Pocket’s prepared a great PDF sampler of new urban fantasy (Juno and not). Read chapter excerpts from the latest and upcoming books plus cool exclusive content from some of the authors — including Juno’s Laura Bickle, Lori Devoti, Seressia Glass, and Stacia Kane as well as Jeri Smith-Redy and Sonya Bateman.
Check out my five star review from Affaire de Coeur!
Veteran author Seressia Glass turns her considerable talents to urban fantasy with this compulsively readable tale. The use of an Egyptian pantheon–Kira is a follower of Ma’at, Khefar a follower of Isis–gives the story a firm foundation, and the plot, with danger and darkness, but also a hint of romance, should surely satisfy. Bring on more of these characters.
I likey!
This course is designed for writers of ALL GENRES, published or unpublished.
You do NOT need to be a member of PASIC to join.
You’ll work at your own pace, on your own level.
EMPOWERING CHARACTERS’ EMOTIONS (details below) — a PASIC exclusive (will not be offered again this year).
Presenter: Margie Lawson
Cost: $20.00 PASIC members, $30.00 non-members – payable by PayPal
Deadline to Register: February 27, 2010
TO REGISTER, GO HERE:
http://pasic.net/class_lawson_032010.html
CLASS INFORMATION:
Would you like to learn how to:
Capture emotion on the page?
Hook the reader by eliciting a visceral response?
Analyze your scenes?
Fix scenes that don’t work?
Increase micro-tension?
Add psychological power to a good scene and make it stellar?
This power-packed on-line class covers the following topics and more:
The EDITS System
Deep Editing techniques
Four Levels of Powering Up Emotion
The Full Range of Body Language:
Facial expressions, Dialogue Cues, Proxemics, Posture, Gestures, Avoidance and
Deception Cues
Fresh Visceral Responses
Cliché-busting
Motivation Reaction Units
Ideomotoric shifts
Subtext Power
Emotional Authenticity
Backstory Management
Emotional Hits
Rhythm and Cadence and Beats
Carrying a Nonverbal Image Forward
Projecting Emotion for a Non-POV character
About the Presenter:
Margie Lawson—psychotherapist, writer, and international presenter – focuses her
analytical skills on writing craft. A former adjunct professor, Margie taught
psychology courses at the graduate and doctoral levels. Applying her expertise
in the writing world, she developed innovative editing systems and deep editing
techniques. Her deep editing tools are used by all writers, from beginners to
multi-award winners. She teaches writers how to edit for psychological power,
how to immerse the reader in the fictional world, how to write page turners.
Margie developed six on-line courses she teaches once per year. The lectures
from all her courses are available as Lecture Packets through Paypal from her
web site.
Empowering Characters’ Emotions
Deep Editing: The EDITS System, Rhetorical Devices, and More
Digging Deep in to the EDITS System
Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors
Writing Body Language and Dialogue Cues Like a Psychologist
Powering Up Body Language in Real Life: Projecting a Professional Persona When
Pitching and Presenting
In the last six years, Margie presented full day Master Classes for writers
fifty-four times, sharing her deep editing techniques with over four thousand
writers. Last year Margie was brought in as a guest speaker to present full day
Master Classes in Melbourne for Romance Writers of Australia, and in Auckland,
for Romance Writers of New Zealand.
To learn about Margie’s 3-day Immersion Master Classes, full day Master Class
presentations, on-line course schedule, Lecture Packets, or newsletter, visit:
www.MargieLawson.com.
Read what graduates of Margie Lawson’s courses and master classes say:
Randy Ingermanson, Ph. D., author of WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES, award-winning
fiction author, creator of Snow-Flake Pro, in-demand writing instructor:
“In the twenty years I’ve been writing fiction, two teachers have astounded me
with their insights and taught me something radically new: Dwight Swain and
Margie Lawson.
After reading Margie’s material on nonverbal communication and empowering
characters’ emotions, something clicked in my brain. Margie taught me a new ways
to empower my writing.”
