Juno Books

Summer Brooks has the podcast of the 2006 World Fantasy panel I moderated with Charlaine Harris, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Suzy McKee Charnas, PN Elrod, and (brave male) Dean Andersson discussing vampire lit and mythos available now at Dragon Page as part of “Cover to Cover # 242.”

I know they were interesting.

Thanks for the kind “get well” wishes. I’m still alive, but not up to par, yet. Which led me to change the publication dates on the Juno entry page I’m not blaming printers or anyone else, but it is (1) taking longer to get books from the printer into distribution than expected which is not helped by (2) us really pushing on the deadlines. The Plan had been to get ahead on production with Juno, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I’m guessing it will take at least the first quarter to do that now. All that being said — the difference between original “announced date” and “available date” being a month is, I am tring to tell myself, not so bad considering…

Still, please don’t think we are like so many small presses who announce books and then six months or a year later finally produce them. Since our books are being ordered by the chains and in national distribution, we have a small window to hit datewise. We are still hitting those dates and will improve with time.

…And why no newsletter? See above. I’m a pinball machine that’s gone “tilt”. It’s taking me more time to get the flippers, buttons, and little steel balls working together than I thought. Please do keep signing up, this one shouldn’t take too long, really.

…And what about those submissions? Well, you aren’t alone, There’s something like 75 of ‘em in my mailbox keeping each other company.

…And BEST NEW PARANORMAL #2? It’s coming, it’s coming…

I’m ill. It’s my body’s subtle way of telling me I am stressed out. I’m not in my right mind (or write mind, either) so will be holding off on looking at email and stuff for the most part.

Another from Tim Lantz, of course. (Click on it for larger version.)

…on Paranormal Romance has finally been published…okay *finally* only because I know how long it took to research and all the work she put into it. Cindy concentrates on SF, of course (it IS iroSF, after all), but her ideas and mine are similar. Here’s the blog entry she quotes…which actually was the genesis of the more developed “Introduction” to BNPR #1…

If you’ve sent in a submission in the last week or so (thanks!), I may not respond for a bit. We’ve been getting a lot (yay!) and right now I’m not able to get to them right away. I do a lot more than reading and my only assistants are cats. They claim they do not read (although mss. make nice beds). They don’t go to the post office either and, except for sitting on the machine, refuse to have anything to do with photocopying. They will, though, attack anything coming out of the fax if they have nothing better to do. And, since it is snowing today, considerable extra napping is on the agenda. What can I expect? They work for kibble and cat litter…but I understand that’s pretty much the going rate for assistants in New York houses…

(Click the image for a slightly larger look.) Repeat of a post over on DarkEcho…but note ERZEBET YELLOWBOY’s name on cover. Erzebet’s written THE BONE WHISTLE for Juno under the pseudonym “Eva Swan”…

This one will be out in three weeks or less to finish out 2007. (Please note: Four issues in 12 months, five in 14 months.) Although I’ve yet to see anything *official* aboutthis. there is an incredible online holiday special: TEN BUCKS for a 4-issue subscription in the US and $30 for overseas subscriptions. I think it runs only till the end of the year, so act quickly. Hey, the REVIEWS (said the review editor) are worth $2.25 an issue!

Seen in PUBLISHERS LUNCH: Elizabeth Bear’s ALL THE
WINDWRACKED STARS, BY THE MOUNTAIN BOUND, and THE SEA THY MISTRESS, a Norse-influenced post-apocalyptic steampunk noir fantasy series, [sold to] to Beth Meacham at Tor, in a very nice deal…

Damn, I was thinking just the other day “That’s what the world needs more of — Norse-influenced post-apocalyptic steampunk noir fantasies!”

Well, I told y’all I wanted to save some of those Luna orphans. We are thrilled to have Gail’s third book in her “Rose” trilogy coming out this July. The first two books are great and this one is going to be just as good (if not better).

