tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141826722009-07-01T00:34:57.924+04:30Luna author and cat herder. <br /> <br /> "Being a writer is as much a creative task as is writing." <br />-- Marc Norman, author of <i>Shakespeare in Love</i>Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.comBlogger839125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-18563663487133432952009-06-30T00:44:00.006+04:302009-06-30T01:29:50.003+04:30

Just got this message from the foster coordinator for Tails of Hope, the animal rescue organization we volunteer with:We have a number of dogs in rescue right now and will NOT be taking in any more until some of these are moved. Please talk to people that are considering adopting, friends, neighbors and relatives. Please help these kids, because until they are in homes, we cannot save any others:

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-41171038662045558112009-06-26T06:14:00.005+04:302009-06-27T07:33:30.746+04:30

Ciara and Shane from Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone were interviewed over at Amberkatze's Book Blog, where Amber is generously giving away a copy of YOUR CHOICE of any of my books. I will send to the winner:a) a signed bookplate--the next best thing to an autographed bookb) a signed coverflat of Bad to the Bonec) a cool little metal bookmark engraved with a paw print and quote about dogs (or

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-36515294549640694852009-06-24T02:55:00.005+04:302009-06-24T05:28:13.614+04:30

Over on Facebook, my friend Kayley tagged me on a meme that I couldn't resist (which is saying a lot). The instructions were:Don't take too long to think about it: fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. Make sure it's the first fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.Then we were supposed to tag 15 friends, but I didn't do that. I have a (nonexistent) sign on my (

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-27097689656335138302009-06-19T18:57:00.004+04:302009-06-19T19:25:08.261+04:30

Quick reminder: I'll be at Constellation Books at 303 Main Street in Reisterstown, Maryland, tomorrow 3-5pm. There'll be a reading, signing, discussion, and most important--cookies.Last night I went to a book club meeting in Central PA where they were discussing Wicked Game. I had a ton of fun (and pizza)--it was great hearing everyone's thoughts on the characters. Really motivated me to keep

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-9120568797359774452009-06-16T20:21:00.003+04:302009-06-17T06:19:53.926+04:30

I've been promising this post since late last year, partly as a way to explain why I got so quiet online between October and January (other than Twitter, which was a lifesaver) and even canceled a few appearances, and partly as a PSA for other dog owners.This is Meadow, for those of you who haven't met her. She's a retired racing greyhound who entered our lives on May 1, 2003. As you can see,

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-43491066685219818832009-06-12T17:33:00.003+04:302009-06-13T01:39:09.943+04:30

Just a quick reminder that I'll be at Petsage, the wonderful holistic pet supply store in Alexandria, Virginia, tomorrow from 11:30am to 1pm. We're starting with some refreshments and a social half hour, then I'll do a reading and Q&A about writing and dog rescue, and then the book signing.Yes, a pet supply store, not a bookstore. I did an event there a few years ago, after the manager read my

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-51267495929419598202009-06-11T18:11:00.004+04:302009-06-17T06:40:33.634+04:30

What could these possibly have in common? More than you think (unless you're thinking, "Quite a lot," in which case, it's not more than you think).I wrote an essay about writers and workaholism over at SF Novelists. I think I've already made the First Step by acknowledging I have a problem (the other Eleven Steps are kinda yucky, so I'm stopping there).At Patricia's Vampire Notes, I expound on

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-16686365950309482009-06-09T18:39:00.001+04:302009-06-17T06:40:33.635+04:30

For our next installment in the Mostly Debut Author interview series, I'm thrilled to have Danielle Joseph, whose first novel, Shrinking Violet, came out last month.Danielle and I first met in that decrepit old bar known as MySpace (just kidding--it wasn't decrepit back then). It turned out that we had the same editor, the lovely and brilliant Jennifer Heddle. Not only that, we each wrote about

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-37579498361929128312009-06-08T18:47:00.004+04:302009-06-17T06:40:33.636+04:30

Starting to crawl out of my post-deadline cave (it's even messier than the deadline cave) and hope to start blogging again on a regular basis, at least for the next few weeks.Today I'm guest-blogging at Silk & Shadows, the group blog of several wonderful paranormal romance/urban fantasy authors, including Jessa Slade. I was honored to read her upcoming debut novel Seduced by Shadows for a cover

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-60894965795482307442009-05-26T17:04:00.005+04:302009-05-26T17:27:41.217+04:30

Wicked Game made the finals for the 2009 PRISM award, given by the Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal chapter (FF&P) of Romance Writers of America.Wicked Game finaled in the Light Paranormal category. I am thrilled to be nominated with two very funny books, and because they are so good, I predict I shall bring home my third 3rd-place PRISM certificate (after Eyes of Crow and Voice of Crow in

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-75623305508679369762009-05-22T18:02:00.003+04:302009-05-22T18:29:46.756+04:30

In the last few weeks, things have been falling into place for my teen fiction urban fantasy series, making it feel like it might really be real!I mentioned most of this in my last newsletter, but here are some more details:The first book, Shade, will be released in hardcover from Simon Pulse on May 15, 2010 (that date might shift forward or back a smidge, but basically: a year from now). Shade

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-20837598538995119552009-05-21T17:14:00.002+04:302009-06-23T06:05:09.184+04:30

I'm guest-blogging over at Witchy Chicks today, about escapism in urban fantasy versus traditional fantasy, riffing off my world-building post from a few weeks ago.Come comment to win a signed copy of that book that just came out. You know the one. (badtothebone) Even if you already have a copy, come comment so that my friends over there will think I'm cool.Also, because I'm what in high

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-42734250883638816232009-05-21T00:20:00.004+04:302009-06-17T06:40:33.637+04:30

