometimes I don't know the ebook is out until readers tell me they have it.My books release in Canada at the same time and in the same formats as they do in the US (though some parts of Canada also get a French translation that may not come until later).I usually have no information on foreign release dates (including UK and Australia) until someone from those countries writes to tell me my book is coming out or it occurs to me to ask one of my overseas publishers. And it rarely occurs to me to ask, because I have thirteen books in print in the US (not counting the omnibus or short stories) and they come out at many different times, in many different countries, as much as 5-6 years after the US release. So I don't even have a starting point, in most cases. Nor do I know which publishers to ask, in most cases. This is because my US publisher has world rights to my books, which means they can choose to or not to license the foreign rights to whomever they want. And I don't always get the message when that happens. My editor doesn't even always get the message, because Harlequin is like the hydra of publishing. There are so many different heads, each responsible for a different aspect of the business, that communication often works on a delay. Keep in mind that HQ works with HUNDREDS of authors at a time, and it's very difficult to keep each one of us up to date on every single aspect, with every single book.I rarely know that a book of mine is in printed ARC format or available on NetGalley until someone tells me (or some arrive in the mail, which doesn't always happen). That someone is usually a reader/reviewer. That's just the way it goes. Things slip through the cracks, and I do my best to keep up.
Okay, so that may be more than you ever wanted to know about publishing, from the author's perspective.
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There's been a glitch with the UK release of "Never To Sleep," which was supposed to be downloadable today. They're telling me that it is just a glitch, and that the story should be available on June 8th, at the latest. So...sorry about that! But the good folks at Mira Ink are on top of the problem. ;)
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Now for the Teen-only giveaway! If you're a teen (19 or younger) and you'd like to win an entire set of Soul Screamers print novels, signed, click on the link below, read the rules, and fill out the form. If you know of a teen who might like to win the entire series (novels, US print editions), feel free to spread the word. The contest ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday June 3.
Do you already have some or all of the books? Great! If you win, you can give your extra copies to a friend!
Click here to enter the giveaway.
May 31, 2012
Reminder; Progress
Is it just me, or does time seem to slip by faster and faster the older we get? I'm pretty sure last year lasted longer than this year seems to be, and the one before was even longer than that. Regardless, somehow we've come to the last day of May, so I need to remind everyone that today is the LAST day to purchase "Never To Sleep" and know that my royalties from your purchase will go to St. Jude's Children's hospital. I will be donating all of the royalties from the first six months' sales (minus any taxes owed) as soon as I am paid, which won't be for several more months. The details are here.
Some things to keep in mind about "Never To Sleep":
Pirated copies and illegally bought copies (yes, these exist--some e-pirates actually CHARGE for illegal copies) won't benefit the charity, because neither my publisher nor I will see any profit from those, thus there will be nothing for me to donate from them."Never To Sleep" is available only in electronic format at the moment"Never To Sleep" is not yet available outside the US (that I know of). I'm sorry about that. There's nothing I can do about that. It's a territorial rights issue, and way beyond anything I can control. The story can't/won't be published in any other countries until my publishers in those countries buy/exercise the rights to publish it in their territory. (And I believe the UK will be publishing it very soon.) I can't speed that process up, but you can, by writing to ask the publisher in your territory to publish it.
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Next Monday, I leave for Book Expo America. If you're going to be there and are interested, On June 5, at the Harlequin booth, I'll be signing copies of the Soul Screamers omnibus Vol 1 at 11 am for the HQTeen hour (with several other HQTeen authors) and Shadow Bound at 1 pm for the paranormal hour (with several other Mira and HQN authors). This'll be a short trip for me--I'm leaving early for a family obligation--but I hope to see some of you there.
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In other news, I'm chugging right along on the WITH ALL MY SOUL manuscript. I've made my goal every day this week so far, except for Tuesday, which was disastrous (regarding word count) because it was full of family and social obligations. So I'll have to make up 3000 words of that day's goal this weekend. Here's where it stands now.
