Christine Feehan's Blog, page 17
July 26, 2018
Where to Start a Series: Sea Haven
Drake Sisters, Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven and Torpedo Ink
All of the books are written to be stand alone books, but a series is meant to offer a fuller experience, often with an additional story arc that ties them all together. It also allows a reader to become familiar with, not only characters, but with a location as well.
Sea Haven is a place in Northern California and the first time we learn about Sea Haven is with the Drake Sisters. These magical seven sisters are always there for each other though they all have very different occupations and lives. The series starts out very sweet, though there’s always an element of suspense in each story with varying levels of the paranormal. You can read any of the books and in any order but the final Drake Sisters book, Hidden Currents is darker and knowing what came before it might enhance your overall experience, but you’d still be able to understand the story even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series.
The bridge from the Drakes to the Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series is the community. Blythe, who is a cousin to the Drakes is in the Sea Haven series and so you have a small tie to the family. But, you do not have to read the Drake sisters series in order to read the Sea Haven series. Those characters will make an appearance occasionally, but not in a way that affects the story. They become secondary characters in a way. At least until the final book, Bound Together, where the Drakes play a bigger role.
Water Bound starts out the Sea Haven series and you learn there is a group of women tied together by their traumatic experiences. They met in group therapy and became so bonded they moved to Sea Haven and created a sort of compound or farm where each woman has their own home, but they live on the same property and help one another.
Like the Drake Sisters series, the women’s bond is caring and supportive and you feel like you could be best friends with them if you met them in real life. Each story is contemporary and brings with it a tale of suspense and/or danger. It isn’t until the final two books, Fire Bound and Bound Together, that we see the beginning of an overall story arc that ties up the series, but even then, you can read the books on their own and enjoy them.
Bound Together is a pivotal book. It completes the Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart Series (this series is officially called the Sea Haven series, but often is referred to as the Sisters of the Heart) and is a sort of entry to Torpedo Ink.
Torpedo Ink is the newest series that utilizes the Sea Haven area. Though the motorcycle club sets up shop in nearby Caspar, Sea Haven is the next town over and is visited or referred to. Blythe is again the link between a series, this time as the wife of Viktor, the president of Torpedo Ink.
Though it’s fun to get an introduction to the Torpedo Ink characters in Bound Together and to know Blythe and Viktor’s love story, Judgement Road introduces them again in a way that’s fresh and that allows you to read the book as a stand alone.
If you want to read the Torpedo Ink series you can start with the first Torpedo Ink series book, Judgment Road, but if you’d like the love story for the president of Torpedo Ink you will have to read Bound Together.
I would venture to say that each book is a stand alone with about 10% of the book referring to or containing information relevant to an overall series arc. It’s written in a way that you may not even notice that there’s this extra storyline. There’s no confusion that takes you out of the actual story of that particular book. It’s more like a story mosaic in which the pieces are beautiful on their own, but put together you see an additional story before you.
All of the books are written to be stand alone books, but a series is meant to offer a fuller experience, often with an additional story arc that ties them all together. It also allows a reader to become familiar with, not only characters, but with a location as well.
Sea Haven is a place in Northern California and the first time we learn about Sea Haven is with the Drake Sisters. These magical seven sisters are always there for each other though they all have very different occupations and lives. The series starts out very sweet, though there’s always an element of suspense in each story with varying levels of the paranormal. You can read any of the books and in any order but the final Drake Sisters book, Hidden Currents is darker and knowing what came before it might enhance your overall experience, but you’d still be able to understand the story even if you haven’t read the previous books in the series.
The bridge from the Drakes to the Sisters of the Heart/Sea Haven series is the community. Blythe, who is a cousin to the Drakes is in the Sea Haven series and so you have a small tie to the family. But, you do not have to read the Drake sisters series in order to read the Sea Haven series. Those characters will make an appearance occasionally, but not in a way that affects the story. They become secondary characters in a way. At least until the final book, Bound Together, where the Drakes play a bigger role.
Water Bound starts out the Sea Haven series and you learn there is a group of women tied together by their traumatic experiences. They met in group therapy and became so bonded they moved to Sea Haven and created a sort of compound or farm where each woman has their own home, but they live on the same property and help one another.
Like the Drake Sisters series, the women’s bond is caring and supportive and you feel like you could be best friends with them if you met them in real life. Each story is contemporary and brings with it a tale of suspense and/or danger. It isn’t until the final two books, Fire Bound and Bound Together, that we see the beginning of an overall story arc that ties up the series, but even then, you can read the books on their own and enjoy them.
Bound Together is a pivotal book. It completes the Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart Series (this series is officially called the Sea Haven series, but often is referred to as the Sisters of the Heart) and is a sort of entry to Torpedo Ink.
Torpedo Ink is the newest series that utilizes the Sea Haven area. Though the motorcycle club sets up shop in nearby Caspar, Sea Haven is the next town over and is visited or referred to. Blythe is again the link between a series, this time as the wife of Viktor, the president of Torpedo Ink.
Though it’s fun to get an introduction to the Torpedo Ink characters in Bound Together and to know Blythe and Viktor’s love story, Judgement Road introduces them again in a way that’s fresh and that allows you to read the book as a stand alone.
If you want to read the Torpedo Ink series you can start with the first Torpedo Ink series book, Judgment Road, but if you’d like the love story for the president of Torpedo Ink you will have to read Bound Together.
