Chat With an Author Giveaways

Interactive Q&A and Giveaway with Jeri Smith-Ready

Howdy folks, and Happy Monday! Today we bring you a very special author spotlight on The Book Smugglers – none other than the uber-talented Jeri Smith-Ready.

Jeri is the author of traditional fantasy (the Aspect of the Crow trilogy), young adult (upcoming title Shade), and urban fantasy – and her WVMP Radio series, Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone, are some of the most awesome, memorable vampire Urban Fantasy books out there. Check them out:

Late-night radio you can sink your teeth into

Recovering con artist Ciara Griffin is trying to live the straight life, even if it means finding a (shudder!) real job. She takes an internship at a local radio station, whose late-night time-warp format features 1940s blues, 60s psychedelia, 80s Goth, and more, all with an uncannily authentic flair. Ciara soon discovers how the DJs maintain their cred: they’re vampires, stuck forever in the eras in which they were turned.

Ciara’s first instinct, as always, is to cut and run. But communications giant Skywave wants to buy WMMP and turn it into just another hit-playing clone. Without the station—and the link it provides to their original Life Times—the vampires would “fade,” becoming little more than mindless ghosts of the past. Suddenly a routine corporate takeover becomes a matter of life and un-death.

To boost ratings and save the lives of her strange new friends, Ciara re-brands the station as “WVMP, the Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll.” In the ultimate con, she hides the DJs’ vampire nature in plain sight, disguising the bloody truth as a marketing gimmick. WVMP becomes the hottest thing around—next to Ciara’s complicated affair with grunge vamp Shane McAllister. But the “gimmick” enrages a posse of ancient and powerful vampires who aren’t so eager to be brought into the light. Soon the stakes are higher—and the perils graver—than any con game Ciara’s ever played…

Excerpt online HERE.

TURN ON. TUNE IN. DROP DEAD.

Welcome to WVMP, “The Lifeblood of Rock ’n’ Roll,” where conartist-turned-station-owner Ciara Griffin manages an on-air staffof off-the-wall DJs—including new boyfriend Shane McAllister—who really sink their teeth into the music of their “Life Time” (theera in which they became vampires). Ciara keeps the undeadrocking, the ratings rolling, and the fan base alive—withoutmissing a beat.

For Halloween, WVMP is throwing a bash. With cool tunes, hotcostumes, killer cocktails—what could go wrong? To start, areligious firebrand ranting against the evils of the occultpreempts the station’s midnight broadcast. Then, when Ciaratracks down the transmission, the broadcast tower is guarded bywhat appears to be . . . a canine vampire? Behind it all is a groupof self-righteous radicals who think vampires suck (and arewilling to stake their lives on it). Ciara must protect the stationwhile struggling with her own complicated relationship, her bestfriend’s romance with a fledgling vampire, and the nature of hermysterious anti-holy powers. To make it to New Year’s in one piece,she’ll need to learn a few new tricks. . . .

Excerpt online HERE.

Totally awesome music of WVMP Radio online HERE.

In celebration of the mass market paperback release of Bad to the Bone, we’re having an awesome interactive Q&A opportunity with the esteemed Jeri Smith-Ready! Here’s how it works: Jeri will be popping in all day long to answer YOUR burning questions about her WVMP Radio books. But wait, it gets even cooler – courtesy of publisher Simon & Schuster, we’ve got TWO sets of WVMP Radio books up for grabs (Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone). Entry is easy and simple – just leave a comment here asking Jeri a question (about her UF series, her writing process, her favorite authors, music, tv shows, etc). The contest is open to all, and will run until Saturday, February 27th at 11:59PM (PST). Good luck, and let the questions begin.

We give the floor up to Jeri Smith-Ready!

Hey, thanks so much for having me as a guest on The Book Smugglers! I write the WVMP RADIO vampire series and the upcoming SHADE ghost series for teens. I love answering readers’ questions, so ask me anything. (Yes, anything. If I don’t know the answer, I’ll make something up–it’s what I do. 😉 For example, where I got the idea for vampire DJs, what it’s like to write for both adults and teens, and what I do in my nearly nonexistent spare time (right now I’m mesmerized by Olympic curling). You can even ask my characters questions, though Shane and Regina tend to keep nighttime hours. As Pat Benatar once said, hit me with your best shot!