62,235 / 100,000
(62.24%)
In looking at that word count meter and thinking back to the first couple of Soul Screamers books, I'm hyper-aware that if this book were as short as those, I'd only have 10,000 words left to write. I'd be finishing this up in the next two days. Alas, that is not the case. Fortunately it's going quickly, and I'm making notes of emotional high-points and scene details that need to be fleshed out in the rewrites.
Since I now have finished copies of Before I Wake (have I shown you those here yet?), I should give some away! Check back tomorrow for a teen-only giveaway of THE ENTIRE SERIES so far (Volume 1 - book 5, US edition). If you know a teen who likes the series, or who might like the series, please feel free to spread the word. Later I'll do a no-restrictions giveaway, but I want to take care of the teens (the target audience) first.
Okay, I'm off to work! Have a great Thursday!
Some things to keep in mind about "Never To Sleep":
Pirated copies and illegally bought copies (yes, these exist--some e-pirates actually CHARGE for illegal copies) won't benefit the charity, because neither my publisher nor I will see any profit from those, thus there will be nothing for me to donate from them."Never To Sleep" is available only in electronic format at the moment"Never To Sleep" is not yet available outside the US (that I know of). I'm sorry about that. There's nothing I can do about that. It's a territorial rights issue, and way beyond anything I can control. The story can't/won't be published in any other countries until my publishers in those countries buy/exercise the rights to publish it in their territory. (And I believe the UK will be publishing it very soon.) I can't speed that process up, but you can, by writing to ask the publisher in your territory to publish it.
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Next Monday, I leave for Book Expo America. If you're going to be there and are interested, On June 5, at the Harlequin booth, I'll be signing copies of the Soul Screamers omnibus Vol 1 at 11 am for the HQTeen hour (with several other HQTeen authors) and Shadow Bound at 1 pm for the paranormal hour (with several other Mira and HQN authors). This'll be a short trip for me--I'm leaving early for a family obligation--but I hope to see some of you there.
-----
In other news, I'm chugging right along on the WITH ALL MY SOUL manuscript. I've made my goal every day this week so far, except for Tuesday, which was disastrous (regarding word count) because it was full of family and social obligations. So I'll have to make up 3000 words of that day's goal this weekend. Here's where it stands now.
62,235 / 100,000
(62.24%)
In looking at that word count meter and thinking back to the first couple of Soul Screamers books, I'm hyper-aware that if this book were as short as those, I'd only have 10,000 words left to write. I'd be finishing this up in the next two days. Alas, that is not the case. Fortunately it's going quickly, and I'm making notes of emotional high-points and scene details that need to be fleshed out in the rewrites.
-----
Since I now have finished copies of Before I Wake (have I shown you those here yet?), I should give some away! Check back tomorrow for a teen-only giveaway of THE ENTIRE SERIES so far (Volume 1 - book 5, US edition). If you know a teen who likes the series, or who might like the series, please feel free to spread the word. Later I'll do a no-restrictions giveaway, but I want to take care of the teens (the target audience) first.
Okay, I'm off to work! Have a great Thursday!
May 23, 2012
Post-release chaos (+ live chat)
I have just two quick things for you today, because I'm so massively behind on word count. New releases are awesome, but they're also stressful and time consuming, and when you add real life to the equation... Well, the short version is that I didn't make my word count yesterday, and now I'm playing catchup.
So... Today, I've written a behind-the-scenes craft post (spoiler free) about how I crafted Kori as a character, and how very difficult it was to write from inside her head. You can read that here, at the HQ blog.
And...tonight is the My Soul To Steal spoiler chat! All are welcome. We'll be discussing all of the Soul Screamers books up to and including both My Soul To Steal and the novella "Reaper." (No spoilers from If I Die!) So if you've been looking for an opportunity to discuss the mara everyone loves to hate, or the Kaylee/Nash/Sabine drama. Or anything else relevant to the series up to that point, join us!
The chat is at 6pm (Eastern time zone). I will post a live link here, about half an hour early, and you're welcome to check in and chat from that point on, while I get everything set up.
I hope to see you there!
So... Today, I've written a behind-the-scenes craft post (spoiler free) about how I crafted Kori as a character, and how very difficult it was to write from inside her head. You can read that here, at the HQ blog.
