Loading ...Interview and Contest with Author Stacia Kane
Exclusive Bitten by Books
Interview with Author Stacia Kane
A big welcome to our readers today! Be sure to read to the end of the interview to find out how to WIN the the great prize being offered up. The contest runs until 3:00 pm Eastern time tomorrow to give our east coast and international readers a chance to participate.
NOTE: this is not a fixed time event, the post just goes live at 8:00 am PST. You can stop by any time during the day or evening and leave your questions and comments.
Interview:
Hi Stacia!
Welcome to Bitten by Books, we are excited to have you here today!
I would like to thank you taking the time to join us for the question and answer session with our readers. It has been very interesting to get to know more about you and what makes you tick as a writer! Readers, if you haven’t done so already please stop by and get your copy of Stacia’s latest release Personal Demons
BBB: What do you find the most challenging aspect of writing?
SK: Um…starting is the hardest part. When you have an idea, and characters, but you’re not sure quite what’s going to happen or if you’ll be capable of getting the story out there, of telling it the way it deserves to be told. It’s scary. I never think I’ve done my stories and characters justice.
BBB: What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
SK: Finding out somebody likes it enough to publish it. 
Finishing is great. I love how it feels, too, when something you planted in the ms, without even thinking of it, comes together. Or when you write a scene and you just feel it click. But great as all of that is, it’s when you learn that other people also think the story works that’s the best and most rewarding moment.
BBB: What or who was your muse that got you started writing?
SK: Oh, gosh. Um, I don’t really know. I always wanted to write, and over the years I’d made some attempts at it, but it wasn’t until after my first daughter was born and I was home with her that I realized I had the time, and I should really give it a go.
BBB: What do you feel are the benefits of the new electronic readers such as Kindle
SK: Well, I guess they’re better for trees, but I do worry about all those batteries and microchips and magic elves or whatever they have inside them. At least paper is recyclable.
BBB: What impact do electronic readers create on the bottom line for authors in the end? Do you feel they have a negative impact or positive, or no impact at all that you can see?
SK: It’s both positive and negative. Certainly as someone who started her career in e-publishing I can’t say enough good things about e-books and people who read them, as well as the higher royalty rates most e-books garner writers. Not to mention how e-publishers like Ellora’s Cave changed the entire face of a genre; before EC came along finding really hot, graphic romances was difficult-to-impossible. I think the success of EC and other e-publishers showed that there was a market not just for erotic romance but for different subgenres as well, and I also think that having those options brought a lot of new readers to romance.
On the negative side…I know a lot of people disagree with me, but I strongly believe e-piracy is a huge problem. There are sites where some books have been downloaded hundreds of times, even thousands of times. I know the argument is that those readers wouldn’t have bought the book anyway, but I don’t think that’s true of every single person who downloads a pirated e-book, and I think especially in today’s climate those sales matter.
BBB: Who among your characters is your favorite and why?
SK: Oh, wow. I really love all of them, it’s so hard to pick. But I think if I were forced to I’d say one of the characters in my upcoming dark urban fantasy series (which will be published next year by Del Rey), which starts with a novel called UNHOLY GHOSTS. The heroine, Chess Putnam, has to be one of the best characters I’ve ever created and I love her to pieces, but it’s one of the supporting characters who I’m especially proud of. But I don’t want to spoil anything by saying who.
BBB: Can you tell us more about your other pen name? Which is your favorite to use and why? Heh, is either one your real name? Will you reveal?
SK: More about December Quinn? Hmm. I’m a little divided on the name these days, to be honest. I still like it, but also wonder if it isn’t a little too “pen name”, if you know what I mean. I wanted something unusual but still easy to spell and to remember, and I thought a month as a first name would accomplish all those things. Since December writes erotic romance and I have two children, though, I figured a pen name was really the way to go.
As for which is my favorite…I guess Stacia Kane, because it’s nice and simple. It’s also close to my real first name. which is Stacey (I would have been Stacey Kane but there’s already a Harlequin author by that name–I really wanted to stick close to my real name for this one, though, and for a number of reasons I was set on Kane, so there you go. If I were writing romance under it I would have had to pick something else, but I figured since Stacia Kane’s books aren’t shelves anywhere near Stacey Kane’s it would be okay.) But no, my actual last name will remain secret.
BBB: Can you tell us how many books are planned after Demon Inside and when we can expect them? Or what your next releases will be if they are stand alone titles?
SK: Well, at the moment that’s a little up in the air. I’d originally planned five books, and I’m still hoping to do five, but as I don’t at this moment have an offer in hand for the next three after Demon Inside I can’t guarantee it. I am hoping to hear something on that very shortly, though, and so at that point will be able to say more about it. At the very least–barring catastrophe–I will do a third book to finish the series; I feel very strongly that having drawn readers into a story I owe them an ending, especially given the incredibly enthusiastic response Personal Demons
BBB: Vegetarian or Sparkly Skinned Vampire. Which would you choose to be and why?
SK: Oh, no question. Sparkly skinned vampire. I was a vegetarian for six years; that was long enough! And I’d love to be a vampire. I’m furious that I’m going to have to die someday and want nothing to do with that, so show me anything that will grant me eternal life and I’m there.
BBB: How would you describe the writing style in Personal Demons
SK: Oh, it’s definitely a cross between urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and while I think there are some dark elements to the story it’s more light-hearted. Certainly I tried to make Megan the kind of woman I’d want to know; someone with a sense of humor, who doesn’t take herself too seriously. And I think the other characters reflect that as well. Of course there’s Greyson with his very dry humor (I do love him so, I admit); Tera and her blunt-to-the-point-of-rude personality; and of course Malleus, Maleficarum, and Spud, who are just so much fun to write. I like to think it’s a fun book, basically. Some chills, some action, some romance; the kind of book I enjoy reading.
