Loading ...Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives Release Party and Contest
PLEASE NOTE: The contest portion of this event is now closed. The winners have been chosen and contacted by EDGE publishing
BBB: Thanks for joining us today for the BBB launch of “Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives” edited by Justin Gustainis, published by EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing.
Many of our Bitten by Books readers may know your characters from other series. Could you please tell us a bit about the characters in your stories in Those Who Fight Monsters?
T. A. Pratt: Despite lacking much in the way of tact and having a tendency to solve all her problems with violence, Marla Mason has been chief sorcerer and protector of the city of Felport for a few years now, and no one’s succeeded in assassinating her yet.
Laura Anne Gilman: Danny Hendrickson is a former NYPD officer, currently working as a private investigator in New York City. He likes to keep his half-faun genetics under his hat, so to speak.
Julie Kenner: Soccer mom Kate Connor spends her days driving carpool, organizing Gymboree playdates, and hunting demons. Just another day in suburbia…
Simon R. Green: John Taylor is a private eye who operates in the Twilight Zone, solving cases of the weird and uncanny. His beat is the Nightside, that sour secret heart of London, where the sun has never shone and it’s always three o’clock in the morning, the hour that tries men’s souls. Gods and monsters can be found there, often attending the same self-help groups. John Taylor is your last chance for justice, the truth, and other disturbing things.
Lilith Saintcrow: Jill Kismet is the resident hunter of Santa Luz, a city somewhere in the American Southwest. She likes bullwhips, .45s, and breakfast burritos. Oh, and holding back the tides of Hell. She’s a big fan of that.
Carrie Vaughn: Jessi Hardin is a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department. She heads the department’s new Paranatural Unit and has (rather inadvertently) become an expert on emerging issues of law enforcement and the supernatural.
Justin Gustainis: Quincey Morris, who is descended from the man who gave his life in the fight to destroy Count Dracula, is an occult investigator living in Austin, Texas.
Tanya Huff: Tony Foster is the second assistant director on “Darkest Night”, the most popular syndicated vampire detective show on television. He’s one of only three wizards currently practicing in the world and he intends to keep practicing until he gets it right. Given the amount of supernatural flotsam showing up in Vancouver lately, he’s being given a lot of opportunity.
Chris Marie Green: Former Hollywood stuntwoman Dawn Madison is currently in retirement from vampire hunting and resides near San Diego. Kiko Daniels, who lives nearby, runs a paranormal detective agency with his partner, Natalia Petri.
Caitlin Kittredge: Petunia Caldecott is a former Detective Inspector with the Metropolitan Police, London. She graduated from London City College and currently resides in Whitechapel. Jack Winter is a mage and a pain in her arse, but he sometimes makes himself useful. He hails from Manchester, England.
C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp: Tony Giodone’s skill as a hit man has resulted in a stack of cold case files in the homicide divisions of a number of major cities. Even before he was attacked and turned into a werewolf, if you met Tony in a dark alley, he’d be walking back into the light alone. Although still an assassin, he’s now working for Wolven, the police force of the Sazi council—in other words, the good guys.
Jackie Kessler: The succubus Jezebel has turned her back on her Hellish past (sort of) and now lives as the human Jesse Harris, working as an exotic dancer in New York City. Note: this story takes place before Hell’s Belles.
C. J. Henderson: Museum curator Piers Knight is a quiet fellow who likes good food, quiet evenings with a pot of tea and a good book, and being left alone by all the world. While usually well fed and well read, he rarely gets more that a week or two to himself before Fate, Destiny, or some other joker comes knocking at his door, bringing him all manner of bothers.
Rachel Caine: Cassiel was once a Djinn (genie), and is now, thanks to a disagreement with a higher ranking Djinn, trapped in human form as a punishment. Her only hope for long-term survival is partnership with a supernaturally-gifted Warden, Luis Rocha, who controls the elements of the earth. Cassiel and Luis both reside in Albuquerque, New Mexico, when not battling supernatural forces elsewhere.
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Read Justin’s Reviews and Interviews on BBB
http://www.justingustainis.com/
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Read a 4.5 Tombstone review of Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives here: http://www.bittenbybooks.com/38809/those-who-fight-monsterstales-of-occult-detectives-edited-by-justin-gustainis/
Contest: Open to readers worldwide, contest ends at midnight tonight 4/13.
Enter a draw for 3 copies of Those Who Fight Monsters, signed by Justin Gustainis.
1. To enter ask the authors a question – Mandatory
2. Leave your first name and your country – Mandatory
ONLY for the “Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives” Online Launch. Any person who purchases a copy online today of “Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives” through one of the Bitten by Books links will receive, absolutely FREE an e-book version of the EDGE new spring title “Chilling Tales: Evil Did I Dwell; Lewd I Did Live“, edited by Michael Kelly”. The “Chilling Tales: Evil Did I Dwell; Lewd I Did Live” authors will be celebrating our online launch at Bitten by Books on April 19th, 2011
How it works: Once you have purchased your copy through the BBB link, send an email with proof of purchase to events@hadespublications.com, with PROOF OF PURCHASE in the subject line. We will then send you a download link for Chilling Tales. This special bonus is only valid until noon April 13th, 2011.