“A fantastic series set in a fabulous world. Gail Dayton pens a story with characters who draw you in and sweep you away into an unforgettable tale of adventure in a land of magic and demons and danger. I want MORE!”
–Robin D. Owens, RITA winning author of Sorceress of Faith

- “With unadulterated sensuality that practically ignites the pages and a fantasy quest that is as masterfully intricate as it is entertaining, Dayton’s The Compass Rose will absolutely blow away fans of romance-powered fantasy. In a word: wow! –Paul Goat Allen, Barnes & Noble’s Explorations newsletter

- Romantic Times Book Club Top Pick 4 1/2 Stars

THE ETERNAL ROSE:
Kallista, now Reinine of all Adara, still has demons to seek out. The demons behind the rebellion in Adara were defeated six years ago, but one escaped by possessing the pregnant Merinda, one of Kallista’s illian (a group marriage of husbands and wives) She receives word the demon, Merinda, and Merinda’s child may be in Daryath, her mate Obed’s homeland. Kallista and journey in hopes of finding the missing family members and the Demon. When one of the godmarked dies, Kallista is devastated and her mates must cope without her. A trial by combat is needed to regain custody of a child and a new ninth godmarked must be located in order to make the magic whole again and powerful enough to defeat a truly formidable demon. But Kallista needs more than magic to heal her this time…

Jade Tiger
Reese, Jenn
Reviewed 2006-11-27

Reese’s vibrant debut introduces Shan Westfall, a half-Chinese, half-American crime fighter, who yearns to unite the mystical power of the Jade Circle, an ancient female order embodied by five jade animal artifacts. The Jade Circle is currently incomplete, broken by a ruthless crime lord who seeks the statues’ power for his own nefarious purposes. Shan’s determined search leads her to the jade crane held by archeologist Ian Dashell, who becomes an ally and, after a period of smoldering erotic tension, her lover. Flying kicks, heart-stopping spins and amazing somersaults propel the action. Complicating matters is Ian’s colleague, Dr. Daniel Buckley, an antiquities expert; One-eye, an evil Asian martial artist; and Sifu Xia, a feisty 60-year-old kung fu queen. Reese choreographs both the romantic moves and the martial arts with flair. Juno is a new fantasy imprint of Wildside Press featuring strong female characters, exotic locales and romance.(Jan.)

Copyright © 1997-2005 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dark Maiden here has art by Jennifer Reagles one of two for 2007 not by the fabulous Timothy Lantz. Steve’s cover design here is great. Yes, the calligraphy is supposed to be readable if you know Chinese. I know what it is SUPPOSED to say. If any of you can translate, email me (editor@juno-books.com) and let’s see if I have it right.

Everyone thinks Sheila Miller has been driven to insanity by the death of her newborn child. Sheila’s bizarre mood swings and strange behavior are bad enough, but her story of a shadowy figure who hovered over the infant’s crib is beyond belief. At least her Aunt Iris offers Sheila emotional support and a refuge in her mountain cabin. But even Iris, still something of a 1960s flower child, can’t believe Sheila’s supernatural tale. Then people start dying and a young mother’s baby disappears. When an oriental folklorist connects Sheila to an amulet missing for over a century and the demonic fox-maiden who seeks it, supernatural answers suddenly become easier to accept. Sheila’s life and soul are at stake and if the fox-maiden is not thwarted before the summer solstice — the entire world is threatened by chaos and destruction.

Okay, let’s look at some covers! These are NOT finished products and some may change quite a bit, but we are getting there. And yes, a couple are missing even at that because they are a little too far off from the final product.

Art, except where noted, is by TIMOTHY LANTZ — remember that name, folks, you are going to be hearing it more! Cover design is by STEPHEN SEGAL, Wildside’s magazine managing director.

First up is WIND FOLLOWER, mostly because no one has seen it yet. (The one that went into the catalog and that Sean has on his LiveJournal is a different pose. I like this one much better and she has her nose ring!

Satha, a dark-skinned woman from a poor Theseni clan weds young Loic, the wealthy Doreni son of the king’s First Captain. Despite coming from different tribes, they begin to forge a life together. But Satha’s compassion is used against her when a treacherous enemy contrives to dishonor her in Loic’s absence. Loic must then avenge Satha’s honor as well as his own. He sets out on a journey that brings deep despair as well as spiritual discovery. Battling him are the Arkhai, spirits of the land who know his quest will lead him toward the God whom they have usurped. After his departure, Satha is kidnapped, sold into slavery and learns how truly cruel life can be. Both face great hardship, danger, and anguish apart, but with the Creator’s aid there remains hope they will be reunited and heal the love the world has torn asunder.

