Merging of Greatness…

In an effort to cut down on how much of a time suck cyberverse is, I wrangled my Knight in Slightly Muddy Armor and had his alternate persona, King of Tech, merge my www.jamigray.com address to this–my most awesomest blog site ever!  Now if you type in jamigray.com you’ll come here, and you can still peruse my holy list of links on my Links page, buy my world changing books on my Books page, stalk me through the electronic world on my Blog Tour page, all in one spot!  I kneel to the genius of my hubby in the weird ways of tech, because it’s all Greek to me (and I mean that seriously!).

On top of this nifty change, I also set up an Author Fan Page on Facebook.  You can see it here http://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter .  Feel free to go over and share your love of moi and click the LIKE button.  It took time before I bowed to the requests for one of these as I was uncertain exactly how to use it.  Now that I know it’s where you post all your blog visits, book releases and general writing news, viola it is created!

So even though I finally got a tighter handle on book 3, I have yet to sit down and start again, but now that all the pressing cyber demands have been met, I’m ready to go! WOO HOO!

Now, I need your support because this upcoming week (May 14th-18th) will become a testing ground on just how thick I’ve managed to get my writing skin to as I embark on a five stop review tour of Shadow’s Edge.  Oh yes, I hear you.  Why would I subject myself to such a rack of torture? Because, I really would like people out there to give me their honest feeback–good or bad–because how else will I be able to stretch myself as a writer? And because I don’t want to inhibit any postings, I’ll be there to thank the reviewer, but I’ll lurk in the shadows to see what is said.  Fingers crossed that the reviewers find Shadow’s Edge exciting and thrilling!

If you’d like to swing over and see what’s up next week, feel free.  Here’s the schedule:

• 5/14/12      Come on over and see the review of Shadow’s Edge at Live To Read
• 5/15/12      Stop over at A Case of Reading Insomnia for another review of Shadow’s Edge
• 5/16/12      Shadow’s Edge is up for review at V’s Book Life
• 5/17/12      Another review of Shadow’s Edge over at Unabridged Andra’s
• 5/18/12     Last Review stop of the tour, so stop by Books Are Magic

And lastly, I had to share a moment I had this weekend.  Life was getting stressful, you know how it is when everything around you seems to sit their big, heavy weight upon your shoulders and you just want to slither away into a small, hidden place?  Okay, so I had a few bad moments because, hey, we’re all human, right?  Just when the light of creativity was beginning to sputter, one of my favorite Twitter Peeps (@KindlesConsort) was chatting with another bud of mine and she gave strength to my flame through her excitement and anticipation of my writing and how much she enjoyed chatting with authors.  I couldn’t resist, I had to tell her how much her words meant and that it was because of readers like her that authors, especially me, continue to put pen to paper.  Then later that night through Facebook I received another message from another fan, Kim Hawk, who shared how much she enjoyed Shadow’s Edge and why.  Again, I was humbled by such words.  I may put my stories out there, but the reason I have the courage to continue onward is because of you, the readers, who so eagerly embrace these fantastical worlds and then share your excitement with the writers.

Long story short, authors write for you readers so take the time and drop a line to your favorite authors, big or small.  Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one that strengths their flickering creative light on a dark day, giving them the strength to pick up the pen once more and forge forward!

–Wicked

The Impending Release…

Okay drag your mind out of the gutter and let mine float by!  Not that kind of release, I’m talking about release dates for books!  Oh yes, I finally got my release date for Shadow’s Soul: Book 2 of the Kyn Kronicles…

JUNE 23rd, 2012

Some nightmares are born of love…

Raine McCord has no problem taking down the monsters of the world, it’s one of the reasons she’s so good at her job.  So playing bodyguard to Cheveyo, head Magi of the Northwest, as he consults with the Southwest Kyn should be an easy assignment. Unfortunately, simple task turns into a nightmare when Cheveyo is kidnapped and Raine is left for dead by one of the Kyn’s most feared beings, a Soul Stealer.

