Results tagged “jacqueline carey”

I cannot believe it has been a year.

I guess it is true, the old adage: Time flies when having fun!

It has been an interesting year, one filled with magic, wonder and learning. Suvudu launched right before the 2008 San Diego Comic Con on July 18, 2008 and covered that convention with a few hearty souls who fought through the masses of fellow geeks and nerds to bring great video content of the event to the internet(s). We had hopes but we really didn’t know what to expect with the website. Like any newborn, it could grow in many different ways, shapes and spurts. We were confident, however, that we had something to offer connoisseurs of fantasy and science fiction in books, movies and comic books—and we weren’t wrong.

Thankfully, Suvudu was well received and then took off into the stratosphere.

Looking back, Suvudu has grown considerably. I contributed the initial launching post HERE, and since then we’ve had numerous editors, publicists and writers blog about an array of topics.

Like Ali Kokmen, Del Rey employee and Manga Expert!

Oh. Wait. We’ve done far more than standing Against the Darkness!

Continue on to read a year in mini-review as well as what we have planned for the future!

When I think about what it takes to be a writer, multiple ideas immediately come to the fore—long hours slumped over a keyboard, deleting of numerous characters and insertion of countless others that may survive, the solitude of being left alone to tell a story that others will read in solitude to enjoy, and the aggravating unknowing knowledge that the story might come together and yet might not.

But I’ve discovered for myself finally that there is so much more that goes into it.

The hard way.

It took me a total of twelve months to write the first draft of The Dark Thorn, my contemporary fantasy that takes place in Rome and Seattle and weaves Arthurian Legend, Celtic Mythology, the history of the British Isles and the history of the Vatican. To me I felt like it should have been wrapped up six months earlier by some internal deadline I can’t even begin to explain. By the time I entered the final four-month stretch, I poured my heart into it. In the morning I wrote for Suvudu, usually only eating a very brief breakfast of wheat toast, before then jumping into the book. I would write until late afternoon and by that time I had the shakes from no lunch. After a good dinner out somewhere I would write some more at night before going to bed and begin anew the next day.

Once I finished the first draft, I felt good about it—but something was not right.

I thought it had to do with the book. I thought it had to do with my main character, Bran Ardall, who seemed devoid of personality. I gave the book to Terry Brooks, a close friend and someone I knew would not pull any punches. He read it right quickly. I soon received his comments and suggestions, and while very positive I still had a lot of work to do to make it a “great” book—and I of course want it to be great, not just good.

I spent a solid week thinking about nothing but his thoughts and how I could improve upon The Dark Thorn. I barely left the apartment. I kept away from friends and family as I mostly had for four months. Why the hell did I feel so terrible? Why had it taken me so long to finish the book? Why did I feel like my entire life had crumbled and I had nothing left?

It wasn’t the semi-rejection of the last twelve months of my life. After the first three of fifteen or so rejection letters on my first book, I had overcome the resentment and anger that usually surfaces from such denial.

So what was it?

As it turns out, having asked advice from Patrick Rothfuss, Vicki Pettersson, Tobias Buckell, Chris Evans, Jacqueline Carey, Robert V.S. Redick and Peter V. Brett, it is something that most writers deal with.

On Monday, June 29th, author Jacqueline Carey came to Seattle on tour in support of her new books, Naamah’s Kiss and Santa Olivia.

As usual, she stopped by The Signed Page to sign copies for her fans all over the world. You can read about that online signing HERE.

But after that signing, she had her normal event at the University Bookstore where she met with her adoring fans to read from her forthcoming 2010 book Naamah’s Curse as well as answer questions and sign books.

Suvudu was there to video it.

Here are five videos taken from the event, Part 2 being the reading from her next book, Naamah’s Curse! Enjoy!

Part 1 - 2009 Jacqueline Carey NAAMAH’S KISS Event - Intro

Author Jacqueline Carey came to my home office yesterday to sign hundreds of copies of her new books, Naamah’s Kiss and Santa Olivia, to be sent to people all over the world.

