 This week in the League Lounge, I'm a bit uncomfortable and it's all because of our guest. You see, we have feisty (yet paranoid) urban fantasy phenom Jeanne Stein, fresh from the release of her latest Anna Strong tale, Legacy. But for some reason she doesn't trust me.You'd think people would be appreciative, but sadly no... Me: Are you sure the weapon is absolutely necessary, Jeanne? Jeanne: Weapon? Oh, you mean my little friend here. His name is Sugar. He's only half pit bull, so there's no need to be so nervous. And the white froth around his mouth? My vet says the rabies treatments are not as bad as people say. Actually, he belongs to Michelle Rowen. She got him after that unfortunate incident a couple of weeks ago. Thank you, Michelle, for lending him to me. *Smiles sweetly at Mark* But I'm sure the kidnapping was just an unfortunate misunderstanding. Me: Obviously. You know, some of the other League members survived the last interview. So there's really no reason for your concern. I'm not a total maniac. But, if you insist. This really puts a damper on the fun we could have. *winks*. Your choice. I recently read the first book in your Anna Strong series, The Becoming, and really enjoyed it. Like read it in two sittings enjoyed it, so that's a big compliment. Really. Enjoyed it enough to buy the second book, Blood Drive, while out on a recent ghost hunting weekend. Jeanne: You can drop the sweet talk, Mark. I'm not letting Sugar out of my sight. And keep your distance. I'm not sure what that thing is on the table, but if you take one more step toward it, I'll have to let Sugar off his leash. You wouldn't want that, would you? Me: Absolutely not. I wouldn't dream of rushing over there and beaning you with that donkey jaw bone. *points to a meaty object on a nearby table* I'm just not like that Jeanne. I don't know where you got that impression. Jeanne: *snickers* I've seen you in the bar at conferences, remember? I know how you are after a couple of drinks and I can smell the booze on your breath from here. And remember, I talked to Michelle. Me: She can't be trusted. Anyway. Legacy, the fourth book in the series is just out. Why don't you tell our wonderful readers all about it. Well not all about it, but enough to tease 'em a little bit. They love a good tease.  Jeanne: As long as you stay in that corner. Sugar, sit, boy, but don't take your eyes off him. Okay, Legacy is the fourth book in the Anna Strong series. A woman shows up, claiming to be the widow of Avery, Anna's mentor in The Becoming. She's come to claim his estate, something Anna is more than willing to relinquish. But there's more to the woman than meets the eye--she's a werewolf--and it soon becomes obvious she's after more than money--she wants Anna's blood. Kind of like what I suspect you want, right, Mark? Blood, I mean?Me: That's totally untrue. Blood's so dirty. I just want to make the League readers happy. Is that so wrong? Now, getting back to the interview. I always wonder about inspirations. Who are some of the authors, filmmakers, musicians, artists that inspire you? Jeanne: Joss Whedon, for sure. LKH, Charlaine Harris, Ira Levin...are you listening? Me: Hmm. Did I ever tell you I'm the bastard child of Ira Levin and Jackie Collins? *looks around for something to distract the dog* Jeanne: What? Me: Nothing. *spots a discarded whistle, slides it over with his foot* So if you didn't write urban fantasy, what would you be writing? Jeanne: I started wanting to write mysteries. Straight mysteries. No luck. Then I tried romances...well, one romance. My rejection letter said something like, "We hate the hero. There's nothing sympathetic about him. And the heroine comes across like a man-eater. Have you ever READ a romance?" Since that seemed like a rhetorical question, I didn't answer. But one good thing came of it...the phrase "man-eater"--not too big a leap to vampires. So, I guess the answer to your question is: I like urban fantasy. I wouldn't want to write anything else. At least not for the moment. Me: Man-eater? Hmm. You could have gone zombie with that comment. I always thought I'd write some high-brow literary shit, you know? Some weepy tearjerker set on the dunes of some east coast tourist village. Sadly, I couldn't generate the empathy. *picks up the whistle and gives it a silent blow. Sugar stretches her chain taut. Upstairs there's a shuffling.