I would venture to say that each book is a stand alone with about 10% of the book referring to or containing information relevant to an overall series arc. It’s written in a way that you may not even notice that there’s this extra storyline. There’s no confusion that takes you out of the actual story of that particular book. It’s more like a story mosaic in which the pieces are beautiful on their own, but put together you see an additional story before you.
July 17, 2018
The Rules of Shadow Riding
The ability to travel using shadows in order to bring justice to those who deserve it isn’t as easy as it may sound. Cool, yes. Easy? No.
As I began world-building for the Shadow Rider series I realized I’d have to make some things complicated in order to have conflict both internally and externally. That would make things harder on me as the writer, but the stories would be more compelling.
First of all, there wouldn’t be a lot of Shadow Riders, but there would have to be some or having two Shadow Riders marry would become very complex. By the end of Shadow Reaper, the second in the Shadow Rider series, you realize there are other Riders all over the world. Ricco had been sent to train in Japan and there you discover there are a few families who have Shadow Riders. There are leaders of those families and there are rules of conduct. Over those families is a council, but I don’t talk much about that. Not yet.
The Ferraros always had abilities, but it wasn’t until the Saldis tried to wipe out the entire family that those who survived went to America to start over.
Not everyone born into the Ferraro family, or their extended family, can Ride the shadows. Not all of them have special abilities. Some are normal people. But, a few do have other abilities like being a human lie detector, which comes in handy when you’re an investigator for the family, or a greeter.
The way it works is that someone from the outside comes in to ask for justice that they feel they wouldn’t get, or they didn’t get, through regular law enforcement. That person is greeted and assessed and if the Ferraros take their case two investigative teams are assigned; one to investigate the accusation, the other to investigate the accuser. If the investigator finds evidence of injustice then it is decided how that justice will be meted out. That’s when a Shadow Rider is called in. They ARE justice.
Shadow Riders can sense each other, especially if they can see someone’s shadow. Shadows touch and the two Riders can get an impression of each other. Sometimes they can tell if the other person would be a good match for them. They may even feel compelled to claim this person, which is both good and bad.
Claiming that other person means you’re together forever. The penalty for divorce is steep. Lost memory for one; loss of Shadow Riding ability for the other.
Then there’s the training and riding itself. Training starts at age two and begins in the home. At a certain age the child is sent to train with other Shadow Riders and remains there until it’s felt that the training is complete. A Shadow Rider, even after he/she returns from training, trains daily. Their body and mind must be kept in top shape because the act of riding the shadows is severe on them.
As a Rider enters into a shadow their molecules are torn apart. Those molecules travel down the “tubes” which connect shadows and as the person exits the tube they are instantly reassembled. This process can be painful, especially if they are traveling fast or at great distance. While they’re inside the tube, reaching the place where they wish to exit, they must mentally remain aware since they have to find an appropriate shadow to exit from and this means choices must be made in a split second. Often, before going on a mission, Shadow Riders will be given floor plans or photographs of the place in which they must exit. Even knowing where things are and that the likelihood of there being shadows to choose from when they arrive at their destination, there are no guarantees that there won’t be people already in that area. They could exit and be killed the moment they’re solid again.
The physical and mental demands of Shadow Riding means that not everyone born a Rider can actually ride the shadows. We know in Shadow Rider, the first book in the series, that the youngest of the Ferarro brothers, Ettore Ferarro, was killed when he was forced by his parents to ride the shadows. He was just 16 years old.
Shadow Riders have their own set of rules and processes. These are put in place to ensure the law never catches up with them. They use the paparazzi as alibis and are not allowed to take justice into their own hands. Justice and how it is dealt with is something that must be agreed upon by the family unless there’s imminent danger.
It becomes even more complicated within the family structure itself and how the family conducts business. For example, if it is determined justice must be dealt in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles family would not do it. They need to keep away from trouble in their own city unless they’re defending themselves. So, the Ferraros from Chicago or New York would be assigned. Several members of that family would visit Los Angeles, making sure the paparazzi see them. The Shadow Rider who does the actual assassination is never seen in the city. They slip in, do what’s needed, and wait for the rest of the family to go home. Their presence is masked and the rest of the family is given alibis.
I’m not finished with the world-building for this series, so rules and processes may evolve as new stories require. But, this was a base to start with and so far I’ve enjoyed this fictional kick ass world.
As I began world-building for the Shadow Rider series I realized I’d have to make some things complicated in order to have conflict both internally and externally. That would make things harder on me as the writer, but the stories would be more compelling.
First of all, there wouldn’t be a lot of Shadow Riders, but there would have to be some or having two Shadow Riders marry would become very complex. By the end of Shadow Reaper, the second in the Shadow Rider series, you realize there are other Riders all over the world. Ricco had been sent to train in Japan and there you discover there are a few families who have Shadow Riders. There are leaders of those families and there are rules of conduct. Over those families is a council, but I don’t talk much about that. Not yet.
The Ferraros always had abilities, but it wasn’t until the Saldis tried to wipe out the entire family that those who survived went to America to start over.
Not everyone born into the Ferraro family, or their extended family, can Ride the shadows. Not all of them have special abilities. Some are normal people. But, a few do have other abilities like being a human lie detector, which comes in handy when you’re an investigator for the family, or a greeter.
The way it works is that someone from the outside comes in to ask for justice that they feel they wouldn’t get, or they didn’t get, through regular law enforcement. That person is greeted and assessed and if the Ferraros take their case two investigative teams are assigned; one to investigate the accusation, the other to investigate the accuser. If the investigator finds evidence of injustice then it is decided how that justice will be meted out. That’s when a Shadow Rider is called in. They ARE justice.
