Paranormal, Fantasy and Adventure, or Fiction?

Have you walked through the Teen section at your local Barnes and Noble lately? If not you might want to go take a look. It's a little ... different.

It used to be there was a Teen section. And in it there were books for teens. At some point the section grew and they divided it out into sub sections, like Teen Fiction and Teen Non-Fiction (even though sometimes Fiction books took over the Non-Fiction section--gasp).

(Photo lovingly borrowed from Dustin and Neesha Save the World)

Then it got broken down even more. They added Teen Inspiration and Teen Fiction was divided out into Teen Fiction and Teen Series (which begs the question: When does a series become a series? The last time I was in a store with those divisions, Oh. My. Gods. was in the Teen Series section and Goddess Boot Camp was in the plain ol' Teen Fiction.)

(Photo courtesy of StayProud)

Now Barnes and Noble is following the Borders model and dividing Teen Fiction down even further. When the news broke, they announced they would be breaking out into Teen Fiction and Teen Paranormal Romance and I thought, Okay. I like my books hanging out with the other teen paranormal romances because my bright pink and blue covers stand out against all the black. Readers will notice my books.

(Photo stolen linked from The Damnsel)

Yesterday I went into a Barnes and Noble for the first time in months (Dear Stillwater, Please get a Barnes and Noble.) and I checked out the teen section. Of course. Well now they've broken Teen Fiction down even further into three sections: Teen Fiction, Teen Fantasy and Adventure, and Teen Paranormal. Question: Why does Teen Fantasy and Adventure would need to be separated from Teen Paranormal?

I heart Barnes and Noble and they are my Big Chain of choice, but I have to wonder if this subdividing is what's best for the readers. I use Alyson Noel as the ultimate example. In the new section divisions her first few books--straight contemporary teen fiction--are completely isolated from her super-successful Immortals series. I have to think that at some of her readers would crossover from one to the other. But that's just me..

What do you think? Do the separations make sense or do they leave you scratching your head?

Hugs,
TLC

teralynnchilds.com
@teralynnchilds

Music, Movies and Books

A huge shout out to all the followers of this Blog! I hope you're warm wherever you are! Here in the land of Canuk, it's freezing. Absolutely freezing I tell you. BUT, the sun is shining so I'm kinda okay with that. I really, really, hate the dreary, grey skies...they make me a little well, edgy.


Good news, the local expert in such things, a groundhog no less, says that there is only six more weeks of winter and I don't know about you, but that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. On the inside at least, cause like I already said.....freaking cold in Canuk land.

With the thought of spring and new things, I'm going to share some of the stuff I'm looking forward to.

It's no secret that I love music. And Nikki Sixx. HELLO (I'm working on a sekret project right now and my hero is the love child of said sexy rocker Nikki Sixx and Jon Bon Jovi)

And Mr. Nikki has a new book and new cd coming out and oh my, we SHARE THE SAME PUBLISHER! HarperCollins is releasing his book, This is Gonna Hurt in April. You can read all about it HERE. He will also be releasing a new cd to coincide with the books release. If you haven't read The Heroin Diaries....do so. It's harrowing, scary and full of awesomesauce. It's a very real account of his addiciton to Heroin just as Motley Crue were on thier way to the bigtime. I respect his willingness to put it all out there in a very, raw and honest accounting.

I'm also looking forward to new books by our own Jeaniene Frost, the debut of Karina Coopers new series, Blood of the Wicked, Pamela Palmers latest Feral Warriors novel (RAWR) and Sable Grace's debut, Ascension!

On the movie front I'm looking forward to Cowboys & Aliens and I AM NUMBER FOUR.....watch this trailer and tell me what you think! The lead actor, Alex Pettyfer is also tapped to play Jace, in The Mortal Instruments movies and I'm stoked...he's perfect for the role.

So, what are you all looking forward to? Any other suggestions you'd like to add? which books, movies and music are you most excited about?

