For that reason, I’m offering some fabulous items for you, my faithful Minions, to fight over–uh, bid on. Here are my offerings:

For Readers — Signed copies of BLOOD LAW and BLOOD SECRETS
*Two listings are available: Listing 1 and Listing 2

For Writers — Critique of a partial (up to 200 pages!) unpublished manuscript!
* Any genre
* Critique will focus on plot, pacing, and character development
* Manuscripts are due for review no later than August 31, 2012
* Maximum of a two (2) month turn around
* Follow up emails and/or phone call

I rarely offer critiques so this is huge. If you’re looking for feedback on a project, here’s your chance.

Tons of great items from outstanding authors are available. If you’ve never considered bidding on something, please consider it now. Support a great cause and win some seriously awesome stuff.

Thanks!

-Jeannie

Am I becoming a hermit? Am I stricken with some unnatural ailment? Am I secretly a spy for the planet Rcaror 9 and have received the long awaited signal that orders me to steal the lint from everyone’s left pocket so that our beloved Queen Musethy may use it to create a comfortable bed upon which she will spawn a horrible demented race of Jethro Tull-worshipping space zombies?

Not really.

The truth is that I simply want to spend more time at home actually writing and less on the road talking about writing. (Plus that pocket lint isn’t going to collect itself!) Therefore, I’m limiting myself to events/appearances that are within easy driving distance or can be done from the comforts of my writing cocoon.

As always, I’ll update the Events list as they are added to the schedule, and you can always find me Inside the Pod, every Tuesday, with my fellow Ninja Peas, Michelle Ladner and Alexis Lampley.

- Jeannie

A wonderful collection of stories of supernatural love by Sharon Shinn, Dru Pagliasotti, Caridad Pineiro, Jennifer Estep, Gwyn Cready, Carolyn Crane, Jeannie Holmes, Anna Campbell, Julia London, Christie Ridgway, Holly Lisle and Liz Maverick. In happy-ever-after endings, ghosts come to life so that lovers can be united in the flesh.

I’m honored to be a part of this incredible anthology and included among such tremendous talent. My short story, Seventeen Coppers, is a steampunk-inspired fantasy romance: Ro Vargas is hired to steal a soul but who will save hers?

Release date: August 7, 2012
Publisher: Running Press
ISBN: 9780762442690
Paperback and e-format

Currently available for pre-order through Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and your favorite local indie stores!

Congratulations to…

Ruth T and CraftyHope!

Please email your shipping address to contest AT jkholmes DOT com by 11:59PM, Saturday, February 18.

Thanks, again, and I hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine’s Day!

-Jeannie

So here’s the deal:

1. Leave a comment on this post listing your favorite sappy love song. You know the one’s I mean. The 80′s power ballads. The 70′s peace and love and happy fluffy bunny cloud folk songs. You love ‘em. You hate ‘em. You hate to love ‘em.

2. Contest begins February 13 and ends 12:00AM (midnight) February 15. Winners announced February 16.

3. Two lucky winners will receive signed copies of both BLOOD LAW and BLOOD SECRETS.

4. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random.

5. Due to the short time frame for this contest, I’m restricting it to US readers only. (Sorry, International Readers! I’ll include you in the next one.)

Have fun and good luck to all!

Sadly, I have to report that the Alexandra Sabian series is currently without a publisher.  Naturally, as an author, I’m disappointed and a little frightened to be “homeless,” but I’m not the first to face this problem nor will I be the last.

So what does this mean for Alexandra Sabian Book 3? Selling an established series isn’t the easiest task. I won’t bore you with details but many factors play into a new publisher’s decision to buy or pass. After some serious wailing, gnashing of teeth, head banging, and soul searching, I’ve decided to continue writing Book 3 in the hope that the series will continue. However, the fate of the series remain uncertain, and for that reason I’m also pursuing other projects. (No, I can’t tell you what those projects are at this point. Sorry.)

I’m sure some of you will wonder what you can do. Honestly, the best thing anyone can do for any authors who find themselves “homeless” is to buy their books. Tell your friends to buy the books or buy the books for them as gifts.
I don’t know when I’ll have news to share about the Alex series or new projects but rest assured I’ll gladly pass it along to my readers when the time comes.

Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone who has supported Alex, Varik, Stephen, Tasha, and all the colorful residents of Jefferson, Mississippi. It’s my sincerest wish to see their story continue and can only hope the opportunity will come.

Much love and blood…
Jeannie Holmes

We launch with a brief history of how we came to be critique partners, but more importantly friends who love and support one another through the trials and tribulations of the publishing industry… and who will gladly sacrifice one another during a zombie apocalypse due to highly developed senses of self-preservation.

INSIDE THE POD isn’t a “how to” blog for writers or a “guide” to publishing. Instead, it will focus on how our little band of misfits works together to make each of us the best writers we can be. We’ll also discuss books we’ve read — not reviews but actual discussions — and off a glimpse into the chaotic silliness that comes with our weekly critique meetings.

It’s all in good awesome nerdy fun so be sure to head over to the POD and say “Hi!” to the Ninja Peas.

As of right now, I have no public appearances scheduled for the rest of the year. However, I do have a couple of online events in the works.

-Jeannie

Go. Read. Enjoy.

Sleeping Beauty: An Alexandra Sabian Story

(Oh…and a signed copy of BLOOD SECRETS is also up for grabs…in case your interested. International readers are welcomed as always.)