I was stunned this morning when someone referred me to a page on the website of my former web designer, Theo Black. On it, Mr. Black shows two pieces of artwork that he made for my old site, but in point of clarity, one of them was never even used (I'd disliked the image of Bones, because I thought it looked nothing like him, so I never had that image on my old site).
Mr. Black went on to state that "On the month of November 2007 three authors canceled web site service with me in favor of more generic web sites. Their reasons for canceling service are still unknown to me." and listed my name among the three, with a link to my current website.
I am open-mouthed at the backhanded slap to my current web designer with the "generic" comment, but I won't even go there. Since Mr. Black publicly accused me of firing him without giving an explanation, I feel compelled to show the email I sent Mr. Black when I notified him that I was canceling his services. Since Mr. Black replied to that email, I can't imagine why he'd now claim that he had no idea behind the cause of our business dissolution. Normally I'd never share an email correspondence without the other person's consent, but in this case, it's in defense of being accused of something I didn't do.
Copied from our correspondence. Mr. Black's reply is on top to my email (and it was January, not November, as a further point of clarity)
***
Theo Black <mordrot@theblackarts.com> wrote:
You must do what you feel is right, of course.-Obi-Wan KenobiOn Jan 8, 2008, at 6:50 AM, Jeaniene Frost wrote:Theo,I've decided to change web designers. You do really beautiful work and I wish you all the best, but at this time, I need to go elsewhere.Since you're entitled to know why, it's because I need a web designer who will do frequent updates as part of my package. After looking at what I spent last year contracting freelance computer techs to post news, reviews, release date changes and other miscellaneous changes/updates, it simply costs too much to pay them and keep you. I have no desire (or time) to learn Dreamweaver to do these updates myself, so although that was a solution you proposed at one point, it's not one I want to utilize. I know you've been bogged down with work and I sympathize, but I need to put my career and financial interests first. I hope you understand.Again, I wish you all the best, and thank you for creating my initial web site.Jeaniene Frost
I hope this jogs Mr. Black's memory. I have no issue with Mr. Black posting images he created for my old site on his current web site, but I take serious issue with his incorrect statement that I dismissed him without giving a reason.
I'm disabling comments, and I hope Mr. Black amends his website soon so that this post doesn't have to remain up long. This whole matter makes me extremely uncomfortable.
I haven't blogged about this before, because I didn't want to make them angry (but, shh, I think they're sleeping now). About three weeks ago, the hair follicles on my legs attacked me. It went something like this:
Me: (perusing grocery store a couple days before the RT convention) "Hmm, they're all out of my usual brand of razor. Can't go to the convention all hairy, so I'll just buy this brand instead."
Hair follicles: "Don't do it. We likes our usual brand."
Me: "Oh, you'll never know the difference."
Hair follicles: "Uh huh. Try us."
I ignore them and go home, shaving thoroughly. The follicles, bald and pissed, begin plotting their revenge.
Fast forward to my second day at the RT convention. I've showered and shaved - again - and I'm sitting on my hotel room bed applying cream to my legs. That's when I saw the first of them. Not enough to alarm, there were about three or four little red dots along my legs.
Me: "I don't remember getting bitten by mosquitoes. Hm. Oh well. Must've happened when I was walking the dog back in FL."
Hair Follicles: That's right, don't worry about us. We're harmless. *summons all follicles together* SPARTANS! PREPARE FOR GLORY!!!!"
By the end of the RT convention, my legs were covered with little red dots. It looked like chicken pox, except I'd already had that. I couldn't do anything about it, since I was out of state and still had a day-long train ride before I'd be back home, so I wore long pants and wondered what the hell was happening.
I finally get home and call my dermatologist, who can't fit me in for a couple days. As if sensing a future fight, my follicles erupt into suicide-bombings that leave my legs even more hideous than they were before. I almost run into my dermatologist's office, whip up my skirt, and cry, "What do you make of THAT??!"
He looks over the plague, takes some swabs, asks me if I've done anything differently in the past week or two.
