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, March 16, 2011
Happy St. Pat's
If you're in the Denver area, look for Mario at a pub near you...
However, did you know that there was another March holiday that I suspect explains a lot about Mario?
March 20, coinciding with the first day of spring, is Extraterrestrial Abduction Day. Last year there was a festival in Toronto and websites like this one offer tips on how to avoid being abducted.
Too late for Mario. He always get a little wonky around this time of year. I thought it was spring allergies. Now I know the real reason.
On to some personal stuff. I just got the new cover for Crossroads. Here it is:
You who know my history with covers, know I pretty much hate them all at first sight. No reflection on the artist, who is great, it's just that I have such a definite image of Anna in my head. HOWEVER, this one is the exception. I really like it. How about you?
The second thing is that Whedonistas, the anthology dedicated to Joss Whedon by women writers who are fans (read:fanatics), is now available. The reviews have been good and sales are brisk. I am lucky enough to have a piece in it and I want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. She recommended me to the editors who issued the invitation. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, click the above link and they'll fix you up. Tell them Jeanne sent you.
Also coming is Vampires: The Recent Undead. Release date of March 22 (moved back from an earlier date). I know I've mentioned it before but it has some terrific vampire writers in it. Just check out the list on the cover. I'm definitely the small fish in this pond.
And one last bit of BSP-- Here's the HEXED cover flat:
This one debuts June 11.
Image courtesy VintageHolidayCrafts.com
If you're in the Denver area, look for Mario at a pub near you...
However, did you know that there was another March holiday that I suspect explains a lot about Mario?
March 20, coinciding with the first day of spring, is Extraterrestrial Abduction Day. Last year there was a festival in Toronto and websites like this one offer tips on how to avoid being abducted.
Too late for Mario. He always get a little wonky around this time of year. I thought it was spring allergies. Now I know the real reason.
On to some personal stuff. I just got the new cover for Crossroads. Here it is:
You who know my history with covers, know I pretty much hate them all at first sight. No reflection on the artist, who is great, it's just that I have such a definite image of Anna in my head. HOWEVER, this one is the exception. I really like it. How about you?
The second thing is that Whedonistas, the anthology dedicated to Joss Whedon by women writers who are fans (read:fanatics), is now available. The reviews have been good and sales are brisk. I am lucky enough to have a piece in it and I want to take this opportunity to thank my good friend, Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy. She recommended me to the editors who issued the invitation. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, click the above link and they'll fix you up. Tell them Jeanne sent you.
Also coming is Vampires: The Recent Undead. Release date of March 22 (moved back from an earlier date). I know I've mentioned it before but it has some terrific vampire writers in it. Just check out the list on the cover. I'm definitely the small fish in this pond.
And one last bit of BSP-- Here's the HEXED cover flat:
This one debuts June 11.
# # # #
On a serious note, what's going on in Japan is a disaster of proportions unfathomable to most of us. The League of Reluctant Adults want to help in some small way so here's what we're doing. We are holding an auction (actually two) on Ebay.
What are we selling?
Get a helpful critique from a group of authors from the League of Reluctant Adults! (Team Claw)
Highest bidder (100% of proceeds go to the Red Cross to help Japan) gets to submit a synopsis and first batch of pages (up to 6000 words between the two - you decide how that works) of any fiction project for "expert analysis" by Team Claw, a group of authors from the League of Reluctant Adults! (We're a group of published authors of urban fantasy, young adult, and paranormal romance; see our blog here
Team Claw members: Sonya Bateman, Michele Bardsley, Carolyn Crane, Kevin Hearne, Jackie Kessler, Diana Rowland, Jeanne Stein
What you get: We'll each commit to taking at least an hour to read your stuff and let you know what we think is working great, and what we think isn't working, and give ideas for improvement. Some members may concentrate more on the synopsis, some on the pages, but we'll all be giving our best constructive advice.
Be ready to get a spectrum of opinions, and possibly disagreement between league members, either noted on the document itself or on separate documents. It'll be like we're all sitting in a room, discussing your story and early pages. You will have six months to submit your document (Microsoft Word ideal), we'll have a month to look it over and comment. (note, this is for craft/story feedback only, and not in any way a guarantee of representation or publication). At the end, we'll email your word doc back, full of all of our comments, either on the document, or on separate documents.