The Stealer’s attack leaves lasting wounds, undermining Raine’s confidence as a warrior and damaging her unruly magic. Her ability to heal her mind and spirit hinges on the one man who can touch her soul, Gavin Durand.  Compelled to face the emotions raging between them, they must embrace not only their stormy relationship but their evolving magic to escape the twisted threads of murder and betrayal to find Cheveyo.

As Raine and Gavin come together and begin to unravel the complex web of secrets and hidden vendettas haunting the Southwest Kyn, they discover unsettling new truths that threaten their very existence.

Plus, our very own Snarky Dwarf has a title coming out on Friday, April 13, 2012.  For those who love their romance with a bit of bite (I know, over used pun but it works!) check out her title:

BLOODSTORM

Cover Art by the amazingly talented Dawné Dominique

When duty forces a shaman to stop a vampire from her revenge, love doesn’t just burn… it bites.

For two hundred years, Niki DeVeraux has been tracking the monster who murdered her family and made her a vampire. She finally catches up to him only to face more than she bargained for in a too-sexy sheriff who makes her remember she’s still a woman. With duties as Keeper of the peace and Sheriff, Shane Spencer must protect humanity and stop the friction between the local Arcaine races before it turns into an all out blood war.

When wolves start turning up dead, the tension between the races grows and suspicion falls on Niki. Shane knows she’s not to blame, and it has nothing to do with the primal urges she stirs within him. Working together, they must stop the hostilities from going over the edge. Trouble is, the desires raging between them might prove more dangerous than the surrounding threats.

So on Friday the 13th (yep, you saw that right!) head over to Amber Kallyn’s Blog and join in on the release party.  She even has some cool giveaways! Hope to see you all there!

Reminder:  Blog stops for this week:

4/9/12              Bri Clark’s Belle of Boise where we explore how I learned plotting from soap operas.

4/14/12            I’m visiting with Lindsay Jones’s at Just Another Book Addict to chat about my family.

If you missed last week’s spots, you can still catch them at:

Mona Karel’s blog   The Rise of the Furry Sidekick

Nanny Berry’s Getting Naughty Between the Stacks         You Never Really Grow Up…

 

–Wicked

New Year, New Story…

Okay so the New Year has arrived and it’s time to get back to writing.  Shadow’s Soul is out being eviscerated, I mean critiqued, by the other Evil Six so I decided to start the year off write…I began to plot out Raine and Gavin’s next adventure.

But to get to this point took time.  Here’s a little insight into the schizophrenic maze known as a writer’s mind. 

I’ve spent the last few weeks prepping the Prankster Duo, the knight in slightly muddy armor, and the hellhound for the holidays.  We had to hunt down holiday gifts, bind them and then deliver them out to the other Swamp residents.  The Swamp Thing family has had a rough time this season so we had to sneak in late one night to leave their gift on the doorstep in an effort not to be dragged into their “martial discussions”. The Prankster Duo managed to get in and get out without any major setbacks (fires, explosions, dismemberment, etc.) while delivering Smokey, Quirky and Jedi’s gifts.  The knight and I took on the tougher residents. Evading Snarky’s newest whip was perilous and dropping off Eerie and Mischievous’ gifts, well I won’t go into detail. Suffice to say the hellhound was in need of some bone therapy afterwards, and knight’s armor had a few more dents to add to his collection.  Don’t tell Eerie, but I think I lost a blade to one of the shambling hordes.

Regardless, we made it through the season.  The Prankster Duo has increased their weaponry supply with some new additions and they’ve been tormenting the zombies scuffling through the Swamp.  The hellhound was quite pleased with his decapitated duck and unidentified leg bone.  Overall it was a lovely Holiday!

While hunting down and setting sneaky traps for our holiday gifts, I decided to pare down the towering pile of nightstand books and got caught up with some of my favorite stories.  When I finished with that, it was time to face the ominous quest looming on my horizon… the creation of my next book.

