DC Area Storytellers

Jean Marie's Capclave Schedule

2011-10-13T11:59:00.004-04:00

With no Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading in sight (sob), this year's Capclave schedule is a peach. I'll be participating in just three program items

Friday, 7 p.m.
Magical Worlds--The various uses of magic in fantasy, science fiction, horror and mainstream fiction. From the Force to spells, the panel will also look at unique forms of magic in a variety of books. Panelists: Danny Birt, Stuart Jaffe (moderator) and Jean Marie Ward

Saturday, 8 p.m.
Capclave Mass Autograph Session--A gathering of all the Capclave authors in one place, ready to sign books and chat!

Saturday, 9 p.m.
Washington Science Fiction Association Small Press Award and Party--Join us for the announcement of the winner of the WSFA Small Press Award. There will also be some other surprises revealed, plus cake! (Have I mentioned I'm nominated? With Capclave guests of honor Carrie Vaughn and Catherynne M. Valente? And Sarah Monette? And Jack McDevitt? And RJ Astruc? (You can't see it on the page, but my grin's reeeeeeaaaaaalllly wide right now. :D Heck yeah, there will be cake! And photos, too.)

This leaves me a lot of time to hang with friends, take pictues and, hopefully, shoot a few new author videos for Buzzy. So drop by and take in a few panels--they don't even have to be mine. You'll be glad you did. Promise!

The annual Dragon*Con photo blog

2011-09-24T10:15:00.002-04:00

For those of you who view clicking through picture galleries with the same horror our parents reserved for slide shows of Aunt Ermintrude's trip to the Catskills, today's post at Beyond the Veil is for you. I've cherry-picked some of my best photos of Dragon*Con 2011 and wrapped them in the lightest of all possible con reports. And there isn't a panel table anywhere in sight. Enjoy!

Jean Marie

"Lord Bai's Discovery" nominated for WSFA Small Press Award

2011-09-16T20:03:00.001-04:00

This one totally blew me away. Lord Bai's Discovery" from the anthology Dragon's Lure has made the short list for the Washington Science Fiction Association's 2011 Small Press Award, along with stories by Sarah Monette, Carrie Vaughn, Jack McDevitt, Catherynne M. Valente and RJ Astruc. The awards will be presented at Capclave, October 14-16, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

I'm still pinching myself--to think my story about a foodie dragon is being read in such company... I may need a glass of champagne just to calm down.

And to think the only news I thought I'd have today was the posting of Michael Swanwick's Balticon interview. Which you should totally read. He's one of the best raconteur's ever. Then you can go back to watching me shriek and caper around the computer. :D

New Release - CE4: Anguished Lover by Zenobia Renquist

2011-09-08T14:44:00.002-04:00

Caveat Emptor 4: Anguished Lover
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-674-4
Genre: Erotic, Paranormal/Fantasy, Vampire, Action/Adventure, BBW, Interracial, Magic
Price: $3.49

To save their love, Sicily may have to sacrifice her life.

Sicily has volunteered to put herself on the front lines in the vampires' fight against the mages. Lamon has no choice but to go with her to keep her safe. When the worst happens, Sicily has to find out just what she's willing to sacrifice to save the lives of her lover and her friends.

Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1674

Read Excerpt: http://www.changelingpress.com/content.php?utype=note&uid=5231

Jean Marie's Dragon*Con Schedule Has Landed

2011-08-30T02:54:00.001-04:00

One of the best things about being a writer is being able to post a convention schedule. Not only is it a measure of your achievement, it also means you’ll be seeing your long distance friends. And when the schedule happens to be for Dragon*Con, well, let the party begin!

Friday, September 1

11:30 AM: Just the Facts, Ma'am
Description: Non-fiction is a market that needs good writers. If this appeals to you, come listen to these pros tell you how to make it happen.
M Chapman, G. D. Falksen, John L. Flynn, Anya Martin, and Jean Marie Ward
Location: Manila / Singapore / Hong Kong - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

8:30 PM: New and Next Weird
Description: New weird, mash-up, slipstream, interstitial, crossover... what does the future of "genre" hold, especially for the darker fringes of fantasy?
Lou Anders, Stephen H. Segal, Ann VanderMeer, Jeff Vandermeer, and Jean Marie Ward
Location: Cairo - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

10 PM: Broad Universe Reading
Description: Quick cuts read by some by the women authors of Broad Universe
Gail Z. Martin, Jody Lynn Nye, Jean Marie Ward, Trisha Wooldridge (moderator) and many more.
Location: Greenbriar - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

Sunday, September 4

1 PM: Broad Universe Reading Part 2
Description: More great reads by the women authors of Broad Universe.
Gail Z. Martin, Jean Marie Ward and many more.
Location: Fairlie - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

Monday, September 5

11:30 AM: Win, Lose or Draw - SF and Fantasy Style
Description: A replay of our popular game show where your job is to draw sf and fantasy names and phrases to get others to guess them. Prizes available.
MC: Jean Marie Ward
Location: Fairlie - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)

Hope to see you there!

Jean Marie

Wenches and Tails: Authors After Dark Con Pics

2011-08-18T13:07:00.000-04:00

There will be a lot of recaps about the Authors After Dark convention in Philadelphia. Heck, I did at least three myself, two while I was there. But for me, the major highlight was seeing some of my DCAS peeps, like:

D. Renee Bagby

Stephanie Burke

Robert C. Roman

Melissa Schroeder (on the right, next to Eliza Gayle)

and PJ Schnyder

I'm not going to go into too much detail, but it felt like one giant party the entire time we were there.

Robert, PJ, me and Hel, one of the event staff and a friend of PJ's.

Okay, I think she was a geisha. I'm probably wrong, though.

A kitsune and a geisha (Stephanie) at the Mythos Ball. That tail of mine kept getting stuck in the elevator doors.

And tail jokes abounded...

Every time we saw each other she tried to steal my cane. Woman's about two feet taller than me. I'm a freakin' Hobbit next to her. But she still wanted my awesome cane. (Psst... I got it in Epcot's World Showcase!)

Why do I keep thinking Raoul and Christine of Phantom of the Opera?

I'm not certain what PJ was going for, but she looked good. So did her arm candy, who is also a really sweet guy. And damn, can he dance! I admit, I has a jealous. Dusty just wiggles his butt and his arms. Sometimes just his arms.

We don't dance much.

PJ in her Steampunk/Wench outfit. She fit right in.

I think the theme of the Steampunk Ball was Steampunk Wench/Pirate/Belly Dancer/Southern Belle. If you hit one of those four, you fit right in.

Hel, PJ, D. Renee and Stephanie

Steph did a steampunk pirate queen, and I did a posh Victorian alchemist with a hot cowboy on my arm named...

I did not fit in. Silly non-Wench/Pirate/Belly Dancer/Southern Belle.

Dusty. Yup, I talked him into going to an event with me. We had a blast with PJ and Steph, but we wound up leaving the hotel that night due to me being broken (I'm looking at you, Murphy bed!)

Note to self: I have to remind Dusty that, when tightening my corset, breathing is not an option. It's a necessity. I don't look that good in blue.

And, in case you wondered, Monica Burns was at the convention, too. I saw her swirl by at least once; woman was damn busy. I think we managed to get in a wave and a smile before we were off and running again. I tried hunting down a pic of her at the con to post, but she moved so fast she was breaking the sound barrier.

All in all, I'd say we had a very good time. We were exhausted by the time it was all over, but what made it special was getting to see not only the new faces I always meet at a con, but being able to hang a bit with people I always have a good time with.

The Annual Pre-Dragon*Con Blog

2011-07-30T13:07:00.002-04:00

Didn't want anybody to miss my annual pre-Dragon*Con blog. Dragon*Con is 25 this year, and in honor of the occasion its all about the new, as my Saturday Seven shows. Naturally, there are pictures. I just wish I had the one with me in the sarong. Cheers!

Jean Marie

New Release: CE3: Provoked Lover by Zenobia Renquist

2011-07-21T12:34:00.000-04:00

Caveat Emptor 3: Provoked Lover
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-663-8
Genre: Erotic, Paranormal/Fantasy, Vampire, Action/Adventure, BBW, Interracial, Magic
Price: $3.99

Sicily's emotions become confused when sex is the price of her vampire's protection.

After an attack leaves Theron's allies scattered, Sicily finds herself in the care of Lamon, a vampire who looks like he would rather kill her than protect her.

The unlikely pair must become very close -- sexual energy is necessary to disrupt the spell the mages are using to track Sicily.

Emotions become confused as their bodies entwine. Sicily finds herself falling for a man she can't have... or can she?

Buy Now: http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1639

Read Excerpt: http://www.changelingpress.com/content.php?utype=note&uid=5123

Jean Marie's Happy Dance

2011-07-12T21:43:00.003-04:00

This is so good I'm dancing. Patricia Bray and Joshua Palmatier announced the table of contents for their new fantasy anthology, The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity, coming from DAW Tekno Books in March 2012. And the writers are:

Introduction by Patricia Bray and Joshua Palmatier

"We Will Not Be Undersold" by Seanan McGuire

"Changeling" by Susan Jett

"Water-Called" by Kari Sperring

"The Roots of Aston Quercus" by Juliet E. McKenna

"To Scratch an Itch" by Avery Shade

"Continuing Education" by Kristine Smith

"How To Be Human™" by Barbara Ashford

"How Much Salt" by April Steenburgh

"Hooked" by Anton Strout

"Crash" by S. C. Butler

"Fixed" by Jean Marie Ward

"A People Who Always Know" by Shannon Page & Jay Lake

"The Slaughtered Lamb" by Elizabeth Bear

"Corrupted" by Jim C. Hines

Yes! That’s me on that list! “Fixed” is the story of a teenaged cat shifter who gets taken to an animal shelter while wearing fur. Needless to say, he really REALLY doesn’t want to get “Fixed”.

Although you won’t be able to hold the book (or the pixels of the ebook version) in your hands until March, The Modern Fae’s Guide to Surviving Humanity is available for pre-order on a number of sites, including Amazon. Buy, buy, buy! In multiples, if you can. Patricia and Joshua were so much fun to work with, I’d love to do it again.

Meanwhile, I’m grinning from ear to ear.

My first video interview from behind the camera

2011-05-30T14:24:00.000-04:00

Be afraid. I'm back to asking nosy questions again, and this time I'm armed with a video camera. And you thought the Rapture was scary.
My first video interview from behind the camera is now live at BuzzyMultimedia.com. Carole Nelson Douglas has been writing top flight science fiction and fantasy--to say nothing of her tales of Las Vegas's only cat PI--for thirty years. In her Buzzy interview, the focus is on her Delilah Street Paranormal Mysteries. But don't worry. There are lots of entertaining feline detours along the way. (Duz said it was vital to mention this point, and who am I to argue with the Feline Overlord?)
More interviews with wonderful writers are in the pipeline--folks like Connie Willis, Joe Haldeman and Michael Swanwick--along with a few surprises. Meanwhile, my next job is finishing a short story and posting my Balticon photos. Between the Nebula Awards Weekend and Balticon, it's been a fun couple of weeks. But now it's back to work.

Jean Marie's (and a little of Renee's) Balticon Schedule

2011-05-25T22:32:00.002-04:00

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

No, not the big Red/Green holiday. I mean con season! For me it’s kicking off in a big way with Balticon 45 at the Marriott in Hunt Valley, Maryland, this weekend, May 27-30. So far, my schedule includes six panels and events—two of them with DC Storytellers very own D. Renee Bagby:

Friday, May 27
7 p.m. , Salon B – Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Join us for a selection of sweet and savory readings by seven exciting women authors.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, D. Renee Bagby, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Gail Z. Martin, Roberta Rogow, Jean Marie Ward (moderator), Phoebe Wray.

10 p.m., Parlor 1041 – Anime: Why Do We Love It?
Anime fans in self-analysis. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Panelists: D. Renee Bagby, Ruth Lampi, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward (moderator).

Saturday, May 27
1 p.m., Salon B – Whose Program Is It Anyway?
Panelists—and audience members—behaving badly at cons. What’s the worst thing that ever happened to you or somebody you know at a con? Those are the best stories EVAH!
Panelists: Hildy Silverman, Jennifer Stone, Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Leona Wisoker (moderator)

7 p.m., Belmont – Clark Ashton Who? Great Forgotten Science Fiction Authors
So much great literature, so little time. Panelists discuss their favorites among yesterday’s greats and their candidates for that great File 13 in the sky.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, Carl Cipra (moderator), Michael Swanwick, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Weinstein.