100 % of the final sale price will go to the American Red Cross. Bidding closes on March 22. If you'd like to enter the auction, here's the link
So if you've wondered what you could do to help, consider this. It might be of benefit to you, too.
What are we selling?
Get a helpful critique from a group of authors from the League of Reluctant Adults! (Team Claw)
Highest bidder (100% of proceeds go to the Red Cross to help Japan) gets to submit a synopsis and first batch of pages (up to 6000 words between the two - you decide how that works) of any fiction project for "expert analysis" by Team Claw, a group of authors from the League of Reluctant Adults! (We're a group of published authors of urban fantasy, young adult, and paranormal romance; see our blog here
Team Claw members: Sonya Bateman, Michele Bardsley, Carolyn Crane, Kevin Hearne, Jackie Kessler, Diana Rowland, Jeanne Stein
What you get: We'll each commit to taking at least an hour to read your stuff and let you know what we think is working great, and what we think isn't working, and give ideas for improvement. Some members may concentrate more on the synopsis, some on the pages, but we'll all be giving our best constructive advice.
Be ready to get a spectrum of opinions, and possibly disagreement between league members, either noted on the document itself or on separate documents. It'll be like we're all sitting in a room, discussing your story and early pages. You will have six months to submit your document (Microsoft Word ideal), we'll have a month to look it over and comment. (note, this is for craft/story feedback only, and not in any way a guarantee of representation or publication). At the end, we'll email your word doc back, full of all of our comments, either on the document, or on separate documents.
100 % of the final sale price will go to the American Red Cross. Bidding closes on March 22. If you'd like to enter the auction, here's the link
So if you've wondered what you could do to help, consider this. It might be of benefit to you, too.
Labels: Crossroads, Ebay, Extaterrestrial Abduction Day, Hexed, Mysterious Galaxy, Vampires: The Recent Undead, Whedonistas
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 4:18 PM 14 comments
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
New Year, New Hair, New Headshot
I have lots of amusing (at least they were to me) videos to share this week-- but first. Mario's post about writing made me think about my own process. I've decided to attempt something new for me-- writing two books at once. The eighth in the Anna Strong series, Haunted, and a stand-alone mystery/thriller. So many of my author friends have two or three series going at once, I feel like a laggard. I'm using Sarah Domet's 90 Days to Your Novel, a Writers Digest book, as a template. I'm on week six. I brought my first plot outline to critique group last night for the mystery and the comments were generally good. (If I didn't get any negative feedback, I'd know they weren't paying attention.) Anyway, I'll post progress reports along the way.
Next, a couple of blatant self-promotion items. Had a new headshot done. I long ago decided I would never let an old headshot be used for my books. I've been shocked too many times by meeting an author I would have mistook for her mother because the picture on her books was at least thirty years old. So, here's the unveiling.
All four anthologies I have contributed to come out in the next few months:
March -- Whedonistas
Along with Vampires: The Recent Undead
And in June, a novella in Hexed
And the above mentioned Chicks Kick Butt...
One more bit of promo, though this time not for me...our League of Reluctant Adults pal Mark Henry is coming to Denver in honor of his Road Trip of the Living Dead's release in mass market paperback. As Mario put it, he will be reading from his book and generally being inappropriate. The fun begins at 7 PM on February 11 at the Broadway Book Mall.
Okay, now onto the entertainment part of our blog-- (I know, you're sighing in relief. But I don't do this a lot, do I?)
Just mentioned last week that our Buffy turned 30 on January 19th. Well, for once something good came on her birthday...well, more precisely for Sarah Michelle Gellar. Zapit reports:
CBS has ordered a pilot for a new show called Ringer, which is about "a troubled young lass on the run from the mob. She assumes the life of her wealthy twin sister, only to find out that said sibling has a bounty on her head as well". Gellar is set to play the troubled young lass and the sister as double-duty on the new show, according to Vulture.
The pilot was written by Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder, who have evidently worked as writers on Supernatural.
The last issue of Buffy, Season Eight hit the stands last week, too. Go here for a recap (and spoilers). If any of you are following it, what was your reaction to the big shocker?
Okay-- for your viewing pleasure, several nonsensical pieces I came across this week:
My Blackberry Isn't Working-- British humor at it's best
From Police Procedure - only Mario can truly appreciate how drunk this woman is
Heads down-- Perils of the MegaReader
One idea from Flavorwire -- What to Do with Your Books After the Internet Apocalypse
Okay, have I entertained you enough for one week? What's going on in your world?
