Blog

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, July 13, 2009

As often happens in publishing, book titles change. Why they change can vary and really unimportant in the grand scheme. What matters is that the title is memorable and reflects the story unfolding between the covers. With that said, my debut novel has undergone a title change and I couldn't be more excited...

CRIMSON SWAN is now officially titled BLOOD LAW

Title changes aren't made lightly and without due c ... Read More »

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, June 01, 2009

Yay! I'm so excited! I'll be participating in my first ThrillerFest panel this year! While there are tons of great panels, interviews, discussions, and events happening at ThrillerFest, I'm (naturally) most excited about this one:

Saturday, July 11

9:30-10:20 AM: Is The Para Normal? -- Discussion of the paranormal in fiction. Panelists: Wendy Corsi Staub (Panel Master), Heather Graham, Nate Kenyon, F. Paul Wilson, Deborah LeBlanc, Jeannie Holmes

I can't wait!

By Jeannie Holmes on Thursday, May 28, 2009

The finalized scheduled for CONvergence (Bloomington, MN, July 2-5) is available for review. Here's what I'll be doing and when:

Thursday, July 2

11:30-12:30 PM: Southern-Fried Vampires -- A discussion of the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris and the True Blood HBO series based on them.

Friday, July 3

9:30-10:30 AM: Writing Craft: Creatures and Character -- Writing the human and inhuman in a believable way is tough. Should the story be from the point of view of the Vampire or their significant other? What makes people love or hate a character or creature?

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Writing Craft: World and the Creatures Within-- How do you create a world with depth and reality apart from our own? Not just magic and tech but ... Read More »

By Jeannie Holmes on Wednesday, May 13, 2009

If you or someone you know lives in the Bloomington-Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area and would like to participate in the fiction writing workshop at CONvergence, I have good news:

The deadline to submit work for a closed-door critique session has been extended to May 31!

Participants in the closed-door critique session MUST register in advance. Only 10 spots available and they are going quickly! See the CONvergence website for more details.

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, May 11, 2009

It's official. My plans to attend the Romance Writers of America National Conference have been canceled. I was looking forward to it, but there's always next year. Right?

Plans for CONvergence and ThrillerFest in July remain unchanged, as well as plans for attending the Delta Blues Collection Launch Party (October 3, Ground Zero Blues Club, Clarksdale, MS) and Bouchercon (October 15-18, Indianapolis, IN).

That's all the updating I have for now. Back to work. TTFN

By Jeannie Holmes on Sunday, May 10, 2009

J.K.: July is fast approaching, which means I'll be returning to the road for the second leg of the "Lifeless Eyes Tour" to promote CRIMSON SWAN. First stop will be in Bloomington (Minneapolis/St. Paul), Minnesota and CONvergence. Here's Melpomene the Muse of Tragedy with an update. Take it away, Mel!

Mel: Thank you, J. K., for that marvelous introduction...such as it was.

J. K.: What's that supposed to mean?

Mel: You've could a done a better job of setting me up.

J. K.: I thought it was good.

Mel: Eh...

J. K.: Okay, fine. *sigh* Straight from ancient Greece and slicker than olive oil, please welcome Melpom ... Read More »

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, May 04, 2009

No, there isn't a musical in the works for CRIMSON SWAN. It would be cool if there were. If Rob Zombie where the composer/director. West Side Story or CATS, it ain't.

I've had several people ask why I listen to music while I write. Mostly it's in the form of "How can you stand to listen to that stuff while you're writing?" *shrug* It's a habit that formed in high school. I used music to drown out the sound of the CB radio my dad kept on 24/7 in our living room. It's not easy to multiply fractions or read about the War of 1812 with --

"Breaker one-nine. Catfish, ya got yer ears on?"
 
"Gofer Catfish. What'cha got, Snake-eye?"

"County mounty at mile marker twenty-three. Watch yer six. Come back."
 
"Ten-four. Catfish, out."

-- blaring in the background. Somehow Metallica and GnR were easier to listen to an ... Read More »

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, April 13, 2009

My next big conference event will be CONvergence in Bloomington, Minnesota -- July 2-5. I've been working with the organizers to create a fiction writing workshop for the con. The announcement and details were posted on the CONvergence website this past Saturday. Check it out...

Open Fiction Writing Workshop [2.5 hrs]

Workshop includes:

  • Closed critique session by instructor: The first 10-15 people to register will receive personal critiques of their work and will attend this session. Jeannie will critique one short story (approx. 4,000 words or less) or the first chapter and synopsis of a novel (synopsis usually 5 pages long). This critique includes a written summary as well as discussion during the group session. [1 hour]
  • Open writing exercises for beginner writers on how to get started [45 minutes]
  • Open writing exercises for advanced writers f ... Read More »

By Jeannie Holmes on Thursday, April 02, 2009

I just had to share this awesome review from SciFiGuy of Diana Rowland's upcoming debut novel, MARK OF THE DEMON. Check it out and then run to your nearest bookstore to pre-order MotD.

By Jeannie Holmes on Monday, March 30, 2009

This past weekend, Mark and I were in Birmingham, Alabama for ImagiCon 2009. We were a little concerned about it being the con's first year in existence, but our fears were largely unfounded. The organizers, volunteers, and fans made the entire weekend a blast and we can't wait for next year!

Friday, as most opening days tend to be, was a bit slow and there was some brief confusion over which room the literary track was assigned. However, it was quickly resolved at the first panel, Publishing and Self-Publishing, was well attended and the audience had great questions for all of us. As the day progressed, more people found their way into our panels and the discussions/debates became livelier.

Sherrilyn Kenyon
joined ... Read More »