Posted by Jeaniene | 30 Comments

Done, news, etc.

Hi everyone. Yes, it’s been quiet around the old blog lately, but that wasn’t because I took a writing siesta. On the contrary, I’ve been busier than ever trying to finish Cat and Bones #5. Yesterday evening, I wrote the two most satisfying words in the English language: THE END.

That’s right, Cat and Bones 5 is now officially in my editor’s hands. It was a rollercoaster to write and I can’t wait to get my editor’s feedback on it (and my critt partner’s as well).  As every writer knows, “the end” really just means “take one.” I’ll still having revising and polishing to do on it.

Also, there’s a tentative title for book five: THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE. Why only a tentative title? Because the marketing department at my publishing house may decide on something else. I’m hoping this title sticks, though. Cross your fingers for me . As I mentioned before, book five will release on February 22, 2011. For everyone jonesing for a Cat and Bones fix before then, fear not; I have a short story featuring them called One For the Money in the DEATH’S EXCELLENT VACATION anthology out in August of this year. And of course, you’ll see Cat and Bones as side characters in ETERNAL KISS OF DARKNESS, coming out the end of July. I’m in the process of having a book trailer made for ETERNAL and I can’t wait to show everyone. Look for that the later part of this month.

In other news, I’m happy to report that my wonderful agent Nancy Yost sold three more of my books to Blackstone Audio, so now it’s official – the first four books in the Night Huntress series plus First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World, book one) will all have audio editions. Halfway to the Grave is already out in audio, with One Foot in the Grave due out in November, I believe. I’m so pleased to have these audio versions upcoming. I know many of you have been waiting for them.

And now, I’m going to take a day or so to catch up on my sleep – heh – and then try to tackle the inbox. It’s gotten rather scary in the past couple weeks while I back-burnered most everything else to finish the book. Next week, I turn in the proposal for C&B #6 and then start writing that. No rest for the wicked!

Hope everyone has a great week.

Posted by Jeaniene | 11 Comments

Advice for writers, or everything Jeaniene knows about getting published

I’m still buried under the deadline for Cat and Bones #5, but I thought I’d do a consolidated post on everything I know about getting published. Why? Well, about one in every four emails I receive is from writers asking for advice on how to get published. Believe me, I understand their frustration over the process. It’s a HARD process, make no mistake. If getting published were easy, everyone who wrote a book would have one on the shelves. When I was first querying back in 2004, I scoured the internet looking for advice, and while there were scam places galore just waiting to pounce on unwary writers, the pickings for practical advice were slim.

I’m not saying I know all there is to know about publishing. Far from it. Writers should not treat this post as one-stop-shopping for publishing information, so by all means, scour the internet and book stores to find as much additional information as you can. That way, you won’t make some of the same mistakes I did starting out. But hopefully, some of my trial and error will turn out to be useful for you, which is my goal behind this post. 

With that in mind…

On writing advice: My writing advice is simple – write. The more you write, the better you’ll get at it. Read a lot. Be prepared to revise your novel, because revising is part of the process. Then, once you’ve polished a novel, gotten a second (or third) constructive critical opinion on it, revised, and polished again, start agent hunting. But until you’ve finished a novel and really gone over it several times, don’t look for an agent. Write first. Make sure you love it. Then jump into the publishing world

On how I got published: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/16905.html

Timeline of exactly how long it took: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/107613.html

My process when I write a book: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/109987.html

A writer’s Q&A on scams to avoid, literary agents, and querying: http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/qa-for-writers/

More on scams and why writers should always, always remember Yog’s law: Money flows TOWARD the writer: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/93699.html

More on why I think getting an agent is important: http://frost-light.livejournal.com/113254.html

What do authors get paid?: http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/01/publishing-money-myths/

Examples of successful query letters that landed the authors of Fangs, Fur, and Fey their former/current agents here (scroll all the way down to see them all): http://community.livejournal.com/fangs_fur_fey/tag/queries

Examples of queries critiqued by agent Janet Reid: http://queryshark.blogspot.com/

Absolute Write, a great place where writers share information / warn against scam agencies & publishers: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php

On me reading your manuscript / query letter: I’m sorry, but due to time, legal, and ethical constraints, I cannot read your query letter or partial/full manuscript. Before you get mad at me for saying no, please read this: http://jeanienefrost.com/2010/04/the-tao-of-no/

All right, if you’ve read through all the above and you’ve still not found anything helpful, try Author Cassandra Clare’s comprehensive Q&A for aspiring authors on her website. There are several more helpful links inside the post, too: http://cassandraclare.com/cms/writing

And finally, a book for writers I’d recommend is ON WRITING, by Stephen King.