Shadow Riders can sense each other, especially if they can see someone’s shadow. Shadows touch and the two Riders can get an impression of each other. Sometimes they can tell if the other person would be a good match for them. They may even feel compelled to claim this person, which is both good and bad.
Claiming that other person means you’re together forever. The penalty for divorce is steep. Lost memory for one; loss of Shadow Riding ability for the other.
Then there’s the training and riding itself. Training starts at age two and begins in the home. At a certain age the child is sent to train with other Shadow Riders and remains there until it’s felt that the training is complete. A Shadow Rider, even after he/she returns from training, trains daily. Their body and mind must be kept in top shape because the act of riding the shadows is severe on them.
As a Rider enters into a shadow their molecules are torn apart. Those molecules travel down the “tubes” which connect shadows and as the person exits the tube they are instantly reassembled. This process can be painful, especially if they are traveling fast or at great distance. While they’re inside the tube, reaching the place where they wish to exit, they must mentally remain aware since they have to find an appropriate shadow to exit from and this means choices must be made in a split second. Often, before going on a mission, Shadow Riders will be given floor plans or photographs of the place in which they must exit. Even knowing where things are and that the likelihood of there being shadows to choose from when they arrive at their destination, there are no guarantees that there won’t be people already in that area. They could exit and be killed the moment they’re solid again.
The physical and mental demands of Shadow Riding means that not everyone born a Rider can actually ride the shadows. We know in Shadow Rider, the first book in the series, that the youngest of the Ferarro brothers, Ettore Ferarro, was killed when he was forced by his parents to ride the shadows. He was just 16 years old.
Shadow Riders have their own set of rules and processes. These are put in place to ensure the law never catches up with them. They use the paparazzi as alibis and are not allowed to take justice into their own hands. Justice and how it is dealt with is something that must be agreed upon by the family unless there’s imminent danger.
It becomes even more complicated within the family structure itself and how the family conducts business. For example, if it is determined justice must be dealt in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles family would not do it. They need to keep away from trouble in their own city unless they’re defending themselves. So, the Ferraros from Chicago or New York would be assigned. Several members of that family would visit Los Angeles, making sure the paparazzi see them. The Shadow Rider who does the actual assassination is never seen in the city. They slip in, do what’s needed, and wait for the rest of the family to go home. Their presence is masked and the rest of the family is given alibis.
I’m not finished with the world-building for this series, so rules and processes may evolve as new stories require. But, this was a base to start with and so far I’ve enjoyed this fictional kick ass world.
July 10, 2018
The Laws of Attraction for Shadow Riders
Shadow Riders are assassins who mete out justice, using shadows to travel. The Ferraro family is one of a few “Riders” worldwide, so rare that it is the duty of a Shadow Rider to marry and produce more Shadow Riders. If a Rider hasn’t found someone to marry by the time they reach a certain age then the family will arrange a marriage to an appropriate Rider of another family.
Not all Shadow Riders are born knowing they have that rare ability. When Sasha and Giovanni meet there aren’t enough shadows in the club to realize she’s a Rider, but Giovanni feels pulled toward her anyway. Sasha has no idea what she is, but she does realize she can tell when someone lies. Giovanni has his work cut out for him when they meet. And on more than one level.
But, when two Shadow Riders meet, their shadows move like serpent-wraiths, reaching out for each other. They can feel one another; know when someone is a Shadow Rider. They can also feel a compatibility with another Rider. Often this potential compatibility can be triggered by the sound of that person’s voice. Combined with the reaching and intertwining of their shadows, a Rider will feel something deep within him or her click into place and they will know this person belongs with them. Or potentially does.
If a Shadow Rider claims a mate and that mate rejects them, things become disastrous for both of them. The same goes for divorce. Should two Shadow Riders divorce, it rips their entwined shadows apart leaving one partner without their memory and the other partner unable to ride the shadows ever again. So, choosing someone who will fully accept a committed relationship is imperative.
It’s different if a Shadow Rider is widowed. With the partner deceased, the entwined shadows fade away and are not violently ripped apart as it happens with divorce. Though the partner may be sad, they could still re-marry and they lose nothing. They keep their memories and their ability to ride the shadows.
A Shadow Rider could marry a non-Shadow Rider if that person has the riding gene. Some of the Ferraro’s extended family are “Greeters” or “Investigators” and they have different gifts and abilities. Other Shadow Rider families in the world have these gifts and abilities and may hold a recessive Shadow Rider gene, but not have manifested in that person. Instead, that person could have a child with a Shadow Rider and their child could also end up a Rider.
We find out in Shadow Reaper there are Shadow Rider families and extended families all over the world. Training is often done outside of the family. Ricco was trained in Japan and we learn of powerful Shadow Rider families there. Riders throughout the world look to pair up, with or without the benefit of love, in order to produce more riders. An actual love-match isn’t easy to find.
So every chance encounter for any of the Ferraros could lead them to find a Shadow Rider who will match them. A mate. Love. All they need is a lot of luck and a lot of shadows.
Not all Shadow Riders are born knowing they have that rare ability. When Sasha and Giovanni meet there aren’t enough shadows in the club to realize she’s a Rider, but Giovanni feels pulled toward her anyway. Sasha has no idea what she is, but she does realize she can tell when someone lies. Giovanni has his work cut out for him when they meet. And on more than one level.
But, when two Shadow Riders meet, their shadows move like serpent-wraiths, reaching out for each other. They can feel one another; know when someone is a Shadow Rider. They can also feel a compatibility with another Rider. Often this potential compatibility can be triggered by the sound of that person’s voice. Combined with the reaching and intertwining of their shadows, a Rider will feel something deep within him or her click into place and they will know this person belongs with them. Or potentially does.
