E.L. Tettensor's Blog

Big News!

It’s been AGES since I’ve updated the site — partly because I’m in the middle of a re-design, and partly because I’ve been waiting anxiously to drop some big news! At long last, I’ve finally been given the green light, so… drum roll please…

I have a new series, you guys!

That’s right — a brand new historical mystery series coming your way courtesy of St. Martin’s Press! Set in Gilded Age New York, the series follows intrepid housemaid Rose Gallagher, an Irish immigrant from Five Points, as she’s pulled into a mystery following the disappearance of her boss, a wealthy Fifth Avenue gentleman with a secret. Hijinks ensue! And because I’m me, you can count on plenty of paranormal shenanigans, and a hint of romance too. Downton Abbey meets X-Files, with a hint of Gangs of New York!

I’m super excited about this series and can’t wait to unleash it on the world. Stay tuned for news — including release date, final title, and cover!

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ASK ME ANYTHING!

Hey y’all, I’m doing my first ever ASK ME ANYTHING over at Reddit Fantasy today!

Have a question about me or my books? Wanna trade Game of Thrones theories? Discuss book recommendations? Debate the relative merits of burrata vs. ricotta? I am down for whatever. Stop by a drop a line!

I’ll be on and off throughout the day, so you can leave questions at any time, but I’ll be hanging out from 7 pm EDT for some real-time chat.

And if you’re inclined to share this grand news on FB and Twitter, I’d be oh-so-grateful!

Villain of the Month

THEY’RE HEEEEERE.

At last, I can finally announce my new feature series over at Pornokitsch.com: Villain of the Month!

For the next few months, I’ll be looking at some of fiction’s greatest villains on their own terms, in all their scheming, moustache-twisting, cat-stroking glory. Books, movies, TV, comics – all will be duly represented. There will be spandex and sceptres, robots and rednecks, dark lords and medical professionals and sinister accountants. They’ll be compared, contrasted, and then thrown into the ring for melee combat.

By what criteria, you ask? How will I mix Cersei’s apples with Loki’s sweet oranges? Read on!

Authors for Indies!

Calling all Canucks!

Did you know that Saturday April 30 is national Authors for Indies Day?

Who doesn’t love an independent bookstore? This Saturday, Canadian authors will show our appreciation for indies by volunteering as guest booksellers across the country. We’ll be chatting with customers, recommending books, reading, and generally horsing around.

If you’re in the Calgary area, I’ll be at Owl’s Nest Books between 2 and 3 pm. Drop by and say hi, and I’ll pick out a book for you! You can check out the store’s events page for more info.

You can also check out the Authors for Indies website for a list of participating stores and authors across the country.

And hey — even if you’re not in Canada, why not join us in spirit and drop by your local independent bookstore this weekend? They’d love to see you!

Lenoir Comes to the UK

E-Book editions of DARKWALKER and MASTER OF PLAGUES are finally available in the UK — complete with awesome new covers! To celebrate, DARKWALKER will be on sale at Amazon.uk for a mere £1.99 for a limited time.

Not to be outdone, Amazon.com is currently offering DARKWALKER for Kindle at a mere $1.66! You can’t even get a good meal in Kennian for that price.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

2015 was a really tough year, both professionally and personally. It brought some significant changes.

I lost two grandparents. Moved countries — twice. Hunkered down in a windowless hallway while a firefight between rival military factions raged up and down the street. After nearly a decade as an aid worker, I left my day job, a decision that had as much to do with my own mental health as my dream to become a full-time writer. In so doing, I left friends and colleagues behind in an unstable place with an uncertain future. Death never seemed very far away in 2015. It visited friends, colleagues, family — too many.

There were victories too. I published two books, Master of Plagues and The Bloodforged. I was nominated for the Compton Crook for Best First Novel in SF/F 2014 (Darkwalker) and the RT Magazine Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Epic Fantasy of 2015 (The Bloodforged). I finished writing The Bloodsworn, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. I also published an article I’m really proud of, When Mary Sue Failed the Bechdel Test, which bounced around the internet pretty widely. And though my books continue to fly farther under the radar than I’d like, they’ve been well received critically, which is cause for optimism.

All told, 2016 finds me in a very different place than January 2015, physically and emotionally. It’s hard to think of a time when my life was in greater flux. That’s scary, but also exhilarating.

I feel like I spent much of 2015 in retreat. Trying to get out of Burundi, out of my day job, out of a negative frame of mind. This year, I already feel like I’m moving toward something. And it’s awesome.

Watch out, 2016. I’m coming for you.

New York Comic Con!

Will you be attending this year’s NYCC? If not, I’m sad for you. It’s gonna be a blast. You should totally come next year!

If you are, swing by the Ace/Roc booth at 4 pm Thursday and I’ll sign some books for you! And if you can’t make that, send me a Tweet and maybe I can find you on the floor.

Then on Monday, check out this awesome multi-author signing event at Random House. Seriously, just look at this list of luminaries! Don’t forget to RSVP — full instructions at the bottom of the announcement.

See you there!

Review: Night Owl Reviews

Master of Plagues gets the four star treatment over at Night Owl Reviews. Stop by and take a look!

Darkwalker is a finalist for the 2015 Compton Crook Award!

Well how’s this for nice news to wake up to? DARKWALKER is a finalist for the 2015 Compton Crook Award for best debut novel of the year in SF/F!

Thanks to the BSFS for this honour!

Paranormal Road Trip

Today, From the Shadows walks you through the five spookiest places in Kennian, the world of Nicolas Lenoir. Stop by and take the tour!