Sunday Soup - October 18

In The Soup This Week... Marjorie Liu, Jeanne Stein, Jeffe Kennedy, Barbara Freethy, and more.

Soup Dish:  ok, so I actually have a few links this week. Some tasty bookish articles that caught my eye recently:
✽Marjorie Liu... she is one of my favorite paranormal writers anyway, but this? I'll I've got is WOW. I'm not really a graphic novel kind of girl, but I think I'll have to make an exception for Monstress. Here is Vox's amazing writeup.
✽You know how I love lists: 20 Books that Offer a Perfect Blend of Sci-Fi and Romance. I tend to prefer fantasy over Sci-Fi... I can't say that I've read any of these.  Maybe I'm ready to try Romance in Space.  If we include fantasy in the category, I'd add Melanie Rawn's Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies, and yep, Jeffe Kennedy's Twelve Kingdoms trilogy. Just yummy.
✽Nora Roberts on the post-draft process of publishing a book. I don't think I'm one of those people that would pester an author to hurry up or let me see something before it's done.  If I say "I can't wait for the next one," that's meant to be a compliment, not a "hurry up!" sort of imprecation. Honestly, the anticipation can be a good thing. I do wonder about this though:

Meanwhile, the editor is working with the art department on a cover. With Sales and Marketing on how the book will be sold in, how it will be marketed. It has to be scheduled, and this book is one among many. Accounts–bookstores, chains and independents, other venders like WalMart, Target, Costco and so on, have to be addressed–so there are book reps who deal with that. Catalogue copy must be written, Publicity has their meetings on the book–what to do there? Back cover copy, flap copy must be written. That cover has to be produced, maybe revised, produced.

None of this happens in five minutes. Or five days. Or five weeks. Or five months.

Maybe it's because Nora has some serious volume going out, but really? Five months? Coming from a background of industrial/process engineering, where there is always pressure on production cycle times... that seems like a lot. That seems like maybe where some indie publishers are seeing some opportunity.  I understand that creative products cannot be totally optimized, but let's face it, distribution contracts are not really a creative product. Hmmm.  Anyway, the article is worth a read, if only for the photos of the marked up manuscripts at the end. 

What I'm reading
✽The Becoming, by Jeanne Stein. I read this because the author was signed up for the Reading Until Dawn Con. Really enjoyed the book. The bounty hunter heroine has a good "origin story" and I enjoyed the way the various characters developed and revealed themselves.

✽The Tears of the Rose, by Jeffe Kennedy. Jeffe is also a RUDC author, but I was reading her stuff anyway. You should too. I'm currently reading the third book in the series and taken as a whole they are just really really good. Individually, they are lovely romances with tons of adventure, magic, and emotional tension. This one in particular was sort of a tardis-book: given the word count, it should have taken me much longer to read. The pacing apparently has a touch of magic too.  Character wise, I loved how Amelia went from being a pampered baby sister princess to truly a queen in her own right, with agency as well as an agenda. There is a bit of a cliff-hanger in this book, which I sort of think will not be resolved in book three. According to the author, there is a new related series in the works, which - this is my speculation only - may take that as a jumping off point.  I'm hoping/planning to do a series review for all three when I finish Talon of the Hawk.

✽On a Night Like This, by Barbara Freethy. I think I picked it up as a freebie or 99-cent special; it's priced at $3.99 now. First in the Calloway series, this is a nice "reunion" contemporary about a firefighter and a lawyer with daddy issues. Sara is the literal girl next door, and Aiden knew about her epic crush on him back in the day. They shared one teenaged kiss, but the timing wasn't right. I enjoyed this quite a lot -- it's a sweet, low-conflict romance with some really good kissing.

✽The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, by Mario Acevedo. Another RUDC author, I've seen his name around for quite a while. I have really enjoyed most of the authors who have written for the League of Reluctant Adults, off and on. And I want to say that Mario was a great sport at the conference, vastly outnumbered by women. (His choice for, and execution of, the erotic reading session was impeccable. And memorable.) Unfortunately, the book didn't really work for me. An interesting premise, great action, a vivid military backstory were soured for me by the casual misogyny of the male characters:

"So what'd you do?" I asked. "Let these women screw their brains out on government time?" 

"What was the alternative?" Gilbert replied. "Fire fifty percent of our workforce? DOE wants full disclosure of our activities - except for the embarrassing stuff." He fidgeted with the knot of his tie. "At first we thought we'd just let the women get it out of their systems. To accommodate their needs, as it were," he cleared his throat. ... "Fortunately, we discovered an ally among the pharmaceuticals." Gilbert opened a side drawer to his desk and produced a small plastic bottle. he shook the vial, rattling the green-and-white pills inside. "A daily dose of sixty grams of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Fluoxetine hydrochloride. Prozac."

