Archive for the 'Coming Soon!' Category

The Day Before The Day!

Today’s June 30th, which is the day before the OFFICIAL LAUNCH of Tracking the Tempest!

I know there’s been loads of congrats and interviews posted and stuff like that, which I totally appreciate and adore, but my technical, Orbit-declared release date is July 1st, so that’s what I’m going with, people!

And no, it’s not so I get basically a three day release party. It’s really not! I promise. ;-) Okay, I wouldn’t believe me, either.

There is SO MUCH going on to celebrate my release I don’t know where to start, so I’ll start with the biggies:

Kat Richardson, one of my favorite people and writers, made me cry talking about Jane. Kat’s a writer I always use as an example of why I love writing UF. Our books are SO different, yet we can appreciate each other’s writing and we publish under the same genre. I love that! You can see a blurb for TR from Kat on Tracking, and if you haven’t read her books, do so immediately. Her series is awesome–one of the smartest, most well-developed UF series out there.

Today, I’m also over at Bitten By Books, chatting with folks and giving a way a new Kindle. Come by to chat and see how to enter, here!

Carolyn Crane, one of the sweetest Leaguers out there, is giving away a copy of Tracking. I’ll be with Carolyn at both RomCon and our Denver signing. She’s a GREAT addition to the UF community: generous, fabulous, and hilarious!

I’ve also got an interview and a giveaway for Tempest Rising up at Literary Escapism.

Tomorrow, on the official launch, I’ll also be revealing the prizes for two big contest I’ll be doing: one at the League of Reluctant Adults, and one here on my site. So come back tomorrow, y’all!

Right now I’ve gotta go do some stuff to get ready for my signing with Jaye Wells here in Shreveport. If you’re in the area, come on down! We’ll be chatting, snarking, and maybe kicking the crap out of each other. Check my appearances page for more details. ;-)

Contests and Reviews and Launches, Oh My!

Hellooooo my friends! I’m writing this from a Pittsburgh airport hotel. I’m supposed to be in Chicago as of yesterday, but my flight was cancelled due to weather. Here’s hoping I make it back to IL today, so I can fly back to Shreveport tomorrow.

My stay in Greensburg has been awesome. The residency was fantastic, and I really, really like my new colleagues as well as the students in the MFA. I think this program will be really challenging and beneficial for me, both as an author and as a teacher. It’s going to be a sharp learning curve that first semester, but then I think it’ll be a great job.

As for finding an apartment, in the end and despite all my protestations about wanting to live in Pittsburgh, I went with an apartment near the school. I drove the commute a few times, and it’s one of those routes that could take 30 minutes OR it could take two and a half hours. Plus I couldn’t find an apartment I really liked that wasn’t ridiculously expensive. But I found something in Greensburg that is absolutely gorgeous and HUGE (I’m going to have to buy some more furniture). It’s an old building, right down town, with tons of character and gorgeous original features. I’ll be living in the Penthouse, which is French for “pray the ancient elevator doesn’t break down.”

But now I’m going home and my thoughts are firmly on launching Tracking the Tempest. Sightings have been thick and fast: Borders definitely has it on shelves, and I think that Amazon has shipped. So those of you who pre-ordered should be getting it right on time.

My big launch party is over at Bitten by Books, where I’m doing a contest to win a Kindle. RSVP here for the event to earn extra chances to win, and stay tuned to BbB for more info on the actual event. They’ve also posted their review, here.

I’ve also got an interview mit contest up at Tynga’s Reviews.

Melissa, from My World in Books and Pages, reviews Tracking, here, and I’ll have an interview and contest up at her site on July 1st, so stay tuned!

Finally, here’s a review of Tracking that absolutely made my day. It’s spoiler free, and she really gets what I’m doing. Thanks, lady! :-)

Don’t forget about the upcoming signings talked about on my appearances page, and I’ll have some very fun contests to announce on my site and over at the League when I get home. So see ya round, and go forth to buy Tracking over the weekend! YAY!

This Just In!

Book 4 is no longer merely Book 4. It is now Eye of the Tempest. Yay!

