Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
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What Was Your First PNR?
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Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog
(last edited Apr 14, 2012 11:57AM)
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Addie R. wrote: "What is PNR?"Hey Addie R,
PNR = Para'normal Romance
Things like, vampire/shifter/fae/ghost and even angel/demon romance.
Do you read 'em?
was the first book i read followed years later by
and now my book collection is out of control and its all PNR lol
Abby wrote: "Missyb wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "LisaT is in Qhuay Nirvana wrote: "7. Black Dagger Brotherhood"I only read the first one of that. Do they get better? I didn't hate it, but I haven't been dying to ..."
I haven't enjoyed the last 3 or so. Now with the cross over from her Angel series plus some other elements I'm not fond of, I think I'm done with the BDB series. Which is a shame.
Lisa wrote,As a huge Qhuinn/Blay fan I would be curious how you woul..."
That's a very interesting question. In the UK, the covers are decided by the publishers and not the author, so an emotive subject like this would be determined by what is acceptable to the UK mainstream booksellers. Often if a buyer doesn't like a cover, it will be scrapped and started again. Designs go in 'fashions' as well as genres. Booksellers here aren't keen on bare-chested men on the covers, actually they don't sell too well here, so we don't have them unless it's a book which is distributed here, but produced in the US. J R Ward is a bit different because she's classed as 'erotica.' As you say, the books are usually hidden away at the back of the store!
If I was designing the covers I would probably go for a more subtle approach and not have people on them at all - but that could also be seen as a 'cop out!' Another idea would be two shadowy male figures walking away in the distance - but dressed! I haven't read the first book, so it's difficult to think of an idea - I always read at least part of the manuscript first, to get ideas. Sometimes it's possible to be suggestive without being blatant, atmospheric and sexy without being too 'in your face.' Difficult, but possible :)
I think there's quite a difference between the UK and the US markets, and it's rare that the two crossover. Most US covers are redesigned for the UK- and vice versa - Harry Potter books for example. One obvious exception is Stephenie Meyer's books, but her covers are very iconic, and have established a genuine brand.
Berni wrote: "Lisa wrote,As a huge Qhuinn/Blay fan I would be curious how you woul..."
That's a very interesting question. In the UK, the covers are decided by the publishers and not the author, so an emotive..."
Berni, thank you for your very well thought out answer. It's fascinating to be told the differences in the UK/US markets. Particularly the 'bare chested' part. It's not my thing but I guess someone here must like it. (I like bare chests fine, just not on my book covers ;)
You noted that J.R. Ward is classified as erotica, not so here. Here she is in the Romance section which encompasses paranormal/urban fantasy, etc.
I think a 'cop-out' would really tick off fans here. It will be an interesting release all the way around and I can't wait to see how they play it.
I hope the book cover 'fashion trends' keep you very busy and creative. Thank you so much for indulging me. If you don't mind I would like to re-post your response on another thread, readers there will love breaking it down. Thanks again.
Okay, now I'll turn this thread back over for it's original purpose. Sorry for hijacking the topic
Mod
Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "btw--on the BDB thing--that seems to be a series where you either fanatically love it--or are convinced the JR Ward is the biggest con artist on the planet. "It's funny you should say that. I feel like I fall into both categories. I get sucked into the books and "can't wait" to read the next one and see what happens. And yet, the whole time I'm reading the book I'm going crazy because of the writing, or the way the characters are acting, or the inconsistencies in the stories. When I talk to my friends about them I'll spend about one minute on, "I really like such-and-such" and then launch into a 15 minute rant about all the things that drove me crazy. And yet I keep coming back for more abuse. I haven't quite figured out the psychology behind that yet. I guess at this point, I'm so far into it, I want to follow it through and see what happens to these characters that I've been reading about for so many books. I'm almost hoping Qhuinn and Blay's book is the last one, because I don't think I can take much more.
LisaT - We Are Qhuay! wrote: "Addie R. wrote: "What is PNR?"Hey Addie R,
PNR = Para'normal Romance
Things like, vampire/shifter/fae/ghost and even angel/demon romance.
Do you read 'em?"
Ohh, I feel dumb. :D Thanks!
& yes I do read them, it's my favorite genre! But I stick to YA PNR rather than Adult.
Addie R, I love YA PNR. I have so much to read on my to-read list but just HAVE to get to 
. My first PNR's were YA and that's where this whole obsession started. I was watching Twitter updates yesterday from the RT12 (Romantic Times) Convention and it was big news that the YA room had the longest lines and most action. I think that's great!
*hangs head in shame*Twilight, followed quickly by the rest of the series. I thought they were great at first. I know better now.
Amy J. wrote: "*hangs head in shame*Twilight, followed quickly by the rest of the series. I thought they were great at first. I know better now."