1. The cover is really interesting and eye catching, who designed it?
2. How does an anthology come together? (ex. how do you choose which authors will participate and the theme of the novel, which in this case detectives)?
I love reading paranormal mysteries, will definitely be checking this book out!
Van p. ,U.S. resident
Hi, and thanks for commenting.
The cover (which I love) was done by Robert Nixon. I had nothing to do with it, exceptto say “Nice cover!” when it was done.
For the anthology, I invited writers who had urban fantasy series in print, with a number of books published already. I wanted (and got) authors who already have a fan base. The hope was that fans of a given character might buy the book to read that character’s story, with the other stories as a bonus (which might also lead to more fans for those authors)
Hi Van,
The artist who created the cover for Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives is Robert Nixon, who also did the cover for Rigor Amortis, which is coming out in the Fall as an EDGE book. Here is a link for it at AXP, our sister press, so you can see the cover. http://absolute-x-press.com/our-books/rigor-amortis/ – Cheers. The other question, Justin can answer.
Van, have you read any works by any of the authors in the anthology before?
@Janice: I love the Rigor Amortis cover! Yes, I’ve read Caitlin Kittredge, C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, and Jackie Kessler’s work before.
Actually, it’s not too difficult. The big thing with writing a short over a novel is that a short is a moment in time. There are no subplots required and you can really focus on one single event.
We normally have 4-6 months to write a short, but that can vary wildly on when we were invited into the anthology. I’ve had as little as 4 weeks on one, and as long as a year on another.
Welcome to our online launch event of Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives. My name is Janice Shoults. I work with EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, who has published this anthology…
We hope that you have a wonderful time today. Please leave questions for the authors – they will be dropping in on and off today to answer your questions.
My first question:
@Justin Gustainis, editor of “Those Who Fight Monsters” – What inspired you to put together an anthology of Urban Fantasy?
Questions for our authors:
Who wrote the bloodiest story?
Which story has the most romance?
Which story had the best ending?
Ruth T. USA
Great questions, Ruth T!
Ruth – I haven’t had a chance to read all the other stories yet, but I think we’ll all claim the best ending!
Mine is definitely not the bloodiest – Danny’s willing to wade into things when he can, but he’s deeply averse to getting shot, cut, stabbed, or otherwise injured. To him, that’s the sign you’re doing something wrong. Also, it hurts. He’s very much against pain.
I don’t know about the most romance, but I’m pretty sure mine has the most sex.
Ha! I would expect no less…
Congratulations on the release! Can’t wait to get this one…
Lisa Kessler
Hey, Ruth!
Great questions. I think I’m a major candidate for the author who wrote the bloodiest story. I was coming at this from a horror angle, and anyone who has read my Vampire Babylon books knows that there has always been a creepy, dark side to the series.
I’m not sure about the highest romance quotient, but I nominate Jackie Kessler for the Funny Oscar! I was LOL during that story.
All in all, I was *very* impressed with the entire collection, and I’m honored to have even been invited to participate.
Hey Chris –
I’ve been looking forward to this anthology since I saw the cover a few months ago! I didn’t realize you had a story in this one though! Bonus!
And I’m a sucker for horror so…
Fun!
Lisa
Lisa, so great to see you here! Thanks so much. And that cover is the best.
Hey Ruth. Mine’s essentially a love story — or as close to a love story as I get — so I may have to claim the most romance but, like Laura, I haven’t had time to read them all.
I love urban fantasy detective stories and I can’t wait to read this anthology! It sounds like there’s a lot of variety, so I was wondering if the overall tone of the anthology is mostly dark, or on the lighter side, or a little bit of both?
Thanks for the giveaway!
Lesley, USA
I haven’t read all of the stories yet, but from what I’ve seen so far, I’d go with dark, spiced with gallows humor.
Lesley, the stories definitely range from one end to the other!
1. For LAG, before agreeing to be in an anthology do you read your co-writers works?
2. Do you all enjoy the short story format or is it harder for you to write?
Thank you,
Dawn
Northern New Jersey, USA
Dawn – most of the time when I’m invited to submit for an anthology I have no idea who else will be included. I’ve read stuff from almost everyone here, previously, but it doesn’t always work out that way.
Another questions for the authors:
Is it harder to come up with a short story for the anthology or writing your series? How long do you guys have to write your story for the anthology?
I clicked the wrong “Reply” so my answer to this is up above and completely off topic for the question. LOL. Sorry.
I saw it!
that makes sense since like you said there’s no subplots you have to include.
Hi, Van,
Coming up with concepts for either a long work or a short one are about the same on the difficult/easy scale for me. With Vampire Babylon, it’s been on the easy side. For this short story, I took up where I left off with my characters after the last VB book, DEEP IN THE WOODS. Dawn Madison was left in “recovery mode” after dealing with the monsters in that book, and I brought her back for this story as a retired, weary and wary participant….