I had that name picked for one of the later books, but it made more sense to use it now, for reasons that will become very apparent.

Teases! Teases!

Book Deal and Day Job Announcements!

I am so excited to announce all sorts of good stuff!

First of all, there’s going to be MORE JANE TRUE! Orbit has bought Jane True, Books 4, 5, and 6. Don’t ask me what they’re going to be called, because I am totally stuck. “Tempest” related names seemed like SUCH a good idea . . . till I ran the fuck out of ideas. Number six might wind up “Tempest Bledsoe.” Just a warning.

But, names aside, there’s going to be MORE JANE! Which makes me so unbelievably happy, not least because I can continue working with everyone at Orbit. They’ve been SO great, and I feel so very honored and humbled by their faith in me.

So that’s some huge news, and very exciting. But equally huge and exciting is that I am on the move, again!

I’ve adored my time at LSUS. My colleagues and students couldn’t have been more amazing. But my life has changed so much with the publication of the books, and it’s more than a little scary working for Louisiana higher ed when there’s a budget crisis. So I am thrilled to announce that I’m moving to teach as an assistant professor in Seton Hill’s MFA program for Writing Popular Fiction. Yes, you read that correctly . . . it’s an MFA specifically for popular, publishable fiction. Here’s the blurb from our website:

http://www.setonhill.edu/index.cfm

The Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction at Seton Hill is one of the only programs in the country that teaches writers to create – and market – the fiction that sells. Upon graduation from Seton Hill’s program, you will have completed a full-length market-ready novel, earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from a leading liberal arts University, and become part of a supportive network of published authors.

Seton Hill University’s unique Master of Fine Arts in Writing Popular Fiction teaches students to write marketable novels in popular genres like mystery, romance, science fiction, horror, and fantasy. Additional specialties include literature for children and adolescents, and cross-genre blends like romantic suspense or young adult mysteries. Knowing that graduate students have many obligations, Seton Hill has designed a flexible, intensive-residency format that allows you to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree while working full-time or caring for a family. One-on-one mentoring by established writers enables students to develop a writing project in a genre of their choice. Online contact with other participants ensures that students become part of a writing community and that they receive varied commentary on their work-in-progress. Week long residencies, twice each year, inform and enliven the writing experience, bringing students together on Seton Hill’s campus to learn the basics and complexities of popular fiction. Lectures and workshops by guest writers of regional and national fame (and editors, agents and publishers) add extra impact to the residency experience.

How cool is that? This semester, I’ll be mentoring students who are writing Urban Fantasy, and teaching at least one online course. I’ll also get an iPad, which I will name Bessie.

So I’m moving to Pittsburgh, people! Seton Hill is in Greensburg, but I’m a city gal by nature. The idea of walking to get a coffee THRILLS me. And in Pittsburgh, I’ll be closer to my family and friends in Chicago, my friends on the East Coast, and an airport from which I can go wherever I please (not just DFW).

That said, I am very sad to leave Shreveport and my friends, colleagues, and students here in Louisiana. I’ve loved my time here and y’all couldn’t have been more welcoming and generous. Thank you so much for a beautiful run, and I will miss you all very, very much. Look me up if you’re in Pennsylvania. :-)

Where in the World is Nicole Peeler?

I’m all over the place!

For example, this weekend I’ll be doing a signing with Gail Carriger and Jaye Wells, in Houston. We Orbiteers are all VERY proud of Gail, who just made it on the NYTimes bestseller list! YAY Gail! She is fabulous, her book is fabulous, and I am so very very happy for her.

So I’m looking forward to seeing both Gail and Jaye again. But my friend, ML the Economist, and I are also making Houston into a Weekend du Girlie Thangs. We’re staying from Friday to Sunday at a posh hotel and shopping, shopping, shopping. After all, I need new clothes . . .

For Romantic Times! Yes, that following weekend, I will be wandering around the RT Convention, probably smirking at cover models and dodging my fellow Leaguer’s attempts to haze me. I was too late and unorganized (this is my first RT, I had no idea what I was doing) to get on any panels, BUT I do have some things scheduled. I’m definitely doing Club RT, Thursday at 11:00AM, with an absolute shit ton of other members of the League.*  I’ll also be doing the “Giant Book Fair” (I’m not sure if that means the books are giant, giants are involved, or if it’s merely a large signing) on Saturday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Realistically five people will know who I am, so please please please come see me and put me out of my misery. Bring me a Guinness or a cookie. Better yet, bring both.

