Sunday, June 21, 2009

Staying Viable in a Volatile Market

Today we welcome bestselling author Jennifer St. Giles to the lair. Jennifer's many awards include the Golden Heart, the Maggie, the Daphne, and the National Reader's Choice Award. She has written different sub-genres and will share her tips for adapting to a changing publishing climate. She'll also give us a peek at her Shadowmen series, hot paranormals from Pocket. I just finished Kiss of Darkness, and it not only has a different twist on vampires and werewolves but is smokin'! Welcome, Jennifer!



We all know that traditional publishing is feeling the bite of not only the economic downturn, but also the explosion of the e-book market. The options authors now have of getting their books before readers and even in print without going through the New York Publisher meat grinder is ever developing. Print on demand choices and worldwide distribution though mega sites like Amazon.com have revolutionized the publishing industry. All of these factors have both positive and negative affects upon today’s author.

The bad news first. Unfortunately, the unvarnished, ugly truth in publishing today is that an author is a lonely ship being tossed to and fro upon a turbulent sea with no control over their career no matter how much hard work and talent is put forth. Whether you sink, tread water, or sail gloriously to the top of the world all depends on a magical combination of market demand, capturing the elusive word-of-mouth phenomena, publisher support, and luck.


You ask what possible good news can there be after such a harsh reality? What can an author do amid such turbulence?

First realize that publishing is a business that must make a profit. It is not an art appreciation charity. As an author you are producing a product for the publishing business to sell. The publisher will buy what they think will sell. They will market it in a way that they think will best sell that product. If for whatever reason, your product does not sell according to their needs then they have to discontinue that product. Publishing and the decisions made are not personal, so don’t take it that way. You begin to take charge of your career when you begin to think like a business person that has a product to market.

Now the Good Part!

If a manuscript has been rejected by traditional publishers then take that book to a reputable e-publisher and see if they will take a chance on it or seriously consider print on demand self-publishing.

Next, if you are one of the lucky ones who land a traditional publishing house then do everything possible via the internet to support your book and develop a fan base. Prior to your book’s release, write a short, sexy prequel to your story as a free download from your website. Or write a sexy novella about a secondary character in your book and sell it to an e-book publisher. Even if you give this away free on your website, this will draw more readers to the release of your book and have them eager to buy it as soon as it comes out.

Don’t let a book rest on its review laurels. Get excerpts out to as many blogs as possible. Be creative in introducing your characters to readers. (I did this by interviewing my Shadowmen heroes as a reporter that works for Cosmos Paranormal Quarterly.)

Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Publish in multiple genres and mediums (print/ ebook). Even if you cannot contractually write for another house under your published name then do so under a pseudonym.

Make use of every inexpensive marketing tool available. Use Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, but do so in a way that has readers coming to you as opposed to you trying to thrust your book in front of their face. Offer something unique for free on your website and invite others to come make use of it. Interactive websites are a great thing as well.

Be innovative in regards to the market. One thing I have done that I dearly hope turns out well is publish romance’s first graphic e-book. Wild Irish and Smooth Irish written under the name Jennifer Saints are for sale at www.betweenyoursheets.com. These books full length novels are light, spicy romances that contain 50 to 70 pictures of the cover models in different scenes throughout the book.

Well, here you have it. A short run down on some of the things an author can to do stay viable in the crazy world of publishing. I hope that you found some tidbit of advice that will spark you to think creatively about your career and to make strides that will help guide your boat through the stormy seas.





There are four books in Jennifer's Shadowmen Series to sizzle up our reading time, Touch a Dark Wolf, Lure of the Wolf, Kiss of the Darkness, and Bride of the Wolf. To see how hunky a warrior from the spirit world can be, check out this taste of Sam and Emerald from Kiss of Darkness:

Something was wrong in Twilight.

Sam had the limo’s license plate imprinted in his brain, which meant he could track down the bastards without having to chase them down. Good thing. He’d probably be as lethal behind a wheel as he was with the gun at the moment.

Dozens of questions about what Emerald had just done and what had just happened screamed through his mind, but he didn’t trust himself to speak to her, yet. Not until he had a firm handle on his temper, which meant the FBI--or Myra if she was lying--would get the brunt of his rage. Nice.

