Elemental Assassin series

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    Romfest wrap-up …

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    Over the weekend, I attended the first annual Romfest in Gatlinburg, Tenn. I couldn’t attend the entire convention, which ran from Thursday morning until Sunday morning, but I had a good time while I was there, and I thought I’d share some of my highlights from the event:

    THURSDAY

    There was a welcome breakfast and workshops all day on Thursday, but I didn’t get to the convention hotel until mid-afternoon. After that, my mom and I decided to do a little sight-seeing and walked down the main street in Gatlinburg. If you’ve never been to Gatlinburg, it’s definitely a tourist town. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many places to get fudge, ice cream, funnel cakes, and pancakes so close together before. (Not that I’m complaining about that. LOL.) Anyway, we had fun looking in all the candy and food shops, despite the heat and humidity.

    There was a cookout at the hotel Thursday night, and folks gathered under an outdoor pavilion to just eat, hang out, and talk about books and other stuff.

    After the cookout, there was a pajama party hosted by Smoky Mountain Romance Writers. Again, just another chance for folks to mix and mingle, along with some games, food, and prizes. I sat at a table and chatted with Mary Wine, Shannon K. Butcher, and Shannon’s assistant, Sarah.

    FRIDAY

    Sherrilyn Kenyon booksThere were more workshops on Friday, including one by yours truly on how authors can get media coverage for their books. I talked about how to write a press release, common interview questions, etc. I hope folks got some helpful tips out of my workshop.

    After the morning workshops, there was a luncheon with keynote speaker Sherrilyn Kenyon. Sherrilyn gave a funny talk about some of the ups and downs of being a writer. I’ve posted a photo of Sherrilyn’s books at the Saturday signing since my photos of the luncheon didn’t turn out that well.

    After lunch, there were more workshops, including one given by my friend Trixie Stiletto and Natasha Moore. Trixie and Natasha told funny stories of how they’ve incorporated some real-life events into their books and talked about how you can find inspiration in all kinds of events.

    There was a dinner and costume contest on Friday night. After that, there was bingo and prizes with Rita Sawyer and Adele Quinn. That was a lot of fun, and I actually won a T-shirt. I never win anything at conventions, but I also won a couple of raffle baskets too. Huzzah! Although I think I’ve used up my giveaway luck for the foreseeable future.

    SATURDAY

    Jennifer Estep booksOn Saturday morning, the mom and I got up, went out, and did some shopping, since the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville area is full of shopping outlets.

    After that, it was time for the book signing. Here are some of my books.

    We had a good turnout for the signing, and I was also able to talk to some of the other authors, including Kimberly Lang, Lorelei James, Joey W. Hill, and MaryJanice Davidson.

    I want to give a big, big thanks to the staff at the Books-A-Million in Sevierville that hosted the signing. The staff was so friendly and helpful. They were constantly asking if the authors needed anything, and they even brought us cookies during the signing. You guys rock.

    I had to leave after the signing, but there was another dinner Saturday night and a goodbye breakfast Sunday morning.

    AND THAT’S A WRAP

    And that was my convention. I just want to say thanks to everyone who organized the conference and all the readers and authors who attended. It’s always nice to hang out with people who love books.

    The Romfest organizers are already thinking about next year’s event. I’m not sure if it will be in Gatlinburg again or somewhere else, but I hope I get to attend.

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    And the title is …

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    Well, I can finally announce the title for the eighth book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series.

    And the title is … drumroll please … Deadly Sting.

    I think it’s a cool title and fits in well with the other spider-related titles. Right now, it looks like the book will be published in April 2013 (although that could always change). If my publisher keeps to the usual schedule of releasing the book the last Tuesday of the month (March) before the release month (April), that means that the actual release date should be Tuesday, March 26, 2013. I’m not a hundred percent sure about that, though. I will post here on the blog when I have a firm release date.

    I don’t have any cover art yet or even the back cover copy to share. I’ll be posting those here on my blog and the site as they become available. So stay tuned for more.

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    Widow’s Web bookmarks available …

    I now have bookmarks available for Widow’s Web, the seventh book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that will be out on Aug. 21.

