Elsewhere with Pearls

I hope all those who celebrate Thanksgiving are having a great holiday. Today I'm over at Literary Escapism to help kick off their Black Friday author event by taking Lucan shopping. Yes, that Lucan. Stop by if you get a chance, and enter to win this collection of goodies, all packed in my Victorian Pearl Girl tote, which I beaded and quilted by hand with sumptuous fabrics, all sorts of laces and ribbons, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, chandelier gems and pretty much every sort of glass bead in the house.

Discoveries Week Wrapup: The Darkyn

Before we get to the last of my release week giveaways, let me take care of some winner announcements:

The winner of the Discoveries Week: Marjorie M. Liu giveaway is

CrystalGB, who wrote I always go back to the first romance genre (historicals) I read when I need comforting. I can escape to another time and place in those books.

The winner of the Discoveries Week: Rob Thurman giveaway is:

Vom Marlowe, who wrote I love audiobooks. My favorite is The Last Camel Died at Noon, written by Elizabeth Peters and read by Barbara Rosenblatt.

Crystal and Vom, when you have a chance please send your full name and ship-to address to LynnViehl@aol.com so I can get your prizes out to you. My thanks to everyone for joining in.

Wrapping up a release week is always a little bittersweet -- you're tired but happy, frazzled but relieved, and tapped out but quite thankful. According to my editor Nightborn did not make the Times list, which I suspected would happen, but the novel has made a very decent showing on Bookscan's BSL at #34. Nightborn also came in at #49 on the B&N overall mass market bestseller list and #11 on their romance mm list. Thanks to everyone who went out and bought the book; this was all your doing.

As my big finish for release week I'd like to pay tribute to my own Darkyn universe. It's a marvelous place filled with wonders, and I am delighted and so grateful to be writing in it again. To celebrate my return I've put together this prize package with lots of Nightborn and Darkyn goodies.

If you'd like a chance to win my wrapup giveaway, in comments to this post name your favorite Darkyn or Kyndred novel (or if you don't have one, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST tonight, March 15, 2012. I will draw one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner signed copies of all seven novels in the original Darkyn series, all four novels in the Kyndred series, and Nightborn, the first novel in my Lords of the Darkyn trilogy. The winner will also receive a beautiful emerald tote bag handmade by murf56dubois, a window garden kit of French herbs to grow, several Darkyn-inspired BookLoops, an adorable stuffed bear and her little toy horse, a writer's words mug from Author Outfitters, and a lovely quilted apron like the one that inspired one particular scene in Nightborn. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

Korvel Arrives

This looks like a new release, but it's a bit more than that. Four years ago it was just a dream; one they tell us not to hope for in Publishing. On the cover is a fountain that I sat by in real life while I was (foolishly) dreaming of the story. Coincidence? Omen? Have no idea.

This novel and I have also been through a lot together, too. I had just sold it when I had to undergo eye surgery. My editor of seven years abruptly quit a month before I turned in the manuscript. I started production on the book just as my dad had a stroke. I worked on revisions while Dad was in hospice, and proofed the galleys right before his funeral service.

Every time I look at this book, though, I don't feel sad or depressed. What I remember is how the story stayed with me through the worst, and kept me focused whenever despair tried to drag me down into the abyss. I always talk about how we need to protect the work; oddly enough this time the work protected me. Nightborn grew from a dream to a hope to a reality, and then it became a steady beacon of light during some very dark times.

I am so proud of this novel that I wish I could give everyone a copy for free, but writing is how I earn my living, and for all that I give away, I do need to sell some work. You readers out there wanted more stories of the Darkyn, and now I've delivered. If you'd like me to keep writing them, then this book has to do well.

If you were planning to buy the book but haven't yet, please pick up a copy as soon as you have a chance (this week would be great, but anytime is appreciated.) If you like Paperback Writer, have found it helpful, lovon with all I do here, buying Nightborn is how you can show your support and provide funding for the blog. If you can't afford to buy a copy, please ask for the book at your local library; that is also a terrific way to help.

For all of the bloggers out there who have already helped by hosting me at your sites and/or otherwise spreading the word, and the readers who have already bought or requested the book, and/or have spread the word and encouraged others to check it out, thank you. I could not do this without you.

Bookseller links:

BAM
B&N.com
Tantor (audio book)
Amazon.com

Elsewhere En Masse

Today I am over at Silk and Shadows visiting author Jessa Slade and her pals, and talking about a list of demands a letter I received from the Darkyn. Stop in if you have a chance and you might win this lavender-themed quilted tote and pillow sachet (designed and handmade by Yours Truly) a bookmark you can plant and grow into wildflowers, along with a signed final edition copy of Nightborn.

