Juno Books

One of our early Juno titles The Strangling, is being released into the virtual wild—for free!—by author Saskia Walker. As Saskia notes on her blog: “The Strangling is a fantasy romance with some erotic content. It is not erotica, nor it is Urban Fantasy. It is a magical tale set in an ancient world where pagan magic, romance, and eroticism intertwine. Still interested? Not sure? You can read reviews and an excerpt by going here.”

Sakia, who has been called “one of the queens of erotic romance,” also wrote the romantic fantasy Unveiling the Sorceress for us and has written for Berkeley Heat and is currently writing for Harlequin Spice.

Just go to her blog for the link to the PDF or download directly from this link.

Harriet Klausner:

This is an amusing lighthearted …urban fantasy that stars a female David witch struggling with her bills, grandma, and Johnny battling Goliath the invincible cruel vampire; Vegas would never allow betting on this one. The story line is breezy from the onset…and never slows down. Fans will appreciate this jocular tale in which the plot is never quite serious as the kennel master witch turns amateur sleuth leading to a showdown with a vampire who will enjoy drinking bewitching blood.

Kimberley Swan, Darque Reviews:

Ms. Robertson blends tried and true supernatural elements with some fresh ideas of her own, creating an entertaining combination. Vicious Circle moves forward at a steady pace, provides paranormal action, and takes readers on an adventure filled with strong characters and their tangled human emotions. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Persephone Alcmedi series, Hallowed Circle, which currently has a release date of December 29, 2009.

…over at the ever-delightful LEAGUE OF RELUCTANT ADULTS.

In the interview Linda mentions how she met and talked to me at a couple of World Fantasy cons. Ha! I guess she doesn’t dare publicly confess how we really met! It was WFC, yeah and, oh my…October 2000 in Corpus Christi. Nine years. Just yesterday and, at the same time, a couple of lifetimes ago…

Anyway she does say a lot of other interesting things and offers you a chance to WIN something.

(4 Stars) Spirited heroine Megan Chase returns in a swift-moving story full of chills, thrills and exploding demons. Get ready for an action-packed rollercoaster ride. Kane’s unique take on the supernatural is entertaining, and flaming hot sex with a fire demons heats up the pages.

(4 Stars) This urban fantasy has a good plot told in the first person by a feisty heroine with a sense of humor. Well-developed supernatural characters, mystery and a touch of romance add up to an out-of-this-world thriller.

An interesting article in the June 22 issue of The New Yorker by Lauren Collins on Nora Roberts—”Real Romance” –also includes a brief but-more-accurate-than-usual look at the Romance genre and its history. (You have to pay for an electronic copy of the full article and magazine online–it was worth it for tis article alone and the usual great cartoons.)

The impression one gets of Roberts is neither fawning or derogatory and one comes away admiring a woman of incredible capacity, who has worked hard for the level of success that only a handful of authors in the world possess. As an author, that gives you the power, I guess, to be yourself.

The factoids are, of course, immense numbers:
– 27 NR books sold every minute
– Enough in print to fill Giants Stadium (Why Giants Stadium? What is its capacity anyway?:-) )
– 182 novels so far
–She writes five novels a year: “two installments of a paperback original trilogy”, two JD Robb novels, and a “big Nora” novel (plus novellas and short stories) (Hell, I can’t type that fast, let alone *think*…)
–Acc. to PW: Three of the top ten mass market bestsellers in 2008 and Penguin shipped 647,000 copies of the “big Nora” HC — that is 8 million books (although you can’t count all of that as “sold”, but who is counting a mere hundred thousand or three) Plus another 5.5 million backlist titles and JD Robb sold another 4.5 million
– Collins estimates it takes an average of 45 days for Roberts to write a book
– More than 700 weeks on the NYTimes bestseller lists

Also noted is that, writing as Robb, she brought romance fans to mystery. Hmm. There’s a step in the evolution of “paranormal/urban fantasy”, I hadn’t considered, really, although I’d thought about the near-future aspect of the Robb books as SFnal. Her early adaptation to the Internet as a way to reach fans is also noted (although I had thought about that).

