S.J. Day - urban fantasy novelist

Enews

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:33:08 GMT

EVE OF DARKNESS is now available on Amazon in Kindle format:
www.amazon.com/Eve-of-Darkness-ebook/dp/B002FSTJLQ/

And also in the Sony eBook Store:
ebookstore.sony.com/author/s-j-day_111324

Eve of Chaos - Now Available!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:16:58 GMT

EVE OF CHAOS
A Marked Novel, Book #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Tor Books - June 30, 2009
ISBN-10: 0765360438
ISBN-13: 978-0765360434

How do you tell Satan that you ran over his hellhound?

Evangeline Hollis has no idea and she doesn't want to find out. Living with the Mark of Cain—and the two sexy brothers who come with it—is trouble enough. She doesn't need to borrow more. Too bad Satan is too pissed to oblige her.

Incensed at the loss of his pet, Satan has put a bounty on Eve's head, and Hell's denizens are converging en masse. The proliferation of Infernals is complicating Eve's hunts and creating chaos in her once orderly life. They've also brought her to the attention of an overzealous reverend who is certain she's Jezebel reincarnate.

How can a Mark drafted by God strike a bargain with the Devil? Eve's about to find out...

Excerpt: www.scribd.com/group/76915

Video: http://www.sjday.net/trailer/

Widgets and Wallpapers: www.sjday.net/extras/downloads/

Tick Tock

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:41:26 GMT

So, the year is now halfway over. Can you believe it? I'm still trying to figure out where the time went. The 4th of July holiday is almost upon us. Anyone have any fun plans?

When I realized that it's the middle of the year, I took stock of how well I'm progressing with my New Year's Resolutions. I really had only one official goal--to read 52 books this year. I'm definitely behind, but I'm doing better than I have the last few years, so I'm hopeful that I'll catch up by year's end. I'll be picking up more new books this week and plan to finish at least two, even though I have work to do and can't take the whole week off. *sigh*

I'm also working on my fitness goals. I've lost weight, and I bought a Wii Fit last week. I haven't had any chance to use it yet, because the kids are out of school and they're enjoying it. That's perfectly fine with me. I've got another way to exercise that I enjoy. There's a park nearby that has a stream and large, tall, old trees that shade the entire route. My daughter and I walked the dog through there one day and we decided we love it. It's an amazing little park. It's right in the middle of a large residential area and yet when you're inside it, it feels like you're miles away from the city. Rabbits hop around, lizards scamper, lots of dogs being walked. My dog, Jesse, loves it, too. (I also did some clothes shopping last week, because I'm feeling good about the weight loss. That's always a wonderful feeling!)

I've also kept up with my 2008 resolution to spend more time connecting with people and less time in my cave. I've already enjoyed one retreat with friends this year and I have another one planned for the second half of the year. I've talked on the phone a lot, and made it to two local chapter meetings. It's really been good for my muse to get out and spend time with other adults, even if it's just over the phone. Email is convenient and I love that about it, but it's also impersonal. I'm glad the resolution is still working out this year.

How about you? Do you feel like you've accomplished a lot in the first half of the year? Are you on track to reach your year-end goals?

Extra: This is a big release week for the MSW gals. Toni, Debra, Heather, and I have books hitting shelves tomorrow. Toni has Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, Deb has Everywhere She Turns, Heather has Dust to Dust, and I have Eve of Chaos. Plenty of excuses to hit the bookstore this week. Congratulations to T, D, and H! Release day is always so fun! :grin:

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Stumbled Upon

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:57:00 GMT

Last week, I stumbled across an interesting blog post by author Dean Wesley Smith titled Life After Agents. Its one in a series of posts that follows a model set by the History Channel series Life After People which speculates on how the removal of humans would affect the world.

In the Life After Agents post, Mr. Smith imagines the publishing industry without agents. He stresses that agents are employees of writers and should be viewed as such. I agree. Agents are hired by authors to perform duties for which they are paid by the author. Yet its more complicated than it sounds, because an agents job is so much more than a checklist of tasks that any layman--including the author--can do. Im of the opinion that consulting and strategizing with an agent is where the value of the relationship lies. In order to advise effectively, an agent must possess knowledge that the author does not and they have to know how best to utilize that knowledge to reach the authors goals.

An agent/author relationship isnt as cut and dried as going to work and clocking in. Authors will often rely on their agents advice in order to make key decisions that will affect their entire career. An agent doesnt just submit work and forward royalty statements. At least that shouldnt be all theyre doing.

Good agents understand the authors goals, strengths, and weaknesses because they listen. They ask key questions to determine what the author wants. They help the author to map out a career plan and consider the best ways to maneuver from Point A to Point B. They will target the authors work to the house and editor where it will receive the best attention. They know which editors are making good things happen and which editors dont have the clout to muster support for a book. They know which houses have lists so full its highly likely your book will get lost in the shuffle. This type of knowledge is vital to the planning necessary to achieve personal happiness, career longevity, and increased income, and most authors need an agent to get it.