* Jeanne: *tugging on chain* What are you doing? What's going on? Me: Nothing to worry about. Let's just keep going. What's next for Jeanne Stein? Another Anna book? Something else? Jeanne: *Eyes on Sugar* You'd better not be f---ing with me. Sugar can tear a dummy apart in five seconds…and you look very much like the dummy she tore apart. Okay, to get back to Anna--signed on for two more books. In book six, Anna discovers what being "chosen" means. It's not what she thinks. The books go in a whole new direction and she'll have some tough decisions to make. Me: That's exciting news, you're fans will be ecstatic. Here's one of my favorite questions. They decide to make the Anna Strong movie, who would you like to see cast in the lead roles? Jeanne: I've been asked that a lot. I think Angela Jolie as Lara Croft or Kate Beckinsale as Selene in Underworld would be good fits. Christian Bale as Anna's new love interest, Lance, and maybe Luke Wilson as Daniel Frey. It would have to be a BIG budget project, for sure! Me: *noticing Jeanne has relaxed a bit blows the whistle* The shuffling above us gets louder and the door to the basement creaks open. A column of dusty light spotlights Sugar; he growls intently. The first plodding footfall is accompanied by a sound somewhere between a groan and a belch. Me: Ah. Anton's decided to join us. Jeanne: Anton? I thought I heard he died a couple of weeks ago. Electrocuted by his toothbrush in the shower, wasn't it? *Sugar is growling and barking now, straining against the leash. Jeanne takes a tighter hold.* Me: True. True. But I have my ways and a hotline to the sweetest little voodoo priestess. I met her on my last visit to Port-au-Prince--she made some mean fried plantains. And don't worry about Anton. He shouldn't bother us. The zombie reaches the bottom riser. His hair stands straight up; his skin scorched around his hairline, ears, eyes, and nostrils. His lips are split and the skin hangs from them in wet spirals. He stumbles forward, tripping on Sugar's leash and collapsing in a heap in front of the dog's frothing jowls. Jeanne: Oh my God--Sugar, no! Me: Oh, Jeanne. It's fine; big strong dog like that. He's bound to be hungry. Let's just chat while he finishes that meat. I'm only sorry it couldn't be fresher. Jeanne: Michelle is going to kill me. Sugar is only supposed to eat macrobiotics. Anton wasn't a vegan, was he? Me: Is overpriced Foie Gras vegan? Jeanne: Jeez--there's not much left, is there? Me: *shrugs* Any plans for a YA? Just about everyone is jumping on that train. Jeanne: Not at the present. It's been so long since I was a teenager, I can't remember what it was like. I think I've repressed that entire part of my life. Course the drugs involved in being a teenager in the sixties may have something to do with that. Not that I DID drugs, mind you. But I had friends and breathing the same air...well, you get it. Besides, I don't do angst and it seems a lot of YA involves angst. Me: How about telling us all about your first sale? I love a good first sale story and I know our readers do. Jeanne: *Eyeing Sugar who is belching quietly and settling down for nap* She seems all right. What was the question? First sale? Oh yeah. The Becoming was first bought by a small Colorado publisher, ImaJinn Books. I used it as a query to get an agent thinking it would show my storytelling abilities and he'd be so dazzled he'd want to see what else I wrote. Turns out, he'd had lunch that week with a New York editor looking for a vampire book and damned, if he didn’t resell it. Course, I had to buy my way out of the original contract. But I've been published by a small publisher and I've been published by a big one and big is better. Me: That wasn't so difficult, at all, was it? Damn. Anyway. You survived the interview and your Sugar had dinner on me. Good times, I say. Michelle is so dramatic. She'll totally get over it. Thanks for dropping by, Jeanne. *looks at the puddle of Anton* I know I enjoyed it. Jeanne: *Pulling on the leash to get Sugar to stand up.* Yeah. It was super. *Sugar ambles over and licks Mark's hand.* Me: *pats Sugar's head* Who's a sweet baby? Jeanne: Michelle is really going to kill me. *** You can visit Jeanne at the blog she shares with sicko author Mario Acevedo, The Biting Edge. Legacy is on store shelves now. *** Now for a wee bit of a contest. Leave a comment, ask a question, spread your Anna Strong love all over and you could win a signed copy of Legacy and a $25 Amazon gift card to pick up the rest of the series. Oh yeah. One winner will be drawn next Wednesday morning and posted here, so make sure to check back, I'm not going to track you down, unless I've got Sugar with me and then you won't be needing any prizes, will you? Will you? |
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Hi, Jeanne! Long time no see. It's been, what? Three weeks? LOL! Hey, miss you already. What a fun interview you did with this nut, uh, Mark. I bet my Teddy could beat up your sugar and day of the week. Ha! Take care and hope to see you soon!
Terrific interview. Thank you. I hope that Sugar has no longlasting problems from her little treat.
What is the tentative release date for the next Anna Strong novel and do you have a title for it yet?
Jeanne, I'd stick a diaper on that dog. Anton's revenge is sure to hit any minute.
Man, if I'm a zombie, it would totally be the liver I'd go for, not the brains!
