Visit our website between now and July 31st for your chance to win a Firedrakes Weyr prize pack!!
All you have to do is browse around our website at www.firedrakesweyr.com and find the answer to these three easy questions:
1. Which two books have ships on the covers?
2. In which romance book is the heroine sent back to the historic snow coated forests of Mongolia?
3. In the Adventures of Harriet....what kind of animal is Harriet?
The prize pack includes: An iron-on transfer of the Firedrakes dragon logo, a Five dollar gift-certificate to Firedrakes's bookstore, and two dragon soaps.
Send your answers to Kay@firedrakesweyr.com with the subject line I WANT A PRIZE PACK before midnight EST on July 31st. On August 1st, we'll draw a name from all the correct answers to win the prize pack and the winner' will be announced on our website the first week in August.
Have fun and good luck!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Join us!!
Join us on Sunday June 1st at 3:30pm EST for our next Dragon's Den internet radio program on www.blogtalkradio/FDWP
Then come chat with us in our chat room at http://www.firedrakesweyr.com/ on Monday June 2nd for our next release date celebration!!
Then come chat with us in our chat room at http://www.firedrakesweyr.com/ on Monday June 2nd for our next release date celebration!!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
FDWP Author, Gracen Miller
Hi, I’m Gracen Miller! I am the author of The Devil’s Den, which was published by FDWP on April 1st. My novel is a paranormal romance, with some steamy sex scenes and some graphic violence. My characters go at it, bickering constantly (I love dialogue), but there is a reason for the madness and not just the ‘they’re fighting their attraction’ type of theme, although that is a part of it too, just not the main gist of it. I like characters with depth and strong personalities, but they need flaws too. I’ve been writing for almost 25 years, but only recently became serious enough to submit my novel. Imagine my surprise when I received that call from Peggy at Firedrakes on January 1st! I was excited, shocked and in a “pinch me” state all at the same time.
I’ve started a Yahoo Group with fellow authors, Sarah Makela and Sierra Wolfe, called The Deadly Vixens. We’d love for you to join us there. The direct link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/deadlyvixens/. Our blog link is http://deadlyvixens.blogspot.com/. We're always looking for guest bloggers, so if you're interested, please e-mail us at thedeadlyvixens@yahoo.com.
Without boring you further, here is the synopsis to The Devil’s Den. I hope you enjoy! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at gracen.miller@yahoo.com or come friend me at www.myspace.com/gracenmiller.
Synopsis: It was the opportunity of a lifetime, or so Meredith told her best friend, Serena. It had Serena thinking Meredith was finally eligible for the looney-bin. Meredith was talking about monsters and fairytales, some real wacko smack bordering on insanity as far as Serena was concerned. So, when Meredith disappeared, there was only one thing Serena could do, take matters into her own hands and investigate the local criminal hotspot, The Devil’s Den. The bar was as seedy and decadent as it was reputed to be. And the creature she found there—Six was his first, middle and last name—was nothing short of terrifying, his abilities completely defying logic. Yet, it was easier for Serena to pretend he was not all that he claimed.
Born over three thousand years ago, Six is a vampire who has become jaded and spoiled by his feral power and immortality. Humans are nothing more significant than toys to be played with and in fact his favorite sport is to locate the most innocent of victims and then torture them cruelly before taking their lives. Even with his supernatural arrogance, nothing could have prepared Six for the sudden unexplainable desire he feels toward the human, Serena. Serena, a karate instructor happy with her bland, boring life, launches his demoralized existence into a chaotic mess.
Through their tangled encounters, Six is surprised when he realizes he has found his salvation in the one thing he despises most…humanity. And Serena having never been the adventurous type, but instead having always taken the safer route her entire life, finds adventure when she needs it most and wanted it the least.
Warning, graphic and violent content
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Devil’s Den Copyright © 2007 Gracen Miller
I’ve started a Yahoo Group with fellow authors, Sarah Makela and Sierra Wolfe, called The Deadly Vixens. We’d love for you to join us there. The direct link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/deadlyvixens/. Our blog link is http://deadlyvixens.blogspot.com/. We're always looking for guest bloggers, so if you're interested, please e-mail us at thedeadlyvixens@yahoo.com.
Without boring you further, here is the synopsis to The Devil’s Den. I hope you enjoy! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at gracen.miller@yahoo.com or come friend me at www.myspace.com/gracenmiller.
Synopsis: It was the opportunity of a lifetime, or so Meredith told her best friend, Serena. It had Serena thinking Meredith was finally eligible for the looney-bin. Meredith was talking about monsters and fairytales, some real wacko smack bordering on insanity as far as Serena was concerned. So, when Meredith disappeared, there was only one thing Serena could do, take matters into her own hands and investigate the local criminal hotspot, The Devil’s Den. The bar was as seedy and decadent as it was reputed to be. And the creature she found there—Six was his first, middle and last name—was nothing short of terrifying, his abilities completely defying logic. Yet, it was easier for Serena to pretend he was not all that he claimed.
