Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion
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What else are you reading? (June 2010 - May 2013) *closed*
Antonella wrote: "As I've just written on Josh Fan Page on fb to someone complaining about the unfairness of the voting in progress (better reviews should correspond to more votes ;-), I suppose that lots of people ..."I've noticed that about TA Chase, too. I'm thoroughly confused. We need a gender neutral pronoun.
All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender.
ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."Well, some authors are really having a time where they identify more with a gender than another, or just started with a name they lately regretted, and I respect this. But usually they talk about it.
This does not look like one of those cases to me, if the profile in every book is the same (3 lines about a ''he''), but the profile on Goodreads says ''female''. No need to eat your Kindle, I suspect, dear Candice! ;-)
MandyM wrote: "Fehu wrote: "when they published the favorite author of 2010 I was just wondering who nominated them:)."I'm curious now. Who did they rate as the best author of 2010?"
Well here is what I found on their homepage:
2010 BEST SELLING AUTHORS
Carol Lynne
Brynn Paulin
Stormy Glenn
Stephani Hecht
Kim Dare
G.A. Hauser
Amber Kell
Sean Michael
Tressie Lockwood
Marie Rochelle
It does say "Best Selling" which should be a pretty objective measure, if they're just counting books sold. That's not a reflection of absolute quality, just a measure of what their particular customers buy.
Fehu wrote: "MandyM wrote: "Fehu wrote: "when they published the favorite author of 2010 I was just wondering who nominated them:)."I'm curious now. Who did they rate as the best author of 2010?"
Well here i..."
I'm not familiar with all of those authors, but the ones I do know have a lot of books out. When you plug in Carol Lynne's name at ARe 101 titles pop up. With a back list that size you don't have to sell a lot of any one book to still rack up significant overall sales.
Becky wrote: "Fehu wrote: "MandyM wrote: "Fehu wrote: "when they published the favorite author of 2010 I was just wondering who nominated them:)."I'm curious now. Who did they rate as the best author of 2010?"..."
Oh, duh. Of course -- I kept thinking best-selling referred to one title. As far as I know, all those authors have larger backlists.
101 titles? That's nuts.
Devoured
while in NYC. Didn't really sleep much at RWA due to my uncontrollable caffeine addiction and God help me, TWO Starbucks in the convention center, LOL, but I didn't really expect to sleep anyway. Was kind of nice to find a quiet spot in the lobby or wherever at 4am and c'mon, could that book be any more perfect for where I was? >:D Anyway, it was awesome. Looooooooove Damon's voice.And now I have 3 bags stuffed with books from book signings and no idea where to start. So much shiny...like a special kind of giddy hell. LMAO
Kari wrote: "Devoured while in NYC. Didn't really sleep much at RWA due to my uncontrollable caffeine addiction and God help me, TWO Starbucks in the convention center, LOL, but I ..."You sound bouncy enough LOL
It's obvious you had a lot of fun (despite the lack of sleep)
As for where to start ... just grab one, or use the eeny, meeny, miny, mo way (which is what I use sometimes when I don't know what to read next ...)
Hot Head is going on my wishlist :)
Kari wrote: "Devoured while in NYC. Didn't really sleep much at RWA due to my uncontrollable caffeine addiction and God help me, TWO Starbucks in the convention center, LOL, but I ..."LOL I read in your blog post that you met Damon, that must have been fun!
Edina wrote: "ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."Me too."
Me three!!
I know I mentioned this on the freebies thread, but I really recommend R. Cooper's "Some Kind of Magic" and "Let There Be Light."I was in a rather dark tailspin after reading Elie Wiesel's Night last Sunday, unable and unwilling to pick up a book the entire week. After making myself pick up something, Friday night, however, I found SKoM was exactly the right kind of endearing romantic antidote to pull me out of it. Lovely, charming and light.
I was a bit leery of reading LTBL from the blurb -- it seemed to be a RL Europe war story, absolutely the last thing I ever want to look at again. SKoM gave me the impetus to pick it up, though, and I was very glad, as it was nothing of the sort.
The story revolves around a 24 hour period in the life of two men, a scientist and his bodyguard, and their rather interesting and suppressed relationship. There was no RL or historical content and the references to war very tenuous and fictional. High on the ST and captivating portraits of the men, low on reader meltdown potential.
Highly recommended.