As an author whos had multiple agents and a long stretch of managing my career by myself, I believe a great agent can be priceless. The good ones would certainly be missed if they were gone.

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Fight Scene - Physical

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:37:10 GMT

Welcome to another Snippet Saturday! The following scene is from EVE OF DESTRUCTION (which hit shelves this past Tuesday.) Hope you enjoy!

* * * * * * *

“Eve!”

“Angel.”

She spun to face the two men who charged into the house. Freed from the necessity of watching the wolf, Eve took in the state of the house. Fire licked along the walls from the hallway, rushing toward the fresh air introduced through the front door. The blaze she’d started in the living room had spread to the kitchen. The whole house creaked in protest, shuddering at its impending collapse.

Alec reached her first, snatching her up and tossing her over his shoulder. The sword clattered to the floor.

“Time to go,” he muttered.

The next instant she found herself by the Porsche, disoriented and barely breathing. Around her was chaos. Twin piles of ash dotted the lawn, as did the bodies of two Mark guards. Two wolves fought with those who remained standing. The dragon was acting as cover for the Marks, spewing fire according to the directions shouted from the gwyllion, who stood on the roof of the van.

“Is he d-dead?” she gasped, clinging to Alec as the sky swirled madly above her. “Is the wolf really dead this time?”

Reed’s voice came clipped and furious, “I’d say so.”

“Are you sure?” she persisted. “We burned him up before and the son of a bitch came back.”

Alec pressed his lips to her forehead and released her. “Ash is ash, there’s no coming back from that. Can you get Montevista out of here?”

Eve blinked. “What?”

He gestured to the passenger seat where the guard laid crumbled, his black shirt glistening wetly, his throat torn and gushing. If he were mortal, he’d be long dead. As a Mark, he was damn close to it. Defenseless and vulnerable.

Reed pressed keys into her palm. “Go.”

A piercing howl rent the air. They turned their heads, saw a massive wolf on the front steps. It stared at them with bared teeth and glowing red eyes. The white diamond on its forehead told her who it was, but she asked anyway, “Is that Daddy?”

“Get the fuck out of here!” Alec yelled, his wings snapping free with such force, Eve was plastered to the hood. Reed joined the fray, the two brothers launching forward, intercepting the wolf, who charged at her full-bore while flanked on either side by two wolves.

Black and white wings, powerful masculine bodies, ferocious beasts... She was arrested by the sight. The eternal conflict between angel and demon. The battle cries and howls of pain. The smell of fire and ash, of blood and urine.

“Hollis...”

Montevista’s weak voice snapped her back to reality. Eve slid off the hood. She leaped over the driver’s-side door of the open convertible and hopped into the seat. She turned the key in the ignition and the powerful engine roared like a dream. She squealed out of the driveway in reverse, running over an attacking wolf in the process.

Gripping the stick shift, she slammed the transmission into gear and punched the gas. She adjusted the review mirror, trying to see the fracas behind her. Montevista yelled in terror. Eve’s gaze shot forward and she screamed, too. She stood on the brake. The Porsche’s rear end fishtailed wildly, the car skidding down the street passenger side first...

...straight for the house-sized, flesh-colored beast thundering toward them.

The car juddered to a halt.

“Fuck me,” she breathed, then coughed as her lungs burned. Was that the hellhound?

Turn around and run, Alec bit out. Only Infernals can kill it.

Wasn’t that just really damned inconvenient?

She looked back at the blazing house and the two winged men who circled low over it, combating the wolves that poured out of a widening hole in the ground. Satan was sending reinforcements. They couldn’t deal with the behemoth from Hell on top of that. No way.

One wolf broke free of the melee and raced toward her, foaming at the mouth and lathered at the throat. The Alpha.

Eve restarted the stalled car and spun around, hurtling toward the wolf with the same reckless intent he displayed. If it was just a game of chicken between a canine and a car, she’d know who would win. But against a werewolf... She gripped the steering wheel tighter and shifted gears in rapid succession.

A foot away from impact, the wolf leaped onto the hood, his massive claws piercing through the metal. He roared at her through the windshield, his red eyes wild and filled with evil. He lunged head first into the safety glass, shattering it.

Fucking A.

Downshifting, Eve yanked the steering wheel hard left and spun the car back around, skidding across the empty street and hitting a curb. The bump dislodged the wolf, who slid across the hood and almost fell off before gaining purchase at the very nose.

She gunned it, putting the Porsche through its paces as she accelerated toward the approaching mega-Infernal. Zero-to-sixty in less than four seconds.

“This might not work,” she shouted at Montevista.

“Go down in a blaze of glory,” he said back.

“Give me your gun.”

Montevista pulled the weapon free of his thigh holster and racked it, then handed it over. She aimed and fired through the wolf, the Glock autoloading and discharging again and again and again. The sixth bullet widened the hole in the Alpha's shoulder and pierced through the other side, hitting the hellhound. Covered in werewolf blood, the bullet penetrated the beast’s hide. Eve continued to fire, punching through the back of the wolf to injure the hound with nearly every shot.