And the only portion I’ll quote at length:

The idea that readers turn to romance to escape their drab, loveless lives is, in Roberts’ opinion a canard. Her view is borne out by the market: according to the R.W.A., romance generated nearly $1.4 billion in sales in 2007, more than science fiction and fantasy combined (seven hundred million dollars), mystery (six hundred and fifty million) or literary fiction (four hundred and sixty-six million). Of people who read books, one in five read romance. The engine of the genre, according to the author is not escapism, but identification. “For the kind of books I write, character is key,” she said. “Character is plot. Make them accessible to the reader. They may be a billionaire or a may be a half demon or may be a gym teacher. but something about them has to relate so the reader can say, ‘I understand them.’…

Ron Hogan at Galleycat offers A Beginner’s Guide to #RWAChange about RWA’s digital publishing stance including quotes from “Dear Author” and “Smart Bitches” bloggers.

One problem with any writers organization is that it is run by, well, writers. Writers are creative folks and many are not so great at running organizations. Some have problems with diplomacy. Others who get involved in the upper echelons or volunteer are often doing so for the perceived sake of their own careers, not altruism.

There’s also usually a conflict between the “aspiring writers” who want and need a foot in the door and “established writers” who see the publishing pie’s slices as getting thinner and thinner and naturally want more done to protect their own interests. A writers organization needs the numbers of the newbies and the prestige/connections of the estabs.

Not exactly a problem, but part of the mix is that many true professionals involved are often too busy writing to pay much attention to the publishing world, how it changes, etc. (Or sometimes struggling themselves with the changes.) They occasionally offer well intentioned but dated advice. The balance to that is their valid knowledge and willingness to share. It is really up to the newbie to learn to sort out the wheat from the chaff.

As long as the organization is offering enough positive — networking with the right folks for example — then they probably do some good and no harm. Once an organization that is dominated by, for lack of a better term, “know nothings” whose perceptions are so far off base they actually hurt the newcomer’s chances for success, then one should be wary.

Then again, sometimes you can change an organization of any kind from within. Sometimes you can’t.

In trying to catch up with submissions a couple of things have occurred to me to mention as Helpful Hints:

1) Be careful what you reference in your cover letter as “my book is similar to…” from our backlist. We published some lovely books that simply did not find an audience. There are a few that I really, really wish I could have magically brought to the attention of readers I know are out there. I couldn’t. So they sold very poorly. If your cover letter mentions such a title — it is sort of a double wince for me. First, I will be sure it won’t fit into what we are currently looking for; second because I feel some measure of personal failure because I can’t work that aforementioned magic for deserving authors.

2) If you reference a book from our current list (which includes the five books Pocket picked up — the two Carole Nelson Douglas titles, two Maria Lima titles, and Stacia Kane’s Personal Demons) make sure you actually read it. If your novel actually compares, that’s fine (unless, of course, it compares too closely), but it is pretty obvious that some folks either haven’t read the book they are mentioning or haven’t read their own.

Just got clearance to post this…

You might recognize the artist

I started out in this fabulous business of books as someone who offered opinions. This was long before “social networking”, long before anyone was even posting book reviews online. As far as I know I was the first person to put out a weekly newsletter for writers and readers and I was probably one on the first people to actually get PAID to write about books and writers online.

And now, literally, being a “real editor” is a dream come true. Further Juno Books probably saved my life and, at the very least, my lifestyle. (Which isn’t much — neither lively nor stylish, but it’s mine.) So I am grateful

But…

It also means I feel I can’t sound off about this or that or the other publicly. Not even, in most cases, privately to people (because, as we all learn, “private” rarely is).