Demon Inside is darker, I think, but hopefully it still has its share of lighthearted humor, fun, and sexiness. I’ll just have to hope readers like it as much as the first one. Now my book Unholy Ghosts…that one is very, very dark. It’s definitely straight urban fantasy; there are romantic elements, yes, but with nowhere near the emphasis in Personal Demons
BBB: How do you keep track of your characters and world building?
SK: I keep it all in my head. Occasionally I have to refer back to something, but not usually. I hardly ever write anything down.
BBB: What is your favorite paranormal fiction book of all time?
SK: Oooh, that’s a really tough one! There are so many I love. I think if I had to choose, though, I’d go with House of Many Shadows
BBB: What do you like to do in between all the time you spend writing and blogging?
SK: There are other things to do? Well, I do have a husband and two daughters, and they do have a tendency to want me to “pay attention” to them, if you can believe that. So that’s mostly what I do.
BBB: Are you looking forward to coming to RT and meeting all the crazy people of the League and Team Seattle?
SK: Absolutely!! I cannot wait.
BBB: I understand you are originally from the US but are now living in the UK. How do you like living there, and do you find it has impacted your writing style at all? And what is one thing you miss the most about the US?
SK: It’s definitely had an impact on my work. Not only has it given me more time to work, but I think it’s at least in part responsible for the darker turn my work has taken; so many ghost stories, such inspiring, slightly spooky scenery… It’s been a really interesting experience, and I’ve been very lucky that I got to have it. I don’t think I can pick one single thing I miss from the US, but I won’t be missing it much longer; we’re moving back to the States next year, right before the RT convention.
BBB: What inspired you to start writing your tips series?
SK: Well, last summer I did a series of blog posts about evaluating small publishers and epublishers, and it proved very popular. Since so much of the blogosphere seems to quiet down during the summer, I really liked the idea of doing another series, and making it an annual thing. I had originally planned to do agents, but I realized as I got into it that there simple isn’t as much material there, and there’s so much available information on the subject anyway, whereas at the time I wrote my Publishing series there was basically nothing out there about how to evaluate an e-publisher and what to look for. A lot of other blogs and sites did their own posts on the topic later, which was great–the more info out there, the better!–but mine was the first to really go in-depth on the subject, and I was and still am very proud of that.
Anyway, I’d never really thought I would do any sort of writing tips; I mean, what do I know, right? I don’t claim to possess one-tenth the amount of writing skill that would be required for something like that. But then I did a post which I thought would be a one-off, on sexual politics in sex scenes, and realized I actually had a lot of thoughts about writing (and reading) successful sex scenes. More importantly, I thought of a way I could do the series and not feel like I was telling people how to write; the series is designed in large part to help writers discover what sorts of sex scenes they feel comfortable with, and how they want to write them. To that end pretty much every segment has exercises which again are designed to work together, so that hopefully by the end the writer will have written one solid scene that fits in exactly with their own voice and their own style. More of a “Here are some things to think about” than a “Write the way I do”, if you know what I mean. And it was a ton of fun, and was very well-received, and that was wonderful. So I really, really enjoyed it and am very proud of it.
BBB: What did you do before you became a writer? Do you write full time?
SK: Oh, I’ve done a little of everything, really. I was a tarot card reader, both over the phone for a 900-number line, and as a small business I ran myself to bring in some extra cash when I was pregnant with my second daughter. I was a bartender. I did balance transfers for a very large credit-card bank (and it was hell, one of the worst jobs I’ve ever had.) But since I was pregnant with my first daughter I’ve been a stay-home Mom and housewife, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I love writing; it’s extremely important and fulfilling, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. But being a mom is my first job.
BBB: You have several other books that you have released, can you tell us more about them?
SK: Oh, boy. Well, as December Quinn I have five erotic romances published by Ellora’s Cave: Blood Will Tell (vampire) and Day of the Dead, which is sort of a related story; it’s a novella set in the same world and uses a minor character from BWT. Then there’s Eighth Wand, which was part of the Torrid Tarot series, and I think is probably the most romantic erotic romance I’ve written. I also co-wrote two novels with my critique partner, Anna J. Evans, both of which are paranormal menages: As the Lady Wishes, and Demon’s Triad–which was one of the few EC books to receive an X rating under their old system, and which we think is a really great, dark, sexy, scary book.
I also wrote one straightforward medieval romance called Black Dragon, published by Cerridwen Press, which was my attempt at an “old-school” type romance, like the ones I loved when I was a teenager. It got amazing reviews, which really pleased me.
And of course, coming next year we have the Chess Putnam series (written as Stacia Kane) with Del Rey; urban fantasy about ghosts, drugs, ghettos, black magic, and punk rock. The first book is called Unholy Ghosts–as I mentioned before–and we just finished line edits on it; I’m incredibly excited about it and think it’s the best book I’ve ever written. So I’m really hoping people enjoy it.
BBB: Do you have any pearls of wisdom you would like to share with our readers here today?
SK: Um, wow. About what? I guess really all I can say is if you want to be a writer, you have to write. If you sit around and wait for the kids to change personalities and become quiet, or until you’ve gotten enough sleep, or until things aren’t so stressful at work, or until you feel ready, or until the planets align…you’ll never get there. You have to make a commitment. You have to learn to focus and tune out distractions. It’s all very well and good to take ten years to write that first novel, but eventually you’ll have deadlines, and you better be able to meet them.
