Simone Sinna's Blog, page 55
December 17, 2012
This Tasmanian Devil more reindeer than were-devil!
Not sure a Christmas theme will work with my Were-Devils of Tasmania series (Were-Devils' Curse & Were-Devils' Revenge but its' fun thinking about it...)
December 16, 2012
December 13, 2012
Christmas Present suggestions...
I'm not sure this cat is impressed...but unlike the Burmese-Chinchilla I once had that liked getting up as high as possible, this one likes to crawl into everything! When he was a kitten he went into a cupboard and then a bag and he couldn't miaouw and we had no idea where he was. Took us a while to find him, and then we kept a close eye on him! Just as well as shortly after he shot out the front door at full pace and went straight into the pond...don't think he was bred for brains...
Started Christmas shopping yesterday and hoping to knock a lot over today after having made a list (yesterday was a lot of aimless wandering wondering why I had chosen a really hot day and why I hadn't thought about what I was buying...
For the Environmentally concious: a chicken or goat to a needy country via Oxfam. They get a card.
Kids: small Ugh boots in pink and jungle shades. They are a bit Bogan here in Aus but the rage in New York and kids ones are cute anywhere.
For the men: Alcohol (the finest of course excpet for the extended cousins once removed who are a bit redneck- slab of beer)
For anyone who had anything interesting coming up that has a logo. My daughtre has been doing amazing things online with attaching the logo to mugs and t-shirts that then get ordered and sent in two days. Don't you just love the internet!
For people you'd rather not see next year: the Melbourne Aquarium has a 'swim with the sharks' voucher.
And everyone else? I'll wander around and finally in a panic get the usual soaps...
My husband will have a few advance copies of The Rosie Project not out until Jan 30th, so some people will score that. I'm looking at the Stephanie Beauman erotica series and wonder if I slipped a different cover over them? The were-devil series is only e-book and I haven't worked out how to send an e-book to someone else's kindle!
Merry Christmas and have fun shopping!
December 9, 2012
All I want for Christmas....
Can't think what to get for Christmas? A cuddly version oft he above??? Well actually the tranformed version in Were-Devils' Curse of Were-Devils' Revenge would be rather nice! (http://www.bookstrand.com/simone-sinna )
December 5, 2012
Were-Devils...the rather well built adult male version
Just so we're clear... this is the version to take to bed with you ...(http://www.bookstrand.com/simone-sinna ) versus this one...
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20120409-23710.html
http://www.theage.com.au/national/clues-found-in-ancient-dna-shed-light-on-devilish-condition-20121205-2avw6.html
December 4, 2012
Cocktails with an author (or two)
What better way to celebrate a book-
The Rosie Project
by Graeme Simsion (not a launch, it doesn't come out until next year...) than a cocktail party? As my fictitious character of the Stephanie Beauman series (Embedded, Expose and Exclusive) I would say - bien sur. Perhaps not so natural in Australia but then this book does have the funniest cocktail scene I have ever read... (I am married to the author so I may be biased but other people have said it too!!!)
So here we are:
The Rosie Magarita
Let's get this staright- I love Margaritas but this one is named after the heroine, not me!
NOT a girly drink just because it;s pink!!!
Pink grapefruit, tequila, agave nectar and lime.
In Your Dreams Gene
Okay you are going to have to read the book, but let's say Gene has a project that involves different nationalities...
A bubbly combination of French and Puerto Rican and no regrets...
So here we are:
The Rosie Magarita
Let's get this staright- I love Margaritas but this one is named after the heroine, not me!
NOT a girly drink just because it;s pink!!!
Pink grapefruit, tequila, agave nectar and lime.In Your Dreams Gene
Okay you are going to have to read the book, but let's say Gene has a project that involves different nationalities...
A bubbly combination of French and Puerto Rican and no regrets...
