Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

Some people have asked me if Unbound is available in ebook, so I thought I’d post this link. It’s now available in three formats: mobipocket, microsoft and palm at Fictionwise.

Uh, I didn’t put a deadline on it!! Duh! WELL, since I said I’d announce it July 4th. I’m going to assume some people are going to think they have until July 4th to enter. SO, I’ll actually announce the winner July 5th! Sorry about that!! So, you all have through the 4th to enter.

We hear it all the time. All the money in publishing comes from those big ticket authors. Well, not according to this article.

For those of you who don’t know, Bookscan is a Nielson service that keeps track of book sales every week. It’s an expensive service to subscribe to, but RWA has an agreement with them that lets RWA members subscribe to just the top 100 Romances. The list does not include sales at WalMart, and some other places, like grocers, but it gives you something to watch–and you know how all authors are addicted to watching numbers.

So, this week I opened up the page and began scanning with no expectations…when (wham) I saw it. Unbound made the top 100! How darn cool is that?

I think I am getting old or something because Unbound got it’s first bleh review yesterday–not a BAD review and some very nice things were said, but definitely not the raves I’ve been a tad spoiled with the last few weeks. Here’s the funny thing…my response? Kind of a shrug. Whatever. Didn’t bother me.

That means I’m getting old, doesn’t it?

Anyway, Jennifer Crusie has a great (practical) article on her blog about dealing with reviews. If you’re a writer and you are taking what someone (or a number of someones) are saying about you and your book to heart, give it a gander.

I will add to her advice of not contacting the reviewer. Good review–send a thank you. Bad review–keep your mouth shut. And this means do not respond–not even with a thank you for taking the time. I know people who have done that–it lead no where good. Suddenly the reviewer who didn’t “get” your book thinks you appreciate and want more of their “guidance”. You don’t–you know you don’t. I don’t care how well your momma raised you DO NOT REPLY.

Another little game I enjoy playing–check other’s reviews. This is not for mean reasons–it is for sanity-saving reasons. Pick one of your favorite authors some one you respect and want to emulate–have a name in mind? Okay, now trot over to whatever site or magazine gave you a bad review and look up said author. OMG!!! They gave (fill in the blank with name) a (2/D/1 bleeding heart/whatever). What were they thinking!!

Feel better? You bet you do!

Okay, now go read what Jennifer Crusie has to say. :)

Your Virtual Book Bag has been a little empty lately, but we are gearing back up with some new exciting authors. This month Unbound is in there, but I also saw a couple I had missed…here you go…

One Real Cowboy
Janette Kenny
Zebra Books March 06, ‘07
ISBN: 0-8217-8146-4

Straight From The Heart

Cord Tanner has a very simple plan: get paid to be Beatrix Northroupe’s husband for a month so the prim, but sexy, Englishwoman can gain rightful ownership of her family’s stud farm. Money in hand, he’s going to get as far away from Revolt, Kansas, as a fast horse can take him.

But Cord soon finds that he admires his Trixie’s reckless courage–not to mention she’s one great kisser. Maybe he’s crazy to hope for a real future with her instead of heading for the hills, but now that someone’s staking a dangerous claim to her farm, Cord’s decided to stick around as long as the lady needs protecting. That wedding ring he put on her finger means her reputation is safe–and he’s determined to win her heart. Cord Tanner may not be the most refined man on the frontier, but he sure is the lovingest…

4 star review from Romantic Times!

“Fans of western romance will welcome a new voice. Kenny’s powerful debut–with its seductive marriage-of-convenience plot — has snappy dialogue, appealing characters, a passionate romance and a few too-close-for-comfort accidents that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they turn the pages.”

And in the Nocturne line Caridad Pinero’s Blood Calls is still available at Amazon

Her blood called to him, but for vampire Diego Rivera, Ramona Escobar’s sensuality proved even more potent. He had to resist-for there could be no such thing as love for him. Five centuries ago Diego had vowed never to turn another with the bite of the undead. And though Diego knew the dark underworld of New York was no place for a human, his unslaked desire commanded that Ramona be his for one night.