And once you’ve done all that, and finished your book…pay attention when people are kind and generous enough to offer you critiques and comments; don’t dismiss them out of hand because they “don’t understand what you’re trying to do.” If they don’t understand that’s your fault; you’re the writer, and it’s your duty to make them understand. Become familiar with publishing and how it works; when I was pregnant with my second daughter I had a very difficult time writing, and so spent that time learning as much about writing and publishing as I could, and I think it made a huge difference when I got back into it. Learn what an agent does. Learn what an editor does. Don’t expect anyone to hold your hand. Don’t expect anyone to pat your back. Don’t expect anyone to tell you HOW to write. And don’t pay anyone for anything; don’t pay agents reading fees or representation fees–they don’t get paid until you do. If you want to pay to have your book published that’s your choice, but you should be aware that that’s vanity publishing and your book will not be in bookstores. And don’t ever, ever submit to PublishAmerica; they are a vanity press and a scam.
Stacia, thank you again for being here today and taking time out of your writing schedule to give a glimpse into your world!!
Readers be sure to check out Stacia’s other sites and get linked in with her!
http://stacia-kane.livejournal.com/
She also has a Yahoo newsletter group; currently there’s sneak peek snippet from Demon Inside in there, and she’ll be posting more, as well as doing a sort-of-quarterly newsletter and excerpts and bits from the Chess Putnam books and anything else she comes out with in the future. http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Kanenews/
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Questions and Contest: Now, I am going to open up the internet floor so to speak and let our readers ask Stacia some questions. Feel free to post as many questions or comments as you like. She will be popping in and out today and tomorrow to answer them.
Readers, here’s how to enter the contest. You can do ONE or ALL of these things, and each one will give an additional entries at a chance to win. One lucky participant will be chosen to win a $25.00 Amazon.com Gift Card
1. Ask Stacia some questions. Ask as many questions as you like, you can also start a stimulating discussion.
2. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter here on the right hand side of the site. This is for new subscribers only.
3. Post the link to the interview here today (http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=2673) at another blog, website, Myspace, Ning Group, Facebook, Yahoo Group (any group where it is appropriate) and you will be given TEN additional entries for a chance to win for every link you post. BUT you MUST come back here to this interview and post those links in one response here in this thread. The more places you post the event, the more entries you get, so spread the word! NOTE: if you post multiple links here, your post will not show up right away. If you don’t see it, don’t keep posting it, we WILL approve your entry later on in the day. 
4. Purchase copies of Stacia’s awesome book TODAY or TOMORROW and send us a copy of the receipt VIA email (sorry no faxes) for your purchase to: racoo.smith @ gmail.com (no spaces) for TWENTY additional entries. You get TWENTY entries for each one you purchase. Not valid on past purchases. Click this link to buy her most recent book you can also use the amazon search box on the right hand side of the site to search for more of her wonderful titles.
Personal Demons
Books make GREAT gifts for friends and family anytime!
5. Add us as your friend on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/bittenbybooks
Add us as your friend on Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=614064436
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/BittenbyBooks
Be sure to mention that you are friending us for this contest so we know to enter you! 
6. Stumble, Digg or share the post with any social networking sites. There is a button right at the end of this post that says “Share” that you can use.
7. Twitter and ask your friends to re-tweet the URL for this event: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=2673
8. Read the Bitten by Books review of Stacia’s book here:
http://bittenbybooks.com/?page_id=58&book_author_id=Stacia%20Kane
Then leave a meaningful comment IN THE REVIEW post that shows you read the review, not just a post that says “sounds good” or “nice review”, a couple of sentences would be great! Simply share your thoughts, ideas or opinions and show the author some love.
9. Add Stacia’s blog to your blog roll or links page: http://stacia-kane.livejournal.com/
10. Add Bitten by Books to your blog roll or links page: http://bittenbybooks.com if you leave our link up permanently you will always be entered into our contests automatically. Just be sure to stop by each contest we hold and leave the link to where it is so we can give you your entry!
11. Email ALL of your friends and invite them to come by today! If your fiends come and post here and say you sent them, they get TWO entries and you get TWO entries! They have to tell us who you are so we know who to give the entries to. You can invite as many people as you want and get all the extra entries!
12. Join the The Blood Bank the Bitten by Books Community! here: http://bittenbybooks.ning.com/ then come back here and tell us your username. Be sure to post something about yourself on your blog there.
The contest will run through tomorrow 12/5/08 at 3:00 pm Eastern time to allow our East coast and international readers a chance to win too!
Be sure to include an email and name where we can contact you if you are a winner.
We will be awarding the AMAZING prize and announcing the winner to the Bitten by Books website later. And REMEMBER you can’t win if you don’t play!
(3 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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Hey all,
Just letting everyone know in advance that because I’m in the UK, and thus so far ahead time-wise, and because I have an event to attend tomorrow which will keep me away from my computer until Saturday afternoon, it may take me a little while to get to any comments made after about 2 am PST today. I will come back and get to them, I promise, but I thought I should let everyone know so you don’t think I’m ignoring you.
(Of course, probably no one will have anything to say at all, and I’ll feel like an idiot for posting this. Ack!)
[Reply]
Hi Stacia!
Thanks for such a great interview! Its always exciting to learn more about some of your favorite authors.
Why paranormal? Why not historical fiction or contemporary fiction? What is it that drew you to write paranormal/urban fantasy?
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Hello Stacia,
Thank You for being here today. I am looking forward to the next book.
Could you please give us an extra tidbit to Demon Inside? Please with a cherry on top.
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I love these interviews! being able to learn a little something about the authors whose work we read is always great : )
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Hi Stacia!
Glad you’re here today.
So my question of thought:
I always like to ask an author this question-
If your book was turned into a movie or show, who would you get to play the main characters?