*nom nom nom*
CRAP...am I too late? Um...question for the contest...um....quick, now....What color is the sky? How many authors does it take to change a lightbulb? um.....not saying you want to cut off the hand that feeds you (or,...eh...Sugar), are you thinking of venturing out of the Anna series and trying your hand at something else? if so, what?
I lurve Jeanne--you are awesomeness :)
Hugs,
DC :)
Hi, Jeanne!
I just recently discovered the Anna Strong series and have inhaled the first two. Wonderful characters. I really enjoy Anna's development, and her struggle with both of her natures.
My only question is: What's next?
Another fun interview! Thank you for being brave enough to face Mark. Glad you survived though I'm a bit worried about Sugar. Might want to get him some Pepto-Bismol to go along with diaper Jaye suggested.
Since you mentioned Joss Whedon as one of your inspirations, were you a Firefly fan? If so, ever toyed with the idea of writing anything along those lines?
Hi Jeanne! I read The Becoming and it really stood out as an interesting take on the vampire mythos. I really enjoyed it, and thought Anna was a terrific character! Thanks for the terrific interview and the fun series!
Gosh, Jeanne, it sounds as though this interview must have been at least as nerve-wracking as preparation for a certain DC event...
Carol
Hey Karen-- miss you, too! And Mark? He's not so bad if you keep your distance... :-)
Qwill-- Sugar is recovering just fine. Michelle, however, isn't speaking to me. The next book comes out in Sept of 2009-- Retribution is the working title.
Hey Jaye! I turned Sugar back to Michelle...I'll pass your tip on to her.
Anton-- What do you mean "If"-- we know the truth.
:-) Jeanne
I don't need to be entered in the contest. I just wanted to say hello to Jeanne (get Sugar to the vet ... stat!) and to, you know, scream at her to RUN.
haha. that was fabulous.
Jeanne - are you a pantser or a plotter? What are your favorite books on writing? If you were stuck on a desert island and could only bring 6 books, what would they be?
Thanks!
Andi asked if she was too late? Nah--the contest goes on until next Wednesday. Lots of time to play.
DC- Loves you right back. You are my hero(ine). Everytime Mark tried to pull something, I just asked myself, What would DC do????
MsValerie-- Glad you like the books. I'm working on six now. Anna finds out what being "the one" means."
Thanks to all for playing!
Jeanne
Hi daelith-- We're keeping our eyes on Sugar for sure. I do love Joss--everything Joss. If I could come up with anything half so clever, I'd be ecstatic!! He's the best.
Kimberly-- glad you liked The Becoming. I can hear Mark yelling in the background, "so why haven't you read the others yet?" Hope you will.
J.
Luvs me some Anna!! Just got through the first book, going to pick up the others as soon as I can.
Now make sure the vet looks after Sugar's cholesterol count!!
Lovely interview. You are such excellent hosts at UFL.
I love seeing someone keeping Mark in his place. Go Jeanne!
~Jana
Hey Susan - this here's the League of Reluctant Adults.
Though we love us some Urban Fantasyland, too.
Hey Jeanne,
Congrats on one of the best UF series out there. I was wondering, from where do you draw your inspiration? Thanks, keep up the awesomeness!
Hey Carol-- nice of you to stop by. And yes, being interviewed by Mark in a dungeon ranked right up there with preparing for the LKH interview...
Another good friend-- Michele, hi right back at you. And Sugar, so far, is displaying no ill effects from his dinner with Anton--or is it dinner of Anton?
Ciara-- you asked way more than one question. Let's see if I can answer them: Pantser mostly; Stephen King's On Writing, Dwight Swain's Technique of the Selling Author, Jack Bickham's Scene and Structure, Carolyn Wheat's How To Write Killer Fiction; the above four because once I got rescued, I'd want to write about it and Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby and Bram Stoker's Dracula. Whew......
j.
Hello Bea-- hope you like the others as well. Sugar is back on a vegan diet so I think she's recovering nicely.
Susan-- As Mark noted in his own subtle way-- this is the League of Reluctant Adults. You know this because the people over at UFL are much more MATURE....
JSB-- We can put Mark in his place, we just can't make him stay there!!
J.
Hey Sam-- thanks for the kind words. My inspiration comes from everywhere and everything--newspapers, magazines, TV, life. And people watching provides the greatest source of material you could ever imagine. That and eavesdropping. When we're out somewhere my husband can always tell when I've zeroed in on a conversation near us because he says my eyes glass over and I answer him in monosyllables. I'm not very good at multitasking!!
Jeanne
Anna Strong rocks! Great series, Jeanne.
Shame about Anton. After his last League post, I thought you'd at least put the rotting corpse...er...I mean, the body on display. But you know, at least he contributed to world peace -- Feed a Rottweiler, save a Chihuahuah.
