Welcome to Biting-Edge, a blog shared by authors and vampire experts, Mario Acevedo and Jeanne Stein. We’ll cover urban fantasy, vampires, pop culture, and all things Joss Whedon. Unlike other fantasy blogs, we don’t insist on body cavity searches (unless you ask politely). Snarkiness is most welcome...though we won't promise not to bite back!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
All the news...
Lots of good news from writer pals—Rocky Mountain Fiction
Writers’ Cindy Myers(The View From Here) and Warren Hammond (Kop Killer) are finalists in the 2013 Colorado
Book Awards. Now Cindy is a regular at Fair Play and Warren is a critique party so I'm especially thrilled for them both.
On the League front: Jaye Wells (Blue Blooded Vamp) won the RT BookReviewers award
for Best Urban Fantasy Novel and Diana Rowland (Even White Trash Zombies Get the Blues) for best Urban Fantasy Protagonist! As a former RT winner myself, I
know how exciting this is! I look forward to partying with them next month at RT in Kansas City.
Not too long ago Mario was named on a B&N List of best paranormal fantasy books of the decade. This week Mark Henry's Happy Hour of the Damned was honored as one of the top 20 Zombie novels of the decade. Paul Goat Allen is at it again!
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A small tribute to Annette Funicello-- she really was an American sweetheart--
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Next Tuesday, April 16th, pal Jackie Kessler debuts the latest in her YA series, the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse: Breath
From Amazon: Contrary to popular belief, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse aren’t
just harbingers of doom—they actually keep life in balance. But what
happens when their leader and creator, Death, becomes suicidal? Before the first living thing drew its first gasping breath, he was
there. He has watched humanity for millennia. And he has finally
decided that humanity is not worth the price he has paid time and again.
When Death himself gives up on life, a teenager named Xander Atwood is
the world's only hope. But Xander bears a secret, one that may bring
about the end of everything.
This heart-pounding final
installment of the Riders of the Apocalypse series looks at the value of
life, the strength of love, and how a small voice can change everything
. . . forever.
If you haven't tried this series, you can start with Breath--the books don't need to be read in order. Jackie is a wonderful writer and Breath appeals to more than the YA audience. You should give it a try.
Disney has laid off the staff of LucasArts and cancelled
all current projects. Full story here
Too bad-- I thought this looked good!
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From last week: Christa, email me at jeanne@jeannestein.com so I can send you your gift card. You were correct with your answer, even though it made me realize there were actually two errors in the timeline--one of which has yet to be mentioned. Makes me appreciate how thorough the copy editors of my books are and how much I need them!
And one more thing. I put my first Kindle book up on Amazon...Cloud City...it's an Anna Strong novella and if you'd like to check it out, here's the link
and the cover:
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Writers spend a lot of time talking about money...and even more time thinking about it. On one of my loops, I came across this post by Lawrence Block on getting by on a writer's income. It was posted a year ago, but it's as relevant now as ever.
Here's just one quote that I can relate to:
Let Financial Need Be a Spur, Not a Sledgehammer
Mickey Spillane has told of the time when he was living on an
offshore island, spending a lot of time on the beach and generally
taking life easy. “I decided it would be fun to write a story,” he
recalls, “but I couldn’t get an idea. I took long walks, I sat at the
typewriter, but I couldn’t seem to come up with an idea. Then one day I
got a call from my accountant. He said the money was starting to run
short. And you know what? All of a sudden I started getting one idea
after the other.”
Now I realize I'm lucky...I don't have to live on my income. It's a good thing really. But writing is certainly a crapshoot and one should never forget that!!
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This is so cool!! I joined!! Veronica Mars Kickstarter Program! I loved this show...
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Wondering what to do when you retire? Turn your house into a bookstore! Ever wish you had a bookstore in your living room? It's not unusual for some people to have large home libraries, but those are private spaces; now, a Japanese couple has worked with Atelier Bow-Wow to design a home that's intended to be open to the public.
When the couple retired, they moved to Izu, a vacation area in Japan, and decided to build a home. They told the architects they wanted "a house with a bookshop and a cafe where neighbors and visitors can stop by," according to Japan Architecture Urbanism. A bedroom and guest room are tucked behind the shop and cafe.
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Last but not least: two Reluctant Leaguers with new books for your enjoyment
Jackie Morse Kessler
Contrary to
popular belief, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse aren’t just harbingers of
doom—they actually keep life in balance. But what happens when their leader and
creator, Death, becomes suicidal?
Before the first living thing drew its first gasping breath, he was there. He
has watched humanity for millennia. And he has finally decided that humanity is
not worth the price he has paid time and again. When Death himself gives up on
life, a teenager named Xander Atwood is the world's only hope. But Xander bears
a secret, one that may bring about the end of everything.
This heart-pounding final installment of the Riders
of the Apocalypse series looks at the value of life, the strength of love, and
how a small voice can change everything . . . forever.
Jeremy, an infamous foot fetishist doomed to the quirkiest 12-step group
ever, falls off the wagon spectacularly when he meets Beverly. She is a
"beneather", one of an alien species living alongside us after rising
from the depths of the ocean. She is perfect for Jeremy. Smart. Beautiful.
Great feet. But does Beverly's reciprocation smack of a sinister and slimy secret?
Will Jeremy's probation officer revoke his freedom before he meets a bitter,
sweaty end? And more importantly, did someone remember to bring donuts and
coffee to the 12-step group?
In this short tale of aliens, foot fetishism and life choices gone horribly
awry, Mark Henry returns to his roots, stirring up comedy and horror, muddling
in a little sex and serving it up ice cold.