We wrote these stories a while ago. As I recall, I had a couple of months.
Van – coming up with novel ideas is easier for me, because there’s room [and time] to play with a lot of different plot-threads. With a short story, it’s more of a surgical strike, and there’s less room for “well, let’s try this, see what happens….”
That said, often a short story idea will appear, full-formed, and just (hah, “just”) need to be written. Those are the ones you do over a weekend, and collapse in a happy puddle when you’re done.
For me, it’s about six of one, half a dozen of the other as far as ideas for short stories and novels are concerned. The trick is knowing which idea is suitable for which length.
Oh, and it’s not so much how long they give you to write the story as when you start. There are writers (not mentioning any names or looking in any mirrors) who take two weeks — the last two weeks — regardless of how much lead time the editor considerately gives. Fortunately, editors know this and will send reminders as the deadline grows closer.
If I have the idea for a short story in my head, it usually is fairly painless to write. Unless, of course, I have another deadline along the way. Then I’m probably going to, um, wait until the last minute. Probably. Hypothetically speaking. **shuffles away**
Thank you, LAG!
That is interesting and I didn’t know that!
As a follow up, has it ever happened that a group of authors first got together, at say a ‘con’ and then pitched their/a publisher about doing an anthology?
Thank you, again, and any author can answer, as well, since maybe your experience has been different than LAG’s.
Dawn
NJ – USA
Hi, Dawn,
Yes, that’s happened–especially if you’re sitting around with a group in the bar! LOL.
I’m serious, too.
I figured! The cons seem like not only a great way to connect with fans, but with each other!
Thank you!
Dawn
NJ – USA
I know of one case where this happened (because she told me the story) but I’m sure it happened before and since as well. In 2004, Susan Grant got an idea for a short series about a woman who was frozen in the current time and was woken up in the year 2176 to help save a dystopia world. She told some friends about the idea and they decided it would be fun to each write a book in the world. They pitched the series to Susan’s editor at Love Spell, and it became the “2176 series”. It was a very fun series.
In a way, that is what happened with Rigor Amortis, which actually started as a conversation on Twitter, amidst a number of authors. Editors Jaym Gates and Erika Holt approached EDGE/AXP publisher Brian Hades, and the rest is history.
Dawn — twice, I’ve been involved in an anthology via a bar meet. The first was DON’T FORGET YOUR SPACESUIT, DEAR, years ago, where the idea for the anthology itself came out of someone making me snarf my drink. The second was AFTER HOURS, where the entire concept revolves around the original “ur-bar” and was thought up by a group of writers sitting in a bar after a signing. So it happens, although more often the idea that sounds great sitting in the bar, the next morning…. not so much.
LOL I can see that happening too, LAG. Thank you!
Dawn
NJ – USA
UR-BAR! UR-BAR! That was fun.
Once you’ve written a book is it harder to write more books in that series or to come up with an idea that will work in a short story?
Sandy G
NJ – USA
Welcome, Sandy,
After getting to know the characters and world in a first book, I found it easier to come up with ideas. Those characters are like people you live with, and their lives continue, even after that first adventure. As an author, I think it’s up to me to tell those neverending stories, .
For shorts in an existing reality, what works best for us is to pick out an unresolved subplot. Some things don’t always get explained in the course of a novel (or even a series) so you can grab those and make a short.
It depends. (Don’t you hate those answers?) Sometimes, a book has done its job so completely that there’s nothing left to tell. But usually, I find that there are so many other things to explore – other characters, other parts of the world, buried history – that there is plenty of material waiting to be used.
Questions for all authors
If you can be one of the characters from another author’s novel (mention above in the anthology) who would it be and why?
Van P. U.S. resident
If I could actually BE one character, it would probably be Jezebel from Jackie Kessler’s “Hell’s Belles.” LOVE THAT CHARACTER!
LOL, Van–I’d like to be Jackie Kessler’s Jezebel (sp?). She seems to have life under control, even when it isn’t!
LOL, Chris! Cross posted and we both picked the same character.
That is great!
Too funny, Cathy! Maybe we both have a little Jezebel in us? (Admit it!)
WOW this looks like so much fun to read. I was wondering if you ever feel like your story for an anthology is not complete and if so have you ever written a longer version of said story?
Viki S. USA
Actually, yes, Viki S. Our first book in the Sazi series, “Hunter’s Moon” was first a short story that the editor requested we expand into a book.
Not so far, Viki.
I haven’t done this yet, Viki, but I wrote a story for Fantasy Armies that I liked so much I plan to turn it into a book. Someday. Probably. I hope. *g*
Most of the stories in the Cosa Nostradamus universe are “adventures” that fit in-between the action of the books, so to me they’re all of a piece. Some day I’ll have to do a timeline to ‘place’ them all! (or find a more detail-oriented reader to do it for me…. *hints broadly*)
More often when I write a short story, it’s one of several featuring that character. None of them have expanded into a full book, through. Yet.