November 25, 2012
Travels with an Author
The beauty about writing is you can do it anywhere. So when my partner, also an author, had to be in Sydney for a film (he started as a screen writer) and a cocktail party for his book The Rosie Project I said I'd go - naturally. Okay he's more successful than me as an author. I dream about cocktail parties where I swan around and Daniel Craig drops in. I mention this because 1. he was in Sydney recently and 2. I was picturing him as Jeffrey, the hero in Expose and Exclusive. If he did happen to come this would of course be awkward as 1. I'm not Stephanie (the heroine) and 2. My husband would be there. There is a reason romance books are fantasies (sigh).
So here we are in Sydney. A suite, right on Circular Quay. I have my computer. I have the final of the Were-Devils of Tasmania series (The Ghosts' Release) to edit, as well as three other fully finished first drafts of novels that need more work. I have been here three days and looked at one. Briefly. I have been listening to my husband reading The Rosie Project which goes to print next week. I have been making use of the scenery, the bar (gin and tonics on the balcony go down a treat), we have caught up with friends, I've checked out the market and been shopping. Who needs Daniel Craig?
Ah but then it was my husband that was here for the cocktail party and I was meant to be writing.
Maybe this is inspiration for the next book? Vampires invade Sydney? I look out into the blue sky and it just doesn't gel. The misty marketplace in Hobart was far better inspiration for the were-devils than this. A new series perhaps? This is Stephanie Beauman territory.
Since going down to two (well three when admin intervenes) days a week of paid work to write, I started writing up to twelve hours a day on the other five days. It didn't seem like work, or at least nnot until the editing. Looking at the work that has gone into the multiple edits of The Rosie Project (and we're still finding somethings that need clearing up or rewording) then yes, editing is serious time consuming work. It's exhausting and it isn't even my book. Ahha I have an excuse. Let's face it, this is all holiday...but that said just maybe the kernel of inspiration is there for the next book...
So here we are in Sydney. A suite, right on Circular Quay. I have my computer. I have the final of the Were-Devils of Tasmania series (The Ghosts' Release) to edit, as well as three other fully finished first drafts of novels that need more work. I have been here three days and looked at one. Briefly. I have been listening to my husband reading The Rosie Project which goes to print next week. I have been making use of the scenery, the bar (gin and tonics on the balcony go down a treat), we have caught up with friends, I've checked out the market and been shopping. Who needs Daniel Craig?
Ah but then it was my husband that was here for the cocktail party and I was meant to be writing.
Maybe this is inspiration for the next book? Vampires invade Sydney? I look out into the blue sky and it just doesn't gel. The misty marketplace in Hobart was far better inspiration for the were-devils than this. A new series perhaps? This is Stephanie Beauman territory.
Since going down to two (well three when admin intervenes) days a week of paid work to write, I started writing up to twelve hours a day on the other five days. It didn't seem like work, or at least nnot until the editing. Looking at the work that has gone into the multiple edits of The Rosie Project (and we're still finding somethings that need clearing up or rewording) then yes, editing is serious time consuming work. It's exhausting and it isn't even my book. Ahha I have an excuse. Let's face it, this is all holiday...but that said just maybe the kernel of inspiration is there for the next book...
November 21, 2012
Were-Devils of Tasmania - series continues!
Today I have been so busy with work (the paying variety - wall to wall meetings), so nice to come home to find Were-Devils' Revenge is available for pre-order (Yeah! The Ghosts' Return Accepted (3rd in the WereDevils of Tasmania series) and Were-Devils' Revenge (the second) out for preorder! http://www.bookstrand.com/were-devils-revenge AND the next in the series The Ghosts' Return has been accepted and due out early Feb- another cover to look forward to as well!
