Saturday, August 14, 2010

Author Interview + Giveaway with Jeri Smith-Ready!

I am delighted to share with you today the conversational interview I had with one of my favorite authors, Jeri Smith-Ready, author of the adult urban fantasy WVMP Radio series (which I have been featuring on my blog this week) and the YA paranormal book Shade. Jeri suggested we text-chat over Skype the other week, and what resulted was a flowing conversation that covered numerous aspects of the WVMP Radio series, Shade, music, and much more.

I've condensed the interview into a readable format that won't take up half your afternoon: the speakers are in bold, and the questions I ask are bolded too, so you can follow it more easily. I promise there are no spoilers, only tidbits that I hope will intrigue you to pick up the series (so that you, too, can get to The Thing That Happens and freak out with me, hehe). And be sure to stick around at the end for a unique giveaway opportunity!

Interview with Jeri Smith-Ready

Steph Su: Hi Jeri, and welcome to Steph Su Reads!

Jeri Smith-Ready: Hi, Steph! So...what did you think of the Thing That Happens?

SS: Well.... first reaction, as soon as I began to think that might be a possibility: OH MY GOD!!!! *runs around the room screaming and freaking out* Initially it took me completely by surprise, but on second thought maybe it was rather inevitable, lol

JSR: LOL. I had it planned from the very beginning, since about 20 minutes after I had the idea for the series. It's why there are 5 books planned.

SS: Along those lines then, will The Thing That Happens affect the love triangle?

JSR: You mean with David, Ciara, and Shane? That's pretty much over. She's got enough to deal with in LET IT BLEED to worry about David. I think I've played that storyline/tension out as much as it'll stand. Plus, there are plenty of other guys to feel weird about besides him. ;-)

It's funny, in each book, the love triangle was much more prominent (and she was much closer to David) in the first drafts than in the final versions. Part of me really wanted to explore those possibilities (Ciara and David), but I always realized that it wasn't right. Besides, I could NEVER hurt Shane that way. I tried, and it made me literally nauseous, so I knew that was my body/psyche telling me it was wrong.

SS: Do you have a favorite vamp DJ by any chance?

JSR: oooh, VERY tough question. I assume you mean besides Shane?

SS: Yes. Otherwise it would be too easy. :)

JSR: I really love all of them in different ways. Writing their "turning tales" (which can be found on my website) has made me grow closer to each of them. But if I were told, you can write one novel about one of the other 5 DJs, it would probably be...Jim. I think Jim had some VERY interesting adventures w/his coven back in the 70s.

SS: Yes, Jim! Did he turn out as you expected/planned?

JSR: Jim is much darker than I originally imagined the hippie vampire would be. I think he's not a real hippie--he just liked the trappings of it so he could get sex and drugs. He's more into the dark psychedelic stuff. The Doors, some of the British Invasion, etc. Jim's arc, as you can begin to see in BOTN, is particularly dark, and a little bit sad. He's going insane.

SS: Any other tiny little things you might be able to share about the rest of the series?

JSR: Sure! In LET IT BLEED we get to meet some more of Ciara's Traveler cousins. She learns more about what her anti-holy blood means. And another ghost from her past shows up, just to make things interesting. In LIB she's really reaching for redemption--but since she's Ciara, she does it in a rather twisted way. ;-) Oh, and she goes to therapy!

SS: lol, Summer 2011 can't come soon enough! Now, I think your world-building is unmatched by any other author. How do you do it?

JSR: I like to keep my urban fantasies as realistic and as grounded in the human experience as possible. So I think about those things, how vampires would really survive in our society. My SHADE editor pointed out that it's the little things like music and clothes and food choices that help the reader swallow really big impossible things like ghosts or vampires.

SS: I remember writing in my SHADE review that I loved how you were able to do the same thorough world-building for both your YA and adult audiences without anything lost in the process. But were some things different, though, in writing SHADE than the WVMP series?

JSR: In SHADE, the world-building is much more intense, because the whole society knows about ghosts, even those who can't see them. It's probably my most science fictional book to date. I need to think about how that reality would affect every aspect of society, but always be careful not to overwhelm readers with anything that isn't relevant to the characters. A 16-year-old girl just wouldn't care about, I don't know, how ghosts affect monetary policy or whatever.

