Just so you know, I'm having my fair share of hick-ups with this damn publishing world.
Remember my computer crash in December and what a fun Christmas I had losing all that work to a virus? Well, just when I thought that was the worst thing that could happen, I was proved wrong.
On Saturday morning – one hour before I was due to do a Blog takeover to release the beautiful new cover for 'Open Your Eyes' – I quickly checked my email.
Well, knock me over with a f*cking feather, if there wasn't an email from The PRESIDENT of the Scorpions MC in Dallas, TEXAS - not happy with Jani Kay using that name for a sexy series of MC novels. To say I was freaking out, is an understatement. Especially when I looked them up on Google images and saw how REAL they were!!!
The REAL Scorpions MC - who have been in US since 1965 – and have several Chapters US wide, have a strong allegiance to their club name. I totally respect that and never meant any disrespect to real people.
Sooo, understanding their point of view and being smart enough to choose my battles wisely, I explained myself to the Prez and we agreed that I could change the name to SCORPIO STINGERS MC, which is what I've done.
So here is how it happened: I'd Googled 'Scorpio MC' when I did my research and found no MC clubs with that name. My son, who I have dedicated the book to, is a Scorpio. Then one of my beta readers suggested I use Scorpions, and it sounded cool, so I changed the name without checking. Dumbass move on my part, yeah?
Anyway, it ended well. I have been invited to The Scorpions MC clubhouse for a steak and a beer in Dallas by the Pres of that chapter and once 'Two Worlds Colliding' goes to print, he wants a signed copy of my book.
Let me say, when I started writing about MC clubs, I didn't really know what I was getting into. Now I have the President of McKinney Chapter TEXAS of the REAL Scorpions MC on my friends list and am tempted to go back to Dallas as I believe Bob makes some of the BEST steaks on the planet.
And I can't help smiling at this message:
Please stay in touch.
Bob
President McKinney Chapter
Scorpions MC (TEXAS)
Sometimes REAL LIFE is stranger than FICTION. True story!!!
So: I have submitted the new name 'Scorpio Stinger MC' to all the ebook retailers and that will be the new series name going forward. Win/win for all :-)
On that note, I have spend a huge amount of time I should've been writing 'Two Worlds Colliding' on sorting this issue out. BUT, I am still aiming for the original release date of 18 March 2014. (and yes, that cover will change too as soon as Ari, my lovely cover designer can get to it).
If you haven't read Scorpio Stinger MC ~ RYDER (Prequel) yet, I suggest you do before you read TWO WORLDS COLLIDING in March.
Add to your Goodreads TBR: RYDER
What happened to "No Regrets"?
So here's what happened over the festive season: my laptop crashed!!! Yes, I freaked out!!!
I hadn't backed up 3 WIPs I was working on. SO, while the computer man was trying to retrieve my data, I was frustrated and angry... what better way to channel all that energy than into a sexy, badass, foulmouthed biker called Ryder?? lol
So, since I have to rewrite No Regrets (Firebird Trilogy Book 2), it will only be available in June 2014, AFTER the release of Two Worlds Colliding. I was 2/3 finished with it, so I am STILL mourning the loss of all that work.
And yes, now I TRIPLE back up - including to Dropbox. I learned my lesson the really hard way (always thought it only happens to other people -lol)
I am really sorry for the delay, however the MC series would not have happened if it weren't for the computer crash.
Unfortunately if I want to release well written and edited novels, they take time - I wish I could write faster.
You can add Book 2 from the Firebird Series to your GR TBR.
Remember to join our mailing list for the latest release dates, competition, and give-aways.
Jani Kay
I hadn't backed up 3 WIPs I was working on. SO, while the computer man was trying to retrieve my data, I was frustrated and angry... what better way to channel all that energy than into a sexy, badass, foulmouthed biker called Ryder?? lol
So, since I have to rewrite No Regrets (Firebird Trilogy Book 2), it will only be available in June 2014, AFTER the release of Two Worlds Colliding. I was 2/3 finished with it, so I am STILL mourning the loss of all that work.
And yes, now I TRIPLE back up - including to Dropbox. I learned my lesson the really hard way (always thought it only happens to other people -lol)
I am really sorry for the delay, however the MC series would not have happened if it weren't for the computer crash.
Unfortunately if I want to release well written and edited novels, they take time - I wish I could write faster.
You can add Book 2 from the Firebird Series to your GR TBR.
Remember to join our mailing list for the latest release dates, competition, and give-aways.
Jani Kay
Let the countdown begin . . .
I am delighted to see that Open your Eyes has just reached the No 22 spot (Erotica) on Amazon's Best Sellers Ranking, and No 444 in the Kindle Store.
Now for the Top 100 list . . . (Will keep you posted.)
Now for the Top 100 list . . . (Will keep you posted.)
My muse
Music can be as much an inspiration when writing a novel as
any other muse. My playlist varies for each book I work on. Isn't that peculiar? I seem to need different music moods for different books.
While writing Open
Your Eyes, I often listened to Snow Patrol. One of my all-time Top 10
favorite songs is their ‘Chasing Cars’ – it’s just so hauntingly beautiful. And, of
course, their song ‘Open Your Eyes’ was a huge inspiration – the words are very
meaningful:
Open Your Eyes
by
Snow Patrol
All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
My bones ache, my skin feels cold
And I'm getting so tired and so old
The anger swells in my guts
And I won't feel these slices and cuts
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cos I need you to look into mine
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
Get up, get out, get away from these liars
'Cos they don't get your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for the
last time
Every minute from this minute now
We can do what we like anywhere
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cos I need you to look into mine
Tell me that you'll open your eyes
All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
From the album ‘Eyes Open’ – released May 2006
I think writers can learn a lot from lyrics. The way the
words can at the same time be poetic and
meaningful and succinct, is an art.
