Magical Michigan Author Bus Tour - Sept 2009 (See who’ll be there)
Magical Michigan Bus Tour information!!
Finally, the information I promised you! Here are the authors I'll be signing with in September:
CT Adams & Cathy Clamp Jessica Anderson Allison Brennan Kathryn Caskie Colleen Coble Kresley Cole Jordan Dane Deeanne Gist Tom Grace Kristan Higgins Elizabeth Hoyt Angela Knight Leslie Langtry Jade Lee Robert Liparulo Susan Mallery Monica McInerney Sophia Nash Deborah Raleigh Gena Showalter Chip St. Clair Roxanne St. Clair Sherry Thomas
We are going to be at the following Meijer locations in Michigan:
Friday, September 19 10:30am Kalamazoo/5800 Gull Rd. 3:00pm Grand Rapids/Cascade 5:00pm Grand Rapids/Knapp's Corner
Saturday, September 20 10:30am Lansing/2055 W. Grand River Rd. 3:00pm Ann Arbor/5645 Jackson Rd. 5:00pm Canton/45001 Ford Rd.
Sunday, September 21 10:30am Rochester Hills/3175 Rochester Rd. 12:00pm Royal Oak/5150 Coolidge Hwy 4:00pm Monroe/1700 Telegraph Rd.
I recently had the pleasure of moderating a fun panel at Romance Writers of America's national conference in San Francisco – Sex and the Single-title. Roxanne St. Claire, Toni McGee Causey, and CJ Lyons joined Martin Shear from St. Martin's Press, the Vice President over mass-market paperbacks. We spoke to a packed room of over 75 conference attendees and it was standing room only.
And we had no idea a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle was in the room. Reporter Heidi Benson wrote her take on the conference in general, but featured quotes from our panel. Here's a peek:
Writing sex scenes (excerpt from San Francisco Chronicle)
Meanwhile, behind the doors of a nearby conference workshop, a panel of best-selling authors gave tips on how to write sex scenes - explicit and otherwise. Among their observations:
"A sex scene is an action scene," said Toni McGee Causey. Her latest "white-trash romance" is Bobbie Faye's Very (Very, Very, Very) Bad Day.
"Younger romance readers have a higher tolerance for sex," according to editor Matthew Schear, Vice President and publisher for Mass Market Paperback at St. Martin's Press.
"It doesn't need to be a how-to guide," said Roxanne St. Claire, author of the Bullet Catchers trilogy. "A sex scene must be emotionally true to character - and it has to make the conflict worse."
Audience questions ran to the technical. This one busted up the room: "Do you practice your love scenes before you write them?" an aspiring author asked.
"Well, I don't recommend the spin cycle," Causey quipped.
Fellow panelist CJ Lyons, who writes medical-suspense, had a quick rejoinder. "I told you!" she said. "It's the dryer, on low."
Personally, I liked the question from a woman in the back row who asked, "Is there a market for a book on a 56-year old virgin who's gotten the thumbs up from her personal physician?" But when the woman tried to explain what medical issues were in question, a guy sitting in front of her raised his hand and said, "Check please."
First the airlines initiated a charge for a passenger's second checked bag. Then the fee for the first bag followed. Now on August 18th, U. S. Airway will charge $2.00 for beverage service. Airline provided tap water, which may or may not be contaminated with fecal coliform bacteria, will still be free—for now. So add this latest charge to the laundry list of other ludicrous fees—choosing your own seat, curbside check-in, booking and using frequent flier miles, and the cost of a lousy chicken sandwich—when will the stupidity stop?
The premise for the initial charges had been justified as an outcome of the rise in fuel costs. More bags meant more fuel expended. Of course, this might have been understandable if they had called it a fuel surcharge and applied it across the board for all passengers and been done with it. Most people might not have noticed or would have understood the reason. But charging a la carte for ridiculous costs is just bad business and has gotten out of control.
Southwest Airlines must be laughing all the way to the bank. Their competition keeps hitting themselves in the head with the corporate stupid stick, but can anyone truly consider these nickel and dimers as real competition for SWA?
Risking the price of a round trip ticket and potentially losing a customer to offset a two-buck beverage—does that make sense to anyone? (Insert sounds of crickets here.)
