20 Questions is a new feature on The Knight Agency blog where you can get to know more about our clients -- from soup to nuts. Various authors will answer the same set of questions you see below for the rest of the year. Learn their go-to sources for information on writing and publishing, how they like their coffee, what they did when they got "The Call," and much more. Yeah, it's kind of like the email forwards you keep getting from your BFF, but better. ;-) Our inagural 20 Questions post spotlights Melissa Mayhue, author of the Daughters of the Glen series.
1. Where are you at this exact moment?
– Curled up on my living room sofa, hunched over my laptop!
2. Are you a “seat of your pants” writer or do map out the story like a meticulous cartographer?
– Definitely ‘seat of your pants.’ When I begin a book, I know who my hero and heroine are, what their major flaws or problems are, and that they’ll end up happily together. That’s it. All the middle is an adventure for me to discover!
3. What one item is a must have or what ritual do you absolutely have to perform in order to get your writing mojo going?
– My only true writing ritual is to read through what I wrote the day before to get myself back into the story. I put on some music [can’t have words or I get distracted!], grab a cup of coffee or tea and go to work.
4. If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one book to entertain you, what would you want it to be?
-- THE LONG DARK TEAM TIME OF THE SOUL by Douglas Adams. I absolutely love this story every single time I read it. Though the ending isn’t what I would have ended with, that’s the beauty of it. It sets my imagination free to finish the story in my own way. And if I were actually stranded on a deserted island, I’d want to spend as much time lost in my own imagination as I possibly could!
5. What is the first thing you did after receiving “The Call” from your agent?
– After I finished squeeing? I ran downstairs to share my news with my husband…who just happens to be my best friend!
6. Do you have an old manuscripts gathering dust that you think should still be published, or, in retrospect, did they turn out to just be a practice run?
– No old manuscripts since I was fortunate enough to sell my first book! But I do have a few old ideas that I still want to play with one day.
7. Are you a member of a critique group?
– Yes. I have two wonderful critique partners who have been there for me since before I sold. [Big wave to Kirsten Richard and Rena Marks!]
8. If you were a literary character, who would you be?
- I don’t think I can pick just one. To me, that’s the wonder of being a writer… I get to spend time in the head of LOTS of characters!!!
9. Do you prefer reading a physical book or downloading it on your Kindle/Nook/Sony Reader/insert name of any of the other myriad e-readers?
- I think I still prefer an actual, physical book. My husband bought a Kindle for me for Christmas and though I’ve downloaded several books, I’ve yet to read one all the way through – which might just be the electronic equivalent of my physical To Be Read stacks!
10. What is your favorite go-to blog or website for writing advice?
– To be honest, I don’t really have a go-to spot for writing advice. For better or for worse, I just write.
11. What is your favorite go-to blog or website for industry happenings?
- I like Publisher’s Marketplace best. If you don’t want to subscribe, their freebie version, Publisher’s Lunch, is a good snapshot - http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/lunch/free/. It’s also amazing how much you can learn by being on Twitter and following people within the industry.
12. What’s the strangest place or incident that’s inspired one of your characters or storylines?
– I don’t know that any inspiration I’ve had actually qualifies as ‘strange.’ The most memorable one was on a trip to Scotland and a hike back into a place called The Fairy Glen. That was the inspiration for my whole Daughters of the Glen series. Since then, almost every place I go and everything I do results in something that ultimately translates into one of my stories!
13. Rollercoaster rides: Let’s get in line or I’d rather keep my feet on the ground while eating a delicious corn dog? (I know, random right?)
– I’m SO not a rollercoaster girl! It’s that whole inner-ear, motion sickness thing. Even without the corn dog, I’m feet on the ground!
14. What was the hardest lesson that you had to learn about publishing as a newbie?
– That there’s SO much about this business to learn and that even the tiny details can impact you years down the road. Every time I think I have a handle on it, there’s another piece I’ve never heard of! Everything moves VERY slowly – except when the publisher needs you to hurry up -- and, unlike almost any job I ever had, it’s always difficult for you to know exactly how you’re doing. [Thank goodness for my fantastic agent, Elaine Spencer, who keeps me grounded and continues to fill in the blanks for me!]