If a Shadow Rider claims a mate and that mate rejects them, things become disastrous for both of them. The same goes for divorce. Should two Shadow Riders divorce, it rips their entwined shadows apart leaving one partner without their memory and the other partner unable to ride the shadows ever again. So, choosing someone who will fully accept a committed relationship is imperative.
It’s different if a Shadow Rider is widowed. With the partner deceased, the entwined shadows fade away and are not violently ripped apart as it happens with divorce. Though the partner may be sad, they could still re-marry and they lose nothing. They keep their memories and their ability to ride the shadows.
A Shadow Rider could marry a non-Shadow Rider if that person has the riding gene. Some of the Ferraro’s extended family are “Greeters” or “Investigators” and they have different gifts and abilities. Other Shadow Rider families in the world have these gifts and abilities and may hold a recessive Shadow Rider gene, but not have manifested in that person. Instead, that person could have a child with a Shadow Rider and their child could also end up a Rider.
We find out in Shadow Reaper there are Shadow Rider families and extended families all over the world. Training is often done outside of the family. Ricco was trained in Japan and we learn of powerful Shadow Rider families there. Riders throughout the world look to pair up, with or without the benefit of love, in order to produce more riders. An actual love-match isn’t easy to find.
So every chance encounter for any of the Ferraros could lead them to find a Shadow Rider who will match them. A mate. Love. All they need is a lot of luck and a lot of shadows.
July 5, 2018
Shadow Keeper Round Up!
The ride's not over!
We've had a lot of fun with Shadow Keeper and I wanted to make sure you didn't miss any of it.
Here's a rundown of some of the fun things we've done for the book release.
Let me know what you enjoyed the most!
**********
Who is Your Shadow Rider Trainer? Take the Quiz!
**********
USA Today Happy Ever After Interview
**********
Amazon’s Best of the Month
**********
Shadow Keeper Book Trailer
**********
Read the First Chapter of Shadow Keeper
**********
Reader’s Entertainment Interview
**********
We've had a lot of fun with Shadow Keeper and I wanted to make sure you didn't miss any of it.
Here's a rundown of some of the fun things we've done for the book release.
Let me know what you enjoyed the most!
**********
Who is Your Shadow Rider Trainer? Take the Quiz!
**********
USA Today Happy Ever After Interview
**********
Amazon’s Best of the Month
**********
Shadow Keeper Book Trailer
**********
Read the First Chapter of Shadow Keeper
**********
Reader’s Entertainment Interview
**********
June 25, 2018
Where to Begin in the Series: GhostWalkers
The GhostWalkers are my second largest series with 14 books currently in that series and another one that I’m currently writing. As you likely know by now, I write all of my books to be stand alone stories. You can read them in any order and you’ll have a full story. But, like most series there is often an overall story arc that can enhance a reader’s overall enjoyment of the story of the GhostWalkers.
The GhostWalkers are military experiments gone awry. They were to be psychically enhanced, but many also had their DNA manipulated. Some of these super soldiers have brain bleeds and need “anchors” to help sooth them and keep them focused. The later experiments had more DNA splicing, but less defects.
There are four teams of GhostWalkers located in different areas around the United States. If you don’t want to start at the very beginning with team 1 you might consider starting with Viper Game, which has us in the Louisiana Bayou with team 4. Viper Game introduces us to some of the failed experiments made up of orphaned girls with strange DNA splicing/editing.
If you’d like to start even later in the series consider Power Game. This introduces us to a new set of women who are more closely tied to Whitney, the scientist who created the GhostWalker program and it expands into more international intrigue while still keeping us with team 4.
Again, keep in mind that you can read any of the GhostWalker books on their own and have a complete story. These are just some suggestions of starting points if you’re someone who wants to jump in later in a series.
The GhostWalkers are military experiments gone awry. They were to be psychically enhanced, but many also had their DNA manipulated. Some of these super soldiers have brain bleeds and need “anchors” to help sooth them and keep them focused. The later experiments had more DNA splicing, but less defects.
There are four teams of GhostWalkers located in different areas around the United States. If you don’t want to start at the very beginning with team 1 you might consider starting with Viper Game, which has us in the Louisiana Bayou with team 4. Viper Game introduces us to some of the failed experiments made up of orphaned girls with strange DNA splicing/editing.
If you’d like to start even later in the series consider Power Game. This introduces us to a new set of women who are more closely tied to Whitney, the scientist who created the GhostWalker program and it expands into more international intrigue while still keeping us with team 4.
Again, keep in mind that you can read any of the GhostWalker books on their own and have a complete story. These are just some suggestions of starting points if you’re someone who wants to jump in later in a series.
June 11, 2018
Interviewing Scott Nova- Giovanni Ferraro in Shadow Keeper
Actor and model Scott Nova has appeared in several of the trailers, including Dark Blood, Shadow Rider, Shadow Reaper and in the starring role of Giovanni Ferraro in Shadow Keeper. Scott was kind enough to agree to allow me to interview him in celebration of the release of Shadow Keeper.
Scott, what was your own feeling about playing a billionaire playboy like Giovanni?
SN -Well, first it was an honor to work with you again, and to continue portraying the “bad boy” of the family. I got to really just go deep down and pull out what a person would be like with almost limitless funds, and such a fantastic ability of how to travel and convey power. It was a lot of fun to do.