Gilbert put the bottle away. "Now we have plenty of happy women and very few horny ones. Rumor has it the holdouts were tramps to begin with."

Yeah, that last line was kind of a dealbreaker for me.  If it was meant to be humorous, it didn't work. (Also, I really hope the dosage was meant to be in milligrams.) So I think this particular protagonist is not for me.

So that's the soup this week.  What's going on with you?

Reading Until Dawn -- Debrief

So the inaugural Reading Until Dawn Conference has come and gone.  This was my first go-round as a featured blogger, AND for a small conference.  The book events I've been to have either been short, afternoon or evening panel sorts of things, or RT, the great-gramma of them all.

Without reserve, I completely loved the small-conference situation.  As a first-year conference, there weren't many authors there that are on my auto-buy list, but I do love Darynda Jones' Charley Davidson series and most everything I've read from Jeffe Kennedy. Even so, the authors that were there, were creative and smart and fun, and I had a really wonderful time playing goofy games and getting to know everyone. I think you don't fully know a person until you've played Cards Against Humanity with them.

I can't help but compare this to RT, which is kind of a completely different planet in comparison. RT is really exciting, but... I'm not sure I like it better.  Casey, the organizer of RUDC, had a very clear vision that she did not want panels or lectures or anything that put the authors on one side of the room with the readers on the other, and I think she really succeeded in creating a situation where you could spend some fun time with any of the authors, bloggers, or readers that you hit it off with, or wanted to meet.  

Then there was the Featured Blogger thing. I'm a little on the fence about this. I mostly enjoyed putting everything together and running the fiction game; and it certainly pushed my posting frequency up to a place that I haven't seen in a while. I don't regret a minute of the time I put in and I'm really happy to have helped out Casey, who is just one of planet earth's Really Fabulous people. However, I'm not really sure that the posts were appealing to my usual audience. I worry that it was a little promo-heavy for my regulars.

I brought home a lot of books from the attending authors, and I will be reviewing as many of them as I can. I will of course give a disclaimer as to whether they were REALLY fun at the conference or just OK. I'm kidding, all of them were awesome, but of course I will note whenever I have a personal acquaintance with an author I'm reviewing.

I had a chance to talk to most of the authors that contributed to my fiction game and they all seemed to enjoy it.  I think my main lessons learned there is 1) start my back-of-the-house tracking spreadsheet early, because I did miss a few emails at different points which left a few authors wondering what was going on; and 2) set expectations on turn-around time. I had a couple of authors who got stuck, which isn't tragic since it's all in fun, but I need to be a little less timid about sending them to the back of the line if they're in a place where they have other priorities (which is COMPLETELY fine).  I might also try to figure out a way that I can run two stories concurrently to limit the gaps. Oh, and FYI: each story received a bit of a resolution... sort of.  I made chapbooks for the convention-goers with the whole story printed up.  I will run each of the two stories in the next couple weeks, top to bottom. So you have that to look forward to {wink}.

My 2016 conference schedule is kind of filling up already, as crazy as that is.  I'm for sure going to RT16 in Las Vegas.  I am really interested in going to the Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, WA in September, because that one is drive-able for me.  I don't expect either of those to require much from me in the way of blogging or promotion.

HOWEVER, I have 100% committed to the Rust City Book Conference in August of 2016. Jackie has always been one of my staunchest and most loyal blog fans and mentors (I mean, she has her own tag here at Alpha Heroes), PLUS the conference is being held near my mother-in-law's house, so I will get good-daughter-in-law points practically for free. You can expect to see the occasional related post from me between now and the end of the year, and then more regularly starting in January.  I would welcome feedback from any of my readers as to how I can do this in a way that's interesting and fun, and not spammy.

So these are my thoughts on the con.  I realize that isn't much of a recap.  If you'd like to get more of an idea of what it was like, and whether you might like to go to the next one, I suggest you peruse the Facebook page, and if you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them in comments or email. But let me just ask you this: Have you ever been to a conference with a pillow fort before? if not, I submit that you have been Missing Out.

Reading Until Dawn Featured Author: Jeffe Kennedy

Welcome to the FINAL COUNTDOWN of author features before we arrive at the day we've been waiting for, when the pant-off dancing commences. In the next week, Alpha Heroes is pleased to host a number of author MadLibs, the FINAL EPISODES of the adventures of Candy, and who knows what else might happen. Registration is officially closed, but our Fearless And Compassionate Leader has opened up a few spots that you may be able to nab if you hurry!

