Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What Are you Reading?
Lady*M wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "Lady*M wrote: "Are you sure you saw the right price?"Well, wha . . .? I just went to the book's GR page again, clicked on the green Online Stores button, clicked on Amazon, and there..."
I'll just have to bypass the GR button and go to Amazon directly. But even taking shipping into account, the hardcover is still cheaper than the Kindle ed. I've had to set a $7.99 spending ceiling on individual ebooks.
I wasn't sure about this series when I first started reading it, but I love the way the relationships between Vic and those around him are evolving. On another note - I just finished a really good book - The Magpie Lord - a paranormal mystery set in Victorian England. I picked it up because of the review I read and because it reminded me a little of The Darkling Thrush.
Colette and Lou: K.J. Charles was in the other ''room'' of the thread getting congratulated ;-).
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This excerpt doesn't explain it all, so I'll keep an eye out when I do a series re-read (pending present to myself). The short In the Dark (6.1), a Halloween story set sequenced GhosTV, begins with these lines:
(view spoiler)
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But this was one reason why I want to do a reread of the entire series soon. By the end of SS I wasn't feeling lost as much, but I still feel like a refresher course would be helpful.
I'm reading Jordan Hawk's Hainted and enjoying it enormously. Good spooky stuff here, in addition to a budding romance!
I have been reading Let Me Go the latest Gretchen Lowell book. Chelsea Cain really writes them scary.
I'm reading Feliz' Thorns at the moment. Just hit the page where Will (our protagonist) first comes to La Thillaye:"There were horses, horses everywhere: tethered to walls, peeking out above the Dutch doors of a long stable building, crossing the graveled yard."
Must be heaven! I love it.
And don't you just have to love the pretty cover? It's even prettier on the paperback.
I am reading Laying Ghosts the third Deputy Joe book by James Buchanan. I really like his complex characters.
Susinok wrote: "I am reading Laying Ghosts the third Deputy Joe book by James Buchanan. I really like his complex characters."I read the first and liked it. I have the second lying around somewhere... but there are soooo many books these days. *sigh* I never got around to read it.
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Oh? This is a new author to me.
Susinok wrote: "I am reading Laying Ghosts the third Deputy Joe book by James Buchanan. I really like his complex characters."I just learned there is going to be another book in the series - Requiem in Leather. Deputy Joe and Kabe - in leather. *fans herself already* And James always writes a good mystery too.
Lady*M wrote: "Susinok wrote: "I am reading Laying Ghosts the third Deputy Joe book by James Buchanan. I really like his complex characters."I just learned there is going to be another book in the series - Requiem in Leather. Deputy Joe and Kabe - in leather. *fans herself already* And James always writes a good mystery too...."
Oh my! Nice. And yes, the mysteries are always good.
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Ah. Thank you for the quote from the In the Dark, Karen. And I agree that the one incident I mentioned doesn't explain it all. By the way, what was that time when Vic crashed at Crash's place (overnight, drunk or something like that)? Crash was kind to take care of him, wasn't he? What book was that?
I've always had such a soft spot for Crash! :-)
Just book browsing, as you do. Now this is a beautiful cover! Connie Bailey mystery.
Susinok wrote: "Just book browsing, as you do. Now this is a beautiful cover! Connie Bailey mystery."I agree. :-)
I am reading
It is really good but sad too so I am also reading
which is a shifter story with a rabbit shifter, a wolf shifter and a HEA ending. The two books go quite well together because the second lifts me up when the first gets just too sad. After this I am going to read
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "I have been reading Let Me Go the latest Gretchen Lowell book. Chelsea Cain really writes them scary."Oh? This is a new author to me."
She is popular enough here to have the books translated to Norwegian, although I prefer the original. Hardcore police thrillers with the world's most scary, female serial killer. Bloody and end of your seat suspense. And there is actually some relationship stuff going on as well :)
K.J. wrote: "Oooh, I loved Hainted."Jordan has a real flair for the creepier side of the paranormal -- doesn't she? -- yet knows how to balance it with romance. Neither element gets overwhelmed by the other. I loved Widdershins, too, especially all the nods to
, whom I idolize. :)
Just finished Glitterland. Really really loved it! Can't wait for his next book.Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2.
KC wrote: "Just finished Glitterland. Really really loved it! Can't wait for his next book.Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off the pages, he is so alive!
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Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off the pages, he is so alive!"
I still haven't started it. Partly because JCP's latest came out. Partly because I think all the hype is -- for me -- working against it. When I read your comments, KC's comments, I think...Okay, maybe it is pretty good. But the ad campaign has been so over the top, the hyperbole from mainstream romance writers so ridiculous. It's just...come on. And though I started out envying the fantastic marketing campaign Riptide put together, now I wonder if it's possible to just over-promote. Over-sell?