But w/each successive book, it can get more complex, until one's brain really, really hurts. Right now I'm editing SHIFT and trying to figure out, OK, how big is this phenomenon? How big does it need to be?

SS: How do you manage to keep track of all the world-building?

JSR: I pretty much keep it in my head. I take notes when I'm doing research. But I always reread the novels and keep them close at hand when writing the sequels. Because I might think I included a world-building detail, but it actually got cut out in edits. I'm still waiting for someone to write the Companion Books to my novels, LOL!

abcnews.go.com
SS: I think this may require a similar amount of mental functions on your part: how in the world do you find and compile the playlists/chapter titles for the WVMP books?

JSR: The playlists come out of the story itself, songs that are mentioned in the text, although after doing a full "soundtrack" for SHADE, I added a few songs to the BRING ON THE NIGHT playlist to flesh it out, to areas of the books that didn't have music but definitely needed musical comment.

For the chapter titles, I keep a document with a list of songs, categorized by decade. I note which ones I've used in previous books. Sometimes I'll be listening to the radio and go, "THAT would be a great chapter title." But the chapter titles are the very last thing I add to the books.

SS: I'm very impressed at your range of music. Are they from your personal collection, or do you have to go out there to find a song that best fits the moment in the book?

JSR: Hee. Often they are from my own personal collection. They might even be from the music I was listening to when I wrote the book. For instance, during BOTN I listened to The Verve and A Place to Bury Strangers, so they both made it in. I find "BitterSweet Symphony" to be a really uplifting song (though bittersweet, ha), so it made a good final tune for Shane to play for Ciara at the end. Here's the link for the playlists: http://jerismithready.com/books/wicked-game/music/

SS: I have 2 more questions related to music. The first is about Ciara's theme song, “Ciara” by Luka Bloom. I often find that I can't stop listening to that song, it's just so simply amazing. Which came first, the song or the name?

JSR: The song, actually. I always loved that song, and thought at one point I'd name my kid that. But I realized it would be mean, because outside of Ireland everyone would mispronounce it. But the moment I thought of the series, I said, Oh, and her name will be Ciara. And everyone will mispronounce it.

Oh, and can I just say that I added to the playlist a beautiful song to one particular scene in BOTN: "The Book of Love" by the Magnetic Fields. It is 100% unsentimental, just like Ciara, and yet it always makes me cry. I couldn't come up with actual lyrics for Shane to play for Ciara.

SS: lol, that was my second question: if you had come up with the tune and lyrics for Shane's song for Ciara.

JSR: No, I'm not a songwriter. I don't think I could've captured the moment with the beauty it deserved, so I could only describe it. Same with Logan's song in SHADE. Because I'm not a musician or a music scholar, I can only write about the way music makes me feel. Which maybe makes it more accessible to most readers than it would if I were a musician. BUT in SHIFT I have to write some lyrics for a song Logan has written, called "Shade." But it's not completely a love song, so I'm not too intimidated.

That's a lie. I'm totally intimidated.

I do think that "The Book of Love," while it doesn't follow the thematic description of Shane's proposal song in the book, really reflects their relationship well.

SS: Anything you’d like to add before we finish?

JSR: Yes. For those wanting a li'l more WVMP (or at least the vampires), I have a short story in the ETERNAL: MORE LOVE STORIES WITH BITE anthology coming out in December. It's a collection of YA vamp stories and mine features one of Ciara's young Traveler cousins, trying to escape the future her stepdaddy is trying to impose on her. The character, Cass, will appear in LET IT BLEED, so the story is a bit of a lead-in to that, though it definitely can be read on its own or not at all.

SS: Well, thank you SO much for doing this! I can't wait to share it with others. :)

-

Giveaway Info

Well, if that wasn't fun, I don't know what is. Thank you, Jeri, for stopping by! Now, because I love this series so much, one lucky winner is going to get a set of all three WVMP books currently out--AND, since I'm going to see Jeri Smith-Ready at the PAYA Festival next weekend, I'll get them signed!
To enter, please read the interview and comment on this post with something relevant either to the interview or to my reviews of Wicked Game, Bad to the Bone, or Bring on the Night. (The reviews are spoiler-free, promise!) I am the judge of whether something is relevant or not, so a comment like, "Wow, this sure sounds interesting, I'm going to check it out, thanks!" won't cut it: tell me why you're interested in it. Also leave an email address so I can contact you.