So what other charges are next? I want to hear from YOU!
Just in time for summer reading, I'm offering a trivia contest for a chance to win one of my debut series books with Avon/HarperCollins. See the CONTEST page on my website for rules and deadlines. Answer trivia questions using the excerpts on my website to find the answers. Entries are ONLY valid if they are submitted via my website's CONTACT page. DO NOT SEND ENTRIES THROUGH MYSPACE, but I hope you'll come play.
The Agent Question – Will They Respect Me in the Morning?
The Agent Question – Will They Respect Me in the Morning?
As a debut author, your first relationship with an agent can be like a courtship. The first blush of an offer to represent is followed by the unforgettable satiation of that first deal. You light up a cigarette and revel that nothing will ever be the same again, but in the afterglow, some authors may wonder:
Did I make the right choice?
What do I know about them…really?
Was I sober when I agreed to this?
That first deal can be a heady experience. In the throes of a first-time negotiation, some authors may throw caution aside and grab that first warm bodied agent who comes along. And others may struggle with which agent is THE BEST. I think there is no "best" agent. It's what is right for you—at the time. And one agent might work well for one author, but not so much for another—for many reasons.
Some authors might feel disappointment if they don't get a call from their agent the morning after… or several times a week. And it's easy to point the finger elsewhere when the ego is involved. But I think you have to have realistic expectations of your work. An agent can't be expected to sell into every foreign country, for example. Sometimes an author's work may not suit the readership in certain countries. Does that mean you break out the tar and feathers? (I say save that for Saturday night and a group of your kinkiest friends.) This is a subjective business and the beauty of an author's work is in the eye of the beholder. This also applies to agents…and hopefully not at 2 a.m. when the lights are dim and liquor is involved.
It's nice to think that your first agent will be your last—your one and only. Loyalty can grow from a solid first-time relationship, but you have to be realistic and keep asking questions as a debut author until you're savvy enough to take off the rose-colored glasses of first love. Is your agent responsive to your queries? Do they have a plan for your future that they've discussed with you? Are they accessible? Do they come to you with ideas? These may be the types of questions you first ask yourself to get a realistic view of your agent, but as time goes on, the questions will change. This is a business and you eventually have to ask the tougher questions to make sure your agent is still right for you—and if they marry up to the type of author you are or are becoming. You may have to ask yourself - What level of success can I handle? Do I have the chops to catapult myself into the big leagues? Will my sales numbers support me becoming a diva/star?
And as in any good relationship, it's important to keep the dialogue open between you and your agent. Don't assume they know what you want or that they perceive you a certain way. Good communication and rapport is key. This just makes solid business sense. But again, where do you want to be as an author—realistically—and do you have the ability to get there and sustain it? I think once you figure this out, the agent question will become apparent as long as you keep those lines of communication open. If your agent isn't willing to grow with you, then it's time to break out your best black lingerie and go trolling.
One final thought—the main focus for a debut author (or for any author) is to WRITE the best book you know how to do. And like they say in the hokey pokey, "That's what it's all about."
Kim Richards - Virtual Book Tour - June 9-30, 2008
Kim Richards is promoting her thriller DEATH MASKS. Visit the blog sites below for reviews, interviews and other fun stuff. And for every blog you visit and leave a comment, your name will be added into a weekly random drawing. The prizes include: PDF copies of either Kim's book or an anthology featuring a short story from Kim called Dragonfruit, tshirts, music from the band Children of a Lesser God (who provided the music for the Death Masks video book trailer) and more.
Kim will visit the blogs so feel free to ask any questions. It's all about having fun and talking about books. Consider yourself invited!
Please forgive my self-indulgence with this blog, but my old dog Feliz passed from this life in May 2008 after sixteen years of sharing her love. And as I knew it would, her death broke my heart.
I could use some cheering up. In memory of my old dog, I'd love to hear your favorite pet stories—something to lift my spirits if you feel like sharing. The gift of a smile would be greatly appreciated.
I've been buried deep in my writing of book 5 THE WRONG SIDE OF DEAD but I'm having a blast being in the world of Jessica Beckett, my Fugitive Recovery Agent. And like a thief, she's stolen my heart and won't give it back. But the news is piling up and I wanted to share.