You co-star with veteran actor John Wells in Shadow Rider and join him again alongside Isaac Woofter in Shadow Reaper. What have you learned from these actors?
SN -Oh man, I’ve learned so much from John, it’s amazing how giving he is of knowledge and mentoring. I didn’t become as close of friends with Isaac during the filming of Reaper, but did pick up all sorts of tips and advice by watching and interacting with him during the day long shoot. John and I talk frequently, and I’ve tried like heck to keep up with his projects, but that man is BUSY! The first time John and I had a scene together, I froze up, lol and forgot my lines. So, John did them for me lol
What was it like for you to watch Shadow Keeper?
SN -Watching Shadow Keeper, like all the others, is so very cool. To be on screen with those great actors and actresses is fantastic and to simulate being able to have those powers, all the better.
You’ve played a Shadow Rider and a Carpathian, would you play a GhostWalker if given the chance? Or would you rather play a biker in the Torpedo Ink series?
SN -Well, with the current craze for motorcycle books and the heroes that are in them, I’d have to say that Torpedo Ink would be fun, but a GhostWalker is just bad! 😊 So, I’m not going to answer, I’m going to just say that I’m versatile enough for them all.
Have you had any fans recognize you from one of the trailers and if so, what was that experience like?
SN -Yeah, I’ve had fans of Christine’s work recognize me at conventions and so forth and it’s definitely a cool feeling to be recognized. I will say that it’s surreal in general to be chosen to be in her trailers and associated with her work, and so the fans wanting autographs from me because of it, is just the icing on the cake. But I never am bothered by fans, because if it weren’t for those readers and fans, I’d just be Scott the IT guy.
Where can people go to learn more about you?
SN -I’m currently redoing my website, it’s not up to the standards of todays models and I will host my stock photos that are purchasable for covers and other needs.
You can also always find me on the following Social Media:
Facebook = scottnovacm
Twitter = scottnovacm
IG = scott nova
Thank you, Scott for giving me some of your time for my blog.
Scott, what was your own feeling about playing a billionaire playboy like Giovanni?
SN -Well, first it was an honor to work with you again, and to continue portraying the “bad boy” of the family. I got to really just go deep down and pull out what a person would be like with almost limitless funds, and such a fantastic ability of how to travel and convey power. It was a lot of fun to do.
You co-star with veteran actor John Wells in Shadow Rider and join him again alongside Isaac Woofter in Shadow Reaper. What have you learned from these actors?
SN -Oh man, I’ve learned so much from John, it’s amazing how giving he is of knowledge and mentoring. I didn’t become as close of friends with Isaac during the filming of Reaper, but did pick up all sorts of tips and advice by watching and interacting with him during the day long shoot. John and I talk frequently, and I’ve tried like heck to keep up with his projects, but that man is BUSY! The first time John and I had a scene together, I froze up, lol and forgot my lines. So, John did them for me lol
What was it like for you to watch Shadow Keeper?
SN -Watching Shadow Keeper, like all the others, is so very cool. To be on screen with those great actors and actresses is fantastic and to simulate being able to have those powers, all the better.
You’ve played a Shadow Rider and a Carpathian, would you play a GhostWalker if given the chance? Or would you rather play a biker in the Torpedo Ink series?
SN -Well, with the current craze for motorcycle books and the heroes that are in them, I’d have to say that Torpedo Ink would be fun, but a GhostWalker is just bad! 😊 So, I’m not going to answer, I’m going to just say that I’m versatile enough for them all.
Have you had any fans recognize you from one of the trailers and if so, what was that experience like?
SN -Yeah, I’ve had fans of Christine’s work recognize me at conventions and so forth and it’s definitely a cool feeling to be recognized. I will say that it’s surreal in general to be chosen to be in her trailers and associated with her work, and so the fans wanting autographs from me because of it, is just the icing on the cake. But I never am bothered by fans, because if it weren’t for those readers and fans, I’d just be Scott the IT guy.
Where can people go to learn more about you?
SN -I’m currently redoing my website, it’s not up to the standards of todays models and I will host my stock photos that are purchasable for covers and other needs.
You can also always find me on the following Social Media:
Facebook = scottnovacm
Twitter = scottnovacm
IG = scott nova
Thank you, Scott for giving me some of your time for my blog.
June 6, 2018
Last Words on Writing
Thank you to everyone who has come to read my blog series on writing! This is the final in the series and I wanted to just wrap a few things up.
I’M A BOOK LOVER
I’ve always loved books. I love the written word. I’ve always admired authors. Those were my heroes. I spent, and continue to spend, thousands and thousands of hours reading. I would go to the library and even took a job in the library so I could be surrounded by books.
AMAZING MOMENTS FOR ME
To see one of my books published, to see my name on that book, it’s a magical thing. You often tell yourself, before you’re published that there’s no way that will ever be you. You think your book isn’t good enough or worthy enough.
I remember the first time I saw my book in a library that was a moment of such joy. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s my book in the library. I can’t believe my book is actually in the library!” It was so special because that was where I really started reading and getting books. Libraries were like a miracle to me and then to see my own book there, it was astonishing to me.
I remember going into a bookstore and buying some books and when I went to use my credit card the woman behind the counter says, “Oh my gosh, you’re Christine Feehan!” It was amazing to me because I was recognized and recognized as a writer.