“Sam,” Emerald said. “I’m sorry. I didna mean to—”

“Later, Em. I can’t think yet,” he told her, still gulping in deep breaths of air.

“Come on,” she said softly, taking his hand. She led him up the steps of the station and into the shadowed recesses of the entrance. For once she kept quiet, as if she really understood how tenuous his hold was. Even the tinkling of her bracelets grated on him.

What had happened to him?

He tugged her back before she could open the door, intending to take a moment more to gather his cool. But when he looked at her, she had that lip thing going again and all thought and reason abandoned him. Seeing her teeth sunk into her lush bottom lip that was now all moist and wet snapped something inside him. All of the desire he’d kept a tight lid on for months meshed with all of the emotion roiling in him and he lost it.

Taking hold of her shoulders, he leaned down and kissed her, sliding his tongue swiftly over her plump lip then sucking the sweetness of it into his mouth. Her heady lavender and spice scent mingled with womanly arousal filled his lungs and set his senses on fire.

Blood roared in his ears, rushing south to his swelling erection. He could smell, taste, and feel her on a level he’d never experience before in his life. It was all consuming. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her hard against his burning need. She gasped in response and his tongue invaded deep, sweeping the softness of her mouth and tangling with her tongue.

She moaned, angling her neck back to take more of him and he stepped between her legs, riding his thigh to the V of her hot sex. Her breasts brushed his chest and he had to touch her, had to feel their ripe fullness. Taste her. Suck her. Eat her. Thrust into her until nothing but mindless pleasure ruled them both.

“Sam, please” she said, splaying her hand against his chest, breathing as heavily as he was.

That was all he needed to hear. She wanted him as desperately as he wanted her. He’d known it forever. So why in the hell hadn’t they banged it up big time, yet? He couldn’t seem to remember why and wasn’t the least bit interested in thinking right now. He backed her to the wall and shoved his hand up her soft shirt to even softer skin and cupped her lace covered breast. Her nipple hardened and he groaned deep, shoving his arousal hard against her.

Emerald pulled back then suddenly smacked her fist into his chest.

He blinked at her, trying to see through his desire hazed vision. “Em?”

“I said please stop, you gack. Not please more.” She pushed at him again and he loosened his hold, surprised to find his hand palming her breast. Reluctantly, he slid his hand from her shirt and eased back from her, finally seeing clearly enough to realize they weren’t even in private.

Considering one could practically spit from one side of the town to the other, life in Twilight was like trying to lose oneself in a fishbowl. Anybody looking from the street or the parking lot would have seen them at least kissing, if not the full details of the kiss. And anyone exiting the sheriff’s station would have gotten an eyeful. Damn where in the hell was his mind?

“I canna believe you kissed me like that. After all this fooking time you up and kiss me now?” She glared at him, chest heaving with ire.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I don’t know what happened. I shouldn’t have—”

“Yes, you bloody well should have. But you should have kissed me months ago when it would have been you kissing me.”

A final note from Jennifer: I would love to hear from you either about your thoughts on staying viable in today’s market, or about my Shadowmen Series. You can reach me either through my website or email me at jenniferstgiles@yahoo.com.

Huge thanks for letting me share with you today.

What're your favorite story elements? If you could buy a book that combined a mix mystery, romance, paranormal elements, contemporary lifestyles, futuristic worlds, historical time periods, and/or different cultural traditions in any combination you choose, what would it be?

Jennifer is giving away a book to one of today's commenters!

78 comments:

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Oh chooky boy?!?!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Missed the golden boy by 2 minutes! Dang!! Congrats Aunt Cindy. What plans do you have for the GR?

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hey Suz!
WHEW! Right now, I think I need a cold shower after reading Jennifer's RED HOT excerpt! HUBBA HUBBA!

Welcome the the Lair, Jennifer! And BIG THANX to Nancy for inviting you!

In answer to the question about what elements would I like to combine... Well, since I happen to write contemporary romantic suspense with paranormal elements, I think I'll stick with THAT as my answer. ;-)

AC

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Lair, Jennifer! Loved the excerpt from Kiss Of Darkness. I'm thinking I'll be wanting to read more of this!