Silver Phoenix Paperback Giveaway!

on the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--ai ling discovers a power welling deep within her. she can reach into other people's spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams...and that's just the beginning.

ai ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the emperor's palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. she must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. and then she meets chen yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.
...

hi undies!
it's my turn to ramble here at the
underground and i've exciting news!
Silver Phoenix has released in paperback
and should be available at your local barnes
and noble and hopefully some indies as well.
last week, i found out i was fortunate enough
to be included as cassandra clare's favorite reads
(among some fantastic YA company!) so many of
my paperbacks are featured on end caps at bn.

fyi, these end caps are prime real estate
space usually saved for big time authors, so
to be placed thus is a real thrill!

so in celebration of all this happy news, i'm giving
away copies of Silver Phoenix! how many i give will
depend on how many entries i receive. =) i will give
one paperback for every 20 individual participants.
so if we get 68 entries, i will give away three books, so
on and so forth.

to enter, simply comment.
if you take the time to tweet, fb, blog and
link to this giveaway, you will receive (+3) entries,
increasing your chances to win. simply comment
with a link to your post, twitter, etc. this giveaway
will run through until my next post on 3/8, when
i'll announce the winners. this is open internationally!

good luck, undies!!

Like the Old Days (and Appearance)

With the completion and acceptance of “Burn the Night”: the sixth and final book in the Dark Days series, I have completed my contract for HarperCollins, leaving myself, as they politely say, between contracts. Isn’t that a nice phrase? Between contracts? It has the intimation that I will naturally get picked up for another contract in just a couple of tick tocks. So sweet.

Now, I’m just teasing and don’t mean to be condescending. I’ve just l earned that this is a hard business and that there are no givens in this business just because you accomplished something in the past. You have to continue to prove yourself and earn your keep, but that’s my opinion.

A more honest description is that I am “on proposal.” What that means is that I have currently have a book or two or so on proposal with my editor for potential publication. A proposal includes lovely things like a synopsis, book sample chapters, character descriptions, etc. Everything that a person needs to paint a clear picture of what the book is going to look like without actually writing the book first.

There is only one problem with being “on proprosal” or “between contracts”.

THE WAITING!

There is a lot of waiting in this business and I have learned to be a somewhat patient person, sort of. The one thing that has helped is that I have jumped right back into writing regardless of whether any of the books that I proposed sells. I love these ideas and characters. They are fun to me and they help to keep my mind active.

A funny thing happened as I worked on three books at the same time. I felt a lot freer than I have in a while to experiment, daydream, and doodle. When I was under deadline, I counted each minute that I had and weighed it both in time and money spent toward my goal of finishing a book that my editor was demanding. Now that I don’t have a deadline, I can work and play with anything that I want to play with. The break between contracts has given me the chance to refill the creative well, which is an absolute necessity. I’ve played in urban fantasy, paranormal romance, speculative fiction, and epic fantasy. And I’ve still got some time, so I wonder where my imagination will take me next.

While I always appreciate having the comfort of a contract at my back, this has been a surprising liberating experience in which I have gotten back to my creative roots.

In the meantime, I’m having a small signing/get-together in the Cincinnati, Ohio area if you happen to be in the area and are a fan of the Dark Days series. I will be at Panera Bread Company on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 2 pm Eastern time through at least 4 pm. If people want me to hang out longer to chat and drink smoothies, I will be happy to stay longer.

The address is: 7150 Houston Road, Florence, KY 41042

The telephone number is: (859) 371-9010 in case you need directions. Don't bother calling them with questions about the event. There are not able to reserve a space for us, but I am confident that there should be enough room for us to be able to comfortably sit and chat. If you have any questions, leave them in the comment field or email me at Jocelynn . Drake @ gmail . com

I will sign books. I will answer questions. I will speculate. I will share secrets. I will bring goodies to hand out. I will look ahead at what's to come. Bring your questions and your own speculations. It's going to be a great time!

Sharing a Release Day

My fifth book (Darkest Mercy) comes out in just over two weeks, and I’d like to take this time to talk about what happens at release.

Part of the release process is a calm, graceful* approach to the day when cherubs will appear outside your window, singing of the beauty that is release day. If you take off your glasses, squint a little, and only look at them before the morning tea or coffee, these are beautiful creatures. They each hold a copy of your book. Later in the day, they will deliver this book to a special person who will send you truffles and orchids because it is the book they’ve waited for their whole lives.

This kind of experience is so overwhelming that you need trusted friends to help you cope with the tears of joy. More importantly, you need them in the weeks prior to release.

--big dose of reality--

Release day? Scary. The weeks before release? Mood-swinging madness. This is the time when you call your trusted friends and say “OMG, what if [insert crisis here] and then my entire career will END?” If your friend is not on release too, s/he will say, “No, that won’t happen. Take your head out of the microwave** and calm down.” If s/he is on release, the reply sounds more like, “I know! We are both so CENSOR.”

Yes, my regular critique partner is sharing a release day with me. Oh, and she’s in revisions, and I’m finishing a book right now. We’re both on post-holiday diets.

