More from RT

It's been a long, but wonderful few days here in Columbus, but my brain is kind of fried at this point, and I still have one more panel to speak on this afternoon, so I'm just going to post some pictures for now. Well, that and some random observations.



Random observations:

• Keri Arthur is a ninja photographer. She is merciless. She will upload pictures of me looking stupid without a single twinge of guilt. Fortunately, she makes up for this with Australian chocolate.
• Ally Carter is a master baker. And so incredibly nice.
• If you sit still long enough at an RT convention, everyone you've ever met in your life will eventually walk by and say hi to you. Everyone. I'm pretty sure I just saw my third grade homeroom teacher.

Now for some pictures...

Jeri Smith-Ready, Carrie Ryan, me, Jocelynn Drake


Agent Miriam Kriss, Keri Arthur, Jenna Black


Devon Monk, Jenna Black, Keri Arthur, me

Devon Monk and me (courtesy of Keri)

Michelle Rowen, my table-mate at the Not-So-Sweet 16 bookseller party

Melissa Marr, before the Not-So-Sweet 16 Bookseller party

A bookseller posing with buckeyes (chocolate and peanutbutter candies) at the bookseller party

Okay, more later!

Just dropping in...

I'm still at RT in Columbus, and having a great time. I've taken a bunch of pictures, but Dame Rinda has posted most of them (and some from Keri Arthur) on the Deadline Dames site, so if you want to see those, click here.

This is the lovely Vicki Pettersson with Dames Keri and Jenna, on Wednesday afternoon. Check out the reflections I caught of them on the table. I totally meant to do that. ;-)

Done! For now...

This morning, I turned in the revisions for Alpha! So unless my editor thinks it needs another round, my work on the book (and the series) is done, except for the line/copy edits and page proofs. Though the actual production of the book has just begun.

Tomorrow I leave for Columbus, OH, for the Romantic Times Booklover's Convention. This'll be my sixth consecutive year attending, and I always have a great time. The con is very reader-oriented, and it's a great place to interact with both readers and my fellow authors.

As in years past, I'll be rooming with the awesome Jocelynn Drake, and meeting up with both my agent and several of my fellow Deadline Dames, as well as bunches of other friends I only see once or twice a year.

This year I have three panels, one bookseller party, and I'll be signing at the mass autographing on Saturday. If you're gonna be there, let me know!

Tonight...

I'm in the home stretch on revisions for Alpha, and I hope to finish it tomorrow, then give certain sections one more quick read-through before turning it in.

But tonight... I babysit! Though that term hardly seems accurate, considered that the kids my friend is bringing over are school age. Fortunately, I've known them most of their lives. ;-)

I'm not a noob. I've done this before. But I haven't done an over-night babysitting gig in more than a decade--

Sorry. Had to stop typing to go clean up cat vomit. What a glamorous life I live. ;-)

Anyway, today I revise brutal fight scenes and sexual tension. Tonight I entertain elementary age children. Pizza. Movies. Popcorn. Just Dance on my Wii. It'll be fine. Right?

Right?

YA recommendations

I'm busy with errands and revisions today, so I'm leaving you with my current young adult recommendations:

Some Girls Are and Cracked Up To Be, by Courtney Summers – Love, love, love these! Gritty, flawed characters, addictive writing. Hands down, my favorite YA contemporaries. Wish I could find more like these.

Perfect Chemistry and Leaving Paradise, by Simone Elkeles – Opposites attract-type young adult contemporary romances. The first YA romances I liked enough to recommend. Love them! Also, Simone has a new release this week!

The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed Waves, by Carrie Ryan – Post-zombie apocalypses with stunning writing. TFOHAT was my top YA pick of ’09, and I'm currently reading The Dead-Tossed Waves.

Raised by Wolves, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Young adult werewolf novel with a strong romance subplot. Loved Jen’s take on shape-shifters! This one comes out this summer...

I wish I could freeze time

I'm neck-deep in the world of Alpha this morning (holy cow, this is a tense/violent/emotional book!), but in the back of my mind runs a list of all the other things I have to get done before I leave for Romantic Times in six days. If I had a superpower, it would be the ability to pause time, so I could do my work while everyone else stands frozen, then I could do the things that require interaction with the rest of the world after time starts up again.

