Phil the Shelf - BBC Radio Wales

Phil Rickman explores the attraction of horror and nouveau-gothic fiction with authors Suzanne McLeod (The Sweet Scent of Blood) and Peter Luther (The Mourning Vessels). Listen here until the 20.12.08.

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Phil Rickman [a best-selling crime writer] does a radio show where he interviews published authors about their books. [A very nervous me in this particular one!] Not only does he talk to Peter and myself, but also to Anne Rice!

At the same time he also invites aspiring authors to send in the start of their novel, along with a synopsis, which he then forwards to a relevant publisher for their comments. In this episode two aspiring horror authors have sent in their novels and Jo Fletcher* [my editor at Gollancz] gives advice to them about their submissions. John Jarrold [my agent]also talks about the current market for fantasy and horror.

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Ever wondered what a radio studio looks like?

Via the wonders of technology, I was able to sit in my local radio studio for the show, which despite the fact I was on my own [and did I mention nervous!] and not much larger than a broom cupboard [the show's producer's description, not mine] was really pretty cool.






* no prizes for guessing that it was thanks to my editor that I was interviewed for the show *g*

30 Days of Vampires

Lori Devoti - Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author - in celebration of her new release - Holiday with a Vampire II - is hosting 30 Days of Vampires on her blog. Fans of the Fangs should go check it out, there's interviews, competitions and guest blogs from editors and authors [including yours truly on the 28th Nov] enough to satisfy anyone's appetite for blood info *g*. The schedule can be found here.

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And in other news, I'm utterly delighted that Ginjer Buchanan of Berkley Ace has bought the US rights to the first three Spellcrackers.com urban fantasies. The books will be published as mass-market paperback originals in the US, with the first [The Sweet Scent of Blood] appearing late in 2009 or early in 2010. I couldn't ask for a better home for my books in the US. :-)

The Sweet Scent of Blood [book one] is out now in the UK - Gollancz . The Cold Kiss of Death [Book 2] will be published in the UK - July 2009

Fantasycon and Free Books!

19th - 21st September 2008

I will be attending Fantasycon in Nottingham for the first time - please come and say hello to me if you're going to be there. I don't bite, promise *g*.
I will also be reading from The Sweet Scent of Blood at 8 p.m. on Friday 19th September. Please feel free to come and listen.

And here's a chance to read War for the Oaks - Emma Bull - one of my all time favourite books *free* plus others to come!

Free Ebooks from World Fantasy Award Finalists


Last week we announced the return of free ebooks from Tor.com. We’re kicking things off this week with backlist titles from two of the authors who are finalists for this year’s World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. To download these and upcoming freebies, all you have to do is register at Tor.com.

Will Shetterly and Emma Bull are the first married couple to each simultaneously have a novel among the finalists for the World Fantasy Award—Emma’s Territory and Will’s The Gospel of the Knife. In commemoration of this, we’re offering registered Tor.com users free e-book editions of a pair of classics from the Bull and Shetterly backlists—Emma’s War for the Oaks and Will’s Dogland. Check them out here!

Each title in our giveaway program will be available for A Limited Time Only, so don’t delay. The books will be offered in a variety of formats, with no DRM. After this month’s pair of books, we’ll be putting up a new title every month, so make sure you register—and tell your friends about the great books (and blogs, and art, and conversation) that are free at Tor.com every day.

Thinking of Adopting a Vampire?

In celebration of Jaye Wells' [fellow fang-fan and author] beautiful new cover for her novel - Red-Headed Stepchild - that debuts in 2009 from Orbit US, here's a copy of a post I did back in March for Jaye's Adopt a Vampire Month on Jaye's Blahg Check out her cover at the end of this post and go check out the rest of the posts for National Adopt a Vampire Month on her blog - great fun was had by all *g*

Just why should you adopt a vampire?

Going by all the fantastic posts so far, I'd be surprised if there is anyone out there who hasn't already made the decision to adopt their very own vampire. But just in case you need a bit more persuasion information on the subject before taking that momentous decision, this is for those of you who are still wondering what all the fuss is about.


Want to go on a world tour with angst? Take a journey with Akasha and Lestat as Anne Rice tells us how The Queen of The Damned goes for world
domination.