Sunday, May 28
4 p.m., Salon D – Best SF TV Shows
The audience is invited to help the panel decide which science fiction television shows (a) are really science fiction and (b) the best.
Panelists: Marc “Grailwolf” Bailey, T.J. Perkins, Hildy Silverman (moderator), Suzanne Rosin, Jean Marie Ward.

5 p.m., Salon B – Science Fiction Title Chain
It’s a game! The audience provides the words for a science fiction story or novel’s title. The panelists arrange them in a more or less coherent order, and each panelist comes up with a descriptive synopsis. The audience votes on the synopsis they like best.
Panelists: Lisa Adler-Golden (moderator)Nancy Brauer, Brian Koscienski, Grig “Punkie” Larson, Jean Marie Ward.

And if I’m lucky, I may be added to two more:

History as a Source of Fantasy, 4 p.m. Saturday, Belmont Room.

Ghosts, 5 p.m., Saturday, Salon C.

See you in Hunt Valley!

###

New Release: Charmed Lover

2011-04-14T10:59:00.001-04:00

Save 5% off your entire order with coupon code SISpring. Expires 30 April. Only for use on Changeling Press site once per account.

Caveat Emptor 1: Charmed Lover
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-615-7
Genre: Paranormal Erotic
Themes: Interracial, Vampire, Magic
Length: Novella
Price: $3.49

BUY NOW

Ryver is one of the many humans who owns a vampire. She purchased Theron for home security. When the magic charms keeping the vampires docile and subservient suddenly start failing, Theron goes from protector to threat. A nationwide, mandatory recall of all vampires is in effect. Ryver is ready to comply, but a night of passion spent in Theron's arms changes her mind.

It's only a matter of time before someone figures out Ryver and Theron's secret. With the threat of mages bearing down on them, Ryver has to decide if she's willing to give up her lover or her freedom.

Foxy Folklore

2011-04-09T20:07:00.000-04:00

Just got home from DC's Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Street Festival). The weather was grim, but the performances were great. (I'm listening to the new Aun CD I bought after their show and will post pictures...soon. Soon. Really. ;-)) But all the fun meant I'm slow posting the link to my new Beyond the Veil blog, "Foxfire". Appropriately, considering the occasion, it deals with foxes, among the most iconic creatures of Asian folklore--and among the West's most reviled. Enjoy!
Jean Marie

Jean Marie's SynDCon Schedule

2011-03-31T21:24:00.000-04:00

As you probably guessed from my silence on the blog-waves, I’m lost in the writing cave again. But I’ll emerge for two days this weekend to participate in the seminars and wonderfulness that is SynDCon, the Washington DC area’s premier gaming convention.
My schedule comprises three panels in the auditorium of the con hotel, the Hilton Conference Center in Rockville, MD. (It really is only steps away from the Twinbrook Metro!)

Saturday, April 2
Noon – 2 p.m.
Getting Published in Fiction
Four crazy writers tell you how they convinced people to pay them for doing what they’d do for free. I suspect there will be some funny rejection stories, too. After all, misery does love company.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist, Jean Marie Ward & Diane Whiteside

6 – 8 p.m.
The Literary Handyman Mini-Writer’s Workshop
This is where Dani puts on her editor’s hat and gets to the guts of what makes a good, saleable story, with Vonnie and I sharing our scars--er, learning experiences.
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail (moderator), Vonnie Winslow Crist & Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, April 3
Noon – 2 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid-Fire Reading
Join the women writers of Broad Universe for a selection of small yet tasty bites of fiction. The current plan calls for each of us to read twice. I’m planning a selection from “Personal Demons” (my contribution to Hellebore & Rue) and the first unveiling of a Sooper Sekrit ProjeK, which will not be mentioned in paper or pixies--er, pixels until the anthology table of contents is announced…by somebody else. But I can tell you this: There will be cats. And of course, chocolate. Can’t have an RFR without chocolate!
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Kelly A. Harmon, Jean Marie Ward (moderator) & Diane Whiteside.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Outer Alliance Podcast Featuring Hellebore & Rue

2011-03-18T18:47:00.002-04:00

The Outer Alliance Podcast featuring HELLEBORE & RUE is now live. Host Julia Rios did a great job of interviewing editor Catherine Lundoff, contributor Lisa Nohealani and me last Sunday. Particularly fascinating are Catherine's insights into the story selection process and Lisa's discussion of her wonderful story, "And out of the Strong Came Forth Sweetness". And oh yeah, I talk about and read from "Personal Demons", too.

St. Patrick's Day Thursday 13

2011-03-17T15:26:00.002-04:00

Okay, so technically the blog's at Beyond the Veil, but that won't stop you from visiting, right? After all, today everybody's Irish, not just crazy redheads like me.

News, News, News, News

2011-02-13T12:06:00.008-05:00

No sooner did I finish the story that kept me hunkered down in the writing cave all January, when another New! Shiny! request landed in my email box. So I'm going to play prairie dog and head back to the burrow until sometime this spring. But before I do, I wanted to catch everyone up on all the good stuff.

First, if you want to get a taste of the story that occupied my January, head over to Beyond the Veil, the Samhain Publishing paranormal writers blog, for a discussion of how I developed one of the names for that story, aka "Fixed". Yes, there is a cat involved, and a shelter, and the cat winces a lot.

The next two items are personal appearances that might be of special interest to folks in the Washington DC area. On March 5, from 10 a.m. to about noon, I'll be moderating a panel of comprising noted science fiction and fantasy authors Catherine Asaro, Mindy Klasky, Pamela Palmer, Diana Peterfreund, Rebecca York and special guest Colleen Gleason. The panel is part of an all-day seminar hosted by Washington Romance Writers at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Service Center, Bethesda, MD. It will continue after lunch with Colleen's workshops on the hero's journey and world-building. Click here for more information (including links to driving directions). This event is free and open to the public, and I know from personal experience, WRW always offers prizes, including books signed by the participating authors.

The spiffy logo belongs to SynDCon II, the Washington DC area's premiere gaming convention, set for the Rockville Hilton (former home of Capclave), April 1-3. The convention will feature board games, role-playing games, miniature war games and a host of special events, including a writing workshop and panels targeted to the needs of gamer writers and developers. The cast of characters will include Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Kelly A. Harmon, Diane Whiteside and me. I'll post more details on the program as they become available.

Finally, I'm celebrating the release of "Person Demons", my short story about a Tibetan-American sorceress practising her craft in America's most romantic city, Alexandria, VA. The story appears in Hellebore & Rue, an anthology celebrating queer women magic users. It was was a big stretch for me on a number of levels. I'm one of those writers who follows characters around taking dictation, and I was very worried about getting it right when the lead character was so different from me. But some things are universal: love, hope--and devils manipulating people's emotions for their own ends. I hope you'll check out the anthology, if only for the cover, which is as lovely as any I've ever seen.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Jean Marie Ward

Harley on the Rocks by Zenobia Renquist

2011-02-04T03:59:00.000-05:00

Read an excerpt
BUY NOW

Harley on the Rocks

by Zenobia Renquist

Cover art: Bryan Keller

ISBN: 978-1-60521-593-8

Genre(s): Guilty Pleasures (Contemporary)

Theme(s): Interracial, Ménage, Bisexual and More

Length: Novella

Book Summary

Harley's got the hots for her best friends -- two gorgeous hunks who're in love with one another. Helping them spice up their sex life can't be such a bad idea -- can it? Friends with benefits, nothing more. Harley's heart has complicated the issue. She wants to be more to Koijirou and Davis than a temporary fling, but she doesn't want to ruin their friendship. If it comes down to a choice between sex and friendship, can she handle the consequences of the choice she makes?

Read An Excerpt

BUY NOW

I'm Hosting Coffee Write in February!

2011-01-31T12:18:00.000-05:00

Guess what I'm doing in February?

Looking for that little something to get your creative juices flowing? What about a fun way to use your imagination? Once a month we have a new way to expand your imagination and use your writing skills or improve your writing skills. We will provide a beginning of a story, the genre to use, and you provide your version of the story should go. Authors...would you like be our host for a month? Contact us to check on the schedule today! coffeewrite@coffeetimeromance.com

So come join me as I start a tale and you help me finish it! I'll be there from February 4th to the 23rd!

New Book Trailer: Noble Blood, The Gray Court Book 2

2010-12-29T13:25:00.002-05:00

My Son Best Seller at All Romance Ebooks

2010-12-22T14:34:00.006-05:00

My Son Best Seller at All Romance My short story, My Son, is a best seller at All Romance!

Sex, liquor, and men are not always a good thing. Kelly Ann Mitchell discovers this the hard way. One night of confusion, and misplaced trust result in a mistake she can’t take back. Forced to make a choice, she chooses the only thing she can live with which changes her life, and the lives of everyone around her forever.

Charles Mitchell failed his family, his daughter, once. He’s determined not to do it again. Jerry Harte must pay for what he’s done, and Charles will be the one to make sure he does.

Holiday Author Gala & Early Holiday Present

2010-12-16T00:56:00.003-05:00

Two early presents, really. The first is the gala itself. This Saturday, December 18, 7-9 p.m., the Borders at 4420 Mitchellville Road, Bowie, MD 20716, will host a book signing featuring:

- Rising romantic suspense star Jeanne Adams,

- Bestselling science fiction and fantasy writer Catherine Asaro,

- Break-out historical romance author Grace Burrowes,

- Award-winning children's author Deborah Da Costa,

- Three time Nebula Award nominee and veteran SF short story writer Bud Sparhawk, and

- Me.

Just in time for your holiday buying. And to help you get into the spirit of the holidays, there will be music by Catherine and Donald Wolcott. How can you you go wrong?

The second present arrived in my email earlier tonight: the Letter of Agreement for Dragon*Con 25. Nine months away and my mind is already there.

Jean Marie Ward

"The Vampires Of Jeri Smith Ready" now live

2010-12-07T09:55:00.003-05:00

Just a quick note to say my interview with Jeri Smith-Ready, the latest in my "Vampires Of" series, is now live at Buzzy Multimedia. She really is as nice in person as she is on the page.
And while you're in the clicking mood, don't forget Angela Kay Austin's Internal Rhyme for her hero Chance O'Malley.
Cheers!

Angela Kay Austin's Internal Rhyme

2010-12-06T00:58:00.004-05:00

Character inspired prose. Every once in a while my characters like to drop by and share what’s happening in their worlds. Now, there are a lot of ways in which they could do this, but I’ve asked them to express themselves through poetry at Internal Rhyme. Of course, my men argue this point, but we’ve found a happy compromise. I think. We hope that you’ll drop by and read what’s on their minds, and maybe sometimes mine.

These are not the works of Chaucer, Dante, Emily Bronte, Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Nikki Giovanni, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, or Alexander Pope.

But, character inspired poetic prose. As my characters meet, fall in love, fight love, deal with the pressures in their worlds they will drop by to share what they’re feeling with all of us. So, please visit often.

December 7th, Chance O'Malley, my hero from Love's Chance will share with us his feelings about the passing of his father in a piece he's titled "For My Father".

Saturday Six: Snapshots of CapClave 2010

2010-11-20T02:24:00.000-05:00

: Jeri Smith-Ready (left) and Mindy Klasky sign autographs at CapClave 2010.

I know, I've been a bad blogger. I've been lost in the Revision Cave. But I couldn't let the month past without a report on CapClave 2010. It's all here. Enjoy!

Jean Marie

New to Changeling Press: Rite Men for Maya

2010-11-11T10:08:00.000-05:00

Rite Men for Maya
by Zenobia Renquist

Changeling Press

eBook ISBN: 978-1-60521-535-8

Paranormal, Interracial, Menage (m/m/f), Shapeshifter

$4.49

Maya is a half human, half merman who has decided to attend the fertility-virility rite and learn more about her merman heritage. The rite is meant to help mermen find their perfect mates, but Maya is only interested in using it as research.

Tam and Kessen are participants who are searching for their third. They are drawn to Maya and she to them. But she refuses to acknowledge the bond and runs. Tam and Kessen must pursue her through her dreams if they hope to make their love a reality and prove they are the right men for Maya.