Based on the output of a few of my fellow authors, I suspect they've already mastered the art of freezing time, and I would dearly love to be let in on that little secret. ;-)

But...quality is way more important to me than quantity, so I'm working long hours on Alpha, trying to make sure it's the best series closer I can write before it's due back to my publisher for the rest of the production process.

I think my favorite part of the revision is reading my editor's comments in the margin of the manuscript. (We work in Word, with track changes enabled.) She tells me every time the story makes her laugh, or cry, or stand up and shout over the injustice of whatever's happening. And that makes me smile. ;-)

In the background, during this revision, #1 and I are working on the MSTKeep trailer. And, of course, by that I mean that he's doing all the work. I'm just writing the script and helping pick out the images, then giving opinions as necessary. It's almost done. I can't wait to show it off!

And speaking of My Soul To Keep, here's the latest review, calls it the strongest Soul Screamers novel yet! Larissa's (non-spoilery) review!

Also, just because, the latest Shift review, from Book Chick City.

About My Soul To Keep...

I feel it's only fair to warn you all that My Soul To Keep is a change-the-game book within the Soul Screamers series. Why is this?
Quick answer: Because in fiction, as in life, things change.

The detailed answer: Because Kaylee lives in a dangerous world, in which things she doesn’t know about or understand are often going on in the background. Wanna know what they are? Pay attention. I leave you clues. Because I'm so nice (unless you're one of my characters). ;-)

Specifically, this story is darker than anything we’ve seen in the Soul Screamers world so far. Some of the events are traumatic for Kaylee and her friends, and the outcome changes things for them. Things that aren’t easily fixed. Kaylee loses a little bit of her idealism in this one, and while I think that’s sad on some levels, I also think it’s a very normal part of life, especially for teenagers, some of whom are realizing for the first time that the real world isn’t always kind. In fact, it might swallow you whole. Literally, in the case of some worlds...

I’m anticipating some … reactions to this one. I’m expecting some readers to get mad at and on behalf of various characters, and I’m pretty sure readers will disagree with one another about what Kaylee’s next course of action should be. I’m really looking forward to the discussion!

Unfortunately, this book is very, very spoilery, so I’m having trouble finding exciting excerpts that don’t give too much away. But I’ll keep looking.

Where I'll be this month!

Texas Librarian Association Annual Conference
San Antonio, Texas

Saturday, April 17 at 08:00 AM
Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center 217 CD, Concourse Level

Event: Author Events @ Your Library
Panelists: Susan Albert, Rachel Caine, Candace Havens, Shanna Swendson, and Rachel Vincent

*Signing to follow

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Romantic Times Booklover’s Convention
Columbus, Ohio
April 28-May 2

WEDNESDAY 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM YOUNG ADULT: YOU REALLY CAN GO BACK: TRANSITIONING FROM ADULT ROMANCE TO YOUNG ADULT

For adult romance writers who would like to try their hand at YA, this panel of authors (who write adult romance, urban fantasy, and YA romance) will explain the differences in writing and publishing in these popular fields. We’ll look at writing style and content of YA books versus romance novels as well as how traditional children’s publishers differ from romance publishers and what they’ll expect from you. We’ll look at the differences in marketing and discuss how to keep your more “adult” books from getting into the hands of your new young fans.

Panelists: Kelley Armstrong, Alyxandra Harvey, Caitlin Kittredge, Richelle Mead, Michelle Rowan, Rachel Vincent

Moderator: Stacey Klemstein aka Stacey Kade

THURSDAY 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM URBAN FANTASY: THE BIG PICTURE

Vampires, witches, shapeshifters, fae, goddesses, mediums, zombies! Our panel will discuss the creatures, the subcategories, the superstars of the genre, as well as examine what’s in store for the future — and if there’s still new ground to be uncovered.

Captain: Richelle Mead Panelists: Mario Acevedo, Kelley Armstrong, Vicki Pettersson, Jeanne C. Stein, Rachel Vincent

THURSDAY 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM BOOKSELLER: NOT SO SWEET SIXTEEN PARTY

Spin the bottle, spiked punch - this is the kind of party your mother warned you about! Embrace your inner 16 year old and join bestselling YA authors for a spring fling John Hughes would be proud of.