NO ONE LIVES FOREVER - Released May 27th
The last book in my debut series was released on May 27th. NO ONE LIVES FOREVER is the sequel to NO ONE LEFT TO TELL. And I couldn't be happier with all the positive reviews my series has received. Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine gave my series high marks and TOP PICK awards to these two books, saying "Rarely does an author make such an impact in such a short span of time." What an honor!
HarperCollins Launches Jordan Dane Website
My publisher has made room for me on their website with a page all my own. I'd love it if you could take a peek by clicking this link. I have a photo album, fun stuff, and links to articles and interviews—all located in one convenient spot. Being a part of HarperCollins and their talented group of authors is thrilling. I'm still pinching myself.
My German Cover
I'm thrilled to share my German book cover. Check out this link for the German translation of NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM. My German publisher, Blanvalet, is a notable division of the prestigious Random House and they added the sensational title of Shadow Killer. I love the cover. The book is set for release in March 2009 and is available for pre-sale at Amazon.de now. Shadowkiller—Und niemand hört deinen Schrei (Broschiert)
Summer Read Contest - 2008
Just in time for summer reading, I'm offering a trivia contest for a chance to win one of my debut series books with Avon/HarperCollins. See the CONTEST page on my website for rules and deadlines. Answer trivia questions using the excerpts on my website to find the answers. Entries are ONLY valid if they are submitted via my website's CONTACT page. DO NOT SEND ENTRIES THROUGH MYSPACE, but I hope you'll come play.
Jordan had an amazing book launch in Best of Books in Edmond OK, selling more than 90 books to friends she considers family. Now she’s taking her act on the road and below is where she will be in April.
Thursday, April 17 2008 (5:00—7:00pm) SAN ANTONIO BOOK LAUNCH The Twig Book Shop 5005 Broadway - San Antonio, Texas 210-826-6411 With San Antonio being JD’s hometown and the setting for her debut book NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, this launch will be special and JD promises munchies and way too many family members. Come say "Hola!"
Saturday, April 19 2008 (4:30—6:30pm) HOUSTON BOOK LAUNCH Murder by the Book (MBTB) 2342 Bissonnet St. - Houston, Texas (888) 4-Agatha OR 713-524-8597 MBTB is a fabulous bookstore that caters to the avid reader. JD loves them! Come for a visit.
Saturday, April 26 2008 (2:00—4:00pm) CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA BOOK LAUNCH Borders at Morrocroft Village 3900 Colony Road, Suite F - Charlotte, NC Phone: 704-365-6261 Borders at Morrocroft Village is on the corner of Sharon Rd. and Colony Rd.in the Morrocroft Shopping Center. Across from Southpark Mall.
Please join Jordan Dane at "Riding with the Top Down" blogspot on Wed, Apr 2nd.
JD will be giving away two of her debut books NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM with winners selected at random by their comments. With JD’s debut book released Mar 25th, it’s been a crazy week for a new author, so she’s ready to kick back, have fun and take a ROAD TRIP!
Come check out New York Times best selling author Cindy Gerard’s blog and feel the wind in your hair as you ride with the top down. Drink responsibly.
The "Show—Not Tell" Virtual Book Tour is almost a wrap and we’ve been gearing up all month for the "Launch P-A-R-T-Y!" for debut author Jordan Dane. Be here Sunday March 30th at 7:00 p.m. Eastern US time. (The virtual bar will be open, but feel free to BYOB.) The place: The Writer’s Chatroom, of course!
Since March 5th, "newcomer" Jordan Dane has been the guest of honor at 7 virtual book tour stops sponsored by The Writer’s Chatroom. She’s been open to all questions and has shared personal and business information with anyone who stopped by. The last stop on the tour is hosted by Glenn Walker, founder of TWC, on March 29th at http://www.monsura.blogspot.com/
There will be prizes galore up for grabs at the P-A-R-T-Y. Every person who interacted with Jordan at the VBT stops, except for the host at each tour stop, is eligible to win one of FIVE gift cards to B&N bookstores. (If the hosts stopped by at other tour stops, they are eligible and entered there.) The more comments left by each person, the more chances to win. So far, Tina M. Russo holds the record for having the most entries. Her prize for that? Just click on her name/hotlink to her website. It’s all about the marketing, folks. (Tina has a very nice website, btw.)