The hound screamed in fury and lunged. Eve punched the gas. With the Alpha as a hood ornament, she hit the beast head on.

* * * * * * *

Visit the following authors to read more snippets:

Shelley Munro
Anya Bast
Cynthia Eden
Vivi Anna
Jaci Burton
Mandy Roth
Michelle Pillow
Juliana Stone
Moira Rogers
Sasha White
TJ Michaels
Maura Anderson
Beth Kery
Jody Wallace
Eliza Gayle
Kelly Maher
Elisabeth Naughton
Taige Crenshaw
Beth Williamson

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Marked Giveaway

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:16:15 GMT

Tor Books (publisher of the Marked series) is sponsoring a giveaway of the first three books in the series on Darque Reviews.

"Ms. Days very kind publicist at TOR has offered to share three sets of the first three releases in Marked! That includes the books released to date, Eve of Darkness and Eve of Destruction, as well as the upcoming release of Eve of Chaos. Three sets, the first three releases in each! This is a release day giveaway, so you have the month of June to enter, and the winners will be drawn on June 30, 2009 just in time for the release of Eve of Chaos. See the contest page for instructions on how to enter."
- Kimberly Swan, DarqueReviews.com

If you'd like more information on how to enter, visit here: Marked Giveaway

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Eve of Destruction - Available now!

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:48:32 GMT

Available Now!

EVE OF DESTRUCTION
A Marked Novel, Book #2
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Mass Market Paperback
Tor Books - June 2, 2009
ISBN-10: 076536042X
ISBN-13: 978-0765360427

When you're learning to hunt demons, homework can be hell...

Class is in, but Evangeline Hollis is far from being the star pupil. She's struggling to get through the required training to be a full-fledged Mark -- one of thousands of sinners forced to hunt demons for God. When her class goes on a week-long field trip to an abandoned military base, passing the course suddenly isn't just a matter of pride... it's a matter of life and death. There's a demon hidden among them, killing off Eve's classmates one by one.

As the body count rises, a ragtag team of ghost hunters from a cable TV program unwittingly stumbles into the carnage. Now keeping the Mark system secret competes with the need to keep the "paranormal researchers" alive. With Cain on assignment and Abel investigating a new, terrifying class of demon, Eve must fly solo on her hunt to stop a killer before he strikes again.

Excerpt: www.sjday.net/books/marked-2/

Video: http://www.sjday.net/trailer/

Reviews: delicious.com/sj_day/destruction

Widgets and Wallpapers: www.sjday.net/extras/downloads/

Conflict over conflict

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:14:45 GMT

This past week a friend of mine lamented her recent purchase of two romance novels. Her problem with both of them was the lack of conflict. It seems both stories had an external problem to work out, but internally... nada. The couple was clearly on the road to HEA, regardless. Their only problem was the external plot needed to be resolved, but as a couple, they were good to go. She asked me if this type of story was the norm now. After all, she'd picked up two books and they both had the same sort of setup.

As a reader, I understood what she was saying. I'd also noticed that some of the romances I've picked up over the last year or so lacked a "black moment." I find that so odd. If there's no question that the couple is going to end up together, where is the story? If the focus is entirely external plot, is that even a romance anymore? (internal conflict and black moments don't apply exclusively to romance, but I'm talking about romantic fiction here). I've always thought external conflicts were important because they bring internal conflicts to a head. Sink or swim. Do or die.

My friend's question tied into an issue I'd had with a book I've been trying to write unsuccessfully for months. Over the last few years, my stories have gotten progressively "darker." There's nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to switch things up when I started the new book. Both for my sake and for readers. While I believe that an author needs to consistently provide a signature experience for their readers, I also believe that familiarity breeds contempt. I think it's important to surprise yourself and the reader with something new within the framework of the author's promise to the reader. (which is really another blog post altogether...)

I spent weeks trying to come up with the first chapter. It took me months to roll past the 100 pg mark. I began to dread facing that book every day, because it was a pain in the arse to write. Nothing flowed. It took me far too long to realize that by working so hard to make the book "lighter", I'd gone too far in the other direction -- there wasn't enough internal conflict. The external plot was there, but there was a lack of internal GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) for both characters. (there was also a lack of a "ticking clock", but that, too, is worthy of its own blog post.) I was bored because the characters weren't growing. They were just going through the motions. In order to root for someone, they have to be working toward something. Otherwise, it's like going to a football game where the winning team is known to all and the players just hang out on the field until the time's up. Sure, they may be horsing around and getting to know each other, which would undoubtedly be fun to watch, but is there a story there?

The discussion about conflict spilled over to our chapter loop, where some writers agreed with my friend about missing romantic conflict and others disagreed, saying that they disliked angsty books and felt that black moments often felt contrived to them. Candy Halliday wrote a blog post about real-life black moments, because someone had pointed to black moments as the reason why they don't read romance. For me, though, I don't think conflict = angst.