Hosted By: Kelley Armstrong, Jennifer Barnes, Holly Black, Heather Brewer, Ally Carter, Shannon Delany, Jackie Kessler, Caitlin Kittredge, Stacey Klemstein aka Stacey Kade, Mari Mancusi, Melissa Marr, Richelle Mead, Michelle Rowen, Carrie Ryan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Rachel Vincent

FRIDAY 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM YOUNG ADULT: LOVE LOOKS DIFFERENT AT 13: How to Add a Teen’s Perspective on Love in a YA Novel

Whether it’s first crushes, first kisses, or first heartbreaks, relationships in your teens can look very different than later in life. Three YA novelists discuss the role romance can play in young adult novels and the particular nuances that come with writing about characters who have only just begun to love.

Panelists: Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Ally Carter, Rachel Vincent


SATURDAY 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM GIANT BOOK FAIR

Where can you meet your favorite authors, get your pic taken with them or a cover model, or get a sneak preview to what's coming out in the wonderful world of women's fiction? At the one and only RT Booklovers Convention Book Fair! Over 300 authors will autograph books, posters and bookmarks, and you can bring your favorite "keeper" books to have your fav author sign them!!

For those bringing collectibles and "keeper" books, we will clearly label the books for you, so as not to mistake them for new books!

This event is open to the public for a small fee of $5.00 at the door. All registered attendees will enter 15 minutes prior to the public opening.

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So, ladies and gentlemen, what have we learned from this? That I'm always listed last. Stupid V-last name... ;-)

I would like to discuss...

Okay, readers, I'm curious. I know what I think (and no, I'm not going to share that now, because I don't want to influence your opinions), but I want to know what you think. Feel free to answer anonymously, if you want, but keep the language clean. Here are the questions:

What would you be willing to forgive in a relationship with someone you truly love, who truly loves you?

Is it different for men than for women? How? Why? [Note: This isn't SHOULD it be different for men than for women. I'm asking if it IS different for men than for women.]

Do we hold fictional characters to higher (or lower) standards? Do you think they should be role models, or are they allowed to make mistakes?

Do you condemn a person (or character) for wronging a S(ignificant) O(ther)? Do you condemn the SO for forgiving?

Do any of these answers differ for YA and adult fiction?

As a reader, do you feel justified in judging a character, or are you merely interested in reading the story? [There's no wrong answer here, for the record. I'm fully aware that both of these apply to various readers.]

Obviously all of this depends on the circumstances, but try not to think of these questions in terms of my characters. This "research" is really broader in range than what I have on the shelf so far. ;-)

I would really, really appreciate various perspectives, so if you have an opinion on any of these questions, please share it here! I'll pop in and read and maybe ask more questions...

Back in the game

I'm back at work today. Which just means that I've moved from my den (where I watched movies all last week) to my office, where I'm now trying to get caught up on all the emails that piled up while I was on my stay-at-home vacation.

I have to admit that I did do a little bit of work last week, though. HQTeen needed information about Soul Screamers book 5 so they can start work on the cover. Yes, these are typically done more than a year in advance because cover art is one of the longer behind-the-scenes processes a book goes through before it hits the shelf.

Unfortunately, the original idea I had for this book will no longer work because of a couple of unexpected turns in both My Soul To Keep and My Soul To Steal. So I spent a couple of days brainstorming an idea sparked by a single sentence from my brilliant critique partner, then I wrote up an informal premise and emailed it to my editor. This is not the actual proposal. I'll still have to send in a formal synopsis, but in this case, I wanted to get a general yea or nay on the idea before I started the more formal stuff.

And as of this morning, my premise appears to have been approved! Which means that as soon as I finish the revisions for Alpha, which came in during my vacation, I can start writing IF I DIE!

But first, revisions for Alpha are due by the end of the month. But because I'm going to Columbus for RT the last week in April, I need to get done a little early. So I'm off to work! And if I owe you an email, it's coming, I swear!

Soul Screamers to date

The chat last night was awesome! We had a really good turnout (thanks, everyone!) and I answered a ton of questions, as fast as my poor wrist let me type. The Twiligh Moms are a real class act, and everyone was so friendly and excited. Thanks, ladies!

FYI, the chat archive is still available here. Just scroll down and click on completed events, then click my chat and wait for it to load.

Also, in the chat last night, I revealed the title to Soul Screamers 5. I sent a last-minute email to my editor asking for permission, and she gave it! So if you missed the chat, here's the info. Though I almost hate to give that out in such a public place for fear of confusion, since there are only two books out so far. But, because I'm just that much of a push-over, here goes...

