I’ve been thinking about this blog post all week. But my poor brain is tired. I’m rubbing up against a deadline and I’ve got a murdering lunatic on the loose to contend with. My poor heroine is about to be convicted of a murder she didn’t commit and is facing the death penalty and her lawyer, a very reluctant hero, needs to get her off (yes, that pun was definitely intended). 
There are oodles of topics for me to blather on about. I could talk about getting my panties in a wad about this comment made over at Dear Author:
“…will New York publishers ever find their groove and become frontrunners in the industry or will they always be trailing after the much more successful e-publishers?”
But with that deadline breathing down my neck, there just isn’t the time or energy to expend in a blog war. Or is there?
Or maybe we could talk about this “new trend” in erotic romance? What new trend? I’ve been writing sexy books since I started writing. What am I missing here? 
No time for that, either.
I’ve been curious about the popularity of series, not series romance but trilogies and what not. We could talk more on this subject, too, as this seems to be another hot topic of late. To series or not to series. We had a good discussion on this very subject over on Brava Authors’ Message Board.
Too taxing for my poor old Swiss cheese brain today.
So I decided to keep it simple, and let y’all decided what we can talk about today.
Wanna start a web war with Dear Author over that quote? 
Shall we debate whether or not erotica is a new hot trend, or perhaps y’all would care to educate me and tell me what it is I’m missing? 
Or would you rather tell me your thoughts on whether to series or not to series?
And just to keep things fun and interesting, I’m going to do my part by keeping it simple. I’ll be giving away two ARCs of my upcoming Brava romantic suspense, The Matchmaker by random drawing today!
So, what do you wanna talk about?
UPDATE: Congratulations to KimW and BrendaR, winners of the random drawing for an ARC of THE MATCHMAKER. Please email me at jamie@jamiedenton.net with your mailing address and I’ll have your prize out to you pronto!
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It’s too early for web wars or debates so I would have to pick just thoughts on series. I enjoy series as long as each book is an entire story itself. My question is can a series go on too long?
by Maureen
on September 20th, 2006 at 6:21 am
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What was the very first book that got you interested in writing?
What was your first book you ever wrote & was it ever published?
by Tammy G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:19 am
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The dopey Dodgers not being able to hold onto first place. (baseball). LOL.
by Pat
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:21 am
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Also, 2 questions for anyone here: first I have a problem getting into access romance the first time I try to get in - my computer automatically shuts down - anyone else having this problem? I have i.e. and mozilla - doesnt matter which one I use. It happens almost every time for about a month I would say.
#2 - As I mentioned on the Brava site, I am all for trilogies, quadilogies, etc if that is a word. Love to see the previous characters make an appearance, etc.
by Pat
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:28 am
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What was the most heartwrenching, tug at your heart book or book that you have read that you will always remember?
by Helen Mac
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:35 am
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I don’t think that erotic romance is a new trend. There has been quite a following of readers who love to see the main characters fall in love and appreciated reading about the physical aspects of the relationship as well. However, I do see that love scenes that are explicit and written in a forthright way are more accepted than in the recent past. Perhaps the industry is allowing for more of this because of reader demand. There was a time that love scenes in particular were accused of being purple prose. Now the language used is more modern and to the point, I suppose.
I enjoy erotic romance much but wonder if perceived market drive may be pushing some editors to demand far more sex in the book and leave less room for the actual romance. I love a balance of the relationship and the love scenes. Hope I am explaining this in an understandable way.
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:38 am
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I love romantic suspense. The Matchmaker sounds good.
by Amy S.
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:49 am
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I enjoy series. The Matchmaker sounds great.
by Crystal B.
on September 20th, 2006 at 8:08 am
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The Matchmaker looks very good!
Have you ever been really really annoyed about a book of yours that has been published - like title or cover art that you have not been pleased with at all. Or maybe a revision you just didnt set well with?
by Joanne V.
on September 20th, 2006 at 8:16 am
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What was the very first book that got you interested in writing?