[Reply]
[...] Interview and Contest with Author Stacia Kane at Bitten by Books. [...]
Hi Virginia!
Hmm, that’s a good question! I actually started out writing historical romance–my first book (which was utter garbage, lol) was a medieval romance, and my second eventually became Black Dragon, published early this year by Cerridwen Press.
But I’ve always had a real interest in the paranormal. In fact, one day I was scanning my bookshelves and realized they were heavily dominated by horror and gothics and vampires and all kinds of paranormal stories. So not long after my second daughter was born I decided to try writing some myself, and it just clicked. I could do anything I wanted, you know? I didn’t have to adhere to any rules of dialogue or physicality or anything that I didn’t set myself. And that’s where I’ve been ever since, basically. I don’t think I could write a straight non-paranormal story right now if I tried! I just love the genre, and every day it seems I get new ideas and find new inspirations.
[Reply]
Hi Kizzy,
I’ll answer the other questions up, and then I’ll go find one, okay?
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Hi Jen! Thanks for reading!
Oh, gosh, Lyda, you’ve hit on one of my little bugbears. I always have such a hard time “casting” my books; my characters don’t look like any particular movie stars or anything, so I’m never sure what to say. (I’m also not really familiar with most actors or actresses anymore, sadly, as I never get to go to the movies, and usually we have kiddie TV shows on for the girls!)
I think for Megan it would be someone like Kirsten Dunst; very cute, and petite, with that sort of friendliness to her. Or the girl who plays Elliot on Scrubs, she’d be good too, I think.
For Greyson…Jonathan Rhys Myers was the closest I was able to come before, but I don’t think he’s as tall as Greyson. Or Christian Bale; he has Greyson’s sort of sharp-boned face, so he would work as well, I think.
And Tera would be someone like the girl from Knocked Up.
How’s that?
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Hi Stacia! *waves* It’s so good to see you getting more exposure–Personal Demons is one of my favorite novels and I think you are an excellent author.
I don’t remember if it was in your blog or your Yahoo! group, but you mentioned maybe compiling the tips you gave over the summer into one document, either in print or available online. Is that still a possibility?
Jackie
This interview has been posted on Facebook here (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1520918452&hiq=jackie%2Cballway), on Myspace here (http://www.myspace.com/bellechattenoire), I follow both Stacia’s and Bitten By Books’ blogs on my blog roll here (http://avidafemmina.blogspot.com).
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Is it not true, Stacia, that you are in fact a vampire? And that Underworld was really your biography? Come on, I have video evidence Spud gave me. Admit it. Also, you only write about demons to confuse the Van Helsing wannabes. Very devious and clever.
“”What is the most rewarding aspect of writing for you? “”
Oh please. I saw your answer. Truth is, the most rewarding aspect is all the fans flocking to your door every evening, willing to give you their necks. Free blood, baby.
My question? Whose blood tastes better? Brits or Americans?
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Also, how do I get a date with that hot vamp girl licking the rose at the top of the page. grrr.
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Okay…let’s see if this works…
Megan had already started to jump away when Greyson’s arm caught her and pushed her back, trying to put more distance between her and Orion Maldon as he began seizing.
Pinkish foam oozed from between his tight lips and ran down his chin. He flopped out of the chair, onto the floor, a high-pitched sound, a keening, coming from his throat. Megan’s demon heart twisted and wiggled; her fingers dug into Greyson’s hand.
“It’s her,” she whispered. “Greyson it’s her, you have to do something, you have to stop her—”
He didn’t argue, or say it was impossible, even though she knew it should have been. He didn’t ask how she knew. He just crossed the room to the fireplace and picked up the poker, holding it in front of him like a baseball bat.
Megan clasped her hands over her face, but couldn’t resist peeking out through her fingers. She didn’t want to watch this, but it was like a gory accident—no. Not like a gory accident. It was a gory accident, about to happen in the middle of the antique Oriental rug on the floor of Greyson’s lovely study, and in her panicked state she didn’t even care. She just wanted the threat gone. She couldn’t face Ktana Leyak again, not in her current state. Her demon heart might be pumping merrily away in her chest, but the human one had had just about all it could take.
Orion started to swell, the thin navy fabric of his shirt ripping down his spine to reveal flesh mottling blue and purple. Greyson raised the poker and started to swing it down, but Winston caught it. The sound of the metal hitting his flesh made Megan wince. How had he not just broken every bone in his hand?
“My rubenda,” Winston said.
“Sorry.” Greyson dipped his head and handed over the poker, while sweat trickled down Megan’s temple and she clenched her fists to keep from grabbing the fucking poker herself. What was the matter with these two? Didn’t they realize how close they were? That they didn’t even know if this would work?
Winston brought the poker down in a savage arc. Blood and tissue spattered everywhere as Orion’s head exploded like a cockroach under a brick.
Someone shrieked, long and loud, raising the hairs on the back of Megan’s neck. For a moment she thought it was her, but it wasn’t. This came from elsewhere, circling the room, brushing past all of them before disappearing with a tiny pop.
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Now, Tom…Y don’t want to say something you might regret later, do you? Because the grapevine tells me your blood is particularly–
Um. I mean, whatever do you mean? Of course I’m not a vampire! Ha! Ha! Ha! You’re so funny!
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Lovely snippet, Stacia. Can’t wait for the rest. It really isn’t long now.
Just stopped by to show you some love on my lunch hour!
Lisa T.
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Hi Stacia,
I just finished Personal Demons and really enjoyed it. It balances on a very fine line between urban fantasy and paranormal romance, I think, which was one of the fun parts.
My question: are all guard demons as lovable as the trio in Personal Demons? They’re so endearing! As a sub-question, is there always a class difference between guard demons and other demons, or is it just these three?