I know I've heard this through the years from various readers. My reviews were TOO good, my fans TOO loyal. It actually worked against me for some people -- and apparently it turns out I'M one of those people. :-D
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "KC wrote: "Just finished Glitterland. Really really loved it! Can't wait for his next book.Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off the pages, he..."
I guess that always is a balancing act, good marketing versus too much hyping. I am the same, if something is too hyped, I lose interest. Regarding Glitterland, I read it based on the recommendations from this thread, where basically all new reads originate these days for me :), so I wasn't aware of the hyping. Which probably worked in the book's favour ;)
I finishe The Magpie Lord by K.J. A great book, very tight writing, interesting and plausible magical system and a lovely romance.
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Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off ..."
That's the truth. I trust youse guys. I know if youse guys -- the core group youse guys -- rec it, you really did enjoy it. And that's always of interest to me.
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I love a plausible magic system.
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "I finishe The Magpie Lord by K.J. A great book, very tight writing, interesting and plausible magical system and a lovely romance."I love a plausible magic system."
I think fantasy must be very hard to do right, it seems strange to demand realism in a fantastic story, but by that I mean it must follow some inner logic, it must make sense within its own setting, and be plausible. That must take a lot of thought and work. You manage it, of course and the best ones always do, but there are many who doesn't.
Josh wrote: "I think all the hype is -- for me -- working against it. When I read your comments, KC's comments, I think...Okay, maybe it is pretty good. But the ad campaign has been so over the top, the hyperbole from mainstream romance writers so ridiculous. It's just...come on. And though I started out envying the fantastic marketing campaign Riptide put together, now I wonder if it's possible to just over-promote. Over-sell? "The biggest recent casualty for me is The Bone Season. I was really buzzed for this. By the time I got a copy (which was pre publication) fatigue was already setting in - it would have had to be the bastard child of The Rook and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell to live up to the hype. And, since the first chapter is really pretty slow-paced and turgid, I ditched it there and then. I really think I'd have had more patience and given it a chance if it hadn't been sold to me as the Second Coming.
[edit] Hey, thank you Anne, I'm really glad you liked it!
On the magic systems, I have to say one of the contra-indicators for The Bone Season was the two-page spread of tables in the prelims detailing exactly how the magic worked. Sorry, but I'm not reading fantasy that requires an Excel spreadsheet to make sense.
K.J. wrote: "On the magic systems, I have to say one of the contra-indicators for The Bone Season was the two-page spread of tables in the prelims detailing exactly how the magic worked. Sorry, but I'm not reading fantasy that requires an Excel spreadsheet to make sense."This is an excellent point. I think most readers of spec fic, regardless of the subgenre, don't want excruciatingly detailed explanations of how things work in an otherworld, and that's especially true of magic. Describing the cause-and-effect of a magical system destroys the magic of the magic -- if you know what I mean ;-)
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..."
This is the danger with all spec fiction. The world-building often takes over and supersedes the characters and their relationships. And maybe there are some readers who are more into the world-building than the characters. But this is not most of us. Most of us read for the characters and their relationships. Not necessarily romantic relationships (though for me, yes, this is true) but certainly the character's journey, the character's arc.
Did you read that Paul Kemp article that caused such a fuss this week? He argued that basically 'real' SFF is worldbuilding and things like intrigue and romance are soft girly rubbish. I paraphrase but not much.
It's an attitude that creates books I find utterly unreadable. I just feel like I'm watching someone else play Lego.
K.J. wrote: "It's an attitude that creates books I find utterly unreadable. I just feel like I'm watching someone else play Lego."I agree, well said. A story without human emotions and interactions would be very bland and dull. The sci-fi and fantasy stories I enjoy the most are the ones who place humans in unusual and unique circumstances and explore their reactions and behaviour. Including romane and intrigue and similar soft girlie rubbish.
K.Z. wrote: "I think most readers of spec fic, regardless of the subgenre, don't want excruciatingly detailed explanations of how things work in an otherworld, and that's especially true of magic. Describing the cause-and-effect of a magical system destroys the magic of the magic -- if you know what I mean ;-)As an avid reader of fantasy, I don't mind knowing detailed explanations of magic sistem, but I don't want an info dump either. Feed it to me slowly, through the entire book and I would be a happy camper. :) Brandon Sanderson excels at this - giving you literally every little detail about magic sistem, it's uses, abuses, etc. withot making it sound like a science paper.
K.J. wrote: "Did you read that Paul Kemp article that caused such a fuss this week? He argued that basically 'real' SFF is worldbuilding and things like intrigue and romance are soft girly rubbish. I paraphrase..."