Sylvia wrote: "LOL I read in your blog post that you met Damon, that must have been fun!"Oh my...We were cackling our fool heads off, LOL. Plus, he walked me back to the hotel so he pointed out stuff I never would've seen on my own, not to mention saving me the indignity of a cab driving me maybe 10 blocks because, yes, I would have gotten lost. ;-p But yeah, it was fun! I just wish I'd checked twitter when we got back to the hotel because there were doubtlessly people at the bar we could've had some more laughs with that would've loved to have met him & vice versa. Hindsight, etc. *sigh*
Beanbag wrote: "I just started 
."Yay! Tell us what you think. I personally love it!
I started Deadly Nightshade. I'm two or three chapters in, and so far it's not going so well. Does it get better? This writer has been recommended so often in this thread that I'm thinking it must be me and maybe I should start the book over because i must have missed something, but I can't bring myself to sit through those chapters again.In the meantime, I read
Gobsmacked which was a nice, light read with a lot of comedic elements and one of the most engaging and entertaining first chapters ever written.
Cheryl wrote: "I started Deadly Nightshade. I'm two or three chapters in, and so far it's not going so well. Does it get better? This writer has been recommended so often in this thread that I'm th..."Nah, I wasn't too high on Banis either. It did get better, but never really rose to wow.
LB Gregg, on the other hand, really is a favorite. If you liked Gobsmacked, you'll love In and Out (I hope). It's my favorite of the Men of Smithfield series (mad, mad love for that book, really).
Of course, her Romano and Albright series is terrific, too (light entertainment, funny, charming). She's one of the very, very rare authors in this genre who really hasn't written a bad book.
ns wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "I started Deadly Nightshade. I'm two or three chapters in, and so far it's not going so well. Does it get better? This writer has been recommended so often in this thr..."My favorite LB Gregg is Cover Me. Gobsmacked is a close second. I want more men from Smithfield.
Cheryl wrote: "Does it get better? This writer has been recommended so often in this thread that I'm th..."Ah, that depends, because I love that series since the beginning. But I don't read other Banis's stories. It's all come down to taste, I guess, sometimes an author works on you, sometimes it doesn't. Personally, if a book doesn't grab me for the first few chapters, I just drop it. I don't care if others love it, I prefer to find something else to read
Fehu wrote: "MandyM wrote: "Fehu wrote: "when they published the favorite author of 2010 I was just wondering who nominated them:)." I'm curious now. Who did they rate as the best author of 2010?" Well here i..."I think there's a real pattern with those authors. As Becky said the high sales probably reflect their huge backlists. I'm really appreciative that my favourite authors go for quality rather than quantity.:)
ns wrote: "I know I mentioned this on the freebies thread, but I really recommend R. Cooper's "Some Kind of Magic" and "Let There Be Light."..."I can second the Some Kind of Magic rec. I loved it. I just checked the book listing again and I see that Paul Richmond is the cover artist. He's not my favourite CA (see He Completes Me) but the SKOM cover is really nice.
Thanks for the info about LTBL. I was put off a bit by the blurb but now will put it higher on my TBR pile! Did you see that R. Cooper put a little sequel to LTBL free on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...
Cheryl wrote: "I started Deadly Nightshade. I'm two or three chapters in, and so far it's not going so well. Does it get better? This writer has been recommended so often in this thread that I'm th..."Hi, Cheryl!
I had the same reaction to the first chapters of ''Deadly Nightshade''! I suppose Stanley was just a bit too flamboyant for me ;-). In the meantime I grew fond of him and I love the series and I've just received the last one on paper. I get on paper only authors I like the best.
For people not having read anything by Banis I also recommend
Lola Dances
and Angel Land
The only trouble is ''Angel Land'' was supposed to get a sequel and never got it. I tried to find out more but V.J. Banis never answered my enquiry.
ns wrote: "I know I mentioned this on the freebies thread, but I really recommend R. Cooper's "Some Kind of Magic" and "Let There Be Light."I was in a rather dark tailspin after reading Elie Wiesel's Night ..."
I saw that we have tastes 94% similar, so I bought both books although I had never heard of the author.
BTW: do you think the fact that I plan to put in my books only the ones I really liked (5 or 4 stars) influences the validity of the ''Compare Books'' function?
About Elie Wiesel's Night: I had wanted to read it since a long time, I've got it in German, now I took it in my hands and I found out this is not the original language: he wrote it in French. So now I don't know if I should read it anyway, or buy the French original...
Ciao
A
Mod
ARE functions as a publisher too so the highest rated books there are usually their own books or books where ARE serves as the main outlet (in the case of a very small publisher). So those baffling numbers are more about the fact that readers prefer to shop at third party sites like ARE or Fictionwise (or Amazon, etc.) than from a lot of little publishers.