BUY NOW

Read Chapter One

Halloween Treasures

2010-11-03T15:03:00.002-04:00

New Halloween anthology from the Jewels of the Quill.HALLOWEEN TREASURES, an anthology from Jewels of the Quill, an author group I belong to, has recently been published by Whiskey Creek Press. Check it out for stories both romantic and chilling. My Lovecraftian romance novella, "Mistress of the Shadow Hounds," features family secrets, an ancient artifact, and a portal between universes. Visit here for information on the book:

Halloween Treasures

Margaret L. Carter
Carter's Crypt

Join Me in NaNoWriMo!

2010-10-31T20:52:00.002-04:00

I'm going to make my fourth run in the National Write a Novel in a Month challenge. Anyone who wants to be a writing buddy can join me there. My direct link is:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/233434
Two of the last three times I've completed NaNo, I've sold the novel by the end of January.
I'll be looking forward to y'all joining the insanity of writing 50k words in 30 days.

Anthony Stevens
http://masteranthonystevens.com

Just in time for Halloween--free reads!

2010-10-29T23:09:00.001-04:00

Just in time for Halloween, I've updated the JeanMarieWard.com "And Stuff" page with links to two real life ghost stories:

"Everyday Haunts" -- You think you know your neighborhood? Maybe it's time to talk to the resident ghosts. (And check out the great cover J.C. Wilder found for the story. Is that a great door to mystery or what?)

"Real Weird" -- More spooky stories from the most ordinary house on the block.

Happy haunting! And don't forget, I'll be signing Dragon's Lure and Fantasy Art Templates at Tea With the Authors at Constellation Books in Reisterstown, Maryland, from 3-5 p.m., Saturday, October 30. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Jean Marie

48 Hours of Halloween Event

2010-10-29T13:39:00.000-04:00

Halloween Internet Event!!

It's time to read about bumping the things in the night.

48 Hours of Halloween
and
The All Saints' Day Event

***Where:
D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters
http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/

***When:
30 Oct, 12:01 AM EST - 01 Nov, 10:01 AM EST

***What:
Every hour, one minute past the hour, starting 30 October at 12:01 AM EST the D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters blog will drop a new romance first chapter. Vampires, shapeshifters, witches, demons, angels, and other such Halloween creatures are the theme of this event.

***Prizes:
- Book Cover posters
- Free books/e-books

***GRAND PRIZE (only ONE winner for all three days):
- Those who comment on all 59 posts are entered to win a $50 e-gift card to Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, or All Romance eBooks (winner's choice).

***How to Win:
- Leave a comment. The more posts on which you comment, the more chances you have to win. (Note: Multiple comments on one post from one person only count as one entry.)

- Include your name and/or email on each comment for notification purposes.

- All comments received PRIOR to 02 November 12:01 AM EST are entered to win. Winners announced 02 November ON THE BLOG -- that means you have to check back to see if you won.

- Winners have TWO (2) days from the date of notification to claim their prize (deadline - 04 November, Thursday).

*** Permission to forward granted ***

Dragons & Fairies & Book Signing, Oh My!

2010-10-26T02:49:00.000-04:00

Is Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity too crazy for you...or not insane enough?

What you need is a large dose of bacon-loving dragons and bad-assed fairies. To get it, join me for Tea with the Authors at Constellation Books, 303 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD 21136, this Saturday, October 30, from 3-5 p.m.

The event also features my partners-in-crime--er, fantasy--er, fellow writers Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Vonnie Winslow Crist, Kelly A. Harmon and Robert E. Waters. The spotlighted books will be Dragon's Lure (which includes my short story "Lord Bai's Discovery") and Bad-Assed Fairies 3: Halfling's Court.

There will be tea, cookies, costumes, readings and lots of fun. Hope to see you there!

Jean Marie

The Week of a Thousand Blogs continues

2010-10-21T12:32:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I know "three" is a long way from "a thousand', but with the house in chaos from drywall repairs and painters (who used the WRONG PAINT, so we had industrial fans running in front of open windows all night-grrrrrrr), it sure feels like it. This time it's my Samhain blog offering a few of my choicer real life tales of the weird. Think of it as a companion piece to the Samhellion freebie scheduled for later in the month. Creeeeeepy. Mwahahahaha!

Jean Marie Ward

Jean Marie's 2010 Capclave Schedule

2010-10-19T01:13:00.002-04:00

Halloween is my favorite time of year, not only do I get to celebrate my favorite holiday, I get to play at Capclave, the Washington DC area’s literary science fiction, fantasy and horror convention focusing on the short fiction form, held at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville MD Executive Meeting Center, October 22-24. This year’s guests of honor are Connie Willis (writing), and Ann and Jeff VanderMeer (editing).

My schedule comprises two panels, a workshop and the ever popular Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading, where I just might read from “Siren Bridge”. It’s strudel weather, after all.

Friday, 7 p.m.
Mutants: Gift or Curse? (Ends at: 8:00 pm)
Location: Plaza II M
Panelists: C.J. Henderson, Robert Scott, Jean Marie Ward
What are the joys and pains of being a zombie, vampire, werewolf? Discussion of trends in depictions of mutants in books, films, comics, and popular culture.

Friday, 8 p.m.
Writers and the Internet: When is Enough Enough? (Ends at: 9:00 pm)
Location: Plaza II
Panelists: Oz Drummond, Walter H. Hunt, Tee Morris, Karen Wester Newton, Jeff VanderMeer, Jean Marie Ward
How much of the Internet is needed for an author to successfully promote themselves and their works? And how much is too much?

Saturday, 2 p.m.
Reviewer's Workshop (Ends at: 4:00 pm)
Location: Randolph
Panelists: Doug Fratz, Peter Heck (M), Jean Marie Ward
A good reviewer does more then read free books and say "I like that". The panelists will demonstrate the hallmarks of a good review and how to create one. Did we mention Peter Heck is a regular reviewer for Asimov's Science Fiction?

Saturday, 7 p.m.
Broad Universe RapidFire Reading (Ends at: 8:00 pm)
Location: Montrose
Panelists: Roxanne Bland, Oz Drummond, Kelly A. Harmon, Dina Leacock, Jean Marie Ward
The women authors of Broad Universe serve up tasty bites of fiction...and free chocolate!

***

Note: The Fannish Dodo illustrating this post is the Capclave mascot, created by Lynn Perkins in 2005.

Jean Marie Ward
JeanMarieWard.com

"The Vampires Of" return with Tanya Huff

2010-10-16T19:38:00.002-04:00

The latest in my Buzzy Multimedia interview series, "The Vampires Of", is now live. This episode features Tanya Huff, author of two vampire series (including the Vicki Nelson novels, which inspired a first-rate Lifetime Channel TV series) and many other wonderful SF and fantasy books. Check it out. This is definitely one of my favorites of the series. Tanya's a delight to talk to--and read.

Jean Marie

My 2010 Dragon*Con Images Are Live

2010-09-23T01:59:00.002-04:00

The Cruxshadows Dancers at the band's September 5 Dragon*Con performance.

I've posted a Thursday Thirteen of pictures for my monthly blog at Beyond the Veil. But be warned, those shots are just the teaser. To see the rest of the photos you'll need to follow the link at the end of the article. Enjoy!

Con Report: ReConStruction 2010

2010-09-13T17:40:00.001-04:00

It was the opposite of Dragon*Con. ReConStruction, the tenth occasional North American Science Fiction Convention held in Raleigh August 5-8, was the definition of low-key. Preliminary counts put attendance at only a little over six hundred. But that only meant a glorious lack of queues.

There were no lines for Raleigh’s famous rickshaw taxis when Jana Oliver and I strolled out of our hotel the day before the con. Or for the restaurants or the small museums which dotted downtown Raleigh. Or the panels and exhibits, which sometime seemed dwarfed by their facilities. This gave the proceedings a very relaxed feel and, as Lee Martindale pointed out in her entry “Con Trails”, encouraged folks to make things work in spite of glitches and unexpected hotel issues.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Raleigh, NC (photo by Jean Marie Ward)

Lots of stand-out memories remain, even after the six weeks it took me to post this. Ada Milenkovic Brown organized the con’s Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading and a pre-reading get together at the appropriately named Flying Saucer bar. The saucers, though, had more to do with beer than little green men. The saucers lining the walls were awarded for drinking a thousand beers at the bar. While we were there, a gentleman was awarded his third. Hmm, maybe little green men were involved after all…riding to the rescue on pink elephants.

My panels included a one-on-one with con toastmaster and Baen editor Toni Weiskopf (“Urban Fantasy make-over”), and Susan and Clay Griffith, the husband and wife writing team whose The Greyfriar will be released in early November (“Writing with someone close to you”). Fan guest of honor Juanita Coulson recounted the most wonderful stories about collaborating in SF’s Golden Age on the Writing in Collaboration panel with Chuck Gannon and me. But “Worst panel ever” will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only did my fellow panelists (Michael D’Ambrosio, Chris Garcia, James Daniel Ross and Lawrence M. Schoen) reduce me to tears of laughter, but a member of the audience later greeted me with the words: “Worst Panel Ever—best panel ever!” Music to this panel moderator’s ears.

The RFR boasted a large audience and eight accomplished writers. Everyone read at their best, too. Afterwards, most of us decamped to the party of the con: the launch party for Mary Robinette Kowal’s Shades of Milk and Honey. The party featured the author in picture perfect Regency dress, scented fan souvenirs and a musical performance by Mary’s father Ken Harrison on the saw. Yes, you read that right. He played the saw, the same carpentry implement most of us use to cut wood, and he made it sing. Mary called it “an analog theremin”, and that’s a very good description of the sound. The eerie vibrato tone lent a special magic to the selection of traditional tunes he played. Unfortunately, your reporter neglected to pack her notebook to record the titles, but I did get pictures.

Ken Harrison (left) and Mary Robinette Kowal at the launch party
for Mary's Shades of Milk and Honey. (photo by Jean Marie Ward)

Regular roomies (Jana and Gail, I am looking at you) know that I can’t go to a new city without cruising the restaurants. Jana and I stumbled on bu*ku, an elegant bistro specializing in “global street food” after our rickshaw ride, and we ate more than one meal at Sitti, a friendly but sophisticated Lebanese café. The city saved its most unique dining experience for last, however—with a little help from fellow “Broad” and Samhain author Marcia Colette.

Marcia brought me to Spize, a café run by a friend and colleague. Imagine divine Asian fusion sandwiches on the best baguettes you ever ate. The owner, an IT superstar who founded the café during a brief sabbatical, has the bread flown in from New York. Yet the café is both unpretentious and green. There’s something decidedly fantastical about that, too.

(Glutton for pun--er, want more? Click here for the rest of my ReConStruction photos.)

Cover dance of glee for Hellebore & Rue

2010-09-12T18:04:00.000-04:00

Remember my little ugly duckling of a story that no one loved because my heroine happened to be lesbian...and a sorceress...and totally unapologetic about any of it? Well, it's official, "Personal Demons" has turned into a swan, thanks to the kind offices of editors Catherine Lundoff and JoSelle Vanderhooft and the good folks at Drollerie Press. Look at the line-up "Personal Demons" will be sharing page space with. Heck, look at the cover. Even Greg, who's an artist in his own right, is in awe. Con crud? What con crud? Watch me dance! ;-)

Jean Marie

A little bit of Intervention

2010-09-12T02:53:00.001-04:00

Michael "Mookie" Terracciano, creator of the fantasy
webcomic "Dominic Deegan: Oracle for Hire", mugs
for your pestilential reporter.

It may seem backwards to post my photos of Intervention Con, the brand new Washington DC-area webcomics convention, first but it's only fair. Although I was pencilled into the program for two days, the horrors of Con Crud (my first-ever unwelcome souvenir of Dragon*Con) will keep me from playing on today's panels. I only hope I didn't spread my plague to the other attendees.

There was a lot to like at Intervention 2010. The organizers were friendly and helpful, and the attendees were thrilled at the chance to promote an artform they love to DC and the world. Guest Relations Chair Gloria Chapa deserves special thanks for dealing with my unexpectedly diminished schedule. But everyone I dealt with, from PR maven Brian Lynch to hotel liaison Colette Fozard (of the fabulous cat ears) to the dread photographer/videographers Wes Mason and Isaiah Beard, were first-rate folks.

Another special shout-out needs to go to Chris "Kilika" Malone (New Jersey's premier surfer and creator of Blue and Blond) and fellow DC Area Storyteller Anthony Stevens for helping to make Greg's (aka the Spouse Person and IV Caffeine's chief squirrel wrangler) first ever con as vendor and guest a success. Thanks guys! My only regret is I was too spacey to get Chris's picture. My reportorial instincts were obviously out to lunch all day long.