And now I'd like to welcome Jeffe Kennedy to Alpha Heroes. Jeffe has a long writing career, including non-fiction and poetry, but her current works are mainly around her high fantasy Tala series, and contemporary erotica. She's been known to blend the two. Her tagline is "Fantasy. Power. Passion." and I can say she brings all three to everything she writes.

The Reading Until Dawn Con is different from typical fan conferences in that it will feature tons of games.  So here are my game-themed questions (truthiness is optional).  

1. No one ever beats me at the game of __gin rummy__.  This is my kind of challenge.   

2. Please fill in these blanks: "When I was a kid, and they were picking teams for sportball, I was usually:  
a) picked right away 
 b) not picked right away- I was always dead last! (pitiful)  
c) one of the captains    

Later in life, I found myself __to be much more athletic than I thought__, and I think it was all because of how the sportball teams were picked—and because the gym teachers never bothered to teach me any skills. I could have learned!     

 3. The most embarrassing/hilarious game I ever participated in was __guessing baby food in unlabeled jars__.  Everyone was laughing at __mixing up veggies and meat – yuck!__ I have to admit, I usually found a way to only pretend to taste that stuff... I couldn't eat it when feeding to my own babies either.     

4. In an alternate universe, I am George R. R. Martin, only my fabulously successful 700-page epic book is titled "Game of Heroines Who Control Their Own Destinies."  Hmm, sounds SUBVERSIVE.    

5. Once, __Grace Draven__ suggested that we do a duology together, and I could only respond, GAME. ON.  __It’s coming out in spring!__ Awesome! that sounds like a match made in heaven.   

6. Would you like to play the 5-words game?  Unfortunately, it just isn't going to work with my schedule.  No problem, Jeffe.  Your hats make up for it!

Jeffe, me, Maisey Yates, and beignets!

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Check out Jeffe's work at Amazon or the bookseller of your choice.
Be sure to keep up with all things Reading Until Dawn, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook |Twitter | Google+ | Up All Night Reading Challenge | Pinterest | Tumblr | RSVP at the Facebook Event.

Reading Until Dawn Featured Author: Jeanne Stein

Welcome to the FINAL COUNTDOWN of author features before we arrive at the day we've been waiting for, when the pant-off dancing commences.  In the next few days, Alpha Heroes is pleased to host a number of author MadLibs, the FINAL EPISODES of the adventures of Candy, and who knows what else might happen.  Registration is officially closed, but our Fearless And Compassionate Leader has opened up a few spots that you may be able to nab if you hurry!

Today I'm welcoming Jeanne Stein to Alpha Heroes!  Ms. Stein is the creator of the urban fantasy world of Anna Strong, a vampire navigating shifters, witches, and global vampire politics. And under the name SJ Harper, she also co-writes the Fallen Siren series, another UF world about a cursed Siren heroine seeking redemption.

OK, Ms. Stein, as you know, Reading Until Dawn is all about the games.  We're here to find out a little more about your game! 

1. No one ever beats me at the game of __pinball__.  Feeling all the bumpers/Always playing clean!

2. Please fill in these blanks:
"When I was a kid, and they were picking teams for sportball, I was usually:
a) picked right away
b) not picked right away
c) one of the captains

Later in life, I found myself _hesitant to try new things__, and I think it was all because of how the sportball teams were picked. I can totally relate...

3. The most embarrassing/hilarious game I ever participated in was _Angel vs. Spike challenge game_____.  Everyone was laughing at __how I defended Spike and trashed Angel__ .  Someday I suppose I'll have to watch that show.  The thing is, Buffy will always be Kendall Hart to me...

4. In an alternate universe, I am George R. R. Martin, only my fabulously successful 700-page epic book is titled "Game of _Indignities__." It is about __how shit happens___.  Sounds like my pregnancies. Wait, TMI? pretend you didn't see that.

5. Once, __a friend__suggested that we __play pinball__, and I could only respond, GAME. ON.  I won--course she had been drinking heavily. Or maybe... you're a PINBALL WIZARD, THERE HAS TO BE A TRICK!

6. Would you like to play the 5-words game? I'd love to, but I am up to my ass in alligators! Ahh, well, we understand!  Thank you for playing, and if those alligators = writing deadlines, that is the price we fans pay for getting cool new fiction!


Thanks so much for playing with us at Alpha Heroes, Jeanne, and we can't wait to see you at Reading Until Dawn!  Maybe we'll have to go find an arcade for a throw-down. {wink}

Find more work from Jeanne and SJ Harper at Amazon or the bookseller of your choice.

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Be sure to keep up with all things Reading Until Dawn, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook |Twitter | Google+ | Up All Night Reading Challenge | Pinterest | Tumblr | RSVP at the Facebook Event.