Josh wrote: "Cleon wrote: "I won't put much stock in ARE's rating or votes. Their highest rated books or most popular books often baffle the hell out of me."ARE functions as a publisher too so the highest r..."
Yes, it does make it easier to buy books from 3rd party sellers. Aside from the discount, I don't have to sign up to tons of site and receive tons of newsletter & promotion everyday.
Is anyone having fun reading HSD stories? We're really spoiled by these daily hot stories. lol.
Mod
Very true -- certainly what saved me during some lean times before the ereader explosion. It's changing now though as our market becomes more and more flooded. There was a time when the supply of m/m fiction could not meet the demand of readers. No longer the case. So now pumping out book after book without a care to the quality can result in a reader hitting on a lame title and scratching that author from their reading list. We've all become a lot choosier because there's so much to choose from.
So many authors also makes it difficult to find that new author, who will be your 'go-to buy' in the future. Which makes this place so helpful (as well as fun). Even with the explosion of ereaders and ebooks, we all still like a bit of conversation and advice, don't we?I voted, too. I tried to see if it was possible to vote multiple times, but well, I guess I'm no Joseph Kennedy, Sr.
Cleon, I am typically not a huge fan of short-shorts, but yes, I am surprisingly having fun with these sweet stories.
Cleon wrote: "Is anyone having fun reading HSD stories? We're really spoiled by these daily hot stories. lol."Definitely :)
Mod
I don't -- and won't -- discuss my gender. Josh Lanyon is an unambiguously male name but it's just a pen name. And it was chosen back in the day when gay publishers didn't tend to publish gay fiction by women, certainly not my then publisher. So I could very well be female. There are people out there who swear that I am and people out there who swear that I am not. And all swear that they are equally in position to know. ;-)
I would be sorry to think that my gender makes a difference to readers -- I don't think it does to most. I have a deep abiding resentment at the modern idea that readers are entitled to anything but the best damn book an author can write. I think I'm out here enough, accessible enough, generous enough with my time and attention to my readers without going any further than I'm comfortable as far as the "real" me. Whatever, whoever that might be.
mc wrote: "So many authors also makes it difficult to find that new author, who will be your 'go-to buy' in the future. Which makes this place so helpful (as well as fun). Even with the explosion of ereader..."This HSD thing is also a fun way to discover new authors.
Josh wrote: "So I could very well be female. There are people out there who swear that I am and people out there who swear that I am not."This came up a few mths ago during a book discussion and I was like, you want to debate this? Seriously? For the love of all that is Elvis, fine, whatever, my vote was for alien-controlled Pekinese. I suspect the Pekinese is female, but the alien is male so curses, foiled again. LOL.
I think the whole thing is absurd. I don't mind people knowing I'm a chick (obviously), but I do take issue with anyone who wants my picture. Not that I'm a troll or anything, but I'm just not comfortable with that. Infringes too closely on my private, personal life. So far, only a couple people have groused about that, but...*shrug* Whatever. We all have our limits of what's acceptable and what's not. I think it's up to us, as individual authors, to decide where those lines should be drawn and make no apologies for it. I certainly don't. And if I'm stuck with Nick Nolte's mugshot for an author pic, that's peachy with me. Should've gone into advertising, I can spin anything. LOL
Mod
Good writing is not a personality contest.
Really, I don't think much about the gender of the authors, nor do I need a photo. That may stem from the fact that I always thought that if I were published, I'd still like to keep a strong grip on my privacy, so I kind of assume that others might feel the same way, too.I'm really sensitive about having my photo taken in general, unless I want to be in the photo. And I'm NOBODY!
I'm strange that way (as in other ways). I'm fascinated by people, and very much enjoy learning about them, but I've got more than a touch of long-bearded hermit in me, too.
Mod
Yes! I am insatiably curious about others! :-D Especially writers I love. But now being in that position of...I'm not even sure what to call it. I can say that I never anticipated being popular. Truly. My popularity is frequently...overwhelming. I never dreamed that anyone would notice the stories I was writing, let alone care about the person behind the stories. I love interacting with readers but I also dream about pulling the plug and just vanishing.
Yes, writers are a weird, oversensitive lot! No doubt about it.
So I have finally done it and started the
and all I can say is wow! Someone here mentioned it was available on Amazon for around $9 which has been unheard of so I whipped over and got it. I've completed the first book Fadeout and am already hooked, developing a thing for Dave. I don't even have words to describe the wonderful writing style.
Mod
and all I can say is wow! Someone here mentioned it was available on Amazon for around $9 which has been unhe...":-D Oh yes. You're in for a treat now.