15. Coffee: keep it simple (black); liven it up a little (at least cream and/or sugar); everything but the kitchen sink (caramel, raspberry, mocha java latte with extra whip and a few of those dark chocolate curls on top...); I’ll pass (yuck, coffee tastes like cigarettes). – I usually drink it black – to save the calories. But what I actually like best? Everything but the kitchen sink!! Nothing like a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha to put a smile on my face!
16. Animal lover or is keeping a goldfish alive too much to ask?
– Animal lover, definitely. We have three dogs, one cat, a turtle and an aquarium full of fish at my house.
17. Which one of your characters would you most like to meet in person?
– The Faerie Prince, Pol. Of all my characters, I’m convinced he knows much more than he’s willing to share right now – even with me!
18. What is your current release about?
– My latest release, A HIGHLANDER’S HOMECOMING – is about a thirteenth century Scottish Highland warrior who was sent forward in time by Faerie Magic to save him from death. Now, after a decade in the modern world, he returns to his own century to fulfill a promise to protect a small child, only to find the child is a grown woman and the death he once escaped is waiting to reclaim him.
19. What projects do you have on the horizon?
- I’m currently working on the eighth book in my Daughters of the Glen Series.
20. Where is the best place for readers to find out more about you?
For information on all my books and characters, my website is www.MelissaMayhue.com. I’m on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MelissaMayhue and Facebook [where I’m horribly addicted to Farmville!] as Melissa.Mayhue. For up to the minute news, there’s my brand new blog: www.MelissaMayhue.blogspot.com. I’d love to hear from readers at any of those spots!!
UPDATE: The winner of ON THE STEAMY SIDE by Louisa Edwards is MarnieCollette. Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
Leave your name in the comment section to win a copy of ON THE STEAMY SIDE by Louisa Edwards. The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
The 411: SHE’S NEVER MET A MAN SO MOUTH-WATERING
When Lilah Jane Tunkle fled her dull life in Virginia for the bright lights of New York City, she didn’t expect to wind up a nanny to a gorgeous celebrity chef’s ten-year-old son. Working for the delectable Devon Sparks is a sure-fire recipe for disaster, especially after Lilah gets a tantalizing taste of his perfectly seasoned kisses …
AND HE CAN’T RESIST HER DOWN-HOME SPICE
Devon’s not sure he can handle one more surprise ingredient in his life—he quit his popular TV show, his culinary reputation is on the line, and now the son he barely knows is back for seconds. Lilah’s Southern sass is supposed to keep the boy in line, but soon enough she’s teaching Devon a thing or two about homespun food…and turning up the heat.
Last night, the TKA chat room was the place to be! The writing team behind smash hit debut author, Lydia Dare, were the featured guests, and they kept the crowd in stiches. The ladies also shared some great writing advice, as well as details about their Wesfield Brothers series. If you missed out on meeting Jodie Pearson and Tammy Falkner (a.k.a. Lydia Dare), click here to get the chat transcript.
Knight Agency Clients Make the Grade -- RITA Nominations Announced!
Several of TKA's clients received RITA calls today from RWA, and we are happy to announce the following superstar authors received nods from the "Oscars" of the romance world:
Paranormal Romance: Laurie Brown, WHAT WOULD JANE AUSTEN DO? and Marjorie M. Liu, THE FIRE KING
Contemporary Series Romance - Suspense/Adventure: Jessica Andersen, MOUNTAIN INVESTIGATION and Beth Cornelison, THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER
Romance Novella: Marjorie M. Liu, "The Robber Bride" in HUNTRESS
Young Adult Romance: Tina Ferraro, THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS
Golden Heart, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements: Maureen McGowan, SWITCHING SIDES
The the team behind historical paranormal romance author Lydia Dare is chatting in the Knight Agency chat room tonight, Thursday, March 25th @ 9pm ET!
Dare's writers, Jodie Pearson and Tammy Falkner, will be talking about their debut release, A CERTAIN WOLFISH CHARM, how they found an agent, sharing writing tips on how they balance working as a team and much more. And, as always, have exciting giveaways planned. Hope you'll come by and check us out!!
UPDATE: The winner of signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS by Jessica Andersen is KID LIT WRITER. Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net
Burn, baby, burn!