--pauses--

So really, what I’m saying is that it’s probably best to pretend you don’t see us if we happen to cross your path any time this month. Avoid eye contact. Back away slowly. Don’t be afraid to hide your microwave behind a tower of cookies and cakes if we are visiting you.

On the other hand, if you feel inclined to watch the crazy up close, here’s where I’ll be and where J will be.

Luckily, we aren't in the same places as we share release . . .


--
* And by “graceful,” I mean complete mood-swingy crazy fits.
** I am watching SUPERNATURAL with my son and the episode where the guy microwaves his head? Scarred me.


Book Trailer:




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The fruits of my labor

Several weeks ago on my blog, I mentioned that I was getting together royalty-free pictures, music, and video clips for a book trailer on This Side of the Grave. Most of you know that a book trailer is basically another medium to tease about the plot elements in a particular story without giving anything major away that would spoiler. You could liken it to the description of the back cover copy of a book, only set to music and visuals.

I’ve done book trailers for three of my other books (if interested, you can see them here) and while I don’t necessarily think trailers net an author any new readers, from the feedback I’ve received, a lot* of existing readers enjoy seeing a story teaser in video form. I’ve also said before that I get a kick out of book trailers, so part of the reason why I do them is because it makes me happy. Doing something that makes me happy is why I started writing novels in the first place, after all. So with all of that said, here is the book trailer for This Side of the Grave. I had fun picking out the various different elements in it, and I hope you enjoy watching it.

*As with everything, not all readers like trailers, and even among readers who do, not every one of you will like this trailer. Subjectivity means that I can never please everyone all the time, alas :)). So what about you, readers and authors? Do you like book trailers? Hate 'em? Inquiring trailer-junkie minds want to know! -Jeaniene Frost

Helen Lowe in Conversation with Debut Romance Author, Beth Anne Miller

Helen: The midnight hour has struck and the giveaway draw has closed and been drawn—and the lucky winner of the romance giveaway (books) package is:

Mindy Fangedmom

Congratulations, Mindy!

And thank you to everyone who commented and so generously supported Beth-Anne's debut—you've been a "Super" team, as always!

See you all again next month!

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When I joined the Supernatural Underground, I thought it could be fun to do interviews with other writers from time to time, and today I am delighted to bring you the very first one—and to welcome my friend Beth Anne Miller, whose debut Romance novel, Into the Scottish Mist, is officially launching with The Wild Rose Press on February 4 in electronic and print-on-demand print editions. (Unofficially, I understand the print editions are already available …) I'll start with a brief introduction for Beth Anne, but I'll also let you know first up that there is a grand giveaway prize to celebrate the interview and the launch—details after the interview!

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Introducing Beth Anne Miller:
A lifelong New Yorker, Beth Anne has been an avid reader since a ridiculously young age (rumor has it she was reading street signs at around 2, but this could be an urban legend), and is often in the middle of several books at once. A road trip through the eerie moors and misty Highlands of Scotland provided the inspiration for Into The Scottish Mist. A keen scuba diver and lover of all things Scottish, she currently works in the publishing industry in New York City and is planning her next road trip. Into The Scottish Mist is Beth Anne's first novel—so welcome Beth Anne!

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Helen: Beth Anne, tell us about Into the Scottish Mist? Why Scotland?

Beth Anne: I have always had this inexplicable fascination with Scotland. I’m not from there and I have no Scottish heritage at all, but I’m just totally enamored with it. I love to go there, I love the music, the whisky, and of course, the accents and kilts! The novel was originally inspired by the Scottish actor Gerard Butler. At the time I started writing, he was not very well known, but had this small yet passionate group of devoted fans. There was a stunning photo of him from the movie “Attila,” in which he had long, dark, wild hair and intensely burning blue-green eyes, and I knew right then and there that this was what my hero needed to look like. In the earliest incarnation of the novel, the hero, Ian Mackenzie, is an up-and-coming actor, with a small but hugely devoted fan-base, and Abby, the heroine, meets him on an airplane and actually doesn’t know who he is. They hit it off and then meet up later in Scotland. That part is completely gone from the current version, in which they already have a past together before the start of the novel. But staring at that photo while I was writing definitely kept me inspired (and drooling).

Helen: What sparked you to write a time-travel Romance?

Beth Anne: I’d always enjoyed time-travel romances. In all the ones I’ve read, there’s one character from the present and one from the past, and one has to do some quick adapting. I wondered what it would be like if both were from the present and both ended up in the past. It grew from there, with the brainstorming help of some dear friends and helpful feedback from publishing professionals.