Karin Tabke, Bestselling author:
“I had so many epiphany moments Saturday my head was twitching. It’s still
twitching! I wish I had attended Margie’s Empowering Characters’ Emotions master
class earlier. My writing is stronger, more vivid, more emotional. The effects
of the workshop were immediate. I highly recommend if you have the opportunity
to take Margie’s workshop in person, do it.”
Colleen Coble, CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and Bestselling author:
“The workshop I went to last month was the best I’ve ever been to, bar none. And
I’ve been to plenty. Margie’s workshop was so awesome, I’m going over my notes
from what she taught before I start my next book. She’s a genius, pure and
simple.”
Melanie Milburne, Bestselling, Award Winning author:
I just sold my 31st title and my editor loved the book. She thought I had
written a really sophisticated story with powerful emotion. So thank you Margie!
I have worked my way through Margie’s Empowering Characters’ Emotions, and Deep
Editing Lecture Packets, and found them wonderful. Her deep editing techniques
have really lifted my writing. It’s so exciting working on each new novel now
knowing I have these amazing techniques to engage the reader in a more
emotionally satisfying way. Thank you again, Margie!
Cheryl Wyatt, Award Winning author:
“I LOVED Margie Lawson’s class. WOW. WOW. WOW. Wish I would have discovered her
sooner. Fabulous. My writing will soar to the next level. She’s an incredible
teacher and such a fun teacher. Great lady. I plan to take all her online
courses.”
At the Steeple Hill spotlight, at the RWA National conference, editors Krista
Stroever and Melissa Endlich mentioned my books. They talked about how my
writing has a depth of emotion that makes them cry. They said that’s the kind of
emotive writing they want to see from authors trying to break in.
Margie, I know I have you to thank for the strong core of emotion that people
say are in my books. Thank you for bringing your wealth of knowledge and sharing
with us. You truly are amazing.
Jeri Smith-Ready, Bestselling author:
I owe it all to Margie Lawson (and my editor) for helping me whip my books into
shape. I used her Empowering Characters’ Emotions and Deep Editing lectures as
my bible for my final drafts. I am so grateful I discovered Margie’s editing
expertise. I can’t say enough about what a difference it makes to have Margie’s
‘voice’ pushing me to make each word count and each sentence pop!
Linda Warren, Award Winning Best-selling author:
I’m thoroughly enjoying your Deep Editing lectures. And learning. I feel as if
I’ve been writing in the dark. All of a sudden you’ve turned on the light and my
weak and dull writing is transformed into powerful and fresh. I love it!
As an author I get tired of the “thumping” “pounding” heart. “Lifted” “raised”
eyebrow, too.
After your full day Empowering Characters’ Emotions master class at NOLA Stars,
I wrote this line: “She cocked her eyebrow with the power of a .38 special.”
As I told you in Shreveport, I’ve never taken a workshop because getting around
is so hard for me. I’m glad I waited for a Margie Lawson Master Class to begin
to learn about the power of words, the power of writing. You’re brilliant.
CJ Lyons, Award Winning author:
Margie’s Empowering Characters’ Emotions and Deep Editing classes not only
helped me to get in touch with my characters’ visceral reactions, they also
showed me ways to use my characters’ emotions to drive my plots in compelling
and evocative new directions!
Lyn Cote, Bestselling, RITA nominated, author:
I love a teacher who knows how to break down the individual skills and content
in order to put into practice what is being taught. I’ve taken Margie’s
Character Emotion and EDITS classes and have used them ever since.
Margie’s lessons are always practical and make such a difference! If you haven’t
taken them and implemented them, YOU SHOULD. ”
Deadline to Register: February 27, 2010
As a Shadowchaser, Kira Solomon has been trained to serve the Light, dispatch the Fallen, and prevent the spread of chaos. It’s a deadly job, and Kira knows the horror of spilling innocent blood. But now she has a new role, as the Hand of Ma’at, the Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Order, and an assignment that might just redeem her.