So I was wondering... Can you give some examples of conflict that wasn't angsty? How do you feel about conflict in the books you read and write? How about black moments, do you think they're contrived?

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Say it aint so!

Sat, 23 May 2009 22:16:28 GMT

Contrary to some published reports, the Marked series is not and has never been a trilogy. That's important to know for a variety of reasons, so please spread the word! Thank you. :)

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Defining Moment

Fri, 22 May 2009 06:53:19 GMT

Today kicks off Snippet Saturday, a weekly round-up of snippets from various authors on various topics. Today's theme is a "defining moment" from one of our stories. Merriam-Webster defines "defining" as "characterize" and so I've chosen the following scene from EVE OF DESTRUCTION (Tor Books / June 2), because I think it shows Eve's character very well. I hope you agree.

* * * * * * *

Pausing in the center of the main living space, Eve shook off the feeling of a ghost walking over her grave. The mens half of the duplex was on the other side of the master bedroom walls and the three other females were only feet away. Yet her body was tense and her stomach was knotted. Every creepy, awful horror flick shed ever seen was brought to life by the musty smell and unfamiliar noises of the house and surrounding exterior. The illusory perception of some homicidal maniac standing behind her made her want to shiver... if only the mark would let her.

Damned sadistic imagination.

Eve. The rumble of Reeds voice hit her as the sensation of a hot summer breeze--a warmth drenched in the darkly erotic scent of his skin--engulfed her.

She reached back to him, grasping for the thin thread of awareness that flowed between handlers and their Marks. Shed heard that some Marks were able to share whole thoughts with their handlers, but she didnt have that ability. For her, it was only distant echoes of emotion. She secretly wondered if that was her fault, if she was afraid to let him in because of Alec.

Or maybe... due to more personal misgivings.

Feeling too exposed, Eve retreated both mentally and physically, stepping out of the shaft of moonlight and into the shadows. As she withdrew, she felt Reed lunge for her. She froze, startled by his vehemence. His concern and apprehension were so strong she felt them as if they were her own. Something was wrong wherever he was, something that had him checking on her and assuring himself of her safety.

Eve rolled her shoulders back. Alec and Reed had their own burdens to bear. They had more experience, but their jobs werent any easier than hers. She was a big girl and she needed to take care of herself.

Im okay, she told him. Dont worry--

A group of dark forms moved through the moonlight, arresting her in mid-thought. Their shadows raced across the patch of light on the hardwood floors.

Frightened, Eves gaze shot to the window and out to the view beyond. The street was eerie in its lifelessness. The streetlights were dim, the houses across the way were dark, the road empty of cars.

Just a flock of birds, she whispered, wishing she was one of those people who werent afraid of anything. You need sleep, thats all.

A large hunchback shape lumbered across the lawn toward the mens side of the duplex, moving in the opposite direction of the shadowy figures.

Christ, she breathed, then winced as the mark on her arm burned in chastisement. Her marked enhancements woke with a start, stealing her breath. Heat flared across her skin, misting it with sweat and blackening her vision. Shed ridden on a rollercoaster once that had made her feel much the same. The car had shot from the station like a bullet, building speed with every second, hurtling her toward a towering precipice framed with a ring of fire. Her fever returned with a vengeance, but instead of wiping her out with exhaustion, she was possessed by a wild, edgy energy.

Eve sprinted to the front door and disengaged the locks. She looked outside, engaging her nictitating lenses to see. The two guards who had been stationed at the front and kitchen doors were already in motion, running stealthily around either end of the hedge fence that bisected their property from the neighboring one.

But they were heading in the opposite direction of the hunchbacked form.

Her gaze lifted beyond their retreating backs. There were other unwanted visitors out there. She could see what looked to be half a dozen tall and lean forms moving rapidly in a disjointed pack. They prevented her from calling out to the guards or even whistling.

She glanced down the hallway at the other bedrooms and considered waking the girls or at least grabbing her gun. But Infernals had hearing as good as hers and trying to keep quiet while performing either action would eat time she didnt have. If that lumbering thing was after Gadara, she couldnt allow it to get any closer.

Threats are to be neutralized, not minimized, the archangel had taught. Do not prevaricate. They learn with every confrontation and you do not want to give them the chance to ambush you in the future.

Go, she muttered to herself grimly. You can scream for help after you stop it.

Locking the door behind her, Eve took off around the front of the house. Blood lust spurred her stride and her muscles flexed in anticipation. Her senses were so acute she could hear the faint sounds of a television show coming from an occupied house a couple blocks away.

Usually archangels were ensconced in buildings filled with Marks who acted as an early warning system. It was impossible for a stinky Infernal to sneak past all of them and get to an archangel. At least it had been impossible before the creation of the Infernal mask. Now, all bets were off.