And … there will be even MORE prizes given away during the P-A-R-T-Y!
Jordan sold SIX books to Avon/HarperCollins before the first one, No One Heard Her Scream, was released on March 25th. She has back-to-back releases in April and May for the next two! And, she’s currently at work on her next series.
Don’t know about you, but I wannabe like Jordan! I want to learn just how she managed to do that, how she markets, how she plans her stories, how she sells them, and how she plans to get to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list! If you’re a Jordan wannabe like me, check out what she had to say at the VBT stops:
March 25th - Release Day for NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM
A lifelong dream to sell my first book was realized in June 2006—the first shaky step of a toddler—when I sold to Avon HarperCollins. But it’s taken almost two years to make my dream a reality.
On March 25, 2008, my debut book NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM will be released and on bookshelves. And like an anxious parent, I must let my baby go to brave the world alone. It’s been a challenge—a bittersweet roller coaster ride with amazing highs and devastating lows—yet worth every bump and bruise along the way.
Please help by looking out for my baby and celebrate this writer’s journey by spreading the word. For a debut author, word of mouth is vital and I would appreciate your support. Thanks so much! For more information, please visit: www.jordandane.com OR www.jordandane.com/scream.php
HarperCollins has graciously offered a wonderful incentive to promote the debut of my suspense novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM, upcoming release March 25th. By clicking on the links below, you get an exclusive sneak peek inside my book—up to 20% of it. Being my debut, this book is very special to me and I hope you like what you read.
And to celebrate my first release as a new author, my publisher is giving you three different ways to WIN MY BOOK orOTHER BOOKS from HarperCollins. If you've already pre-ordered my book—THANK YOU! (I always knew I liked you best!) But you can still be a winner of other books from HarperCollins by playing my trivia contest or post a "Browse Inside" Widget to your blog or website. And if you pre-order from HarperCollins, you still earn brownie points with me AND get a shot at winning a book from my publisher. You can't go wrong either way.
Play any one or all of the options below. Here's how it works:
Pre-order NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM from HarperCollins.
Simply click on THIS LINK. If you like what you read in the excerpt and want to buy the book, hit the 'Pre-order This Book' button on the HarperCollins page and follow the instructions to pre-order. Then notify HarperCollins(via email toavoncontest@harpercollins.com) that you have pre-ordered my book and your name will be entered into a random drawing that will give you a chance to win a free book from another talented author with Avon/HarperCollins.
Post a Browse Inside widget to your blog or website.
Click on THIS LINKthen hit the button for 'Put this book on your site' (above the Table of Contents). The line of code will be on the left side and you can do a cut/paste to your website or blog. Then notify HarperCollins (via email to avoncontest@harpercollins.com) and tell them where you posted it.Your name will be entered in the random drawing for my book or another book from HarperCollins—simply notify my publisher of your preference in the email.
Play a Trivia Contest from the excerpt you read.
Click on THIS LINKand read the excerpt from NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM to find the answer to the question below. Then give the correct answer to HarperCollins(via email toavoncontest@harpercollins.com). Your name will be entered in the random drawing for my book or another book from HarperCollins—simply notify my publisher of your preference in the email.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who greeted Detective Rebecca Montgomery at the door of the Marquez house? (Please give the character's name or occupation.)
And thanks for helping me celebrate my lifelong dream coming true. As a new author, I truly appreciate your support.
Thanks to everyone who posted a countdown widget for NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM on a website or blog and/or entered this contest via my e-newsletter option. As always, I appreciate your support of a new author and I hope you'll keep the widget alive until my official release date of March 25. But with my release date coming soon, I've got another contest from my publisher to be announced on Tuesday March 11 and I wanted to clear the decks.
Even if you're a winner for this Countdown Widget Contest, the next one gives you options to win another free book from Avon HarperCollins so stay tuned for the new contest announcement to be posted on my website Contest Page and MySpace blog.
In the mean time, below are the randomly picked winners of the Countdown Widget Contest who have already been notified via email. (My husband drew the names so blame him if you don't see yours.)
Michelle Girvan
Elaina the Bookworm
Melanie Smith
Ray Baisden
Brenda
Congratulations to the winners of an autographed Advance Reader Copy of NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM!!