Best of luck to you, writers!

P.S. If you ask me more writing questions in the comments, please be aware that I won’t be able to answer them until I am done with this book (June). Sorry, but the book is due soon, and my editor is small but scary .

Jeaniene

Posted by Jeaniene | 5 Comments

Romantic Times convention, a story in pictures

Got back Tuesday night from the Romantic Times convention in Columbus, OH. Yes, trains take a lot longer than flying, but they’re worth it for my peace of mind. If I wrote a blog on all the awesome people I met and the fun I had, it would take pages and pages of description while still leaving a ton of details out. So instead, I’m going to share images. Hey, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? And from these, I think you’ll be able to tell that I had a total blast.

From left: Jocelynn Drake, me, Vicki Pettersson, and Melissa Marr. Day one at RT. Note we all look rested – and we’re smiling because food and drinks were forthcoming.

Harper authors meet up Thurs night. From left, Jocelynn Drake, Jamie Rush, Jamie’s mom, Pamela Palmer, and Lavinia Kent.

More from Harper authors meet up. From left, Rachael Herron, Victoria Alexander, and publicist Pam Spengler-Jaffee.

On the Paranormal Melting Pot panel. From left, Vicki Pettersson, me, and Melissa Marr (who was trying to disguise how enthralled she was at the moment, lol)

Later at dinner, Keri Arthur shows Rachel Vincent the different pics she’d been snapping while Jocelynn Drake looks on.

Vicki Pettersson, showing her best frightened look (possibly brought on by her glass being empty .

Back at the hotel lobby, Melissa Marr and Patrice Michelle agree to pose for a pic…

…and boy, was I glad I had my camera with me, because THIS shot of Allie Carter and Holly Black posing with an, um, interestingly-dressed man was too good to miss.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes, decked out to go to the Faery Ball. Don’t hate her because she’s sweet, beautiful, and a Yale graduate. Hate her because she wrote the best damn werewolf novel I’ve read in years (Raised by Wolves) and because, well, her hair is evil. Just ask Holly Black .

At the Vampire Ball, friend and Night Huntress fan Raven went as Cat for the festivities. LOVE the boots and the knife strapped to the leg!

Me before the Avon mixer with friend Kim Castillo.

Melissa Marr, excited about her bottle of “vampire wine” at the Avon/Harper mixer.

Me at the Saturday Book Fair with my mother’s friend all the way back from childhood, Susie.

Raven (without her Cat costume, but still looking fierce!), Debi, and me at the Charlatan party Saturday.

At the Charlatan party. From left, Jocelynn Drake, Melissa Marr, Vicki Pettersson, Charlaine Harris, Jeanne Stein, and me. Confession: I fangirl babbled so much when I met Charlaine that I’m surprised she didn’t call security, but I expect she’s used to that response by now .

Last pic before everyone left the next day. We’re smiling, but if you look closely, you can probably see dark circles under all our eyes. RT was great, but sleep? That’s for when you get home, lol. From top left: Holly Black, me, Carrie Ryan, Vicki Pettersson, and Allie Carter. Bottom from left: Melissa Marr, Jenn Barnes, and Patrice Michelle.

Again, it was an awesome time. Thanks so much to all the readers who stopped by my panels, the signings, or who just chatted with me in various other locations. Thanks to RT for another great convention, to Patrice Michelle and Richelle Mead (who ran the Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy track) for fitting me in on panels, to Pam Jaffee and Avon for the Dusk til Dark mixer (where food, drinks, and over a thousand books were given away!). Thanks to Mona from Paperback Dolls for the fun interview (I’ll post the link once I have it), and to old friends and new who made the down time fly by with laughter. I hope to see everyone again at a future convention!