As for books elements, I love both historicals and contemporaries, so time travels have a special place in my heart, as they let me experience the-fish-very-out-of-water stories.

I also enjoy a bit of mystery or suspense, and a touch of humor to relieve the tension. And I'm not opposed to very good, push the boundaries sex scenes. Yes, I know, who would've thought that, huh? :)

Nicola Cornick said...

Hi Jennifer and thank you for such excellent advice. Very thought-provoking. Like Suzanne I absolutely love time travel romance. I would dearly love to see more of those on the shelves over here in the UK.

Helen said...

Congrats Aunty Cindy and what are your plans for the chook today.

Great post Jennifer and yes thanks Nancy for inviting Jennifer along to the Lair today.

I firstly gotta say I loved that excerpt and these books have been added to my must get list. I haven't been reading paranormal for that long and I have loved the ones that I have read and these really sound wonderful.

I have been an historical romance reader for many years but have always loved suspense in then as well and that is why I really enjoy reading Amanda Quick's books but I have really broadened my mind over the last couple of years thanks mainly to the blogs I go to (this one thankfully has a lot to do with my change in reading habits) and have read some fantastic romantic suspense, contemparies, and paranormals so as to the question if the story gets me in at the start then I will read it and don't mind what type it is as long as it has romance in it.

Have Fun
Helen

Louisa Cornell said...

Oooh Aunty got the Chooky!! You're in trouble now Golden Boy!

Hello Jennifer! Thanks for some really great insight into surviving in today's market. I think the key is to have elements from several genres so that at least one appeals to a reader. Once you have them hooked on your style and voice you're more likely to carry them from one of your genres to the other.

For me I write historicals - Regency. But I have tried a couple of styles of Regencies to give myself more appeal to editors. My first novel was a Regency romantic comedy. My second was a Regency gothic paranormal. My third book is Regency romantic suspense. So while I full intend to stick with historicals I can go with whichever voice is most marketable.

There are so many time periods in which the paranormal is appealing as we have been a superstitious species since the first time man saw and eclipse or felt cold icy fingers on the back of their necks with no explanation.

And of course romantic suspense - murder, mystery and mayhem have been with us since Cain slew Abel.

The key, I think, is to write a great story with characters people can relate too - even if those people are actually werewolves and vampires!

Joan said...

Welcome Jennifer!

The Shadowmen sound right up my alley...hmmm...can you SEE shadows in alleys???

I love paranormal and historical combinations such as our own Donna's Touched by Moonlight (still hoping for a sequel to that!)

Nancy said...

AC, you took the rooster home! Suz, better luck next time!

AC, you combine those elements extremely well! We would all be happy to see you stick with them, I think :-)

Kirsten said...

Hi Jennifer, and welcome to the Lair! You give such wonderful, practical advice. I think there is definitely a lot of luck and timing involved in publishing -- and skill, of course, as we can see in that steamy excerpt! You've got to keep polishing and honing your craft constantly, even while you're waiting for your big break.

Thanks for stopping by, and I can't wait to see you at my next trip to Borders!

Nancy said...

Suz, that's a great excerpt, isn't it? I liked time travels, too. I expecially liked ones where the author bothered to explain how the effect of hero or heroine leaving one time period forever, which I thought was especially important when the one in the past was coming forward to stay.

Jennnifer has also written Gothics and historicals with paranormal and suspense elements.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Good Morning Ladies! Go great to hear from all of you so bright and early. thank you for the warm welcome and for enjoying morning warm up between Sam and Emerald. I loved your comments and will be back later today to talk about them. Right now were getting ready to go to a Father's Day Brunch. Once that's done I will be back home and on the computer! Being hear is a real treat!

Nancy said...

Hi, Nicola. Looks like a lot of readers would like to see more time travels. They're not on the shelves here, either, having mostly fallen out of favor.

I also liked the ones where the authors explained how the character traveled and why the mechanism for that (magic lamp or whatever) worked for that character and not every other one who touched it.

Years ago, the dh and I were in London and ran across a bookstore on Charing Cross Road. Murder One, I think it was called, and it had a wide selection of genre fiction. I was able to supplement my paltry Georgette Heyer hardback collection there. I seem to remember that it closed recently, though. Had you ever been there?

