Saturday, March 26, 2011

Talked to My New Editor


Jo Fletcher, my new editor, is in NYC right this minute (visiting from London) where the weather has been horrible. I wasn't able to fly to meet her due to work issues, but we spoke on the phone this morning.

We talked about the publication schedule -- both in the UK and in North America -- for new version of THE VAMPIRE SHRINK. And about the best genre category for the book and the cover.

She said it looks like the book will be released in the UK in September, 2011. She thought an e-version might come out at the same time. And the North American version would follow in April of 2012. But things could change! That's the nature of publishing.

We're brainstorming the best genre category for the book. It's got so many different elements, it's hard to pin down: dark urban fantasy/vampire urban fantasy with romance elements, mystery/suspense (murder), humor, sex, light horror, and metaphysics with a contemporary vibe.

The whole series is about Kismet's transformation.

Here's a brief synopsis:

Denver Psychologist Kismet Knight, Ph.D., doesn’t believe in the paranormal. She especially doesn’t believe in vampires. So what happens when she finds herself neck-deep in the vampire underworld?

Kismet is smart, witty and attractive. She’s respected in her field, successful and prosperous. She’s followed all the rules—done everything right. So, what’s the problem? Her life is empty. There’s no passion. No vitality. No excitement.

That is, until a new client introduces Kismet to the vampire underworld, and a drop-dead gorgeous, 800-year-old vampire named Devereux. Kismet isn’t buying the vampire story, but can’t explain why she has such odd reactions and feelings whenever Devereux is near.

Kismet is soon forced to open her mind to other possibilities when she is visited in her office by two angry bloodsuckers, who would like nothing better than to challenge Devereux by hurting Kismet.
As Kismet gets pulled deeper and deeper into the vampire subculture, she struggles to hold onto her professional ideas about what is and isn’t “real.” The more she finds herself attracted to the charismatic, handsome Devereux, the more out of control her life becomes.

When one of her clients shows up in her office almost completely drained of blood, Kismet finds herself immersed in an ongoing murder investigation. Kismet is questioned by irreverent, handsome FBI profiler Alan Stevens, who warns her that vampires are very real. And one is a murderer. A murder who is after her.

In the midst of all this, Kismet realizes she has feelings for both the vampire and the profiler, but even though she cares for each of the men, facing the reality that vampires exist – along with all the other supernatural insanity she discovers – is enough of a challenge. For now.
Where in the bookstore would you stock my book?

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Giveaway: Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker


I'm going to give away 10 e-copies of Diary of a Narcissistic Bloodsucker, my tiny vampire satire/humor story. What's the catch? I'd appreciate an Amazon review in return for getting the story for free. Of course, you can buy it for only .99, but -- hey -- free is free. If you're willing, send me an email:


Of course, I'm hoping you'll LIKE the story. I wrote the quirky little thing to make people smile. If you smiled while reading it, I succeeded!

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Update Re: 23 More Days

YAY! Turned in the revised version on Feb. 28. Now I'm excited/terrified to see what changes Jo will ask for! She sent me some cover copy to look at. Things are moving forward!


Now that I'm finally moved, and somewhat unpacked, I am working on the rewrite of the first Kismet book to give to my editor (Jo Fletcher, who edited lots of wonderful writers, including Charlaine Harris). My deadline to turn that version in to her is Feb. 28. Then she'll give it the official read and do her own edits. It really is excellent to have the opportunity to make all the changes I wished I could have made after the first version came out in 2007. I look forward to working with her, because rewriting with an editor is the best thing. I love bouncing ideas off someone else. Wish me luck. (That's a photo of Jo.)