It was the sixth or seventh time we’ve conducted an online signing together.

What is an online signing, you ask?

It’s simple. For the author it is like any number of drop-by bookstore signings they may do while on tour.

For fans, however, it is an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have.

I began The Signed Page almost ten years ago to bridge a gap that exists between the touring author and the fan who is unable to attend a bookstore event. In my youth I was that fan. I grew up near the base of Mt. St. Helens, far from any city an author might tour through and getting a signed book from a favorite writer was like pulling teeth. When I could get a signed copy it left my wallet coughing moths.

Once I moved to Seattle and was knee-deep in writers, I saw an opportunity for fans all over the world who had been like me. I devoted The Signed Page to bringing signed and personalized books to those fans who are unable to meet with their favorite touring writers. An author can only visit so many cities per book release, leaving many fans worldwide unable to attain a reasonably-priced signed or personalized copy of their favorite author’s new book for their collection.

I can’t count the thousands of books I have shipped all over the world—purchased at cover price.

And in the almost ten years I’ve been doing this, I’ve never really showed the steps I go through for the writers who sign books for their fans. So I photo documented the process with Jacqueline Carey and her newest books!

Packing 500+ lbs. of books up three flights of stairs is fun!

Continue on to see another 15 pictures with captions of the steps I go through getting signed books to those who love them!

It is Saturday! Drink that coffee! Eat the croissant! And sit back and relax while reading some of the interesting posts made by fans of fantasy and science fiction this last week!

In unordered intention:

• Review: Jacqueline Carey’s Naamah’s Kiss by Fantasy Book Critic
• Review: James Enge’s Blood of Ambrose by A Dribble of Ink
• Review: Judith Tarr’s Bring Down the Sun by Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review
• Comment: Terry Goodkind’s Fantasy Retirement by The Wertzone
• Review: C.E. Murphy’s The Pretender’s Crown by SF Site
• Comment: Pathetic… by Pat’s Fantasy Hotlist

Editing a book can be such a gratifying and horrifying experience.

I finished the first draft of The Dark Thorn two weeks ago, a book I have high hopes for as it is easily the best thing I’ve written to date. It took just shy of a year to write. By the end of that year I felt really good about the book and how it came together—the character arcs are solid, it is loaded with fantasy elements woven into our world’s history and the overall story has a subtextual resonance for those who enjoy such things. Reading over the last few chapters to make sure I didn’t miss the conclusion to an open plot thread, I knew I would have an easy time giving the book a quick line edit and getting it out to the agent who is interested in it.

After taking two days off to celebrate, I started editing from the first chapter on.

And was aghast.

I have a fairly critical eye and even more so when it comes to my own work. I don’t become attached to something I’ve written or feel the need to protect it at earnest like many young writers do. Able to separate the work from my ego, I saw a book I could not possibly have written.

I still have a hard time taking responsibility for the first few chapters. What the agent initially saw in them I’ll probably never know.

Here is what I do know.

In the almost thirteen years I’ve been working in the publishing industry, that time spent frequenting publishers and bookstores and websites and writers’ lives, I’ve learned a great deal about the business of publishing—from editor in chiefs to readers.

The saddest truth I’ve discovered in all of that time from readers is this:

• There are a lot of people in the world who consider themselves writers.
• Few of those people actually finish a novel.

You would think with so many sitting down with a pad and pencil or before a keyboard that there would be more people completing what they have started. It isn’t the case though, at least from what I have seen. Every day I receive emails from fans of established authors broaching the subject. Those email discussions go something like this:

• “How do I get published?” the curious emailer asks.
• “Have you finished your book?” I write back, already knowing the answer.
• “No, I haven’t,” the curious emailer responds. “But I just want to know how to get published.”
• “When you finish your book,” I reply with, I have to admit, a snarky grin on my face, “I will help place you on the path to getting published.”