Uh oh.
I remember the razors. I list them in a sheepish voice, expecting the doctor to say, "Oh, fie! A different brand of razor couldn't cause this much damage." He doesn't. He nods and says, "Very possible. I've seen this happen before to people with sensitive skin. Here's a prescription for an antibiotic and some medicated lotion. Make sure you apply the lotion twice a day to every red dot."
I go home, and start my penance. I am now my skin's bitch. Here's my routine, twice a day, every day, for the past two weeks.
Me: *rubbing the medicated lotion on my skin* You like that, dontcha, baby?"
Hair follicles: "A little to the left, and softer."
Me: "Oooh, you want it over here? Okay, sugar, just like that...how's that feel?"
Hair follicles: "Circular motion, and don't make me say it twice!"
Me: *rubbing in circles* "Okay, okay! Is this good? Who's my cute little follicles, huh? Who?"
All swabs and biopsies have come back negative. The plague is lessening now, and of course, so as to not aggravate my hair follicles while they're healing, I've been unable to shave. *pause* FOR THREE WEEKS. My legs look like a pimple female Sasquatches, and all because I changed razors. You can bet your ass that from now on, I only buy my usual brand. I'll be like those little old ladies who refuse any new products because, "it's not what I normally use, sonny!" Yep, that'll be me. I've been schooled, and I've got the hairy spotted evidence to show for it.
So, all you sensitive-skin types, learn from the example my follicles made of me: careful switching brands. Sometimes, your body will take its revenge, and trust me, the results won't be pretty.
Happy Wednesday, everyone.
On Friday I received the good news that not only did ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE make the New York Times, Borders, and USA Today bestseller list, it also debuted at # 11 on the Publisher's Weekly bestseller list. This, of course, I thought was way cool.
What has me in full-on fangirl squees, though, is the picture ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
melissa_writing just faxed me. On page 18 of this week's Publishers Weekly, it has the Mass Market bestseller list, plus four authors highlights with their books covers and short bio blurbs on the side. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE is one of those books highlighted on the side, right under Dean Koontz's latest paperback release of THE GOOD GUY.
melissa_writing just faxed me. On page 18 of this week's Publishers Weekly, it has the Mass Market bestseller list, plus four authors highlights with their books covers and short bio blurbs on the side. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE is one of those books highlighted on the side, right under Dean Koontz's latest paperback release of THE GOOD GUY.*pause*
To appreciate why this sent me into rhapsodies, you'd have to know what a HUUUUUUUUGGGEEEEEEEE Dean Koontz fan I am. I've read him for over a decade, and the only thing I love more than his books is his story of how he broke into publishing. He's my literary idol among writers who are still alive today. To see my little book featured under something of his makes me want to squeal and burst into tears at the same time.
I will be buying this issue of Publishers Weekly, framing it, and hanging it on my wall.
Who would you most like to see a picture of your book under one day, if you could pick? Who's your (living :) literary idol?
I was going to blog more about South Beach and the totally inappropriate thing I saw a couple doing in broad daylight at the beach, but I have some news to share instead (yes, I know, most of you just want to hear about that couple, don't ya?) *wink*.
Today the numbers for the first week's sales of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE came in. Here are the results:
Today the numbers for the first week's sales of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE came in. Here are the results:
# 9 on the New York Times bestseller list
# 45 on the USA Today bestseller list
# 2 on the Borders Romance bestseller list
When my editor called me with the news, I screamed so loud in her ear that people in my office came running to see if someone was being murdered (note: the only fatality was my editor's eardrum, may it rest in peace ;).
I cannot express how blown away I am by this. It would take me several blog posts to thank everyone who had a hand in it, because it was about 10% what I did and 90% what readers and the people behind me did. So, very sincerely but inadequately, THANK YOU.
