I’ve had a lot of readers ask me, “Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?” Which to me translates to “I’ve been writing forever, and I want to do this for the rest of my life.” That’s understandable and I applaud them, but most writers have more than writing skills at their fingertips. Most have come to writing after a list of varied jobs ranging from Vegas Show Girl to Financial Trend Analyst, though admittedly not in the same person.
I’m no different, and my pre-publication job credits include a more modest Vet tec (where I learned how to be brave), Owner/Manager of licensed Day Care (where I learned to work with temperamental, strong-willed people), Office Assistant (where I learned how to type), and my favorite: running live animal trap lines, tagging and releasing chipmunks and mice (where I learned about my limits and how to push through them).
I’ve heard from a lot of readers since The Body Finder was published in March, and YES, I’m totally listening! Some have told me that they were happy Violet’s parents were involved in her life, while others have said they liked how there weren’t any bloodsuckers, howlers, or other creatures that go bump in the night. Some readers were glad to find out that Jay was a “nice guy” and liked that there was no love triangle in the book.
Getting emails from readers is one of my favorite things about being an author, so please keep ’em coming—I love hearing what you think! Of course, haters need not apply. (Fine, haters can apply, too, but don’t be surprised if my spam filter “accidentally” deletes your emails.)
But all this feedback has me thinking about what readers are really looking for, and as a reader myself, I think I’ve finally figured it out.
The Supernatural Summer Tour was a blast! I am still recalling the memories of having dinner with the other authors and meeting the fangtastic readers like all of you at the book stores.
When I returned I had a little vacay on the Caribbean and then back to business! I locked myself away from the sun and continued to write Vampire Kisses 8: CRYPTIC CRAVINGS. I had a lot of fun writing about the next installment of the love life between Raven and her dreamy and mysterious vampire boyfriend, Alexander. It is amazing to me that when I’m writing, so much happens that I hadn’t planned on. The characters come alive and like to do their own thing—which is great for me. It means that there are sub-plots or twists and turns that happen along the way when I write. Trevor, of course, gets his gorgeous face time and Raven creeps into some really spooky places.
Then at the same time, I was writing BLOOD RELATIVES 4! I was so happy to get back into the manga and explore what happens when Claude and gang are full vampires! Lots of action and vampire kisses!
Now I am reviewing the “close to final” manuscript for ONCE IN A FULL MOON. It too is full of romance and a hot guy who winds up becoming a werewolf.
I hope you enjoy both when they come out! FULL MOON will be out December 8th right before the holidays (pre-order your copy today), CRYPTIC CRAVINGS should be out in May, and BLOOD RELATIVES in September 2011. Hope you all are having a fangtastic summer!
Many fangs,
As the “grand prize” winner of Inkpop’s Supernatural Summer writing contest, the fantastic people at HarperCollins flew my father and me out to O’Hare airport near Chicago to attend the 5th stop on the tour: Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois. Along the way, I experienced my first time in an airport, first time through security (ugh), and of course my first flight . . . which was amazing. (Who knew that being 36,000 feet up in the air could be so awe-inspiring?)
Once our flight got in, we found our driver, an awesome guy named Marvin, who drove us to the Naperville Hilton, and we found out that our room was on the “club level.” You needed a card to even access the floor! We felt really special then.
Next up was the main event: the short interviews and long book signing at Anderson’s. I thought I was just going to be an observer and take everything in, but to my surprise, the coordinator of the event (or at least the only person there calling the shots), Gale, had me be interviewed first! It was an unexpected honor, and such a nice thing for her to do. And then, of course, it was the four authors’ turn! Continue reading »
WOW! There are some devoted and very creative Supernatural Summer fans out there! The above photo, from Kimberly Derting’s tour recap, represents the ultimate Supernatural Summer manicure featuring different scenes from the author’s books on each nail! How cool is that?!
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the events last week and to our AMAZING Supernatural Summer 2010 authors— Aprilynne Pike, Kimberly Derting, Ellen Schreiber, Kim Harrison and Kelley Armstrong —who visited 6 cities in only 6 days! We hope you had a great time 
More Supernatural Summer love from the BEST fans ever!
http://twitter.com/search?q=%23SupernaturalSummer
http://cariblogs.blogspot.com/2010/06/supernatural-summer-tour.html
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=176904&id=654234863&l=03a5888fb6
http://www.stephaniepellegrin.com/2010/06/supernatural-summer-tour-stop-in-dallas.html
http://cynthial11.blogspot.com/2010/06/supernatural-summer-tour.html
Looking for a great book to bring to the beach? Come to Mysterious Galaxy today on DAY 6 of the Supernatural Summer tour and find out about these supernatural thrillers straight from the authors themselves! You’re sure to leave with something to devour while basking in the sun!
Kim Harrison (Early to Death, Early to Rise)
Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses 7: Love Bites)
Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder)
Kelley Armstrong (The Reckoning)
June 6, 2010 – 2:00 pm
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Suite #302
San Diego, CA 92111
858-268-4747
Is the humidity making your hair a ball of frizz? Get out of the heat and chill with these awesome Supernatural Summer authors on tour DAY 5!
Kim Harrison (Early to Death, Early to Rise)
Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses 7: Love Bites)
Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder)
Kelley Armstrong (The Reckoning)
June 5, 2010 – 2:00 pm
123 West Jefferson
Naperville, IL 60540
Houston swelters in the summer, so come cool down in the shade at the Woodlands Mall TONIGHT and meet four of the Supernatural Summer authors on DAY 4 of the tour! You don’t want to miss this!
Kim Harrison (Early to Death, Early to Rise)
Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses 7: Love Bites)
Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder)
Kelley Armstrong (The Reckoning)
June 4, 2010 – 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble (Woodlands Mall)
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr. #3008
The Woodlands, TX 77381
281-465-8744
And don’t forget to let us know how the event went by posting your recap in the Supernatural Summer forums! The Supernatural Summer fans who couldn’t make it need to know what they missed!
Have you created a book trailer for the Spells video contest? What are you waiting for? The contest deadline has been extended until June 16th so you still have time!
Enter for a chance to WIN a personal phone call from Aprilynne Pike (woohoo!) and two signed copy of SPELLS—one for the winner and one for a friend! Visit www.castyourspells.com to submit your video and post comments to the video gallery. GOOD LUCK!
Calling all cowgirls! Come out in style and support these incredible Supernatural Summer authors at Borders in Dallas on DAY 3 of the tour!
Kim Harrison (Early to Death, Early to Rise)
Ellen Schreiber (Vampire Kisses 7: Love Bites)
Aprilynne Pike (Spells)
Kimberly Derting (The Body Finder)
June 3, 2010 – 7:00 pm
965 West Bethany Dr.
Allen, TX 75013
(214) 383-9676
And don’t forget to let us know how the event went by posting your recap in the Supernatural Summer forums! Did you get a picture with your favorite author? Did they answer your burning questions? The Supernatural Summer fans who couldn’t make it want to hear everything!
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