What's New From Josh? Showing 751-800 of 2,852

[Salsera1974]

Josh wrote: "Especially when it comes to historical, which just doesn't sell in any significant way. You do historical for the love of the genre. But it sells a fraction of what contemporary does."

That's really interesting. Is that a feature of the romance genre, or is that particular to m/m? I ask because it seems (from my uneducated perspective) like historical is super popular in the m/f world (God knows I used to inhale the historical novels!). You couldn't go into a bookstore without tripping over historical novels. If the lack of interest is particular to the m/m genre, why is that, do you think? Do you think it is because the ability to get a HEA in the historical context is so limited that readers might not be willing to give the books a chance?

[Susinok]

I think the historical non-popularity issue is an m/m phenomenon. I think historcials are the #1 sub-genre of m/f romance, but I don't have any hard data to back that up.

In my own likes and dislikes, m/m and m/f are very different. I prefer contemps in m/m and prefer historicals in m/f.

[Calathea]

The Letter of the Law over at Not your Usual Suspects

[Jordan]

I actually like historicals in MM, especially those that involve large sailing ships, for some reason I can't name. I've been thinking I need to read one of those again very soon, is a matter of fact. It's been too long since the last one.

[Holly]

Susinok wrote: "I think the historical non-popularity issue is an m/m phenomenon. I think historcials are the #1 sub-genre of m/f romance, but I don't have any hard data to back that up.

In my own likes and disl..."

I agree with that. When I read M/F it's historical or fantasy. I think for me it's because you need an obstacle for your MCs to overcome in a romance to have a plot. Since we've got over so many taboos of race and class in the real M/F world contemporary romances feel a bit contrived to me, (there is only so much saving the world or potential victim of a stalker/serial kiler that I can cope with) whereas a historical obstacle usually makes more sense. In fantasy of course you can make any rules you like.

In M/M the obstacles of coming out and acceptance are still so prevalent that contemporary romance works without too much embroidery. Meanwhile HEA are harder to believe in a historical M/M as coming out is off the table.

I do think M/M historical can be well done and when it is I love it. Out of the Blue is one of my all time fave M/M novellas and would LOVE a sequel. I've also recently been enjoying the Cambridge Fellows series by Charlie Cochrane

[Alison]

Sandra wrote: "Oh, I LOVE the historicals! Figures. I always love things that are out of the mainstream."

I also LOVE the historicals! I am tremendously excited at the prospect of my favourites getting sequels. :)

[Anne]

I would believe that writing a good m/ m historical must be hard to do because there are so many obstacles to get to an HEA. And such an ending also must have some built in limits due to historical facts.But that also means that a good m/ m historical often ends up being a very good book, in my opinion. (And a bad one very bad.) Perhaps because the author really has to work hard to make the story plausible, and do a lot of research as well? And the reader must accept a different HEA, something not everybody want to do.

[Susinok]

Holly wrote: "I do think M/M historical can be well done and when it is I love it. Out of the Blue is one of my all time fave M/M novellas and would LOVE a sequel. I've also recently been enjoying the Cambridge Fellows series by Charlie Cochrane ..."

I also love the Cambridge Fellows. Charlie Cochrane did an excellent job with those.

[HJ]

Jordan wrote: "I actually like historicals in MM, especially those that involve large sailing ships, for some reason I can't name. I've been thinking I need to read one of those again very soon, is a matter of fa..."

Have you read the Age if Sail books by Alex Beecroft (who also writes fantasy and other things) and Lee Rowan? I think they're excellent. And from the same publisher but set later (turn of nineteenth to twentieth century, I think) is an amazing very unusual book: Lover's Knot by Donald Hardy.

[HJ]

Susinok wrote: "I also love the Cambridge Fellows. Charlie Cochrane did an excellent job with those. ..."

She's still writing them! And some excellent books set during or after WWI, for example Awfully Glad and Promises Made Under Fire.

[HJ]

I love historical novels, especially romances, and they're only improved if they're m/m and/or mysteries! M/m historicals are difficult because the consequences were so severe in most times and places that it's difficult for them to have happy endings, or they end up being unrealistic.

[Susinok]

Hj wrote: "Have you read the Age if Sail books by Alex Beecroft (who also writes fantasy and other things) and Lee Rowan? I think they're excellent. And from the same publisher but set later (turn of nineteenth to twentieth century, I think) is an amazing very unusual book: Lover's Knot by Donald Hardy. .."

I have two by Beecroft and the first two by Lee Rowan but have not read them yet.

Erastes does some wonderful historicals and in unusual settings as well. Muffled Drum was amazing.

[Susinok]

Hj wrote: "I love historical novels, especially romances, and they're only improved if they're m/m and/or mysteries! M/m historicals are difficult because the consequences were so severe in most times and places that it's difficult for them to have happy endings, or they end up being unrealistic. ..."

Unrealistic, or just plain unsatisfying. Many gay men were married and carried on illicit affairs. That doesn't fit in with our modern notions of fidelity, and darn sure doesn't fit within the romance tropes. But many times it was their only choice.

[Josh]

Susinok wrote: "I think the historical non-popularity issue is an m/m phenomenon. I think historcials are the #1 sub-genre of m/f romance, but I don't have any hard data to back that up.

In my own likes and disl..."

No. Contemporary romance sells best universally. Followed by mystery-romance and then paranormal and then historical.

[Alison]

Susinok wrote: "I also love the Cambridge Fellows. Charlie Cochrane did an excellent job with those."

I know! I love those books. They're so warm and charming and they make me so darn happy.

[Johanna]

Josh's new blog post: http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi

[Johanna]

I think this is so lovely.

Josh asked us to share a haiku about the weather where you live on his FB Fan Page. Maximum 5-7-5 syllable pattern.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Josh-L...