And...tonight is the My Soul To Steal spoiler chat! All are welcome. We'll be discussing all of the Soul Screamers books up to and including both My Soul To Steal and the novella "Reaper." (No spoilers from If I Die!) So if you've been looking for an opportunity to discuss the mara everyone loves to hate, or the Kaylee/Nash/Sabine drama. Or anything else relevant to the series up to that point, join us!
The chat is at 6pm (Eastern time zone). I will post a live link here, about half an hour early, and you're welcome to check in and chat from that point on, while I get everything set up.
I hope to see you there!
May 22, 2012
Shadow Bound is out today!!!
Shadow Bound is out today! Mostly. I'm hearing reports that the US paperback version is available most places, and that some of the ebook versions have been released. Other ebook versions and some non-US English versions may not release until June 1.I currently have no information about foreign language editions or audio editons, but I suspect the audio will be available soon. All my other books are in audio.
I've posted a giveaway on the Deadline Dames site today, and the one here is still going on too, so you have at least two chances to win a free, signed copy.
You can find the official back cover blurb here, and that page also contains a link to the first two chapters in PDF format, which you're welcome to read for free, whenever you want, however many times you want.
Today, I'm celebrating the Shadow Bound release by writing another 5,000 words in WITH ALL MY SOUL. And maybe with an extra cup of coffee. ;)
Six days into writing (I took the weekend off), the book stands thus:
30,537 / 100,000
(30.54%)
I'm very pleased with the progress, and I'll be even more pleased if I actually make my goal today. This is a very busy day for me, with the new release and a personal obligation. I was up working until midnight last night, and I'd like to pack it in earlier today. So...we'll see.
And, today I actually have a line from what I wrote yesterday, with a name deleted to avoid spoilers. Be warned, though, that this is rough draft. This snippet could change drastically or be deleted entirely before the book ever sees print. Here goes, from chapter eight of WITH ALL MY SOUL:
"Even scarier was the fact that I had yet to find a limit to what I’d be willing to do to protect him. To keep him with me. To keep us together. I’d spent most of my life setting boundaries. Lines I wouldn’t cross. Lines I wouldn’t let others cross.
With [redacted], there were no boundaries."
Okay, that's it! Happy Shadow Bound release day to me! And happy Shadow Bound release day to you too!
May 18, 2012
To clarify...
Okay, I'm seeing some problems with the entries coming in for the current Shadow Bound contest (details and the entry form for that can be found here) and I've had to delete three entries so far. So let me explain what seems to be confusing people.
First, the link you leave in the form needs to be a direct link to the post you want to show me . If I click on the link and it takes me to the front page of your blog, where I can scroll down and eventually find your post about Shadow Bound (and everything else you've ever posted) your entry won't count. Your link needs to show ONLY the Shadow Bound post. Because I won't be checking most of these for a while, and your newer posts will cover up your Shadow Bound post, and I just don't have time to scroll back through all the posts looking for the one I need to see.
Second, if you decide to do the B option (a review), the review has to be for Shadow Bound. Not for Blood Bound. And it needs to be a review by YOU not someone else's review that you've linked to. I know that Shadow Bound isn't out yet, so those of you who didn't get ARCs can't review it yet. But the book comes out in paperback on May 22 and in e-format on June 1st. The contest runs until June 5, which means you'll have AT LEAST five days (possibly much longer) to review the book and enter your review in the contest.
Make sense? If any of that isn't clear, leave me your questions here and I'll answer them.
The irony? Rafflecopter is now up. After I've already hosted the contest in a Google Doc. ;)
In writing news, I barely made last night's writing goal. There were real-life interruptions, but I'm not going to make excuses. There are always real-life interruptions, and when that happens, I work until the goal is met. Which means I was working until nearly midnight. But... Ta da!
20,566 / 100,000
(20.57%)
I'm a fifth of the way through the book (at least) in four days. Today I'll hit the 25,000 word mark, which will put me a quarter of the way through the book. The weekend will be spent with family, recharging so I can keep up this pace for the next three weeks.
Whew!