Oh well, with any luck they'll do it again next year. I'll be better then. Promise!

Jean Marie Ward

Intervention Schedule

2010-09-09T14:38:00.002-04:00

No, not that kind of intervention. This is Intervention capitalized, a very new webcomic convention gracing the Hilton DC/Rockville, Maryland, September 10-12. Yes, the con starts tomorrow, and yes, I do have panels. So do DC Area Storytellers' very own Anthony Stevens, as well as Greg, the darling spouse and squirrel wrangler of Intravenous Caffeine. This will be Greg's first con as a participating artist and guest, so come on by and show some con love. Our schedule is:

Friday, September 10
1 p.m.
Okay, I Finished My Story. What Happens Next?
How does your story get from your keyboard to into a reader’s hands? What’s the editorial process? Why does it take so long?
Panelists: Elaine Corvidae, Jean Marie Ward

7 p.m
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Publishing, But Didn’t Know You Had to Ask.
Writers at all points in the publishing food chain share their experiences, good and bad. Panelists will discuss the various advantages of NY publishers, small press and self-publishing. Along the way you’ll learn what publishers really look for in a book, how to get your project noticed in a good way, and how to spot potential warning signs of trouble. (I had hoped to lure Ben Bova into this one, but alas, he had the flu and had to cancel. But trust me, Elaine and I have lots of experiences to share, good, bad, our own and others’.)
Panelists: Elaine Corvidae, Jean Marie Ward

9 p.m.
Free Is a Good Place to Start.
Do you have big dreams, but a minuscule budget? Never fear; our panelists can show you the path to Freedonia. This panel is a short seminar with hand-outs highlighting free word processing, graphics, audio and video programs, and free web site templates. (This is Greg’s first panel ever. Drop by and show him some con love.)
Panelists: Anthony Stevens, Chris Impink, Ryan Thompson, Greg Uchrin, Jean Marie Ward

10 p.m.
The Economies of Small Scale.
Just because your dreams are big doesn’t mean that you’ll be forced to break the bank. This panel deals with posting a comic on the cheap, a word about copyright, and the real costs of self-publishing in ink and paper.
Panelists: Anthony Stevens, Greg Uchrin

Sunday, September 12
11 a.m.
How to Use Social Media Without Inadvertently Seeming like a Jerk.
Social Media has changed the industry dramatically. Gone are the days when creators had little to no contact with their fans. Which services are worth using? How do we use them? What are some common mistakes? What are some creative promotional techniques?
Panelists: Chris Flick, Illya Kuryakin, Christiann MacAuley, Ben McCormick, Jean Marie Ward

1 p.m.
Creating Three-Dimensional Characters.
When writing an adventure or a story, having characters that the readers can get into is half the battle. If the readers or players become intrigued by the characters, then the rest of the story will fall into place. Join our panelists as they discuss creating characters that are non-flat and can intrigue.
Panelists: Pete Abrams, Chezhnian Angelus, Garth Graham, Michael Terracciano, Jean Marie Ward

And that’s just our panels. The con boasts three full-time tracks, workshops, a club (with dances) and a video room. See you there!

Animal Attraction (Halle Pumas Anthology 2)

2010-09-04T11:53:00.000-04:00

Look what I made!

Jean Marie's Dragon*Con Schedule of Dooooom

2010-08-31T01:25:00.001-04:00

Diana Gabaldon! Peter David! Elizabeth Moon! Jeanne C. Stein! Jody Lynn Nye! Eric Flint! Not only are they all at Dragon*Con, they’re all on panels with moi. Not to mention all the other fabulous people on my twelve panels. Yes, twelve. Now you know where the Dooooom comes from.

FRIDAY 1 p.m.
Collaborations: Are Two Heads Better Than One?
See title. Is a good collaboration as good or better than a solo author's work? Why or why not?
Eric Flint, C. Robin (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Greenbriar (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

FRIDAY 2:30 p.m.
To Tell the Truth
For the non-fiction writer. Blogs, articles and books about the speculative fiction markets, including books, short stories, movies and television.
Dr. Bob Blackwood, John Flynn, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Anya Martin, Jennifer Ouellette, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Manila/Singapore/Hong Kong (Writer’s Track)

FRIDAY 4 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Readings: Time Travel
The women of Broad Universe take you on a time-traveling trip-tic of storytelling featuring visions of the past, present and future.
Kathryn Hinds, Racheline Maltese, Gail Z. Martin, Jody Lynn Nye, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Westin – International C - Westin (Alternate History Track)

FRIDAY 7 p.m.
True Blood – From Page to Screen
Like the changes to Sookie's world? Hate them? Come by and share your thoughts!
J.F. Lewis, Carol Malcolm (Moderator), Jeanne C. Stein, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Montreal/Vancouver (Dark Fantasy Track)

FRIDAY 10 p.m.
Sexy Science Fiction
What makes a book sexy? Naked women and actual sex scenes? Or are there other literary pheromones at work?
Diana Gabaldon, Gail Z. Martin, G. Mitchell (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward, Diane Whiteside
Location: Hyatt – Fairlie (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

SATURDAY 10 a.m.
Turning Stellar Rejections into Sales
According to the rejection letter, your book just misses being bought. What can you do to turn a rejection into a sale?
Lynn Abbey, Peter David, Christopher Golden, Lee Martindale, Josepha Sherman, Anne Sowards, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Manila/Singapore/Hong Kong (Writer’s Track)

SATURDAY 11:30 a.m.
Broad Universe Reading
Discover new writers, rediscover ones you know! Up-and-coming women writers read from their own works and others. (2 ½ hours)
Kathryn Hinds, Mary Robinette Kowal, Racheline Maltese, Gail Z. Martin, Jody Lynn Nye, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Whiteside, Trisha Wooldridge
Location: Hyatt – Greenbriar (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

SATURDAY 7 p.m.
The Worlds of Tim Burton
A fan panel about the works of Tim Burton. What did you think of Alice in Wonderland? Do you ever think he'll ever make that Dark Shadows movie?
Leanna Renee Hieber, DJ Ichabod (Moderator), Mari Mancusi, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Cairo (Dark Fantasy Track)

SATURDAY 8:30 p.m.
Gray Areas: Polymoral Characters
Sometimes bad people do good things and vice versa. Does this make the bad good or the good bad?
Larry Davis (Moderator), Van Plexico, Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Greenbriar (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

SATURDAY 10 p.m.
Love Rots
Zombies in erotica and romance.
Elizabeth Donald, John Everson, Stacia Kane, Mari Mancusi, M. Miller (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward
Location: Hyatt – Montreal/Vancouver (Dark Fantasy Track)

MONDAY 11:30 am.
The New Amazons
Women kick bad guy butt in urban fantasy, young adult fiction, television and real life. How are they doing in epic fantasy?
Lynn Abbey, Gail Z. Martin, Elizabeth Moon, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)
Location: Hyatt – Greenbriar (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

MONDAY 2:30 p.m.
Win, Lose or Draw – SF style
Use your drawing skills to win books and prizes in our version of the old game.
Jean Marie Ward (Moderator)
Location: Hyatt – Greenbriar (SF/Fantasy Literature Track)

Yeah, I’m going to be a gibbering ball of goo by the time it’s all over. But dang, what a way to go!

Jean Marie Ward

"Personal Demons" under contract

2010-08-21T22:40:00.003-04:00

"Personal Demons", a tale about demonic possession and tantric sorcery in Alexandria, Virginia, has been accepted and contracted for Hellebore and Rue: Tales of Queer Women and Magic edited by JoSelle Vanderhooft and Catherine Lundoff. (Insert demented happy dances here. :D) I've loved this story for ages, but people told me it would never sell because my protagonist happened to be a lesbian. Just goes to show the story (and its magically gifted heroine) knew better than anybody. They were waiting for the right home, and what a lovely home it will be. Drollerie Press has a rep for fantastic covers and amazing content. I can't wait to read the other stories in the anthology. Fortunately, the wait won't be too long. The editors and Drollerie Press hope to issue the ebook in time for Halloween. This year! Color me thrilled.

Jean Marie Ward

2010-08-18T02:39:00.001-04:00

New review and it is totally worth sharing!

"...Renee takes pride in developing rich, three-dimensional characters that continue to grow at every turn of the page... I found myself stalking the novel, devouring each page, and craving to know what happens next. I was also incredibly impressed that there wasn’t a single grammatical error in the book, which is something I’m quite critical about when reviewing novels... I don’t do ratings, but if I had to categorize Eris, I would call it “Literary Perfection.”"
~ Zee, Fire Pages Reviews

Full Review:
http://firepages.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/eris-by-d-renee-bagby/

Along with the review is a contest: Absolute Chaos Giveaway
- Leave a Comment on the Review
- Leave a comment on the interview to be posted Thursday 19 August
AND
- Subscribe via email to Zee's blog

Prizes:
- $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon, or Bookstrand (winner's choice)
- e-copy of ERIS

Contest ends Friday 20 August

Good luck and have a happy!

~ Renee
---
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

The Vampires Of: Ginjer Buchanan

2010-08-16T20:05:00.001-04:00

Buzzy Multimedia has published the second in my series of mini vampire interviews. This one features top Ace Books editor Ginjer Buchanan. Enjoy!

SLC Examiner Interview!

2010-08-14T08:18:00.002-04:00

Fran Lee of the Salt Lake City Romance Novels Examiner interviewed me.

Check it out and leave a comment.

My 2010 Pre-DragonCon Post

2010-08-12T11:39:00.001-04:00

Is now live--with pictures--at Beyond the Veil. Enjoy!

5 Delightful Divas for ERIS

2010-08-12T04:51:00.002-04:00

This one slipped past me, but I'm sure happy to see it. :D

5 Divas!
"If this were a movie, it would be a box office smash... So if you’re looking for a fast paced book with hunky immortals born in the thirteen century who find themselves captivated by a twenty first century woman, this book is definitely for you!"
~ Dakota, Dark Diva Reviews

Full Review - http://ddrreviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/eris-eternal-truths-series-by-d-renee.html

Eris by D. Renee Bagby

Genre: Fantasy Mainstream Menage (m/f/m), Interracial, Unorthodox Time Travel
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Menage Amour Imprint
ISBN: 1-60601-837-X
Length: 160,003 words (508 pgs PDF)
Format: eBook
Price: $6.99

BUY NOW

Read Excerpt
Read First Chapter

Eternal Truths Series, Book 1

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Renee
-----------------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

Vote for ERIS at HEA (Book of the Month)

2010-08-04T06:51:00.001-04:00

Eris is up for Book of the Month over at Happily Ever After Reviews!

Vote NOW

[Ménage Amour: Mainstream Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Interracial, Time Travel]

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time, even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention, but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve, and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Note: Contains no explicit sexual language. Contains physical violence against the heroine.
A Siren Erotic Romance

Mini-vamps and ReConStruction Update

2010-08-03T00:40:00.001-04:00

When I'm not committing fiction, I write nonfiction. Since April, I've been collecting mini-interviews with writers of vampire fiction in support of a larger project. The larger project is still in the "Don't rush me, I'm thinking" phase. (Did I just quote Jack Benny about money. Oh noes! I did.) But the mini-interviews have found a home.

Buzzy Multimedia has bought six brand new interviews with some of your favorite vampire writers--and editors. The first one, starring the ever-delightful Rachel Caine, has already been posted on the site. Future interviews feature Charlaine Harris, Ginjer Buchanan, Gail Z. Martin, Jeri Smith-Ready, Tanya Huff and whoever else I can strong-arm--er, persuade to stand in front of my tape recorder. Click the link and enjoy.

I hoped to be sharing my ReCONStruction schedule, but unfortunately, there's still a big disconnect between the program grid and panel list on the site. :-( But I'll be around, as in nine panels around. Yikes! And as you can see from te picture, there will be a Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading. For the reading, I'll be offering folks a choice: dragon or syren? But don't worry, they're both evil.

And I won't be the only Samhain author there either. Marcia Colette will be sharing the bill, too. Poor woman, she doesn't know what she's in for. Mwahahahaha! Hope you'll join us. There's nothing to be afraid of. Really...

LASR-WC Spotlight: D. Renee Bagby

2010-07-26T15:59:00.002-04:00

The spotlight is on me again. This time I'm at The Long and the Short of It's Whipped Cream site.