His example:

Rain
Garden shivers with delight
Green

[Jordan]

I took a class in poetry once. Ok, two classes. I still can't count syllables and am horrible at haikus.

Props to those who can write them!

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "I took a class in poetry once. Ok, two classes. I still can't count syllables and am horrible at haikus.

Props to those who can write them!"

Some are funny. Some are lovely. It's fun seeing what people come up with.

[Karen]

Overcast morning
Clears to sunny skies, then wind
New Mexico Spring

Not on FB, but inspired. : )

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "Overcast morning
Clears to sunny skies, then wind
New Mexico Spring

Not on FB, but inspired. : )"

I love it, Karen. This is why I posted Josh's post also in here — I though it was lovely and that some of you who aren't on FB would like to make your haikus, too. :-)

[Susan]

Needed Cali. rain
Mixed with arctic air brings snow
NYC Monday

[Josh]

:-)

[Cynthia]

Seasons soft changes
Daffodils gently swaying
Spring visits today

[KC]

Freeze melt sunshine rays
Sweet snow drops are you here yet?
Soft petals happy

[Josh]

http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress....

[Josh]

http://rachelannhanley.blogspot.com/2...

[Jordan]

Great article! I love the new covers, especially the Japanese art. And the Japanese translated titles are perfect. I love them!

[Ginn]

Josh wrote: "http://rachelannhanley.blogspot.com/2..."

First drafts really are crazy things!
But Josh's books turn out so beautifully and seem to flow so effortlessly that I'd never suspect how much went into them... I suppose that's its own kind of magic right there.

[Ginn]

Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of reading?

[KC]

Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of reading?"

It's normal weird ;-) I want them too.

[Susan]

Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of reading?"

It's so normal I already purchased them! :)

[Johanna]

Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of reading?"

And I got them this morning... ;-)

And for some reason the fact that I can't read them doesn't matter at all when I hold and pet those little treasures... :-)

[Josh]

Susan wrote: "Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of readin..."

:-) They are lovely little books!

[Josh]

Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of reading?"

I don't know. Every time I pick them up, I smile. :-D

[Josh]

Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://rachelannhanley.blogspot.com/2..."

First drafts really are crazy things!
But Josh's books turn out so beautifully and seem to flow so effortlessly that I'd ..."

I think back when I first started writing -- the words would pour out. Of course back then I had no idea there would ever be something like a "second draft." :-D

[Cynthia]

Johanna wrote: "Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have NO way of readin..."


I just gave in and ordered the Japanese translations...sigh...now I'm ordering books that I can't read. But rumor has it that they will make me smile when I look at them, pick them up or pet them, so they will be worth it when I receive them. :-)

[Johanna]

Cynthia wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Ginn wrote: "Josh wrote: "http://gayromancenorthwest.wordpress...."

Is it weird to want books that I have ..."

:-) :-) :-)

You won't be disappointed. I promise.

[Antonella]

Cynthia wrote: "Jnow I'm ordering books that I can't read. But rumor has it that they will make me smile when I look at them, pick them up or pet them, so they will be worth it when I receive them. :-)"

LOL!

I knew this would spread. Let's hope I remain immune...

[Cynthia]

Antonella wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "Jnow I'm ordering books that I can't read. But rumor has it that they will make me smile when I look at them, pick them up or pet them, so they will be worth it when I receive them...."


But all the other kids had the pretty toys to play with... :-D

[Jordan]

LOL. That went in perfect order guys. All of your comments from thinking it was weird, to acknowledging it was a good weird, to already purchased, and finally to already having received them. Nice!

[Karen]

And my backordered copy of arrived today! So I'm smiling, picking up, and petting. Hmmm... I don't mean that how it sounds. This one has six B&W illustrations inside, three involving kissing and stuff. ; )

There's also a little map showing where Seattle/Tacoma is located.

[Antonella]

Karen wrote: "And my backordered copy of arrived today! ...This one has six B&W illustrations inside, three involving kissing and stuff. ; )"

I think here some people act in concert to make us envious ;-).

[Johanna]

Jordan wrote: "LOL. That went in perfect order guys. All of your comments from thinking it was weird, to acknowledging it was a good weird, to already purchased, and finally to already having received them. Nice!"

LOL. :-)

[Johanna]

Karen wrote: "And my backordered copy of arrived today! So I'm smiling, picking up, and petting. Hmmm... I don't mean that how it sounds. This one has six B&W illustrations inside, t..."

How cool, Karen! Especially all the smiling, picking up, and petting. ;-)

Illustrations of kissing and stuff?! Mmmm.

[Johanna]

Antonella wrote: "Karen wrote: "And my backordered copy of arrived today! ...This one has six B&W illustrations inside, three involving kissing and stuff. ; )"

I think here some people ..."

No. Never. ;-)

[Johanna]

Josh just posted more info about the cover contest on his blog:

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/03...

[Josh]

Jordan wrote: "LOL. That went in perfect order guys. All of your comments from thinking it was weird, to acknowledging it was a good weird, to already purchased, and finally to already having received them. Nice!"

LOL

[Loretta]

Johanna wrote: "Josh just posted more info about the cover contest on his blog:

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/03..."

For some reason, the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking about a story Josh had posted an excerpt on his FB Fan Page about a kindergarten teacher. I have been vaguely mourning that I might never know how that story ended. Now here it is in his cover contest!

[Josh]

Loretta wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Josh just posted more info about the cover contest on his blog:

http://joshlanyon.blogspot.fi/2014/03..."

For some reason, the last couple of weeks, I..."

Yes, that's the one. I gave up on it and then discovered it this weekend looking for my notes on SLAY RIDE. I hadn't realized how much I'd written on it.