Whenever I hear how something should be 'really' done, I call bullshit.
Lady*M wrote: "K.Z. wrote: "I think most readers of spec fic, regardless of the subgenre, don't want excruciatingly detailed explanations of how things work in an otherworld, and that's especially true of magic. ..."Oh yes, his Mistborn trilogy is awesome like that!
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There is a certain kind of brain that enjoys that. It's the same brain that enjoys the puzzle aspect of a mystery over all else.
There's also a measure of defensiveness there given that one of the historical criticisms leveled at SF writers is the so often abysmal effort at characterization. As though the writers had never interacted with real people.
I am reading Cast in Sorrow by Michelle Sagara, it is the 9th book in the series. One of the things I love about this series is how, in each book, the world continues to grow and develop along with the main characters. Each book reveals a little more about Elantra and the races that live there.
K.J. wrote: "It's an attitude that creates books I find utterly unreadable. I just feel like I'm watching someone else play Lego."That is a perfect description! I am hugely drawn to character when I read, regardless of genre. Books that are plot heavy and light on character building will probably be put down.
Josh wrote: "There's also a measure of defensiveness there given that one of the historical criticisms leveled at SF writers is the so often abysmal effort at characterization. As though the writers had never interacted with real people. ...."That is a bit of an SF stereotype, but with enough truth in it to keep it going.
But there are many SF excellent stories out there with a strong cast of characters. It's a buyer beware market.
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And I think it used to be more true than it is now -- which is probably what Kemp is rebelling against. All this damn characterization and personal interaction! Where's the science?!
Anne wrote: "KC wrote: "Just finished Glitterland. Really really loved it! Can't wait for his next book.Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off the pages, he is so alive!"
I agree! He's one of those characters that will stay with me.
Josh wrote: "And I think it used to be more true than it is now -- which is probably what Kemp is rebelling against. All this damn characterization and personal interaction! Where's the science?! ..."I feel that way sometimes reading modern SF. But you CAN have both. Poul Anderson's Tau Zero for example, but it is a prime example of old school SF. Oh and Joe Haldeman's The Forever War, which under all the space battles, is a romance! WITH a happily ever after!
Josh wrote: "Anne wrote: "KC wrote: "Just finished Glitterland. Really really loved it! Can't wait for his next book.Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off the pages, he..."
The sample was what convinced me. It pretty much speaks for itself. I was partly aware of the hype, but i tend to skip the hype because it is usually off-putting, and because i usually get recs here :-) I must say that it took me a bit to decide to get the sample, i was skeptical..., but i'm glad i gave it a go.
I pre-ordered Glitterland back in April on the strength of the blurb alone. It sounded good, and I was not disappointed.Did it hang the moon? No. Is it a good book worth your time, definitely.
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Yeah, I can't see why there would be any reason SF couldn't -- shouldn't -- have the best of all worlds.
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Next: My Cowboy Heart and Hell Cop 2."
I loved Glitterland, Darian leapt off ..."
I did buy it and I do plan on getting around to it, if only because so many of you were favorably impressed.
It's just interesting watching the marketing and promo -- naturally. Every author out here is always watching and evaluating what's been doing by others in the way of marketing and promo.
Josh wrote: ... "I did buy it and I do plan on getting around to it, if only because so many of you were favorably impressed.It's just interesting watching the marketing and promo -- naturally. Every author out here is always watching and evaluating what's been doing by others in the way of marketing and promo. "
I hope you enjoy it! Between all the different kinds of hype, a balance of expectations can be achieved, methinks :-)
It is interesting watching marketing and promo in action and reaction.
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A third person, an over-excited comment full of praise, an unknown author.
Apparently I'm that curious."
I'm actually susceptible to good ads. Even though I know that it is simply advertising. A lot of mystery publishers run really appealing ads in print.
Buzz is an interesting one. I think it's less and less reliable because of the way social media works. It used to be very difficult to build buzz. There just wasn't a real vehicle for it. It used to be built through discussion lists and book clubs and blogs. But now Twitter, FB, Goodreads, etc. offer many tools.
And these days buzz doesn't automatically translate into sales, whereas I think once upon a time, it did. Maybe because the wires are ALWAYS buzzing now? There's always a buzz about something. So much promo and marketing. I was watching my Twitter feed this morning. It was 90% promo and marketing.
There was always a lot, but even in the last year the ratio of value added content to yammering self promo has changed drastically.
I suspect that most of that feed is largely invisible as we all grow used to automatically, even unconsciously, sifting through the marketing in search of conversation or information.
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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It's so funny because I find myself anxious regarding all these changes. Worried about Vic spending so much time with Crash, worried about Carolyn, worried about Jacob...