I love the cover art. How did you decide which authors to ask to be in your anthology?
How many turned you down?
I love the sazie when is your next book coming out?
When is the next Jill Kismet book coming out? I just love her were boyfriend.
Bought book.
Lisa D. USA
We’re not currently under contract for any more Sazi.
We’re hoping that will change, as we had plenty of characters who deserved their “happily ever after.” We’ve considered writing some novellas for anthologies or maybe even direct to Kindle. Not sure yet, but know we have ideas. We just need to find the right home to get them to you. 
Lisa, that is fantastic. Thanks for buying the book!
If you purchased it today through the BBB link, you can send me your POP at events@hadespublications.com and we will forward you your free e-copy of “Chilling Tales: Evil Did I Dwell, Lewd I Did Live”. This is the first time that we have done this, and it is just for people here on BBB, and only until noon tomorrow. Cheers.
Janice
I have sent you my POP. Thanks for giving these authors the chance to write a little extra about their series characters.
Lisa D. USA
You are welcome. We are really delighted to have everyone be here, and to have a chance to talk to you.
With respect to the question of how did I choose authors, it’s simple — I just asked the best.
I don’t think I should address the question of how many turned me down (the majority of those asked said yes, I’m gratified to say), but those who did were very nice about it — pleading the pressure of other work, and wishing me luck. There was one exception: I tried to contact one VERY BIG DEAL author, but never got further than one of the person’s “people,” who informed me that “____ doesn’t do that sort of thing.” Since I had already seen _____’s stories in other anthologies, I can only assume that the minion meant “_____ doesn’t do that sort of thing for nobodies like you.”
That was the only less-than-optimal experience. Every one else was very nice — especially those who said yes!
Hi Lisa,
The final Jill Kismet book, Angel Town, is coming out in the fall/winter of 2011. I like Saul too, but I was very worried about whether or not he’d survive the series.
How specific was the request given to the authors about the stories for the anthology? Was it just write me a story from your (fill in the blank) series, or was the theme more directed?
Hi, Elektra,
I don’t know about the other authors, but Justin asked me for a Vampire Babylon short. I was only too happy to comply!
As I recall, Elektra, the request was fairly non-specific. The only criteria I remember was that it had to be a book character.
Justin originally asked me for a Wren & Sergei story, I think, but was willing to let me expand the Cosa Nostradamus universe a little to give Danny his chance to shine (and since he now has his own books under contract, yay! Yes, I did use this story as part of the proposal. Never let anything work once when it can work twice.
)
Question for Cathy Clamp:
My question is when will the next book in the series be released? Also how many novels are you planning for Celia?
Sorry this is totally off topic but I forgot to ask you this question at the RT book convention! I got all three of my bloodsinger novels signed
The next book in THE BLOOD SINGER series is called “The Isis Collar” and will be released in March, 2012. Just finishing edits on it this week. The cover will debut a new artist who has done a bunch of other UF covers and it’s going to ROCK!
will it still be issued as a large trade paperback? Looking forward to read it
I love the authors in this antho. Simon R Green is such a favorite – I devour his Nightside series. Chris Green is another fav with Vampire Babylon. This is going to be so hot! Can’t wait to read this.
QUESTION: – Which author got to be the first story in the antho? (How was this decided?)
Look forward to hearing the answer to my question.
Linda T-S.
Linda, thank you!
The first story in the book is “Little Better than a Beast” by Tim Pratt. The positioning of each story in the anthology was determined by a complex process that involves Newtonian physics, Einsteinian mathematics, Jungian psychology, and the sacrifice of several small animals under a full moon while naked.
This is a prime example of why you should read Justin’s books.
Yes, I thought so, and that you didn’t all have to duke it out for opening space. Drop the ms from the highest branch and see which hits the ground first… that kind of Newtonian theory?
Well, this is so much talent squeezed between two covers, it’s exciting.
Can’t wait to read it.
Linda T-S
I’ve been excited about this anthology for a few months! I love the cover and the concept, plus some of my favorite writers are on the table of contents!!!
For the authors… What made you decide to write a story for this collection? Did you know who the other authors were or?
Thanks!
Lisa K.
USA
Lisa, when Justin G. asked me, I jumped. First, I really enjoy his books. Second, he told me he had secured Simon R. Green, so I knew this would be a great collection!
Hey Lisa. I agreed to write my story because I really enjoyed writing Tony and there’s no down side in a chance to go back visit his mythos. Depending on where you are on his/her list of author enquires, the editor will sometimes tell you who else has agreed to do a story, but I never ask. Makes it more fun when the anthology comes out. *g*
My apologies to everyone. I realize when I put the information in about our Bonus Book offer for today’s event, I did not actually put in a link so that you could see the book that was being offered. Thanks, Janice
http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/chillingtales/ct-catalog.html
For anyone:
Some of your characters have trouble playing well with others. What did they think of being part of a group effort for the anthology?