Gadara had only four guards to protect him and a class of newbie Marks who couldnt even smell whatever the poodle had detected.

Kicking off her sandals, Eve ran barefoot across the coarse dead grass that covered the shared lawn. Ahead of her, the bulky creature rounded the front of the duplex and disappeared down the cement pathway that led to the entrance of the mens side. A light was on in the living room, but a sheet had been draped over the window, blocking the view of the interior. As Eve ran past, she heard Gadara speaking. The resonance of his voice betrayed his power, creating a potent lure to an ambitious Infernal.

You can do this. She deliberately ignored the size of the Infernal she hunted. The demon was easily six and half feet, with massive shoulders and a protruding back. Eve had no idea what class of Infernal fit that description or what its specialty might be. It could have razor sharp teeth and claws, or it could spit fire like the dragon that killed her on Sunday. Or perhaps it had some other, deadlier talent.

Dont think about it.

* * * * * * *

Visit the following authors to read more snippets:

Lauren Dane
Cynthia Eden
Vivi Anna
Moira Rogers
Leah Braemel
Mandy Roth
Anya Bast
Viv Arend
Juliana Stone
Beth Williamson
Elisabeth Naughton
Michelle Pillow
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
McKenna Jeffries
Sasha White

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Big Bad Wolf

Mon, 18 May 2009 20:19:07 GMT

I'm in the mood to give something valuable away, so I've got two advance reading copies of Jordan Summers' upcoming SCARLET, Dead World #2 (Tor Paranormal Romance, $6.99; June 2, 2009) up for grabs. If you'd like one, just give a shout out in the comments re: what you liked best about RED, Dead World #1. I'll pick two winners on Friday.

Good Luck!

** UPDATE **

Winner: Greta

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Finding My Way

Mon, 18 May 2009 09:35:55 GMT

There are times when I feel as if I'm somewhat of a veteran writer. I look at my backlist and numerous publishers, and think I've experienced a lot. I write in a variety of genres and lengths. I've had three agents and several editors. Haven't I done just about everything?

Then there are the times when I realize I don't know much at all. Times when a new experience hits me right between the eyes and I understand that there are facets of this business I haven't seen yet. Things you can't prepare for. Things you see coming but you can't avoid them, even when you try.

For me, the hurdle I tried to leap but tripped over is what writers call "burn out." It doesn't happen overnight, but if you keep dipping the quill and not refilling the well... Well, it happens. Maybe not for everyone, but it happened to me. I've been dealing with it for a year and a half now. Seems like a long time, doesn't it? It does to me. But contractually, I couldn't take any time off. I continued to write.

Oddly enough, I think the books I've written while "burned out" are my best work yet. So, what's the complaint?

Writing is a lot more of a struggle than it used to be. Every day, it became harder and harder to write effectively, and I accomplished less and less. Dehydration. Slow and steady, the pool of creativity grows shallower until it's completely gone. The joy of writing follows suit and then it's just torture.

I tried pushing through it. I tried talking to friends about it. I tried approaching it like an obstacle and maneuvering around it. All of that was exhausting and didn't get me anywhere. Finally, I gave myself permission to stop doing anything. It wasn't easy. People were disappointed and/or angry. My family budget tightened. I felt guilty for giving myself a break. I felt defensive when prodded by well-meaning friends, as if it was even possible for me to do anything other than rest. (Seriously, there are only so many months that you can try to write and get nowhere before you realize the effort is futile. When the well is dry, stabbing your quill into it only hurts your hand and breaks the nub.)

I knew I was in trouble when I looked into the future without a driving urge to keep my release schedule hopping. I even entertained the thought of never writing again and was strangely okay with that. I just wanted a break. Whatever it took. (Which speaks to how burned out I was. Writers can't quit forever. That's like holding your breath until you die.)

Here's where my inexperience came into play. There was still part of me (the little devil on my shoulder perhaps) that said I was going about the whole "dry well, burn out" scenario wrong. I chastised myself:

Writers only get burned out only when they seriously f*ed up somewhere, so suck it up and drive on.

Screw the whiny pity party and get to work.

This is a business. You don't have the luxury of waiting for a muse.

Jack London said you can't wait for inspiration to strike, you have to go after it with a club. Definitely Mr. London knew more than I do.

Then I ran across a post by Neil Gaiman. (Don't you love when the timing is perfect?) Whatever experience I think I've got, Mr. Gaiman has gazillions more of it. And he says:

Writers and artists aren't machines.

I would rather read a good book, from a contented author. I don't really care what it takes to produce that.

Some writers need a while to charge their batteries, and then write their books very rapidly. Some writers write a page or so every day, rain or shine. Some writers run out of steam, and need to do whatever it is they happen to do until they're ready to write again.

And sometimes, and it's as true of authors as it is of readers, you have a life.

(There are more gems in the post. I hope you'll go read it.)