Gosh, I can’t really remember. I do remember I was seriously glomming historical romances at the time, so my guess it was no doubt one of my then favorite authors. Geeze, I hate getting old!:shock:
What was your first book you ever wrote & was it ever published?
Finding that book now would require a trip up to the attic and searching through a sea of boxes to find it, but it was historical. There’s a reason it will never see publication, cuz it’s a typical first attempt at novel writing.
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The dopey Dodgers not being able to hold onto first place. (baseball). LOL.
Pat - My sympathies!! I grew up in L.A. girl and will always be a Dodger fan. 
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What was the most heartwrenching, tug at your heart book or book that you have read that you will always remember?
It’s a toss up for me. Always in my Heart or Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. The scene in AIMH when the heroine loses the baby, and then from KAA, the scene where Daisy does the whip thing with the hero. They both break me up everytime.
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Have you ever been really really annoyed about a book of yours that has been published - like title or cover art that you have not been pleased with at all. Or maybe a revision you just didnt set well with?
Joanne - I’ve been pretty lucky with covers and have no real complaints in that area. Probably the only one I was ever really disappointed in was my Temptation BREAKING THE RULES. The heroine was a runaway bride, cute, young and supposed to be somewhat innocent and rather perky. The heroine I got for that cover definitely looked as if she’d been around the block more than a few times. There wasn’t an innocent thing about her, and she definitely wasn’t perky looking.
As for titles, I was devasted when my first title was chnaged. It took me forever to even get used to saying it without being embarrassed. However, I learned come royalty time that I obviously knew nothing because that book ended up selling like gangbusters.
When it comes to revisions, I’ve been pretty lucky there, too. If I disagree with something, which isn’t often, I just discuss it with my editor. More often than not, it’s just a matter of adding a line or two to make my original point a bit more clearer to the reader.
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Does your family members or friends read your books?
Re erotic romance - I think I will be around for awhile.
Describe how you felt when you saw your first book on the shelf and I bet it still gives you a tingle???:smile:
by Brenda R.
on September 20th, 2006 at 9:09 am
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the much more successful e-publishers
Not to take anything away from e-publishers, but I’d love to hear this person’s definition of “successful.” Which e-pubs exactly are more successful than NY pubs?????
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Do you ever have trouble coming up with titles for your books?
Do you have problems deciding on what you want on the cover of the books?
by Tammy G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 9:22 am
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Pat, no that does not happen when I open up the webpage….I would help you if I could!
And I agree, I enjoy book in a series. And if not directly in a series, than a book that branches off of the other books. It is fun to find out what happens to other characters!!!
by Kathleen
on September 20th, 2006 at 9:46 am
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Not to take anything away from e-publishers, but I’d love to hear this person’s definition of “successful.” Which e-pubs exactly are more successful than NY pubs?????
Yeah, I was kinda wondering this, too. If you take a look at Brenda Hiatt’s Show Me the Money (http://www.brendahiatt.com/id2.html), and of course, even taking into account the authors who don’t bother to help her out and report, it still doesn’t look all that successful to me, either.
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Unless the commenter meant e-pubs were more successful in giving readers of erotic romance what they want, and to that I’d have to say that it’s all a matter of taste!
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>i>Do you ever have trouble coming up with titles for your books?
Not as a rule, but I will admit to not really being able to write much on a book until I know the title, even if it is only my working title that will eventually get changed. I can’t get much further along than the first few chapters before having that title becomes an absolute necessity for me. That’s just the way my weird mind works.
Do you have problems deciding on what you want on the cover of the books?
Oh gosh no. I have lots of idea of what I think should go on my covers. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) the art departments don’t really care too much for what us lowly authors think 
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Unless the commenter meant e-pubs were more successful in giving readers of erotic romance what they want, and to that I’d have to say that it’s all a matter of taste!
Well, IMO, e-publishers can afford to take risks in that way because they don’t have the expense or overhead that traditional publishers must deal with. They essentially pay no advance, so what’s the risk?
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Does your family members or friends read your books?