Nancy said...

Hi, Helen--

I think you'll like Kiss of Darkness. It has action as well as paranormal elements. I like reading series in order, but I didn't feel at all lost picking up this one, which is book 3, first.

Nancy said...

Louisa, you make an interesting point about our being a superstitious species. I think of myself as a logical, rational person. But I opted out of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. Went through it once and could not look at the ghost that appears in the seat. Just could not. So I elected not to go on that ride this time. As I told the boy and the dh, I must be more superstitious than I like to think I am.

And I do think, as Hamlet tells Horatio, "there are stranger things in Heaven and Hell than are dreamt of in [our] philosophies." I think I may have commented to that effect when Alex was here.

Jennifer has an interesting take on the forces of darkness in her Shadowmen books. But I don't want to spoil it.

Nancy said...

Joan wrote: The Shadowmen sound right up my alley...hmmm...can you SEE shadows in alleys???

LOL! Do you mean during the day or at night, JT?

I loved The Trouble With Moonlight also, and it has done extremely well on the contest circuit, we should note. Consider me another vote for a sequel.

Nancy said...

Hi, Jennifer--Have a great brunch, and we'll see you later. :-)

Dina said...

Just wanted to say hi to Jenni. Jenni, I rec'd your email but had not had a chance to see if it worked, I'll try later abnd if probs let you know. Looking forward to Wild Irish.

Nancy said...

Happy Fathers Day, everyone. We're having a quiet day. The dh elected not to do anything major. His father lives a couple of thousand miles away, and mine is gone, so we're very low-key on this holiday.

I sometimes think I get my love of books like Jennifer's from my dad. We used to go to the library together. My mom read, but not as voraciously as my dad. He liked adventure stories--read a lot of men's action/adventure and, in later years, W.E.B. Griffin's military tales.

I think he read pulp magazines when he was growing up, and he never criticized my interest in comic books. Lovecraft and Burroughs got their starts in the pulps, so I think one can argue that paranormal novels, and certainly SF ones, derive in part from that strain in publishing.

Nancy said...

Dina, thanks for stopping in to say hi.

Nancy said...

Dina, thanks for stopping in to say hi.

Nancy said...

Hi, Kirsten--you make a good point about honing and polishing. Doing the same thing over and over, not pushing yourself, doesn't lead to improvement in writing any more than in other areas, I think. And considering that most people's first books really should not see the light of other people's day, trying to improve is critical.

Jennifer does a great program on persistence and growth in writing.

Nancy said...

News flash--Jennifer is giving away a book to one commenter today. I just added that information to the blog. :-)

Llehn said...

Hi Jennifer,

I tend to gravitate towards the paranormal because I think it has the potential to discuss a lot of concepts effectively. Besides, it's a great escapicm from my mundane, normal life.

jo robertson said...

Welcome to the Lair, Jennifer. Great comments are staying viable in this upheaved writing market.

Congratulations on getting the rooster, AC. It's been a while, hasn't it. Hehehehehe, whatcha gonna do with him?

Great excerpt, Jennifer. And it sounds like you've got a great plan for spreading your talents in several places. Your Shadowmen series sounds great.

I like mixing of paranormal with historical. Gives it a creepier feel for me, sort of Bram Stoker-ish.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Jennifer. Welcome to the lair.

I suppose it won't be a surprise to most here when I say I like a combination of historical and paranormal. (he-he) But then - I think a little paranornal is fun in suspense as well. Love time travels, BTW.

I'm loving the creative explosion in paranormals these days that go way beyond the vampire stories. Earth demons, shape shifters, guardians...love it all.

Thanks for the practical advice and the sizzling excerpt.

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome to the lair, Jennifer! Thanks for the great post, advice and excerpt! Your Shadowmen series looks fabulous :-)

I love so many story elements and love them even more when they're combined *g*

My last few books were straight contemporary romance (which are my faves *g*) but I also have an idea for a YA that's part coming of age story, part paranormal and part romance. Hopefully I can master the blending of all three :-)

Nancy said...

Llehn, I like escapism, too. I want an ending to be, if not HEA, at least upbeat and positive. I just watched a thriller movie in which good and evil were defined clearly, but the ending was ambiguous. I felt very let down.