A fellow Shadowchaser has gone missing, and so has a unique artifact imbued with astonishing magic. Unless the Vessel of Nun is returned, it will cause destruction beyond anything the modern world has seen. Kira’s got a team at her back, including Khefar, a near-immortal Nubian warrior who’s already died for her once. But as complicated as her feelings for him are, they’re nothing compared to the difficulties of the task she faces. And the only way to defeat the enemy is to trust in a power she can barely control, and put her life—and her soul—on the line.
Hi all. SHADOW BLADE has been out for a week, and I’ve got gifties for you.
I’m guest blogging today at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales on my Fascination with Fantasy. Stop on by for a wee bit of an excerpt, a count of some of my favorite authors, and a sneak peak at the cover for the second Shadowchasers book, SHADOW CHASE, coming in August!
And, if you comment, you’ll be eligible for a signed copy of SHADOW BLADE! Go forth and get your comment on.
Also, I’d just like to give a tip of the hat to Stacia Kane, who said some very nice things on her blog Tuesday about me and Shadowchasers. She’s one cool chick, and if you ahven’t read any of her stuff, you’re totally missing out.
If you’d like to read the ENTIRE first chapter of my brand new urban fantasy book, SHADOW BLADE, go to my page on the Simon and Schuster website and read it there, or click “Browse Inside” to explore the book or print the entire first chapter. Enjoy!
AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER: Amazon l Borders l Books a Million l Barnes and Noble l Powells
~EXCERPT~
“Kira,” Demoz rose to his feet as they entered. “You do know how to make an entrance.”
“You know what they say, Demoz. If you’re going to do it, do it in style.”
“True, true.” The big man regarded her, his skin black as tires and just as thick. If the Michelin Tire Man had been dipped in tar—and dressed by Armani—Demoz would be his twin. The only traces of color on his plump body were the thin silver stripes in the fabric of his very expensive suit.
“Tell me what’s going on. It’s not like you to be so blatant when you visit. You are obviously on a mission. What information are you looking for today?”
“You already know why I’m here,” she said, keeping a tight lock on her mental shields. It was one thing to allow Demoz to feed off the emotional reaction she caused; it was quite another to let him feed off her directly. If she showed any sort of expressive display, he’d work the gap until it opened wide and the feelings flowed freely—like a blood vampire sending anticoagulants into a vein.
“I can do many things, Kira, but reading the thoughts behind your gorgeous brown eyes isn’t one of them. Our usual meetings happen on Thursdays. What couldn’t wait until then?”
“The same as always. Information.”
Demoz raised an eyebrow, his steel-gray eyes curious, guarded. “What information couldn’t wait until our regular meeting?”
“Someone unleashed a seeker demon tonight.”
“A seeker demon?”
“Yeah.” Kira had noted the slight widening of his eyes before he’d spoken. Of course Demoz knew something. Demoz always knew something. She tried a test. “The Commission lost a handler tonight.”
“How terrible for you,” Demoz clucked, his sympathetic tone completely at odds with the assessing glint of his eyes. “I felt the moment of his passing. A tragedy. Was it someone you knew?”
“This is my territory,” Kira continued, ignoring his question. “A seeker demon killed the handler, but none of the skanks around here are strong enough to manage a seeker demon, are they?”
“Of course not, which makes me wonder if your information is indeed correct.”
“It’s an unimpeachable source,” Kira stated. “Who’s strong enough to control a seeker demon, Demoz?”
“I don’t know.”
“Really?” She didn’t bother to hide her sarcasm. “Are you telling me that when you felt the moment of his passing, you knew he was a male handler but you couldn’t tell it was slain by the hands of a seeker demon? You’re getting sloppy in your old age.”
The vampire’s eyes tightened. “I haven’t reached old age yet.”
“But you certainly want to, right?” It wasn’t a threat, not really.
“Kira, you’re the most pragmatic of the Chasers I’ve known. I have little doubt that you’d dispatch me if my usefulness waned.”