Reading Until Dawn Featured Author: Mario Acevedo

Welcome to the FINAL COUNTDOWN of author features before we arrive at the day we've been waiting for, when the pant-off dancing commences.  In the next week, Alpha Heroes is pleased to host a number of author MadLibs, the FINAL EPISODES of the adventures of Candy and Belle, and who knows what else might happen.  Registration is officially closed, but our Fearless And Compassionate Leader has opened up a few spots that you may be able to nab if you hurry!

And now please welcome Mario Acevedo, author, artist, former Army Ranger, and Reluctant Adult.  His hit series features vampire PI Felix Gomez, werewolves, aliens, zombies, and a certain tongue-in-cheek nod to the detective noir style. I first ran into him on the group blog, The League of Reluctant Adults, whom I adore as a general population.  I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with Felix, and not incidentally, Mario himself, at the conference next week!

So let's get right on into the questionnaire:

The Reading Until Dawn Con is different from typical fan conferences in that it will feature tons of games.  So here are my game-themed questions (truthiness is optional, as I think readers will note).

1. No one ever beats me at the game of __Russian Roulette__.  Whoa. Go big or go home, Mario.

2. Please fill in these blanks:
"When I was a kid, and they were picking teams for sportball, I was usually:

a) picked right away
b) not picked right away
c) one of the captains
I guess that fits in with the Army Ranger thing, too...

Later in life, I found myself __indicted for embezzlement and fraud__, and I think it was all because of how the sportball teams were picked. I.. hardly know what to say, Mario...

3. The most embarrassing/hilarious game I ever participated in was __strip poker__.  Everyone was laughing at __the size of my faux pas__ . Hmm. I can certainly see how that would be embarrassing.

4. In an alternate universe, I am George R. R. Martin, only my fabulously successful 700-page epic book is titled __"Game of Scones."__  it is about __murderous barristas__. Aha! A twist on a popular inspiration! Looks like this one is going darker.

5. Once, __The Pope__ suggested that we play __Cards Against Humanity__, and I could only respond, GAME. ON.  You know, I've said it before and I'll say it again, this pope is pretty cool.

6. Would you like to play the 5-words game? Sure.

Fantastic!  When last we left Belle, she had places to go and attention to evade...

Meet Belle, P1 from Roselynn Cannes
And THEN this happened, P2 from Katee Robert
Followed by hijinks..., P3 from Aaron Ritchey
A Twist! P4 from ED Walker
Tension mounts.... P5 from Danica Favorite

Your words (from Danica Favorite) are: perpendicular, cachet, hoot, miniscule, and carrot.

Belle climbed on the scooter, steadied it perpendicular to the pavement, and got ready to zoom away. Problem was, the scooter wouldn’t kick over. Her jaw clenched in frustration. If it wasn’t one damn thing after another. A glance to the fuel gage told her the problem. The scooter was out of fuel, specifically blood.

“Gustavus,” she purred seductively.

He crawled toward her, bleeding, his clothes shredded. Her inviting tone beckoned him, and he responded with a hopeful smile. “Yes, my darling.”

The dinosaur bulled past the other man Belle had discarded. The spines on either side of the dinosaur’s top hat glowed orange as a carrot. “Really, Belle. You’ve done more than a miniscule amount of damage already.”

“Blame me, of course,” she snorted.

“On the other hand, you do bring some needed cachet to the proceedings,” the dinosaur replied.

“Speaking of hands,” Belle said as she reached for Gustavus’ outstretched arm. She seized his wrist and yanked him closer, dragging his lacerated body across the pavement. He moaned in pain.

“Hush, you,” Belle ordered. She unscrewed the fuel cap, then bit off Gustavus’ hand. Blood gushed out, and she hurriedly jammed the bleeding stump into the fuel port. When the blood slowed to a trickle, she said to the dinosaur. “A little help.”

He planted a large clawed foot on Gustavus’ lower back and began shifting weight from leg-to-leg to pump more blood out of the dying man. Bones crunched. Gustavus’ eyes rolled back and his mouth gaped in agony.

Belle wrung the last drops of blood from the stump and let the arm fall to the ground. She replaced the fuel cap. One quick tap on the starter button and the scooter buzzed to life.

“Belle, you’re such a hoot,” the dinosaur said.

“Likewise, my friend,” she replied. “Thanks for the help.”

“Where to next?” he asked.

“To get some of those delicious Clementines. After all, they are ribbed for my pleasure.”

I guess we can clearly see where THIS story is going, AMIRITE*?

To find more work by Mario, check out his page on Amazon or the the ebook outlet of your choice!

*I for one have no earthly idea!

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Be sure to keep up with all things Reading Until Dawn, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook |Twitter | Google+ | Up All Night Reading Challenge | Pinterest | Tumblr | RSVP at the Facebook Event.