One of the buzz phrases for writers of urban fantasies and paranormals is (say it with me!) world building. The stories center on the characters, but they gain added cool points from the details of world—not just the physical setting, but the cultures, myths, rituals, and symbols of the world’s inhabitants.
In ‘our’ world, as we step into spring in the northern hemisphere (yay!), there’s no shortage of rituals and symbols to draw inspiration from this time of year.
Here in New England, we plant the first seedlings of the year in our gardens, do the St. Patrick’s Day thing, slog through mud, and balance eggs on end at the moment of the vernal equinox (if you haven’t tried that one yet, I recommend it for ten minutes of silliness!).
The ‘spring break’ rituals of the doomsday 2012-fighting warriors in my stories are based on those of the ancient Maya, who leaned more in the direction of blood sacrifice and serpent gods.
(See how the serpentine shadow on the staircase leads to the snake’s head carving at the base? This shadow undulates throughout the day, making the giant serpent come alive—but only during the equinox.)
But they’re not alone in having somewhat destructive rituals to usher in spring. From Annapolis Maryland comes one of my favorite spring celebrations: the burning of the socks.
In this ritual, the local boat owners and dockworkers toss their socks into a bonfire to symbolize the end of winter and the beginning of boating season, and then don’t wear socks again until after the season is over.
Some say this ceremony comes from older maritime traditions, when crew members would have worn the same pair of socks all winter, and captains would enforce a burn-and-replace policy to cut down on the funk. Others claim it came straight from an incident with a sick-of-winter Annapolis dockworker, an empty paint can, a pair of socks and some kerosene in the 80s.
No matter where it comes from, I can totally get behind this. Because, you see, I have this wool hat. Now, it’s not a bad wool hat—it’s soft and non-itchy, and it’s a very nice color blue that goes with my eyes. But I wore it pretty much All. Winter. And I’m ready for it to be spring now.
So, to celebrate new beginnings, warmer weather, greener grass, and the impending release of DEMONKEEPERS on April 6, I’m cyber-burning my blue wool hat … and I’m asking you: What are you going to add to the Knight Agency’s first annual Burning Of The ____?
All comments are entered to win a signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS today on Take Home Tuesday! The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
For more information on DEMONKEEPERS and the other Nightkeeper novels, please check out www.JessicaAndersen.com.
To get a signed copy of DEMONKEEPERS delivered to you the first week of its release, please visit http://store.radcliffbookstore.com and click on ‘virtual signing.’ As a bonus, you can also order a signed copy of JR Ward's LOVER MINE, which will be out later in April!
Debut author Lydia Dare'sfirst book, A CERTAIN WOLFISH CHARM, has definitely worked its magic on readers and critics, with top trade magazine Publishers Weekly giving it a starred review. This month, Dare will be our special guest in the Knight Agency chat room. Or perhaps we should rephrase that as special guests...
Today, the author revealed a little known secret for the first time on Michelle Buonfiglio's Romance B(u)y the Book blog. Lydia is actually a persona inhabited by two writers. No, not in a "Sybil-esque," multiple personalities kind of way, but by a dynamic writing team composed of Jodie Pearson and Tammy Falkner. Jodie is a Regency expert and president of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, and Tammy is a master of all things paranormal -- which makes them the perfect partners to write a historical paranormal series.
We are thrilled to have both Jodie and Tammy as the featured guests of our monthly Knight Agency chat. Make sure to mark your calendars for another awesome event with TKA! Of course, there will be prizes and trivia, as well as plenty of pub talk about how debut authors can make a splash in the marketplace!
UPDATE: The winner of an autographed copy of MASTER OF FORTUNE by Katherine Garbera is Chelsea B. Congrats! Please send your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
Leave your name in the comment section to win an autographed copy of MASTER OF FORTUNE by Katherine Garbera. The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
The 411: Mr. March: Henry Devonshire, illegitimate…irresistible.
Determined To: Become master of his own fortune.
Derailed By: Attraction to his lovely new assistant.
Never had he had such a desire to win. If Henry Devonshire wished to inherit his dying father's empire, he had to make Everest Records a huge success. And the one person who could help him, Astrid Taylor, was also the only woman he wanted. Mixing business with pleasure was never wise, but this time, it could literally cost Henry a fortune.