Award-winning author Jeri Smith-Ready lives in Maryland with her husband, two cats, and the world’s goofiest greyhound.

Jeri’s plans to save the earth were ruined when she realized she was more of a “problem maker” than a problem solver. To stay out of trouble, she keeps her Drama Drive strictly fictional. Her friends and family appreciate that.
When not writing, Jeri she can usually be found—well, thinking about writing, or on Twitter. Like her characters, she loves music, movies, and staying up very, very late.

You can read more about Jeri online at her website, and at her blog.

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82 Comments

  • ninefly
    February 22, 2010 at 12:11 am

    I’ve been wanting to try this series out, thanks for making this giveaway international! =)

    question: how did you decide which songs to include in your book? was extra research involved or did you use your favourites?

  • Bianca F
    February 22, 2010 at 12:52 am

    Ive been meaning to read this series, hopefully i will soon, and thanks for making it international =)

    question: What tv show do you most like? Which character are you most like/different? If you had to put a message in a fortune cookie, what would it be?

    Thanks

  • bella f.
    February 22, 2010 at 12:56 am

    hi Jeri!
    awhile back I read an excerpt of Shade and I’m really looking forward to reading it when it comes out.
    I recall the premise being about how only the younger generation can see spirits; was this at all inspired by the whole “indigo child” thing? Thanks for chattng with us :mrgreen:

  • Mariska
    February 22, 2010 at 5:36 am

    Hi Jeri !

    i’d like to know How did you choose your book titles ?
    And what’s your favorite character(s) on these books ?

  • Jennzah
    February 22, 2010 at 7:24 am

    i am a huge, huge fan of this series. (as you know!) combining my huge love of music with my huge love of vampires is bang on genius! 🙂

    my question is, Jeri, what shows do you watch for guilty pleasure? i, admittedly, watch America’s Next Top Model. hehehehe 🙂 bet you didnt know THAT! 🙂 😛

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:31 am

    Hey everyone! Wow, these are some great questions. I can’t wait to answer them, but before I do, I need that first cup of coffee.

    ……

    OK, there! Got it. Thanks for stopping by–this is going to be a ton of fun. For the most part, I’ll probably post my answers in separate comments, because I tend to go on. As you can probably already tell. 😉

    ninefly: Great question! Some of the songs I knew I wanted to include because they just summed up the emotion and theme so well. Like “I’ll Never Get Out of These Blues Alive,” which is Monroe’s signature song. The title and feel are perfect for a very old vampire like him (in my world, 90 is getting up there).

    And “Ciara” by Luka Bloom was an obvious choice. That was actually where I got Ciara’s name from, when I’d heard it years before on a Celtic Christmas album. When I came up with the scene where Shane plays guitar for Ciara during their Fourth of July picnic, I knew this would be one of the songs.

    Over the many months of writing the book, I would hear songs that I knew belonged in the book, like many of Shane’s “5:54am songs” that he plays for Ciara. Bruce Springsteen’s “Human Touch,” Cracker’s “Low,” etc.

    Of course, there are lots of places in the book where the songs themselves aren’t mentioned, only the artist. When my publisher asked me to make a playlist of all the songs in the book, I had to decide which songs by those artists I would choose. That was actually one of the most fun parts. I tried to picture the scenes and what fit best, like Ciara walking into the Smoking Pig bar while the Killers’ “Read My Mind” is playing.

    Whew! Next question….

  • ggs_closet
    February 22, 2010 at 7:37 am

    Hi Jeri. I’ve been meaning to read this series for a while. I’m a slacker. 🙂

    My question is why urban fantasy? Have you always been interested in this or did something point you towards it?

    Thank you

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:40 am

    Bianca F: My favorite TV show right now is probably Community (though Parks & Rec and The Office are close behind). I love the silly, over-the-top humor. The main character Jeff reminds me a lot of Ciara at the beginning of Wicked Game–has spent years lying and manipulating people and never really making connections, but then finds a group of really weird folks to care about.

    Oddly, I find myself sympathizing with Michael Scott on The Office (though my husband says that his secretary Erin reminds him of me). I’m so afraid I’ll turn out like him and that people will laugh at me for being a jerk.