Extra entries:
+1 for following me on Twitter (@stephxsu); leave your Twitter username
+1 for following Jeri on Twitter (@jsmithready); leave your Twitter username
+1 for tweeting about this interview and giveaway; leave a link
+1 for linking to this giveaway elsewhere (sidebar, blog post, etc.); leave a link

This giveaway is open internationally and ends Friday, September 3, 2010. Good luck!

69 comments:

  1. Great interview! I'm supremely excited to read the books now- I love when that happens!

    Please enter me for the giveaway:

    whatbookisthat at gmail dot com

    +1 following @stephxsu (my username is @heynocupcake)

    +1 following @jsmithready (my username is @heynocupcake)

    +1 tweeted the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/heynocupcake/status/21164164685

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love this type of genre. I can't wait to read this. I love the song Bittersweet symphony too. Brings back memories.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  3. Great interview! I have Shade on my shelf waiting TBR. I've almost picked it up a couple of times, but will need to move this to the top and add your series to my wish list! I like how Jeri knew the series would be 5 books from the moment she planned the series!

    +1 following Steph on Twitter @tessaa99
    +1 following Jeri on Twitter @tessaa99

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved Shade, one of my fave YA books ever. Ever since I read it I have been dying to read her adult series.

    + 1 following on twitter (yabreviewed)
    + 1 following Jeri
    + 1 put the contest on my sidebar: yabreviewed.blogspot.com
    Love the interview, slightly jealous Steph! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm intrigued by this series and its use of music. I love the idea of listening to the radio, having a song come on and being inspired by it.

    I've read a TON of great reviews for this series and would really love to win!!

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  6. I've recently started to read YA titles and I'm looking forward to Shade! tWarner419@aol.com

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  7. This series sounds really interesting. I like the premise of a strong butt kicking female. ^^

    jedisakora@msn.com

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  8. Excellent interview!

    I'm glad the love triangle is ending, because I've never been that fond of love triangles where one person is obvs the winner.

    inbedwithbooks AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  9. +1 for following (@stephxsu)- @TotalBookaholic

    +1 for following Jeri on Twitter (@jsmithready) - @TotalBookaholic

    +1 for tweeting http://twitter.com/TotalBookaholic/statuses/21175356414

    +1 sidebar link http://totalbookaholic.blogspot.com/

    totalbookaholic[at]hotmail[dot]com

    I love Jeri's writing. I read Shade and it immediately went to the top of my favorites list. Once I found out she had other books I knew I would have to read them! I really enjoyed the interview and I am thrilled they are coming out with another "Love Stories with Bite".

    Thanks for the chance to win the books.

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  10. Aww, I love when Jeri says that she felt it wasn't right to hurt one character -Shane-...love triangles that go too far make me so mad, and it's even worst when the two that are competing for the girl(/boy -talking about a generic case now) are good people, it sucks that one of them has to get hurt :s
    And a character with "anti-holy blood"..now I need to know what's that about :D

    enter me if possible Steph!

    +1 for following Steph on twitter (@jen7waters)

    +1 for following Jeri on Twitter (@jen7waters)

    +1 sidebar http://cuidadocomodalmata.wordpress.com/

    jen7waters (at) gmail (dot) com

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  11. Between all the (amazingly positive) buzz about shade and the concept - I mean, a vampire DJ, you can't get much cooler than that - I really need to try out Jeri Smith-Ready. Plus...Knowing Steph, I REALLY have to. Girl, you don't get excited over just anything.

    Email: dreaminginbooks(AT)gmail.com
    +1 for following you on Twitter (username @dreamingreviews)

    :) Great post, Steph! You really have me itching to read these books.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ooh, how awesome!
    I really liked SHADE and I've been meaning to check out her other series anyway, so please count me in!
    Thanks so much, Steph!

    Love, Hannah
    xoxosweeet at yahoo dot com

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  13. Great interview! This is one of my favorite series. I've discovered a lot of old music I hadn't listened to from the playlist in the books.