For those not familiar with a writer, let me explain why your writer friends seem to morph into bi-polar maniacs with multiple personalities in-between their Works in Progress (aka WIPs).  We all fear the blank page or screen that mocks us with its whiteness. 

Typing the last word on your last story is a relief, until you realize you have to start all over again.  Regardless if you’re doing a stand-alone or a series, beginning a story is terrifying.  Let’s follow along with my neurosis as I begin a new WIP.

First question that hits—can I do it?  Can I really get another three to four hundred pages that will keep a reader on the edge of their seat? Am I all tapped out? Was writing that last book, was that it?

A few deep breaths and a handful of chocolate later I’ve managed to smash that stupid voice into silence.  Yes, I’m a writer, damn it, I can do this.  I’ve done it before.

Next question—so do I continue with Raine and Gavin or do I let other characters have their own story? Should I go back to that other story line and take a break from Raine? If I continue with Raine, I’ll have to pitch to my editor for book three, if I don’t I’ll have to go back out to the vicious world of pitches and throw myself on the mercy of another editor.  What to do?

I re-read the 125 pages I have of the other WIP and it hits me…this isn’t going to work without some major re-writing.  Where do I start? Should I throw it away and just start from scratch? I mean, I really like some of it, but other parts are going to have me sporting a Sinead O’Connor look real quick.  Oh man, maybe it’s not so smart to go back to that one just yet….okay let’s think about Raine. 

What do I need to do next? Where is the overall story arc going? Every book has to accomplish something or why write their story? Fine, let’s torment the newly established couple, throw in some twists and turns and then…miracle of miracles, words are spitting across the page.  A plot emerges.  This is good, I haven’t lost the ability yet. 

Okay so I have a plot, but I’m still thinking this year I’d like to get two books done, so where do I focus?  How do I choose which gets to be done first? The massive re-write or begin Raine’s latest adventure?

Dear God I think the voices in my head are going to stomp my brain into mush and it will leak out of my ears and then neither story will get written.  ARRRGHHH!!!

I manage to piece together Raine’s story and I’m turning over how to re-write the other story, but in the meantime those around me are giving me a wide berth.  Maybe it’s the fact I’m continuously mumbling under my breath while wildly gesturing to get the voices to lower to a dull roar, or maybe it’s the fact that while eating a lovely dinner with family, I blurt out, “She’s being hunted by a psychic psychopath!”

Chairs scrape a few more inches away from me, the Prankster Duo just shake their heads, and knight simply responds in a gently voice, “Do you want some more chocolate, babe?”

And the year has barely begun…

Wicked!

To Nano or Not to Nano…

It’s November and once again I face the dreaded question, “To Nano or Not to Nano?”

For those not tormented each year by the looming challenge of Nano, let me explain.  Nano is National Novel Writing Month and if you write or have friends who do, it is the one month each year that is greeted with tears, mad laughter, nerves and for those into pain, joy!  Sometimes the entire plethora of emotions will ride you like a demented roller coaster ride.  The goal—write 50,000 words of a novel by the last day of November.  You read that right—FIFTY THOUSAND WORDS.

To give you an idea of what that means, my second book is at 405 pages and 114,000 words.

It’s a lot of words people.  Here’s the kicker—YOU CAN’T EDIT.  Yep, no editing allowed. You sit, you write and you don’t let your inner editor say a damn word.  Sound easy?  Have you ever tried to get that annoying friend who can’t resist giving you advice on everything to shut up?  How successful were you?  Multiply that by ten and your inner editor is cackling madly at your impotence.

So as  November loomed on the horizon, I had to make my yearly choice-do or not do.  I ran through my list of upcoming commitments:
Shadow’s Edge, my very first book, was coming out at the beginning of November

I had 15 guest blog posts to put together, send out, and then remember who and where I was for the next few weeks of November.

There was the book signing for the non-fiction anthology to go to.

There was the pesky little thing known as the job that pays the bills.

I needed to finish and begin editing the 405 page monstrosity of my second book so I could offer it to the other Evil 6 for evisceration.