“Not without a reason.” She cocked her head, studying the outwardly complacent vampire. “Is there a reason?”
“Hardly. I enjoy life too much to get on the wrong side of any of my clients.”
Kira noted his hesitation. “But?”
“But.” Demoz sighed. “Something’s going on. I don’t yet know what it is, but all signs point to a heavy hitter coming to town.”
“An Avatar?”
Demoz actually looked over his shoulder, as if her saying the word would call the being out. He nodded.
“Where?”
“Don’t know.”
“What do the Fallen want? Why is one of them here in its Avatar host?”
“They’re tracking something. No one will say what or who it is, but they’ve got grunts all over the place looking for information. All I do know is that your opposition’s nervous and when they get nervous—”
“Bad shit happens.” She suppressed a sigh. “The question is, how bad is bad?”
AVAILABLE FOR ORDER: Amazon l Borders l Books a Million l Barnes and Noble l Powells l Mobipocket l Kindle
I finally got a copy of the February RT, and flipped to see my color ad (back cover, yea!) and the text of my review. I thought I’d share it with y’all since I rarely toot my own horn but this sure made me giggly:
“Glass’ latest seizes the reader’s attention and holds it captive. The author cunningly and masterfully injects details about gods who supervise and/or orchestrate what happens in the lives of humans, immortals and beings in between. The suspense is almost overwhelming, the intense action palpable. Glass creates a story you’ll want to keep reading, even when there are no more pages.”
The next high moment will definitely be holding the book in my hot little hands. (insert evil laugh)
Thanks to Google alerts, I found Risingshadow.net who has the cover (in grayscale) of book two of the Shadowchasers series, Shadow Chase. You can see the cover here. Soon as I get the full size color version, I’ll be sure to post it here.
I’ll also be posting an excerpt and further information as soon as I can. Meanwhile, head on over to Risingshadow.net and check out the gorgeous cover and read the back cover copy below:
In a job like this, one mistake can cost you everything.
As a Shadowchaser, Kira Solomon has been trained to serve the Light, dispatch the Fallen, and prevent the spread of chaos. It’s a deadly job, and Kira knows the horror of spilling innocent blood. But now she has a new role, as the Hand of Ma’at, the Egyptian Goddess of Truth and Order, and an assignment that might just redeem her.
A fellow Shadowchaser has gone missing, and so has a unique artifact imbued with astonishing magic. Unless the Vessel of Nun is returned, it will cause destruction beyond anything the modern world has seen. Kira’s got a team at her back, including Khefar, a near-immortal Nubian warrior who’s already died for her once. But as complicated as her feelings for him are, they’re nothing compared to the difficulties of the task she faces. And the only way to defeat the enemy at hand is to trust in a power she can barely control, and put her life—and her soul—on the line.
Mercury went direct yesterday morning, and I’m already feeling the effects. The creative portion of my brain went on like a light, and I got more written between 10 pm and 2 am than I did the previous two days. How sad is that? If I ever get to the point where the day job isn’t necessary, but writing schedule will probably be 9pm to 4 am or something like that. I just seem to function better after the sun goes down.
Mercury going direct does bode well for the final push this month, which will involve a writing weekend ensconced in a hotel nearby. I’d thought about going here but may have to save that for a sanity retreat later in the year. And I have the PASIC conference and DragonCon to do this year.
I’m hoping the weekend will be warm enough for me to get out to Oakland Cemetery. I have a very pivotal scene in SHADOWBLADE set there, and I want to describe it faithfully. Shame on me that I visited St. Louis #1 in NoLa but haven’t visited this historic landmark in my own backyard, though I have ridden a MARTA bus past it many times.
I’ll probably wrap that up with a trip to one of my favorite places: the Vortex in Little Five. If you’re ever in Atlanta and jonesing for a mammoth burger and tater tots, this is the place to go. My problem is that I always fill up on the tots and get too full to eat my burger.
Okay, now to bang out a couple of pages before lunch time is done!