 |  |
| Mind Games – My Review | Double Cross – 09/28/2010 |
Today I have the fabulous Carolyn Crane here at Fantasy Dreamer’s Ramblings! Carolyn’s debut Urban Fantasy novel Mind Games, book one in her The Disillusionists Trilogy, releases tomorrow. This is one book you all do not want to miss out on. So I’m happy to announce that Carolyn has offered to give away a signed copy of Mind Games here, the details are at the end of this post.
Howdy Carolyn!
My long and heartbreaking road to publication
Thanks, Donna for letting me guest post on your fabulous site! Today, I thought it would be interesting to people to talk a bit about my author’s journey, and what happened before I sold MIND GAMES.
Like many authors, the first book I sold to a publisher wasn't the first book I wrote. I slaved away on numerous projects for months, even years, only to have to abandon them due to lack of interest. Who can understand the whims of agents and editors these days?
Books and projects I worked on that were sadly rejected:
1. Urban fantasy series:
Book #1: THE LAST MANICURE
Concept: Hilarious tales of a zombie manicure parlor with a permanent solution to cuticle problems.
Book #2: THE LAST PEDICURE
Concept: Sequel to “The Last Manicure” featuring a client with a terrible ingrown toenail.
2. Zombie erotica standalone
Title: Deep Caress of the Clammy Hand
Concept: A tender and highly erotic zombie romance
3. Paranormal romance standalone
Title: Fang Repair Dentist
Concept: Did you know that the little canals inside vampire teeth through which they suck blood can get horribly clogged? Sexy dentist Veronica Majors knows all about it. Watch the sparks fly as one of her patients has to undergo the painful procedure.
4. Paranormal romance standalone
Title: The were-pig whisperer
Concept: A mysterious loner brings order to a chaotic hog farm, and lights up the life of the shy widow who runs it, but then he disappears.
5. Urban Fantasy series: 5 planned books
THE WERE-CAREBEARS SAGA
Concept: These gentle weres kill with KINDNESS...at first. The were-carebears saga traces the hijinks and moral descent of urban fantasyland’s most lovable paranormals.
book #1: The Cottony-Soft Coupe of the Were-Carebears
book #2: Were-Carebears Snuggle the Paranormals of Seattle
book #3: Peaceful Rumble of Were-Carebears
book #4: The Rejected Snuggle of the Were-Carebear King
book #5: Bloody Wrath of the Were-Carebears
6. Standalone Urban Fantasy:
Title: The “Is That Wrath? because It Seems Like Wrath” of the Passive Aggressive Demon Accountant
Concept: With this urban fantasy, you are never actually SURE if you’re being attacked.
7. Standalone YA:
Title: Welcome back Otter
Concept: A selkie teacher in an inner city high school helps low-functioning paranormal kids feel accepted.
8. Horror:
Title: Attack of the Zombie Shark!
Concept: In this chilling book, a killer zombie shark swims near beaches and attacks surfers and swimmers, throwing newscasters across the planet into abject PANIC on slow news days.
9. Urban Fantasy standalone
Title: Road Trip of the Amish Living Dead
Concept: After devouring their horse, these hapless Amish zombies cross the badlands on foot and then they buy tickets on an Amtrak train, transforming it into their own personal buffet.
10. YA Horror standalone
Title: The Were-Walmart Happy Face Dot
Concept: On full moon nights, the happy faced price-busting dot transforms into an angry-faced yellow blob and goes around clubbing customers. The authorities are mystified, but one intrepid fae-cashier solves the mystery, and a disturbing fight scene ensues.
***
There you have it - my heartbreaking road to publication!
LOL. Okay, I didn’t actually write those. But I did work for more years than I like to say on several full length novels that ended up being not quite right. And it actually was heartbreaking to let them go. I’m always so amazed and impressed when people write their first book in like six weeks and sell it (and often they are really fantastic books, which impresses me even more). But every writer has such a different journey, which I something I enjoy about this business.
Carolyn Crane
This post was fun on so many levels! As gullible as I am, when I first read this post I thought the titles for real. ::thumps self on the head:: My favorite was “Deep Caress of the Clammy Hand.” Thank you so much Carolyn for this terrific post.
Places you can find Carolyn: Web Site | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Giveaway:
Thanks to Carolyn’s generosity, a signed copy of Mind Games will be given away to one lucky commentator. Here’s how to enter:
- Leave a comment telling us which concept book from above that you found the most fun/interesting or ask Carolyn a question, she’ll be around to answer them.
- Leave your email with your comment if it isn't part of your profile.
- Open internationally.
- Deadline to enter this giveaway is Sunday, March 28th at 8AM CST.
Good luck!