(USA, I did RSVP and will post to Facebook)
Awesome, Carol… Dawn Madison is one of those “go sit in the corner and think about how to get along with others” characters, but she’s gone through so dang much that she’s changed. She’s learned to trust and love others, like Kiko and Costin. There’s plenty to explore with her in the future, I think.
My question is about John Taylor. Having read most of the Nightside books, how does John stay *relatively* sane?
I love all of these characters and will definitely be looking for this book.
I rsvp’d
Nancy G-USA
Lisa R smalltown, USA
These questions are for anyone that wants to put in their 2
cents worth. I’m familiar with about half of the authors in this anthology and expect to sample the rest of you as I purchased a copy from Amazon to day on-line.
Email coming shortly to you!
How do you think the book blogging community has affected the publishing industry?
Tell us a little bit about your characters. Which was the hardest to write and which was the most fun?
If you had to describe your novella on Twitter (using only 140 characters) what would you say?
What fictional character from TV or someone else’s book would you like to spend the day with?
Lisa – my character has appeared as a secondary character in earlier Cosa Nostradamus books (most recently PACK OF LIES), so writing him wasn’t a problem – in fact, once I gave him a storyline, Danny sort of took over the stage and demanded more. Cheeky SOB….
In Twitterese: Ex-cop Danny Hendrickson is half-human, half faun – but 100% determined to find a missing girl beglamoured into the fairy underworld of NYC.
Hey Lisa, I’ve been writing Tony off and on since the late 80′s — first as a secondary character in the Blood books and then in a series of his own (the Smoke books) so he’s an old friend and easy to write. Even more so because HE’S convinced there’s much more to his story.
in twitterease: Wizard Tony Foster uses everything Vicki Nelson taught him about detective work to find a stalker before it’s too late. Unfortunately…
(I used twitter to get the word count and came in at 136 *g*)
Getting to the party late…I’ll do what I can about answering questions.
Lisa, I think book blogging has really changed promotion, because now everyone can do it as much or as little as they want. There are so many ways to reach so many audiences now, and publishers have an easy way to get the word out by networking with bloggers. Someone just asked me what I did to promote my first book back in 2005, and I couldn’t even remember — I didn’t have a blog then, wasn’t on FB or anything.
Jessi Hardin is an occasional character in the Kitty series, and I’ve been wanting to write a story about her for a long time. I’ve also wanted to write about a strange Filipino monster called the manananggal — so I combined those two wants into one story.
Question for readers:
Which authors in the anthology have you read works by previously?
Despite not being a huge fan of either “urban fantasy” or “paranormal romance” I’ve read at least one book/story by: Gilman, S. Green, Saintcrow, Vaughn, Pratt, Huff, Kittredge, Kessler, Henderson and Caine (under her Longstreet name, too).
Bought the anthology because of the stories by Pratt and by Huff.
That is good to know…did you buy it online today or before?
@Joey s. if you bought the anthology today, don’t forget to send your POP to events@hadespublications.com so we can send you your bonus e-copy of Chilling Tales later today. Thanks.
Since I was in Toronto a couple of weeks ago, I bought the book off the shelf at (the recently-moved) BAKKA-Phoenix, where I also picked up Chilling Tales and Tesseracts Thirteen. Go EDGE!
The next day I had Ms. Huff sign her story in Those Who Fight Monsters.
I have read at least one book by each of the authors-I have read all but two of Simon Green’s books, all of Saintcrow’s books, and I have books on my reader from Kessler, C. M. Green, Tanya Huff, Carrie Vaughn, T.A. Pratt and Rachel Caine.
Nancy, thank you!
The characters I know, love, and own all their books are…Danny Hendrickson, John Taylor, Jill Kismet, Tony Foster, Pete Caldecott, Tony Giodone and Cassiel. I have also read Kenner/Beck The Blood Lily Chronicles/The Shadow Keepers and Vaughn’s Kitty series, Discord’s Apple and Voices of Dragons. I look forward to getting a taste of the characters/authors I haven’t met yet.
I have read: Laura, Lilith, Carrie, T.A., Tanya, Chris, Catlin, C.T. & Cathy and Rachel. WOW what an anthology for me!
Ordered the book, sent POP. Thanks to all authors for all the comments.
Glad to see Carrie just joined in. Love the Kitty Norville Series.
Chris, Caitlin, Jackie, Julie, Rachel, Simon, and Lilith.
Wow!That is excellent…thanks for answering my question.
What excites you the most about being in this particular anthology?
For me, it was both the idea of writing a short not related to any larger plotline as well as the quality of the authors in the antho. Amazing talent all in one place.
Martina, this is the first short story I’ve had published, even though I grew up writing them. It was exciting to finally get one in print!
To anyone that wants to answer – what is the most paranormal thing that has actually happened around you?
It was when I passed Calculus in high school. Several people who knew me (and my mathematical aptitude, or lack thereof) regarded that as a paranormal occurrence about as good as the one that followed the words, “Lazarus come forth!”
