No, no, no...not that kind of drive by. Whatever are you thinking?
Susan Lyons and I had a booksigning on the weekend at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park, WA on Saturday evening. At various points on the trip there and back, we stopped at different bookstores to autograph whatever stock they had of our recent releases.
For me, that would be Pure Sex (July) and for Susan, Hot in Here (August). Not only did the stores have our new releases...they had copies of our previous ones, too! So I signed a ton of The Hard Stuff along the way while Susan signed the first of her awesome foursome series, Champagne Rules.
What a fabulous time we had. Bookstore staff was helpful, friendly, approachable and very kind. One fellow looked up a sales history for me and I now know how many copies of The Hard Stuff and Pure Sex his location has actually sold.
But, the VERY best part was meeting, totally by accident, some readers in a great Borders Express at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, WA. If you're anywhere near that area...please stop by and talk to the wonderful staff. It's the type of store where they know what their customers like to read. Where regulars are recognized! The kind of friendly bookstore all readers love to have.
While we were in this Border Express, we met two readers. Big waves to Jessica and Sara! Jessica is one of Aphrodisia's very first readers! She told me she was thrilled to see the ad that Kensington put in the January issue of RT Book club mag, and started digging for info on the Kensington website and visits this very blog on a regular basis.
Well, I'm apologizing here for *HUGGING THE LIFE OUT OF HER* in the bookstore. I tell you, I blinked back tears to think she's been buying and reading our Aphrodisia titles right from the beginning. What a sweet thing for me to experience.
Meanwhile, Susan was chatting with Sara who loves continuing series and insisted on buying Champagne Rules so she could start with the first of her awesome foursome.
Right before we left, Susan had the foresight to ask what we as authors can do to reach out to more readers. There was a chorus from Amanda, the store manager and Jessica and Sara, "keep writing those wonderful stories".
And what a wonderful chorus to hear! Thanks so much ladies for the time you gave us, the inspiration , and all the kindness you showed.
I'm still grinning from ear to ear! My heart's warmed, my fingers are revved up on the keyboard and inside, I'm doing the happy dance.
And, no, I am not talking about me in the pict. Given how honestly unphotogenic I normally am--I swear I see the camera and turn into a complete dolt--this turned out very well and kinda reminds me of a romance cover itself.
There is more article in the hard copy version of the news article, which I am off to get (okay I am off to get donuts and coffee, the paper is just my excuse *G*), but wanted to share the ecopy with you all...
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006608200656
Posted by Jodi Lynn Copeland ::
8:24 AM ::
3 comments
It's starting at: - EST: Fri (Aug 18) at 10:00 pm - PST: Fri (Aug 18) at 7:00 pm - Central: Fri (Aug 18) at 9:00 pm - Hawaii: Fri (Aug 18) at 4:00 pm - Brisbane: Sat (Aug 19) at 12:00 noon
I know lots of Aphrodisia authors (like myself) are busy finishing books that are due, but I sure intend to take a break, pour a glass of wine, and come chat. Hopefully several others will do the same. So, come join us and have some end-of-the-week fun!
Posted by Anonymous ::
10:29 AM ::
2 comments
I was recently interviewed by the Detroit Free Press for an article on the rise of erotic romance. The article will be out this Sunday, August 20th. I will post an e-link to it when it comes out. However, sharing the article isn't the point of this post. Rather, what happened today when the staff photographer came out to take my picture.
First off, the guy was super friendly and I am by no means speaking negatively of him. He did say something though that bothered me. The comment was, "Your husband doesn't work either?"
The comment was made because my hubby was watching the kids while I was playing "pretend I like the camera"--man, do I hate that thing! I confirmed my hubby does work nights, but that wasn't what bothered me. It was the "either" part. I didn't say anything to him about this, because as noted he was a really nice guy and I don't think he really even thought much about what he said, but it's been bothering me ever since.
You see I work really hard at what I do. I forgo sleep many nights, sometimes completely, to meet deadlines. I always try to present a professional image, though I do enjoy playful chats, as well. I have given so much time, well over a decade, to hone my craft and style, help others to do the same, and finally realize the dream of being able to write full-time, aka, have a career as an author. And now it seems that some don't perceive what I do as a career.
So, this makes me wonder, what exactly does "working" entail? Do you have to put in an 8 to 5 or 9 to 5 shift to qualify? In which case, my hubby really doesn't "work" either. Is "work" a job that you hate to go to? Geez, I hope not! I would hate to think of an entire world of angry people who are that way simply because they have to "work".
What do you think? Do I work? Or am I just putting a whole lot of time and energy into a hobby that happens to pay the bills?
Posted by Jodi Lynn Copeland ::
4:38 PM ::
20 comments
Wednesdays seem to be hunk day but ... well, Monday was my hunk day and I posted my hunk here.
No, today I'm working hard on completing The Sin Club, my manuscript that's due August 31st. Given the fact that it's an erotic romance, you'd think that my mind would be full of hunks, wouldn't you? Surprisingly, it's not.
Instead, my mind is overflowing with caffeine. Probably because I've been consuming it by the gallon to burn the midnight oil.
Which made me fantasize about my trip to Paris in May where I fell in love ...
With the cafe viennois -- which is another way of saying a dollop of espresso with a half a cup of creme chantilly.
Is that coffee to die for or what?
Posted by Rachelle Chase ::
3:00 PM ::
3 comments
I think fear is a normal thing. The whimpy part of my brain is telling me something like this: Yeah, your story in PURE SEX got great reviews, and yeah, Kensington bought a whole bunch of your stories--but it was beginner's luck! You suck, and pretty soon the whole world'll know it!
This is what I have to say to that part of my brain: Suck this!
Advanced reviews for my first solo anthology NIGHT SPELL are coming in. I've received two of them this week. Here, let me show you the previews... This is an unusual anthology in that each story is as good as the next. I loved them all and am unable to choose a favorite. The author is very good at describing settings and creating likable and interesting characters. Her heroines are strong and the heroes have a little extra that makes the story. Maura Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance Reviewer for Karen Find Out About New Books From the fevered dreams of innocents to the sensual adventures of a thief, NIGHT SPELL has something for everyone. Order your copy of NIGHT SPELL today. Just a few words of advice -- grab a cool drink before starting this anthology containing both tender and scorching love. You’ll definitely need it. Lori Ann Romance Reviews Today So tonight I'm celebrating, having that martini with an extra olive!
This is in homage to that cute Asian businessman four doors down from my room at Nationals in Atlanta. OMG, he was cute! And he had a drop-dead smile. And he reminded me of this HAWT man, Jet Li!
My regret is that we didn't get to hook up...mmmm, that would have made my conference experience one hell of a wild ride!!
Posted by Vivi Anna ::
4:01 PM ::
6 comments
See how cool my two newest covers look together? And have you other authors noticed that your name gets bigger on the cover as your career progresses?