Next, a couple of blatant self-promotion items. Had a new headshot done. I long ago decided I would never let an old headshot be used for my books. I've been shocked too many times by meeting an author I would have mistook for her mother because the picture on her books was at least thirty years old. So, here's the unveiling.
Credits: Photography: Kelly Weaver Photography
Hair and Make-up: Debbie Ritch
Jewelry : David and Diann Wacks
Hair and Make-up: Debbie Ritch
Jewelry : David and Diann Wacks
Men have it so easy. Mario can use his shot for as long as he wants. In the many years I've known him, his hair hasn't changed at all--well, except for maybe getting a little thinner and a lot grayer. But basically, he looks the same-- damn him.
So, would you buy a book from this woman?
Just got this yesterday, the cover for the anthology Chicks Kick Butt in which I have a story, Superman. It's an Anna Strong story, actually a peek into the seventh book, Crossroads, as I adapted this story from a scene in that book. It's available for pre-order now from Amazon here .
So, would you buy a book from this woman?
Just got this yesterday, the cover for the anthology Chicks Kick Butt in which I have a story, Superman. It's an Anna Strong story, actually a peek into the seventh book, Crossroads, as I adapted this story from a scene in that book. It's available for pre-order now from Amazon here .
All four anthologies I have contributed to come out in the next few months:
March -- Whedonistas
Along with Vampires: The Recent Undead
And in June, a novella in Hexed
And the above mentioned Chicks Kick Butt...
One more bit of promo, though this time not for me...our League of Reluctant Adults pal Mark Henry is coming to Denver in honor of his Road Trip of the Living Dead's release in mass market paperback. As Mario put it, he will be reading from his book and generally being inappropriate. The fun begins at 7 PM on February 11 at the Broadway Book Mall.
Okay, now onto the entertainment part of our blog-- (I know, you're sighing in relief. But I don't do this a lot, do I?)
Just mentioned last week that our Buffy turned 30 on January 19th. Well, for once something good came on her birthday...well, more precisely for Sarah Michelle Gellar. Zapit reports:
CBS has ordered a pilot for a new show called Ringer, which is about "a troubled young lass on the run from the mob. She assumes the life of her wealthy twin sister, only to find out that said sibling has a bounty on her head as well". Gellar is set to play the troubled young lass and the sister as double-duty on the new show, according to Vulture.
The pilot was written by Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder, who have evidently worked as writers on Supernatural.
The last issue of Buffy, Season Eight hit the stands last week, too. Go here for a recap (and spoilers). If any of you are following it, what was your reaction to the big shocker?
Okay-- for your viewing pleasure, several nonsensical pieces I came across this week:
My Blackberry Isn't Working-- British humor at it's best
From Police Procedure - only Mario can truly appreciate how drunk this woman is
Heads down-- Perils of the MegaReader
One idea from Flavorwire -- What to Do with Your Books After the Internet Apocalypse
Okay, have I entertained you enough for one week? What's going on in your world?
Labels: At the Ranch Spa, Chicks Kick Butt, Hexed, Kelly Weaver Photography, Mark Henry. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Vampires: The Recent Undead, Whedonistas
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 2:08 PM 12 comments
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
The week after...
a book release is a nerve-wracking time. To writers and readers, it's a new book. To the publishing world, it's business. The bottom line above all. Well, it looks like Chosen is doing well enough to have made #16 on the bookscan list for fantasy. A nice beginning and a reflection on the loyalty of Anna's readers. I thank you all.
I'm still in promo mode. DragonCon last weekend was fun but exhausting. I came down with a head cold the day after I got back and since I have two more trips and signings coming up, I'm laying low this week.
Friday at 7:30 Mario and I will both be signing at the free open-to-the-public Colorado Gold signing fest. It's held at:
Renaissance Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, Colorado 80207 USA
Then on the 13th, I'll be at the Broadway Book Mall at 7PM:
WhoElse! Books
200 So. Broadway, Denver CO
303-744-BOOK
If you are interested in dissecting writing styles, Margie Lawson, teacher extraordinaire, used Chosen as her deep editing analysis for the week. Check here . If you are an aspiring writer, subscribe to her newsletter. She knows her stuff.
Something else you might want to look into-- Writer's Digest 101 best sites for writers.
