I Write Dead People

About to head out to Malice Domestic (tomorrow) - my 10th, if I count correctly. For several years, I attended as a fan, then moved to the area and was on the board of the organization. Then, a few years ago, I got published (my first short story!), then soon after, my first novel.

It's a VERY different experience attending a convention as a fan vs. as a published author. Even though I moderated panels for years, being up there and in the public view vastly changes how I act and what I do. Although, like most authors, on any given day, if I'm walking down the street, shopping at CVS or whatever, I'm less likely to get recognized than the Obama's new pup, at a convention, I'm in the spotlight. Not so much as the Guest of Honor and other VIP guests, but nevertheless, I'm wearing that name badge around my neck and people recognize me.

People I've never met walk up to me and tell me how they've enjoyed my books. Yes, a VERY cool thing indeed. But you know, there's a bit of a flip side, especially for those of us that, at heart, are introverts. The first few times this happened to me, my initial reaction was "you talking to me? and if so, why?" - more of a gut-based fear/discomfort reaction followed by a "no way he/she means *me*". It's really strange, in a good way, yet still, disconcerting...and I totally love hearing from fans. There's a part of me that still doesn't believe people I don't know read my work and like it.

I'm often exhausted after a con, even short ones. Unlike my days as a fan, where I was only "on" when I moderated a panel (usually only one), now, I'm on all the time. I can never forget that I'm there for the fans that attend. I'm there because of the fans--they buy my books, so my publisher keeps me and I can keep writing. Like I said, a whole different experience--but I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Hope to see some of you all at Malice Domestic! My panel is Saturday morning at 8:30. One of the best parts of the con: I get to see longtime friends again, plus the absolutely wonderful Nancy Pickard, who is a friend, a mentor and a fan, and this year's Malice Guest of Honor.

crossposted from LiveJournal

Amber of Amberakatze's Book Blog interviews me here. If you stop by, you can enter the contest to win a signed copy of Matters of the Blood.

In other news, I've been working on Book 3, now tentatively titled Blood Lines. Intrigue and all sorts of family and other kinds of plotting abound. This is going to be twisty and fun. Many thanks to beledibabe who helped me brainstorm last weekend. She's always so brilliant at this.

Now, I think I'll go back to watch the Two Towers, extended edition.

Happy Sunday, all!

xposted from my livejournal

Many people--okay, many writers--when faced with the overwhelming success of a fellow writer in their genre, can be heard to grumble discreetly (and often over drinks) on how *they* write better, or Successful!Author just got lucky.

Well, yeah, kind of. Luck is often a huge factor in someone's smashing success. But I always look at it this way, without a well-written work, no matter *how* much luck you have, the smashing part will end up being your career against the pavement, and not of it breaking through.

I bring this up today, because I am so over-the-top excited and happy about the overwhelming wonderful news that I keep hearing about one of my good friends, Charlaine Harris. 

Today, in Locus Online, they report: This week, Harris achieves a record of some sort by ranking all seven titles on New York Times mass market paperback list in the same week -- ranks ranging from #3, for Dead Until Dark, to #19. All seven titles also rank today on Amazon.com; five of them rank today on Amazon Canada's list.

When I read this, I totally squeed...Out Loud. Like a fangrrl. Mostly, because I am.

I've known Charlaine for just over a decade, and met her when her 2nd series (the Lily Bard books) were just starting to hit the market. At the time, Charlaine was struggling to sell Dead Until Dark. No one, not even her agent thought it would sell. But, as luck (or something) would have it, Ace took a chance and the book took off, eventually going into multiple printings.

Now, because of luck (again), Alan Ball's HBO series True Blood has attracted new readers to the books. If it hadn't been for Ball picking up a copy of her book because he needed something to read, this may not have happened. Luck, combined with talent, combined to bring fame, and hopefully fortune, to one of the warmest, most wonderful people I know. 

Am I jealous? Not in the slightest. This type of news just makes me want to hunker down and write. I get so stoked when I hear about a friend's success, I just want to keep writing and continue to be a part of this really cool group. Maybe it's because I love reading genre fiction so much. Maybe it's just because I look on this as a chance for all of us to shine--I don't know. In any case, my morning has started out with great news and I hope the rest of the month continues to bring wonderful news to all my writer friends.

So kudos and congratulations, Charlaine--you absolutely deserve this!

xposted from my journal

Bouchercon has published the panel schedule. All the panels are titled after songs. I'll be on a great panel on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (as moderator):

WEASELS RIPPED MY FLESH (Frank Zappa) Mixing mystery and horror. Maria Lima(M),
Mario Acevedo
Heather Graham
Kat Richardson
F. Paul Wilson

Pretty darned good line up!