So, this entire business of blogging and Tweeting and Facing and networking and exposing probably too much of oneself in public turns into something of a challenge. I wind up with nothing much to say. I can’t even say much about what I’m doing. “Working on editing a manuscript.” Not exactly fascinating, is it? “Reading slush.” Even more alluring!

Nor do I have much time to come up with valid essays or insightful comments or just blather about things that interest me. Blathering without profoundly thinking over how people might interpret it is out anyway…if one ever could. (More than once when doing that weekly newsletter, I had readers tell me that *they* understood what I *really* meant even when it wasn’t what I meant or wrote. Evidently I was writing in some secret code that even I didn’t know about!)

So.

It’s rainy today and I’m real busy. Ta!

***** FIVE STARS! This story is full of surprises and quite a few twists as well. I had no time to get too comfortable before something happened to throw me for a loop. I can hardly wait for the second release in what appears to be a new series. Lori Devoti’s writing talent spins a web of magic around the reader. And with a story like this one, I hope never to get free. Outstanding! *****

Detra Fitch/Huntress Reviews

There’s also a page and excerpt up.

I wasn’t going to read Amazon Ink because I thought a race of strong, intelligent, highly independent women would be unable to find any men to match them. Boy was I wrong. I am extremely thankful to Erica Feldon [Juno’s publicity person at Pocket] for sending me the amazing story Amazon Ink. This is going to be a hot urban fantasy series, full of incredible twists, and I look forward to learning more about Mel, her family, the men in her life and her friends.

Scooper Speaks

Mixing myth and modern day is no mean feat, but Ms. Devoti does [it] with ease. All in all Lori Devoti makes her way through the forest that is Urban Fantasy and does so completely unscathed.

Preternatural Reviews

Neal Wyatt — Library Journal, 6/8/2009
• The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (Spectra)
• The Affinity Bridge by George Mann (Tor)
• Perdido Street Station by China Mieville (Del Rey)
• Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti (Juno)
• The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer by Neal Stephenson, Spectra

IN THIS ISSUE:

* UPDATE
* BOOKS: AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti
* LORI’S AMAZON INK CONTEST
* POCKET/JUNO SCHEDULE
* WEBBING, TWEETING, AND FACING
* SUBMISSIONS
* QUOTATION

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UPDATE

We’re baaaaaccckkk…

It’s over five months since you subscribers heard from us, but until we had the first book out there hasn’t been a lot to report except tons of hard work by a lot of people. I’d especially like to thank all the authors — most of whom faced at least one quick deadline or turnaround and all came through like real troupers — and Jen Heddle at Pocket Books. Everyone involved at Pocket has been super, but Jen deserves special thanks because she’s the one who has to put up with me on a day-to-day basis and also comes through, another trouper.

[Tangent: It *is* “trouper” not “trooper.” A trooper is a soldier and they can, indeed, be troupers, but the idea of a real trouper comes from the theatrical world. A trouper performer — originally a member of traveling “troupe” - who knows the show must go on no matter what. Whatever the circumstances, despite the odds, a real trouper perseveres without complaint.]

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BOOKS

AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti is out and getting deservedly great reviews. The new Web page will tell you more about it and you can even download an excerpt.

Is it in your local bookstore? Different stores take more or less time to actually shelve books. It was available some places before the official release date of May 26; in others it may just now getting on the shelves. But if you ask for the book, at least the days of getting that odd look and “Oh…Juno is a small press?” should be over.

So, go buy lots of copies. Give them to all your friends.

There are ebook and Kindle editions, too. (To avoid email that will surely come my way if I don’t so state: I have nothing whatsoever to do with setting the ebook prices; that’s Simon & Schuster’s business, not mine.)