Helen: So how long did it take you to write the book, from that first idea, to the point when you felt satisfied it was "done"? Were there many revisions, or just a few "takes"?

Beth Anne: I first started it in January, 2006. I put it down for a few months and then re-read it that summer and started working on it again. I finished the first draft in September, 2006, and naively thought I was good to go and started querying it. But it was 172,600 words, which I didn’t realize was wayyyyyy too long for a romance novel. I joined a writing group, and got advice from fellow writers that I needed to cut it down. A lot. So I started working on it again. And again. I got some more feedback along the way, and kept cutting and re-writing. The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract in December, 2010, at which point it went through their professional editing process. It’s now a much stronger book because the story is tighter. In its original incarnation, one friend told me the first 50 pages read like an essay on “What I did on my Scottish vacation,” and he was right. There was too much roaming around scenic Scotland, and though it was fun to incorporate that part, it was totally unnecessary to moving the plot along. All writers think of their manuscripts as their children, and we hate to cut out anything. But once you step back and take a break, and then look at it with fresh eyes, you can often find a lot that needs to go. And then the editor, who has much less of a personal connection to the story, can come in with the unbiased eye and help smooth out the story, focusing on what’s important (character growth, action, narrative arc), and help axe the stuff that is just not needed.

Helen: I think a lot of writers follow a very similar path with their first novel—and there is so much as a writers that we have to learn by osmosis. Where's the manual?! But one of the truisms aspiring writers are told is that we have to read as well, particularly in our own genre. So as a Romance writer, I imagine you’re a big Romance reader yourself—what are some of your favorite books and/or authors?

Beth Anne: For romance, my favorites are Lynn Kurland, Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Suzanne Brockmann, and Karen Marie Moning. These authors all share a talent for creating heroes who are big and strong and tough—they could probably crush you with their bare hands—but they also have that vulnerability that we can’t resist, the uncertainty that they’re not good enough for the women they love. For fantasy, I love The Lord of the Rings (of course!), C.L. Wilson, Juliet Marillier, Anne Bishop, who all create beautiful, magical, and believable worlds. My favourite thriller writer is Vince Flynn, who writes amazing and timely political/military thrillers. I also adore YA (Matched, Across the Universe, The Chronicles of Pellinor are favourites), and the Harry Potter & Percy Jackson series. And too many more to name here!

Helen: I think we get a sense of the elements that make a great Romance read for you from what you've just said about the books you love, but is there more you'd like to add? And did you find it hard to weave those important elements into your own writing?

Beth Anne: I want the heroine to be strong and I have to relate to her, even if we’re nothing alike. Again, I want the hero to be strong as well, and I especially love it when they have that vulnerability that would seem at odds with their strength, yet adds so much depth. I also want the escapism of a great romance novel, whether it’s historical or contemporary, paranormal or suspenseful. The most difficult part, in incorporating all those element into Mist, was writing the love scenes. I read a lot of romance, from the very sweet to the extremely steamy. I enjoy them all across the board, but I wanted my story to be passionate and sexy without being over the top erotic and graphically detailed. I remember trying to write the first kiss in the first draft. I had to get my coworker/brainstorming partner to practically hold my hand while I wrote it—which seems ridiculous now, with a completed manuscript and the whole revision process behind me! But I didn’t have many edits on the love scenes, so I guess they get the job done!

Helen: I think you did do well with those love scenes and the erotic elements! :) So now I have to ask this question—if cast away on a desert island, or cast back in time through those Scottish mists themselves, why would our readers want Ian, the hero of Into the Scottish Mist, to be cast away with them?

Beth Anne: Well, he’s strong and resourceful, easy on the eyes, and knows the words to a lot of songs to keep you entertained on that desert island …But seriously, I tried to make Ian Mackenzie everything that I love in a romance novel hero, and make sure he was believable and human at the same time. He’s big and strong and gorgeous and sexy—all required elements, of course. He’s devoted to the people he loves, and even though he’s a successful actor, he returns home to the family horse farm in the Highlands at every opportunity. He thinks his acting skills have prepared him for any situation, but when he’s faced with a real battle, with real weapons, he’s smart enough to know that he doesn’t know everything, and he isn’t always able to handle any situation. He’s also got a great sense of humor!

Helen: Are there other characters in Mist who are particularly significant to you? Why?