Nightborn Savings

I got a heads-up on a very decent deal this morning: B&N.com currently has the print edition of Nightborn listed for $3.99, and according to my reader they are shipping it now versus holding it until release week.

I know, I know, I'm supposed to keep my mouth shut until it's officially March 6th. But honestly, if I can save you 50% on the cover price, I'd rather do that than beef up my numbers during release week. I don't know how long this price will last, so those interested in the savings should check it out soon.

Elsewhere Again

Today I am over visiting and guest blogging at author Shiloh Walker's blog to talk about some stuff you don't know about me and her (she didn't know some of it, either.)



Stop if if you have a chance, join in the fun and you might win this adorable Ganz teddy bear, which is the softest plush wubbie I've ever found, along with an ARC of Nightborn and a real lavender sachet (handmade by yours truly.)

Elsewhere

Today I'm visiting and guest blogging at The Good, The Bad and The Unread to talk about Nightborn and the Lords of the Darkyn. Come over, join in the fun and you might win this neat French-inspired tote, made by Olivia by Design, which includes:

A signed set of my seven novels in the original Darkyn Series
A signed ARC of Nightborn, the first book in my Lords of the Darkyn trilogy
A set of twelve Herman Wu bookmarks
An amethyst crystal bookmark "pen"
A font mug from Author Outfitters
A handmade brooch from Olivia by Design to match the tote

Added: If you'd like a preview of Nightborn, you can read a new/exclusive excerpt from the novel on the GB&U blog here.

Audio Pre-Order Sale

Nightborn will be my first novel released in audio as well as print and e-book, and Tantor Audio has the CD and MP3 editions on sale for 50% off if you pre-order now. The story will be read by Johanna Parker, who has a lovely voice with amazing range, and who has narrated among many works the audio editions of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series as well as Stephanie Tyler's Shadow Force novels.

Mine is not the only title on sale; there are also other plenty of other audio books featured in the 50% off sale at Tantor's site, from nonfiction on Presidents & Heads of State, Cultural Heritage books in honor of Black History Month, and (just in time for Valentine's Day) lots of excellent romance novels.

I listen to audio books in the car whenever I'm on a road trip, but they're also great when I'm sewing or taking a break on the porch (I can't cook when I listen to books; I always end up burning something.) Audio editions also make great gifts for a commuter or someone who has to travel a lot for work, or simply wants something to listen to other than radio or television.

Need I Say Don't Buy This?

Click on screenshot to see larger version:



Has to be an ARC. My editor doesn't even have the finished book yet.

So why shouldn't you take advantage of this offer? Well, if you wait four more weeks to buy the mass market edition of Nightborn when it's released on March 6th, you will:

a) get an instant $992.00 discount.

b) assure that I actually receive royalties from your purchase (and that forty-two cents will go right in the piggy bank, I promise.)

c) be able to use all the money you save to buy 124 other paperback books you want to read.

Also you'll be demonstrating that you are, you know, a sane person.

6-1/2 Weeks

Since wrapping up the StarDoc series back in 2010, more folks around the biz than I can count have let me know that they were a silent, unknown part of my readership. The mentions range from You should write more SF to God, I loved those books. Often the way they tell me (usually a quick aside in an e-mail or during a phone chat) seems like a confession of bad behavior, like we're discussing something that has to be whispered so as not to be overheard by others.

In a strange way it reminds me of that weird interval following a bad divorce. After it's all over, people you know who have never once commented on the situation begin confiding how happy they are that you're free of the jerk, or the many reasons why they disliked your ex, or even how they knew he was cheating on you but never said anything because they didn't want to hurt your feelings. It's nice that they want you to know, but . . . why tell you now?

It's also difficult to know how to react to these confessions. Of course I say thank you, and I am grateful (who wouldn't be?), but for me personally it's history. This is because for the readers StarDoc came to an end in August of 2010, but for me it happened in 2007, when I discussed wrapping up the series here. While back then I still had a couple of books under contract to write, I knew I was heading down the same road as I had with the first five books, and I couldn't put my readership through that again.

It's been five years since I made that very difficult decision, and while I will always love StarDoc and the readers who kept me writing the series, I've moved on.

Now that I'm returning to writing Darkyn novels, I do wonder at times if history might repeat itself. For the second time in my career I've revived a series that my publisher killed but that the readers wanted me to keep writing. I have three new Darkyn novels under contract, and if these do well, I can certainly write more after this trilogy concludes. Since this has been my bestselling series to date, and readers have been very vocal about wanting more books, I think I have a fairly decent shot.