Born over three thousand years ago, Six is a vampire who has become jaded and spoiled by his feral power and immortality. Humans are nothing more significant than toys to be played with and in fact his favorite sport is to locate the most innocent of victims and then torture them cruelly before taking their lives. Even with his supernatural arrogance, nothing could have prepared Six for the sudden unexplainable desire he feels toward the human, Serena. Serena, a karate instructor happy with her bland, boring life, launches his demoralized existence into a chaotic mess.
Through their tangled encounters, Six is surprised when he realizes he has found his salvation in the one thing he despises most…humanity. And Serena having never been the adventurous type, but instead having always taken the safer route her entire life, finds adventure when she needs it most and wanted it the least.
Warning, graphic and violent content
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Devil’s Den Copyright © 2007 Gracen Miller
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Dragon's Den has Moved!
We've moved our Dragon's Den to give you better access to our internet radio program where we talk about writing tips, news, and the industry in general...not to mention special guests!
You can listen to us at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FDWP.
We want to hear from you! During our show, you can call in to talk to our special guests AND let us know what is important to you about the writing craft, tips you may have or tips you may want to learn. 649-200-0398.
Our first show will be this Tuesday May 6th...tomorrow!...at 8pm EST. You can catch up with what's been happening at Firedrakes Weyr and talk to two of our authors: Diane Taylor (Beltane Fire) and JW Sparks (The In Between).
You can listen to us at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/FDWP.
We want to hear from you! During our show, you can call in to talk to our special guests AND let us know what is important to you about the writing craft, tips you may have or tips you may want to learn. 649-200-0398.
Our first show will be this Tuesday May 6th...tomorrow!...at 8pm EST. You can catch up with what's been happening at Firedrakes Weyr and talk to two of our authors: Diane Taylor (Beltane Fire) and JW Sparks (The In Between).
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Here I Am
I am here to promote my two books, Takuhi's Dream, and Roman Rhapsody. Takuhi's Dream is a Young Adult Science Fiction novel about a young professional woman who is haunted by dreams about a monster she encountered on her most recent mission. It is for those 13-17 and for those who prefer no erotic content. I have a friend who prefers no erotic content. She feels like a voyeur during the bedroom scenes and feels depressed because the characters almost always are handsome and pretty and have perfect bodies. I see what she means because who would want to read a story about old fat people with arthritis?
Roman Rhapsody is an erotic romance that is mostly about married love. Both the main character Olivia and the Olivia she has dreams about who lives in ancient Rome are married. Both of them have husbands who travel a lot. The ancient Olivia solves her loneliness by taking a gladiator to her bed and later buying him. The modern Olivia is tempted to have an affair with a modern gladiator, a professional athlete, and later her husband introduces her to a football player who is the spittin' image of the gladiator she dreamed about.
I tend to write about people who are attractive. Maybe they aren't movie star attractive, but they are attractive. I prefer to have my characters be ideal people, but they have the same foibles and doubts as the people you and I know. Now I am writing about a real girl. I knew her. She actually lived and died. She was murdered at the age of fifteen by a man crazed on drugs who was robbing the store she worked for. Her grieving parents, who believed in life extension, had her head put in cryo. My story begins with when she wakes up 532 years later, her body having been cloned from the tissues in her head. My editor, the wonderful inimitable Peggy, was enthusing one day about my writing more YA stories, so I decided I would write this one as a YA scifi story.
Half an hour after being awakened in a new body, Luna meets her posse, a group of young people whom she spends the rest of the story with. Peer groups are very important to fifteen year olds, and she will also discover young love. Now I have to ask the question, "What would the real Luna do?" Well, be patient, and you will find out.
Roman Rhapsody is an erotic romance that is mostly about married love. Both the main character Olivia and the Olivia she has dreams about who lives in ancient Rome are married. Both of them have husbands who travel a lot. The ancient Olivia solves her loneliness by taking a gladiator to her bed and later buying him. The modern Olivia is tempted to have an affair with a modern gladiator, a professional athlete, and later her husband introduces her to a football player who is the spittin' image of the gladiator she dreamed about.
I tend to write about people who are attractive. Maybe they aren't movie star attractive, but they are attractive. I prefer to have my characters be ideal people, but they have the same foibles and doubts as the people you and I know. Now I am writing about a real girl. I knew her. She actually lived and died. She was murdered at the age of fifteen by a man crazed on drugs who was robbing the store she worked for. Her grieving parents, who believed in life extension, had her head put in cryo. My story begins with when she wakes up 532 years later, her body having been cloned from the tissues in her head. My editor, the wonderful inimitable Peggy, was enthusing one day about my writing more YA stories, so I decided I would write this one as a YA scifi story.