At RT, we at the League have some AWESOME shenanigans planned for our fans, so definitely stay tuned if you’re coming to RT. Let’s just say we at the League of Reluctant Adults control the gateway to fun . . . if by fun you mean a pint of snark served with a sidecar of sass and finished with a twist of naughty.

I should also hopefully have some VERY cool swag for RT. Vampire heart removable tattoo, anyone? I just ordered them, though, so I’m not sure if they”ll be delivered in time . . .

And yet, no matter what, I know the hearts will be ready by the time RomConvention rolls around! That’s in Denver, in July, and as yet I have no idea what I’m doing. Mostly because it’s creeping up to finals time and I don’t even remember who I am anymore. But I do know where to locate my red pens and my current stack o’ grading. But I can tell you that the lovely Carolyn Crane and Jeanne Stein are cooking up some trouble, and we’ll definitely be partaking in some larger, non-con ridiculousness around that time with Team Denver, so stay tuned.

At some point I’m also going to be in London, and in Brighton, and in Seattle and San Francisco . . . and I’m sure some other places. The feet are itchy, people, and the passport is new and shiny.

So if you’re in one of those places, and own a bookstore or have a book club, I’d be happy to make an appearance. I also do weddings and bar mitzvahs.

And stay tuned. I’ll be back to my more regular blogging, now that I’ve carved out a little wiggle room in my schedule. Mmmm. Wiggle room.

Ciao for now!

*A shit ton is a metric ton plus one unladen swallow.

TRACKING THE TEMPEST: Three Months and Counting.

Yes, my friends. Tracking the Tempest releases THREE MONTHS FROM NOW. Can you believe it? July 1, 2010, you can clutch Jane, once again, in your sweaty paws. Don’t worry. She likes it.

Are you excited? I’m excited. SO excited, in fact, that I had to VLOG FOR YOU. Yes, Vlog. I’m trotting out my beautiful fatch and dulcet voice just for you, people. Enjoy it.

Actually, the vlogs might drive you a bit bonkers, because my bangs (AKA my fringe, for you British readers) are taking over. Notice how they’re nicely swept to one side for the first vlog, and then commence to creep until they’re hanging directly in front of my face, making me look cross-eyed.

I have hair with a mind of its own. I’ve learned long ago not to fight it, for it always wins.

So I apologize for the fringe/bangs. I can’t do a thing with them! There’s a cowlick involved. But here you go…here are your Tracking Related Treats for April 1, 2010. There will be more treats, the first of every month, until release day! Yay!

The first vlog is a warm up to the reading, in which I attempt to introduce myself and the books but mostly just babble:

And here’s the actual reading, the second part of the first chapter of Tracking the Tempest:

And, finally, one last Tracking inspired treat: my own, personal soundtrack to Tracking the Tempest. These are the songs that inspired me, while I wrote. There’s a lot of songs about the illusions we weave regarding love and relationships. Not to give away any spoilers, or anything. ;-) Here’s your soundtrack! Fun!

Thanks for coming over, ladies and gentlemen! Hope you enjoyed the readings and don’t forget to enter the contest, from the post below, to win Richelle Mead and Jaye Wells newest releases. And see you back here next month: same selkie time, same selkie channel, for more Tracking the Tempest!

Another Weiner! And I Can’t Stop GIVING SHIT AWAY!

So many exciting things here at the Emporium!

First of all, can I just say HOW AWESOME were your comments for Werewolf Smackdown. Seriously? SO COOL.

You all made me SO HUNGRY with the food ideas/recipes (Thom, you’re amazing), but then you’d put the smackdown on my appetite by adding the blood. It was like Pavlovian training . . . I drooled at the food, and then “Blood!” and the drool would be cut off. Highly hi-larious.