    Message in a fortune cookie? “Eat me.” 😈

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:44 am

    Bella F: Thanks! I hope you enjoy every chapter of SHADE when it comes out. 🙂

    I hadn’t heard of the Indigo Children when I came up with the concept for SHADE, but I later did some research on it for the third vampire book, BRING ON THE NIGHT (coming in August). I ended up not using it because 1) it took the plot in an unnecessary circle and 2) I thought it would be too close to the violet stuff in SHADE. Clearly I was right! 🙂

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:49 am

    Mariska: The titles all come from songs. Originally they were all going to be songs with the word “Bad” in them (that was actually how the idea for the whole series came about–from the title). WICKED GAME was originally BAD COMPANY, but my publisher thought it wasn’t a strong enough title (and they were right). My mother-in-law suggested WICKED GAME (by Chris Isaak), and everyone loved it. Then I got to keep BAD TO THE BONE (by George Thorogood, whose name I can never spell). BRING ON THE NIGHT is a song by the Police. The fourth book will either be LUST FOR LIFE or BORN TO BE WILD, I haven’t decided yet.

    My favorite character by far is Ciara. I love being inside her conniving little head and helping her find her humanity. But Shane is probably the one I relate to most.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:51 am

    Jennzah: Hey there! Hmm, guilty pleasure? I don’t watch much TV, and what I do watch I don’t feel guilty about. 😉 Probably the closest thing would be L.A. INK, a reality show about a tattoo parlor in West Hollywood. I saw a couple episodes during a marathon a few weeks ago, and I was mesmerized. (I have one tattoo and don’t plan to get more…probably.)

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:59 am

    ggs_closet: Urban fantasy has always been my first love. My favorite book as a teenager (and maybe of all time–I need to reread it) was THE TALISMAN by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It may have been the first urban fantasy, even before Emma Bull and Charles de Lint, considered the godparents of UF.

    When I read TALISMAN, I was so floored at the idea of bringing fantastic elements (not horror, but fantasy) into our world and dissolving the boundaries between reality and fantasy. And I wanted very much to have my own werewolf best friend.

    My first published novel was REQUIEM FOR THE DEVIL, set in modern-day Washington, DC. Lucifer, masquerading as a political consultant, falls in love with a lobbyist for the poor who moonlights as a punk rock guitarist and blues singer (not on the same night). I never intended it to be a fantasy–to me it was mainstream with paranormal elements, like Neil Gaiman’s books. It came out in 2001 after many years of rejections saying that it was too “cross-genre.”

    When I got my first major contract, I ended up writing an epic fantasy because UF still wasn’t selling. So that was kind of a detour for me. As much as I loved writing it and as proud as I am of it, I plan to stick with UF in the future.

    I love our world and our time, so that’s what I want to write about. The ghosts and vampires, to me, are a way of examining what it means to be human in our society.

    OK, I am definitely rambling. Somebody stop me!

  • Ana
    February 22, 2010 at 8:18 am

    I am loving those! I am going to ask one as well!

    Jeri , how has it been this transition between writing for Adults then YA, then back? Do you find you have to be in a particular frame a mind to write each or do you have to refrain from writing things when writing for young adults?

  • Jo
    February 22, 2010 at 8:23 am

    Hi Jeri! I have yet to read any of your books unfortunately, but they sound amazing and I can’t wait to do so!

    My question is, if your characters from your adult series and YA series met, would they get on (despite age difference), or would they react badly to each other?

  • S.F. Robertson
    February 22, 2010 at 8:34 am

    The WVMP books are definitely on my list of books to check out.

    I have kind of a three-parter, but they all go together. I know these are probably things you could expand on for days, but whatever insight you can give briefly is great.

    How long does it take you to write a book? What is your first draft strategy, and how do you tackle revisions?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 8:54 am

    Ana: Great question! For me, it’s all about the characters and the world and not so much the age group. Since SHADE and the WVMP series are both urban fantasy, set in our world (or in SHADE’s case, a parallel “our world” where ghosts are accepted as being real because everyone Aura’s age and younger can see them), the mindset is not too different.

    I actually had a lot more trouble switching back and forth between the ASPECT OF CROW series and WVMP, because for the epic fantasy, I had to put myself in another world entirely, where everything was different. I couldn’t use slang, and certain concepts were totally foreign to that extremely communal, non-technological society.

    As for what I feel I can’t write in YA, I don’t really think about that. Teens, frankly, deal with just as many monumental issues as most adults. If anything, their experiences are more intense and serious because they’re going through them for the first time.