This is a new experience for me -- the dry well, the acknowledgment of the burn out, and the acceptance of my individual process to get back to a creative frame of mind. Neil talks about being "young, driven, a borderline workaholic, and very fortunate" and I know that's been true of me as well. (I have three single titles releasing in June!) But things change. Maybe I'm not so young (in mind and/or body). Maybe I'm less driven. Maybe I ran out of luck. If so, I might be evolving into a new creative process that involves a slower pace and more downtime. Maybe it's temporary and after awhile, I'll be recharged and tearing off again. I don't know. I'm inexperienced in this regard. But someone with experience says there are lots of ways and my way isn't the wrong way. Makes me feel much better knowing that. :grin:

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

In Celebration

Sat, 09 May 2009 05:45:23 GMT

Fantasy Dreamer is celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage month by giving away a copy of EVE OF DARKNESS. If you'd like to enter to win, stop by HERE.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is celebrated in May to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. - Wikipedia

www.asianpacificheritage.gov

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Spinning Round

Mon, 04 May 2009 18:27:31 GMT

The lovely Karin emailed me with a gentle nudge this morning about missing my MSW post. I'm still sitting here wondering where the last two weeks went! I spent a few days in Florida at the RT Convention, then a few days afterward recovering (lack of sleep coupled with jet lag is a killer!), but after that, all is a blur. I was just about to fall asleep last night when I vaguely remembered an email I'd received last week that needed answering that I hadn't yet answered. I hopped out of bed and went down to my office to take care of it, because I knew I'd forget otherwise! Such is the state of my mind at the moment. Scattered and kind of slow. Despite this lapse in effectiveness, my brain has suddenly been inundated with story ideas. I don't know where they came from or what to do with them. I'm wondering if I have to lose all reason to get creative...? Anyway, my post may be a scattered sampling of my brain contents. Could be frightening. (Just sayin'...)

I've picked up a lot of books over the last few weeks, all of them by new-to-me authors. I seem to be on a horror kick of some sort, which is interesting. I used to read a lot of supernatural thrillers and horror several years ago, then drifted away from them. Apparently my interest is back in full force, because the heavy box that arrived from BN.com last week was filled with horror and thriller hardcovers. (I was also disappointed that the only death on Harper's Island was a guy who shot himself in the leg. I must be feeling bloodthirsty lately.) Are you on any sort of reading binge now? Anything really catch your attention the last two weeks?

Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo. Since it's a weekday, we'll head out to a restaurant for Mexican food. Yum. (Just thinking about it now is making me hungry!) We lost several of our local restaurants to the state of the economy, so I'll have to do my research to find a new place to go. It's all about the salsa for me. I judge the restaurant by the quality of the salsa. Fresh and hot are two must-haves. Are you doing anything special for the day? Cooking? Going out? Nada?

A couple things going on web-wise:

I'm over at the Romantic Times message board for the next two weeks in the Ask The Author forum. I'd love it if you stopped by, even if you don't have anything to ask. :grin:

Brenda Novak's Diabetes Auction is going on now and there is a TON of fabulous stuff there. I hope you'll stop by, check it out, and find something to bid on! If you donated something to the auction, could you list it in the comments?

Happy Monday!

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Fun and Free Stuff

Mon, 04 May 2009 16:59:55 GMT

For the next two weeks (May 4-18) I'll be in the Ask The Author forum of the RT BOOKreviews message boards. Stop by and say hi, if you get a chance!

Tor created some awesome desktop wallpapers for the first three books in the Marked series. If you'd like one, you can pick it up on the Downloads page!

Celebrate the launch of the Marked Series at Mysterious Galaxy's Sweet Sixteen Birthday Bash! Join S. J. Day, Jim Butcher, Shannon K. Butcher, Alice Henderson, Jeffrey J. Mariotte, Samantha Sommersby, Kris Saknussemm, and more for a fabulous day of authors, books, and cake!

May 9, 2009
Sylvia / S. J. will be signing at 3 PM
Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore
MARKED Book Launch Party
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
Suite #302
San Diego, CA 92111
Tel: 858.268.4747

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Its Here!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:03:42 GMT

EVE OF DARKNESS
by S. J. Day

Tor Books
ISBN: 0765360411
ISBN-13: 9780765360410
April 28, 2009

Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel... All in a day's work.

For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.

Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She's also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history...

But she'll worry about all that later. Right now she's more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she'd never quite believed she had.

"Great characters and terrific storytelling in a hot-blooded adrenaline ride. A keep-you-up-all-night read."
Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Excerpt: http://www.sjday.net/excerpt/

Video: http://www.sjday.net/trailer/

Reviews: http://www.sjday.net/extras/

Sony eBook: ebookstore.sony.com/author/s-j-day_111324

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

The Mad Rush

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:21:28 GMT

Eve of Darkness releases next week! *ack* I'm trying very hard not to think about it, despite having to do so much work based around it. I get butterflies. Seriously. How crazy is that?