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/index.htm

Stop by if you would like to enter to win a copy of ERIS. Or just stop by to leave a comment on one of my posts. The spotlight lasts from Monday to Friday with a new post each day. Don't miss out.

~ Renee
---------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

Spotlights and Contests, Oh My!

2010-07-19T11:24:00.001-04:00

I'm in the spotlight at Melodee Aaron's site and her Yahoo loop.

Read the interview (and fast facts):
http://www.melodeeaaron.com/
Click on the "Spotlight" button in the left side column

I also did a guest blog over at You Gotta Read Reviews Guest Blog. It was a quick interview. Give it a looksie.

On to the contests!

Contest #1
Join Melodee Aaron's yahoo group and hang out with me for the week to chat about my books and for fast prizes:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/melodee_aaron/

Contest #2 - Best of the Best of June
http://dreneebagbypresentsfirstchapters.blogspot.com/

Come out to D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters so you can vote on the best
of those chapters posted in June. Choose the best cover, the best first line,
the best last line and the best overall first chapter.

4 lucky voters will be entered into a lottery to win one of these 4 prizes:
- Eris tote from me (snail mail address required)
- eBook download of Acknowledging Meirion (ARe account required)
- eBook download of The Lovely Kittengirls of Mew Orleans by GG Royale
- eBook download of The Flapper and the Fellow by GG Royale

Voting for Best of June ends 31 July. Don't be late. Though you can always vote
for Best of July in August and so on.

The prizes and the number of winners varies each month so stayed tuned. Who
knows, you may even find a book you want to read.

******
Contest #3 - Author Island
http://bit.ly/9h2Xz7

I'm hosting a contest. Three lucky winners will receive a book from mybacklist to celebrate the rave reviews of my new release ERIS.

Visit the above link for details.

Contest ends 15 August.

Renee
-----------------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com
http://www.bookstrand.com/eris

HEA Reviews - Eris Gets 5 Tea Cups

2010-07-14T11:29:00.000-04:00

Eris has gotten a second review from Happily Ever After Reviews.

"I cried, laughed, had moments of incredible frustration, but in the end fell in love... This is a must read for anyone who likes time travel romance..." ~ Yadkny, Happily Ever After Reviews, 5 Tea Cups

Buy Now

Read the First Chapter

Eternal Truths Series, Book 1

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf’s attention but they are her bosses. She doesn’t want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Guest Blog at Nana Malone's

2010-07-13T03:53:00.001-04:00

I did a guest blog at Nana Malone's about crying. No, no, no. I'm not crying. You just have to read the blog and see. :P

Take a look

~ Renee
----------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

Save the SJ!

2010-07-01T23:03:00.002-04:00

Although this isn't technically a DC Area Storytellers' issue, it hits very close to home. After a five-year medical nightmare, former DC area writer SJ Willing has lost the use of his pancreas. He can survive and thrive with the right meds, but they cost $250/month he can't afford, and like most writers, he lacks insurance. His fellow writers at Beyond the Veil have started a number of projects to help out. The first, a "Save our SJ" Donate button on the cover of the group novel Dunvegas, is now live. Please, visit and click. If you need more incentives, I've posted 13 reasons why you should. And I'll add one more: He's a good guy with family who loves and needs him. Thanks!

Two Contests!!

2010-07-01T12:03:00.001-04:00

CONTEST #1

Desiree Holt has featured ERIS on her "Desiree Holt Tells All" blog. Stop by and leave a comment and you are entered to win a book from HER backlist. That's right. Hers. She's footing the bill this time. :P

Click HERE to enter.

CONTEST #2

"D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters" the best of the best of June's posts contest is LIVE. Stop by and cast your vote for the best first line, the best last line, the best cover, and the best overall first chapter and you could be entered to win one of FOUR great prizes:

- ERIS tote from me
- ebook download of ACKNOWLEDGING MEIRION via ARe from me
- ebook download of THE KITTENGIRLS OF MEW ORLEANS by GG Royale
- ebook download of THE FLAPPER AND THE FELLOW by GG Royale

Click HERE to vote NOW.

First Review: Eris by D. Renee Bagby

2010-06-23T10:45:00.001-04:00

FIRST REVIEW!!!

Eris has gotten it's first review from Rites of Romance.

5 lyres and a recommended read

"I was so taken in by the characters I loved, yes loved this book... The characters came to life for me, they all had flaws and imperfections and that’s what made them real to me."
~ GJM

Read the full review

Buy Now
Read First Chapter

Guest Blog Post with the Seattle Examiner

2010-06-17T11:58:00.002-04:00

I have a guest blog post up with the Seattle Examiner on how badly I still panic when I hit that SEND button:

http://www.examiner.com/x-31460-Seattle-Writing-Careers-Examiner~y2010m6d17-Daring-to-Believe-Hitting-that-send-button--by-Dana-Marie-Bell

Go ahead. Laugh. You know you want to. Don't worry, I can take it.

"Hoodoo Cupid" is front & center at Fictionwise

2010-06-16T02:34:00.001-04:00

Well, look at that. I have no idea how long it will be up there, but seeing my little romance on the front page of anything makes me squee. I am so easy. Of course, I just finished watching "Comes a Horseman" again on Syfy. Now off to bed, hopefully with dreams of Domain in my head...

New Release: Eris by D. Renee Bagby

2010-06-14T12:15:00.001-04:00

Eris by D. Renee Bagby

Genre: Fantasy Mainstream Menage (m/f/m), Interracial, Unorthodox Time Travel
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Menage Amour Imprint
ISBN: 1-60601-837-X
Release: 14 June (today)
Length: 160,003 words (508 pgs PDF)
Format: eBook
Price: $6.99

BUY NOW

Read Excerpt
Read First Chapter

Eternal Truths Series, Book 1

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Contest

Three lucky people will win a download of Eris What to be one of them? Visit my cyber launch and leave a comment or a question. That's it. You'll be entered into the lottery. This is a one-day thing only and that day is today (14 June). Winners announced tomorrow (15 June) at the same location.

Good luck and have a happy!

~ Renee
------------------
D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

Eris by D. Renee Bagby - Pre-Order Today!

2010-06-09T14:38:00.001-04:00

Eris by D. Renee Bagby

$6.99 - (Out 14 June) Pre-Order NOW

[Ménage Amour: Mainstream Ménage a Trois Romance, M/F/M, Interracial, Unorthodox Time Travel]

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time, even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There's only one catch--she's never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf's attention, but they are her bosses. She doesn't want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve, and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Read first chapter at D. Renee Bagby Presents First Chapters on 14 June. Excerpt coming to my website on 14 June.

~ Renee
Building New Realms of Passion
http://dreneebagby.com

All This & Glitter Too

2010-06-06T15:35:00.001-04:00

Rose of Night Shade Industries (right) and yours truly at Balticon 44.

If you want to know what kind of mischief I got into at last week's Balticon, the story is now live. The photos, too. Enjoy!

Jean Marie

Wannan Play Some Mating Games?

2010-06-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots!

ISBN: 978-1-60504-765-2
Length: 272 Pages
Price: 15.00
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Cover art by Anne Cain

Claiming your mate? Best. Game. Ever.

The Wallflower
Emma’s loved Max for years, but to him she was invisible. Now she’s in business—and out of her shell. Max returns home to become the Halle Pride’s Alpha, and he finds Emma has blossomed into—his mate! Taking her out for a bite ensures she’ll be his. But first she must convince the Pride she has what it takes…

Sweet Dreams
Getting attacked by some she-devil wasn’t part of Becky’s plans when she agreed to attend a masquerade. In a few slashing moments, she learns things about the man she loves that she never suspected. When Simon rescues Becky from one of his Pride, he finally confirms that she’s his mate. Carrying her off gives him the chance to mark her as his. But a strange illness threatens to turn their sweet dreams into a nightmare.

Cat of a Different Color
Adrian has friends, a thriving business, and the occasional Saturday night date. Life is good. Until Sheri hits town. Sheri knows Adrian is her mate, but she’s running from an ex who’s got the teeth to take whatever he wants. With Adrian by her side, though, she might just survive—if he doesn’t become lunch…

Warning: This title contains a hot blond Alpha, his tall, dark and handsome Beta, and a Puma willing to do whatever it takes to protect his mate.

Enjoy an Excerpt from Cat of a Different Color:

Chapter One

“God, I hate winter. If it wasn’t for the hurricanes I’d move to Florida.”

Adrian knocked on the hotel room door and sighed, rolling his eyes at the sight of his breath in the air. He hoped the girl (Cheryl? Shelly? No, Sheri!) didn’t keep him waiting too long. Adrian shivered and wished desperately he was back in his own warm home, with a roaring fire and a good book.

He’d been volunteered by Max to pick up the newest Pride member. Tonight was supposed to be her formal introduction, though she’d already been approved by both the Alphas and the Betas. Only Max could get Adrian to stand outside in the cold like this, but that was okay. He planned on exacting his own kind of revenge. He grinned, thinking of all the ways he could encourage Emma’s pre-marital madness.

The Alpha’s mate had gone completely insane, post-it bombing the office with little notes and to-do lists. She either kept forgetting that he shared desk space with Max or enjoyed tormenting him with wedding cake photos. It was enough to send a confirmed bachelor into sugar shock.

Adrian didn’t want a mate. He smiled to himself. His best friends had both become pussy-whipped, all in the space of weeks. Emma said “Jump!” and the big strong Alpha asked not only how high but which direction. As for Simon, if Becky so much as sighed he panicked. Watching the two strongest members of the Pride buckle under the Breast Brigade made him all the more determined to stay sanely single.

“Just a moment,” a soft voice called from inside. It sounded shy and sweet, and Adrian’s Puma raised its head curiously. He could feel his dick hardening slightly at the sound of her velvety voice.

“What the hell?” he muttered, frowning at the closed door. Shrugging, he tried to dismiss his body’s reaction.

“Who is it?”

That soft voice sent a shaft of pure lust through his veins. He twitched his shoulders and tried to dismiss the low growling sound of his Puma. “Adrian Giordano. I’m the friend Max said would be picking you up tonight.” Why the hell the woman couldn’t drive herself was a mystery, but he’d been so busy he’d forgotten to ask.

He could hear the locks disengage and tensed. His Puma let loose a low growl he’d never heard from it before, and he had to clamp his lips shut to keep it from emerging from his human lips. His eyes flashed, the colors of the setting sun turning from red to gold as he lost the red/green color spectrum. He forced them to change back, closing his eyes just as the door to the room swung open.

“Hi, Dr. Giordano. I’m Sheri Montgomery.”

He opened his eyes to find a snow princess staring back at him. She had the palest, softest-looking blonde hair he’d ever seen. The nearly white locks fell in delicate waves just past her shoulders. Pale, crystal blue eyes surrounded by equally pale lashes glowed in a face that could make the angels weep. She was small and dainty, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulder. Her breasts were perfect for her slight frame. He had the inexplicable urge to pick her up, toss her over his shoulder and carry her off to his den where no one else would ever see her. Would ever want her.

Mine.

Adrian’s eyes widened as his Puma snarled in his mind. “Crap.”

Blog Talk Interview (29 May)

2010-05-28T10:16:00.001-04:00

Come and give a listen to my blog talk radio interview 29 May (Saturday) at 6pm EST with One World One Voice. Raven Starr is getting me out of bed early (I sleep days and works nights) to entertain all the lovely listeners. Don't miss out. You never know what I'll say in my half-sleep state. :D

~D. Renee Bagby
Building New Realms of Passion...
http://dreneebagby.com

New Short Story by Jean Marie

2010-05-28T01:05:00.000-04:00

I took a page out of S.J. Willing's book today and posted a short short story for my Samhain blog. Consider it a free pass into the weirder corners of my mind. It's "All About the Flies". Really. ;-)

Waiting to Balticon--Jean Marie's Schedule

2010-05-25T00:44:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day and Balticon—the two go together like fun and three-day weekends. Balticon is the premier Maryland regional science fiction and fantasy convention, which this year runs from May 28-31 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. Tanya Huff will be the Writer Guest of Honor, but that’s only the beginning, folks: Gail Carriger, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Laura Anne Gilman, Gail Z. Martin, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maria Snyder… and, well, me.
This year I snagged five fabulous panels. Hope to see you there.