I don’t like to interact too much with the comments for contests, because it sort of skews the numbers I’m working with, but I really, really adore all of them. And I’ve gotten lots of feedback from people (other authors, mainly) who think that the way you engage with my questions is super cool and really fun, so well done, all of you!

I’ll now announce the weiner of Mario’s Werewolf Smackdown. The Contest Can is warming up its vocal chords!

The weiner is . . . . KAYLA B!

CONGRATULATIONS! Email me your address at iheartselkies (at) gmail (daht) com and I’ll get a copy shipped to you forthwith!

And, for all of you who DIDN’T win . . . feeling disappointed? Sharpening your shank of anger? Considering drowning a few kittens? Well, there’s no need for all of that! Because . . .

THERE’S ANOTHER CONTEST! Seriously, the authors at the League have to stop publishing before I go broke. They’re killing me. ;-)

Up in the hot seat today are two of my favorite redheads, Jaye Wells and Richelle Mead.

I’m a huge fan of both of these ladies. Jaye is a fellow Orbit writer, and she invited me into the League. For that I will forever be grateful and have her back in snark. Richelle, meanwhile, could not have impressed me more when I met her at Dragon*Con. She’s so famous! So fabulous! So FAMOUS! And yet, she couldn’t be nicer or more down to earth. I mean, don’t get me wrong, if I ever get famous I will expect to be carried around on a divan by swarthy, well-oiled and muscular minions, who will take by the throats and shake anyone who approaches me without first genuflecting and praising my Infinite Beauty, Wisdom, and Snark, BUT while I’m doing all those things, I’ll think, “Ya know, that Richelle was so humble and fabulous. Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned, in all of that? Like . . . where is my Massager of My Left Pinkie Toe? It’s cramping! It’s CRAMPING!”

So it’s with great excitement that I roll out to the Emporium the newest books by Richelle Mead:

And Jaye Wells!

So exciting! And yes, I will give away these two books to a lucky winner! Just comment on the following, below, to enter to win both Jaye and Richelle’s newest books:

Carolyn Crane just posted this FABULOUS round up of UF and ParaRom Heroine’s hair colors. Jaye and Richelle both are fabulous redheads, and I, as you probably know, dye my hair ridiculous shades of red and pink and magenta and whatever the hell the salon comes up with that week.

So my question is: who’s your favorite redhead? You can name a real person, or a character from books and film. And what does red hair say to you?

To help you on your way, here’s Catherine Tate’s hilarious take on what it’s like to be a redhead:

If I loved Catherine Tate any more, I might explode with love for her. Explode. Not metaphorically, but actually combust. With love. For her.

So comment below and enter to win! I’ll pick a winner on SUNDAY from the Contest Can.

And stay tuned for tomorrow, as I’ll be officially launching the Countdown to Tracking the Tempest! April First means it’s THREE months till Jane’s second book comes out. Can you believe it? I can’t. And to celebrate the official launching of the launching of the launch, I’ll have some Tracking related treats for you.

I’m so excited I could spit.

Classy!

Ich Bin Swimming!

Our terribly awesome dayIn exciting news, Tempest Rising is coming out in both Italy (from Newton and Compton) and Germany (from Heyne Verlag). This means that my words will be translated into Italian and German, making me fantasize that I will learn to speak both languages fluently through some sort of process of osmosis. My agent says this is unlikely, but a girl can dream!

I’ve also been busy over at some other blogs. For Philip Palmer’s awesome blog series on SFF inspired music, I’ve introduced you to why I love a “Sea Lion Woman” as much as I love a seal woman.

And over at the Orbit Books blog, Gail Carriger’s Alexia and my own Jane have been nattering away again. The results are rather adorable. Those two are such cards!

Git 'er while she's hot!

Miss True is now available for pre-order on Amazon! Borders and Barnes & Noble should be available soon, as well. And don’t forget your neighborhood indie book store!

‘Cause today is Buy Indie Day! YAY!

Monday, Monday, Monday!

Stay tuned for the BIG COVER REVEAL on Monday! (she says with both enthusiasm and certainty)

In the meantime, check out my assassination attempt cum interview of the YA UF writer JEN HAYLEY at the League!