Checking In

Sorry for the absence, work has been crazy. The most I have the energy (and brain power) to do when I get home is answer email and maybe do a bit of online surfing. I may have a more substantial post tomorrow regarding marketing, but won't even attempt it right now.

I will say that I am finally *reading* Pride and Prejudice and wonder what the heck took me so long. I love it! (Boy have the movies cut out a lot of stuff/characters). Once I'm done I'll watch the A&E version.

Last week I read, The Artful Heir, it was picked out of a bargain bin (5 books for a $1.00--I went back to the store an not one Regency was to be found. *sob*) Anywho, this one was a real keeper. Two well-developed characters, with the growing attraction between them handled deftly. It was pretty apparent who the 'villian' was, but I really enjoyed watching the H/h together, their verbal sparring was fun, there was just enough sexual tension to keep things interesting and you really saw how they came to respect then love each other. This one is worth reading if you can get your hands on it.

I noticed Cerridwen Press will be doing Regencies. From Cynthia Sterling's Market Newsletter:

Ellora's Cave's mainstream fiction imprint, Cerridwen Press publishes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, suspense, horror, historical fiction, romance, chick lit, and women’s fiction in e-book format. 50,000 words and up. They will soon launch a new traditional regency line, Cerridwen Cotillion, debuting in late 2006. 50,000 to 75,000 words (actual word count)~ set in Regency period; will consider late Georgian~ “ no sex (if you refer to it, close the bedroom door, please), no heavy sexual tension~ historical accuracy/feel of prime importance. For initial release, they are looking for new stories. They will consider reissues of previously published stories for later in 2007 (author must document that they have regained full rights to book). They are especially interested in new stories by established authors, who can bring an existing fan base with them to Cerridwen.Note that they also accept Historical-set Regencies at Cerridwen, and erotic Regencies at Ellora's Cave™.

Hmmm. While I'm desperate for some trads, I wonder how this new imprint will read. I've yet to find a keeper amongst the Harlequin Regencies I've tried. And even the recent Zebra/Signet releases, don't compared to the much older ones, imo. Yeah, yeah, I've heard about The Mysterious Miss M, and I've read Janet Mullany's book, but those seem to be the exceptions rather than the rule (for me).


I see library sales looming in my future. And I'll go back to that UBS--which was the only one I've ever found to sell Trads in Toronto--and check if they've gotten anyone. I think some savvy reader just scooped up the whole lot, unlike stooopid me who picked and choosed, and now has only 3 oop trads left in the tbr pile. (I did however score a Carla Kelly in the lot: Miss Whittier Makes a List).

So why the glom on trads? Just a little fatigued with a lot of the 'all sizzle and no steak' items on the publishing menu lately. Not to worry though, my palate will be primed and ready for the firey (& meaty) chilli con carne that Lisa Valdez serves up later this year. ::waggling eyebrows::