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Okay, Tom. I appreciate the props but let's get it straight, okay? Sugar is a PIT BULL. Not Rottweiler, Pit Bull. At least half of him. We're not sure what the other half is...
Jeanne
I just finished Legacy and really loved it. My question is will Anna find someone to be with who she can be honest with?
Jennifer asks: will Anna find someone to be with who she can be honest with?
I certainly hope so. She's tired of whiny-ass guys like Mark--er--Max (Freudian slip). I'm thinking he's going to have to be another vamp, though. What do you think?
J.
I don't have any questions... yet, as I'm just in series discovery mode.
Strange. I no longer feel so bad about my dog eating stuffing out of the couch.
Jeanne, The Becoming is next on my to-read list! I'm looking forward to beginning the series!
Welcome, Chris and discover away!
Scribess-- yikes! Couch stuffing? At least Anton was biodegradable! Hope you enjoy The Becoming.
J.
Jeanne :-) My copy of Legacy arrived yesterday (I bought it over the Internet), but a signed copy would be even better ;-) I don't have photographic evidence of it with the cat yet, though, so you'll just have to take my word for it...
Have a lovely day! :-)
Hope Sugar wasn't traumatized too much by the interview session. Make 'Me' pay for the doggie therapist.
Bumping THE BECOMING up on Mt Git'r'Read....
You're very welcome, Jeanne. Take care of my Sugar for me -- remember his favorite meal other than zombies is writers of zombie fiction. Sorry I'm here late. I was at a therapy appointment. Still having unpleasant flashbacks to my interview with Mark. *twitch*
Great interview! Legacy sounds great!
I never really thought about it before Vickie's comment. If people are new here, they might not know who "me" is in the interview.
We have scheduled days here at the League.
Sunday: Jackie Kessler
Monday: Anton Strout
Tuesday: Stacia Kane
Wednesday: me! Mark Henry
Thursday: Catlin Kittredge
Friday: Jaye Wells
Saturday: J.F. Lewis
I just went and read some excerpts and I've really got to pick up the Anna Strong books. Thanks for the great interview and introducing me to a new (to me) series.
That was a great interview guys.
And Michelle, can other people borrow Sugar too?
I adored The Becoming and haven't had a chance to read Blood Drive. But I can't wait to read it! What an awesome interview!
Nice interview Mark & Jeanne. Alas poor Anton! Love me some Anna Strong!
Hi Jeanne! Great interview...glad you made it out safely, although it sounds like Sugar will never be the same again.
Are you from Colorado? I am really looking forward to starting this series...I have the first two in the series waiting for me to get started.
For those of you who asked: Jeanne is not a pantser. She's a de-pantser.
At every possible opportunity.
Hey Tez—How are things down under? Hope you enjoy Legacy.
Hi Vickie –Sugar seems to be recovering better than I am…. Maybe I’m the one who needs therapy… Hmmm… Hear that, Mark? When’s your next royalty check due?
See there—Just what I was talking about Michelle. Maybe we should file a class action suit—wouldn’t you, Sugar and I constitute a “class”? How much do you think we could get? Let’s talk….
Thank you for playing, Amy S.. Thank you for being brave enough.
Mark: I would think after the above three posts, you wouldn’t want to admit to being “me”.
Okay, ArkieRN—that’s the kind of comment we like to hear!! Hope you enjoy the books.
Lyda asked if others could borrow Sugar, too. I’d be surprised… Michelle is a quick learner.
Thanks, macbeaner—Hope you enjoy the other books in the series as well.
Hey Psynde—Love the name, btw. And don’t worry about Anton…no REAL Anton’s were hurt in the making of this blog, right, Mark? That was just a joke, right? Mark? Mark??? Anton?
Hi Lori T—Yes, I’m from CO…right outside Denver? Are we neighbors? Sugar is recovering but if I were a zombie, I’d stay clear of him for awhile.
Oh god… I knew it was too good to last. Mario is here. Don’t believe a word he says. EVER. Only thing worsse would be if Felix showed up.
Hey Jeanne!
Glad you were here. Excellent interview. Though I was sad to hear of Anton's second passing...now that sugar's eaten him, guess there will be a third passing (no details on that are necessary lol)
Do you have another series lined up out side of the AS Chronicles?
:)
This is a new series for me, sounds like my kind of reads!
Rachel-- LOVE your sense of humor--it's sick. We may be related.
Right now I don't have another series. I have a short story in an anthology, At The Scene of the Crime, that comes out in November. It's straight mystery--no woo-woo. I'm working on the sixth Anna novel, as well.
Hi tetewa-- try 'em-- you'll like 'em ... at least I hope you'll like 'em.