I really haven’t been the focus of anything majorly paranormal before. I say this even after going on my share of ghost tours (one of which even outfitted us with divining rods, electromagnometers, and temperature gauges while we explored a haunted house. Yes, it was awesome!). I’ve even spent the night in a haunted motel without anything happening, except for a total lack of sleep because I was waiting for a ghost to show up, LOL.
for any who want to answer authors/characters….
I may have asked some of you these before….
Do you generally set one large or many small goals?
What do you do to reward yourself when you reach your goals?
Do you keep track of random plot bunnies as they pop up or do you let them run free and grow until you need them?
Do you have a favorite book cover or cover artist, your’s or someelse’s?
*someone else’s
Koren C USA
Goals kind of depend on how the writing is going. If things are going slowly, I set a lot of small goals. Some as small as “write 500 words and you get to check twitter”. If things are going well, however, I just write.
Those plot bunnies I don’t beat to death with a shovel and bury in the backyard with a stake through their hearts and their mouths stuffed with garlic, I let run free.
The problem I have with picking favourites is that as the mood changes, the favourites change…
yes they do
I set both large and small goals. If I want to finish a novel by a certain date (big goal), then I have to write a certain number of words a day (small goal). The reward is not getting cranky when I don’t complete a daily goal!
Hey, Koren,
As to the cover question, my favorite artist is Larry Rostant, who created all the covers for my Vampire Babylon series. He also did the covers for my upcoming Bloodlands post-apocalyptic western fantasy series (written as Christine Cody) and they are *fantastic*!
Hi all! *waves* Janice, I have a question for you. I’ve had my eye on this book for a while now, and expected it to be available on 3/1 (because that’s when Amazon had it listed as being published). Yet, both Amazon’s site and B&Ns site shows it as “not yet published,” and I don’t see any sign of an e-book version. Am I missing something? Thanks so much!
Hi,
As I understand it amazon’s order is being filled this week, so all the pre-orders and new orders next week will be filled as soon as they arrive. The e-book version of “Those Who Fight Monsters” (as well as other new EDGE titles) will be available in May.
Thanks Brian. (Brian Hades is the owner of EDGE Science Fiction and Fantasy Publishing, which is an imprint of Hades Publications). If you want to see who this is, visit the recent coverage of our 10th Anniversary Celebration. http://www.scifiguy.ca/2011/03/guest-publisher-brian-hades-edge.html
That is excellent news. Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for this information. It was driving me nuts not knowing when I could actually get my grubby paws on a copy!
Oh, and btw:
1. Jennifer, USA.
2. Justin — YEAH on Sympathy finally coming out. I’ve been hoping we’d see more of that series!
Question for the authors:
What inspired you to come up with these stories/characters? Did you have them lurking in the back of your mind or did you think of a whole new plot for this specific anthology? Also, if applicable, what series are you characters from (because I’ll probably want to read more of your characters when I’m done with the anthology)?
Michala R.
USA
I have to confess, Jessi Hardin exists because I needed a cop for Kitty to talk to in my series (the Kitty Norville series, starting with Kitty and The Midnight Hour). Once I knew I needed a cop, I made her a brusque homicide detective — I wanted another strong woman character. She’s based a bit on a real-life woman cop I know, who actually read the book and this story to help me get the details right.
Jessi became interesting enough in her own right that I wanted to tell a story about her solving a case.
Michala:
The answer to your second question can be found on the publisher page for the book, as well as the book’s Amazon page. You’ll find links at the top of the page. It lays out which series each of the characters in the anthology is from.
Michala, Dawn Madison is the lead character in my Vampire Babylon series. When the books start, she’s a Hollywood stuntwoman who’s on the outs with the industry, and she gets drawn into vampire hunting when her father goes missing under very strange circumstances.
Hey Michala. This particular Tony story began its life as one of the pitches I made for the two episodes I’d be writing in the second season of Blood Ties. As we didn’t get a second season, I’ve been adapting the pitches into short stories. In the pitch, Celluci played Lee’s role and Tony’s part was split between Vicki and Henry.
Sorry I’m late to the event — been out all day. Thanks for stopping by!
For me, writing short stories like this is a great way to explore parts of the world I’m building that I don’t get to talk about in the books. Because the books are first person point of view, I can only write about what Kitty knows and discovers. But there are a lot of secondary characters who have lives of their own and aren’t keen to tell her their secrets. So a story like this can help me figure them out.
And sometimes, I have a plot idea that just doesn’t fit into any of the books I’m working on, and a shorter piece can be great for those, too.
Hi everyone!! I really want this book, it has an amazing line-up of writers that I adore. I went to amazon and it says pre-order. I will def order it, I don’t think I get an email for a pre-order tho. I do have some questions,
Lilith Saintcrow-will the valentine or kismet series become available in audiobook form? I saw Heaven’s Spite is the only one at audible.com. I would love to hear these books after reading them.
Simon R Green-LOVE the nightside!! Those audiobooks are amazing! Do you like how the narrator read your books?
general question for anyone who wants to answer-How do the rest of you feel about audiobooks?