    Skk25@aol.com

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  14. Holy cow! Who knew I held a copy of one of these books in my hands in the store a while back! The cover for Bad to the Bone reminded me of the cover for Amber Benson's debut novel and I emailed Alea about the look-a-like. ;) I don't think I ever put two and two together Jeri Smith-Ready the YA author and the one for this WMVP Radio series! duh! I obviously need to be schooled in the world of JSM! School, me, Steph!

    +1 for following you on twitter! (@beyondelsewhere)

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  15. I have not read any of her books yet, but Jim the hippie vampire DJ definitely sounds unique! I think it's interesting that she included so much music in the books. Please count me in for the giveaway.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. I am a follower. I love reading vampire books. I can't wait to read this series. Great interview. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  17. I am very interested in reading these because the characters seem complicated. The author sounds like she has given them strong personalities. It sounds like they have interesting individual stories.

    lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com

    Here's my tweet. http://twitter.com/greatmasteryoda/status/21193952693

    follow (@stephxsu)@greatmasteryoda

    follow Jeri on Twitter (@jsmithready) @greatmasteryoda

    posted on facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/cathie.veres?v=wall&story_fbid=123652881015882

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  18. This series sounds way too cool! I recently read Shade and I loved it! And one of the things I liked about it was the big role music played in it. Like with Logan's band, you could really feel their energy on stage when you read it! I'm a huge music junkie so the WVMP series really appeals to me :D

    Loved the interview! And thanks for the giveaway!

    +1 for following on Twitter (@Entre_Libros)
    +1 for following Jeri on Twitter (@Entre_Libros)
    +1 Tweet: http://twitter.com/Entre_Libros/status/21195075010
    +1 Sidebar link: http://blogentrelibros.blogspot.com/

    Thank you!
    entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I like it when there is a playlist that goes with a book.

    +1 following you on Twitter
    +1 following Jeri on Twitter

    bjhopper(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. First of all I love Jeri Smith-Ready! I've chatted with her a teeny tiny bit and she's so nice!
    I've only read Shade and I LOVED it! I think her writing style in great and characterization was amazing. I've been very excited to read her other series because I'm sure it's absolutely fantastic! I love it when an author puts together a playlist as well. And I have to say a hippie vampire REALLY gets my attention. He sounds like one fantastic character!
    I follow Steph Su on twitter (@candacemom2two)
    I follow Jeri Smith Ready
    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/candacemom2two/status/21201174528

    candace_redinger at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great interview! I agree that Bittersweet symphony is a great song!!
    +1 for following me on Twitter (@stephxsu); leave your Twitter username - Misha_1989
    +1 for following Jeri on Twitter (@jsmithready); leave your Twitter username- Misha_1989

    +1 sidebar
    http://books-love-affair.blogspot.com/

    +1 blog
    http://books-love-affair.blogspot.com/p/giveawayscontests.html

    +1 goodreads
    http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/387471-jeri-smith-ready-interview-and-giveaway

    Total 5

    Misha
    mishamary@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Who doens't love a female character with a kick ass attitude??

    Please sign me in!!

    anto_90_5 at hotmail dot com

    PS: Bittersweet Simphony is amazing!! I love it too!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this interview. I love when my two loves books and music merge into one great thing. But this series seems to go one better by having vampires in it. What a perfect job to be working at a radio station (or in my case maybe a book store....lol). I love an author who can make an urban fantasy realistic. Yes, I know it is great to get lost in an imaginary world but every now and then it is great to read a believable story about vampires that makes you go woah, there now that is something I could actually believe. I have not read this series yet but I am so dying to now. Jeri has made this sound like a series I must read. I also am pleasantly surprised to find out that Jeri has stories dealing with each of her vamps being turned. It is little things like that that makes me the reader a very happy woman.

    +1 I already follow you on Twitter (@skyla11377).
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377

    +1 I already follow Jeri on Twitter (@skyla11377).
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377

    +1 I tweeted about this giveaway on Twitter (@skyla11377).
    http://twitter.com/skyla11377/status/21207281067

    +1 I posted your giveaway on my Left Side Bar (skyla11377).
    http://skyla11377.blogspot.com/

    skyla11377(At)AOL(Dot)Com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks for the great interview! I love it when we get a playlist to go along with a story- I can't wait to see how she uses them in the chapter headings. I haven't read any of her books but can't wait to now!

    bchild5@aol.com

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  25. Great interview! I hadn't really even heard about these books before your reviews and this interview. This series sounds extremely good, I especially love how much attention the author seems to pay to details and world-building in general. This series is going to my TBR pile, thank you! :)

    musmekipi at gmail dot com

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  26. The book Bring On The Night really called to me because i like the whole idea of a love triangle and that sort of thing(even if i cry for the guy that doesnt get chosen)i need to reed them!Great interview, really informative.