I'm part of an anthology entitled Whedonistas--women who love the Jossverse--along with Elizabeth Bear, Sharon Shinn, Emma Bull, Nancy Holder, Jackie Kessler and more.
The contest is still going on over at Larissa's Bookish Life. Check it out . Contest runs until September 10th.
Media stuff. From Shelf Awareness this morning:
Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television Entertainment will adapt Stephen King's Dark Tower novels into a film trilogy and a network TV series. Deadline.com reported that the project, which had been in discussion last spring (Shelf Awareness, May 4, 2010), "will be creatively steered by the Oscar-winning team behind A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code. Ron Howard has committed to direct the initial feature film, as well as the first season of the TV series that will follow in close proximity. Akiva Goldsman will write the film, and the first season of the TV series. Howard's Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer will produce, with Goldsman and the author."
Deadline.com compared the project--which will use "a major studio's film and TV platforms simultaneously to tell a story"--to Peter Jackson, who "directed three installments of the Lord of The Rings, back to back, so that they could be released in three consecutive years."
This will either be very good or a disaster.
I'm watching Wiseguy-- the series starring Ken Wahl created by Stephen J. Cannell in 1987. Got it on Netflix and I love it as much now as I did when it first came on. Have any of you seen it? Television at his best.
Oh, and one last thing. I'm still waiting for someone to explain the ending of Clooney's new movie, The American.
I'm still in promo mode. DragonCon last weekend was fun but exhausting. I came down with a head cold the day after I got back and since I have two more trips and signings coming up, I'm laying low this week.
Friday at 7:30 Mario and I will both be signing at the free open-to-the-public Colorado Gold signing fest. It's held at:
Renaissance Hotel
3801 Quebec Street
Denver, Colorado 80207 USA
Then on the 13th, I'll be at the Broadway Book Mall at 7PM:
WhoElse! Books
200 So. Broadway, Denver CO
303-744-BOOK
# # # #
If you are interested in dissecting writing styles, Margie Lawson, teacher extraordinaire, used Chosen as her deep editing analysis for the week. Check here . If you are an aspiring writer, subscribe to her newsletter. She knows her stuff.
Something else you might want to look into-- Writer's Digest 101 best sites for writers.
# # # #
I'm part of an anthology entitled Whedonistas--women who love the Jossverse--along with Elizabeth Bear, Sharon Shinn, Emma Bull, Nancy Holder, Jackie Kessler and more.
The contest is still going on over at Larissa's Bookish Life. Check it out . Contest runs until September 10th.
# # # #
Media stuff. From Shelf Awareness this morning:
Universal Pictures and NBC Universal Television Entertainment will adapt Stephen King's Dark Tower novels into a film trilogy and a network TV series. Deadline.com reported that the project, which had been in discussion last spring (Shelf Awareness, May 4, 2010), "will be creatively steered by the Oscar-winning team behind A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code. Ron Howard has committed to direct the initial feature film, as well as the first season of the TV series that will follow in close proximity. Akiva Goldsman will write the film, and the first season of the TV series. Howard's Imagine Entertainment partner Brian Grazer will produce, with Goldsman and the author."
Deadline.com compared the project--which will use "a major studio's film and TV platforms simultaneously to tell a story"--to Peter Jackson, who "directed three installments of the Lord of The Rings, back to back, so that they could be released in three consecutive years."
This will either be very good or a disaster.
I'm watching Wiseguy-- the series starring Ken Wahl created by Stephen J. Cannell in 1987. Got it on Netflix and I love it as much now as I did when it first came on. Have any of you seen it? Television at his best.
Oh, and one last thing. I'm still waiting for someone to explain the ending of Clooney's new movie, The American.
SPOILER ALERT
SPOILER ALERT
If his handler wanted him dead, why did he kill the girl BEFORE she shot him? WTF??? My husband and I left the theater shaking our heads. We should have gone to see Machete. Danny Trejo is who Phil thinks would make a great Culebra.
SPOILER ALERT
If his handler wanted him dead, why did he kill the girl BEFORE she shot him? WTF??? My husband and I left the theater shaking our heads. We should have gone to see Machete. Danny Trejo is who Phil thinks would make a great Culebra.
Labels: Chosen, Larissa's Bookish Life, Machete, Margie Lawson, Stephen King's Dark Tower, Whedonistas, WhoElse Books, Wise Guy
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 2:50 PM 8 comments