I'm celebrating with sugar and carbs. Join me for some unhealthy cyber-sweets! :-)
Yes, I've been quiet the past few days, but I have a good reason. melissa_writing was in Miami for stops on her tour for INK EXCHANGE, and Miami is only an hour and a half from where I live. So, needless to say, I drove down to see her (but if my editor is reading this, I was at my computer doing revisions for book three. Honest ;-)
melissa_writing was in Miami for stops on her tour for INK EXCHANGE, and Miami is only an hour and a half from where I live. So, needless to say, I drove down to see her (but if my editor is reading this, I was at my computer doing revisions for book three. Honest ;-)So, for those of you who don't know, South Beach can be an, um, interesting place. Case in point #1: Melissa and I are walking along the streets, window shopping, and as I'm white as a ghost and rolled out of bed to drive down without packing sunscreen, I'm looking for a convenience shop or pharmacy to buy sunscreen, SPF Vampire Strength (heh). Along the way. a young man asked Melissa to take his picture (she did). Then, we asked him if he knew where a drug store was to get some sunscreen.
*pause*
That's not what this young man THOUGHT we said. In a very helpful, chipper way, he directed us to go two blocks further and then hang a left, where we would find someone who could sell us the weed we were looking for. Seems he interpreted "drug store" and "sunscreen" as "drugs" and "green", and was probably wondering why I'd pointed to my skin when I was saying I needed to get some right away. And they said Floridians aren't helpful *wink*. We did find a drug store for the sunscreen (never did walk that path where the weed was) and after a slather of that and a big hat later, we were off again without me turning into a piece of broiled bacon. Shopping ensued. So did walking by the beach (yes, I was melting in the heat, while Melissa was just fine over it, damn her), and then we went to her signing event, where a couple of Melissa's teen fans dressed up in Summer Girl costumes. Yes, that was neat to see.
More South Beach scandals coming up in a later post. Have to go to work now.
Happy Wednesday, everyone! (and before anyone asks, no, I won't tell you where the weed is, lol).
The prize for today's Get Your Grave On instant winner contest is twofold. You get a signed copy of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, plus a copy of the newly-released MAGIC BURNS by Ilona Andrews, which is the second book following Ilona's popular urban fantasy debut, MAGIC BITES (and now, I encourage everyone to go to Ilona's blog and tell her that Kate and Curran must have sex. Yes, you can say I sent you. I'm not ashamed, 'cause Curran is hawt ;-).
So, here's today's pop quiz question from HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE:
What is the name of Cat's neighbor, who tells Bones, "I don't mind foreigners. God save the queen!"
First person to comment with the correct answer, wins.
Ready, set, Grave! :)
***Update*** Congrats toshina_laris , who was lightning fast with her correct answer of Timmie.
***Update*** Congrats to
shina_laris , who was lightning fast with her correct answer of Timmie.(hint: my final Get Your Grave on contest will be later tonight on MySpace)
So if you missed out in the last two Get Your Grave On contests, you can go here for another chance at free books. Winner will be chosen by random drawing. Comment over at Urban Fantasy Land for your chance to win!:
http://urbanfantasyland.wordpress.com/20
And thanks, Lisa, for the fun interview!
The prize for today's Get Your Grave On instant winner contest is a copy of the newly-released INK EXCHANGE by Melissa Marr, which, as most of you know, is set in the same world as Melissa's internationally best-selling novel, WICKED LOVELY.
So, here's today's pop quiz question from HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE and ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE (and damn, folks, it's an easy one):
What is Cat's mother's name?
First person to comment with the correct answer, wins.
Ready, set, Grave! :)
So, on my last day as a guest at Romance Novel TV, I'm going to stir up a little trouble *cue evil laughter*.
Here's the question I just posed to the forum:
Those of you who read ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, what did you think about Chapter 32? (and you KNOW what I'm talking about if you read it 
). Frankly I wrote that scene before I even acquired an agent, so I never thought it would see the light of day. Then I thought my agent would recommend I censure it when I sent her the book (she didn't). Then I was SURE my editor would make me tone things down when she got her hands on it (she didn't either). Then I had a mild panic at the thought of it being public and tried to talk my editor into letting me tone it down during revisions (she said Oh Hell No).