The My Soul To titles were (are) starting to get confusing, even for me. Privately, I refer to them either by the last word of the title or by the color of the cover. Ex: (Lose-the prequel novella) Take, Save, Keep, Steal, or (green) red, turquoise, purple, blue. So for the fifth book, we wanted to preserve the pattern, but make the title easy to remember and differentiate from the others. So, Soul Screamers 5 will be called:

IF I DIE

I love this because it comes from the same child's prayer as MSTTake and MSTKeep, so I feel like it fits. But it's different enough from the others that I think it'll stand out. I also love it for 3 or 4 other reasons I can't disclose just yet, but if you remind me, I'll mention those specifically after the book comes out and everyone's had time to read it.

So, the Soul Screamers series as it stands so far, with the US release dates:

MY SOUL TO LOSE (the free prequel e-novella, July 1, 2009)
MY SOUL TO TAKE (book 1, the red book, August 1, 2009)
MY SOUL TO SAVE (book 2, the torquoise book, Jan. 1, 2010)
MY SOUL TO KEEP (book 3, the purple book, June 1, 2010)
MY SOUL TO STEAL (book 4, the blue book, Jan 1, 2011 in the US, one month earlier in Australia)
IF I DIE (I don't know the color or release date for this one yet. In fact, I should probably write the book...)

And for anyone looking for answers to frequently asked questions, my FAQ page has been updated for the new website design, with new/updated questions and answers.

Live chat tonight!

Okay, this is where I remind everyone that I'll be chatting live tonight, answering questions about the Soul Screamers series and just generally hanging out online with readers. To join the chat, click here.

The chat will begin at 5:30 pm pacific, which is 6:30 mountain, 7:30 central, and 8:30 eastern. I'm not sure about any other time zones, but that can't be too hard to find out.

If you'd like to pick my brain, click the link above to set a reminder for yourself about the chat and to read about how it works. I hope to see you there!

A couple of things...

I'm in the middle of my week off, but I've discovered that just because I'm not working doesn't the rest of the publishing industry isn't. Weird, huh? So, of course, a few things have popped up. Though  HQTeen needs a plot for the fifth Soul Screamers book, so they can design a cover. Promo still needs to be done. Books still need to be mailed. And then there're these two things, though neither of them are really new....

First of all, on Thursday, April 8, at 6:30 (Central standard time) I'll be doing a live chat (promoting the Soul Screamers series and just talking to readers) here for the Twilight Moms site. I'm honestly thrilled to take a break from my vacation to chat with my readers, so please, please log on and chat with me. Otherwise, I'll be talking to myself and my characters, and I refuse to take responsibility for anything the Soul Screamers gang does or says when they're left to their own devices. You never know who'll die or be brought back if Tod gets bored. Seriously. ;-)

Also, this is your chance to put me on the spot and beg for spoilers. I'm kind of a pushover in situations like that. But don't tell anyone. ;-)

And, I wasn't planning to announce this at all, but the universe had other plans, and evidently a small notice went out in Publisher's Lunch, and now I'm getting questions. Here's what the announcement said:

Film rights



Rachel Vincent's STRAY, an urban were-cat fantasy, to Evolution Entertainment, by Steve Fisher at APA.
 
What this means: Evolution thinks that Stray holds enough on-screen potential for them to option the film rights. Which means that for the length of the option, Evolution is the only company with the right to develop Stray for a potential film.
 
What this does not mean: This does not mean that there will necessarily be a werecat movie. For real. Before anyone gets too excited, you should know that lots and lots of books are optioned for films that never get made, and we're still in the very, very early stages of a potential film deal. Stray has only been optioned. Later on, there may eventually be a movie. Maybe. In fact, this is so early in the process that I wasn't even planning to announce it, though I've known there was interest for quite a while now. But, PM announced it for me, so I may as well own up to it now, huh? ;-)
 
So, bottom line, film rights for Stray are no longer available. But that doesn't necessarily mean there'll be a movie. Make sense?

Done!

Today, I turned in My Soul To Steal, Soul Screamers book 4. I am now on vacation until a week from Monday, during which I will read for pleasure, watch TV and DVDs, and play Fallout 3 and Rockband with # 1. And I will sleep. :-)

I'll be back to my blog and other online haunts next week, answering questions, so if you have one leave it here.

When I get back to work, I'll be doing revisions for Alpha, writing Soul Screamers 5, and writing my third short story of the year.

But for now, have a great weekend! I plan to!