Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

Another crazy day ahead of me. January was a blur of crazy days and the non-stop snow didn’t make them any more sane.

Today I have spin class–which I am going to because I had to skip the last two weeks. Then I’m meeting some writer-types for lunch, then I have a book signing at Waldenbooks at West Towne Mall in Madison, Wisconsin. Kathryn Albright and Kathy Steffen will be signing with me.

Then you get into the normal life stuff–like the library and Target. The fun never ends–especially since at that point I will be dragging two horse anchors (excuse me, children) along behind me.

Remember when you were seven and Saturdays basically meant getting up, eating a donut and watching Scooby Doo? Those were the days. Now I run in fear if someone shows me a donut. (Do you know how long I’d have to spin to burn that thing off?)

On other fronts, I have news. Harlequin is starting a fun new program called Nocturne Bites. They are 10 to 15,000 word short stories that will be available as downloads only from eHarlequin. If you are familiar with Spice Briefs it’s the same idea. I’m not sure what the price will be. Spice Briefs are under $3. Anyway, I’ve been asked to write one–so I’m looking for ideas of a character people would like to know more about. I’m thinking a hellhound. Thoughts? It’s going to be a short, sexy read with some action because I gotta have that action.

I’ve also been asked to participate in another project for Nocturne, but I’m not going to say too much about it just yet. I will say it is something outside of my Unbound world. I just started on it, but I think it is going to be fun to write. Always good to try something a little different now and again…

Thanks to Nancy for alerting me! Here’s a link.

I’m interviewed at Reading Is So Much Fun today. She’s also going to be posting excerpts from my books–including one from my June release, Wild Hunt (Venge’s story). Oh, and I’m giving away two copies of Unbound.
Stop by!
Lori

Here’s a list of all the finalists in my category…

• A Knight’s Wish by Linda Andrews, Zumaya Publications
• Unbound by Lori Devoti, Silhouette Books
• Rapture by Renee Field, Ellora’s Cave/Imprint - Cerridwen Press
• Threads by Michelle L. Levigne, Amber Quill Press

And my friend Kate Rothwell - or her naughty half, Summer Devon, also finaled in Erotic Romance Fantasy/Paranormal for The Knight’s Challenge published by Samhain Publishing.

Congrats, Kate!

At The Good, The Bad, and The Unread. Of course, it’s good or I probably wouldn’t be posting the link here now would I?

Seriously, it is unbelievably rewarding when a book you wrote somehow speaks to someone. That sounds horribly melodramatic, strikes a chord? Whatever. You know what I mean. They “get” it.

Thanks to Sandy M. for posting it.

I’ve been working on bookmarks and new bookplates for Guardian’s Keep, which focuses on Garm instead of Hellhounds. Garm deserve their own set of goodies, don’t you think?

Anyway, as I was doing this, I thought some people might like web versions to put on their blogs or sites. So I made them.

To get your own versions, just paste this code where ever you want the bumpersticker to appear…

Garm Bumper Stickers:
The one shown that says “Blog”

 <img src="http://loridevoti.com/freebies/BumperGarm.jpg"> 

And slightly different versions one that says “Page” instead of “Blog” for MySpace, etc.

 <img src="http://loridevoti.com/freebies/BumperGarmPage.jpg"> 

And one that says “Site”

 <img src="http://loridevoti.com/freebies/BumperGarmSite.jpg"> 

Hellhound Bumper Sticker:

 <img src="http://loridevoti.com/freebies/BumperHellhound.jpg"> 

My friend Caroline Linden posted an interview with me on her web site. She asked WAY better questions than I do. Here’s the link.

Amazon is causing quite the buzz with their new Kindle reader. In case any of you have Kindle on your wish list this Christmas, I thought I’d let you know that my book is available in a Kindle edition.

I have a couple of books in eformat, but I read them on my phone–not the best way to read a book, but it is convenient when you are stuck waiting for the dentist or something. At some point, I’d like to try an ereader, but I’m a tad hung up on the price–not of the devices so much as the books. Doesn’t it seem like a book that doesn’t have the cost of printing attached to it should be cheaper than a printed version?

Anyway, the good news is, if you have a Kindle looks like they are selling books for it (right now) at a discount. So if you have one, load up. :)

Lori

That’s right–I was a very good writer today and got in ten pages for my next Nocturne proposal. This one, if it sells, would be Nocturne #4. It features characters from my January Nocturne–Guardian’s Keep. Like Guardian’s Keep the hero/heroine know each other when the book starts. There are some major benefits to this set up–especially in a shorter book.

Anyway, this was my first day of “real” writing since school started and I got some quality time to myself. Before this I’d been doing revisions and plotting. I have a hard time judging my output on those days. But writing–you get the hard core word count to go by. Being a goal-oriented, deadline driven geek–I LOVE that. Yes, I chart out daily, weekly, monthly…annual…career goals. It scares some of my friends…

Lori

It stinks some times, doesn’t it? Well, I just figured something out. To write dark I need to start with the hero’s point of view. I always do this with my Nocturnes, so maybe it is just habit, but I have just made three attempts to start a book from either a third characters point of view or the heroine’s and it came out snarky both times…not dark. I want dark.

The start of a dark book is really important to me. The start is important with any book, but with a dark book I really need to cement the mood before I can start. And, for some reason this seems easier in the hero’s point of view. Go figure.

So back to the thinking board. I have to figure out the mood…what is going on that is dark, so I can write dark. Sigh.