    Shown at left is the front of the bookmark. The back features the covers of the other Elemental Assassin books. The bookmark design was done by Kim at HOT DAMN Designs, and I think it looks really cool.

    Bookmarks are free to readers, bookstores, libraries, reading groups, etc. However, please note that I ask folks to send me a self-addressed stamped envelope with two first-class U.S. stamps (90 cents) on it in order to get the bookmarks (this helps me cover postage costs). If you are overseas, I ask that you send me a SASE with at least $2 in U.S. postage on it or include that much in international postage coupons with your envelope. Also, whether you are in the U.S. or overseas, be sure your return envelope is large enough to hold the bookmarks, which are 2 by 8 inches. 

    I still have bookmarks available for the other books in the Elemental Assassin series, as well as for those in my Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series. You can get bookmarks for either series or for both. Just include a note in your SASE stating which bookmarks you want. To find out how to get the bookmarks, e-mail me.

    Here’s a little more info about Widow’s Web. Please note that there are a few mild spoilers here, if you haven’t read By a Thread yet:

    My name is Gin, and I kill people. It’s something I’ve been doing for years as the assassin called Spider, but now, it’s turned into a necessity on my part just to survive all the lowlifes in Ashland who are gunning for me. The underworld is still in turmoil, and I seem to be on everyone’s hit list these days.

    To add to Gin’s problems, her lover Owen’s ex is in town. Salina is back in Ashland to reclaim an old family legacy — and she thinks that Owen is hers for the taking. Also in the mix is Phillip Kincaid, a casino owner and all-around shady character who has a mysterious connection to both Owen and Salina.

    Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her water elemental magic makes her a dangerous enemy — and someone who can go toe-to-toe with Gin’s Ice and Stone power. But Gin is determined to get to the bottom of Salina’s deadly scheme, even though it just might cost her everything … including Owen.

    Widow’s Web is up for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other booksellers. Hope everyone enjoys the book when it comes out.

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    RT Booklovers Convention wrap-up …

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    I attended the annual RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago on April 11-15. I enjoy going to conventions because you get to meet so many folks — readers, authors, bloggers, reviewers, editors, and agents — who are all so passionate about books. Here are some of the events I participated in:

    WEDNESDAY

    I had breakfast with the very witty Sarah Wendell, who runs the popular book blog Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. We talked about books, social media, and more. Sarah also told me about Bookshare, which helps increase the accessibility of books to people with disabilities. She’s going to be doing a panel about the program at the national RWA conference later this year.

    Later that day, I participated in a young adult panel with Kiera Cass, Rosemary Clement-Moore, Kimberly Derting, and Carrie Ryan that was moderated by Melissa Marr. We talked about writing fight scenes, killing off characters, and other issues in YA books. It was a fun panel to be on, and we got some laughs from the crowd, which is always nice.

    I also met up with some author friends, including Edie Ramer and Liz Kreger, who are in the Entangled e-anthology. They brought me Beechwood cheese from Wisconsin, and I took them some Moon Pies from down South.

    THURSDAY

    I participated in an urban fantasy panel with Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr, Nicole Peeler, and Jaye Wells that was moderated by Lucienne Diver. One of the things we talked about was what urban fantasy is. My definition: Kick-ass heroines who kill bad creatures/monsters and make out with hot guys. LOL. Anyway, that was another fun panel to be a part of.

    I also attended an author/reader mixer hosted by my YA publisher, Kensington. The cool thing were the cookies that they gave away that had the authors’ book covers on them, including some for Dark Frost.You can see the cookies in the basket above left. I kept one for myself. I think it’s too pretty to eat.

    Also, before the mixer, I got to meet Kensington authors Marilyn Brant, Cynthia Eden and Victoria Alexander, along with many other folks. Below left is me with Victoria Alexander, who told me that she’s been reading and enjoying my Mythos Academy series. It’s always nice to hear when other authors like your work, so that was really flattering.

    I had to leave the mixer a little early because I had another event happening at the same time, which was a luncheon for YA librarians/booksellers. I talked to several librarians and booksellers (many of whom are also bloggers), and among the folks I met was Casey from Literary Escapism.

    FRIDAY

    I had breakfast with my editor and some other folks from Kensington, and we talked about Crimson Frost, the fourth Mythos Academy book that will be out in January 2013. It was really cool to talk with the Kensington folks about my books and all the other books they have coming up. They really are passionate about getting the word out about their books and authors.

    That afternoon, I went to the awards ceremony, where Spider’s Revenge won for Best Urban Fantasy novel. Huzzah! It was an honor just to be nominated with so many other great books and authors, and I was really honored to win. So thank you to everyone RT for the award. I really appreciate it.

    Although the winners had to go up on stage and give a short thank-you speech. I started panicking a little about that, especially when I realized who was on stage before me: J.R. Ward. Yes, that’s right. I had to accept my award right after J.R. Ward did hers. LOL. Anyway, I hope my speech was okay and that I thanked everyone I meant to. All I remember is trying not to drop the award. Everything else is a bit of a blur.

    SATURDAY

    The big event on Saturday was the Giant Book Fair, which featured several hundred authors. I signed books in the YA Alley with other young adult authors. This was the busiest I’ve ever been at a book signing. I think I signed books for about 60-90 minutes straight, which was really awesome. It seemed like there was a really good turnout for the book fair.

    Later that afternoon, I participated in a Speed Reading event with about 11 other YA authors. Every author read about a three-minute passage from their books. I thought that was a neat way to introduce the authors to the folks in the audience and get a sample of their books/writing style at the same time.

    And finally, I attended a YA party that evening. Folks were given scavenger hunt sheets, and they had to go around and find different authors in the crowd and get them to answer questions in order to win some tote bags signed by the authors. I thought that was a fun way to get the teens talking to the authors.

    FINAL THOUGHTS

    And that was my conference. I’m going to do another post about some trends and other things that I noticed, so be on the lookout for that. And if you ever get the chance to go to RT, even if it’s just for the book fair, consider it. If you love books, you’ll probably have a great time.

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    Widow’s Web cover art revealed …

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    Widow’s Web outer cover Widow’s Web inner cover

     So I can finally share the cover art for Widow’s Web, the seventh book in my Elemental Assassin urban fantasy series that will be out on Aug. 21. Huzzah!

    Although, this time, there’s a twist.

    The paperback copies will actually have two covers — an outer white cover (above left) and an inner blue cover (above right). Basically, the white cover is a flap that you open up to see the inner cover. This is called a step-back cover. Pretty cool, huh?

    So when you go to your local bookstore or want to order the paperback version online, be on the lookout for the white cover.


    Widow’s Web e-book cover

    However, if you plan on getting the e-book, be on the lookout for the blue cover, since that’s what will be used for the e-book versions. The e-book cover (above) is basically the same art as the inner cover, but with my name and the title of the book on it. And once again, the art by Tony Mauro on the blue cover is just fantastic.

    Here’s a little more info about the book. Please note that there are a few mild spoilers here, if you haven’t read By a Thread yet:

    My name is Gin, and I kill people. It’s something I’ve been doing for years as the assassin called Spider, but now, it’s turned into a necessity on my part just to survive all the lowlifes in Ashland who are gunning for me. The underworld is still in turmoil, and I seem to be on everyone’s hit list these days.

    To add to Gin’s problems, her lover Owen’s ex is in town. Salina is back in Ashland to reclaim an old family legacy — and she thinks that Owen is hers for the taking. Also in the mix is Phillip Kincaid, a casino owner and all-around shady character who has a mysterious connection to both Owen and Salina.

    Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. Her water elemental magic makes her a dangerous enemy — and someone who can go toe-to-toe with Gin’s Ice and Stone power. But Gin is determined to get to the bottom of Salina’s deadly scheme, even though it just might cost her everything … including Owen.

    Basically, this book delves into Owen’s past. Readers will find out how Owen survived when he was living on the streets with his younger sister, Eva, as well as more about his relationships with Salina and Kincaid.

    Widow’s Web is up for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and other booksellers. Hope everyone enjoys the book when it comes out.