Friday, 7 p.m.
Are You Sure You Want to Go There? Writing about the darker things in life: Rape. Torture. Childhood trauma. Sex with Dwarves. Sometimes it's done for a laugh. Sometimes it is done for an emotional response. Sometimes, we ask ourselves "What was THAT all about?!" So why not ask the pros who do it? When is shock essential to the story, and when is it sensational? Find out if authors add in moments of terror and extreme situations in order to surprise an audience, or as an alternative to group therapy. Jennifer Andrea, Allison Duncan, Chris Lester, Tee Morris (moderator) and Jean Marie Ward.

Friday, 10 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading – Seven Broad Universe authors resent tasty, bite-sized readings of their work that will leave you hungry for more. Danielle Ackley McPhail, Roxanne Bland (moderator), Elaine Corvidae, Kelly A. Harmon, Gail Z. Martin, Roberta Rogow and Jean Marie Ward.

Saturday, 11:30 a.m.
The Many Faces of Fantasy or the Road to Victory – Peter Beagle once divided fantasy into High and Low categories. One web site lists more than 20 sub-genres. Let's discuss some examples of these. Can we say that Frodo Baggins and Vicky Nelson are characters from the same genre? What is urban fantasy? Is it the same as contemporary fantasy? Elwin Cotman(m), Tanya Huff, Misty Massey, Darrell Schweitzer, Jean Marie Ward

Sunday, 6 p.m.
Creating Three Dimensional Characters – When writing an adventure or a story, having characters that the readers can get into is half the battle. If the readers or players become intrigued by the characters, then the rest of the story will fall into place. Join our writers as they discuss creating compelling characters. Gail Carriger, C.J. Henderson, Kory Kaese (moderator), Bernie Mojses, and Jean Marie Ward.

Sunday, 7 p.m.
The Legendary Triple Launch – Bad-Ass Faeries 3: In All Their Glory, Dragon's Lure, and New Blood. Faeries, dragons and vampires; a little bit of something for everyone. See writers in costume try to read their works. There will be too many of us to name. And yes, I will be wearing wings. Be afraid, be very afraid.

###

Book Cover: ERIS

2010-05-18T16:12:00.002-04:00

Siren-Bookstrand has just given me my cover for ERIS, my first menage title due out some time this summer (as soon as I get a concrete date, I'll pass that info along)

What do you think?

~ Renee

Coming Soon to a Balticon Near You

2010-05-12T01:38:00.003-04:00

Normally I wait until I’ve got my schedule in my hand to do a long Balticon promo post, but I think this merits a special post. Danielle Ackley-McPhail—writer, editor and hostess of some of the wildest con parties around—will be launching not one, not two, but three anthologies at Balticon from 7-9 p.m., Sunday May 30, at the Hunt Valley Marriott outside Baltimore, Maryland.

On the surface dragons, fairies and vampires might not seem to have a lot in common, but as Dani says, fiction readers never grow tired of them. “Each of these anthologies takes one of those legends and gives the reader what they want…and so much more.”

Since one of my favorite short stories, “Lord Bai’s Discovery”, is included in Dragon’s Lure, I must heartily agree. :-)

As always with Dani’s parties, there will be scads of writers, great refreshments and marvelous prizes, including a hand-sculpted dragon box by acclaimed artist Linda Saboe. There will also be readings by the anthology contributors including Dani, Linda, Elaine Corvidae, Keith R.A. DeCandido, John Grant, Kelly Harmon, C.J. Henderson, Brian Koscienski, Jeffrey Lymon, L. Jagi Lamplighter, Terri Osborne, Chris Pisano and me, Me, ME!

Well, to be honest, I won’t be reading three times. But I do plan to read “Lord Bai’s Discovery”. Hope to see you there. In the meantime, if you want to learn more, check out Dani’s launch page.

Enjoy!

Jean Marie

Con Catch-up

2010-05-08T11:43:00.001-04:00

Finally finished my April con reports on RavenCon, the Library of Congress, Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe's 2010 mega-signing and the Washington Romance Writers Retreat. The results, plus twelve occasions for blackmail--er, photos are now live at Beyond the Veil. That means if you want to know what Roxanne St. Claire and Charlaine Harris are doing with those sugar packets, you'll just have to click the link. Mwahahahahahaha!

Jean Marie

RavenCon, Retreat and the Library of Congress, Oh My!

2010-04-27T19:53:00.003-04:00

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the more fun I’m having away from the keyboard, the less likely I am to blog. Guess who’s been having way too much fun this month. We’ll draw a veil over the household’s Easter/Oster celebrations. Suffice it to say much chocolate was consumed—necessary fuel for what was to follow.

Next came RavenCon, which this year featured two of my favorite people, Rachel Caine and her husband R. Cat, as Writer and Artist Guests of Honor, respectively. And that’s not even counting the great people who run the convention. If you’re interested in a visual tour of the fun, my April 9 and 10 photos can be found here. Sunday, April 11, I was too busy to shoot. Honest!

The very next day, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Sarah Avery, Christine Norris and I upheld the honor of Broad Universe at the Library of Congress. We didn’t get any photos of the Rapid Fire Reading itself, but if you want to see the unusual suspects, click here.

On April 16, it was off to Turn the Page Bookstore Café in Boonsboro, Maryland, for the annual mega-signing with Nora Roberts and the featured guests of the Washington Romance Writers annual conference, “In the Company of Writers”, then the conference itself. The Retreat, as it’s called, is always a highlight of my year. I just wish the love came through in the photos. The subjects are so much lovelier than their photos.

I’ll write a longer report for my monthly Beyond the Veil blog on May 8. But until then, I leave you with this. Enjoy!

(Left to right) authors Charlaine Harris, Diane Whiteside and Ginjer Buchanan, Ace/Roc editor-in-chief at the WRW Retreat, April 17.

Jean Marie

The Library of Congress, signing with Nora, and DragonCon--oh my!

2010-04-10T00:57:00.000-04:00

RavenCon isn’t the only thing on my calendar this month. Monday, April 12, barely hours after I return from Richmond, I’ll be reading at the Library of Congress in downtown Washington, D.C. The Library of Congress! You can’t see it, but I’m grinning so hard my cheeks are aching.

The reading resulted from a collaboration between the library’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Forum and Broad Universe, an international organization dedicated to exploring and promoting the work of women writers in science fiction, fantasy and horror. It will take the form of a four-person Rapid Fire Reading featuring Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Sarah Avery, fellow BtV blogger Christine Norris and me. You’ve already seen the poster I prepped when the reading was announced. Now you can read the bios, too, in the hand-out I’ll be using as our program.

But that’s not the only reason I may expire of excitement. I’ve been added to the roster of major authors (like Charlaine Harris!) signing with Nora Roberts at Turn the Page Bookstore Café in Boonsboro, Maryland, on Friday, April 16. My name and web site link seem to wander around the page, but the confirmation of my presence is right there at the bottom of the page: the buy link for Fantasy Art Templates.

I signed With Nine You Get Vanyr at the Turn the Page spring mega-signing in 2007. Nora and the top names sell hundreds of books, and even small fry like me sell in the dozens. This time, there are some new rules. For example, the writers can only sign books purchased at the event. Trust me, that’s a relief. Yes, you sign that much.

Finally, it’s official. I’m on the guest list at DragonCon. Atlanta, here I come. I can’t wait.

RavenCon Anon

2010-04-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

RavenCon 2010 makes Richmond, Virginia, the place to be this weekend, April 9-11. The con features Rachel Caine, author of the best selling Weather Warden and Morganville Vampire series, her multi-talented artist husband R. Cat and gaming guru Steve Long as guests of honor, as well as lots of other talented writers, artists, gamers and costumers you really want to meet.

With a guest list like that, you know I couldn’t stay away. Not only that, I even strong-armed—ahem, persuaded the con committee to let me play on some panels. My schedule follows. I hope you’ll join me there!

Friday

7 p.m.: Two Way Street
Writers and artists often feed each other muses. Artists talk about the writers who inspired them and vice versa.
Panelists: R. Cat (Artist Guest of Honor), James Enge, Heidi Hooper, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), J. Andrew World

10 p.m.: Where Have All the Female Vampires Gone?
Help us find out.
Panelists: Jim Blanton, Rob Floyd, Kalayna Price (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward

Saturday

11 p.m.: Ghost Hunting—New Trend or Passing Fad
There's a lot of stuff on TV and in literature—but is anyone still pursuing this at home? What makes or breaks the hunt for a ghost and how long will it continue?
Panelists: Pam Kinney, Cheralyn Lambeth, Laura Underwood (Moderator), Jean Marie Ward

Sunday

10:30 a.m.: Jean Marie’s Koffee Klatsch
Come rescue me from talking to myself for a half hour after wrestling ghosts ‘til the wee hours of the morning. I will have chocolate…

Noon: That’s Bull
We all agree it's fiction but there are times when even authors take too much liberty. Panelists discuss what they have read and perhaps their own forays across the line of believability. How far will a reader be willing to go to suspend disbelief? Does a writer lose credibility or are they just pushing the envelope?
Panelists: Laura Cory-Haywood, Sarah Harvey (Moderator), Larry Hodges, Jean Marie Ward

1 p.m.: Leyaks Don’t Get No Respect
World mythology is full of weird and wondrous beings who've yet to make their mark on the fiction bestseller lists. Writers and artists talk about their favorite obscure creatures and why they deserve their time to shine…or darkly glow, as the case may be.
Panelists: Iver Cooper, Kalayna Price, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Leona Wisoker

2 p.m.: Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading
Four first-rate authors read exciting, bite-sized excerpts of their work that will leave you hungry for more. (Check out the flyer if you want to know more about the writers.)
Panelists: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Debra Killeen, Jean Marie Ward (Moderator), Diane Whiteside

Library of Congress... Squeee!

2010-03-19T00:25:00.003-04:00

The Library of Congress Science Fiction and Fantasy Forum has invited four Broad Universe members--Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Susan Avery, Christine Norris and me--for a Rapid Fire Reading at the Library's Madison Building at 12:10 p.m., April 13. You can see the details (and our neat flyer) here.

This is not Broad Universe's first RFR at the Library of Congress this year. We were preceded by Catherine Asaro, Kelly A. Harmon, Ellen Kushner and Sue Lange earlier this month. Which means we've got a tough act to follow.

I'm bringing Bai.

Hope to see you there!

For those who only know me from my posts on teh Intarwebs...

2010-03-18T03:09:00.002-04:00

You can now hear my voice, almost as if you were stuck next to me at a con. ;-) I'm the second of four featured writers on the Women's History Month edition of the Broad Universe Broad Pod podcast. My readings are two of the very short stories at JeanMarieWard.com: "Clear as Glass" and "Green Eyes". The other readers are Phoebe Wray, Karen A. Romanko and Elissa Malcohn.
Broad Universe is an international organization of women and men dedicated to exploring and promoting the work of women writers in science fiction, fantasy and horror. They're the organization which sponsors the Rapid Fire Readings I'm so addicted to, including the one scheduled for the Library of Congress April 12. But more about that tomorrow. This post is all about the Pod, the Broad Pod.
Cheers,

Duz is Famous! Plus pics from Fantasy Art Templates

2010-03-11T13:29:00.001-05:00

Today it's all about the links.
About a week ago, Carole Nelson Douglas asked me to weigh in on the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette's great Cat vs. Dog Mystery debate. I...ahem, Duz couldn't resist. Just got word they posted my--er, Duzie's reply--with book links! Score!
Speaking of good stuff, today I also posted a Thursday 13 at Beyond the Veil. It concerns 13 great characters and creatures mentioned in Fantasy Art Templates. But the real reason you want to click the link are the pictures--the cover and three of the book's luscious interior pages.
Enjoy!

Jean Marie Ward

UnderCover Selections Features With Nine You Get Vanyr

2010-02-12T13:29:00.003-05:00

Just saying you can see the details here. Also just saying Anne Cain is fabulous. Cheers and smiles,

Gearing Up for RT

2010-02-07T10:35:00.004-05:00

Are you ready for the Romantic Times convention in Columbus, OH? I'm not! I'm doing my typical pre-convention dance: run around like a maniac while muttering to myself. I sound like a cross between the Nutty Professor and Ghengis Khan. There are times it's been so bad my husband hides behind crosses and holy water.

So far I've accomplished... not much. I've got cover flats for an upcoming print release, Dare to Believe; I've got pens, chapstick with my logo on it, and an outfit for the Fairy Ball. My plane tickets are bought, my room is reserved and my Ad-Libs for the Sinfully Sweet party are... um. (I'm working on that, Renee. *cough*)

I've even made sure that the infamous scooter is ready to go.