BrendaR - I have three grown sons, and romance isn’t quite their first choice in reading for pleasure. That said, however, my middle son does read my books and says he prefers the ones with more suspense in them. I thinking THE MATCHMAKER will be right up his alley. Two of my DIL’s are avid readers, so yes, they read my books, as do most of my friends, even the non-writing ones 
The only family member who doesn’t is my oldest sister, but she only reads “the Good Book,” if you know what I mean. She’s convinced there’s a part of me that’s evil because of what I choose to write, but I love her anyway.
My 86 year old mother is probably my biggest fan and reads everything I write. She rarely makes a comment on the sensuality factor, but I admit to being a bit worried about her reaction to my contribution to the HOW TO BE A WICKED WOMAN novella. All she said after a scandlous “Jamie!” was, “I’ll be you’re banned in Boston now for sure.”
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Describe how you felt when you saw your first book on the shelf and I bet it still gives you a tingle???
The feeling defies description, but “tingle” comes pretty close and still does. There’s nothing quite like it.:razz:
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the book looks great.
will you be writing more blaze books soon?
have a great day:smile:
by KIM H
on September 20th, 2006 at 11:34 am
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I really enjoy books that are in series. Especially since most are stand alone anyway. Suz Brockmann, Allison Brennan, Tara Janzen just to name a few are all great.
by Joyce
on September 20th, 2006 at 11:49 am
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When you hit a roadblock in your writing do you have someone you turn to for help?
by Susan
on September 20th, 2006 at 11:59 am
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Which authors are auto buys for you?
MM loves good!!!!! Would love a copy.
by Karen T.
on September 20th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
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I think what Bookseller Jolie meant was whether NY would always be chasing trends begun in e-publishing.
Her point, as I interpreted it, was that Aphrodisia, Avon Red and Spice all don’t require HEAs, but that it seems to her that readers want HEAs in their books. They want erotic romance, not straight erotica.
by May
on September 20th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
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I was kind of shocked to see that remark about NY publishers.
I love series books and stand alone books.
What person dead (if you could of course - lol) or alive in history would like to meet and what would you talk about?
by Rose G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
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I like series stories that stand alone.
by Estella
on September 20th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
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The Matchmaker sounds very good!
by Jennifer Y.
on September 20th, 2006 at 2:59 pm
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How many books that you written have not been published?
by Tammy G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 3:08 pm
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What is your favorite vacation spot?
What time of year is your favorite?
by Tammy G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 3:11 pm
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will you be writing more blaze books soon?
As a matter of fact, I have a Blaze scheduled for next year. Talk about fun! It’s part of four book series with Lori Wilde, Isabel Sharpe and Carrie Alexander.
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When you hit a roadblock in your writing do you have someone you turn to for help?
Oh but of course! I have a group of online pals that I can turn to when I need to brainstorm, as well as my closest and dearest friend. In fact she and I were talking out a plot point this morning that was giving me fits.
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Which authors are auto buys for you?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Mary Kay Andrews, Lisa Gardner and Linda Howard, absolutely, no questions asked, even in hardcover
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What person dead (if you could of course - lol) or alive in history would like to meet and what would you talk about?
Rose - What a great question. It would have to be Katherine Graham. Such a fascinating woman. She ran the Washington Post during a time when it was essentially unheard of for women. And of course, we’d have to discuss Watergate, since it occurred while she was at the helm.
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How many books that you written have not been published?
Tammy - I was going to say two, the two that were written before I’d sold and are hidden in the attic and under strict order to never show they’re poorly written pages again, but the truth is, there are three total, one that I did complete after selling my first book that hasn’t ever sold.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Vacation? What’s that? 
Anywhere with a beach where I can have fresh seafood would probably qualify.
What time of year is your favorite?
Fall. This wasn’t always the case, but since we relocated to Pennsylvania two years ago, it’s my favorite time of year. Spring is pretty cool, too, but IMO there’s nothing quite as beautiful as seeing the leaves turn. It never fails to take my breath away. And Fall means baking, which makes the house all warm and cozy with the wonderful smells coming from my kitchen.