The Prankster Duo have pretty much threaten to up their rebellion if I don’t acknowledge them at some point and help with the looming education projects coming down the road before Christmas break.

My knight-in-slightly-muddy-armor was requesting face time.

I could not miss my BFF’s graduation—that wasn’t even an option.

Sprinkle in the normal monthly requirements—meeting by the light of the moon with the other Evil 6, visits to local witch doctors before my knight’s lungs decided to created their own mucus nightmares, the hellhound required claw trimming and defurminating, etc.

Oh yeah, and there’s this holiday in here somewhere.

So call me wimpy but I decided to bow out of Nano this year.  Doesn’t mean I haven’t suffered unmitigated guilt ever since though.  Somehow I should have found a way to squeeze in 1500 words per day.  I’m a writer, damn it, it shouldn’t be so hard.

On the positive side, my guilt has encouraged some great ideas for the third book and maybe a whole other story line…hmmm…..

I wonder if I could suggest picking a different month next year?

So for all those brave souls trudging through the mire of words this year, I salute you! Go forth, write and be the hero I couldn’t be this month!

Go Nanomites! Conquer the paper and make it bleed ink!

–Wicked

IT HAS ARRIVED!

IT’S HERE!  IT’S HERE!

SHADOW’S EDGE MAKES ITS DEBUT ON  NOVEMBER 1, 2011!

You must run right out and get it! Right now! Put down that cup of coffee, it will still be there when you get back.

Zip over to Barnes and Noble if you’re a NOOK-er, Amazon if you prefer KINDLE, or Black Opal Books if you like holding the actual book in your hand!

Go…go on…go get it!

Not only is this happening this week, but THERE’S MORE!

Yes, indeedy.  I am appearing at: Marketing For Romance Writers Blog  on Friday, November 4th! So go check out my post!

BUT WAIT! THERE’S STILL MORE!

Can’t get enough of me? That’s okay, because I’m making the round on NOVEMBER 8th at the following:

The lovely Michelle Miles has invited me over to Ye Old Inkwell.

And for those who like their romance so hot even the local Fire Dept. isn’t enough, I’m dropping by

Menagerie Authors for a little chat!  But ID maybe required!

So find me this week! It’ll be fun!

I’m almost famous…

Got a bunch of little things to share with everyone.

I have an interview posted with Mandi Casey at her blog, so go check it out. Plus she has her own book out if you’d like a taste!

Official release date for Shadow’s Edge is November 1, 2011!  WOO HOO!   It’s available through Black Opal Books for pre-order! I even got my first two reviews! Check it out:

TAYLOR JONES SAYS:Shadow’s Edgeby Jami Gray is a tightly written, jammed packed paranormal that will have you enthralled right from the start. Part of the reason is the superbly written characters, which pull you in and make you invested in their story. Raine, our emotionally scared and vulnerable heroine, is a Kyn, a supernatural being, in her particular case, Fey. Raine is part of the Wraiths, a group of warriors who perform covert operations for Taliesin Security, an organization of the Kyn. Sure, she has the pre-requisite powers of the Fey, but due to some nasty experiments she suffered at the hands of scientists back when she was fifteen, there’s a slew of as-yet unidentified gifts just begging to be discovered—if she can trust herself enough to try them out.And that’s the secret to why I adore her. She’s a living weapon, ready to take on a baddie with her deadly knives, but in truth, Raine is an outcast, a mongrel, who is terrified of what she’ll learn about herself and how that truth will shove her past the borders of the only society she’s ever known. Keeping things interesting, Gray added a delectable hero in Gavin, a fellow wraith who pushes all Raine’s buttons, good and—even better—bad. There’s enough resulting chemistry between them that you don’t mind, too much, the lack of sex throughout the novel.

The action in Shadow’s Edge kicks into high gear when Raine and Gavin are sent on separate but linked missions—a string of suspicious deaths and a security breach into their own organization, Taliesin Security.