That said, I can't take anything for granted. While how well the new trilogy does is 99% dependent on things beyond my control, I know I can make more of an effort to do what I can for the series and its readership. So this time around I'm trying to approach the problem differently. Primarily I'm focused on selling all the books that share a storyline under one contract; this should keep me from getting entangled in a series that I may or may not be able to end. I think this works better for the readers, too, as from what I've observed most of them don't seem interested in following lengthy series any more.

I'm also getting more involved and taking some new directions with promotion and marketing for this trilogy. That's been more painful -- I'm always going to be better at writing than self-promoting -- and I don't know if it will actually make a difference. I figure if nothing else I'll learn from it.

Nightborn will be hitting the shelves on March 6th, and as part of my do-more effort I'm also trying to make myself more available. So: if you have a weblog and would like to interview me, get some info about the book, or have me write a guest post for you, and you can post that between now and March 6th, please e-mail me at LynnViehl@aol.com to let me know. I have a few ARCs of Nightborn left that I can offer as giveaways (not many, so this will be first come first served) or signed copies of my other Darkyn novels. In late February I should have the final edition author copies of Nightborn if you'd prefer those as prizes.

If you were one of the readers or a reviewer who got a Nightborn ARC (either from me or my publisher), and you have the time and inclination to post a review on your site or at one of the online booksellers' pages before the book is released, that would also be great, and much appreciated.

I'm also going to put one last signed Nightborn ARC up for grabs here, so if you'd like a chance at winning it, in comments to this post name a novel series that you wish other people would read (or if you can't think of any, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Saturday, January 21, 2012. I will choose one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner a signed ARC of Nightborn along with a surprise (and no, I won't tell you what that is, but my surprises are always good ones.) This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

Mistake Me For

For some reason I am often the victim of mistaken authorial identity. Being confused with other writers gives me the opportunity to live vicariously for a few hours, though, so it's not all bad.

Like when some strange folks decided that author Stephen Leigh and I were the same person (that one even had a hilariously idiotic web site devoted to it for a while.) I was quite flattered, because I mean who wouldn't want to be Stephen Leigh? He teaches writing at university, plays in three bands and studies Aikido. He has a great beard, too. Truth is I'd love to be a scholarly musician author professor who can genuinely kick your ass. And while I'm still not sure how anyone could build an entire conspiracy theory based solely on the fact that Stephen and I use the same first two initials (S.L.), it was a nice thrill while it lasted.

Since this is evidently going to be a regular thing with me, I think I should get to pick the next author I'm mistaken for. It's my turn, isn't it? That way I can spend an afternoon or a week or even a couple of months not being me while I'm being someone else I'm not. I could dress up, make people call me by names I've never used -- I think there are still a couple left -- and quite possibly write stories I'd never write.

With this in mind, here are some suggestions for the next time someone decides to make me a writer I've never been:

Jane Austen: I know, she's moved on to the next place, but maybe we could work a reincarnation theory or something. Of course I'd need this to go on long enough for me to write a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, bury the appropriately fake-aged manuscript somewhere in England, and leave clues so people know where to dig it up.

Jude Devereaux: With this identity I'll need a sample of her handwriting so I can sign some of her books for my mom, who adores everything she writes. She doesn't have a hard signature to fake, does she?

Thomas Harris: The beard isn't as nice as Stephen's, but we'll pretend I shaved it off. Actually I'd just like five minutes access to his brain so I can find out why he ended Hannibal the way he did.

Barry Hughart: so I could rummage through his files and see if there's a follow-up anywhere to Eight Skilled Gentlemen (the third book in his Bridge of Birds saga). Please note that I wouldn't steal it, I'd simply read it while I hid under his desk.

Jan Karon: Have you ever see her office? It's like Oprah's, only better. Plus she's believably blonde and makes helmet hair look elegant.

Stephen King: idle curiosity for the most part; I'd like to know how it feels to be the only living writer who is actually less photogenic than I am.

Shiloh Walker: because she can run and I can't, she does way better on her diet than I do, and I secretly suspect she's tireless.

I have a signed ARC of Nightborn to give away today, so if you're interested in a chance of winning it, in comments to this post name an author you'd like to be mistaken for, and why (or if you'd rather keep your own identity, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. I'll choose one name at random from everyone who participates and send the winner a signed ARC of Nightborn, my upcoming March release and the first novel in my new Lords of the Darkyn trilogy. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won someone here at PBW in the past.

On the Eve

About an hour ago I finished revisions for one of my editors, which was the last writing job I had to do this year.  My reward for hitting the final finish line is a movie (Cowboys and Aliens), a week of writing whatever I want (probably just posts for PBW) and as much rest and relaxation as I can manage during the holidays.