Were-Devils of Tasmania 2
Were-Devils’ Revenge
A curse from a doomed love torn apart by war and bigotry looks set to rebound, as Mac and Mitch Mortimer, two were-devils, are intent on exacting revenge for their dying sister against an ancient order of ghost vampires who infected her.On ghost territory in tropical Queensland, they come up against more than they bargain for—close encounters with the ghosts, a gathering of the ghost clan, and a matriarch with attitude, to say nothing of the feisty Gabriella Vitali, who they have both fallen for before they realize she’s one of the enemy. Gabriella in turn finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and her love for two men from the enemy clan who are threatening to kill those she loves. As prophesized, they are each faced with a choice that will either help end the curse or ensure it reverberates through generations to come. Will revenge or love triumph?
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 30,736 words
Story Excerpt
Mac smelt him before he saw him. All his senses were on alert and Mac felt his brother tense beside him. The blond Destroyer also had his arms around Gabriella, which didn’t help. It took all of Mac’s control not to transform and rip the man’s neck out.
“He’s a ghost?” Mitch whispered.
“Yes. And he knows what we are, too.”
“Shit.”
The brothers moved slowly toward the other end of the bar, watching Gabriella and the Destroyer.
“He can’t be Zachary,” said Mitch. “Not big enough.”
Mac had already come to this conclusion. It was hardly surprising that there were more. What they had decided to do in Cairns on Friday was get a sense of the size of the problem. Now it looked as though they might have an earlier opportunity.
“We can’t do anything here,” said Mitch.
“No,” Mac agreed. “Gabriella’s safety comes first.” He saw his brother’s expression. Until now he’d tried to hide the extent of his attraction.
“Shit,” said Mitch. “A Destroyer with the girl we both want. Fuck.”
The curse. Mac gripped the side of the bar. Both brothers had death on their minds at the moment. Was this the instinct that the prophecy said they had to overcome?
Mac didn’t reply because at that moment Gabriella was heading toward them. The blond man was leaning against the bar, eyes fixed in their direction.
“So are you boys planning on being social?”
Mac took a mouthful of beer and smiled tightly. “We didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You mean Wilson? He’s an old friend and comes along for the dancing.”
Mac barely heard her. Mitch replied. “Known him long?”
“Pretty much all my life,” said Gabriella. “He’s a local Cairns boy. I went to school with him.”
The brothers relaxed a little.
“Everyone knows everyone up here,” she added, frowning a little.
Mac tried smiling. “Big families?”
“Huge,” said Gabriella, laughing. “And not just the Italian Catholic ones. I have cousins and second cousins everywhere.”
“I guess no one wants to leave paradise,” said Mitch, whose smile looked completely natural. “Dance?”
The band was still setting up.
“I promised the first to Wilson,” said Gabriella awkwardly. “We usually do it as a bit of a show piece.”
“Then the second?”
“Absolutely! See you then.” Gabriella headed off to talk to one of the junior employees who had just dropped a box of cutlery.
The brothers looked at each other. It was going to be a long night but they’d have to wait until Wilson left before dealing with him.
Were-Devils of Tasmania 2
Were-Devils’ Revenge
A curse from a doomed love torn apart by war and bigotry looks set to rebound, as Mac and Mitch Mortimer, two were-devils, are intent on exacting revenge for their dying sister against an ancient order of ghost vampires who infected her.On ghost territory in tropical Queensland, they come up against more than they bargain for—close encounters with the ghosts, a gathering of the ghost clan, and a matriarch with attitude, to say nothing of the feisty Gabriella Vitali, who they have both fallen for before they realize she’s one of the enemy. Gabriella in turn finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and her love for two men from the enemy clan who are threatening to kill those she loves. As prophesized, they are each faced with a choice that will either help end the curse or ensure it reverberates through generations to come. Will revenge or love triumph?
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 30,736 words
Story Excerpt
Mac smelt him before he saw him. All his senses were on alert and Mac felt his brother tense beside him. The blond Destroyer also had his arms around Gabriella, which didn’t help. It took all of Mac’s control not to transform and rip the man’s neck out.
“He’s a ghost?” Mitch whispered.
“Yes. And he knows what we are, too.”