[Reply]
Hey Stacia,
Just thought I’d stop in and say, great interview!
Happy for ya. 
[Reply]
[...] Stacia Kane, author of Personal Demon, by Bitten by Books [...]
HI Stacia!
How interesting a demonic MOB FAMILY! LOL I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Megan sounds like the perfect woman to take them down. HEHE
Sisses,
Caden
[Reply]
Thanks Lisa!
Oh, thank you Alana! No, sadly, they’re not all like the brothers–most aren’t anywhere near as much fun.
Sorry, I can be a little long-winded sometimes.
As far as a class difference, yes, there usually is. Guard demons are a specific type of demon–they’re called herket demons, and waaaay back in history they were torturers in Hell (before Hell closed up, presumably due to lack of interest, lol.) When that happened they generally sought employment as bodyguards or enforcers or whatever. It’s what they were made for, if you know what I mean. So yes, basically, there is.
Hey, Tyhitia! Thanks!
Hi Caden! Thank you! Oh yeah, the mob elements are really fun; it’s something I’ve always wanted to explore a bit.
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When you were professionally reading Tarot, did you have a favorite deck & if so, what was/is it? Do you think you’ll ever involve Tarot (or other divination tool) in future books?
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You stated, “I never think I’ve done my stories and characters justice.” I have the same problem, and feel like I could never really redraft too many times. What, for you, is that defining moment, when you “know” your book is as good as it’s going to get?
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Hey Stacia, thanks for joining us today
Have you ever taken courses or classes on writing and the publishing process? Or are you completely self taught?
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Hey Arlene! Oh wow, what a cool question!
I used the Connolly deck for a while, back when I was doing the phone readings, and I really liked it, but it doesn’t work with me as well now as it did then–at least so I assume; I haven’t actually touched it in years. These days I actually own over a dozen decks, but find I usually use the Hanson-Roberts deck–I actually own it because I dreamed about it one night, and so grabbed it next time I saw it. Sometimes I use Thoth when reading for myself, and sometimes I use the Gothic Tarot, which has some really lovely imagery; lots of gargoyles and stone arches. I also have a Cannon-Reed Witches deck I pick up on occasion. One of my favorite decks is Northern Shadows, which is really attractive and very powerful but it just never seems to work so well for me, which is really disappointing. And I own quite a few more, too.
I’d love to write about divination; I just haven’t had the right idea yet. But one of these days I hope something clicks.
Is there a particular deck you use?
[Reply]
Hi Lisa!
Um…for me, the moment I know the book is as good as it’s going to get is the moment when my editor rips it from my shaking hands.
I never think it’s finished. I look back at my published books and see nothing but mistakes and things I should have done differently.
[Reply]
Hi, Stacia! Great interview…thanks for taking the time.
I found your concern about ebook piracy to be very timely, for me at least. I was horrified the other evening to discover how bad it is.
I had gone to Paperback Writer and then followed a link to one of her free stories on the Scribd website. While downloading, my attention was caught by a “related document” that I had to check out…one of LKH’s newer books. To my amazement, it was a full copy available for free download, apparently scanned in. A little digging revealed hundreds of such books, some scanned to PDF, some converted to word (with really spotty quality). I spent the evening noting the links and sending emails to some of the authors. I then realized yesterday that the problem is too big…there would be no way that I could contact EVERY author who had an illegal book copy posted.
I love the convenience of ebooks…I started reading them because I could read late at night without disturbing my DH with a reading light. The added bonus of being able to get books in e-format that I cannot in print…well, that’s just the whipped cream on top.
So…sorry about the rant. You can see I’m still upset about the piracy thing. Click and steal…sheesh.
[Reply]
Hi Sarai!
No, I’ve never taken any writing classes at all. I just kept working and studying published books and reading agent blogs (especially Miss Snark) and everything I could get my hands on!
I did learn a ton about publishing on the Absolute Write Water Cooler forum, though; it is a fantastic website for writers, with a lot of very helpful members. So I definitely recommend it for anyone, at any stage of the process.
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Oh, absolutely, MsValerie. I think it’s awful; it’s extremely upsetting. And what bothers me about it is, the authors who are in a position to do something about it–who are big enough names to publicize the issue and take on the thieves–consider it unimportant. When Napster started, Metallica took a lot of guff for their stance, but what they did was helpful to a lot of smaller bands who needed every sale they could get. The same needs to happen with book piracy, but as I said, so many people just figure the person stealing the book wouldn’t have bought it anyway. I’m sure there is a percentage who wouldn’t. I’m sure there is a percentage who go out and buy the book after reading it free. But how big are those percentages? It just makes me ill.
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Hi Stacia,
Hope to find you are writing more books. During your interview you stated that starting a book is the toughest. So, I have a few questions about that if its ok.
First, what is the little quirk that you do if you get a writers block?
Secondly,do you have a favorite thing you do after you finish a book? I am thinking “Misery” and he always had a smoke and drink.
Third and last,There has to be one characater who you feel is you,who would that be?
Thanks for allowing me to grill you and meeting you. It has been a pleasure.
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Hey everyone,
I’m off to bed now–it’s early but I’m so tired, I’m sorry! But I will be up at, gee, midnight PST or so, and I will answer anything here then, so please, don’t hesitate to leave some more comments and questions! And, you know, talk amongst yourselves too, if you want.
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Thank You so much for the extra tidbit.
Gleeful! Jumping up and down.
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Stacia! My question is (don’t enter me in the contest, tho): Do you ever use tarot to plot your books?
Also, is it true you have six toes on your right foot?
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Thank you for a wonderful interview, Stacia!