It's always a strange feeling to finish out the writing year.  In 2011 I published three novels, sold four and wrote five.  There have been years when I've done twice that much work, so it doesn't feel like a lot, but I've never worked through so many challenges and changes as I have during the last twelve months.  I'm tired, and I definitely need a week off, but I'm also satisfied that I did my best even in the worst of times.  And while I am my own harshest critic, that actually feels pretty good.

Now I am going to unplug for a few hours, get my kids and take them out to lunch.  In the meantime, I have a contest challenge for you guys that involves this:



Meet the Sock Ornament of Doom, which my daughter made when she was in preschool.  This stuffie has been hanging on our tree ever since she brought it home, and we love it so much that I think it's high time it got a new name.

If you have any ideas, in comments to this post, suggest a name (male, female or other is okay; just please keep it G-rated) for our ornament by midnight EST on Monday, December 26, 2011.  My daughter will choose the name she likes best from all the entries, and I will send the winner a signed ARC of Nightborn, the first novel in my new Lords of the Darkyn trilogy.  This contest is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something from PBW in the past.

Winners

Thanks to everyone who joined in the Nightborn Preview giveaway. There is no greater power in the Publishing world than supportive readers, and whenever you talk about any author's books to other people you become the most effective advertising there is, and that's something no author or publisher can ever buy.

I wish I had forty ARCs to send you all instead of just four, but this will not be the only ARC giveaway, so if you don't win this time stay tuned to the blog during the holidays for another chance.

We got the magic hat to do its thing, and the winners are:

Charlene Teglia

mofo8727

Keita Haruka

John C

Winners, when you have a chance please send your full name and ship-to address to LynnViehl@aol.com so I can get these ARCs out to you. Again, thanks to everyone for offering to help out.

Nightborn Preview

My editor kindly sent some ARCs of Nightborn, the first novel in my new Lords of the Darkyn trilogy. Usually I give away all my ARCs without asking for anything in return, but as this novel is the first book in a new venture, it's important to get the word out about it. Thus I'd like to send these ARCs to people who are willing to help me do just that.

If you're interested, in comments to this post write a pledge for what you'd be willing to do to help me promote the novel* by midnight EST on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 (and if you'd like some ideas, you might write and post a review** of it on the internet, feature the book in a blog post, talk about the new trilogy on a discussion board, or something along those lines. Be as creative as you like, too.) I will draw four names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners a signed ARC of Nightborn. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

*Please note that this is not a contest for who promises to do the most. That said, I do expect the winners to keep their pledges, so please be realistic about what you actually can do.

**In regard to writing reviews, there are no expectations here or any strings attached. If you don't care for the book after reading, you are not expected to lie and/or throw up fake gushing reviews; nor will I hate you forever if you rate it with three stars or less. I don't care about stars. Just be honest and we're good.

Added to clarify: Midnight EST on December 7th is the cut-off to enter the giveaway; winners can keep their pledges whenever they like after they've read the ARC. It would be most helpful to have your help with getting the word out before March 2012, when the book is released, but it's not an iron-clad requirement.

Wait for It

I have a few announcements, some of which due to various and sundry details to be confirmed/wrapped up/signed/so forth have to sit on the back burner for now. But in the meantime I can let you know what's confirmed and drop a few hints about the rest:

My publisher has sold foreign rights for Twilight Fall and Stay the Night to be published in German. I've also accepted an offer for audio rights to all three novels in the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy, so those will be coming out as audio books as well as print and e-books.

I've turned in to my new editor the complete manuscript for the steampunk novel I sold this month, so that's done (and this book is the one I wrote the first draft of during NaNoWriMo 2009, for those who have been nagging me about it.) More info to follow once I've signed the actual contract, finalized the title, get pub dates etc.

The second novel in the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy is also finished -- yes, I've been a busy girl -- and since someone else spilled the beans on the title of book one before I had a chance to announce it, let me be the first to tell you book two will be titled Nightbred. More details on this one are also pending.

Those of you who would like a chance to preview Nightborn, the first novel in the Lords of the Darkyn trilogy, should definitely stop by the blog next week.

Finally, while I can't discuss what I was writing because I don't want to jinx it, my total count for November was 98.4K, and the goal I set for myself was 80K, so I reached my finish line, too. Congratulations and hugs to everyone who participated in NaNoWriMo 2011.

First Look

I promised you all back in July that once we had a finalized version I'd share the amazing cover art for Nightborn, the first novel in my new Darkyn trilogy, and here it is:



That fountain and I are old friends, so naturally I'm delighted with it.

Nightborn will be landing on the shelves on March 6, 2012, and can be preordered online at BooksAMillion.com, B&N.com, and Amazon.com.