I’ve read Carrie Vaugn,Tanya Huff, Caitlin Kittredge, Adams & Clamp, Caine, Green, and Pratt. Love you all!! I have books by Chris Green & Jackie Kessler in my TBR pile. I will def be getting books by the rest of you that I don’t have. the stories sound amazing and can’t wait to get this book!!
Joani S from USA
ordered it and sent the email in. Thanks again!!
Got your email, and thanks.
Janice
Hi Joani
Even if you pre-order it through Amazon, then they will send you a confirmation email, which you send to us as a POP, and we will send out the e-copy of Chilling Tales as a thankyou gift. This invitation only lasts until noon tomorrow. Just make sure you put PROOF OF PURCHASE in the subject line.
The email to send it to is events@hadespublications.com. We will be sending out the first e-copies later this evening to anyone who has purchased today.
Hope this helps.
Janice
Hi Joanie! I believe there are recordings being made of both the Valentine and Kismet books; also, Graphic Audio is doing an audio re-enactment of the Valentine books. As soon as they’re available for purchase I’ll link them on my site.
Joani – I’m nore of a visual reader than an aural one, but my dad looooves audiobooks, so being able to give him copies of mine (both the UF and my more ‘traditional’ epic fantasy) was a real treat.
Thank you, Joani! I am an audio book addict–I always have one on my iPod and I listen while I walk. Right now, I’m in the middle of the HUNGER GAMES series….
Sonya from Canada,
I have to admit I’ve only read books by two of the authors on the list above, but I will happily be seeking a copy of this anthology just for the new Tony Foster story alone, and to sample the works of the other authors. I’d love to hear the names of some writers/characters that the authors who’ve participated in this anthology love enough that they’d have the same reaction; that they’d be willing to buy an entire anthology just to have one more story by the author and/or about specific characters. And let’s not limit it to just current living & active writers either; I know I can think of a few past authors who I would adore to have just one more story of any length by (I recall pretty much literally dancing with excitement when I heard that the third ‘Fuzzy’ manuscript by H. Beam Piper had been rediscovered, as one concrete example).
Hi Sonya,
The bonus e-book, “Chilling Tales:Evil Did I Dwell;Lewd I Did Live” features a cast of Canadian authors. Where in Canada are you located? Thanks for joining us this evening…
Janice
Northern Ontario at the moment (Sudbury area… a very small town named Levack) but I spent most of the last 20+ years in Toronto. And have several books signed by Tanya Huff, from assorted Bakka locations
I actually have bought anthologies just for a new Robin McKinley story. She’s not very prolific, so every new story is a huge event.
That made me smile, since I’d found myself thinking of “Sunshine” and Rae & Constantine when I was writing up the question (story council needs to send Robin a sequel!)
Sonya – I will buy anything/everything with a story from Laurie King in it. Also, Joe Haldeman.
Good question, Sonya, but my reading habits are so sporadic that I don’t think I’ve finished *any* series in quite a while–I’m in the middle of at least 20 of them, LOL. Even if I’m eager to finish a series, other reading will interrupt me (line edits, proofs, research, a book that a friend wrote, etc.). I dream of a time when I can just take a week off and *readreadread*!
My absolute go-to author, for whom I would buy anything he puts out in any format and did, in fact, rearrange a Worldcon panel schedual so I could go to his GOH speach, is Terry Prachett. I not only love his storytelling but I think his ability to put the right words together is matched by no one writing today.
We were asked what series the characters come from. Here is the complete list…enjoy!
Meet the Detectives:
* Danny Hendrickson – from Laura Anne Gilman’s Cosa Nostradamus series.
* Kate Connor – from Julie Kenner’s Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series.
* John Taylor – from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
* Jill Kismet – from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
* Jessi Hardin – from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
* Quincey Morris – from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations
* Marla Mason – from T. A. Pratt’s Marla Mason series.
* Tony Foster – from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
* Dawn Madison – from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
* Pete Caldecott – from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
* Tony Giodone – from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi
* Jezebel – from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
* Piers Knight – from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
* Cassiel – from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.
So pretty late to the party. It’s not very often that I find an anthology where I’ve read something from each of the authors. So I just wanted to say how excited I am to read this.
I’ve got to say I cannot believe how many anthologies have come from “bar talk”!
I’m curious now, how many of each of the authors know each other? Do you all meet at cons or is it via internet?
-Rae M., USA
I number several of the anthology’s authors among my friends — and I’ve never met any of them face-to-face. “Oh brave new world…”
Hey! You have too, Justin!
*sulks at being unmemorable. although that swan dive off the stage may have had something to do with it…*
Laura Ann, you’re quite right — my apologies. You are hardly unmemorable, but, it’s true –my most vivid recollections of that panel we were on at WF involves my little experiment with the force of gravity as soon as it was over, and all that followed. It takes something that traumatic to make me forget (even temporarily) making the acquaintance of a beautiful, charming lady who also happens to be one of my favorite authors.
I remember you!