Gray does a wonderful job of describing the surroundings, plucking you from your chair, and immersing you into this well-developed story with fully fleshed characters, both human and supernatural. Shadow’s Edge has so much going for it and I can’t wait to read the second book in the series. My rating: 4.5 stars.

REGAN MURPHY SAYS:Shadow’s Edge by Jami Gray is one of those books where you get to the end and scream “More!” Thank God the second book in the series is already in the works. I immediately fell in love with the characters in Shadow’s Edge and could especially relate to Raine, our heroine. She’s clever, spunky, and blessed with super powers she doesn’t understand and, consequently, fears—superpowers enhanced by evil scientists experimenting on her when she was 15. She already had some powers since she is a Kyn, magical beings living on the Earth with us humans. But after the scientists get through with her, her powers scare even her. So even though she can kick ass and take names, she also has an endearing vulnerability.

Add a hunk like Gavin, who has special powers of his own, and you have an explosive combination that keeps you riveted from the very first word. When the shit hits the fan, as they say—and of course, it hits hard and fast in Shadow’s Edge—Gavin’s just the kind of man you want watching your back…or your front. Sorry, can’t help it. He’s just sooo yummy. How come I can never find guys like him?

When Raine and Gavin team up to find out who’s murdering their client’s employees—and who’s now after them—the action is fast and furious While there aren’t any hot and steamy love scenes in this book, there’s plenty of sexual tension. Although I missed the hot sex, the book is so well written, I forgave Gray…eventually. And to be honest, the pace of the book is so fast, they didn’t really have much time for sex. Well, okay, I take that back. There’s always time for sex. Hopefully, she’ll let Raine and Gavin get more intimate in book number 2. I hope it comes out soon because it’s going to be hard waiting for more. I’m giving this one 4.6 Stars.

How cool are those! I almost bawled like a baby! I was so happy to see how much they enjoyed the book!

I did manage to join the never-ending hole of chaos knows as Twitter, so now you can find me @JamiGrayAuthor  as well.  Just in case you don’t get enough here!  Since my knight in slightly muddy armor graciously bestowed the new iPhone on me, I should be able to actually do this! I know, shocker!

And for those living in the Southwest where winter is a vague suggestion, I will actually be at book signing at Changing Hands in Tempe on November 2, 2011 for A Mother’s Wisdom.  It’s a collection of poems, stories and letters from moms and grandmoms for their kids.  All proceeds from the book sales go to local charities. So if you have a quiet night, come share it with us! We’d love to see you there!

So things are starting to roll, come catch up with me if you can!

 

–Wicked

My blog is late again.  I should probably apologize but I have a feeling this is soon to be a reoccurring situation. Let me explain…

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to gather with some of my fellow 7ED’s at Smokey’s.  He prepared a lovely luncheon, complete with wildebeest stew, a medley of swamp veggies, and good old fashion tubers.  It was fantastic.  Even better, was the chance to sit back on rickety chairs at the old, scarred wooden table and shoot the breeze with my fellow swamp inhabitants.  Me and my knight-in-somewhat-mud-splattered-armor were able to lose the Prankster Duo for a couple of hours.  (We sent them on a wild raven chase after Mischievous)  The only time I had to use a sharp implement was to snag another piece of wildebeest.  Like I said, nice and relaxing.  Even our whip-mistress, Snarky was in a good mood.  Her whip only came out a few times and very little bloodshed was left behind.  Eerie was assisting Smokey on how to add just the right amount of spice, while Quirky tried to surreptitiously watch the process so he could later reproduce the product in his underground lab.  Even though we were missing Sunny, who’s been out sharing her light and laughter while maintaining her superwoman persona, it was still nice.

During our conversation, I was sharing (okay whining) to Snarky about how much the upcoming months terrify me.  I found out that Shadow’s Edge should be released on November 1st and as exciting as that is, there’s the flip side.  This is my first full length book and as a newly published writer, there is a lot of things you, the creator of this wonderful book, need to do to help along your publisher.  As I sat there calmly (okay, a few sobs snuck in there and maybe a little begging) discussing the impending blitz of promotion heading my way like freight train with Snarky (who’s an old pro at this since her fast track started last year), it began to hit me just what I was facing in the come days and months.