99.9% of the answers are similar to that very simple exchange. And despite my very sincere offer of helping those people get their work in front of agents and editors, only twice has someone written me back after completing their book. Twice! Out of thousands of emails I’ve received and responded to.

The sad part of that equation is that many people don’t know what it feels like to finish a novel.

And oddly, from what you will read, maybe they are the lucky ones!

Yesterday I finished the first draft of The Dark Thorn, a book I am calling an “urban quest fantasy,” as it has elements of urban fantasy and high fantasy thrown together in a hybrid incorporating Celtic mythology, the history of the British Isles, the history of the Vatican and Arthurian legend. Having finished one book before, I am also aware of the amount of work still needing to be put in. There are scenes that need to be rewritten. There is an overall line edit I need to complete. There is a query letter to write and rewrite until perfect. There is a summary and an outline I should create in case I am asked for them. There is a marketing platform I should put together to show why and where my potential sales will come from. All important.

While that forthcoming work hangs upon me, I am still giddy with the realization I finished my second novel. When I wrote the last word of the book and saved the file, I sat back in my chair, stretched, took a deep breath, and all other ills in my life went away. I had done it. I had finished it. There was not another word to write. A complete story had been saved on my computer—and backed up elsewhere. I left my apartment to visit my favorite watering hole. I didn’t take my laptop for the first time in a year. I had a glass of wine. I sat and watched the USA beat Trinidad & Tobago in a World Cup Qualifying soccer match and didn’t feel guilty about not working on a story centered around other characters. After all, that story was finished!

But what is it like when an already published author finishes a first draft?

How do they feel?

What goes through their head?

I asked several of my writer friends last night what they feel upon finishing a first draft. Here is what they had to say:

Jacqueline Carey posted her monthly update on her website today, and included in it is a link to Chapter One from her forthcoming summer release, Naamah’s Kiss!

• Read Chapter One of Naamah’s Kiss

Jacqueline will also be touring for Naamah’s Kiss and signing a limited amount of online copies at The Signed Page!

Almost makes me want to get a tattoo…

I am a big fan of author Jacqueline Carey, but not for the reasons you might think. I think she is a very talented writer, a gifted wordsmith and storyteller for sure, and the three or four books I’ve read have been great, but the woman is, quite simply, one of the sweetest people I know. I just love it when great writers are coupled with great personalities, and Jacqueline is the epitome of that.

She also gets the best covers in the industry, in my opinion! They are always beautiful, always sexy and always vibrant.

Well, after doing some internet(s) surfing today, I ran across the cover for Jacqueline’s forthcoming book—Naamah’s Kiss! And it’s another stunner! Lucky Jacqueline!

Naamah’s Kiss is the first book in a new trilogy and will be released in June 2009. I’m looking forward to it! More information on it when it becomes available!

Jacqueline Carey is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is one of those writers I really admire for all aspects of her professional life; she writes a large book every year and delivers a quality few writers attain; she goes out on tour every June and meets thousands of her fans; she goes to several conventions a year and gives of her time when it isn’t necessary; and she keeps her website updated like clockwork at the first of every month.

In short, she is a writer who not only writes but loves and respects her fans. Some writers are not so accessible.

She is the hugely popular author of the Kushiel series, which begins with Kushiel’s Dart. She also wrote one of the more fascinating takes on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings epic with the duology The Sundering, which tells the story from the point of view of the losing side. If you haven’t checked out Jacqueline’s work, do so!

Below is Five Questions with Jacqueline Carey. Enjoy!

Suvudu: When did you start writing? Why do you write?

Jacqueline Carey: Teachers love this story… not! I began writing because I was bored in high school. I started a novel in the back of my notebook. It kept me occupied, and since it looked like I was industriously taking notes, no one bothered me. As it happens, I got hooked on the process and never stopped. I write because I love writing.

S: Describe your writing day? How many words/pages do you write a day on average? Breaks? How much time do you spend editing and how do you go about it?