    +1 follw u
    +1follow jeri

    littletinkerbell1995(at)yahoo(dot)com

    -Alejandra S

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  27. really interesting, i really want to read some of these books

    ReplyDelete
  28. Great interview! I always wondered if authors kept their books close when they wrote sequels - I wasn't sure how they would keep all the details straight. I feel like I now know a secret! Thanks.
    bsharp88@gmail.com

    Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I don't want to enter the contest, however, can i just say that The Book of Love is one of my favourite songs! can't wait to see what part it plays (i didnt read the full interview, just skimmed, dont want to be spoiled)

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  30. I really love music myself, so what happens when fiction meets music? You get a smashing fabulous read! Thanks for the lovely interview! :)

    You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Awesome interview!

    +1 follw u @alterlisa
    +1 follow jeri@alterlisa

    +2 http://twitter.com/alterlisa/status/21287726315

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")
    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wicked Game - why is she not as anxious to join the vampire fraternity like Bella?

    Seriously! Eternally beautiful?

    ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi, I read your Wicked Game review, and I got totally hooked by it!!

    Firts of all, I LOOOOVE badass heroines, I meen, seriously, I don't wanna read one more book about a lady in distress... and I think Ciara Griffin it's just my kind of girl! ^^
    I love the Vampire Academy series and the Shifters series (Werecats)

    And vampires are suposed to be sexi and dangerus, and.. just gggggrrrrrrr! XD

    Thanks por the reviews and the contest! Hope I win!

    Oh, I'm a follower...

    gabrielameti@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. +1 following you (@kimscarecrow)
    +1 following Jeri (@kimscarecrow
    +1 blog post: http://kimscarecrow.blogspot.com/2010/08/contest-hunt-8.html

    henderkd(at)email(dot)sc(dot)edu

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi,I read you review and got totally hooked up to it...i am new to this series and havnt heard about it either but i love reading books..and i would love to read wicked game,bad to the bone and bring on the night as they really seem interesting coz i love the badass heroine part and i hate reading books about damsels in distress...why do they have to be so miserable?Hoping to win..thanks,for helding this contest it encourages us bookworms.
    u can contact me at charmcaster_violet71@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi,I read you review and got totally hooked up to it...i am new to this series and havnt heard about it either but i love reading books..and i would love to read wicked game,bad to the bone and bring on the night as they really seem interesting coz i love the badass heroine part and i hate reading books about damsels in distress...why do they have to be so miserable?Hoping to win..thanks,for helding this contest it encourages us bookworms.
    u can contact me at charmcaster_violet71@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Great interview! Jim the Hippie Vampire sounds great fun x) And Jeri sounds like a writer who really knows her characters and treats them like real people, which I find encouraging about her writing!

    Thanks for making the contest international!!

    anbi14 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I read WICKED GAME some time back but just haven't gotten around to her other books. And I should becuase I really like Ciera and the whole rocker Vamps idea. I should give this one a go! Thanks!

    mmillet at gmail dot com
    I follow you on twitter.

    I follow Jeri on twitter

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love her description of Jim as a hippie vampire who is in to dark psychedelic stuff. Thanks for the giveaway!
    +1 I tweeted: http://twitter.com/lag32583/status/21435682537

    ReplyDelete
  40. Great interview. I'm intrigued that you keep so much of the world-building details in your head. You must have a very good memory. I really like the soundtracks. Very cool idea.

    ReplyDelete
  41. A great interview and a wonderful series.

    ya.island@gmail.com
    +1 folling you - @islandya
    +1 Folling Jeri - @islandya
    +1 Tweeted
    http://twitter.com/islandya

    ReplyDelete
  42. I have read the first book in the series and LOVED it...especially the music aspect. The playlists on the site are really cool :)

    +1 follow you on twitter @throuthehaze

    +1 follow Jeri on twitter @throuthehaze

    ReplyDelete
  43. I've always thought that I'm more into high fantasy than anything else but it looks like I just haven't been reading the right urban fantasy books. I fell in love with the Kate Daniels series and I'm currently in the middle of the Mercy Thompson series. They say the WVMP Radio series is pretty good and I should try that one next so I'm curious.