First, the link you leave in the form needs to be a direct link to the post you want to show me . If I click on the link and it takes me to the front page of your blog, where I can scroll down and eventually find your post about Shadow Bound (and everything else you've ever posted) your entry won't count. Your link needs to show ONLY the Shadow Bound post. Because I won't be checking most of these for a while, and your newer posts will cover up your Shadow Bound post, and I just don't have time to scroll back through all the posts looking for the one I need to see.
Second, if you decide to do the B option (a review), the review has to be for Shadow Bound. Not for Blood Bound. And it needs to be a review by YOU not someone else's review that you've linked to. I know that Shadow Bound isn't out yet, so those of you who didn't get ARCs can't review it yet. But the book comes out in paperback on May 22 and in e-format on June 1st. The contest runs until June 5, which means you'll have AT LEAST five days (possibly much longer) to review the book and enter your review in the contest.
Make sense? If any of that isn't clear, leave me your questions here and I'll answer them.
The irony? Rafflecopter is now up. After I've already hosted the contest in a Google Doc. ;)
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In writing news, I barely made last night's writing goal. There were real-life interruptions, but I'm not going to make excuses. There are always real-life interruptions, and when that happens, I work until the goal is met. Which means I was working until nearly midnight. But... Ta da!
20,566 / 100,000
(20.57%)
I'm a fifth of the way through the book (at least) in four days. Today I'll hit the 25,000 word mark, which will put me a quarter of the way through the book. The weekend will be spent with family, recharging so I can keep up this pace for the next three weeks.
Whew!
May 17, 2012
Shadow Bound release contest!
Well, Rafflecopter seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird, which is frustrating, because I just tried to use it for the first time yesterday. But since it's not working (AT ALL), I guess we'll have to go back to good ole Google Docs.
So, here's the new Shadow Bound contest:
Up for grabs: Winner's choice of a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound OR a signed copy of Before I Wake (all US print editions).
How to enter:
Details:
You may enter once for A and once for B, for a total of two entries.Each entry must be made separately. So, if you posted a new release announcement (A), you would enter that on the form, then enter AGAIN with your review post if you're also doing a review (B).You may cross-post your review or announcement as many times as you like, but you can only enter one of those links as your entry, for A, and one for B.Neither your new release announcement nor your review may be posted on a YA only site. Shadow Bound is NOT a young adult book.International entries are welcome.This contest is void where prohibited.If you are under 18 years of age, you MUST have a parent or guardian's permission to enter and to provide a shipping address if you win. Shadow Bound is NOT a young adult book.Please allow 2 weeks for shipping of the prize inside the US; 4 weeks for international shipping.
This contest will run through June 5, 2012. There will be two winners, chosen at random from the entries.
To enter, fill out the form found here.
I wrote another 5,100+ words last night, but it was tough. Yesterday was full of real-life obligations and internet frustrations, which meant I was still writing at 11 pm. But I made it. I'm hoping for an earlier finish tonight.
I'm REALLY tempted to post my favorite non-spoilery line from yesterday's work, but really, any line I post will be spoilery, because it will help you figure out who survived Before I Wake. So there probably won't be any quotes for a while.
Here's my writing progress bar.
15,504 / 100,000
(15.5%)
So, here's the new Shadow Bound contest:
Up for grabs: Winner's choice of a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound OR a signed copy of Before I Wake (all US print editions).
How to enter:
A. Post the Shadow Bound cover image, back cover description, and at least one legitimate buy link (Amazon, B&N, IndieBound, etc...) on your blog as a new release post. Leave the direct link to your post in the entry form. Must be done between now and June 5th. The necessary information, image, and links can ALL be found here.
B. Post a review of Shadow Bound (Goodreads, Amazon, your blog, etc...) and leave the direct link to your review in the entry form. Must be done between now and June 5th.
Details:
You may enter once for A and once for B, for a total of two entries.Each entry must be made separately. So, if you posted a new release announcement (A), you would enter that on the form, then enter AGAIN with your review post if you're also doing a review (B).You may cross-post your review or announcement as many times as you like, but you can only enter one of those links as your entry, for A, and one for B.Neither your new release announcement nor your review may be posted on a YA only site. Shadow Bound is NOT a young adult book.International entries are welcome.This contest is void where prohibited.If you are under 18 years of age, you MUST have a parent or guardian's permission to enter and to provide a shipping address if you win. Shadow Bound is NOT a young adult book.Please allow 2 weeks for shipping of the prize inside the US; 4 weeks for international shipping.