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LORI’S AMAZON INK CONTEST

In honor of AMAZON INK’s release Lori Devoti is running a contest and you can win an autographed, first edition copy of Kat Von D’s (star of The Learning Channel’s “L.A. Ink” and one of the most talented and popular tat artists working today) “High Voltage Tattoo” a graphic perspective on today’s global tattoo culture and Mel’s (the protagonist of AMAZON INK) favorite headgear-a Wisconsin Badger cap! See Lori’s Web site for details: http://www.loridevoti.com/contest/.
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POCKET/JUNO SCHEDULE

2009
1. Jun 09: Amazon Ink, Lori Devoti
2. Jul 09: Vicious Circle, Linda Robertson
3. Aug 09: Demon Inside, Stacia Kane (Megan Chase #2)
4. Sep 09: Matters of the Blood, Maria Lima
5. Oct 09: Blood Bargain, Maria Lima (Blood Lines #2)
6. Nov 09: Blood Kin, Maria Lima (Blood Lines #3)
7. Dec 09: Vampire Sunrise, Carole Nelson Douglas (Delilah Street, PI #3)

2010 (So Far)

1. Jan 10: Hallowed Circle, Linda Robertson (second of series)
2. Feb 10: Shadowblade, Seressia Glass (Shadowchasers #1)
3. Mar 10: Demon Possessed , Stacia Kane (Megan Chase #3)
4. Apr 10: Embers, Laura Bickle (first of series)
5. May 10: Amazon Queen, Lori Devoti (second of series)

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WEBBING, TWEETING, AND FACING

I *hope* the Web site is updated. As usual, it was a rushed and scattered job. If you find errors let me know! Information on all the backlist titles is still there — and many of the book pages have been updated with reviews.

New pages for “The Five Titles” (shorthand for the five books — see below under “Submissions: Hints” — that were previously published, but are now part of Pocket/Juno) are up plus pages for AMAZON INK, VICIOUS CIRCLE, and DEMON INSIDE.

And yeah, although I am not sure why, I’m now on Twitter (http://twitter.com/JunoBooks) and there’s a link in the sidebar on the Blog. And, although my two younger sons may kill me, I’m on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com) too. Anything to spread the word on Juno Books!

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EBOOKS

The older versions of “The Five Titles” are being replaced with new versions published by Pocket. Ebook versions of many of the earlier Wildside/Juno titles are still available, though, and Chris Howard has FREE e-versions (six formats) of SEABORN at: http://www.saltwaterwitch.com/freeseaborn.php

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SUBMISSIONS

And I was doing soooo well there for a while. Right now response time varies from *immediate* — if it is something obviously unsuitable - to about three months. On the other hand, I haven’t had a chance to even look at anything for about two weeks. Even if you submitted in April, you may not have gotten a response. If you haven’t, that means you are still under consideration. I will try to catch up with these in the next month or so.

Hints:

1) Be aware of the “new” urban fantasy genre and our guidelines (always on the Web site, now under “Submissions”).

2) If you haven’t read our books, do so: PERSONAL DEMONS by Stacia Kane; DANCING WITH WEREWOLVES and BRIMSTONE KISS by Carole Nelson Douglas; and AMAZON INK by Lori Devoti are all easily obtainable. (Maria Lima’s MATTERS OF THE BLOOD and BLOOD BARGAIN are being re-issued, but you may have found copies or read the former in trade paperback.) VICIOUS CIRCLE will soon be out, but you can read a description/excerpt on the Web site right now. Other future titles are listed on the blog with a short description when acquired.

3) Why read the books? Other than getting an idea that we have a wide variety within the genre we are looking for, that we want entertaining stories (with OF COURSE female protagonists), and that our books are not “formula” anything, you’ll also realize what we have already going as series. It would be, for example, really difficult for us to do another book about modern-day Amazons.

4) Right now, the immediate need is for *completed* manuscripts. (Sure, we will have ongoing needs, but I’m giving hints here.)