So...anyone who wants to ante up, did that sex scene read as too taboo/graphic/? Or did you think it fit the sequence and liked to see a little nookie with a side of nasty?
Go HERE to tell me what you thought!!
And, in other good news, the Publisher's Weekly blog has selected ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE as one of their "blurb Wednesday" books. You can read their blurb by Joyce here: http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880
Now, to the contest....
Today's Get Your Grave On instant winner quiz question #1:
What is the name of the ghost who coerces Cat into drinking a bottle of moonshine in Halfway to the Grave?
First person who replies with the correct answer wins a signed copy of ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE (yes, I will ship internationally).
Read, set, Grave! :)
***Congrats to
rissatoo for the correct answer of Winston, who was the horny alcoholic ghost from Halfway to the Grave :)***Today is the day. ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE is officially out! For those of you who like vampires, ass-kicking heroines, lots of action, humor, and some steamy scenes, go forth to the bookstore or online site, and pick up some hot grave action! (really, how many times can you say that in a sentence?? ;-)
From the back of the book:
You can run from the grave, but you can't hide...
Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She's still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.
Being around Bones awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline rush of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head - wanted: dead or half-alive - means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard Cat tries to keep things professional between them, she'll find that desire lasts forever ... and Bones won't let her get away again.
To read reviews, chapter one, and a teaser page from ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, go here: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/one-foot-in-t
The brilliant Kim from Romance Novel TV invited me to chat about my series over on their boards. So, if you've had any burning questions or comments on the Night Huntress series, *snerk*, come on over and join the fun!
http://romancenovel.tv/forum/viewtopic.p
And for your amusement, here is a picture of me and The Eye from last Saturday's RT book fair. Finally, everyone can see what
brian_ohiolooks like!
( Read more... )
Of course, I will also be answering any questions about the interview/books/series/etc, but really, I'm hanging out to see what everyone's secret inner creature is ;-)
Go here to join the fun http://www.kristiej.blogspot.com/
And - FINALLY!! - I spoke with my editor yesterday, and a title has been chosen for book three!
*drum roll please*
Book three will be called AT GRAVE'S END.
Yes, I get to keep "grave" in the title! It only took repeated begging, bribes, and hysterical tears (kidding...maybe ;). So, AT GRAVE'S END is set for release Jan 09, about nine months after ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE. I'm very happy that so far, none of my books will have a year's wait between them.
Happy Friday, everyone.
So if you're interested, go here to check it out: http://www.jeanienefrost.com/one-foot-in-t
And while we're on the subject, I'm curious - do you like to read full chapters or excepts on an author's site before a book comes out? Or do you prefer to wait until you have the entire book before you start reading any of it?
Friday, we woke up early, and there was another Force Makeup on Melissa session. This time, it was lip liner and gloss, and though we didn't have Rachel V to block the door, Melissa correctly figured out that she wasn't getting away without being painted (if my sister would send the photos, I'd show Melissa with her pretty lip gloss/liner applied, but my sister is experiencing Technical Difficulties and doesn't have pics to me yet. Everyone, call her at home and complain ;).
More babbling with be forthcoming about the book fair Saturday, the Mr. Romance contest, and how I met The Eye.
( Read more... )
More babbling with be forthcoming about the book fair Saturday, the Mr. Romance contest, and how I met The Eye.
Before there was RT, there was a day of sightseeing in D.C. with Melissa Marr. I haven't been to the capital since I was ten, so I had fun going back. I got to see all the shiny sparkly things at the Smithsonian museum of natural history, and to stroll around the capital grounds. Here are a couple pics from that:
I'm being promised pictures tomorrow of these Thursday RT events, so stay tuned for those, details about Friday, and for more pics.
Thanks so much, everyone, for your lovely congrats on the RT award. I'm still giddy over it.