Okay, so you haven’t seen the FIRST Vildecaz book, I’ll get to that…The art here is done, but I’m still not 100% sure of the lettering, although it is growing on me…which is why you haven’t really seen the FIRST cover. It’s lettering is a definite no-go.

During a visit from an old enemy, Nimuar, Duz of Vildecaz, disappears. His daughters, Ninianee and Erianthee (with their quite different magical talents), take different directions searching for him. Ninianee, with her affinity for animals, goes into the wilds. Doms Guyon–who knows Nini’s secrets much better than she believes, but not as well as he might wish — follows her in secret. Erianthee, whose magic is enchantingly entertaining, is on her way to the Porzalk Court escorted by Kloveon, a handsome courtier. But by the time they reach the Court, the Porzalk Empire is under attack by spell-storms. Erianthee refuses to reveal who is responsible for the spell-storms and becomes a pampered prisoner…and Ninianee has yet to find their father.

And here is Nimuar’s Loss: Book One of the Vildecaz Talents (FEBRUARY 2007)

Ninianee and Erianthee, the daughters of Nimuar, Duz of Vildecaz, possess quite different magical talents. Pretty, charming Eri can craft entertainments out of thin air; captivating and energetic Nini can communicate with fur-bearing animals. Erianthee is bound for Court and the attentions of official and unofficial suitors while Ninianee must stay near Vildecaz Castle and its surrounding forests. But during the visit of Yulko Bihn — a powerful magician to whom Duz Nimuar lost a magical battle twenty years before that cost him the knowledge of Agnith’s Treasure — mysterious events change everyone’s plans.

I love this one, except Tim didn’t have time to find the *right* house yet. The house is supposed to be a contempory ocean view in Marin County. Peggy, the author, says however that THIS house looks like one for a projected book. Maybe Tim is psychic?

Claire Scanlan is launching a new career in real estate and has a chance to sell a spectacular ocean view home designed by a world-renowned architect. But the home was the site of a vicious mass murder — a fact that frightens off potential buyers. As Ben Grant, the handsome successful brother of one of the murder victims, shows Claire and a real estate rival the empty house, Claire experiences strange sensations. The unexplainable feelings continue and the idea that the place might be haunted both fascinates and repels her. Claire is also fascinated (and not at all repelled) by Ben Grant. Claire realizes her psychic sense is real and that she must solve the mystery of the bloody tragedy — even though Ben seems to be a suspect.

Is this gorgeous or what? Not totally content with Steve’s cover design, yet, but Tim’s art is great.

Secret love and forbidden liaisons mix with the deadly implications of the enemy’s plans in this sensual story of danger, passion, and intrigue with the exotic allure of “1001 Arabian Nights.” Betrothed to the ineffectual son of the evil Empress of Karseedia, Elishiba’s planned marriage is to be a symbolic pact sealed two neighboring countries. But nothing is as it seems. Elshiba finds herself enmeshed in a growing web of political machinations with magic and romance weaving their own vibrant and inexorable threads; her love for a man considered an enemy may place her in further jeopardy.

Tim’s art here is temporary, he’s got a great idea, but is still working on it. We thought our heroine here looked a little too androgynous, especially with the title MASTER OF SHADOWS.

As a child, Ariel McPherson was warned about a ferocious creature–half-man, half-beast–that allegedly stalked the forest near her family’s summer cottage during the full moon. But surely those were merely stories meant to warn a little girl of dangers that lurk in any wood? Forced to go on an errand of mercy during a night of the full moon, Ariel finds legend crashing into reality. She meets a mysterious stranger, Louvel, in the forest. He will not allow her to see his face, but still strangely captures her heart. Then Ariel’s life is shattered by a mysterious death; secrets are revealed and suspicions raised. Ariel’s search for answers endangers her own life. Louvel may possess powers that can protect and help her…or he may a beast more fearsome than any found in a fairy tale.