Another amazing moment for me was when I was giving a talk to these high school students about writing. These teenagers had been bused in from various schools and they were all into writing. They wanted to be authors specifically. One of them said to me, “Well, we’re from a tiny town. It’s not like we know people or we can get our books even considered by anybody.” And I was so happy to say to her, “Did they not tell you? I graduated from this school. This is my school. I was born in this town and I was raised in this town and I graduated from this school.” I told them that I knew nobody in the business and that, in fact, I had made so many mistakes along the way it’s a wonder I got published. And that was this wonderful moment for me that I could tell someone something that would matter to them. Where they could look at me and see that, if I could do it, they could too.
BEST ADVICE AND FINAL THOUGHTS
I think the best advice that was ever given to me happened at the first conference I went to after Dark Prince was published. Jayne Ann Krentz sat me down and she said, “I think you’re going to be really successful and there are some things I’d like to talk to you about.” And one of the very first things she said was “You’re a business woman. You’re not just a creative artist, you’re a business woman and you have to take control of your career. So, you have to learn about the publishing industry.” And I realized that she was right and I’ve never been more thankful to anyone. She didn’t have to do that. But, she took the time to talk to a total stranger and that left such an impact on me. And, now, years later, if we’re at a conference at the same time we always make sure we touch base with each other. And I’ve always been able to email her with questions and she always guides me. She is a generous soul and I’ll always be immensely grateful to her.
I want to be the same way. So if an author asks me a question I make sure I give her the best advice I can. I think it’s important to pay it forward. You have to know that readers will read more than just one book. You can’t possibly write enough books to satisfy every reader. Authors don’t have to be in competition with each other. You can help one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re a writer, you’re a reader and you need to remember that writers want books to read too. We need to help each other for a lot of reasons. I will be forever grateful to Jayne for what she did for me.
If you're published please tell me about the first time you held your book in your hands!
If you're aspiring tell me which of these blogs were most helpful for you. I'd love to have some feedback!
Thank you!
I’M A BOOK LOVER
I’ve always loved books. I love the written word. I’ve always admired authors. Those were my heroes. I spent, and continue to spend, thousands and thousands of hours reading. I would go to the library and even took a job in the library so I could be surrounded by books.
AMAZING MOMENTS FOR ME
To see one of my books published, to see my name on that book, it’s a magical thing. You often tell yourself, before you’re published that there’s no way that will ever be you. You think your book isn’t good enough or worthy enough.
I remember the first time I saw my book in a library that was a moment of such joy. I kept thinking to myself, “That’s my book in the library. I can’t believe my book is actually in the library!” It was so special because that was where I really started reading and getting books. Libraries were like a miracle to me and then to see my own book there, it was astonishing to me.
I remember going into a bookstore and buying some books and when I went to use my credit card the woman behind the counter says, “Oh my gosh, you’re Christine Feehan!” It was amazing to me because I was recognized and recognized as a writer.
Another amazing moment for me was when I was giving a talk to these high school students about writing. These teenagers had been bused in from various schools and they were all into writing. They wanted to be authors specifically. One of them said to me, “Well, we’re from a tiny town. It’s not like we know people or we can get our books even considered by anybody.” And I was so happy to say to her, “Did they not tell you? I graduated from this school. This is my school. I was born in this town and I was raised in this town and I graduated from this school.” I told them that I knew nobody in the business and that, in fact, I had made so many mistakes along the way it’s a wonder I got published. And that was this wonderful moment for me that I could tell someone something that would matter to them. Where they could look at me and see that, if I could do it, they could too.
BEST ADVICE AND FINAL THOUGHTS
I think the best advice that was ever given to me happened at the first conference I went to after Dark Prince was published. Jayne Ann Krentz sat me down and she said, “I think you’re going to be really successful and there are some things I’d like to talk to you about.” And one of the very first things she said was “You’re a business woman. You’re not just a creative artist, you’re a business woman and you have to take control of your career. So, you have to learn about the publishing industry.” And I realized that she was right and I’ve never been more thankful to anyone. She didn’t have to do that. But, she took the time to talk to a total stranger and that left such an impact on me. And, now, years later, if we’re at a conference at the same time we always make sure we touch base with each other. And I’ve always been able to email her with questions and she always guides me. She is a generous soul and I’ll always be immensely grateful to her.
I want to be the same way. So if an author asks me a question I make sure I give her the best advice I can. I think it’s important to pay it forward. You have to know that readers will read more than just one book. You can’t possibly write enough books to satisfy every reader. Authors don’t have to be in competition with each other. You can help one another.
Keep in mind that if you’re a writer, you’re a reader and you need to remember that writers want books to read too. We need to help each other for a lot of reasons. I will be forever grateful to Jayne for what she did for me.
If you're published please tell me about the first time you held your book in your hands!
If you're aspiring tell me which of these blogs were most helpful for you. I'd love to have some feedback!
Thank you!
June 2, 2018
Marketing - Yes You Have To
I’ve heard some authors say “We shouldn’t have to do any marketing.” I’ve been at this for over 20 years now and I’ve always had to do my own marketing. I didn’t have a marketing team that did something for me in the beginning of my career. I could barely use a computer and I could hardly afford a computer back then. I knew very little about marketing. My very first books I doubt were marketed at all. Or they had very little done for them. I think it was pure luck that those books went anywhere.
Then, when I moved over to Berkeley there was little they did unless you were a big name like Nora Roberts. And Nora deserved it because she was fabulous, and I never begrudged her getting a lot of marketing. So, I’d sit around with friends, other authors and family and bounce marketing ideas around.
I was lucky to have innovative friends and if you are lucky enough to have that take advantage of that gift.
I did a lot of research because I realized just how important marketing is. And I’ve now given talks about marketing, so I’ve come a long way.