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Quotation:

“Books…are like lobster shells, we surround ourselves with ‘em, then we grow out of ‘em and leave ‘em behind, as evidence of our earlier stages of development.” — Dorothy L. Sayers (1893 - 1957), “The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club,” 1928

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Want on or off this mailing list? Email info@juno-books.com

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JUNO NEWS
copyright (c) 2009, Paula Guran
All Rights Reserved
Written and produced by Paula Guran
editor@juno-books.com
www.juno-books.com
6/4/09

Dorchester Publishing has announced it is partnering with serialized fiction service Textnovel on a writing competition for aspiring novelists. The “serials” are meant to be read on cell phones. The winner of America’s Next Best Celler will land a $2,000 advance and will be published by Dorchester next year. Writers must publish at least 20 chapters (preferably in increments of 500 words each) by November 1.

Aspiring authors of historical, contemporary, paranormal, urban fantasy, high fantasy or futuristic romance are invited to participate. Complete contest rules: here

Ae Textnovel, writers create and add to their stories via e-mail or text, and readers receive stories—in chapter-length installments—on their cell phones, with the option to get notifications as new chapters are added.

More at Publishers Weekly.

Cell phone novels are already popular in Japan and China.

I’ll be reposting here on the blog and the newsletter/subscribe page, but you subscribers get yours first. You’ll be the first on your block to get the news about Lori’s contest and hints about submissions…

(About 30 of you may even get it twice. Sorry.)

If you also look over at the sidebar to the right you will see I am tweeting now on Twitter — at least as an experiment. I’ve also signed on to Facebook.I’m pretty sure no one is really interested in know THAT much about what I do…at least the parts I would reveal to the public. (4 AM: Awake from nightmare about house’s gutters. Mind spirals into low level panic attack about money and can’t sleep. 1 PM: Notice odd white smaller-than-pea-sized pellets tracked into house…more abound outside… lots more. Find remains of giant stuffed pink fuzzy gorilla in back yard. Question son as to why this is. “Ritual sacrifice. The gods are appeased.” Oh. “Appease me: clean it up.”)

I don’t even voice opinions much any more unless they are pretty banal.

I dunno. I figure any way I can get the word out about Pocket/Juno now that the books are starting to appear is worth a shot (as long as it doesn’t cost anything anyway.)

From SFCrowsnest/Stephen Hunt

Fantasy author David Eddings has passed away, aged 77, last night. Best-selling and popular are often epithets that are applied to authors on writers’ press releases, but in David’s case, it was well deserved. His commercial success, says fantasy author Stephen Hunt, paved the way for a whole generation of doorstopper sized fantasy series….David blatantly wrote The Belgariad [series] for money…Having cannily spotted the fact that The Lord of the Rings was up to its seventy-eighth printing, with very little successful competition in the field from other authors, Eddings decided that fantasy was to be his meal ticket.

In those days, of course, fantasy was a small side-genre inhabited by the likes of Elric of Melniboné - science fiction’s ethereal cousin. Eddings changed all that, for better to worse, and though he might have started to write the books to pay his mortgage, he came to love his creations - and in no way can the Belgariad be considered hack writing.

Eddings was born in 1931 and co-wrote many books with his wife Leigh Eddings. She died in 2007 at the age of 69, also from a stroke.

So, hey, I didn’t realize this until I just happened across it, but both BLOOD MAGIC and NIGHTS OF SIN by Matthew Cook are nominated for the 2009 Gaylactic Spectrum Award. The awards honor outstanding works of science fiction, fantasy and horror which include significant positive explorations of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered characters, themes, or issues. Winners and Recommended Short List for the 2009 Gaylactic Spectrum Awards will be announced at Gaylaxicon 2009 in October 2009 in Minneapolis.

Yay, Matt!

One of the many things I’m trying to multi-task is a Web site update. I’ve still got about two dozen pages to update…but if you go to the entry/home/index page you’ll start to see some changes. But the eyes have had it for tonight, so the finish-up will have to wait.

There will also be a newsletter out some time this week.