    Thanks for having an international giveaway! I follow both you and Jeri on Twitter (my username: @chachictweeits)

    ReplyDelete
  44. It was a great interview. A vampire radio station is different; had me interested in the books after seeing a reference on Adrian Phoenix's site.

    Twitter Follower - @lillieblue613
    Twitter Follower Jeri - @lillieblue613

    Tweeted http://twitter.com/lillieblue613/status/21688066284

    ReplyDelete
  45. I've been dying to read this series. Recently read Shade and really enjoyed it. I'd like to try her adult books.

    Twitter follower - @bookbutterfly9
    Twitter follower Jeri - @bookbutterfly9

    Tweeted: (I think I'm leaving the link wrong Steph--I can't figure out how to leave it the other way)



    Win WVMP vampire books but Jeri Smith Ready http://stephsureads.blogspot.com/2010/08/author-interview-giveaway-with-jeri.html

    Thanks again!
    Kim
    bookbutterfly9(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  46. +1 for following on Twitter (@dy0ulee)
    +1 for following Jeri. :)

    Great interview! I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Haven't read Shade, but cool new YA is always fun. But I have read Wicked Game, and would looove to read more by Jeru. She had a nice style, some romance, a lot of action, and some wicked cool vamps that were so strange

    blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com

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  48. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  49. I've read Shade and was a bit hesitant about picking up a Jeri Smith-Ready book again... but, I agree with Steph Su that the world building and character development was very good... so am thinking this series might be better... *says the optimistic urban fantasy buff in me*

    Re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/08/win-set-of-all-3-wvmp-books-at-steph-su.html

    Twitted: http://twitter.com/cherrymischivus/status/22117640924

    I follow @stephxsu and @jsmithready at Twitter. My Twitter handle is @cherrymischivus.

    Cherry Mischievous
    mischivus101-warrior [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've read the first in the series and been looking forward to the rest, I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com

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  51. As a massive fan of Shade I am really keen to have a look at Jeri's other books! Great interview.

    +1 for following you
    +1 for following Jeri
    (username: @splendibird)

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'd love to read these books. Why? Because the the main relationship seems really solid. It isn't just love triangles or breaking up all the time. I love that in a series. :)

    +1 follow @jsmithready (Username: findmywayhome)

    crazy_canadian_chick37 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. wow..I glad I took time to read this because the WVMP series sounds awesome! I don't read a lot of YA so a couple wks ago I had skipped a blog onJeri. I so wished I haden't :( these books sound great. Different from the vampire paranormals I've been reading. D.J's =) Anti-holy blood? Is Ciara human? I'll just have to read, and thanks for the blog. I love these blogs because I would have never known about this series. thanks and I'll spread the word on www.twitter.com/Tanya1224
    I now follow you and Jeri on twitter. Thanks again!

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  54. Hi Steph, as usual your reviews are very well-written and I feel like I'd like to read this series now. I'm especially drawn to the fact that you found the first book in the series irreverent and the fact that the female lead seems like an interesting and strong female character. I'd love to pass this series on to the girls at our school! They'd love it too.
    Thanks for the review,
    Mr Jason

    ReplyDelete
  55. I love that she re-reads her books while writing, I find myself wondering if it's weird reading a book you wrote lol

    Please count me in for the giveaway

    I follow Jeri on twitter (@tynga)

    TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Fab interview! You asked the question I was wondering about, whether JS-R had planned all along for the Thing That Happened. I was surprised by her answer as I was by the Thing itself. But it was great & I am eager to read LIB!

    +1 - I follow her on Twitter (my twitter name is cegluna)

    cegluna(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. First of all loved, loved, loved SHADE. Absolutely wonderful, emotional book with amazing world building. I've been eying the WVMP series for a long time, but can never seem to find it at my local book store. Jeri's writing is fantastic so I just know I'll love this one too. And I love how music plays such a huge part in her writing process (and all of her books)

    +1 following @stephxsu (@LisaMBasso)
    +1 following @jsmithready (@LisaMBasso)
    +1 for tweeting http://twitter.com/LisaMBasso/status/22205394064

    angel28140 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  58. This series sounds really interesting. I'm fascinated about the amount of world building that goes into it.