But when the artist’s life was threatened by a reclusive millionaire who had used Ramona’s skills to build a forgery ring, Diego needed to unleash his inner demon to save her. Then he was faced with a choice-lose the woman he loved or turn her with a vampire’s kiss.

Top 10 Paranormal Books
1. Raintree: Sanctuary by Beverly Barton
2. Ghosts and Roses by Kelley St. John
3. Secrets Rising by Suzanne McMinn
4. Unbound by Lori Devoti
5. The Dead Room by Heather Graham
6. Coyote Dreams by C.E. Murphy
7. Enchantment & Bridge of Dreams by Christina Skye
8. Call Me Wicked by Jamie Sobrato
9. Dark Truth by Lindsay McKenna
10. Burning Bridges by Laura Anne Gilman

I don’t think of mom-lit as anything new, but I guess it is getting some big attention all of a sudden. Check out this article from The Independent about a hot new mom lit from England and Vogue’s decision to pimp it here in the USA. What it leaves me wondering is what is so different about this mom-lit from all the other ones we have already read. Anyone know?

If you are looking to try some mom-lit, I really like Ayelet Waldman’s Mommy Track Mystery series.

That’s right I’m giving away TWO first chapter critiques from Sean Mackiewicz, editorial assistant for NEXT and Nocturne. If you are interested in targeting either of these lines or just in getting a professional critique, this is a great opportunity. And it’s simple to enter. Just tell me whether Lusse from Unbound should be brought back in another book–yes or no. And then your reason for your answer. Keep the answers short, but with a little meat.

I’ll announce the winners here on July 4th, and the winners will have until August 1st to get the chapter together and to Sean. Good Luck!!

Oh, yeah and how to enter… email your answer to me at winacritique@loridevoti.com.

I can’t wait to read your entries. :)

I just got back from my second writer’s conference in as many weeks. This was my local chapters’ (WisRWA) and there were a number of guests including Claire Eddy of Tor, Kathryn Lye of Harlequin, Pam Hopkins, Michelle Grajkowski, Vivian Beck, Elaine English, Lani Diane Rick, and Anna DeStefano.

I did something a bit different this time. First I had a room to myself–heaven. Second I chose to skip many of the sessions and instead network or write. Also a great choice. In the past I have obsessively attended all the sessions, but (and this is no insult to anyone) the more you go to conferences the more you hear basically the same information. And while you can always pick up some new pearl, the chance to network or have uninterrupted time to yourself to write is also rare. I just chose to go that route this time. I did pick up a few things that might interest others though.

Kathryn Lye talked some about the Blaze line and the changes they have been making in the line. It is growing broader. It sounded like they felt readers were getting too much of the same story. They have introduced paranormal elements and even have a historical coming out. The sensuality level is what still needs to be there for a book to be a Blaze. They also have a new twist coming up called Blush. I think this is just going to be a part of Blaze, but the lighter ones. She said she didn’t want to use the term romantic comedy because that brought a certain type of book to mind, but lighter…like the old Temptations.

Elaine English did a great session on copyright law. I highly recommend it or the session my friend Teresa Bodwell has to anyone who hasn’t attended such a session in the past.

Anna DeStefano talked about the importance of revisions. Anna spends 30 days (yes, I said 30 days) writing a first draft and another 30 days revising. She does things like pulling out all scenes written from a particular characters POV and reading them separately. I found this interesting because I do this too. It can really help with being consistent and showing change in the character. Since I write with WriteWay Pro, it is easy to pluck these scenes out.

Aside from that, it was also great to spend time talking with people. Hearing what others have gone or are going through can really help you refocus on what you need to do yourself.

I also took some time to go to the local mall and sign stock at Waldenbooks. The people there were really nice and I actually sold a book while I was there. Friday night at the conference we also had a booksigning with books supplied by Waldenbooks. Borders Stores are very supportive of romance and I like supporting them too. My kids certainly loved the puzzle and stuffed penguin I bought for them there.

Oh, and my local chapter awarded me with the annual Service Award. This was a total surprise and really nice. :) Thanks to all of them!