Book toting capacity has been tested, as has the distributed weight vs. tilting ratio. I've even got a neat cane holder so I don't have to clench the darn thing between my thighs again this year. (I swear, my thighs could crush Volvos after I got back last year.) And I've got some nifty slide shows to show on my netbook.

So maybe I'm more prepared than I thought. Maybe I'm just experiencing that "OMG! RT! RT! I can't wait!" that usually winds up mixed with "OMG! RT! RT! AHHHHH!"

And maybe I'm just a crazy redhead who likes drama, as Mr. Bell has mentioned once or twice. I may not be ready for RT yet, but damn, I'm looking forward to it. What about you?

My Thursday Thirteen Favorite Lines from "Hoodoo Cupid"

2010-02-04T01:51:00.004-05:00

Cue the trumpet fanfare. Today marks the release of “Hoodoo Cupid”, my first contemporary romance, by Red Rose Publishing. “Hoodoo Cupid” tells the story of two ad agency pros—copywriter Maggie Scanlan and agency wunderkind Dan Constantine—who fall in love in an Emergency Room…with a little help from a certain voodoo doll.

In honor of the occasion, and because it’s Thursday, here are thirteen of my favorite lines from the story:

1. Forget the clichés about friends helping you move and friends helping you move bodies. Real friends sacrificed their lunch hour to help you exact proxy revenge outdoors on a day so brutally cold even the agency’s smokers refused to risk it.

2. “Now hurry up and push your pin in his heart so we can get back inside. My five-year plan doesn’t include freezing to death for the sake of you or your bad boy.”

3. “It’s not going to work. It never does. All it does is make me feel better. Take that, Daniel Curtiss Constantine.” Maggie finished hacking through the second leg and started to sob.

4. “Yeah, I can see how it’s a real attitude adjuster,” Germaine said dryly.

5. The universe had other plans. It planned to enjoy a big honking, snorting, coffee-through-the-nose-spewing belly laugh at Maggie’s expense. There, not a dozen yards in front of her, striding in the direction of her favorite takeout, was the bane of her professional life.

6. It never occurred to her to push him into traffic. He stepped off the curb all by himself.

7. “So this is what it takes,” Constantine gasped, “to get your attention.”

8. She expected the surroundings to diminish him. Instead she discovered the width of his shoulders owed nothing to padding. An uneasy mix of guilt and curiosity writhed inside her. Did his legs match the rest of him?

9. [His eyes] were a clear light gray, completely at odds with his Mediterranean complexion and the dark brown eyelashes that belonged in a mascara commercial. When those eyes focused on a person—the way they focused on her now—it was like being targeted by a pair of lasers.

10. His voice had a husky quality—a subtle roughness like vintage mohair upholstery, which inspired almost as much thigh wriggling and skirt palming among the agency power groupies as his eyes.

11. The only answers Maggie had were rude. She found a spot on the floor that looked like Kansas and wished for a tornado.

12. Worse, the movement called attention to his muscular, mostly naked legs. Inside her head she groaned. He’d be perfect if only he weren’t in advertising.

13. (The one my Texas friends like best.)
“Afghanistan?” she squeaked. “You were in the Army?”
“Three years, eight months, seventeen days, and just a little over three hours. Do you want it in minutes? C’mon, Maggie, give me a little credit. You didn’t think it took me seven years to graduate Yale, did you?” He laughed. “If I’d been that slow, the only way I could’ve made a living would’ve been to move to Texas and go into politics.”

Now you know you want to read the rest. Check it out at Red Rose Publishing and, maybe, take it home for Valentine’s Day.

Happy Reading!

Jean Marie

Join Me on the Red Rose Channel of Blog Talk Radio

2010-01-30T22:01:00.001-05:00

That's right--me, the person who hates to chat--will be co-hosting the Red Rose Channel at Blog Talk Radio tomorrow, January 31, from 2-3 p.m. EST. Well, I might hate IM chat, but I do like to talk.
And I won't be the only one there. The featured guest will be Red Rose author Angela Kaye Austin. Angela is an author of inter-racial contemporary romance novels featuring strong African-American women whose love can't be bound by race, bank accounts, age, religion or gender. Her current novel, Love's Chance, tells the story of Sinclair Mosley, a woman on a mission to pay back her parents and save her family business. That mission takes her to Pennsylvania, where the locals don't exactly welcome her with open arms. But Chance O'Malley does. At the risk of losing everything that brought her to Pennsylvania, including her family's restaurant, Sinclair must decide if she's willing to take a chance on love.
My co-host will be one half of the Red Rose Channel's terrific twosome, Kali Willows. Franny is away on a well-deserved vacation, and she turned over the keys to the kingdom. Tune in or call in (917-889-3332), if only to see how I manage to make her sorry. ;-)

Waiting to Promo

2010-01-17T02:42:00.001-05:00

Still deep in the writing cave, but I'll be emerging soon. Promise! (Be afraid. Be very afraid...) As a foretaste, today I posted the first tickle of promo for "Hoodoo Cupid", my February 4 release from Red Rose, at Beyond the Veil.
Tomorrow, if I figure out how to do it, I'll try to post a very low res version of one of the interior pages of Fantasy Art Templates. My promo copies arrived yesterday, and they are beautiful beyond belief. Even better, earlier tonight Jana Oliver was looking for the name of a specific member of the angelic hosts--and it was in there, along with everything from pirates to giants to snake goddesses. Not only is it gorgeous, the book's a great reference too. Win!
Cheers and smiles,

Monica Burns Kismet Blog Tour

2010-01-03T11:44:00.002-05:00

I'll be blogging throughout the month. Come join me!

Because I don’t know how to say no, I’ve wound up with what I think folks could say is a blog tour. My first stop is at Unusual Historicals today. I’ll be chatting about Morocco the setting for my new Berkley Sensation release, . Come read for a chance to win a free copy of . Drawings open to residents in US and other countries. Shipping/handling fees for shipment of book to locations outside of US is responsibility of winner. International winners may prepay postage via PayPal.

Unusual Historicals

For more dates and locations of my blog tour, visit my Google Calendar and subscribe for email reminders. Read an Excerpt

Critical Acclaim

"Burns' story is hotter than the desert sands! She succeeds with a classic captive/captor romance akin to a Johanna Lindsey classic. Relax and enjoy the sizzling show -- complete with a lesson in bananas and seduction.” — RTBOOKreviews

“Don't miss this one!” — Sabrina Jeffries, NYT bestselling author

“...a wonderful historical fiction voice. The way she builds up the attraction between her hero and heroine shows her skill as an author...” — Babbling About Books, and More

"The imagery that Monica Burns paints of Moroccan and the people is mesmerizing. So captivating is the love story that is truly romance at its best, purest and most captivating that you will regret not absorbing every word on the page." — Book Junkie

Samhain New Year Blog

2010-01-01T17:03:00.003-05:00

For reasons beyond human ken, the good folks at Samhain Publishing thought I'd be the perfect person to open the next decade of the company blog. You can read the damage here. One thing you can be sure of, it fits right in with the Cartoon Network's New Year Looney Tunes marathon. Enjoy!
Best New Year wishes,
Jean Marie

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T01:24:00.000-05:00

A Little Harmless Kalikimaka!!!!!

2009-12-24T08:19:00.002-05:00

It is now up at The Samhellion!!!! Please go take advantage of the free download.

Psyche Nomination - ADRIENNE

2009-12-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

2009 Romance Studio Psyche Nominee!!

ADRIENNE by D. Renee Bagby

He crossed dimensions to claim her as his queen—but her reign may destroy his world.

Adrienne Backett wants two simple little things this spring break: rest and relaxation. After nearly four years of slaving away for her college education, she deserves a holiday. What she gets is pulled into another dimension by a man who claims she’s his rightful queen.

Malik, King of Ulan, has until his birthday to find his bride or he must forfeit his throne. When a spell reveals her location, he will do anything, even cross dimensions, to claim her as his own.

As if fending off a lusty king isn’t enough of a headache, Adrienne finds herself a pawn in a rival monarch’s plot to bring Malik’s world to its knees. But is the real danger being stuck in the middle of a power struggle between rival kingdoms? Or the damage Malik could do to her heart?

Warning: This title contains adult language (cursing), talking animals, violence, and scenes of near rape.

Read first full chapter online:
http://dreneebagby.com/Books_Adrienne.html

Buy Now: http://samhainpublishing.com/authors/d-renee-bagby

Full List of CAPA 2009 Nominees: http://www.theromancestudio.com/capa.php

2009-12-19T02:10:00.000-05:00

The tree has been trimmed (while it was snowing--win!) and my December blog at Beyond the Veil is live. All that's left is to wish one and all a very happy holiday. May the big day--whichever one you celebrate--be spent with your loved ones doing that which brings you joy and warms your heart for the months ahead.
Cheers!

(Image: (c) Greg Uchrin, IVCaffeine.com)

A Little Harmless Kalikimaka-The Trailer

2009-12-16T11:16:00.003-05:00

The Journey and Other Things

2009-12-10T10:24:00.004-05:00

Ok, I've scaled back a little on the writing and focused on promo for Kismet. Something tells me I'm not going to be able to do this for my June release of Assassin's Honor. I think 2010 is about to become a whirlwind of releases and writing. So I've been enjoying the slower pace of the holiday season, which means checking out YouTube and other places for news on the romance and holiday fronts.

Speaking of Kismet, it was one of the Berkley books featured over at Dear Author yesterday. My wonderful editor, Cindy Hwang, called it an "...unusual–and unusually wonderful–historical romance..."

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2009/12/09/berkley-holiday-giveaway

I've also been planning blog tour. I believe I've definitely gone insane. When I looked at the schedule last night, I realized that I have to WRITE all these posts! *sigh* This is what writers have to do in addition to writing their books. They promo the books. As much as I love it, promo takes so much time, and with so much at stake it means I need to work even harder.

I'll be posting to different blogs over the next month and a half, so try to catch me when you can. There will be the occasional book given away!

12/17/09 - Reality - Re-imagined Anya Davis www.anyadavis.wordpress.com/
12/31/09 - Unusual Historicals Excerpt -www.unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com/
01/03/10 - Unusual Historicals Interview - www.unusualhistoricals.blogspot.com
01/05/10 - LeeAnn Burke - http://www.leeannburke.com/blog/
01/06/10 - RR@H Novel Thoughts - www.novelthoughts.wordpress.com/
01/15/10 - Katidom - http://www.katidom.com
01/18/10 - Hannah Howell's - http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.com/
01/25/10 - The Romance Dish - www.theromancedish.com/

Until then, enjoy these two cute holiday videos of two of my favorite songs!!

Cover Glee

2009-12-06T22:39:00.000-05:00

It's now live: my cover for "Hoodoo Cupid", coming February 4, 2010, from Red Rose Publishing.

Isn't it gorgeous? The artist is Red Rose's Art Director Shirley Burnett, and she totally aced it.
Cheers and big, big smiles,

Coming Monday, December 7th

2009-12-04T18:10:00.001-05:00

Ward Theater Sneak Peak

2009-11-21T02:33:00.002-05:00

I've posted a sneak peak of the next installment of Ward Theater, "Green Eyes", at Beyond the Veil. It'll go live at JeanMarieWard.com on December 1, but until then, if you want to read it, you've got to go BtV.

Enjoy!

Jean Marie

Next Leg of the Journey

2009-11-07T17:53:00.002-05:00

The Journey continues. I've been very bad about posting of late, but the journey has kept me incredibly busy!

ARC or Advance Readers Copies

I've always made my own, printed them landscape and they're set up like an open book you might hold. I always used comb bindings for them. I'd created some and was mailing them out to various reviewers and booksellers. THEN it happened, I got REAL ARCs from Berkley it was SOOOO cool. So now I've been sending them out to different folks, hoping they'll read and review/recommend Kismet to others.

Book Two of the Order of the Sicari Series

The book is turned in and we've given it a name. Now that sounds almost like I gave birth doesn't. Well if it had been a live birth, it could be equated to birthing a 10pd baby WITHOUT an epidural. *sigh* Anyway, the book is called Assassin's Heart. I got to pick it this time, but that's because I presented a logical argument for it.