It's been over a year since my last new release. I've never had such a gap. I'm wondering now if I forgot what it's like the week before the on-sale date? Or if it's just more hectic this time than usual. Requests for everything under the sun have rolled in over the last several days, and I've been scrambling to get them all done before I leave for the RT Convention in Orlando on Tuesday morning. I have an article due for the Tor Books newsletter tomorrow and I still haven't figured out what I should write about. *ugh* Does anyone else find it hard to talk about (sell) their books?

So, since I'm trying to avoid thinking about work right now and I just finished watching the latest episode of The Tudors (red hot poker, anyone? Yikes), I thought I'd talk about the television shows that have managed to capture my attention this season. Is anyone else watching The Tudors. Henry VIII seems much chillier this season and less stable. I'm not sure there's anything in his life that makes him happy. The Pilgrimage of Grace retelling is painful to watch and Henri Cavill's tortured portrayal of the 1st Duke of Suffolk is brilliant.

I'm still sad over the loss of E.R. I've watched the series on and off over the years, but they hooked me again with the addition of the phenomenal Angela Bassett. It was wonderful seeing former members of the cast come back to say goodbye. I loved how they ended it with an homage to the pilot and without really "ending" it. We were left with the notion that County was going on as usual, we just won't get to see it.

I'm also enjoying the new Harper's Island. Anyone else watching it? I've Twittered about it a few times and my description of it is "entertaining in a campy, movie-of-the-week sort of way. It's combination teen soap opera and B-movie horror." Yes, I admit it, I find such things amusing. :oops: To be honest, I "skim" the show. I peek around my laptop when I think someone's about to die so I've only collected bits and pieces of the plot, but I'm still into it.

I really like Dollhouse and I think it's a shame that it was scheduled on Friday nights when I'm pretty sure the targeted demographic isn't even home. (Hence the 7 to 1 ratio of DVR to live viewers.) Fox will probably cancel the show because they haven't yet figured out that Joss Whedon is golden. I hope Joss moves to cable where they'll love him. I find myself watching more and more original cable programming.

Another cable show I'm hooked on is Dexter. I love, love, love that show and I'm eagerly awaiting its return. How will Dexter function with a wife and three kids? And Rita has really blossomed, so it will be interesting to see how her growth affects Dexter.

Wow, there's a pattern emerging here. Who knew I was so bloodthirsty...?

So what about you? What's your Must See TV? Are there any special events in your life that you're looking forward to ?

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Silk and Shadows

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:45:19 GMT

Tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14), I'll be at Silk and Shadows talking about Cain and Abel. An ARC of EVE OF DESTRUCTION (Marked, Book 2) will be up for grabs, too!

www.silkandshadows.com

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Bite of Destruction

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:57:48 GMT

I'll be over at Bitten by Books on Wednesday, April 15th with an interview and 10 Advance Reading Copies of EVE OF DESTRUCTION (Marked, Book 2).

Hope to see you there!

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Almost here

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:21:45 GMT

Countdown Complete - RELEASE: Eve of Darkness

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Spring Break

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:01:07 GMT

How is it possible that it's April already? Wasn't it just Christmas? I can't believe how quickly this year is rushing by. It's tax time! *ugh* Don't want to think about that now...

My kids are out of school for the next two weeks. It's hard for me to get anything done when they're home, unless I get up early and work on my To-Do list before they roll out of bed. Once they're up and running, all bets are off. They argue, want to eat a lot, want to go out somewhere, want me not to work, etc. I wish I'd been prepared. I could have ordered some of those cool craft kits from Oriental Trading Company to keep them busy. Nothing occupies kids so much as making a mess. At least that's true for mine. But I didn't realize they were off school for so long until today. *smacks forehead*

One day soon, I hope to be able to take a day off without it throwing me completely off my schedule. I'm not there yet, but almost. Still, we have tickets to Disney's California Adventure that expire on the 11th, so we'll be braving the crowds and heading over there sometime in the next few days. They're both so excited. They've been before, but don't remember it. I'm looking forward to seeing their wonder. I'm sure I'll pick up a few new story ideas, too. That often happens when I'm surrounded by people.

Spring Break perk: I get to sleep in for the next two weeks! I'm loving that. For me, my ideal time to crawl out of bed is 9 AM. I'm alert all day when I can do that. (I love sleeping. Am I the only one?)

Directly after they go back to school, it'll be time for me to pack for the Romantic Times Convention. Anyone else going? I used to love flying. Now I do it so often and travel so far, I'm starting to dread it. Seven hours in the same position in the same seat seems like seven days. But the time spent with friends and readers makes it worth it. I'm really looking forward to this year's RT, although I think it will be my last for a while. I can't wait until RWA comes my way - both Anaheim and San Diego. O'course SD is 7 years away... But with the way this year is going by, it'll be here before I know it. *g*

Is Spring Break affecting anyone else's week? What have you got planned?