Half an hour after being awakened in a new body, Luna meets her posse, a group of young people whom she spends the rest of the story with. Peer groups are very important to fifteen year olds, and she will also discover young love. Now I have to ask the question, "What would the real Luna do?" Well, be patient, and you will find out.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Tell Us Your Thoughts on....
We need your thoughts on misread phrases and passive words—which ones are on your Search and Destroy List?
On our next Dragon’s Den internet radio program, we’re going to be talking about funny turns of phrase and overused passive words....you know the things we often miss with a first read but love our critique partners and editors because they are more than ready to point them out to us.
And we especially want your thoughts, questions, and how you handle these topics in your own writing....
Things like:
His eyes rolled around the room, taking in the bleak décor.
Uh, what? Did they fall out of their sockets and just roll around LOL?
Her hand shot through the door and pulled him back.
Right through the wood? LOL—go superwoman!
And these words that get repeated over and over in manuscripts:
Look, said, think, it, felt **cringe**...passive terms that should be searched, destroyed and rewritten before you submit.
We all know them, we’ve all been there. And now we want to know how you fix them? How do you change your sentences? Share your favorite thesaurus resources, your favorite replacement words. We want to know what you do.
Please, feel free to email me at kay@firedrakesweyr.com with your thoughts and suggestions on these topics.
Then come listen to our next Dragon’s Den program Tuesday, April 15th http://www.pivtr.com/ at 8pm EST for your responses and suggestions to help you strengthen your writing.
(Don’t worry if you can’t make it Tuesday, you can always check out our archived shows at http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-DragonsDen.htm)
On our next Dragon’s Den internet radio program, we’re going to be talking about funny turns of phrase and overused passive words....you know the things we often miss with a first read but love our critique partners and editors because they are more than ready to point them out to us.
And we especially want your thoughts, questions, and how you handle these topics in your own writing....
Things like:
His eyes rolled around the room, taking in the bleak décor.
Uh, what? Did they fall out of their sockets and just roll around LOL?
Her hand shot through the door and pulled him back.
Right through the wood? LOL—go superwoman!
And these words that get repeated over and over in manuscripts:
Look, said, think, it, felt **cringe**...passive terms that should be searched, destroyed and rewritten before you submit.
We all know them, we’ve all been there. And now we want to know how you fix them? How do you change your sentences? Share your favorite thesaurus resources, your favorite replacement words. We want to know what you do.
Please, feel free to email me at kay@firedrakesweyr.com with your thoughts and suggestions on these topics.
Then come listen to our next Dragon’s Den program Tuesday, April 15th http://www.pivtr.com/ at 8pm EST for your responses and suggestions to help you strengthen your writing.
(Don’t worry if you can’t make it Tuesday, you can always check out our archived shows at http://internetvoicesradio.com/Arch-DragonsDen.htm)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Radio Show in Full Swing!
Please visit us twice a month for our half hour radio show.
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday hear your favorite authors and others discuss writing, covers and publishing.
This week we’re talking about what keeps your characters from falling flat.
Thanks so much to the Romance Divas for helping with this subject.
Here are the comments we discussed on the show.
Diva Cia at www.cialeah.com says:
I try and make my characters like people in real life with flaws, uncertainty, confidence, ambition and heart.
Ayla says :
Getting someone else to read though a manuscript always helps. I have an unofficial Critique Partner who helps (even though he doesn’t read romance) and sending work out to beta readers who are honest is really useful too.
Cia has a good point, I try to make sure my characters are flawed. No one is perfect, no matter what they might think.
(Side note: Shadowlady is doing a weeklong look at the differences between critique partners and beta readers on Of Ink And Quill at http://ofinkandquille.blogspot.com)
Diva Kristen at www.kristenpainter.com Co-owner of Romance Divas says:
Characters with at least one serious flaw are rarely flat – in fact, they tend to be more real because let’s face it, no one’s perfect. Perfect characters are boring.
Suzannah at www.suzannahsafi.com says:
Perfect characters must have at least one flaw. 3D to characters makes them real on paper. For me, I don’t have a character interview, they talk to me, and I live inside them in each novel. Critique Partners always good to have to catch what you have missed.
Seeley deBorn at www.seeleydeborn.com says:
Their reactions. The reader should only know the character well enough to predict a reaction part of the time.
Lauren Murphy says:
Making the characters have realistic personalities. Their reactions and thoughts and emotions should be realistic to the reader. For instance, you wouldn’t have a heroine walk in on a hero in a compromising situation (no matter how innocent he really turns out to be) and say “Oh it’s ok, that’s just what guys do,” or “It can’t be what it looks like, there has to be more going on than meets the eye.” No one would do that in real life. She would yell at him or hit him or something of that nature an then after she calmed down and listened to his pleas, (much later on) then she would see the light….if at all, but not in the heat of the moment.