You mentioned the UK inspiring the darkness in your recent books. (I’m not sure how to word this…) Is it just the history there or is there something about the US that you see as “lighter” in some way, and if so, how? (not slamming either place here, just curious
)
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Thank you for being here and the wonderfull interview! What would you say is harder? Writing the first book of a series or continuing the series? And as someone who has, unfortunately, not had the chance to read any of your work yet- what do you suggest to start me off?
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I enjoyed the interview. I am wondering if you have any pets you will be bringing to the states with you and do you include pets in your writing?
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Great interview!
Is there a genre you haven’t written but would like to?
How do you choose your character’s names?
Bitten by books is on my blog list.
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Hi Stacia~
Great interview! I am very impressed that you are able to keep all the details of your books in your head…do you have the key points written down someplace…just in case.
If you could change your “pen name” what would you like it to be?
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Hi Stacia!! I have to check out that book on your favorite paranormal! I always love to hear what you read until your next one is out! I enjoy your December books too! With all the questions asked, I couldn’t come up with anymore about your writing
So tell us, what kind of teenager were you? What did you like to be involved in then?
I have Bitten By Books on my blog and myspace!
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Well I have to say that I got a copy of Personal Demons this summer at some conference (grin) and it was really fabulous. I loved the concept.
Will you becoming out with a sequel to this one, Stacia? Say yes.
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How much charcter development do you do before starting your books?
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Hi,
sorry to join so late.
You’re a perm fav on my blog:http://dinasthoughtblog.blogspot.com/
I am a follower and also Twittered about it.
I’m your friend on myspace, facebook, not sure it that counts.
posted on myspace too:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=148290375&blogID=454101478
anyone want to tell me how to post these on facebook, please, I don’t use it much, and have trouble.
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Hi Stacia.
What genre would you most like to try to write?
What genre is your favorite to write?
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Thanks for such a great interview. I’m always looking for new books to read so now I can add yours to my list.
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love the interview! i am looking forward to reading your books
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Hi Peggy!
Sorry, we muct have cross-posted last night!
Hmm. I don’t really get writer’s block, actually–although saying that, I did have a two-week pause when writing Personal Demons. It was right after the park scene, and I just could not get a next scene I liked. I wrote three or four different versions, and hated all of them, and finally gave up. I skipped it entirely and started writing again where Megan got ready for the charity ball, and kept going from there. Then when the book was finished I went back and filled in what was missing. It certainly worked, but luckily I haven’t had to do that again.
After I finish a book? I breathe a big sigh of relief that it’s done! I might have a few cocktails or something, too. But usually I just take a week or so “off”, if I can, and spend some time with my family. I get pretty obsessive as I’m nearing the end of a book, so by that point there’s a good chance I’ve barely spoken to my husband for a couple of weeks.
Um…wow. They’re all a little like me, really. Megan and I do have a lot of similarities, and my Unholy Ghosts heroine Chess and I have quite a few as well. But probably Megan is more like me. We’re not the same, but we are similar.
Thanks for the great questions!
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You’re welcome Kizzy! I don’t mean to sound pushy, but there is another snippet up in my Yahoo group–the link is above–and I will post more. You don’t have to join if you don’t want to, I believe anyone can look at the posts, so feel free to check that out!
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I guess you’ll have to wait to find that one out, Jaye…until we meet. *wink wink*
No, I don’t use tarot to plot, although I’ve thought about it. I have a few readings that are supposed to clarify character and help plot and all of that, I’ve just never gotten around to trying them.
Do you?
Hi Julie!
I think it’s partly the history and scenery–I lived in South Florida for a dozen years before we came here, and it’s not often foggy and cold in Miami. So that was definitely inspiring; perhaps if I’d still lived in St. Louis (where I grew up) when we moved I wouldn’t have found it so different. But I think it’s also partly just that I’m a lot more alone here.
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Hi Nicole!
Oh, continuing the series is much, much harder, no question. You have to find a way to fit in the necessary backstory. You have to be sure your characters are consistent–but also that they’re growing, in consistent ways. You have the weight of what happened before on your back. You’re constantly worried that this book isn’t as good, that what was charming and fresh and cool in the first one is now tiring and gimmicky and dull…oh, further books are so much harder, absolutely.
In a way they’re more fun, because you get to expand the world and develop longer storylines, but they are harder overall.
Thanks for the question!
Hi Val!
No, sadly, no pets. I love animals, but I’m allergic to cats and my husband is allergic to dogs, so… I think we will eventually bite the bullet and go on allergy medication, though, because the girls are getting old enough now to really want a pet and to be capable of dealing with one, if you know what I mean; no tail-pulling or hitting or anything like that, the way very little kids do because they don’t realize they shouldn’t.
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Hi Amy! Thank you!
I’ve never written straight horror, but I would love to. Or a thriller. I actually think my ufs tend to be more like paranormal thrillers/mysteries–certainly Unholy Ghosts is–but I’ve had a straight thriller idea running around in my head for years, and I would love to write it one day.
The characters’ names depend, really. Megan Chase is a Megan because so many Barbara Michaels heroines are named Meg, and it was a little homage; Chase just sort of appeared after it. Greyson originally had a name I got from a book on Hell, but it didn’t seem to work so I dropped it after a paragraph or two. Obviously “Dante” is a reference to Dante’s Inferno, and Greyson has to do with things not being black and white; Greyson is undoubtedly a good guy, but there’s no question that he’s also a bad guy. He’s not particularly troubled by conscience or morals, you know? Malleus and Maleficarum are from the famous anti-witch screed (it relates to and foreshadows the demon/witch enmity). Tera’s full name, Asterope, is one of the stars in the Seven Sisters constellation, and her sisters are also named after those stars, and it’s a bit of witch lore I hope to explore.