Nancy said...

Hi, Jo--Bram Stoker? I have to admit I've never read his Dracula, though I did read an article that said it was very different from the various movie interpretations.

I love paranormal elements, as you know. Doesn't matter whether they're tiny touches or major plot elements, but if they're in a story, I expect them to matter in some way.

Nancy said...

Donna, you're another vote for time travels!

I like that phrase, "creative explosion in paranormals." For a long time, it seemed as though vampires were the be-all and end-all. Then werewolves started to appear, and now there are lots of choices. I like variety, too.

Nancy said...

Beth, I'm sure you'll blend those elements beautifully. Sounds like a great idea!

Joan said...

Went through it once and could not look at the ghost that appears in the seat. Just could not.....

Me neither, Nancy!

My brother LOVES that attraction at Disneyworld. Would ride it multiple times but despite the "cartooning" of it all...It. Creeps. Me. Out.

Of course he feels the same way about "It's a Small World" which I LOVE :-)

Unknown said...

Congrat Aunty Cindy on nabbing that rooster!

To answer your question, I think I would mix historical romance with a little mystery or suspense! Although I do enjoy a good time travel book. A historical romance with a little paranormal may not be bad either. If a book grabs me in the beginning then I will read it. I read a little of everything now. I use to only read historical romance and that was it but I have changed over the years.

Nancy said...

Joan, it's nice to know that ghosty thing bothers somebody else! Your brother's reaction to It's a Small World is interesting. I've heard of people finding the endless repetition of the song mind-numbing (Arthur C. Clarke wrote a short story about the perfect ad jingle, which actually took over people's brains--that song makes me feel that way) but not of someone finding the dolls creepy.

To each, our own, I guess. One of the joys of that attraction for me is sitting down and drifting along in air conditioning for several minutes. :-)

Nancy said...

Virginia, I also read a more kinds of books than I used to. I can't seem to get into mainstream fiction, though. I think that may be because I don't trust it to give me a happy, or even upbeat, ending. It might. Or not.

Minna said...

What're your favorite story elements?
I like all kinds of mixtures, but I do like some paranormal in the mix, whether it's historical or contemporary story.

Nik Kershaw - The Riddle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQYvGUL1OLA&feature=related

Jennifer St. Giles said...

I'm back and ready for replies. So if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Okay Loucind and Suzanne What does this Golden Boy look like! If he is anything like Nathan Fillion (Castle) whom Nancy featured on yesterday's post, then I am totally envious. I did get to shake the man's hand at Dragon con last year. And LOL, that comment about his daughter on Castle being more mature than he is might be right on. He was running around leading the pack of all the Battlestar Galactica Stars, which you'd expect from a twentysomething star. But he was gorgeous all the same. Now back to writing...uh what's that?

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Suzanne. I love to combine multiple elements in my books. So I've done sexy gothic murder mysteries with paranormal elements. I've also done the paranormal contemporary thriller. My goal is that whatever I write, I want the reader to experience the scene as if they are really there. And I want them to feel the emotion of the characters as if they really were that character.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Hey Nicola and to all of you who loved the excerpt of Sam and Emerald from Kiss of Darkness. thank you
Jenni

Anonymous said...

I like fantasy worlds with paranormal, mystery, romance, different cultural traditions, and historical...

pjpuppymom said...

Hi Jennifer! Welcome to the lair and thanks to Nancy for inviting you!

I enjoy many sub-genres so, for me, it's the characters and their story that are most important. I can put myself into just about any location or time period if the characters speak to me and their story keeps my attention.

I love Jennifer's Shadowmen series and have read all of them except the latest, Bride of the Wolf. I'm looking forward to getting that one and spending some quality time with Navarre! :)

Wild Irish and Smooth Irish are fun, sexy stories and if the stories themselves don't send your romantic imagination into overdrive, the photos certainly will! I thoroughly enjoyed myself! (grin)

Nancy said...

Minna, you know I like paranormals, too. I can do without the paranormal elements, and there are lots of "straight" novels I enjoy. I do gravitate toward stories with that "other" nature, though.

Nancy said...