No shame. Especially if it encouraged you to seek out more reading.
:)
Kim wrote: "Unfortunatley the first PNR series was 
"
This.
Well, I read the first book. Then, I read
, and I finished off the Twilight series the summer after that school year ended.I never actually fell in love with Twilight. It was mediocre compared to some of the other books that I'd read. I'd always been a Harry Potter type of girl, and I still am.
My first paranormal romance book was Twilight I think. if there was one before that, I cant really remember.
Renee wrote: "My first paranormal romance book was Twilight I think. if there was one before that, I cant really remember."OK now I officially feel old . . . :)
Berni wrote: "Renee wrote: "My first paranormal romance book was Twilight I think. if there was one before that, I cant really remember."OK now I officially feel old . . . :)"
Hah, how so?
Mine like many others here was the twilight saga but then I moved on to more adult LOL
Renee wrote: "Berni wrote: "Renee wrote: "My first paranormal romance book was Twilight I think. if there was one before that, I cant really remember."OK now I officially feel old . . . :)"
Hah, how so?"
My first Paranormal Romance was Guilty Pleasures - which (I think) was first published in the UK around 1997, and my second was Bitten, which was first published in 2001 (I designed its first cover!) Both were a long time ago now, that's why it makes me feel old!
Paranormals hadn't even begun for the YA market at that time. But how cool is it that there are so many in the marketplace now?
my first pranormal book was the classic twilight, after that house of night and then vampire academy :)
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Berni wrote: "Renee wrote: "Berni wrote: "Renee wrote: "My first paranormal romance book was Twilight I think. if there was one before that, I cant really remember."OK now I officially feel old . . . :)"
Hah,..."
Oh, I see, well it could give you some sort of advantage. like you would be able to say something like 'i've been reading paranormal romance before it was cool' something like that. I know it sounds like hipsterish. but you get what i'm saying? ^_^;
Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Berni--don't feel old. I actually started reading what we call PNR now LONG before there was such a designation. So I'm REALLY old. :o)"I'm like Ann. When I first started reading PNR it was just under romance. I think the first of what I would classify as PNR was
Then I discovered Sherrilyn Kenyon & Karen Marie Moning, there where a few before that but not many.
Twilight was my first PNR and before I head read the series I didn't like books at all. Now I'm a total bookworm and I LOVE books about vampires and other supernatural creatures :)
Curlygirly wrote: "Twilight was my first PNR and before I head read the series I didn't like books at all. Now I'm a total bookworm and I LOVE books about vampires and other supernatural creatures :)"*like*
was mine, then
and the rest of the BDB series at the time, House of night, and the sookie stackhouse series... all those series in a matter of a few months got me start into PNR and UF
Sammie =^.^= wrote: "all those series in a matter of a few months got me start into PNR and UF "Right Sammie, once I got "into" PNR there was no slowing down. It was like switch got flipped and an instant obsession started. That's a good thing though, there are way worse obsessions than reading :)
Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Berni--don't feel old. I actually started reading what we call PNR now LONG before there was such a designation. So I'm REALLY old. :o)"Berni, we're not old. We are just "Seasoned Readers". Yeah, I like that.
:D
Like many of you, my first PNR was
by Charlaine Harris. Since then I've gotten hooked on Amanda Hocking, Nicole Peeler, Kim Harrison and many more.
LisaT - We Are Qhuay! wrote: "Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Berni--don't feel old. I actually started reading what we call PNR now LONG before there was such a designation. So I'm REALLY old. :o)"Berni, we're not old. We are ju..."
YAY :) I like that too! Thanks Ann, Renee and Lisa . . . I feel better now! xxx
LisaT - We Are Qhuay! wrote: "Sammie =^.^= wrote: "all those series in a matter of a few months got me start into PNR and UF "Right Sammie, once I got "into" PNR there was no slowing down. It was like switch got flipped and ..."
exactly, and I don't mind paying for this addiction lol
indeed it isand it keeps growing lol
Berni wrote: "LisaT - We Are Qhuay! wrote: "Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Berni--don't feel old. I actually started reading what we call PNR now LONG before there was such a designation. So I'm REALLY old. :o)"Be..."
You're welcome :)
My First was Twilight and then from there My Demon's Kiss.
I grew up on paranormal books (RL Stine and Christopher Pike), but after a very long break from paranormal books I was hooked again first by Twilight, then Harry Potter, then Sookie Stackhouse,and my fate of being a PNR and urban fantasy fan was sealed by Mercy Thompson.