Via Lucienne's blog: I'm guest blogging today over at Naughty Author Chicks on erotic fiction, so if you're over eighteen and want to check it out, here's the link.
UPDATE: The winner of SOME LIKE IT ROUGH is CrystalGB. Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
Leave your name in the comment section to win SOME LIKE IT ROUGH by Kate Pearce, along with Susan Lyons and Anne Rainey. The winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon.
THE 411: "Some Like it Rough" is written by Kate Pearce. Luke Warner wants to chill out when he cashes in his stocks and returns to his hometown. But things heat up when he reunites with his best friends, Julia and Paul, and invites them both to share in a sexual adventure like they've never had before...
"Private Eyes" is written by Susan Lyons. Assigned to work undercover as an exotic dancer, straight-laced Haley Croft discovers the thrill of strutting her stuff. And when she catches sexy Ry Montana checking out her moves, she can't wait to give him his own private show...
"Cherry On Top" is written by Anne Rainey. When massage therapist Cherry DuBois rubs her oil-slicked hands all over Dante Ricci's rock-hard body, red-hot desire courses through her. She longs to lose control and give herself to the pleasures of sexual submission.
We are a bit late to the party, but TKA agent Lucienne Diver is hosting a debut week on her blog with posts by authors Diana Orgain, N.K. Jemisin, Vicky Dreiling and Kalayna Price. Leave a comment in any of the blogs and you can win a "bundle of books." Today, Lucienne is taking her turn at the mike, giving an agent's perspective on making "The Call" to a debut author. http://varkat.livejournal.com/
Marjorie M. Liu, New York Times bestselling author of the DIRK AND STEELE and HUNTER KISS series recently interviewed with Fan Off. Click here for the podcast.
This week, Melissa Jeglinski was interviewed by her client Lydia Dare on the LadyScribes blog.
UPDATE: THE winner of A DROP OF RED and THE PATH OF RAZORS by Chris Marie Green is Karin! Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
Win Two Signed Trade Copies from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series!
Below the streets, the vampires gather. Erotic, beautiful, secretive…dangerous. Dawn Madison, an ex-stunt woman, takes up the hunt for these enthralling creatures, first in Hollywood, then in London. As the Undergrounds’ secrets spill into her own life, shaping it, illuminating her own muddled past, she must face these underground Vampire Babylons.
Or die trying.
The Vampire Babylon series uses trilogy arcs to tell one basic story, much like the way JK Rowling used seven books that didn’t solve every plot thread book-by-book to tell Harry Potter’s story. While each individual novel focuses on a central mystery that’s solved by the end, the three books together build character and mythology arcs/mysteries until everything culminates in the third books of the trilogies.
The first trilogy is known as the “Hollywood trilogy.” It contains these books:
NIGHT RISING MIDNIGHT REIGN BREAK OF DAWN
The second trilogy continues the adventures of Dawn Madison and the vampire hunting team, and this three-book arc is known as the “London trilogy.” It consists of:
A DROP OF RED THE PATH OF RAZORS DEEP IN THE WOODS
To gear up for reading DEEP IN THE WOODS, you now have the chance to win the first two books in the London trilogy! By commenting below, one person will win signed trade copies of A DROP OF RED, Book Four, and THE PATH OF RAZORS, Book Five.
Question of the day: In urban fantasies, setting plays a huge part. What have some of your favorite UF settings been? Why? Where would you like to see more stories set?
Author Rob Thurman latest release, ROADKILL, is out today! She's celebrating by sponsoring a 4-book giveaway on the Deadline Dame's blog. You can also read an excerpt from the book in her post. Check it out here!!
1. Where are you at this exact moment?
4. If you were stranded on a deserted island with only one book to entertain you, what would you want it to be? 
– I don’t know that any inspiration I’ve had actually qualifies as ‘strange.’ The most memorable one was on a trip to Scotland and a hike back into a place called The Fairy Glen. That was the inspiration for my whole Daughters of the Glen series. Since then, almost every place I go and everything I do results in something that ultimately translates into one of my stories!
13. Rollercoaster rides: Let’s get in line or I’d rather keep my feet on the ground while eating a delicious corn dog? (I know, random right?) 
16. Animal lover or is keeping a goldfish alive too much to ask? 
18. What is your current release about?
