Today’s ONE THING guest is the wonderful Larissa Ione, the brilliant creator of the amazing Demonica series, as well as the other half of the kick-ass Sydney Croft. The Plotmonkeys are THRILLED that she is today’s guest, answering the soon-to-be age-old question, WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN THEN…
I wish I knew how stressful this job can be! I mean, I knew that getting published wasn’t going to suddenly make my life one big champagne and bon-bon fest, but I wasn’t prepared for the sheer amount of stress. I’m only now learning to schedule my deadlines better, learning to not read reviews, and learning to say no. So let that be a lesson to the almost-and-newly published — give yourself a month more time than you think you’ll need for deadlines, and don’t kill yourself with time-consuming promo. Word of mouth is the best promo, and that’s something you can’t do yourself. And if you pad your deadline schedule a little, you’ve got room for special writing projects, spur-of-the-moment vacations, and unexpected emergencies!
Oh, you’re so right, Larissa…advice I wish I’d learn to take myself more often!
And readers…Larissa is offering a backlist book (US shipping only) to someone from today’s comments! In the meantime, check out her latest release…in stores THIS TUESDAY.
SIN UNDONE
Grand Central Publishing
August 24, 2010
HER TOUCH IS DEADLY
As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she’ll die before she’ll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin’s innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.
HIS HUNGER CAN’T BE DENIED
Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she’s no stranger: He’s bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld’s most wanted and Con soon learns he’s the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own.
Check out previous ONE THING features:
Jill Shalvis
Mary Jo Putney
Susan Crandall
Tanya Michaels
Kathy Garbera
Lori Handeland
Carrie Lofty
Claudia Dain
Carly Phillips
JoAnn Ross
Ally Carter
Brenda Novak
Eloisa James
Jo Leigh
Joanne Rock
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Welcome to the jungle, I’ll have to check out the book :)
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Thanks, Katie!
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Can’t wait to read the new book.
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Hope you enjoy it!
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Yay! Thanks for having me, ladies!!!!
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I hear you! I agree with everything you said!
What a great ONE THING post. :)
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*waving* Thanks, Jax! Good to see you!
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Welcome! I’m so happy to have you back :) I’ve read SIN’s book and let me tell you … WHEW!
I agree. I always pad my deadlines and definitely wish I’d known how stressful this business can get!
When’s your NEXT book out, LOL? (Waiting impatiently!!!)
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Happy to be here!
Yeah, had to learn that padding lesson the hard way. This year has been crazy! In fact, that crazy kind of ties in with your question about the next book, because it’s been rescheduled. Eternal Rider will now be an April book instead of March. The family emergency really threw me off. But really, it’s not super horrible, since ER was originally scheduled for April anyway. Of course, with the broken arm, I’m now looking at my next deadline with a lot of terror…
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I’m not a writer, but I think allowing more time to get any project done is a good idea, that way it’s not so stressful. I can’t wait to read Sin Undone, I really enjoyed Ecstasy Unveiled.
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Thanks, Linda! Hope you enjoy!
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I think my computer ate my first post…
Welcome to the jungle, Larissa! I can’t wait to read Sin Undone! Will be running to the bookstore as soon as I get off work on Tuesday.
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Thank you, Liza! Only three more days!
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I think we could all benefit from this message, writer or not. Who wouldn’t benefit from a little extra padding to the schedule for all those unexpected things that need your attention. I know that half the time I am running around, mach 5, trying to get everything done because time isn’t on my side.
Can’t wait for Tuesday! I’m going to sneak into a bookstore and grab Sin Undone just as soon as I can. Husband doesn’t want to add another book to my traveling TBR crate during the move but I don’t see the harm in just one more:)
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Ooh, yeah…moving sucks, and adding more stuff at move time? Been there in several of our military moves.
But…books are special cases. *g*
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Hey Larissa –
I can’t wait for SIN. Is it Tuesday yet?
You’re right about the promotion too – I find I’m more willing to pick up a book based on someone’s recommendation. That’s how I found you and am very happy for it. I love your books.
Looking forward to the 4 Horseman series too.
Hope you are healing swiftly.
Viki
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I’m very happy for it, too, Viki! It’s been awesome to chat with you and get to know you!
Hope you like Sin!
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I love love love the hospital aspect me being a Nurse and all. I can’t wait to read this book .
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And I love that you’re a nurse! :) You guys do so much work for so little recognition. I love bringing a little bit of your world into my books!
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Thanks, Amber, and good luck to you!!!
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Wonderful post, Larissa! As a bookseller, I love hearing about the writing process and the ins and outs of the business. I’m currently a book behind in the Demonica series, but am working to catch up!
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Booksellers are awesome! :) Thanks for stopping by…hope your book store is having a hugely busy weekend!
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Word of Mouth… love finding out about books from friends and blogs… keeps my book pile growing… great way to add new authors to my list to read also.
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Ditto. Most of my reading comes from word of mouth. Or a great cover!
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Fan Girl Moment — SQUEEEE! Welcome back, Larissa! I’m so excited to get my hands on SIN UNDONE. I’m counting down the days/hours/minutes/seconds until Tuesday!!!!
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LOL — I have a fangirl moment every time I come to this blog. I’m not worthy…
Hope you love Sin! I got my author copies the other day and still can’t stop petting them! LOL
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Being an author sounds stressful, but you’ve written some fabulous books! Can’t wait for Sin Undone to release!
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Thank you, Jeanette!
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This is my first book by you and I must say….what the crap took me so long?!?!
I bought Sin Undone yesterday around 5 and will probably finish it tonight!! I.ABSOLUTELY.LOVE.IT!!!!! Can’t wait to find the others in this series!!
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Oh, I love this comment!!! You’re the first person I’ve heard from who has read Sin Undone without having read the other books! I’m always terrified that it’ll be hard for new readers to pick up a book that’s late in the series, so you just made me feel a whole lot better. Thank you!!! Hope you enjoy the other books!
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Just read some of the other comments…I must be extremely blessed…I bought Kiss Me before most other markets released it, and bought Sin yesterday!!
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Thank you, Sheryl! Happy reading!!!
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I’ve heard a lot of good things aout this book so I think the word of mouth is working!!
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Thanks, Catslady! Good to see you!
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Great advice, Larissa! Congrats on your soon-to-be released book!
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Thank you, Chelsea! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
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Hey Larissa, it is great to have you back in the jungle. I am eagerly awaiting the appearance of Sin on the scene.
Thanks for your advice. As a newbie, I thought the stress would be in the getting the first ms done, but based on what a lot of my author friends say, I see the first time is the time to coast. I hope you have fun in the jungle. I will be back to check up on you.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Thanks, Paula! And yeah, I gotta say, enjoy your writing time now, because once you’re published, things go all kinds of crazy. It’s great…I’m not complaining at all! But boy, it does turn into a real job, real quick!
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Just finished the book earlier today. Oh, it was hawt! Loved it! Can’t wait to see what happens in the new series. Quick ? though. Are you going to continue with UGH books or is everything now shifting towards the new series?
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welcoem hre
congrats on your books
love the cover
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Congrats on your upcoming release!
Padding the schedule is good advice for anyone in any career. Giving a project a couple more weeks in case of emergencies, unforeseen setbacks, and snafus is a great idea. Thanks!
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Thanks for a great interview. I love Larissa’s books.
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Already made plans to meet a friend at Borders on Tuesday to pick up Sin!