Mine too was twilight technically. I had read harry potter before that but I don't consider that PNR. I've been reading fantasy for years and that has some romance in it, and because it deals with paranormal things, some of that may technically qualify, but the first serious PNR was twilight. I was so inlove with the idea at first, and read them all quickly. Now that I know what else is out there, I laugh at how great I thought they were. Her mistakes on those were 1.) making bella like she is, and 2.) making them sparkle.
I think I've said it here before but I haven't read Twilight. I've seen parts of the first movie. I have to give credit to the books though that they brought so many people here. How ever round-about that was it's pretty great. I love this genre and hope the authors keep finding enough interest to keep writing for us. :D
Long story....... I have never been a reader..... E.V.E.R....... Then the New Moon movie came out & most of the women I worked with took the entire day off to go see it. I thought they were ridiculous. Then one night, I was channel surfing & Showtime was playing Twilight, so I decided that since I didn't have to pay extra for it, I'd watch it to see what all of the fuss was about. My mistake... I was hooked & was diagnosed with the Twilight fever like so many other poor souls. I immediately went out & bought
. Then a friend of mine took pity on me & introduced me to
. I've been hooked on PNR ever since.
Brandy wrote: "Long story....... I have never been a reader..... E.V.E.R....... Then the New Moon movie came out & most of the women I worked with took the entire day off to go see it. I thought they were ridi..."I love your story. I want to know where you work that all the women can take the same day off????
;)
LisaT - We Are Qhuay! wrote: "I want to know where you work....."LOL! I my have exaggerated a little for effect..... It's funny how the majority of the people who have posted something on this discussion started with Twilight, then read BDB... They then went on to read
&
. That's about how it was for me too.
I honestly am not sure how I made the leap from Twilight to better things like BDB and Lords of the Underworld. I honestly think I just decided I wanted to read things with the kind of romance I would never find in this world and went from there lol Man what I would not give to be a blood donor for one of the brothers oh man!
I have a theory *grins* that a lot of the attraction with PNR is the lure of the bad boy! Or maybe it's just me?
its definitely not just you BernieAmber have you tried Dark Hunters or Midnight Breed?
I know you're asking Amber - but I love the Dark-Hunter series.
message 197:
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Lisa Arbitrary - AttentionIsArbitrary M/M Blog
(last edited Apr 21, 2012 08:58AM)
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It is definitely about the bad boys BUT it is also about the broken boys for me. I just love the flawed ones. The deeper and more twisted the flaw the better. In fact when they're all powerful but still can't 'fix' themselves of the one scar that ruins them, it's all the better. Whoa, whole 'nother thread here:The Bad Boys of PNR and What We Love About Them<\b>
LOL :)
Pat wrote: "its definitely not just you BernieAmber have you tried Dark Hunters or Midnight Breed?"
I actually have the 1st dark hunters on my tbr shelf right now, and I think that might be my next series. I'm almost to the end of the chronicles of nick and those books have some of the dark hunters in them and I am so curious about them and want to know more. As far as midnight breed, I honestly don't know alot about them, is it like the BDB and Dark Hunters?
Amber wrote: "is it like the BDB and Dark Hunters? ..."Yeah Amber, the
is pretty similar to the BDB. Some say too similar. Others really appreciate the similarity and Ward has openly recommended the MB. They're a good read, I think but I'm still a bigger BDB fan. I fell out of sync with the Dark Hunters somewhere along the way. Although, I do want to get Nick's newest book, I'm still enjoying his story and for me that says a lot being YA. Now, if you want something 'more spicy' you might want to look into Larissa Ione's
Demonica Series, they're hot, mmmm.:D
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Accidental Vampire (other topics)Kept (other topics)
Pleasure of a Dark Prince (other topics)
Twilight (other topics)
Dracula (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Zoe Winters (other topics)Kresley Cole (other topics)
Andre Norton (other topics)
I'm so bad at that!
I think Kenyon would be a LOT of fun, the humour in her books is great."
As a huge Qhuinn/Blay fan I would be curious how you would design a cover for their story. Also, what you think would be acceptable to a publisher for a cover for this gay couple. Sure, there are TONS of m/m f/f romance book covers out there but this will be a bit different.
First, J.R. Ward has ALWAYS used a face on her BDB covers, showing the main character, ALWAYS. In this case both m/m characters are MAIN characters. So, presumably she will stick with that format.
Secondly, the release of the 'Qhuay' book will be HUGE. Her current release is #1 on the NYT Hard-cover list. So, as far as we can determine, this will be a first m/m couple on a mainstream cover. Other m/m covers are hidden in the back of the store on the "erotica" shelf typically. It is very likely that this book will be front and center, in the main aisle of every bookseller and even very common retailers (Walmart).
So do you think the publishers will shy away from a blatant show of m/m on the cover of a book that will be this exposed?
I know you can't KNOW but just look into your crystal ball and tell us what you think. Humor me.