Jennifer, you met Nathan Fillion? How cool! Trish stood in line for one of the Firefly panels, but I didn't have the patience for it. Saw it later on DragonCon TV (in the hotel room, for those who don't go).

Are you going this year?

Nancy said...

Chekru, I like variety, too. :-) Thanks for stopping in!

Nancy said...

Hi, PJ! I have Bride of the Wolf here, teed up for when I finish my revisions. I'm looking forward to it, too.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Helen Louisa and Joan.
Thank you. Glad that you are broadening your horizons in reading though blogs! These days I think blogs are more responsible for bringing new books to readers more than almost any other medium.

The Scarf Princess said...

The elements I prefer involve a lot of steaminess (like the excerpt) and focuses on strong characters. I hate weak heroines. And I have a hankering for paranormals, but reads lots of other genres as well.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Nancy! you're a ball of fire with your responses today. LOL You Go Girl Thank you for being with me here on father's day. i was worried that people would feel ignored because my posts would be sketchy this am.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Dina! Thank you! Dina reviews for Barbara Vey on publisher's Weekly. Let me know as soon as you can if you can open the files. I am anxious to hear your thoughts about the romance ebook graphic novel concept! These are the first of their kind. For any of you who want to get a free sample of Wild Irish and Smooth Irish, the graphic ebook novels there is a free download at betweenyoursheets.com
Sorry i meant to mention that on my blog.

Nancy said...

Joder, I hate weak heroines, too. The heroine doesn't have to be Joan of Arc or Wonder Woman, but she'd better have brains and grit. Emerald, in Kiss of Darkness has both!

Oh, and integrity is a must.

Nancy said...

Jennifer, no worries! Sunday mornings are often a little slow. I'm glad you were able to guest with us.

Could you tell everyone a little about your Gothics?

Nancy said...

Also, Jennifer, what inspired you to do these illustrated novels?

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Hey Louisa

Yes great characters are essential. So is conflict. The kind that grabs you inside and pulls your hard.

Kirsten, glad you gleaned something from the blog and hope you meet up with a Shadowman in Borders. LOL

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Llehn. You dead on. By opening up the paranormal realm you can raise the stakes in your books to higher levels, make the conflicts greater, and make your characters even more larger than life than any other genre. It not only opens the door to more powerful story telling but it does provide a wonderful escape to find yourself drawn into another world where everything and anything is possible.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Jo. Yes I love paranormal in the historical too. There was a lot more going on that dark and stormy night that not even du Maurier knew. LOL

Margay Leah Justice said...

This is such an amazing post, I am going to bookmark it to read again later! Lots of great information here.

As for story elements that intrigue me, it's so elusive, but I guess it really comes down to something different. I won't read a vampire book just because it has vampires in it, or a Regency book just because it is based in the Regency period, but combine the two in an intriguing way, and I will take a look. I think it is the same with any story. Take an old idea and give it a new twist, retell a fairy tale in an unexpected way, or the like, and I'm likely to give it a try.

Margay

Kwana said...

Wonderful post with excellent advice. Shows that you should not give up just keep trying new and different ways. Thanks Jennifer.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

waving hi to pj, chekru, donna, minna, beth Virginia.

About my gothic historical! I so dearly love them! I grew up reading Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney and when I started writing them, they flowed like butter onto the page. I loved weaving the history, the romance, the suspense, and the paranormal all into the Victoria time period, when Heroines were starting to emerge in everyday life from the confines and strictures of the traditional woman's role. Unfortunately, Since I had five of them published and none sold well (but what can you expect with no marketing and very low print runs), no traditional publisher is going to pick them up and let me write more. My agent and I are trying one more place before I decide to take them on-line.

Which brings me in part to what inspired me to do the graphic e-books. I wanted to bring my gothic historical to life in a big way once I received my rights back to Midnight Secrets, Darkest Dreams, and Silken Shadows. The Weldon Series--Wild Irish and Smooth Irish-- are a get our toes wet and see what kind of market response there will be for that kind of book. I thought the idea of mixing the media of photography and story to enhance a readers experience would take romance reading to the next level and offer something in between a book and a movie.
I really do think it will be the next "think" for e-book readers once I get my life together and properly market the idea. Everybody loves a picture of a inspiring man. this just gives you more! LOL

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Than you Margay, I hope the post stimulates you to think more creatively about career options.