Tracy, I was the one who mentioned that, and had bought my own copy. But have I cracked it open yet? No! I've been reading library books on my ereader instead.Ah, Josh, you make me feel better. And even though I'm certainly not in your position, I really understand what you mean. I think you're wise to try to strike a balance between Josh Lanyon 'the writer' and who you are in real life.
Amongst my friends, I am known for making insta-anonymo-friends on the subway, in the ladies room, waiting in line at the grocery store...then I like to say goodbye and head back to my quiet apartment.
Tracy wrote: "So I have finally done it and started the and all I can say is wow! Someone here mentioned it was available on Amazon for around $9 which has been unhe..."It is incredibly cheap, but the 1200 pages are so intimidating that I still have to tackle it although I bought it two years ago!
Antonella wrote: "Tracy wrote: "So I have finally done it and started the and all I can say is wow! Someone here mentioned it was available on Amazon for around $9 which..."Plus you need serious glasses to read it, the print is diabolically small. I wish they were available as ebooks.
OK, now I'm shamed into it. I have to start reading that book.
Josh wrote: "I can tell you this much: any reader who needs to know my personal data to determine whether they like my work or not, is a reader I don't need or want.Good writing is not a personality contest."
Amen
Josh wrote: "Yes! I am insatiably curious about others! :-D
LOL aren't we all?
Josh wrote: "I never dreamed that anyone would notice the stories I was writing, let alone care about the person behind the stories. I love interacting with readers but I also dream about pulling the plug and just vanishing.
Which is our greatest nightmare, of course.
because a) we noticed and love your work
and b) we love interacting with you just as much :)
Josh wrote: "ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."I don't -- and won't -- discuss my gender. Josh Lanyon is an unambiguousl..."
We were referring to the fact that it was almost impossible to have a discussion about a book/author if their gender were unknown, as our choices were to:
1. assume "he" (undesirable, dominant male paradigm and all that)
2. assume "she" (undesirable, it feeds the cliche that only women do romance)
3. play the "she/he" dance (annoying as that is)
It was not intended to be a demand for actual information regarding the author, and I'm sorry that it seems to have come across as such. I seem to have offended the authors here, and for that I do apologize deeply..
--NS (who appreciates Righteous all the more)
ns wrote: "Josh wrote: "ns wrote: "All I can say is that I really do appreciate authors who use unambiguous names with respect to their gender."I don't -- and won't -- discuss my gender. Josh Lanyon is an u..."
Not offended, NS.
I've been trying to push "e" as the gender-neutral option, but it doesn't seem to be catching on.
Liade wrote: "Plus you need serious glasses to read it, the print is diabolically small. I wish they were available as ebook. ..."Which is why I am now so addicted to my ereader. My daughter hands me a hard book and my eyes cross. That little "bigger font" button? I can't do without it anymore.
I'd be one of those reading "big type" books :)
ns wrote: "We were referring to the fact that it was almost impossible to have a discussion about a book/author if their gender were unknown, as our choices were to:1. assume "he" (undesirable, dominant male paradigm and all that)
2. assume "she" (undesirable, it feeds the cliche that only women do romance)
3. play the "she/he" dance (annoying as that is)
"
Actually, I thought 'they' was the non-gender alternative, or is that just me?
Yes the print is quite small, I have to take my glasses off to read, but it is worth the challenge. I really have more trouble holding the big book especially after my kindle. Josh I really appreciate that you are so willing to spend time chatting with us. It seems so weird that many people expect writers to share so much personal stuff from their lives. I just really enjoy "hearing" whatever you are comfortable with sharing. After being on these forums you begin to feel like you know all of the posters.
ns, for what it's worth, I took what you said to mean the folks who are initialled make it difficult to know how to refer to them, whether the 'them' is a pseudonym or not, and that I understand.If someone is Mary Sue, but is a male reader behind that, I don't have problems calling the writer a she, but ABCD Jones leaves me at a pronoun-ian loss. (It's fun when English isn't your first language, you can make up words all the time!)
Tracy wrote: "So I have finally done it and started the and all I can say is wow! Someone here mentioned it was available on Amazon for around $9 which has been unhe..."I think I'm up to book 7 ... but I'm spreading them out, because I don't want it to be over too soon.
(even though I did read ahead once because I coulnd't stand not knowing something ...)
I'm still reading Dissolution. On page 87 now and loving it.
Although I'm reading the HSD stories as well, every day :)
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Q&A with Josh Lanyon
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I think 'Bitter Creek Redemption' is TA Chase's best book.
the rest do seem to suffer from lack of conflict and aim more for the easy reads (which is often not what I'm seeking)
I just started