Saturday, 18 April 2009

Justified and Ancient


Time for something cheerful I think - and what could be more cheery than Tammy Wynette and the KLF? Tammy, stand by the JAMs!

I have a particular reason for feeling happy this weekend, and in fact I'm buzzing. You see, out of the blue I have come Under Instruction to write a particular book for Black Lace. My previous work-in-progress (another collection of short stories) that I was gently bimbling away at has now been relegated to the bottom drawer. I've started again with a new project and have popped a widget in the right hand bar to track it.

And what's it all about? Well, I'm going to sit on the details for a little while. I have a deadline and a title Adam likes, but not a contract* and I don't want to mouth off yet in case it all falls through and I look a bit crap. Let's just say it's still paranormal, and that I'm nervous because it's going to be a real challenge for me, and that I'm really really excited about it.

Black Lace works in Mysterious Ways, its wonders to perform ...


*Contracts come late on with Black Lace. In at least one case an anthology was in the bookshops before I got to sign for my contribution.
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16 comments:

  1. Craig Sorensen18 April 2009 at 09:58

    Congrats!

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  2. Janine Ashbless18 April 2009 at 10:37

    Thanks Craig. Mini-congrats maybe ... I'm not counting my chickens yet. I know of BL books okayed on a partial and then rejected when they were complete, and I haven't even produced a partial yet.

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  3. neve black18 April 2009 at 13:41

    Wow! Congratulations! I'm buzzing for you. :-)

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  4. Jeremy Edwards18 April 2009 at 14:15

    Yay, how exciting!

    And thank you for teaching me a delightful new word, bimbling. Gentle bimbling sounds quite nice, actually. May do some this weekend.

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  5. Janine Ashbless18 April 2009 at 14:32

    Bimbling about is one of my favourite activities. Particularly in the garden.

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  6. Vincent Copsey18 April 2009 at 14:33

    I'm intrigued. Congrats, Janine.

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  7. Charlotte Stein aka The Mighty Viper18 April 2009 at 18:28

    Yeah! A possible new Janine Ashbless book! Oooooh, I'm all excited for you, hon. I'm excited and on tenterhooks just to hear the details!

    "I know of BL books okayed on a partial and then rejected when they were complete, and I haven't even produced a partial yet."

    Lord have mercy, that's the most terrifying thing I've ever heard. Just out right rejected? Not given the chance to resolve the issues? Or were they unresolvable? Or did the author not want to change things?

    You've made me as curious as a curious cat on curious day.

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  8. Sekrit Shoppa18 April 2009 at 20:01

    Coo, a commission! That's brill. I really like your title too.

    Books okayed on partial and then rejected when complete though?

    *faints with angst*

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  9. Janine Ashbless18 April 2009 at 22:06

    Ooh blimey, sorry guys... didn't mean to give you conniptions (possibly another word for Jeremy there?). I shouldn't have said that, should I? But publishing is a scary old business.

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  10. Emerald19 April 2009 at 11:32

    Cool, Janine, congratulations!

    I also enjoyed the word "bimbling." :)

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  11. Charlotte Stein aka The Mighty Viper19 April 2009 at 14:04

    "I shouldn't have said that, should I?"

    No, you should! It's important that we know the reality of the business. It scares me sometimes, but I love it when authors share horror stories as well as success stories, because how much more awful would it be if you handed something in on cloud nine, thinking the entire process is over no worries, and then the crushing-ness of being told otherwise?

    If you're prepared for the worst, there can be very few nasty surprises.

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  12. Madeline Moore19 April 2009 at 19:50

    Way to go Janine. Um, I think you're one of the BL favourites, so wouldn't worry too much about not having your book actually published.

    I get my contracts in September, after Adam has ordered up all the books he wants and still has a spot open. That's okay, though I think I may have to seriously start rethinking Xmas as it always comes a week before my deadline.

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  13. Janine Ashbless19 April 2009 at 20:01

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  14. Janine Ashbless19 April 2009 at 20:02

    Um, I think you're one of the BL favouritesAll the other Black Lace authors are now going to corner me in the playground and give me a good kicking...
    ;-)

    I'm absolutely certain I'm not even near the top of the BL best-sellers though. Niche, that's me.

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  15. Kristina Lloyd20 April 2009 at 10:39

    Yay, huge congrats! You're now one of those BL authors whose publications I've lost track of. I don't know how many books you've published with them. You're in the 'lots' category (but obviously not in a 'Lora Leigh lots' kind of way). Well done!

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  16. Janine Ashbless20 April 2009 at 17:19

    You're in the 'lots' category

    It's 5 books of my very own ... and someimes I don't believe it myself. Wow - I'm actually living the life I've dreamed of.
    :-)

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