Book 1 is called Assassin's Honor so it sort of seems to fit that the 2nd book would encompass the Assassin piece, and the fact that Honor and Heart both have 5 letters and start with an H seemed like Kismet. *grin*
Heart is really appropriate to the book because the hero is a half-breed and his loved ones keep telling him that his heart is Sicari
Finally, as a friend pointed out after reading the book. Assassin's Heart has a dark, edgy, yet romantic feel to it. My editor agreed

Oh, and I just realized, I never posted my most AWESOMENESS! cover for book 1 in the Order of the Sicari. The hero has BEN AFLECK's jaw! Dreamy, dreamy, dreamy.

Advertising

I am getting knee deep in promo now as well as ordering advertising. Not solely for Kismet though as most people might think. I'm working on trying to get advertising for next fall in the RWR, and I just scheduled a full page ad (jointly with the wonderful Emma Wilds) for this coming May. Not to mention the other advertising I've been organizing that's starting to reach out to next Sep and Oct. The bucks are starting to add up, but at least it's a tax write off. With the economy the way it is, getting notice takes money, and the publisher limits its advertising, so it's up to me. I did hire a publicist to help with getting mailings done, and organizing some signings as well as getting my name and ARCs in front of booksellers. LeeAnn works hard, so I think I'll see great benefit for my money.

New Book

I have a proposal for a new historical due December 1st. I've got maybe one chapter done. I HATE it (the book and the deadline). I'm not sure whether it's switching from a paranormal back to a historical or if I'm a little burnt out. It's been a crazy 12 months, and I think it's going to get worse before it gets better.

What Else????

When working under deadlines, it's important to take care of one's self. I started walking again, despite the foot injury I suffered last year. I've stubbornly put off going to the doc about it, mainly because my gut says it will possibly involved surgery. I can't afford that...time or money wise...right now.

I've only been able to read VERY little, but I did get to devour Michelle Moran's Cleopatra's Daughter. I might have mentioned it here before, but I'll say it again. DAMN! It was a great book. Historical fiction just the way I like it. I've also been reading page by page, Isabo Kelley's The Promise of Kierna' Rhoan. It's sci-fi romance, the first I've ever read, and I'm loving it!! Isabo has a wonderful voice.

Finally

I'm getting REALLY excited about Kismet, although I confess that I waffle back and forth about the book and how it will be received by readers. I'm not too worried about reviews, because those are always a toss up and one opinion won't influence sales of the book that much, BUT...if enough reviewers LOVE the book and rave about it, then that will influence sales. Word of mouth is everything in this business.

Live Chat and Giveaway!

2009-11-05T09:15:00.004-05:00

Tonight I'll be chatting live, along with other Samhain Publishing authors, from 9-10 p.m. EST with Fallen Angels Reviews. Readers participating will receive their choice of ebook from the authors (which includes a possible ARC of Only In My Dreams, Book 5 of the Halle Pumas).

Next week I'll be participating in more chats and blogs, as Only In My Dreams releases on Tuesday, Nov. 10th! The last Halle Puma novella is almost here!

Adventures in Capclave

2009-10-24T01:17:00.000-04:00

My report on Capclave 2009 is now live at Beyond the Veil. And the rest of the photos can be found on my Flickr page. Enjoy!

Jean Marie

Romanticon

2009-10-15T12:50:00.002-04:00

A brief report on the Ellora's Cave authors' and readers' convention, Romanticon.

Romanticon

Erotic romance publisher Ellora’s Cave (www.ellorascave.com) put on its first annual Romanticon last weekend in Ohio near the publisher’s headquarters. This is one of my publishers; I have several paranormal erotic romances out from them, plus a contemporary elf romance from their non-erotic division, Cerridwen Press. The con was cozy and relaxing, with (from what I heard) about 150 people attending. Only about half were authors, meaning the other half were fans of our books. Cool! The vast majority were women. I saw only a few men other than the seven or eight cover models who posed for pictures and performed roles such as announcing raffle ticket winners at the big group events.

I’ve never attended (or even heard of) a convention strictly for one publisher before. It turned out to be a delightful experience. The very nice program book, in trade paperback format, included detailed summaries of the panels and pages with spaces for each author’s name, so people could collect signatures in a systematic way. I signed more autographs than I ever have at one time, thanks to that feature. We had a huge book fair Sunday afternoon. I got to stay for most of it (having to leave for the airport about fifteen minutes before the end) and sold four or five books. The Friday night event was a “psychedelic soiree,” a casual meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, etc., with music from the 1960s and early 1970s—my generation’s sound. The music was way too loud, but I’m always on the losing side on that issue. Sigh. The tie-dyed theme carried throughout the weekend but was especially prominent on this evening. I enjoyed seeing people’s fringed miniskirts and other hippie attire. I wore a caftan.

The Saturday night dinner included recognition and awards, some serious, most of them fun and frivolous, such as “most erotic use of e-mail in a story” and “hottest home improvement.” One nice feature was the presentation of “Rising Star” trophies to all the authors who had new releases this year.

Panels and presentations discussed business and genre-related topics for writers. I thought the most interesting and useful features was the set of reader focus session, in which readers gave feedback on what they like and dislike in various subgenres of romance. The 50- to 60-minute time slots didn’t really leave enough room to talk as much as people wanted. Under the moderation of the managing editor, these sessions were lively and a rousing success. To me, the most interesting and useful was the discussion on taboos in romance. What situations and character types turn readers off? What words are or are not sexy?

Naturally, people didn’t all agree about language. Whether certain words are exciting or repellent depends so much on individual background and age. We did agree that some terms might work in context for a man to use in conversation, but the heroine wouldn’t use those same words.

It was also fascinating to hear what readers and authors thought about behavior that would make characters ineligible to be heroes or heroines. For example, how close can two people be related and still have a romantic bond? Most people thought a stepparent and stepchild couple would be acceptable in some circumstances. Opinion was divided on first cousins, but nobody seemed to mind the idea of such a pairing in historical fiction, since those marriages were more common in earlier centuries than now (in this country, anyway). Any transgression in the category of harming children or cruelty to animals, everyone agreed, made a character irredeemable. Rape (no matter how far in the past) also barred a man from becoming a romantic hero. (That’s quite a difference from a few decades ago, when a relationship could begin with rape if the author could convince the reader of extenuating circumstances. No romance publisher would allow that plot device nowadays.) A murderer, however, could be redeemed, depending on the circumstances, his motive, and his emotional and moral growth since the act. A woman who’d worked as a prostitute could be a heroine, again depending on her reasons for taking up that career.

I also enjoyed the session on preferences in paranormal romance, since that's my field. For instance -- does a shapeshifter have to shift into a predatory animal? How about stallions and bulls?

Overall, it was a super weekend.

Margaret L. Carter
Carter's Crypt

Jean Marie's Capclave Schedule

2009-10-13T01:59:00.000-04:00

Now that I’ve (more or less) recovered from DragonCon, it’s again time to put on my convention hat and party hard—er, prepare to educate and entertain at Capclave 2009, this Friday to Sunday, October 16-18. Capclave is the Washington, DC, area’s premier science fiction, fantasy and horror convention. Although it focuses on literature, particularly short stories, you can’t bring a bunch of daft writers together and not wind up with a good time.

If this sounds like your thing, you can find us at the Hilton, Washington DC/Rockville Executive Meeting Center, 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, from 3 p.m. this Friday until 5 p.m. on Sunday. I hope you’ll join us. I especially hope you’ll attend a panel of mine. Or two. Or all of them. The one thing I’ve learned over the course of my writing career is you can never be too rich or have too many fans.

Seriously, the thin thing is negotiable.

Jean Marie’s 2009 Capclave Schedule:

Friday, 8 p.m.
Fantasy-Mystery – From Harry Dresden to Rachel Morgan to Sookie Stackhouse to Anita Blake, a lot of popular urban fantasies/paranormal romances seem to be mysteries. Why add this element to the mix? What works and what doesn’t when you combine them?
Panelists: Andrew Fox (m), Peter Heck, Victoria Janssen, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Weinstein

Friday, 10 p.m.
Kryptonite for Characters – What do you do to limit your characters and keep them from being too powerful? What flaws do you give them? How do you have them grow and gain without becoming gods?
Panelists: Diane Weinstein (m), Davey Beauchamp, Neil Clarke, Tom King, Jean Marie Ward

Friday, 11 p.m.
Are Vampires Still #1? – Why are vampires so popular? Is anything likely to rival them—werewolves? Zombies? What? Whose vampires are the best and why?
Panelists: Andrew Fox (m), Davey Beauchamp, Darrell Schweitzer, Jean Marie Ward, Lawrence Watt-Evans

Saturday, 11 a.m.
Paranormal Romance—Just Chick Lit? – Why is the main character in paranormal romance usually female? Is the audience meant to be women only? What is the right balance between the paranormal and the romance? (And, the moderator adds, why the heck aren’t there any men on this panel? Hmph! I have a feeling I’m going to have to be a very bad girl on this one.)
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (m), Mattie Brahen, Mindy Klasky, Victoria Janssen

Saturday, 1 p.m.
Broad Universe Rapid Fire Reading – Join the Broads of Capclave as they read fast-paced excerpts from their latest fictions. There will be chocolate.
Panelists: Jean Marie Ward (m), Diane Arrelle, Roxanne Bland, Kelly A. Harmon, Victoria Janssen

Sunday, 11 a.m.
Paranormal Versus Urban Fantasy – Is paranormal romance just another name for urban fantasy? If not, what is the distinction? How do writers determine the right balance between paranormal and romance? Is it just classic boy meets girl or does being a paranormal make it different?
Panelists: Scott Andrews (m), Catherine Asaro, Karen Newton, Edmund Schubert, Jean Marie Ward, Diane Weinstein

###

New Book Trailer: Only In My Dreams

2009-10-11T12:33:00.003-04:00

Only In My Dreams, Book 5 of the Halle Pumas, is coming November 10th! And remember, you can enter to win an ARC of the book! Simply click here, fill out the form with your email address and the electronic format you'd like to receive the book in and you'll be entered to win! The contest ends November 9th, when I'll post the winner on my blog, my MySpace blog and on my website.

Good luck!

Free For a Week: A Valentine's Gift For Tori

2009-10-08T09:32:00.000-04:00

Red Rose Publishing is offering A Valentine's Gift for Tori for free for one week. Simply buy any ebook on the RRP website and you can get my book for free between 08 Oct to 14 Oct. Check out the site for the full details.

Blurb:

She wants a boyfriend for Valentine's and her husband wants to deliver.

Tori has come to the realization that her marriage lacks the spark it had in the beginning. She and her husband argue more than anything else and she foresees a nasty break-up on the horizon if something doesn't change. When he asks her what she wants for Valentine's Day, her answer is scandalous and straightforward—a boyfriend.

Rather than be upset, her husband is intrigued by the idea and sets out to make it happen. Tori has set herself—and him—an impossible goal and her prospects aren't that promising. But she's determined to have a boyfriend in time for the most romantic holiday of the year.

Get It Now

2009-10-05T11:01:00.002-04:00

A Starving Writer Asks...

Amanda Palmer asks an interesting question. Are the changes we see in the media publishing world going to mean that all artists will soon be passing the hat to earn a living? It might be one of the options as things shake out.

Is Patronage the answer? Is one question discussed on Futurismic.

A similar question is whether authors should get paid more now that we are doing more of the work. M.J. Rose thinks Publishers Must Change the Way Authors Get Paid.

And here’s a series of essays on self-publishing that also generate some good questions.

What do you think?

Pyromancer is available in print!

2009-09-29T22:12:00.000-04:00

One desperate night, a rent boy hot enough to scorch the motel sheets, and Christian is doomed to burn for love.

Christian Ryder is rich and lonely. When the people around him keep dying, Christian forgoes personal attachments. The thought of his Pyromancy hurting anyone else, isn’t something he’s willing to risk.

Tanner O’Bannon is broke and desperate. The recent loss of his father has thrown Tanner into a tailspin of debt he can’t afford to pay. Working as a rent boy allows him to pay the mortgage and his college tuition, but it’s eroding his soul in the process.

Through the machinations of Male Companions — the escort agency for which Tanner works — the men are thrown together. Through a series of startling revelations and danger, Tanner and Christian both face changes. Smoldering embers of desire fan the flames of love, but will it be enough to make Christian overcome his fear of love, or to save Tanner from the fire? Only one thing is certain; both men will burn.

Buy your copy at Amazon now!

The DragonCon Report, 2009 Edition

2009-09-26T16:21:00.004-04:00

Want to see--and read--more? It's all at Beyond the Veil. Enjoy!