Now I am sorting through my emails - which have piled up in the week I was offline - and am trying to scrounge together pics of RT from those who've promised me them. My camera broke while I was there. Yes, you can imagine the slew of curses that came from my mouth when I realized that. So, if you're one of the many people who promised to email me pictures: Send them! Or I will come after you.
I will be posting some pics today and blogging about RT, but until then, here's an interview with me that the wonderful Marta Acosta posted on her blog. I'm also giving away free signed books to commenters, so head on over and comment! :)
Happy Tuesday, everyone.
Some of you may have heard this already, but I managed to get away to use the hotel computer, so I wanted to take a quick moment to announce it to those who haven't: HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for best urban fantasy. To say that I am thrilled, humbled, and still a bit shocked, is an understatement.
There will be much more said about RT in future posts, because I've had SUCH a good time this week, but I have to run now, then pack for my train tomorrow, then be without internet again until I'm back at home in Florida.
Regular blogging (with pictures :) will resume on Tuesday. See everyone then!
Today I will be working on revisions and packing, because tomorrow, I leave for the RT (Romantic Times) convention. This is the first time in a long time I have no gut-clenching fear about departing for a convention. Why, you ask? *grin* Because I'm not flying. I'm taking a train most of the way, with a stop that's conveniently close to where melissa_writing is. So, tomorrow morning through Wednesday morning, I'll be on a train. Wednesday, I get to spend the day sightseeing with Melissa. Then Thursday morning, I drive up the rest of the way to RT. Not a plane in sight, yay!!!
melissa_writing is. So, tomorrow morning through Wednesday morning, I'll be on a train. Wednesday, I get to spend the day sightseeing with Melissa. Then Thursday morning, I drive up the rest of the way to RT. Not a plane in sight, yay!!!And for those of you wondering, would you really rather spend twenty-two hours on a train and four hours driving, rather than two hours flying? The answer is YES. I was already afraid to fly, as many of you who've followed my blog know. Hearing all the latest scandals with airplanes that flew without being properly inspected and how the FAA was caught being a little too lenient with certain airlines when it came required safety measures?? Oh yeah, I'll take the day-long train over flying and be happy, happy, happy about it. (Yes, I know the statistics about flight safety and how I'm more likely to get killed driving versus flying. But up in that aircraft, logic holds no sway over my phobia).
Besides, I'm taking my marked-up manuscript for book three, laptop, and revision notes from my editor. On the train, I'll have all day to work on revisions with no interruptions. Then I'm bringing some books for my evening entertainment. So for once, I'm looking forward to traveling, instead of dreading it to the point of acid indigestion and sleeplessness.
But this means, of course, that I'll be absent from the internet all day Tues and most of Wednesday. Once I'm at RT, I'll check emails intermittently, but will be offline most of the time. Look for reports and pictures afterward, though! I'm bringing my camera, and I'm not afraid to use it ;-)
If you're going to RT, please stop by and say hello at the book fair Saturday (I'll be there signing and handing out free pretty bookmarks!), or you can catch me at the ALTERNATE REALMS panel on Thursday at 5pm.
Not much going on over at my end of things. I'm still slugging through edits for book three (which, I think, may never have a title. Sigh).
BUT two friends of mine had Very Good News, so I thought I'd spread some cheer and post about it.
Rachel Vincent's second novel ROGUE hit the New York Times bestseller list, and she sold three Young Adult novels about a teenage banshee to Mira. Congrats, Rachel!
BUT two friends of mine had Very Good News, so I thought I'd spread some cheer and post about it.
Rachel Vincent's second novel ROGUE hit the New York Times bestseller list, and she sold three Young Adult novels about a teenage banshee to Mira. Congrats, Rachel!
Ilona Andrew's second novel MAGIC BURNS also made the New York Times bestseller list. Yay, Ilona!! (now write me steamy scenes with Kate and Curran. Or I kilz u gud ;-)
Who else has good news? Doesn't have to be about you, it can be about someone you know. Share, please?