Posted by Jeaniene | 6 Comments

Romantic Times convention

Hi everyone! On Monday I leave for the Romantic Times convention in Columbus, OH. I’m taking a train/driving, so I won’t arrive until Tuesday night, but those of you who know me know how much I don’t like to fly, so I’m okay with that.  

If you’re going to Romantic Times, here’s a list of the activities I’ll be involved in and their descriptions as listed on the RT website. Be sure to stop by one of them and say hello to me, if you get a chance! I have a couple other interviews/ other things set up, too, so once I have links, I’ll post them. I’m really looking forward to the convention. I always have a great time at RT.

Wednesday, April 28^th  2:30 PM  -  3:30 PM  Panel    URBAN FANTASY: ALPHA MALES AND THE KICK-ASS HEROINES WHO LOVE THEM

A genre known for its strong heroines needs equally strong men. But women like these aren’t going to put up with guys who are too obnoxiously alpha … or will they? What kind of guy is really the best match? Join us as bestselling authors discuss the highs and lows of creating sexual and romantic tension between couples in urban fantasy. Find out what it takes to create the perfect partner … and why sometimes, one guy just isn’t enough.
Captain: Richelle Mead Panelists: Keri Arthur, Shannon K. Butcher, S. J. Day aka Sylvia Day, Jeaniene Frost, Michelle Rowen Moderator: Jaye Wells

FRIDAY, April 30th   2:45 – 3:45 Panel  PARANORMAL: THE MELTING POT

Learn how to incorporate paranormal elements into your story no matter what genre you are writing in.
Captain: Patrice Michelle Panelists: Carolyn Crane, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, Lucy Monroe, Vicki Pettersson

Friday, April 30^th  6:00 – 7:00 pm  AVON, DUSK TIL DARK MIXER

The sun has disappeared on the horizon and the shades of the night envelope the earth. Avon and its many authors including Kelley Armstrong, Jocelynn Drake, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr, Pamela Palmer, Vicki Pettersson, Jamie Rush, Kerrelyn Sparks, C.L. Wilson, and Joss Ware invite you to celebrate the dark passion of twilight with food, fun, and drink. Expect the unexpected as you never know what magic may appear in the cool, early hours of the evening. (My note: Avon is giving away a ton of books that the authors attending will sign, plus throwing in free food and booze, too. What’s not to love about this??)

Saturday, May 1st  11:00am – 2:00 pm  GIANT BOOK FAIR

Where can you meet your favorite authors, get your pic taken with them or a cover model, or get a sneak preview to what’s coming out in the wonderful world of women’s fiction? At the one and only RT Booklovers Convention Book Fair! Over 300 authors will autograph books, posters and bookmarks, and you can bring your favorite “keeper” books to have your fav author sign them!!

For those bringing collectibles and “keeper” books, we will clearly label the books for you, so as not to mistake them for new books!

My note: Here’s a link to see the names of authors signing at the Book Fair: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Custom.aspx?cid=21&e=39f9fb57-5ebc-49a4-b572-a2316b792e98

And if you’re not attending Romantic Times, but you live in the Columbus, OH area, please know that the Saturday book fair is open to the public and admission is just $5.00 at the door. You can also bring things other than books for me to sign. I’ve signed tee shirts, tote bags, posters, pictures, you name it. As I’ve often said before, I’ll sign anything someone puts in front of me – unless it’s a body part .

Hope to see some of you there!

Posted by Jeaniene | 32 Comments

The Tao of “no”

Being an introvert, I’ve met more people through online venues in the past four years since I sold my novels than I have in the decade before it. Some of my closest Real Life friends are people I first met online, and now I wonder how I ever managed without them. Then there friends I first met online who I now see once or twice a year at conventions, which is awesome. Some online friends I may never meet in real life, but they cheer me up or make me laugh getting to know them through emails/their blogs. There are online acquaintances; people I run into on blogs or various community sites, and while I also may never meet them in person or develop a closer friendship with them, it’s fun to chat with them on the internet. Many readers email me after reading my book(s), and some days, those encouraging letters single-handedly push me through writers block and/or the doubts that inevitably creep in about my writing. All in all, it’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience.