    So I don’t hold back in terms of WHAT I deal with (sex, drugs, death), but I present it in a different way than I would in an adult book. While sex scenes, for instance, should always be for the purpose of character development in both YA and adult, in adult books there is also the added purpose of titillation (let’s admit it–we loves us some hawt scenes ;-). In a YA book that’s not the intention–it’s more to show the emotional complexity of the moment.

    Speaking of which, I feel that in writing YA I have more freedom to create imperfect characters and address situations with emotional honesty. Adult characters, especially females in romances, are expected to be mature and balanced and always do the right thing. As a former(ish) con artist, Ciara is far from perfect, and I feel like I’m often walking a tightrope in simultaneously keeping her real and making her sympathetic.

    You know what I DO avoid writing in YA? Lots of description, lots of world-building details, and other things that slow down the pace. Which I am very happy about. I think that’s one reason I enjoy reading and writing YA so much–the boring parts are cut out. I naturally write very tight (in my books–clearly not in my interview answers!), and with my adult books I often find myself having to add description or more inner monologues at the request of my editor or critique partners.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Jo: What a fantastic question! I think if Ciara and Aura got together, they would have a blast talking about music, and especially their weaknesses for guys with guitars. 😉 Ciara could give Aura a tour of the radio station and let her meet the DJs. Aura would probably not be fazed by the vampires–she’s been surrounded by dead people since she was a baby.

    I could see it turning into a nice big sister/little sister relationship. Aura could use someone who takes life a little less seriously than she does. OK, a lot less seriously.

  • Jennifer
    February 22, 2010 at 9:01 am

    Hey Jeri! Love the WVMP books.
    I was curious what type of books you like to read? You write UF, but I was wondering if that is what you also prefer to read. 😮

  • Raelena
    February 22, 2010 at 9:04 am

    What is your favorite band/musician?

  • Jo
    February 22, 2010 at 9:24 am

    Thanks for the answer, Jeri! I actually have a review copy of Shade waiting for me to pick up, and I’m looking forward to reading it, it sounds amazing!

    I thought of another question. When it’s come to the editing process of any of your books, have you ever had to stand your ground over something you fiercely wanted kept in a book, which your editor thought wasn’t needed, or just wasn’t sure about? If so, could you tell us about it?

  • Michelle M
    February 22, 2010 at 9:26 am

    Oh fun. I really enjoyed reading Wicked Game and have been meaning to pick up BTTB! Thanks for the reminder.

    I was wondering if you could be anything besides a writer, what profession would you choose?
    Thanks!

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:28 am

    S.F.: How long does it take to write a book?

    I’ll give you my schedule for BRING ON THE NIGHT, since that was an ideal case–everything went smoothly with no major roadblocks. This never happened before and probably won’t again, but I can dream, can’t I?

    I wrote the rough draft very quickly, in about two months. I had already spent about three weeks on the outline for the proposal to my publisher, so I had a really good blueprint to work from.

    Then I did a second draft a few months later, which took about six weeks. Turned it in.

    Got revision notes from my editor and beta readers, then did a rewrite in about four weeks. (Note: usually rewrites take longer, six to eight weeks, but BOTN was in unusually good shape.)

    The last major stage is copyedits, which I’ll be starting soon. I expect them to take two weeks.

    So about six months of total work. This works out well, since I write two books a year. I usually find time to write one or two short stories as well, but it’s been almost a year since my last one.

    What is your first draft strategy?

    The process never goes the same way twice. I feel like with each book, I have to learn how to write a novel all over again. Sometimes the first draft pours out all at once, with no backtracking, and other times (like right now), I have to stop moving forward, look around, and make sure I’m heading in the right direction.

    and how do you tackle revisions?

    For me, most of the work is done in revisions. I usually do a major overhaul in my rewrite. I get rid of some plots and characters and introduce new ones. It seems impossible for me to get the story exactly right the first time. I think it’s because after I’ve spit out a rough draft, spent some time away from it and then seen it through other people’s eyes–only then can I see what the story is really all about and *what it could be*. That’s when the story gets bigger, in terms of stakes and conflict and action.

    That’s also when the characters really start to be themselves, rather than actors going through the motions of the plot. Because I’ve discovered what they would really do in these situations, I often have to change the course of the story to stay true to them. This involves a lot of work, but it’s worth it! 🙂

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:34 am

    I was curious what type of books you like to read? You write UF, but I was wondering if that is what you also prefer to read.