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What storyline would you like to write that you havent pursued yet? And is there is anything you would definitely NOT like to do?
by Lori D.
on September 20th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
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How many languages have your books been translated into?
by Minna
on September 20th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
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What is the best advice you can give to an aspiring writer?
by Helen L.
on September 20th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
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I think what Bookseller Jolie meant was whether NY would always be chasing trends begun in e-publishing.
May, that is exactly what Bookseller Jolie meant. And, if sales are any indicator for her, the print versions of epublished books are selling at a better rate than those of Avon Red and Harlequin Spice and Aphrodisia sales are starting to stumble.
It appears to alot of readers that in the “erotica/romantica” realm, epublishers have a better idea of what the readers want than what NY is putting out. Case in point is the idea of the supposed need for erotica books or books without an HEA. The few readers that did comment over the demise of the Bombshell line pointed to the lack of an HEA. The whole article was about whether NY erotica/romantica lines will be around in a few years given their desire to fill this need for erotic womens’ fiction or erotic chick lit (which is how I view erotica). Bookseller Jolie posits that these lines are headed for a quick demise unless the books start featuring HEA.
I am not even sure what angers you about the comment but feel free to fire a salvo if you want.
by Jane
on September 20th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
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Is writing what you always wanted to do?
If not what did you want to do?
by Tammy G.
on September 20th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
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The Matchmaker looks like another great book!!!
by Patricia J
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
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ooh, I want to read The Matchmaker and find out why Greer left him behind. It sounds great! Kudos to your mom for being such a support to you.
I’m going to answer the trilogies question. I like them as long as they stand alone. I don’t want to pick up book #2 and then find out I can’t find #1. I’d rather have it where it’s a bonus if you read all three, not a necessity.
Oh and Pat…I’ve never had that problem when accessing the site.
by KimW
on September 20th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
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Yes series books must stand alone - I agree with Kim.
What do you do if you get writer’s block?
by Patty B.
on September 20th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
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What storyline would you like to write that you havent pursued yet?
Lori - Ever since I read Lynn Michaels’ Harlequin Temptation NIGHWING, I’ve always had a thing for vampires and think I’d have fun writing one. Whether or not I ever do remains to be seen. Some things are just better left to the experts.
And is there is anything you would definitely NOT like to do?
Probably Science Fiction or Fantasy. I’m so not a science geek. 
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How many languages have your books been translated into?
Minna - Oh gosh, too many too remember off the top of my head, but I’ll give it a shot. German, French, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, Hungarian, Italian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Dutch and others that just escape me at the moment.
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What is the best advice you can give to an aspiring writer?
HelenL - The same advise that was given to me many, many years ago. Don’t quit. You never know if the next book you write is the one that will finally sell.
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Is writing what you always wanted to do? If not what did you want to do?
TammyG - I didn’t realize I wanted to be a writer until I’d turned 30. I thought I was going to be an attorney, but I came to my senses.
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What do you do if you get writer’s block?
Eat anything that isn’t nailed down. 
Seriously, if I get stumped, it’s generally because I’m not telling the story in the right way. Usually a good whine session with my brainstorming pals helps, then I figure out where I went wrong, fix it and move forward. The more intricate the plot, the more opportunity for taking wrong turns, too, I’ve noticed, but having a solid plan more than often keeps me on track.
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I’m going to answer the trilogies question. I like them as long as they stand alone. I don’t want to pick up book #2 and then find out I can’t find #1. I’d rather have it where it’s a bonus if you read all three, not a necessity.
Kim - I love this! Yes!! This is exactly what keeps me coming back to a series, that feeling that it’s a “bonus” read. Kathy Love’s Fangs series is like this for me. Book #3 is coming out in December and I can’t wait! I fell in love with her writing in FANGS FOR THE MEMORIES. I mean, what’s not to love about an amnesiac vampire! It was a hoot.
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I just wanted to thank everyone for all your great questions and comments. I had such a blast. We’ll have to do this again 
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Congrats KimW and BrendaR! Happy Reading!!
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 21st, 2006 at 9:27 pm
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ty jamie for answering
wtg ladies
by kim h
on September 21st, 2006 at 9:39 pm