(BTW, Tor is holding a contest now to win copies of EVE OF DARKNESS, which--finally!--releases in just 3 weeks. If you'd like to enter, head over here: us.macmillan.com/tor/promo/eveofdarkness)

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Book Giveaway

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 07:15:09 GMT

Enter to win a copy of EVE OF DARKNESS:

us.macmillan.com/tor/promo/eveofdarkness

contest ends April 13, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. ET

Other restrictions apply. Please read the rules for more information.

Good luck!

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

Hot Off the Press

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:02:17 GMT

Catch it while you can.

Originally published at www.sjday.net.

If you don't have the time to read

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:18:26 GMT

...you don't have the time or the tools to write." - Stephen King, On Writing

For the last couple of years, I've really struggled with reading. I used to read a book a day, but last year, I managed to read less than a dozen. I tried to figure out what the problem was. Was it the books themselves that caused my reading slump? Had the quality diminished? Why did so few books hold my interest? Did I have ADD? Was my internal editor too damn loud? I wondered if it was the stress of my crazy schedule that prevented me from connecting to the stories I read. I felt guilty every time I took a reading break, which is hardly conducive to getting lost in a book.

Simultaneously, my writing became a struggle, too. While I've managed to remain somewhat productive, the ease with which I used to write deserted me. Making my daily page count grew tougher and tougher, until I finally had to lower my expectations so that I didn't disappoint myself all the time. I began to wonder if I'd reached a total burnout point and even contemplated stepping back from my career altogether; an odd and distressing mental state to be in considering the multiple new series I'm launching this year.

So I started this year with a reading goal -- 52 books, one for every week of the year. I figured that was doable. I'm a really fast reader, thanks to a power reading course I took (and enjoyed). I'm happy to report that I'm ahead of my goal so far. And somewhere along the way, I got my reading mojo back. I can easily get lost in a book again. I've had all-nighters, and I've shed tears. I've laughed, and felt my heart race.

Ah, the joy of reading! How I've missed it. How my writing has missed it!

So what screwed it all up to begin with?

I'm still testing out the theory, but I think reading for me is habitual. I have to get in the groove and actively work to stay there. I have to make time, every day to read. Because if I don't, it becomes my habit to not read. It's happened to me before. From the age of 17-27, I didn't read for pleasure at all. Seriously. I gave all my books away. I had none. Not one. It wasn't until I was a SAHM that I started reading again. And remembering my dream of wanting to be a published author. And sitting at my keyboard to write several books over that first year.

My productivity has a direct correlation to how much I read. All those times I felt like I couldn't afford to take time to read a book, I really couldn't afford not to. I know that now. And hopefully knowing is half the battle. Hopefully, I'll stay conscious of my need to read and make it happen, come hell or high water.

For you writers out there who've lessened their time for reading, have you found that it affects your writing? And for the ARC of EVE OF DARKNESS that I offered up on my last blog... Greta, you won it. :)

Originally published at Murder She Writes.

Saving Daylight

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 08:24:25 GMT

I know I'm not the only one who gets thrown off by Daylight Savings. It's lovely that my husband gets home while it's still light out, but I takes me a bit to get over being tired because I stayed up too late. (like right now...)

Jumping forward in time segues (in a way) into all the jumping around I've been doing lately.

Such as jumping forward in my reading. I'm not sure when I picked up the habit, but sometime in the last few years I've started leaping forward in the books I read, sometimes skipping all the way to the last few pages before going back to where I left off. I don't do this with all books. Some keep me flipping pages in the correct order. Others, however--especially those with multiple plot threads--will have me following one particular thread while skipping the others. Hopping forward doesn't mean I don't enjoy the book. If I don't like a book, my solution is to stop reading. I just skipped around a book over the weekend and it was a great book. I really enjoyed it. There's a sequel coming up, and I'll be picking it up for sure.

I'm also jumping around diet ideas. I've contemplated a few over the last couple of weeks. Started a couple. Dropped one. Presently I'm doing a combination of things, but mostly trying to eat a lot more fruits and vegetables, as well as more organic foods (they taste a lot better). I'm also exercising more--taking the dog on longer walks, etc. I'm heading to the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando next month, which got me thinking about the RT Convention in Daytona just a few years back. I can't wear the clothes I bought for the Daytona trip now. How sad is that? They're cute, too, and perfect for a business trip in Florida. :(

I'm jumping forward in years, too. My birthday is Wednesday. I'm taking the kids to Disneyland for the day. Since my son shares my birthday, we both get in free. Even though I take them every year, sometimes multiple times a year, they're giddy with excitement. I am, too. I have so much fun hanging out with my kids. They're my favorite people to spend time with.

Since I'm feeling really good after reading a great book, eating healthier and exercising more, and anticipating a fun time this week with my family, I'm thinking I want to give away an ARC of EVE OF DARKNESS. If you're interested, let me know in the comments.

I'd also love to hear about any delicious vegetable side dishes you might love. Also whether or not you skip forward when you read books? How far do you go? All the way to the end?

Originally published at Murder She Writes.