Beth Anne: Well, Abby, the heroine, is of course close to my heart. In the earliest draft of this story, she was living my dream of going on a road trip in Scotland and meeting this sexy, fantastic Scotsman. In this version, she’s a completely different character. She’s been very affected by heartbreak and tragedy, and barely a day after her arrival in Scotland, she finds herself trapped in the past, not knowing how to communicate and what to say that won’t get her burned as a witch. At first she’s frozen with fear, but she’s able to find the strength necessary to survive. Alannah, whom we meet in 17th century Scotland, is also close to my heart. She leads a very lonely existence, outcast from her village, only called upon if her healing skills are required. She has no one but her animals for company, and no one to talk to. When Abby appears on her doorstep, she’s thrilled to finally have someone to talk to, even though she is suspicious of who Abby really is and how she came to be there. I think we’re all terrified of being alone, and Alannah is (I hope) a reflection of that fear.

Helen: Family is an important secondary theme to the romance in Into the Scottish Mist, both in the contemporary and past settings. Was that a deliberate focus for you, or did it evolve as the story developed?

Beth Anne: It was always a big part of the story. I feel very strongly that family is so important, in real life and in fiction as well. So many of us are shaped by our parents—in good ways and in bad ways too, and I wanted to give my characters strong familial connections. Abby is drawn back to Scotland, and ultimately back to Ian, by a family tragedy. Although she’s been apart from Ian for years, his family welcomes her back with open arms, which is a huge source of comfort to her. Ian is extremely close to his parents and his brother Robbie, who had a much bigger role in an earlier version of the story, but I had to trim it way down in the interest of keeping the focus in the right place. And Alannah, whom we meet when Abby travels back in time, has had to get by without much family, and this has caused her to be very much alone.

Helen: Do you think any of those other characters might have stories of their own waiting in the wings to be told?

Beth Anne: It’s a definite possibility! Alannah really wants to find her happily ever after, so I’d like to accommodate her. And I also really love Robbie, Ian’s brother. He’s a little grouchy with me right now, because he lost out on a lot of face time in the final version of this story, but maybe we can find him a story of his own.

Helen: Into the Scottish Mist is being published in just a few days—a tremendously exciting moment for every debut author. How do you plan to celebrate?

Beth Anne: I think a gathering at the local Scottish pub is part of the plan. Kilted bartenders, whisky, and friends. Since I can’t get to the Scottish Highlands just now, that’s the next best thing! If anyone knows the cover model, please let him know! I know some people who want to meet him…

Helen: And is there a next book waiting in the wings? Or do you have other plans?

Beth Anne: I have some other things in the works that I’m hoping to spend more time with in the coming months. I have a few YA projects in the works—a nautical adventure and a gothic-ish romance, as well as a fantasy romance which focuses around an ancient warrior under a mysterious spell.

Helen: I always love that feeling of more stories waiting in the wings and wondering where they may take you! All part of the fun of being an author. Beth Anne, I am thrilled to have been able to have you as my guest here on the Supernatural Underground today. A first novel debut is always a very special moment and I know that we all wish you the very best for the success of Into the Scottish Mist.

And Supe readers, if you have questions for Beth Anne please feel free to post them here—I know she will do her best to answer them!

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This Month's Giveaway: [Open to all Supe followers, US or international.]

To celebrate Beth Anne's author debut and the launch of Mist, we have a Grand Romantic Giveaway Package of signed author copies for you today, which comprises – drum roll! –

• 1 x copy of Into the Scottish Mist;
• 1 x copy of Nalini Singh's Play of Passion; and
• 1 each of Tracey O'Hara's Night Cold's Kiss and her hot-off-the-press, next-in-series Death's Sweet Embrace.

My thanks to Beth Anne, for supporting the interview with a giveaway of Into the Scottish Mist, and also to Nalini and Tracey for their very generous donation of the books to make up such a very grand Romantic Giveaway Package.

To enter the draw just post a question or a comment here for Beth Anne. As always, you can earn points (i.e. the number of times your name goes into the draw) by:

+1 Posting in the comments section
+1 Linking to this post on Twitter
+1 Linking to this post on Facebook
+1 Linking to the Supernatural Underground or my Helen Lowe on Anything Really blog on your own blog/website.

Just post the total number of points that you’ve earned in your comment. The contest will close at midnight EST today, Tuesday 1 February and the winner will be drawn by Random Number Generator.

Please don’t forget to check back after the closing date to see if you’ve won, or leave an email address where I can get in contact with you. If the prize has not been claimed by midnight EST on February 4, I will re-draw.

Thank you all for supporting Beth Anne's debut and participating on the Supernatural Underground today.