Blog tours, Twitter, Facebook, give-aways, reviews, the list goes on and on.  The scary part, that’s just for Shadow’s Edge.  That doesn’t take in the fact that the first draft of Shadow’s Soul is pages away from completion, which means it then has to undergo the brutal process being sent to the 7ED’s for their bloodletting, then back to me to carve  the carcass down to only the finest points, then bundle the bloody book off to my publisher, only to have them slice and dice their way through it.  That’s my first task to accomplish amidst the promotional blitz.

The second, NANO (National Writing Month) is around the corner and I have a concept that is dragging its claws across my brain in ever deepening swipes for attention.  So in the next few weeks I need to get set for writers version of Survivor.

Third, there’s another book I have that’s half way done which would be nice to get finished say sometime in the next millennium or so.  That’s on my list.

Fourth, there’s this pesky thing I refer to as “my job that pays the bills” that keeps requiring I give it my attention at least 10 hours a day.  Annoying, I know, but bill collectors are so much harder to get rid of once they show up.

Fifth, there’s something in the water in the land of the mountains that has some of the women in my family heading for the alter.  Yep, I have two great females in my clan that have finally agreed to let their men have the blessings of their companionship for the rest of eternity.  So, as excited as I am to be out celebrating with them in the next week, it’s still on my list.

Sixth, the Prankster Duo show no signs of slowing down either.  Keeping up with them is enough to have me longingly window shopping for a straight jacket.  Plus, my ever patient knight-in-somewhat-muddy-armor would occasionally like to spend some time with yours truly, just so he can remember why he got the armor in the first place.  Big sigh.

As I finally ran down on my panicked list of things-that-must-be-done, Snarky, the font of eternal wisdom, delicately licks her fingers as she sets down a newly cleaned bone of wildebeest on her plate, pins me with those icy blues and says,  “Suck it up, butter cup, you’ll be fine.”

Fine? Is she nuts? I open my mouth to argue, but she gets that look which can send all the rest of us running for cover. It’s the same one that proceeds the appearance of her red ink sword of agony.  I shut my trap and give her a small nod as nerves turn my stomach into a roiling pit of acid.  “Sure, I’ll be fine.”

She nods, and the impending threat is adverted.  I guess I have no choice as the impending snowball of doom merrily rockets toward me,  I’ll be fine.

–Wicked

Let me show you what I mean…

I promised to share the agony of editing with you, so sit down, strap in and hang on.  We’re now heading into the treacherous world of show-don’t-tell. You all know this pit of despairing darkness, it’s the one where someone reads your work then says, “Why are you telling me this, why can’t you just show me?”  Every writer faces this harsh enemy armed only with a small writing instrument and sheer guts.  Some carry a broader defense in the form of a laptop, but still the enemy is fierce and determined to leave you shuddering in its wake. 

There are thousands (seriously google it) of articles out there on how to work through the challenges of showing versus telling, but I’m an orbitally fixated person (see previous blog) so I’m just going to share an example of enlightment that was seared into my brain.

Here’s the original:

Raine moved like lightening to catch the little black remote before it hit the ground. Eden gave a frustrated shriek and went after Ryder’s face with her long nails, scoring three long scratches before her could stop her.

 Ryder cursed, yanking the doctor’s arms behind her back, forcing her to face forward.  Raine didn’t spare Eden a glance, but moved in to the cell. She could feel Cheveyo coming up behind her. Using her magic, Raine called up a small illuminating ball of light to chase back the darkness from the cell.

Huddled in the corner was a naked Gavin. Fresh cuts, seeping burns, and trickles of blood mixed with sweat-drenched, tangled hair made macabre abstracts over the shaking arms, wrapped around drawn up legs.