But like all roses, there can be thorns. Sometimes, when a person gets to know me through my blogs, books, or other venue, an expectation develops that I can’t fulfill. Maybe it’s the expectation that I’ll be a regular “pen pal”. I had one person (no, not anyone I know on LJ, FaceBook, MySpace, or Twitter, before someone wonders if I’m talking about them) who got very offended because I didn’t send her regular updates about what was going on in my life. When I explained that my schedule didn’t allow me to be “pen pals” with everyone who wrote me, her response was an abbreviated version of “So I’m not good enough for you, is that it?” No, that’s not it, but like everyone else, I only have so many hours in the day and usually too many tasks to accomplish within them. 

Sometimes, people have other expectations I can’t fulfill. Some of my online friends/acquaintances are aspiring authors and they’ve asked me to critique their query letter/partial manuscript/full manuscript. 95% of the time, I have to say no. Right now, on a tight deadline, I’m saying no 100% of the time, even to my closest friends. When a deadline looms, writing has to come first. Not blogging, being involved in online communities, doing interviews, guest blogs, holding contests, reading for blurb purposes, critiquing, answering emails, promotion, or any other number of things that also falls under the “author” job description. If I fail in my primary job responsibility to write, then it doesn’t matter how well I do those other things, right? 

Occasionally, some people feel an author “owes” them. I’ve gotten emails that have (paraphrased) said this: I’ve read all your books and blogged about them and gave you great reviews, so the least you can do is critique my query letter/first few chapters/entire book. 

Unless there’s been a prior agreed-upon arrangement (and a promotion/good-reviews-for-critiques bargain would be highly unethical, in my opinion) when readers promote my books, it’s appreciated – truly, it is! – but it’s not subject to professional reimbursement. If I owed a critique to every person who bought my books, exchanged a couple emails with me, commented on my blog, or reviewed my books, I’d have to quit writing to devote the next couple years just to being an amateur editor – and I don’t want to be an editor. I love to write. I don’t love to critique. 

Or some people might feel they’re owed a referral to the author’s agent/editor because of personal ties. If the author refuses, that person might get upset and say, “But I thought we were friends.” Let me say right here that I don’t understand this logic. If I’m friends with someone, I assume that means the person likes me. I don’t think it means there’s a professional obligation implied. To me, business and friendship are separate. Sometimes, I’ll want very much to help an online acquaintance/friend, but I simply can’t. It goes back to there only being so many hours in a day, and I’ve gotten way busier than I was when I was first published. When I had more time in the past, I critiqued partials, fulls, or query letters from some friends/online acquaintances. If I was wowed by what I read (and my agent repped that genre; she didn’t rep every one) I offered to give a referral. But I didn’t – and still don’t – feel my friendship entitles someone to any of these things.

Same goes with blurbs. I might be friends/online acquaintances with other authors, but that doesn’t mean I’ll like their book if I’m sent it for potential blurb purposes, and I won’t blurb something unless I really love it. I also have a list of auto-reject tropes that might be very popular with other readers, but will make me put down a book every time. In fact, I probably blurb just two of out every six novels I’m sent because I’m picky about giving blurbs (much to my agent/editor’s dismay ). So if I say no to a professional request and the result is a fractured friendship…it makes me question whether that person was really my friend in the first place.

Then there are legal and ethical concerns. Say an author agrees to critique an online friend/acquaintances’ book/sample chapters/query letter. That story has a vampire/space alien conspiracy plot, and the critiquing author’s not-yet-published book also has a vampire/space alien conspiracy plot. Six months later when her book comes out, the author gets an outraged email from her online friend/acquaintance that says “You stole my plot!” Or the author reads a blog that says, “Can you believe Author X stole my plot??” Yes, this is an extreme example, but it’s happened. Not to me, and not often, but enough that publishers discourage authors from reading unpublished manuscripts (or fanfiction) to avoid that potential “you stole my plot!” issue. Even if no ugly public accusation occurs that could hurt the author’s career, no one wants another writer to feel ripped off – and especially in the same genre, plot coincidences can be rampant.