    Unfortunately, now that I’m writing UF, reading it often feels like work. What I really enjoy most these days are non-paranormal humorous books, usually with romance or at least romantic elements. My current faves are Victoria Dahl’s contemporary romances (although her historicals are wonderful, too, and I don’t usually read historicals) and Caprice Crane’s romantic comedies (especially STUPID AND CONTAGIOUS). I also really love Nick Hornby and Carl Hiaasen. Neil Gaiman is still my all-time favorite author.

    In YA, some of my favorites are Lauren Barnholdt, Elizabeth Scott, Lisa McMann, and Lisa Schroeder. I am also currently in love with the upcoming YA book

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:36 am

    I was curious what type of books you like to read? You write UF, but I was wondering if that is what you also prefer to read.

    Unfortunately, now that I’m writing UF, reading it often feels like work. What I really enjoy most these days are non-paranormal humorous books, usually with romance or at least romantic elements. My current faves are Victoria Dahl’s contemporary romances (her historicals are wonderful, too, and I don’t usually read historicals) and Caprice Crane’s romantic comedies (especially STUPID AND CONTAGIOUS). I also really love Nick Hornby and Carl Hiaasen. Neil Gaiman is still my all-time favorite author.

    In YA, some of my favorites are Lauren Barnholdt, Elizabeth Scott, Lisa McMann, and Lisa Schroeder. I am also currently in love with the upcoming YA book WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON, by David Levinthal and John Green, two of my other favorite YA writers.

  • Marie
    February 22, 2010 at 9:41 am

    Hello Jeri,

    Both series sound great, with interesting twists on age-old premises! I will definitely get both!

    My question for you is:

    Do you consider your stories more UF or paranormal romance?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:46 am

    Whoops, I forgot to mention that last question was from Jennifer. And thanks for the nice words–glad you’re enjoying the WVMP books!

    Raelena: What is your favorite band/musician?

    My favorite all-time band is definitely Nirvana. Some of my current faves are: The Raveonettes, the XX, Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Black Angels, Distillers, A Place to Bury Strangers, Shiny Toy Guns, Ladytron, and Elbow. (I’m probably going to jump back in soon and add a couple I’ve forgotten.)

    Last year I got to see Green Day live–it was one of my favorite nights of my life! They’re like the Rolling Stones of my generation–I’ve grown up with them, and I imagine I’ll grow old with them.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:52 am

    Back to Jennifer’s question for a minute: I just thought of a couple UF books I’ve really enjoyed lately. One is Anton Strout’s Simon Canderous series. I love his humor and the realistic touches of working for a paranormal bureaucracy. I also love the way he uses the real New York in his settings.

    I had the privilege of reading an upcoming debut novel called EMBERS by Laura Bickle, and I adored it. The main character is an arson investigator in Detroit (which is realistically and grittily portrayed), who banishes ghosts by devouring them. She’s accompanied by a familiar named “Sparky,” a charming but pushy salamander fire elemental who helps her fight the malevolent spirits. Imagine having a loyal but possessive dog no one else can see. Definitely check it out–I believe it comes out in April.

  • Lisa Richards
    February 22, 2010 at 9:56 am

    Jeri, you were a book, what would your blurb be?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:01 am

    Jo asks: When it’s come to the editing process of any of your books, have you ever had to stand your ground over something you fiercely wanted kept in a book, which your editor thought wasn’t needed, or just wasn’t sure about? If so, could you tell us about it?

    Believe it or not, this has never happened to me. I agree with my editors on 95% of their comments, and the other 5% usually aren’t worth fighting over.

    They key with making changes due to editorial suggestions is to solve the problem they’ve discovered. The solution might not always be what they think it is at first, but all they care about is that you’ve solved the problem.

    For instance, an editor might say, “this scene really drags, maybe it should come out.” What they really might be saying is that there’s not enough tension or that the pace is too slow. You might be able to keep the scene by reworking it, or by making it do two jobs at once (furthering the plot while introducing a new emotional conflict).

    So the key is to read between the lines of editorial notes and figure out what the real problem is. Does that make sense?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Michelle M asks: I was wondering if you could be anything besides a writer, what profession would you choose?