Someone once commented about the demons’ names in the books, and why none of them had “normal” names, but what no one has mentioned to me yet is of course they don’t; none (or almost none; I think there may be one or two exceptions) of them have Christian names. They’re not named after saints the way so many people are; they’re DEMONS.
It does make it harder to name them.
I like names to mean something. My Unholy Ghosts world has a lot to do with witchcraft and a religion that looks like Puritanism (ut is atheistic and not at all puritanical): an orphan, Chess’ (full name Cesaria) last name, Putnam, was assigned to her by the Church. Ann Putnam was one of the major players in the Salem Witch Trials; I’ve used other surnames from the Trials in the next book. It’s really fun for me to play with names and give people little clues to thing; Greyson’s middle name, which is in Demon Inside, is a reference to a medieval legend (and I will probably give a prize to anyone who can tell me the legend when the book comes out, because it’s pretty obscure. But it made me smile to use it, anyway.)
Thanks!
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Hi Lori!
Well…I have a few others in mind, actually. I’m going to try a YA project, which would be under a different name, I think, but I wouldn’t make public the connection. I have thought I’d like to do something with my parents’ names. I think they’d like that, and it would be kind of cool to do.
Hi Caffey! Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoy the books!
Wow, what kind of teenager was I. A lazy one?
I smoked cigarettes and skipped a lot of school. My teenage years weren’t very pleasant, really, in a lot of ways. But I had some good friends and I had a great job–I worked at a movie theater–so I got through them. 
Hi Arwen! Thank you!
Yep. I don’t have a release date for Demon Inside yet–there’s been some rescheduling happening at Juno, and ultimately good things are happening but it’s not anything I’m at liberty to discuss, unfortunately–but as soon as I do I’ll post it all over the place! And I’ve recently turned in the proposal for the third book, so we’ll see what happens.
Thanks!
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Hi Walt!
Hmm. That’s a really good question! Um.
I usually have a pretty good idea what the characters are like before I start–they’re usually one of the first things I have, if you know what I mean. When I first got the idea for Personal Demons I knew I wanted Megan to be the kind of character she was. Chess had a character before I had a plot or anything for Unholy Ghosts–I knew I wanted to do something different, and write about a drug-addicted heroine; everything in that book was a challenge and I loved that. So while I usually learn their depths as I write, I always have a basic idea–enough to start, at least, and the rest of it comes as I go along.
Hi Dina! Thanks for commenting!
Hi Lexee,
I would really like to try straight horror or a straight mystery/thriller. But uf is definitely my favorite to write so far. I love it; I’m having so much fun with it.
Thanks, Carmen and Tami!
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Oh, Nicole, I’m sorry! I forgot to answer your second question!
Right now the only one on the bookstore shelves is Personal Demons, so that would be a good place to start.
But do keep an eye out for Unholy Ghosts–I’m hoping for a release next fall, and it’s a very different book. I’m just hoping fans of the lighter Demons books will still enjoy the darker turn!
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Okay everybody,
I’m going to try to stop in again today, but if I don’t I will absolutely be back tomorrow to answer anything else I didn’t get to! I’m sorry I’m having to break my time up so much, I feel really bad about it. But I have some tidying to do in the house and I have to pick up my husband from work and head off to the hotel we’ll be at tonight, so I don’t get to stay and hang out some more (which I would much prefer to do, trust me.)
Thanks so much!
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Hi there. First I added your blog to friends list. Second, are there any characters that are very similar to yourself?
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Oh, Crist! BBB. I’ve done everything except feed you to my mother. lol!
Hi Stacia,
Goody! Fresh meat! I’ll be at RT with fangs a sharpened. Can’t wait to bite..I mean meet you.
Tell me…how do you feel about Garden Gnomes?
Mina H.
USA
Meljprincess@aol.com
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I’m a Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters fan too. I’m guessing you read the Amelia Peabody series as well. If so, who’s your favorite character in that series?
Thank you taking the time to answer our questions.
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Hi Stacey,
Thanks for your wonderful writing. I’ve really enjoyed it :-). So,if you could go anywhere, where would you go and what would you do there?
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Hi when i first started reading this I thought it was a interview with Stacey Kane the western writter and i thought wow she done a jump in gentry but i come to the conclusion this was not who i thought it was but wanted to tell you, your book sounds awesome and will check out your books on your website.
photoquest(at)bellsouth(dot)net
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How do you feel about EBooks? And will you offer Personal Demons in Kindle format? Lol, that is what most of my books are on now, saves SO much space!
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Thanks for sharing your writing story with us. It is very interesting to learn that moving to another country could change the way you write or think. I have never lived anywhere else so it is not even something I have thought about before. It sounds like fun. It also sounds like you have a very understanding and supportive husband. And children . That is what I call SuperMom.
Thanks Vicky (vcpearl@cox.net)
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Loved the interview such great questions and answers! I wantd to know what is her take on all of the vampire movies,tv shows and books that are being exposed now? What are your favorite books to read if you even have a chance to read one? Thank-you for your time and have a wonderful holiday season!
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Hi Stacia! What do you miss most about the U.S.?
I imagine it’s beautiful over there, but I could be wrong seeing as I’ve never stepped foot off American soil. Well, unless you could going in the ocean.
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hi stacey
you continue to share your experiences in writing, and i’m thrilled… especially about how to tackle sex scenes… thx
[seems i forgot to post yesterday]
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What a wild coincidence; my favorite deck is my Hanson-Roberts (autographed by the artist, no less). It’s the 1st one that I got when I gave up on the Swiss deck.
