About Books

So, last week I teased that I might have some Bigtime news soon. Well, there’s some good news, and there’s some bad news.

Bad news first: Jinx has been pushed back from April 1 to Sept. 2, 2008. I know, I know, it sucks for you guys because now you have to wait a couple more months to read the story.

But there is a silver lining: Berkley plans to re-release Karma Girl and Hot Mama as mass market paperbacks. Karma Girl will come out in July, Hot Mama will hit shelves in August, and Jinx will debut in mass market format in September. According to what I’ve read, these kind of back-to-back-to-back releases seem to work well for authors. So, we’ll see.

Other news: I’ve finished Nightingale, the fourth Bigtime book, and turned it in. So, now we’ll see if Berkley wants to keep the series going. Fingers crossed!

Still more news: I’ve also finished the first book in a new series and turned it into my agent. Tentatively titled, Live & Let Spy, it’s an urban fantasy about a Druid who’s forced to become a spy and infiltrate a ring of magical terrorists. Sort of like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, but with a chick. And some really cool spy gadgets. 😉

Better news: I’m going to be featured in the November issue of Southern Living. It’s a brief blurb, only a couple of paragraphs, but it’s still really cool.

Best news: Hot Mama is going to be excerpted in the December issue of wait for it, wait for it … Cosmo! That’s right, I’m going to be a Cosmo girl. :ww:

What about you? What’s going on in your world this week? Inquiring minds want to know …

Okay, here’s what I set up this weekend:

Nov. 17: 4-6 p.m., Books-A-Million, Johnson City, Tenn.

Dec. 1: 4-6 p.m., Books-A-Million, Kingsport, Tenn. (This is a brand-new store that’s opening.)

More to come! :joe:

I’ve been setting them up. Here’s what I have scheduled so far:

Nov. 17: 1-3 p.m., B Dalton Booksellers, Bristol Mall, Bristol, Va.

Dec. 1: 1-3 p.m., Waldenbooks, Fort Henry Mall, Kingsport, Tenn.

December: I’ll be signing books during the annual Christmas party at Mountain Empire Comics in Bristol, Tenn. Date/time to be announced, but I think it’ll probably be a Saturday afternoon about two weeks before Christmas.

More to come! :bub:

I should also have some news regarding the Bigtime series in general by this time next week. No promises. As those of you in the biz know, nothing every happens quickly in the publishing world. Stay tuned for more! 😉

I just saw the Romantic Times review of Hot Mama … and the reviewer gave it four stars! Here’s what she had to say:

It’s back to Bigtime, N.Y., for more sexy, sizzling and offbeat adventures with those zany superheroes. Fiona’s first-person viewpoint reveals a tough, cranky yet caring heroine whose literal flash temper can raise hell. Estep’s twist on the world of superheroes is kick-ass fun!

Summary: Living a dual life is never easy, but for superhero Fiera (aka fashion designer Fiona Fine), it is especially tough not being able to acknowledge the tragic loss of her superhero fiance Travis. Just as Fiona decides to start dating again, sexy and wealthy playboy Johnny Bulluci hits town, elevating her hormones. Meanwhile two new uber-villains have arrived to wreck havoc, and Fiona runs across the new Johnny Angel, a biker who can either be villainous or helpful. The previous Johnny Angel was murdered and this new incarnation vows vengeance. Good thing Fiona likes things hot, because it’s starting to sizzle! (BERKLEY, Nov., 384 pp., $14,00) HOT

— Jill M. Smith

Wow! Thanks for the great review, Jill!

And if that isn’t cool enough, there’s also a small feature story on me in the magazine. I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s listed in the table of contests. Needless to say, I’m having a great day! :ww: