World building

I'm seeing a lot of queries for historical novels that clock in around 70K. My first thought on seeing that word count is "there's no way you can build a world and tell a story with so few words."

If I read the first couple pages, or even sometimes more, my suspicions were correct almost 100% of the time --  the world building is flawed.

Well, you might ask, what the hell is world building?  Editor Keith Kahla once told me world building wasn't just the room, it was the furniture and the art.  He didn't mean that specifically, he meant it as a metaphor.  It's not just what's there, it's what gives the place character. It's the scars and distinguishing marks and the mannerisms.  It's the smell of a place. It's the layers and nuances of the setting.

Still not clear?

Well, often times the best way to see what something is, is to see a good example.

Here are the six books that the Romantic Times nominated for Best Urban Fantasy world building for 2013.

Trickster by Jeff Somers
"Everything in this book seemed to work together: the setting, the magic, the language, the characters were all very consistent to create a world I was instantly drawn into"--Amazon review

Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep
"The world building grows and grows with each book."--Amazon review

Blood Winter by Diana Pharaoh Francis
"It is a superbly created world overflowing with complex characters." --Amazon review

 Last Blood by Kristen Painter
"Kristen Painter's Blood Rights is dark and rich with layer after delicious layer"--Gena Showalter

Touch of the Demon by Diana Rowland
"Phenomenal world building"--All Things Urban Fantasy

Ritual Magic by Eileen Wilks
"can't wait to visit this world again"--Amazon review


[When you buy these books for research, they're tax deductible as a business expense!]

A gift suggestion for Stephen King fans

We like it cause Jeff Somers contributes to it!

The Amazon link is wonky. Try this one.

Two Men Have Words: A Writer's Life

Why I am pointing a blunderbuss at Jeff Somers pretty much full time

Explained here.

Who is Avery Cates?

"Avery Cates ... is reminiscent of James Bond if 007 had no money, no cars, no fancy suits, no chicks, no snappy one-liners and only the occasional gun and luck to save his sweet ass from a revolving door of death."

Yea!



It's from a blog review here

Words fail me

Thankfully I know writers. One of them will tell me just exactly how hilarious and weird and amazing Jeff Somers actually is.

One of my clients has a psychotic break with reality

This is going to f/ing EPIC

I already have plans to misuse and betray all my friends by forcing them to participate!

The 900K word novel that I sold

I love this cover almost as much as I love the book

It's the final installment in the Avery Cates series.  Sox, prepare for launch.

Get ready!

why Jeff isn't out bribing people for votes, I do not know

Perhaps because he's busy writing or something.

The things I must do for that man.

Here; a book bracketing contest.  Vote for Jeff Somers. I dare you.

Wo ist "Endstation Chaos"

This is the German cover for the book titled TERMINAL STATE here in the US. Jeff Somers has a great blog post about it here.

Of course, I made the comment Endstation Chaos was the name of my subway stop.

Jeff quickly corrected me: "It's the name of your office."

Hmmmm, he might be right.

to quote Jeff Somers: "damn"

Usually Jeff Somers renders me speechless with his novels. Or with a call from the bail bondsmen.

This time, all he did was post this link

The Novel Road reveals deeply troubling info about Jeff Somers

This interview with Jeff Somers reveals some very disturbing new information about him.

What do you think it is:

In the future, Jeff buys me an island

10/10/10...you know it's going to be weird!

So of course, Jeff Somers will be part of a reading that night.


Here are the deets



When I put client events on my datebook, I also try to rally the troops:




Me to Sean Ferrell: Jeff is doing a reading on 10/10/10. You in? Drinks after I hope!

Sean: Sure! I'll go if Jeff will void the restraining order.

Me:(cc to Sean) Hey Jeff, can you call off the restraining order for one Ferrell, Sean? We need as many in the audience as possible, right? I'll make sure he wears pants so you don't have to.

Sean: I thought I told you pants were off the table. Speaking of which, who the hell took my pants off the table. They were freshly ironed.

Jeff: Can I get you guys to start chanting "Pants, pants, pants!" every time I try to speak?

Sean: The real question is, can you get us to stop?


(#gracetopia whispering from Twitter: I think they should both wear poodle skirts)




For this and other hilarity, mark your datebooks now!

Gives a whole new meaning to "Terminal State"

I'm billing them both for a new keyboard

Further cracking up via Jeff Somers