The enlightened minds of my editors pointed out the following issues with this small passage. For example in the very first line, saying she moved like lightening is telling, not showing.  Then on to the usage of verbs. Picking the right verb makes a world of difference. Action scenes demand strong verbs, use them but don’t -ing them (will face this little critter in the next blog).  With the light of knowledge searing my brain, here is the re-write:

Raine sprang forward and caught the little black remote before it hit the ground. Eden shrieked and  raked Ryder’s face with her long nails, scoring three long gashes before he could stop her.

He cursed and yanked her  arms behind her back, forcing her to face forward. Without sparing her a glance, Raine dashed into the cell with Cheveyo right behind her. She summoned a small ball of light to chase back the darkness from the cell.

Gavin was huddled in the corner, naked. Fresh cuts, seeping burns, and trickles of blood, mixed with sweat-drenched, tangled hair threw macabre abstracts over his shaking arms, which were wrapped around his drawn-up legs.

See how much better that reads? Plus it paints a more vivid picture of what’s happening for the reader.  This is the beauty of showing versus telling. It’s worth every drop of blood you sweat as you transfer those voices in your head to paper. 

So next week, I’ll move on to passive versus active.  Oh ye old English lessons. Dust them off, it’s time to go back to school!

Wicked

The Joys and Agony of Cover Art

I thought I’d share my first experience in the world of book cover art. Now, to be fair, my publisher would do my cover art for Shadow’s Edge because that’s what publishers do for their authors. But, I know for me, the cover is one of the first things that draws me to a book. With that thought in mind, I really wanted my first cover to do the same. Here’s the thing with Urban Fantasy cover art.

We’ve all seen it, the standard book cover, a very sexy woman holding the weapon of your choice–sword, dagger, gun, knitting needles–with her back to you while nifty cool tattoos either trail down-pick a body part: arm, leg, face, shoulder, back, butt- and you can’t see her face. I get that image, really I do. Here, I’ll prove it to you.

I worked with the wonderfully awesome and, more importantly, patient, Kim Killion from HotDamn Designs. I had it narrowed down to two images, one with a dark haired woman, where it was cropped from just above her shoulders to the top of her thighs. She even had a dagger (not quite the style Raine prefers, but it had an edge so…) and the second image where the woman was facing towards the reader, nicely clean and wicked dagger in hand and the “I will hurt you and you’ll like it” look on her face that I think Raine tends to go to in most situations. Since both designs hit things I really liked, I had to ask my cronies (read, family, friends and the 7ED’s) and put it to a vote. As much as I love these groups, they did not help. Oh no, it was about 50/50 on the votes. Funny enough the guys in the groups tended toward the butt cover, and the woman were split. So I left it up the final decider–my editor. And viola~ we went with the second one. We’re still tweaking a few things, but I’m hoping to put up the final here and at www.jamigray.com very soon.

As a newbie author, I had to turn the wonderful group at Savvy Authors, who gave me some really fantastic names of cover artists. I have to say, there are no words to fully explain how valuable groups like Savvy Authors, or my truly outstanding critique group, 7 Evil Dwarves, become your best fans and your greatest source of information.

So what did I learn through all of this back and forth and hemming and hawing over colors and images and designs?

That I’m so glad there are people like Kim Killion out there who understand that writers are really quite decisive people in general, it’s just that they need someone who has a little patience and knows the right questions to ask to bring these people who live in our heads to brilliant life.

So here’s to the quiet heroes of the writing world–cover artists!

-Wicked

 

It’s Official. I have a new website!

 I don’t have much to say because after hours in front of a computer with my hubby, my eyes are about to fall out of my head and roll away screaming.  However, the best thing we accomplished was my new website!

So go check it out!

http://www.jamigray.com/

I hope you enjoy it! 

And yes, I did finally sign and send off the final contract for Shadow’s Edge with Black Opal Books.  I’ll keep you all updated with release dates, etc. as I find out myself.

Thanks to all who’ve spent their Sundays and/or Thursdays with me.  Here’s to many, many more good stories!

-Wicked