This contest will run through June 5, 2012. There will be two winners, chosen at random from the entries.
To enter, fill out the form found here.
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I wrote another 5,100+ words last night, but it was tough. Yesterday was full of real-life obligations and internet frustrations, which meant I was still writing at 11 pm. But I made it. I'm hoping for an earlier finish tonight.
I'm REALLY tempted to post my favorite non-spoilery line from yesterday's work, but really, any line I post will be spoilery, because it will help you figure out who survived Before I Wake. So there probably won't be any quotes for a while.
Here's my writing progress bar.
15,504 / 100,000
(15.5%)
May 16, 2012
I'm going overseas! (+ contest)
As promised, my new travel news...
The Australian Romance Readers Convention has invited me to be one of their keynote speakers for 2013! Which means I'll be in Brisbane, Australia early next March speaking, signing books, and meeting readers! This'll be my first trip out of the US, and I'm very excited! Thanks so much for having me, ARRC!
I am hoping to get to do some sightseeing and maybe another small event or two before the con, but I don't have any concrete plans in place for that yet, but, Australia, I will keep you updated when and if those opportunities arise.
Also, Shadow Bound comes out in less than a week! I'm both nervous and very, very excited. Please note, however, that while May 22 is the release date, Shadow Bound is officially considered a June release, so some stores may not have it on the shelf until June 1. However, in my experience, most stores shelve/sell books early, and most pre-orders ship early as well.
To help get the word out about the release, I'm having a contest. (Winner's choice of a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound OR an early copy of Before I Wake).
NOTE: Raffelcopter doesn't seem to be working at the moment, to my EXTREME frustration. As soon as the problem is resolved, I'll repost the form. Please check back later.
Click the link above for details (includes posting about Shadow Bound during the release week, with an option to post a review for extra entries). You do not have to follow me online to enter, nor do you have to post or tweet about the contest. But you do have to follow the directions listed on the form.
In other, slightly less exciting news, I wrote another 5,200 words on WITH ALL MY SOUL yesterday (including the first kissing scene) and am still pleased with the progress. The most frustrating part for me so far is that it's way to early to share my favorite lines from the manuscript. Here's how my progress looks on the progress bar:
10,327 / 100,000
(10.33%)
Questions about the contest or my upcoming Australian appearance? Leave them here...
The Australian Romance Readers Convention has invited me to be one of their keynote speakers for 2013! Which means I'll be in Brisbane, Australia early next March speaking, signing books, and meeting readers! This'll be my first trip out of the US, and I'm very excited! Thanks so much for having me, ARRC!
I am hoping to get to do some sightseeing and maybe another small event or two before the con, but I don't have any concrete plans in place for that yet, but, Australia, I will keep you updated when and if those opportunities arise.
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Also, Shadow Bound comes out in less than a week! I'm both nervous and very, very excited. Please note, however, that while May 22 is the release date, Shadow Bound is officially considered a June release, so some stores may not have it on the shelf until June 1. However, in my experience, most stores shelve/sell books early, and most pre-orders ship early as well.
To help get the word out about the release, I'm having a contest. (Winner's choice of a signed copy of both Blood Bound and Shadow Bound OR an early copy of Before I Wake).
NOTE: Raffelcopter doesn't seem to be working at the moment, to my EXTREME frustration. As soon as the problem is resolved, I'll repost the form. Please check back later.
Click the link above for details (includes posting about Shadow Bound during the release week, with an option to post a review for extra entries). You do not have to follow me online to enter, nor do you have to post or tweet about the contest. But you do have to follow the directions listed on the form.
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In other, slightly less exciting news, I wrote another 5,200 words on WITH ALL MY SOUL yesterday (including the first kissing scene) and am still pleased with the progress. The most frustrating part for me so far is that it's way to early to share my favorite lines from the manuscript. Here's how my progress looks on the progress bar:
10,327 / 100,000
(10.33%)
Questions about the contest or my upcoming Australian appearance? Leave them here...