Fancy a Greek god in leathers? Why not choose one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's hot Dark Hunters.

If a mysterious castle, bug eating slaves and a pack of pet wolves is your thing, then you have to meet The Count himself - Dracula.

Maybe you need to work off some aggression by slicing and dicing? Grab your sword and turn vigilante along with Blade.

Feeling thirsty? Indulge in a bottle of synthetic blood with
Charlaine Harris' super hot bad boy viking, Eric.

Need a bit of creeping dread to get your heart thudding, as you realise
the slavering monsters are real? Go Vampyrrhic with Simon Clark.

Does the thought of losing all that blood make you feel faint? Try a
date with Jim Butcher's sexy Thomas instead.

In the mood for some laughs with your fangs? Wander round San
Francisco with Chris Moore and his Bloodsucking Fiends.

Do those little grey cells need a work out? Go on a murder mystery
weekend with Vicky Nelson and Henry Fitzroy in Tanya Huff's Blood Ties.

Searching for your soul mate? Look no further than Christine Feehan's romantic Carpathians.

Want to get up close and personal and indulge your Guilty Pleasures?Then dive into the wonderful seductive world created by Laurell K Hamilton.

Feeling oppressed and itching to rebel against the aliens? Follow
David Valentine into E.E Knight's conquered vampire earth.

Having a really bad day? Try kicking some serious arse with Nancy
Collins and her Sonja Blue.

But if those don't snag your interest, then keep looking because there are more vampire books out there than you can shake a whole load of stakes at. But, one last warning for any of you thinking about giving the vampires a try - once they sink their fangs into you, and you have a taste of what they can offer - well, there's no escape after that, they'll keep you under their spell for all eternity.

And just to add to the persuasion information sharing for those who might still be crouching behind that door and wondering whether adopting a vampire is the right way to go - If you've already succumbed, then who was the first vampire you ever met?

And here's Jaye Wells' fabulous new cover!

Win a copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood!!

I'm guest blogging over at Karen Mahoney's today about 'Friends as Characters - Will they still love you when the book comes out!'

And there's another chance to win a copy of The Sweet Scent of Blood to celebrate this my book's release day . *runs off to do the excited happy dance again*

The draw is open until the 7th Sept, but why wait until then, go now and read how my best writing buddy made me put her offered to be a character in my book *g*

Guest blogging over at How to Get Your Novel Published

I'm guest blogging over at How To Get Your Novel Published about the power of critiquing today. And in celebration of the release of The Sweet Scent of Blood tomorrow [4th Sept] in the UK *sqeeeeeee* one lucky commentator can win a signed copy of my book.

There's some great content over there about the road to publication thanks to David Bridger so click on over and have a look ;)

Chapter One - The Sweet Scent of Blood - read now

Chapter one is now posted on my website, feel free to drop by and read, and I hope you enjoy ;)

The Sweet Scent of Blood is released on the 4th September in the UK - less than a week away - Whoo Hoo!! *mega happy dancing here* It is my first book and I'm both thrilled and excited that my story has made it into print. I had a lot of fun creating my characters and my world, and I really hope that anyone who reads it will enjoy it as much as I did when I was writing it.

Read chapter one here

The Sweet Scent of Blood - Reviews

I have been angsting with a typical British reserve as to whether I should blow my own trumpet or not [obviously I have now decided to do so! LOL!] As to whether I will have the fortitude in future to point anyone in the direction of reviews that might not be so favourable [or will I and my fortitude totally wimp out from doing said pointing] – only time will tell!

Liz at http://www.myfavouritebooks.blogspot.com:80/ has this to say ;)

‘Exceedingly well-written debut ticking all the right boxes, from a gutsy and unique heroine to an engaging storyline with sexy foes and a strong ensemble cast . . . funny and charming, with enough action to keep any book junkie entertained: Suzanne McLeod isn’t just adept, she’s bloody brilliant. Highly recommended.’

For the rest of her review check out her excellent book blog - yes, I know, she liked my book!!! so I'm biased, but her blog really is excellent ;) You'll need to scroll down to find the review of TSSoB.