I have an internet connection with some of the other authors (an internet connection — see what I did there? *g*), Laura and I have spent time together at conventions, and Simon and I have the same agent so we’ve done agent dinner things at conventions. I don’t think I’ve met anyone in person except Laura and Simon though but I could be wrong, I have a terrible memory for people — which is VERY embarrassing in my VERY small town.
I’ve met a few of the authors at conferences, and there are Twitter/email/Facebook connections involved. That’s about it!
For the authors, what is the process you use to get to know your characters before you start using them? I’m curious specifically for Tanya Huff (I adore Tony Foster and would give up CHOCOLATE for an ongoing series with him), but I find character development difficult, so any replies help.
Angela
WA – USA
Angela – I find that characters are much like real people: when you put them in a stressful situation, how they respond tells you a lot about their personality. You don’t even have to write it, just consider a situation – what would X do? When the response feels right, and flows easily, you’re on the right track.
I tend to contemplate those scenarios when I’m exercising: my brain is free to roam while my body’s preoccupied, and details surface that might not, if I was too focused. Plus, it gets me through the workout.
Ms. Gilman, that’s just brilliant! I love tossing characters into “what if” situations. It never occurred to me to do it as a character development exercise, particularly while exercising. I love it! Thanks!
Character development is sort of a variation on that old saw “write what you know”. You know what it is to be sad, to be happy, to be afraid, to hope, to dream, to desperately need a coffee first thing in the morning… Apply what you know to the character you’re writing.
For a new character, I think about what I need them be like for the story, then try to figure out how they might have gotten into that situation. Are they impulsive, or just have bad luck — and in turn, how does that affect the kind of people they are?
For an ongoing character like Kitty, I really think about the arc, and the kinds of things I want her to learn, the kinds of problems I want her to tackle.
If you think about your own life, and how every decision and everything that happened to you has helped make you the person you are today — the same thing has to happen for characters.
Wow!!! A great collection of authors. How hard is it to try and sign authors up for an anthology? Plus, where did the idea come from for this anthology. Of course Buffy was the first person that popped into my head.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I don’t know that I’d be inclined to generalize — but in my case, it wasn’t difficult. Given my criteria (urban fantasy, series character, multiple volumes in print, superb writer), I made a list and started contacting people (almost everybody has a web site, and web sites have email addresses). Then I sent emails describing what I had in mind and asking them to participate; they either said yes or no — and most of them, I’m glad to say, said yes.
That, it turned out, was the easy part.
It’s hard to say where the idea came from, but it had been bouncing around in my mind for several years before I pitched it to a publisher.
Oops…forgot to add USA.
I have to admit I have been waiting for this book since I first heard of it. What a great selection of stories. Cant wait to get a copy.
What is your least favorite part of being a writer?
Vampires, Shifters, Zombies, Angels – who wins the final ultimate battle?
If you could witness any historical event past, present or future what would it be and why?
Thanks!!
Donna S
USA
Hey, there, Donna, I’ll take the historical question (mwah-hah-hah): the twisted side of me would like to have witnessed Jack the Ripper in action. This isn’t necessarily because I long to see a murder being committed–I’m just very curious to know who he was….
The waiting — waiting for books to come out, waiting to hear back from publishers. No body warned me about this!
Shifters. They’re adaptable.
I’d like to go back to London circa 1600 and see an original production of one of Shakespeare’s plays.
The writing, I love. The office work that goes with it, I loath but I’m too cheap to pay for even part time office help.
Well, we lose… *g*
Can I go see that play with Carrie?
Hi Everybody
* how in the World did you fit all of those storie’s in one Book?
Wow looks like some great storie.
I RSVPed to be here don’t know if that counts in this type of contest.
*Stacey S USA
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks everyone for joining us for the online launch of Those Who Fight Monsters. The winners names that we drew for the 3 copies of Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives, signed by Justin Gustainis are:
Angela
Lesley D
and Van P.
Your books will be sent out to you by Justin Gustainis, as soon as we have your mailing address.
Thanks everyone for entering the draw. Please help spread the news about “Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives”
http://www.edgewebsite.com/books/thosewhofightmonsters/twfm-catalog.html
Well, darn, looks like I missed the contest portion.
I wanted to ask the authors, where in the chronology of their series do these stories fit in(especially Carrie Vaughn, Rachel Caine, and C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp)?
I don’t have an exact spot on the timeline worked out — I’m leaving my options open for now.
But “Defining Shadows” definitely takes place sometime after Kitty and the Silver Bullet, because she’s already head of the Parantural Unit, but before Kitty Raises Hell — Hardin has been dealing with the supernatural for some time, by now, but still isn’t too happy about it…
Hi, Beth,
My story takes place after the events of the last Vampire Babylon book, DEEP IN THE WOODS. : )
Late for the last of the party–pretty quiet in here but I had a work seminar yesterday and couldn’t come play.
But in answer to your question Beth, ACE IN THE HOLE takes place at the end of the series. It finishes up one subplot (specifically for those readers who asked “so what ever happened to the knife? What did Carmine do to Tony?”) It was a lot of fun. 
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