    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

    ReplyDelete
  59. I've been long looking forward to reading these books, but I have not had the chance. I've read lots of reviews that speak highly of the series, but what I really liked is that the protagonist is not the typical damsel in distress. I hate bland protagonists. Ciara I find it an interesting character and especially different it is determined to make an impact on the reader. Also, I love vampire books and am always looking for something new to read, it is very difficult for an author with a book highlighting this theme, but it seems that Jeri has done it. Without doubt, more so now, I have to read the series.

    The interview I liked it too, has given me the opportunity to learn more of the author and her books. Sometimes the interviews are boring, because the authors did not have much charisma, I do not know. But this has amused me greatly. Thanks for this, Jeri!

    Count me, please!

    +1 following @stephxsu (@Itzel_Library)

    +1 following @jsmithready (@Itzel_Library)

    itzel_library (AT)hotmail(DOT)com

    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Take care,
    ~Yelania

    ReplyDelete
  60. Not entering, but gosh, I didn't know she writes adult urban fantasy too! I only know her as the author of YA Paranormal novel, Shade. *hides*

    ReplyDelete
  61. I'm looking forward to read Shade. It sounds like an awesome book!

    +1 for following you on Twitter @aikchien
    +1 for following Jeri on Twitter @aikchien
    +1 for tweeting about this interview and giveaway
    http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/22527280968

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I have wanted to read this series for some time now.
    Thank you for this giveaway and for making it international.

    +1 for following you on twitter @forceofstars
    +1 for following Jeri on twitter @forceofstars
    +1 for tweeting link: http://twitter.com/Forceofstars

    Im new to twitter so I do not know how I can link to only that tweet...sorry

    ReplyDelete
  63. I found out how to post the link so here is the right link to twitter:
    http://twitter.com/Forceofstars/status/22525484080

    and I got it on facebook too.

    +1 facebook:
    http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000852732699

    So a total of 4 extras.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love all the music stuff :) I'm a music junkie.

    +1 I follow you on Twitter (@lainasparetime)
    +1 I linked here: http://bookcontestlinks.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-31st-2010.html

    Laina1312@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Although I haven't read the books yet (they have been sitting on my TBR pile), I find the idea of vampire DJs absolutely fascinating. It's also pretty cool to see how music that has influenced the story actually make it into the books. Many authors post play lists for the books they are writing but never have I seen the music actually integrated within the books.

    +1 Twitter follower (@jmspettoli)
    +1 Twitter follower of @jsmithready (@jmspettoli)
    +1 Twitter: http://twitter.com/jmspettoli/status/22766595729

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  66. Fans of both! @tjotjoc

    Hope I win--I've been meaning to read this series.

    thejoyofthejoyofcooking at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  67. I have to blushingly confess I haven't read anything by Jeri yet. Haven't heard of her before Shade came out (the beautiful cover caught my eye and that is what amde me curious to check out the author)

    One of my blogging friends Karen from For What It's Worth is a HUGE Jeri fan so I discovered more and more about Jeri and her series lately, and after all the praise I would like to see for myself. I'm interested in this series because I'm curious to see how Jeri as she has said, made her UF stories as real as possible.

    Haven't heard of “Ciara” by Luka Bloom either, off to listen to it.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    +2 I follow both of you on Twitter (@Stella_ExLibris)

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  68. I was a bt confused at first because I didn't know who all these characters were. But any author who is a world-building whiz has me hooked already! as a fantasy writer, I would really love to see how Jeri works with it

    Great interview! and thanks for the giveaway x)

    anbi14 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I haven't read any of the WVMP books yet, but I just got today my copy of Shade and I can't wait to start it!

    +1 Twitter follower: @Sparima
    +1 Jeri's twitter follower: @Sparima

    spav05(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

Hello! I'm so excited to read what you have to say. Due to high amounts of spam, I'm forced to disabled anonymous comments for the time being. Sorry for any inconvenience this causes, and I hope you can understand and still appreciate the content here!

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