From Gareth Wilson at Falcata Times

‘From the opening passage [the] characters jumped off the page and took the reader by the hand through a London that blended myth and legend with the modern world . . . a tale that will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned . . . the undead and fae face off in a no-holds-barred tale. Definitely an author to watch. Falcata Times

This month's edition of Falcata Times is online and ready to be read, here's a post I stole copied from Liz [and see what exalted company he's put me with *g* plus his full review can be read along with all his other reviews ;)

Gareth Wilson has worked himself into a lather to publish a massive edition of Falcata Times - the Monster Edition, this month.

He interviews, amongst others: LKH, Suzanne McLeod, Mike Carey, Charlaine Harris, Vicki Pettersen, CE Murphy and many more. There are hundreds of reviews jostling for space, alongside Zanzi The Barbarian's Agony Column and the new Scaredy Cat's take on some horror movies.

You can find the main Falcata Times page here along with some "back" issues or if you just want to see the current pdf, go here. But be warned, it is a bigun! Also due to some fantasy art, it might not be suitable to view at work or for younger readers. (I'm not being overly anxious here, I promise - I just don't want anyone getting in trouble).



Okay and trying desperately not to squeeeee now, from two authors who I've been a fan of, like forever!

From Simon Green.

‘I loved it to pieces. I was particularly taken with the establishing chapter, where our heroine sets up her world just by chatting with a friend over coffee and the morning papers. But all in all, a splendid first novel, and a damned good read. Fast and furious, funny and fae, the first Spellcrackers book is a cracker of a read.’ Simon Green, NYTimes bestselling author of The Secret Histories

And last but by no means least from Charlaine Harris.

‘The Sweet Scent of Blood is one of my favorite reads of the past month. The fast pace of the plot and the fascinating cast of characters will give you a happy little vacation between two covers.’ CHARLAINE HARRIS, New York Times bestselling author


Whoo Hoo!!! And to misquote a writer friend, 'my head is now the size of an extremely large planet!'

and apologies for any weird formatting - Blogger and I are still getting to know each other *sigh*

Wonderlands

View my page on Wonderlands

A fantasy social networking site - forums, events, author chats - has been set up at:

http://wonderlands.ning.com/

For all things fantasy - wherever you are in the world - Wonderlands is well worth a visit.

Two book deal - German Rights

Oh wow!!!! I am utterly delighted to post the following . . .


PRESS RELEASE – GERMAN RIGHTS IN URBAN FANTASY DEBUT SOLD


Krystyna Kujawinska, Foreign Rights Director at Orion, has sold German rights in two urban fantasies by debut novelist Suzanne McLeod to Nicole Geismann of Goldmann.

World rights in the series, which opens with THE SWEET SCENT OF BLOOD (to be published in the UK in September 2008), were acquired by Jo Fletcher at Gollancz from John Jarrold in 2007.

‘I couldn’t be happier for Suzanne, or for Gollancz and Goldmann,' said John Jarrold. 'And many congratulations to Krystyna.’


. . . and my own thanks to John, Jo and Krystyna and to Nicole at Goldmann. Yay! She loved my book!

OWW Interview!

I've always been a big fan of writers getting constructive feedback on their writing and with this in mind, I've mentioned the OWW before - that's the Online Writer's Workshop for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror - go here and check them out! - Okay, I don't post very often, so maybe not right now but when you've finished reading *g*.

I've been lucky to have a face2face crit group ever since I started writing, but for all their wonderful help, none of my fellow Thursday Writers (we used all our creativity on our writing and not on our name as you can probably tell!) read or write in the same genre as myself - Fantasy. So I went looking for some like-minded writers, as you do, and found the OWW. They're a fantastic resource for writers at any level and I know exchanging crits with the other members really helped to improve my own abilities as well as gaining me some great new writer friends.

And before I ramble on, and on ... Maria Zannini (her first book Touch of Fire is a futuristic fantasy set on a post-apocalyptic Earth and she has her own very informative blog) interviewed me for the OWW newsletter about The Sweet Scent of Blood and my writing - the interview is here - hey, and maybe let me know what you think or if there are any other questions you want to ask, feel free to leave them in the comments!

Enjoy!

The Sweet Scent of Blood - Cover

Wow! Look at my book's

beautiful new cover

isn't it gorgeous?