Inez Kelly says:
Every human being has a quirk, mannerisms they repeat, or a style of their own. By giving your characters one thing that is uniquely theirs, it helps define them. It hast to be a logical match, like a young long haired woman who twirls her hair around her finger, or a gruff older man who frowns at everything.
Also relationships to those around them add depth. They are not just a heroine in a romance novel, they are sisters, daughters, and best friends. Show them interacting and reacting to their book mates.
I second the flaws. Who wants to read about perfect people? Boring.
Kay Kobina says:
I like characters that have a fear, confront it, deal with it, and overcome it. Everyone is afraid of something and insecure in some area, so characters that walk through a novel always is doing the right thing, never being afraid or insecure are somewhat…unbelievable, if not unsympathetic because they seem so arrogant. I also try to get characters to reveal a deep-seated irrational fear and have them face it.
My Thoughts:
Shake up their world and see how they react to change. No one is perfect and if your main characters have flaws and quirks that readers can identify with, they’ll be characters your reader will root for and enjoy. Also give them a problem to grow from… death, moving, something that takes them out of their comfort zone.
If you’d like to hear the show, please go to www.pivtr.com Click archives on the left and then Peggy Roberts with the Dragon’s Den.
Visit our website Firedrakes Weyr Publishing.
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday hear your favorite authors and others discuss writing, covers and publishing.
This week we’re talking about what keeps your characters from falling flat.
Thanks so much to the Romance Divas for helping with this subject.
Here are the comments we discussed on the show.
Diva Cia at www.cialeah.com says:
I try and make my characters like people in real life with flaws, uncertainty, confidence, ambition and heart.
Ayla says :
Getting someone else to read though a manuscript always helps. I have an unofficial Critique Partner who helps (even though he doesn’t read romance) and sending work out to beta readers who are honest is really useful too.
Cia has a good point, I try to make sure my characters are flawed. No one is perfect, no matter what they might think.
(Side note: Shadowlady is doing a weeklong look at the differences between critique partners and beta readers on Of Ink And Quill at http://ofinkandquille.blogspot.com)
Diva Kristen at www.kristenpainter.com Co-owner of Romance Divas says:
Characters with at least one serious flaw are rarely flat – in fact, they tend to be more real because let’s face it, no one’s perfect. Perfect characters are boring.
Suzannah at www.suzannahsafi.com says:
Perfect characters must have at least one flaw. 3D to characters makes them real on paper. For me, I don’t have a character interview, they talk to me, and I live inside them in each novel. Critique Partners always good to have to catch what you have missed.
Seeley deBorn at www.seeleydeborn.com says:
Their reactions. The reader should only know the character well enough to predict a reaction part of the time.
Lauren Murphy says:
Making the characters have realistic personalities. Their reactions and thoughts and emotions should be realistic to the reader. For instance, you wouldn’t have a heroine walk in on a hero in a compromising situation (no matter how innocent he really turns out to be) and say “Oh it’s ok, that’s just what guys do,” or “It can’t be what it looks like, there has to be more going on than meets the eye.” No one would do that in real life. She would yell at him or hit him or something of that nature an then after she calmed down and listened to his pleas, (much later on) then she would see the light….if at all, but not in the heat of the moment.
Inez Kelly says:
Every human being has a quirk, mannerisms they repeat, or a style of their own. By giving your characters one thing that is uniquely theirs, it helps define them. It hast to be a logical match, like a young long haired woman who twirls her hair around her finger, or a gruff older man who frowns at everything.
Also relationships to those around them add depth. They are not just a heroine in a romance novel, they are sisters, daughters, and best friends. Show them interacting and reacting to their book mates.
I second the flaws. Who wants to read about perfect people? Boring.
Kay Kobina says:
I like characters that have a fear, confront it, deal with it, and overcome it. Everyone is afraid of something and insecure in some area, so characters that walk through a novel always is doing the right thing, never being afraid or insecure are somewhat…unbelievable, if not unsympathetic because they seem so arrogant. I also try to get characters to reveal a deep-seated irrational fear and have them face it.
My Thoughts:
Shake up their world and see how they react to change. No one is perfect and if your main characters have flaws and quirks that readers can identify with, they’ll be characters your reader will root for and enjoy. Also give them a problem to grow from… death, moving, something that takes them out of their comfort zone.
If you’d like to hear the show, please go to www.pivtr.com Click archives on the left and then Peggy Roberts with the Dragon’s Den.
Visit our website Firedrakes Weyr Publishing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