Kwana! You got it. Trying new and different things, branching out and persisting!

Nancy said...

Hi, Margay--I don't automatically buy any particular type of book, either. I always look at the cover blurb and maybe read some of the inside. A new twist on an old theme is always fun.

Nancy said...

Kwana, Jennifer does a great program on the importance of persistence, as you might gather from the blog. :-)

Nancy said...

Jennifer, I read Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney. Mary Stewart's Arthurian trilogy grabbed me more than her other books. I thought your Gothics were wonderful.

The illustrated ebook sounds very cutting-edge. And fun. :-)

Estella said...

A combo of paranormal, mystery and romance.
I have read the first books in this series and have Bride of the Wolf in my TBR.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Jennifer, I am definitely thinking about my career differently. J. A. Konrath just posted an interesting article on this here:

http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2009/06/should-e-books-be-cheap.html

It is a fascinating read. And coupled with what you wrote here, it really makes you reassess things.

Margay

Margay Leah Justice said...

Nancy, I have to confess that I still do buy Julia Quinn novels just because she wrote them for two reasons: 1. It's Julia Quinn; and 2. She hasn't disappointed me yet.

Margay

Nancy said...

Estella, sounds like a great combo! Thanks for stopping by.

Nancy said...

Margay, I buy authors for those same reasons. If I've liked their prior works, odds are that I'll like the current one. I tend to be more skeptical when trying some one new.

Joan said...

Everybody loves a picture of a inspiring man.

Which is why all my heroes pictures come from ads in People, LOL

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Afternoon everyone!

Just popping out of the writing cave to say I'm keeping the GR busy developing a new work out routine for the Cabana Boys. Yes, blenders are involved!

Nancy, thanx for the compliment on my books. I hope readers will pick up TToV and agree! Meanwhile, back to the WIP, which definitely has more paranormal elements than my previous books.

Jennifer, HOORAY! Another Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney fan! Their books first 'hooked' me on romance.

AC

Christie Kelley said...

Welcome, Jennifer!

Like Donna, I also love historical with some paranormal mixed in.

Your books sound wonderful, I'll have to add them to my TBR pile.

Nancy said...

AC, I hope you're making progress out of the cave. Keep the GR busy! Anything the cabana boys can do with a blender is a joy.

Nancy said...

Hi, Christie--Lots of us seem to like historicals with paranormals. I hope that means there'll be more of them.

Nancy

Anna Campbell said...

Aunty Cindy, you've got the rooster? He loves visiting you! And Suz, SOOOOO close!

Jennifer, welcome to the Bandits. Sorry I'm late - life and all its permutations got in the way. And congratulations on all your success!

Nancy said...

Hi, Anna--Glad you made it! Some days are just nuts, aren't they?

Gannon Carr said...

Hi, Jennie! Sorry I'm late to the party, but I'm glad you're here in the Lair.

My first introduction to romance was reading Victoria Holt--recommended by my 7th grade English teacher, Mrs. Parker. I will be forever grateful to her! :)

I'll read just about any sub-genre as long as the story grabs me. Can't wait to read Bride of the Wolf! Hope to see you in a few weeks at RWA.

Congrats, Aunty, on the chook.

Jennifer St. Giles said...

Wow You ladies have been busy tonight! thank you Anna! though I consider things to be still at an on-going struggle rather than at success. LOL. Great for you Margay. I will have to check out the article.

Joan. As I always say with great pictures that inspire. They can produce a thousand words all by themselves. LOL
thank you Christie
and Yes Loucinda hats of the the grand dames that inspired us all. Their words inspired a whole generation of writers!

Will check back again in the morning. Going to call it an early night.
Thank you all for the warm welcome and for enjoying the post and excerpt. Email me any questions you might have or LOL if you happen to meet a Shadowment.

jenniferstgiles@yahoo.com!
Happy Father's Day
Jennifer St. Giles

Nancy said...

Gannon, glad you're going to RWA. I was also in 7th grade when I found Victoria Holt--in the junior high school library!

Nancy said...

Jennifer, thanks for joining us today!