“Shit.”
The brothers moved slowly toward the other end of the bar, watching Gabriella and the Destroyer.
“He can’t be Zachary,” said Mitch. “Not big enough.”
Mac had already come to this conclusion. It was hardly surprising that there were more. What they had decided to do in Cairns on Friday was get a sense of the size of the problem. Now it looked as though they might have an earlier opportunity.
“We can’t do anything here,” said Mitch.
“No,” Mac agreed. “Gabriella’s safety comes first.” He saw his brother’s expression. Until now he’d tried to hide the extent of his attraction.
“Shit,” said Mitch. “A Destroyer with the girl we both want. Fuck.”
The curse. Mac gripped the side of the bar. Both brothers had death on their minds at the moment. Was this the instinct that the prophecy said they had to overcome?
Mac didn’t reply because at that moment Gabriella was heading toward them. The blond man was leaning against the bar, eyes fixed in their direction.
“So are you boys planning on being social?”
Mac took a mouthful of beer and smiled tightly. “We didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You mean Wilson? He’s an old friend and comes along for the dancing.”
Mac barely heard her. Mitch replied. “Known him long?”
“Pretty much all my life,” said Gabriella. “He’s a local Cairns boy. I went to school with him.”
The brothers relaxed a little.
“Everyone knows everyone up here,” she added, frowning a little.
Mac tried smiling. “Big families?”
“Huge,” said Gabriella, laughing. “And not just the Italian Catholic ones. I have cousins and second cousins everywhere.”
“I guess no one wants to leave paradise,” said Mitch, whose smile looked completely natural. “Dance?”
The band was still setting up.
“I promised the first to Wilson,” said Gabriella awkwardly. “We usually do it as a bit of a show piece.”
“Then the second?”
“Absolutely! See you then.” Gabriella headed off to talk to one of the junior employees who had just dropped a box of cutlery.
The brothers looked at each other. It was going to be a long night but they’d have to wait until Wilson left before dealing with him.
November 14, 2012
Book Covers
One of the most fun things about writing, after you've been accepted (which is awesome) and after the editing (oh well every job has a down side) is the arrival of the Book Cover. I now have five posters of my book covers on my wall. Siren asks you to describe the hero and heroine, any essential item or place in the book, any suggestions and anything you don't want. You then send it in, cross your fingers and a few weeks later it arrives.
It would be a great job, particularly if you got to dress the cover girls and guys (or undress as the case may be. Four of the five of my covers have bare chested men). See my other blog http://www.simonesinna.com/?p=38 for my fantasies about this!
So the feature of the clothes have been lack of them (some nice underwear). In Expose the story is about making a film called "Walk to the Stars" (my husband and I are currently writing this book!) set on the Camino de Santiago, across France and Spain. So the cover designer took this notion and has the heroine drapped over a camera on a stand. Gives the general idea rather well! In Exclusive the set in the Grand Prix Circuit and they've managed to find a car for the cover though I think its an F3 rather than an F1. Anyone who knows for sure, please tell me! In Were-Devils' Curse they managed to find a house almost exactly like I described, on clifftops. It sets the scene brialliantly.
My husband has his first book, The Rosie Project out in January in Australia (April in the UK and May in USA). He's sold the rights to over 20 countries - and has dsicovered they all do their own cover design. So he'll be able to have a wall (and bookshelf) of the same book but looking different! Its really interesting to see what different people make of the same story. So far he's onyl seen three: UK, Australia and Canada, but they are all totally different. Australia's started off with a rose (from the title an obvious choice and Rosie is the heroine) but it's a book guys will enjoy and they decided they didn't want to put men off. Hence now a bold bright modern cover. The British have gone for classic elegance (I rather like it, complete with a small lobster...yes there is sa reason for the lobster but you'll have to read it to find out why!) and Canada currently opting for unusual circles and comments. All very different and distinct. At least I'll know which airport I'm at by the bookstand...