Right now, I’m getting a lot of requests for interviews and guest blogs, which flatters me, but I’m turning down all of them because I’m behind on where I should be in writing the next Cat and Bones book (no, this WON’T mean a delay in its release, before I get emails from readers saying “Then cancel your upcoming convention!!!”) but it will mean an inconvenience to my editor, copyeditor, and others because they’ll have less time to process the finished book. I don’t like inconveniencing or stressing my publishers, so everyone else gets a “no” until the book is turned in. That’s my reason for all the “no’s” I’ve been sending out lately to requests, but seriously, there can be a lot of reasons why an author says “no” and it shouldn’t be taken personally. If you’ve gotten a “no” from an author on a request, please think twice before assuming that author is ungrateful, arrogant, or unfriendly, whether that “no” was in regards to critiquing something/a blurb/guest blog/interview/agent referral/editor referral/etc. Sometimes saying no is the only way to ensure that we fulfill our primary responsibility – writing books.

And for everyone wondering, why did you write such a long blog if you’re pressed for time, Jeaniene? It’s so I can point to this detailed post when I have to say “no” again instead of explaining the same thing over and over. In that way, it’s actually saving me time .

Now, back to writing!

Posted by Jeaniene | 17 Comments

Bonus podcast, with reading!

As I’ve mentioned before, tomorrow the 15th at 1pm EST I’ll be harassing interviewing my critique partner Melissa Marr about her upcoming release, RADIANT SHADOWS, but what I didn’t know until yesterday was that I’ll also be doing another podcast tonight.

Morgan and Lisa from publicity at Romantic Times kindly asked me if I would guest on author Linda Mooney’s OTHER WORLD OF ROMANCE  show on Blog Talk Rado, and of course I said yes. Then I found out part of the show’s format would be me doing a reading for 15 minutes before talking about my book and/or taking questions from anyone who tunes into the show. *goggles* This will be the first reading I’ve ever done. Yes, I’ve managed to avoid doing public readings for five releases now because of stage fright, but the gig is up! Lol. Here are the show details below (click to be taken to the site to set a reminder):

And just in case there’s any problem with the link, here are the specifics: Podcast starts at 11pm EST and the call in number is 646-727-2932 or you can listen from your computer at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/other_worlds_of_romance/2010/04/15/romantic-times-guest-author–jeaniene-frost

So if you’re up late on the east coast tonight, or just finishing up with dinner out west, tune in to get a good laugh knowing I’m squirming and sweating as I read from FIRST DROP OF CRIMSON. Haven’t decided which section to pick yet. Those of you who’ve read the book, got any suggestions? No, I can’t just read from a sex scene – even though that would result in the most embarrassment from me, and thus be more fun for readers listening in – and I could just start at chapter one, but I’m open to ideas, so lay them on me!

And if you’re intending to listen in to the show and then call / email me after my reading, remember – be gentle. It’s my first time, after all

Posted by Jeaniene | 10 Comments

Upcoming podcast

I’m still (mostly) on blog hiatus while I throw my efforts into finishing Cat and Bones #5, but wanted to pop up for a couple quick announcements. First, HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE, book one in the Night Huntress series, is now available as an audio book. Check your favorite audio retailer for details, or you can go to the publisher’s website here. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, book two in the Night Huntress series, will also be made into an audio book, but I don’t have a release date yet. Will update my website once I do. I’m trying to get the rest of my novels available as audio books, but still working out the rights reversions and other boring details, so no word yet on whether those will be audio books. I’m hopeful, so cross your fingers for me .

In other news, I am very excited to announce the upcoming release of my critique partner Melissa Marr’s fourth book in her Wicked Lovely series, titled RADIANT SHADOWS, releasing April 20th. I’ll be interviewing Melissa live via podcast on Blog Talk Radio Thursday, April 15th at 1pm. Click HERE for details or to set a reminder for the event. Readers are invited (and encouraged!) to call or email your questions in during the chat. So come out and help me give Melissa a hard time discuss RADIANT SHADOWS,  the faery courts, strong heroines, tough, sexy heros, tattoos, villains you love to, um, love, and what’s it’s like to have a novel turned into a movie (for those of you who don’t know, Melissa’s debut novel, WICKED LOVELY, was optioned by Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Picture Show Productions, along with Universal Studios and Caroline Thomson as screenwriter). Should be a fun chat!

Also, for the next two weeks, WICKED LOVELY, the first book in Melissa’s series, is available as free ebook on B&N and Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmae and http://tinyurl.com/y8z3qn8 . So if you haven’t discovered her series yet, check it out!