Trust me on this. It's way more difficult to condense what you want to say into just a few words. Indeed, less IS often more.
Of course I am referring to music where I can actually hear
and understand the lyrics. I know each generation has its own favorites. I remember how my taste in music as a teenager raised the hairs on the back of my
parents' necks, much the same way my kids' music does to me now.
Yet books, like music, are universal, and bridge generation gaps. It has the power to
touch people from all backgrounds and ages. There is a book out there that could ‘speak’ to each one of us.
I also believe that the right book finds us when we are
ready to read it. That is when a message in a book can unexpectedly open our eyes to new ideas.
Happy reading.
New book to be launched on 24 Oct 2013
Lost in France is an erotic contemporary romance novel (which means lots of steamy sex scenes) set in Paris, the city of Love and Romance. Part 1 of 3 in the exciting new series Rebecca’s Sins.
Offered a thrilling new job, Rebecca flees her tormented past, putting as much distance between herself and her ex-lover, wanting a fresh start in a foreign city.
On the airplane she meets Alain, a dangerously handsome Frenchman, who seduces her with his charming European ways. But her new boss, über arrogant CEO, Maxwell Grant, doesn't like her entanglement with the Frenchman; he wants Rebecca to himself ...
Rebecca hates her boss and tells him in so many words – a career limiting move if ever there was one ...
Is Rebecca jumping from one hotter-than-hell fire into another? And will she finally find what she is looking for?
Available on Amazon from 24 October 2013.
Offered a thrilling new job, Rebecca flees her tormented past, putting as much distance between herself and her ex-lover, wanting a fresh start in a foreign city.
On the airplane she meets Alain, a dangerously handsome Frenchman, who seduces her with his charming European ways. But her new boss, über arrogant CEO, Maxwell Grant, doesn't like her entanglement with the Frenchman; he wants Rebecca to himself ...
Rebecca hates her boss and tells him in so many words – a career limiting move if ever there was one ...
Is Rebecca jumping from one hotter-than-hell fire into another? And will she finally find what she is looking for?
Available on Amazon from 24 October 2013.
Attitude of Gratitude
Finally, after several months of late nights and lots of angst and agony, my first book has gone live on Amazon. It's like releasing one's young from the nest. I've fed and nurtured this story for a long, long time. It grew from a vague idea to a ninety thousand word document.
The characters came to life first in my head and then in my heart. They grew larger than life. They stayed with me day and night, 24/7. There was no escaping them. They had a life of their own, and they constantly told me what they were thinking and feeling. Heck, they even chose their own names!
Natalie made her own decisions, her own choices. I merely recorded her story as it played out like a movie in front of my mind's eye. I lived every twist and turn, every emotion, and every sad and joyous moment of her and Nick's relationship. Even when drifting off to sleep, or while in the shower, or when doing daily chores like cooking and cleaning, a fragment of dialogue would pop into my head, and I'd rush to my computer or notebook to jot it down.
At last, after many long days of editing, polishing, and, alas, many hours of procrastination, the manuscript was ready. And I was ready to let go of it. Proud that I could finally type 'The End'. Just like in the movies.
Now, I have different fears. Will others want to read Natalie's story? Will they enjoy it? Will the characters resonate with them? I've thrown down the gauntlet to the readers out there - there is no turning back.
My wish is that readers will love Open Your Eyes and will identify with the characters. I also sincerely hope that this book will spice up more than a few love lives!
Writers invest not only their creative juices, but also their hearts, when they put pen to paper. And this shows in the thoughts and actions of the characters. Do I see bits of myself in Natalie? Am I a little in love with Nick? Yes, for sure.
Warmest regards
Jani Kay
The characters came to life first in my head and then in my heart. They grew larger than life. They stayed with me day and night, 24/7. There was no escaping them. They had a life of their own, and they constantly told me what they were thinking and feeling. Heck, they even chose their own names!
Natalie made her own decisions, her own choices. I merely recorded her story as it played out like a movie in front of my mind's eye. I lived every twist and turn, every emotion, and every sad and joyous moment of her and Nick's relationship. Even when drifting off to sleep, or while in the shower, or when doing daily chores like cooking and cleaning, a fragment of dialogue would pop into my head, and I'd rush to my computer or notebook to jot it down.
At last, after many long days of editing, polishing, and, alas, many hours of procrastination, the manuscript was ready. And I was ready to let go of it. Proud that I could finally type 'The End'. Just like in the movies.
Now, I have different fears. Will others want to read Natalie's story? Will they enjoy it? Will the characters resonate with them? I've thrown down the gauntlet to the readers out there - there is no turning back.
My wish is that readers will love Open Your Eyes and will identify with the characters. I also sincerely hope that this book will spice up more than a few love lives!
Writers invest not only their creative juices, but also their hearts, when they put pen to paper. And this shows in the thoughts and actions of the characters. Do I see bits of myself in Natalie? Am I a little in love with Nick? Yes, for sure.
Warmest regards
Jani Kay