It would be a great job, particularly if you got to dress the cover girls and guys (or undress as the case may be. Four of the five of my covers have bare chested men). See my other blog http://www.simonesinna.com/?p=38 for my fantasies about this!
So the feature of the clothes have been lack of them (some nice underwear). In Expose the story is about making a film called "Walk to the Stars" (my husband and I are currently writing this book!) set on the Camino de Santiago, across France and Spain. So the cover designer took this notion and has the heroine drapped over a camera on a stand. Gives the general idea rather well! In Exclusive the set in the Grand Prix Circuit and they've managed to find a car for the cover though I think its an F3 rather than an F1. Anyone who knows for sure, please tell me! In Were-Devils' Curse they managed to find a house almost exactly like I described, on clifftops. It sets the scene brialliantly.
My husband has his first book, The Rosie Project out in January in Australia (April in the UK and May in USA). He's sold the rights to over 20 countries - and has dsicovered they all do their own cover design. So he'll be able to have a wall (and bookshelf) of the same book but looking different! Its really interesting to see what different people make of the same story. So far he's onyl seen three: UK, Australia and Canada, but they are all totally different. Australia's started off with a rose (from the title an obvious choice and Rosie is the heroine) but it's a book guys will enjoy and they decided they didn't want to put men off. Hence now a bold bright modern cover. The British have gone for classic elegance (I rather like it, complete with a small lobster...yes there is sa reason for the lobster but you'll have to read it to find out why!) and Canada currently opting for unusual circles and comments. All very different and distinct. At least I'll know which airport I'm at by the bookstand...
November 10, 2012
The Earth Wins
I had this amazing lunch today. Fabulous Australian spring weather, sunshine but not too hot, a nice glass of pink bubbly. Great company with a lot of people I hadn't met before and our hostess who I don't know well but is wonderful and I left with her fabulous book I didn't even know she'd written called People behind the Wines of Heathcote (by Kate Hicks). I first met her when we got her to help out with a megaphone organising the extras in a film we were making. We had hired a nightclub and were filming two ball room scenes in one night. She worked hard.
But the other amazing thing was meeting Jerry Grayson and Sara Hine, a British couple who have just made this amazing IMAX movie The Earth Wins (http://www.theearthwins.com/ ). They were there straight after Katrina and the bush fires here in Victoria in 2009. He started as a helicopter pilot and has worked in movies for years, including James Bond (but sadly not with Daniel Craig). They also film the Grand Prix's and had been thinking of doing one in 3D. When he said this my jaw dropped. In Exclusive, my book out last month the British producer-director Jeffrey makes a 3D movie of the GP with Stephanie (same first intials as these two and in the first draft of the Stephanie Beauman series, she's British too...). They even look a bit like I described (just a little older, and okay he doesn't have Daniel Craig's eyes).
You can help sponsor it too with anything from one dollar to $10,000 for a producer credit. At least make sure you see it when it comes out, looks awesome.
http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/10820/description/0/0
But the other amazing thing was meeting Jerry Grayson and Sara Hine, a British couple who have just made this amazing IMAX movie The Earth Wins (http://www.theearthwins.com/ ). They were there straight after Katrina and the bush fires here in Victoria in 2009. He started as a helicopter pilot and has worked in movies for years, including James Bond (but sadly not with Daniel Craig). They also film the Grand Prix's and had been thinking of doing one in 3D. When he said this my jaw dropped. In Exclusive, my book out last month the British producer-director Jeffrey makes a 3D movie of the GP with Stephanie (same first intials as these two and in the first draft of the Stephanie Beauman series, she's British too...). They even look a bit like I described (just a little older, and okay he doesn't have Daniel Craig's eyes).
You can help sponsor it too with anything from one dollar to $10,000 for a producer credit. At least make sure you see it when it comes out, looks awesome.
http://www.pozible.com/index.php/archive/index/10820/description/0/0