I've spent the last 5 days in Vancouver, BC, Canada, both to enjoy/celebrate my 50th birthday (today) and to soak up local colour as research for Book 3. The Intahrwebs is a fine and generous place for information, but can't substitute for actually *being* there...experiencing for oneself the sights, sounds and scents of a location.

In addition to the wonderful city locations, we (mom, stepdad, sis and BIL) also drove up and down Vancouver Island, drove up a couple of mountains and let ourselves see/feel/smell nature. Odd thing, though - so far, there've been no smells. None. Not vehicle exhaust, not city stench (yay for that!), not even pine, earth, animal scents in the woods. Very unusual to my lower south nose. I'm guessing because the temperatures here stay so cool, things decompose at a slower rate (which often causes the smells of sea, woods, etc.) I suppose if I were a native woods creature rather than a bumbling human, I'd have more scent to go on.

I'm very glad I've placed Keira's family in BC, as the woods here (and by extrapolation, those up north) are perfect for them. Gorgeous tall trees, loads of underbrush and many places to hunt and hide.

Today is my last day in this wonderful city. I hope to be able to visit again. I could definitely live here. :)

So, book 3 (as yet untitled) is still in the thinky planning stages. Part of it is that I'm waiting for final editorial on Blood Bargain, which may or may not affect things in Book 3. Ah, the woes of an author. ::g::

I've updated my book page to include the cover and ISBN for In the Hunt: Unauthorized Essays on Supernatural, one of the fabulous SmartPop series by Benbella books. My essay, Another Roadside Attraction, The Role of the Trickster in Supernatural will be published in the book (due out March 2009).

I'm very excited about this, as those of you that know me, know how much I enjoy fannish meta. To be able to do this for Benbella was a dream of mine, ever since I read Seven Seasons of Buffy, several years ago. Now, it's coming true!

One update to my schedule: I am *not* going to be at Creatures 'n' Crooks on August 23. Seems I've overbooked myself and had to bow out. I will, however, definitely be at Bouchercon.

I'm hoping to figure out a way to make it to Calgary for World Fantasy this year. I enjoyed myself so much last year, I want to attend. However, 2 trips to Western Canada in as many months might just not work out. Keep your fingers crossed.

For those of you in the not-so-know, Matters of the Blood will be re-released as a mass market paperback in September, 2008, followed by the sequel, Blood Bargain in November.

Both are available for pre-order at your favorite independent bookstore and/or the usual chains.

My next appearances:

Creatures'n'Crooks, Richmond, VA (August 23) (tentative)
Bouchercon 2008, Baltimore, MD (October 9-12)

 

On NPR.

50mm heard this on the way to work yesterday. Laura talks about it in her blog.

Srsly, I know the coolest people!

What I'm reading now: So Say We All: An Unauthorized Collection of Thoughts and Opinions on Battlestar Galactica, one of BenBella Books SmartPop series. Fannish meta in published form. So cool. I have a pretty extensive library of this series, and enjoy going back to read them.

Well, at least, it's a book.

I have now received my author copies of Matters of the Blood. The actual books should be in the wild within then next couple of weeks or so.

Next event:
Book signing with the Sisters In Crime contingent at Olsson's Crystal City.
7:00 p.m. April 26, 2007

Hope to see folks there!

...as in convention/conference, not confidence ::g::

One of my favorite things about being a published writer is getting to go to conventions. Yes, I went to them as a fan, and many many many times as a volunteer, but attending a convention as a panelist/participant is one of the best things ever.

Where else can you sit next to Barbara Hambly, Charlaine Harris, Nancy Holder, Nancy Pickard, Jeff Mariotte and discuss paranormal/mysteries/romance/kick-ass heroines and much more?

Sometimes, I look back at some of the panels I've been on and have retroactively pinched myself.

It's a rare honor and a treat to be able to play in the same sandbox as these folks.

I've been conversing (via email) with Carole Nelson Douglas, well known to many as a mystery author. Carole will have a book coming out in November from my own publisher, Juno books. I've known Carole for about 10 years now - known as in - see her at conventions, we know each other's names and recognize each other by face. Last May, when I did my Things That Go Bump in the Night panel at Malice Domestic, Carole was looking for a publisher for a paranormal romance. As luck, or whatever would have it - the book was accepted by Juno. Small, small world. ::g::

Hope to see folks at some of the conventions this year!