Now, I have a team, both my personal team and the publisher has a marketing team for me. There were challenges learning to work with the publisher’s team only because I’d never had to before, so there was a learning curve as the two teams started working together.
My personal team had always just experimented. If it worked, great. If it didn’t work, oh well. And sometimes you’d spend a little money on something and get a huge return. Sometimes you’d spend a lot of money and get nothing. I’m not sure that part of it has changed. You have to take chances.
I am a shy person as a rule so I started by going to the smaller conventions. That helped. So you can start small if you’re like me.
I was lucky to be surrounded by people who were willing to share ideas with me, and I’d share with them.
You do what you can do within the budget that you have. You try to have a group of innovative people that are willing to brainstorm with you. And you come up with fun, interesting, low-cost things you can do.
Then, when I moved over to Berkeley there was little they did unless you were a big name like Nora Roberts. And Nora deserved it because she was fabulous, and I never begrudged her getting a lot of marketing. So, I’d sit around with friends, other authors and family and bounce marketing ideas around.
I was lucky to have innovative friends and if you are lucky enough to have that take advantage of that gift.
I did a lot of research because I realized just how important marketing is. And I’ve now given talks about marketing, so I’ve come a long way.
Now, I have a team, both my personal team and the publisher has a marketing team for me. There were challenges learning to work with the publisher’s team only because I’d never had to before, so there was a learning curve as the two teams started working together.
My personal team had always just experimented. If it worked, great. If it didn’t work, oh well. And sometimes you’d spend a little money on something and get a huge return. Sometimes you’d spend a lot of money and get nothing. I’m not sure that part of it has changed. You have to take chances.
I am a shy person as a rule so I started by going to the smaller conventions. That helped. So you can start small if you’re like me.
I was lucky to be surrounded by people who were willing to share ideas with me, and I’d share with them.
You do what you can do within the budget that you have. You try to have a group of innovative people that are willing to brainstorm with you. And you come up with fun, interesting, low-cost things you can do.
May 23, 2018
Submitting Your Book
WHERE TO START
Online, most publishing houses have a whole submission criteria available and I recommend that people look that over. Really look at it. Send it in the way the publisher asks. Send the right type of book. For instance, you wouldn’t send erotica to a Christian publisher.
I recommend RWA. They have a list of good agents and are a great resource. And they have a lot of those guidelines listed on their site.
If you are doing self-publishing and need help with that I don’t know anything about it, so I’m not very helpful there, but I know there are a lot of others out there who can help with that.
You can pitch to agents and editors at conferences and you should. Remember they are looking for new voices. Don’t be afraid when you’re pitching. The reason a lot of these people go to a conference and participate in these pitching sessions is that they’re looking for fresh voices. They want to find you. So if you believe in yourself and your story you need to go there with confidence and say “Hey, this is my story” and pitch it.
THE THINGS NOT TO DO
These are the don’ts for submitting or pitching.
If you’re pitching at a conference don’t follow an editor or agent in a bathroom, and believe me, people do. Be professional. Reach out to them at appropriate times, during scheduled appointments or if they have a time they say they’re open for pitching.
Make sure your manuscript is the best that it can be and that it is finished. Don’t turn in a manuscript with notes that you’re going to finish it later, or notes that say “Will place love scene here”. Yes, that happens. Don’t be one of those people. Be respectful of the agent or editor’s time and be as ready as possible with your manuscript.
Make sure you’re a fit with whatever publishing company or agent you’re pitching to. Research it. Don’t just sign up for every agent available. That’s just lazy. Look into who that person is, what they are acquiring or what they take. Again, that goes back to being respectful of someone’s time.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Research to find a good fit for your book and for you. Look at what that publisher is putting out. Look at who that agent already represents. Do your homework to give yourself and your book the best chance at success.
Online, most publishing houses have a whole submission criteria available and I recommend that people look that over. Really look at it. Send it in the way the publisher asks. Send the right type of book. For instance, you wouldn’t send erotica to a Christian publisher.
I recommend RWA. They have a list of good agents and are a great resource. And they have a lot of those guidelines listed on their site.
If you are doing self-publishing and need help with that I don’t know anything about it, so I’m not very helpful there, but I know there are a lot of others out there who can help with that.
You can pitch to agents and editors at conferences and you should. Remember they are looking for new voices. Don’t be afraid when you’re pitching. The reason a lot of these people go to a conference and participate in these pitching sessions is that they’re looking for fresh voices. They want to find you. So if you believe in yourself and your story you need to go there with confidence and say “Hey, this is my story” and pitch it.
THE THINGS NOT TO DO
These are the don’ts for submitting or pitching.
If you’re pitching at a conference don’t follow an editor or agent in a bathroom, and believe me, people do. Be professional. Reach out to them at appropriate times, during scheduled appointments or if they have a time they say they’re open for pitching.
Make sure your manuscript is the best that it can be and that it is finished. Don’t turn in a manuscript with notes that you’re going to finish it later, or notes that say “Will place love scene here”. Yes, that happens. Don’t be one of those people. Be respectful of the agent or editor’s time and be as ready as possible with your manuscript.
Make sure you’re a fit with whatever publishing company or agent you’re pitching to. Research it. Don’t just sign up for every agent available. That’s just lazy. Look into who that person is, what they are acquiring or what they take. Again, that goes back to being respectful of someone’s time.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Research to find a good fit for your book and for you. Look at what that publisher is putting out. Look at who that agent already represents. Do your homework to give yourself and your book the best chance at success.