I collect decks so I have a *ahem* few. I also use the Old Path deck, Ancestral Path, Gypsy Fortunetelling deck (not Tarot, but take a look at it; it’s realllly cool), annnd work has fried my brain. I can’t remember any of my other decks.
I’ve also been known to pick up some runes or some ogham sticks. Just for grins & giggles.
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Great interview. Your books sound great.
What made you decide to start writing paranormal books?
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Great interview!!!
My question is, how many e-books did you publish before you got Personal Demons in paperback?
Good luck with the new book!
Lisa
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Hi Val!
I think they’re all a bit like me, in some ways. But then, everyone in the world has similarities, as much as we have differences; we’re all human, right? But some of my characters are more like me than others. Megan has my taste in books and food. We both like to drink. She’s allergic to peppers just like me, too. And she’s petite and blonde like me as well (I had to do some photo work on the pic above to up the contrast, as it wasn’t a great quality photo; the result was it made my roots look black, which they’re not at all. I am naturally blonde–just not naturally THAT blonde, lol.) There are some similarities in our upbringings as well, but thankfully my parents aren’t like Megan’s–you’ll met her mother in the second book.
My Unholy Ghosts heroine Chess has the same taste in music as I do, and fairly similar tastes in men.
There are some personality traits as well. I’m really proud of Chess and think she’s a great character, so hopefully you guys will too!
Thanks!
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Hi Mina! Lol, I’ll look forward to that. I’m really excited about RT; it will be my first one, and I can’t wait.
Garden gnomes? Well, I guess they’re not really hurting anyone. Now, garden gargoyles…that would be cool. I want some of those!
Thanks!
Hi Daelith!
Actually, I’ve only read a few of the Amelia books; I prefer Vicki. But I really like Emerson, of course, and Ramses was a hoot when he was younger. (In the Vicki books, now…I looove John, but I absolutely adore Schmidt. I do think he started to verge a little on caricature in Night Train to Memphis, though, but I don’t really care. I love Papa Schmidt.)
Thanks!
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Hi Zita!
Wow, now that’s an interesting question. There are a lot of places I’d love to go, if I could. Egypt, certainly. I’d love to visit the pyramids and see the Sphinx. I want to go to Alaska one day and see the Northern Lights. I think it would be fascinating to see Jerusalem; all that history! Oh, and New Zealand. My husband used to work for merican Express, and they used to offer travel deals to employees sometimes. Once they had flights to New Zealand for something like $100 each. We would have had to go, spend a few hours, and turn around and come right back, but we were tempted. Just to say we’d done it.
Hi Lori! Lol, yep, it is quite a different genre from Stacey Kane.
Thank you!
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Oh, Nicole, I love ebooks! It does save so much space, which is great, and I love being able to read a book immediately. You can get Personal Demons in Kindle format from Fictionwise; my publisher had some difficulty getting the Kindle version on Amazon, but they’re still trying to get it worked out! Meanwhile, it is on F-wise:
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook67642.htm
Thanks Vicki! Yes, I’m really lucky to have had the opportunity to live in another country, and lucky that my husband and daughters support me and understand when I have work to do.
Thanks!
Hi Brooke!
Honestly? What I think I miss the most are the people. I really miss Americans; their openness, their optimism, their sense of humor, their friendliness and helpfulness. And I miss the kind of customer service you get in the US.
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Thanks, Laughingwolf! Great to see you here!
Arlene, I think the Old Path deck is made by the same people who made the Northern Shadows deck, so it’s a very similar style. I’ve seen the Gypsy Fortunetelling cards before and always wanted to try a set, so now maybe I will!
I’m asking my husband to get me the Minchiate deck this year, I think, but maybe I’ll slip the gypsy deck onto my wishlist as well. ;). But yeah, I do like Hanson-Roberts and like I said, it’s the one I usually reach for; nice to look at, very accurate, and I think it’s the best deck to do readings for other people as well–at least the best one I’ve worked with. It’s a comforting deck, I think, if you know what I mean. Plus I have small hands so it’s easy for me to use, whereas some of the oversize decks can be difficult for me.
I’ve never worked with runes though. It’s another of those things I keep thinking I’ll do one day.
Hi Donna!
I think it was just something that always interested me, really. And once I tried it I was hooked! I just had such a great time creating new worlds and mythologies and exploring what all that could mean. And it’s certainly where I’ve found the most success, so I guess it’s working for me in more ways than one.
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OOPS! I’m sorry, Tamara, I didn’t ean to skip you!
I LOVE vampires! I just absolutely love them. So I’m very, very happy to see them so popular. The more the merrier!
Oh, I do still find time to read, definitely. I have too many favorite books to list, though, honestly. I’ve always loved The Caine Mutiny and Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk; I love Marian Keyes and Maeve Binchy; I love early Patricia Cornwell and early Elizabeth George. I’m a huge fan of Neil Gaiman, of course. I enjoy JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood books, I think those are a lot of fun. And then of course there’s my pals, who have some fantastic books out there; Caitlin Kittredge, Jackie Kessler, Mark Henry, Richelle Mead…there’s so many great books and great writers out there these days!
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Hi Lisa!
Ummm…I believe I had two or three ebooks out there before Personal Demons got contracted, but I also had a few more ebooks under contract at the time. My first EC release, Blood Will Tell, came out a couple of weeks after I signed the contract for PD, which was in June 2007. So not too many, really.
Thanks!
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Thanks so much everyone!
I’m sorry it took me so long to finish answering, but I’ve had a great time! Thank you so much for such great questions, and if you like, you can always stop by my blog or join the Yahoo group and ask more, or just say hi!
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Congrats to Alana A. who won this contest, the winner has been contacted via email.
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