There's a fun excerpt from Bad to the Bone over at Book Roast today, where you can enter to win a signed copy of said book by reading about how Ciara met Dexter the vampire dog and answering a fun question. It's a great site, with book giveaways most days of the week. The contest runs today only, so getcherself over there and say hi.Speaking of the vivacious and loquacious Ciara Griffin, she

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-5021371704084554782009-05-19T07:32:00.007+04:302009-05-19T22:40:35.818+04:30

Today would have been the fifty-eighth birthday of Jeffrey Ross Hyman, better known as Joey Ramone, had the world not lost him to lymphoma in 2001. (By the way, if you're in New York City, there's a Birthday Bash for Joey tonight at the Filmore--click on that link for details.) I bring up The Ramones to highlight an aspect of Bad to the Bone I haven't discussed much, what with all the attention

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-80319408497400554382009-05-19T06:54:00.002+04:302009-05-19T07:13:15.730+04:30

Once again I'll be hanging out in good ol' Hunt Valley, Maryland on Memorial Day weekend at one of the best regional sf/f conventions in the country (as described by those "in the know").Balticon's Guests of Honor this year include:Author: Charles StrossArtist: Kurt MillerMusic/Filk: Mary CrowellSpecial Guest: Scott SiglerGhost of Honor: Edgar Allen Poe2008 Compton Crook Award Winner: Mark L. Van

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-85198248562070464072009-05-15T20:16:00.002+04:302009-05-19T22:18:01.615+04:30

I'm doing the Freaky Friday feature this week at Bitten By Books. As you might imagine, things get a little odd:The apocalypse must be nigh, because not only are dogs and cats living together, they’re now interviewing each other! Dexter, the canine vampire hero from Jeri Smith-Ready’s Bad to the Bone will sit down (or maybe lie down if he gets tired) with his feline friend Antoine. They’ll

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-83527552197946371102009-05-14T19:51:00.005+04:302009-06-17T06:40:33.637+04:30

You gotta help me, babyI can't do it all by myself.--"Help Me," Sonny Boy WilliamsonAs I mentioned yesterday, I'm hard at work finishing the first in my young adult urban fantasy series (due June 1). This means I don't have as much time and energy as I'd like to promote the release of Bad to the Bone.That's where you come in. I'm holding another Spread-the Word contest. The first one worked so

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-23704611920414810882009-05-14T00:05:00.002+04:302009-05-14T00:37:18.649+04:30

I'm feeling strangely zen about the release of Bad to the Bone, maybe because I still don't know whether it officially comes out Saturday or next Tuesday. (Regardless, it's already shipping from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.) Or maybe because I'm completely absorbed in writing the first in my YA series, more big news of which I'll have on Friday. Or maybe I've matured to the point where I realize

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-65828718925829435042009-05-06T18:30:00.001+04:302009-05-06T18:33:25.050+04:30

Winner announced, and I'm back on the Island, this time with Shane McAllister doing my dirty work.Also, you have one more day to enter to win a signed copy of Maria V. Snyder's Storm Glass.That's all. Off to write. Bye!

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-53546302677587494632009-05-05T16:44:00.000+04:302009-05-19T22:18:01.616+04:30

I'll be at a book event most of the day today, but you can visit a version of me (the version who wrote my guest blog post last night) over at Desert Island Keepers.Today I'm discussing Dexter, the canine hero of Bad to the Bone. Go learn some of his basic stats (hint: his batting average sucks) and enter to win a pair of signed WVMP Radio books (that would be Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone).

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-46511092908224577292009-05-04T17:16:00.005+04:302009-05-19T22:18:01.616+04:30

They keep pullin' me back in! I was the debut guest author blogger last year at what was the shiny new Desert Island Keepers blog, a place for all things reading and movie-watching and beefcake-photos-looking-at. It was a ton of fun, so I invited myself back (I'm aggressive that way) as part of this year's Blog Whore Tour 2.0.Today my real-life hero* Christian Ready is blogging about what it's

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-72352453734782737542009-05-04T01:43:00.004+04:302009-05-19T22:18:01.617+04:30

Since I am guest-blogging elsewhere this week (details tomorrow), I'm even more excited than I would normally be to have as a special guest this week one of my favorite author friends--and favorite authors period--Maria V. Snyder!Maria's brand-new release from Mira, Storm Glass, continues in the same world as her New York Times-bestselling Study series, but with a fascinating new protagonist.

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-73460173217183776072009-05-01T17:26:00.004+04:302009-05-01T19:26:54.865+04:30

Need some nummies? Tails of Hope, the animal rescue organization I volunteer with, is having a giant Bake Sale tomorrow at the Guilford Mansion in Frederick, MD, from 11am to 3pm. One of the people making goodies for the sale is a professional chef, so this ain't your average Bake Sale with Duncan Hines cupcakes (although those will probably be available, too).If you're in the area, please stop

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-20223922201728435052009-04-28T17:24:00.003+04:302009-05-01T19:35:12.562+04:30

Whew! What a week. Finally got back from RT last night after a loooong train ride. I'll try to do a recap on the blog here, but in the meantime you can check out my Twitter comments, or just look at the pictures on Twitpic. I have a few more to upload today.No time to rest, because I'm guest blogging at Lynda Hilburn's Paranormality blog on worldbuilding in urban fantasy. I discuss the two

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14182672.post-69330566080316680692009-04-14T19:21:00.006+04:302009-04-18T08:55:12.307+04:30

Hooray, the Guest Blogging Karma has come back to me in the form of one of my favorite authors, who also happens to be a good friend. Ann Aguirre's blog is one of the few I still take the time to read on a regular basis, as she's consistently thoughtful, funny, and sharp. (Not that other bloggers aren't, mind you.)Anyway, her latest release, Blue Diablo, starts a new urban fantasy series

Jerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13986567025249948237noreply@blogger.com34