May 17, 2018
Book Editing
HOW EDITING IS DONE FOR ME
For me, I have a team who helps. I have a couple of people who, once I complete a chapter and have edited it, I send it to my personal assistant and a close friend. My friend reads mostly for content, but she’ll make notes along the way and perhaps catch a few errors and she sends that back to me. But, my personal assistant will do things like look up details from previous books and insert that in there for me. I write series and I can’t possibly remember what every person’s house looked like and things like that, so she looks it up and lets me know. She also has to look for any and all problems. Then she sends me notes. I get all that back and I go through it and do the edits. Once that’s completed I’ll then start to read the book from page one to the end just reading it like a normal book to make sure I feel that the story itself flows well and I can enjoy it. At this point, if I feel anything is wrong or could be better I’ll make changes to it at this time.
Then, the book goes to my editor. So I have an editor and a copy editor, so two people go over the book again and then they send it back to me. I have my personal assistant, Domini, go through it again and then she brings it to me and we go through it together and that’s where any inconsistencies are picked up. Once that’s done it goes back to my editor, Cindy, and the copy editor once more. And they go through it one more time. We get one final look through it and Domini and I go through that together, send it back and we’re done.
MISTAKES STILL HAPPEN
With all the editing that happens to a book mistakes inevitably get through. I have people write to me and say I need better copy editors, or I should hire them to do the editing, but I do have to say that I have never had one of those letters without finding errors in the letter.
People don’t realize that even the software that’s used for editing or formatting can bring in typos. I mean, there was one that automatically changed Gregori’s name to Oregon. Oregon? How can that happen? That was in the final edits, too! I’ll get the book and see these mistakes and wonder what the heck happened? I go back to that final manuscript that I turned in and that mistake isn’t there, but it’s in the book now. It happens. It does. And you have to learn to be okay with that.
MY OWN MISTAKES
It’s not the typos that get to me. What gets me are the mistakes I make when I’m researching. Like when I’m researching the Amazon River and put it on the wrong continent! That’s a major mistake and if all of us don’t catch it, which we didn’t, that’s a problem, but I get even one letter about that? Nope. Not one person pointed it out, when they will point out a small typo. I found it when I re-read the book and I became unglued and who made the mistake? Me.
Sometimes I’m researching ahead to the next book and I let that information seep into what I’m doing in the current book and that can be a problem. Any mistakes that happen like that are all on me.
FIXING MISTAKES
If we find mistakes we can sometimes get those fixed. It’s all according to circumstances. If I find it in one of my new books that will rollover (go into re-print later or hardback to paperback) I can usually get it fixed.
Not every company will fix mistakes. I’m lucky that the publisher I’m with now will. But, it’s costly to go in and make those changes, so sometimes you just have to live with it.
So it’s important to have so many eyes on that book, editing, making sure everything is consistent and correct, as possible.
For me, I have a team who helps. I have a couple of people who, once I complete a chapter and have edited it, I send it to my personal assistant and a close friend. My friend reads mostly for content, but she’ll make notes along the way and perhaps catch a few errors and she sends that back to me. But, my personal assistant will do things like look up details from previous books and insert that in there for me. I write series and I can’t possibly remember what every person’s house looked like and things like that, so she looks it up and lets me know. She also has to look for any and all problems. Then she sends me notes. I get all that back and I go through it and do the edits. Once that’s completed I’ll then start to read the book from page one to the end just reading it like a normal book to make sure I feel that the story itself flows well and I can enjoy it. At this point, if I feel anything is wrong or could be better I’ll make changes to it at this time.
Then, the book goes to my editor. So I have an editor and a copy editor, so two people go over the book again and then they send it back to me. I have my personal assistant, Domini, go through it again and then she brings it to me and we go through it together and that’s where any inconsistencies are picked up. Once that’s done it goes back to my editor, Cindy, and the copy editor once more. And they go through it one more time. We get one final look through it and Domini and I go through that together, send it back and we’re done.
MISTAKES STILL HAPPEN
With all the editing that happens to a book mistakes inevitably get through. I have people write to me and say I need better copy editors, or I should hire them to do the editing, but I do have to say that I have never had one of those letters without finding errors in the letter.
People don’t realize that even the software that’s used for editing or formatting can bring in typos. I mean, there was one that automatically changed Gregori’s name to Oregon. Oregon? How can that happen? That was in the final edits, too! I’ll get the book and see these mistakes and wonder what the heck happened? I go back to that final manuscript that I turned in and that mistake isn’t there, but it’s in the book now. It happens. It does. And you have to learn to be okay with that.
MY OWN MISTAKES
It’s not the typos that get to me. What gets me are the mistakes I make when I’m researching. Like when I’m researching the Amazon River and put it on the wrong continent! That’s a major mistake and if all of us don’t catch it, which we didn’t, that’s a problem, but I get even one letter about that? Nope. Not one person pointed it out, when they will point out a small typo. I found it when I re-read the book and I became unglued and who made the mistake? Me.
Sometimes I’m researching ahead to the next book and I let that information seep into what I’m doing in the current book and that can be a problem. Any mistakes that happen like that are all on me.
FIXING MISTAKES
If we find mistakes we can sometimes get those fixed. It’s all according to circumstances. If I find it in one of my new books that will rollover (go into re-print later or hardback to paperback) I can usually get it fixed.
Not every company will fix mistakes. I’m lucky that the publisher I’m with now will. But, it’s costly to go in and make those changes, so sometimes you just have to live with it.
So it’s important to have so many eyes on that book, editing, making sure everything is consistent and correct, as possible.