    I would love to be a film editor. Not a director–too much responsibility–but the person who takes all that raw material and shapes it into a compelling story. Like revising a novel. 😉

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:08 am

    Thanks, Marie! I hope you enjoy the books.

    Do you consider your stories more UF or paranormal romance?

    I consider them romantic urban fantasies. My books will always have love stories in them–otherwise they wouldn’t hold my interest. But I love the chance to follow characters and a romantic relationship over several books. It’s fun and fascinating to me to see how two people develop a lasting bond and overcome obstacles to strengthen that bond.

    With a romance, I would have to leave that couple behind with each new book, or they would have to stay in the background so as to not touch that Happily Ever After. That would give me Sad Face. 🙁 See?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:21 am

    Lisa Richards asks: Jeri, you were a book, what would your blurb be?

    OK, that is the toughest question I’ve ever been asked! I have to sum up my life in a couple paragraphs?

    Regis, I’d like to phone a friend or use one of my lifelines. Anyone care to take a crack at this one?

  • Jo
    February 22, 2010 at 10:25 am

    It does make sense, Jeri, thank you!

    I know you’ve said you don’t read much UF anymore, but, in other author’s books, what are your favourite paranormal/mythological creatures?

  • Robyn
    February 22, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Love your books!! This question has probably been asked or maybe you’ve mentioned it. If so, sorry 😀 .

    How many books do you plan on for the WVMP series? I know you have at least two more coming. Also would you ever think about doing a spin off series?

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  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 11:11 am

    Jo: See my follow-up answer to Jennifer about the UF I’m currently enjoying. In general, I don’t have favorite creatures–it all depends on the execution.

    Robyn: Thank you! I’m so thrilled you like the books.

    How many books do you plan on for the WVMP series? I know you have at least two more coming. Also would you ever think about doing a spin off series?

    My publisher has bought books 3 & 4 in the series, which will come out this August and August 2011. I plan to finish off the series with Book 5. The reasons why will become more clear after you’ve read Book 3. 😉

    I’ve flirted with the idea of a spinoff series, or continuing the story from the POV of a different character, like Shane. But I have ideas for other series and worlds, and I’d like to give them a shot, too. Two books a year is pretty much my limit, so unless I end a series, I can’t start a new one.

  • Cindy
    February 22, 2010 at 11:29 am

    Hello !

    Even though I’m not a huge fan of vampires, your universe really interests me. Vampires DJ ? I buy !
    So to the question : I see you’re writing YA as well as other genres, meaning various kinds of readers. Which of them do you like the most ?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    Cindy: Thanks! I think if anything can be said about my vampires, it’s that they’re unique. 😉

    I see you’re writing YA as well as other genres, meaning various kinds of readers. Which of them do you like the most ?

    My readers have a lot of overlap among my books. I just write what I like to write and let the readers take care of their end of the operation. 😉

    I think the different kinds of books help me express different sides of me. For instance, the WVMP books are lighter and more humorous, while the Crow books are super-serious. SHADE is somewhere in between–high drama and emotion with moments of funny.

  • GSM
    February 22, 2010 at 12:38 pm

    You responded earlier that you’d like to be a film editor if you weren’t an author. But, I’m curious, does WVMP make you wish you were an on-air radio personality? What kind of radio show would you like to host?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 12:46 pm

    GSM asks: You responded earlier that you’d like to be a film editor if you weren’t an author. But, I’m curious, does WVMP make you wish you were an on-air radio personality? What kind of radio show would you like to host?

    That would be fun! Although I don’t think I’d be very good–I tend to Um and Uh a lot. 😉

    I would probably play music from all different eras and styles. Kind of like Little Steven’s Underground Garage station on Sirius XM satellite radio. I’d give anything to have those DJs’ knowledge of the history of rock ‘n’ roll.

  • Nicole
    February 22, 2010 at 12:56 pm

    Hey Jeri! So totally love reading and would love any chance I get to aks an author a question.I have never read any of your books as far as I can remember but would LOVE to.

    Question:Are you the one who choose the person who models the cover? If so how did you choose that person? How do you come up with the charactersnames and the name for the book?

    By the way your book covers look fantastic!!!! 😀

  • Rebecca
    February 22, 2010 at 2:07 pm

    Jeri,
    I’ve always wanted to know which book took you the longest to write. If I were asked I’d think it would be The Reaweakened because it’s full of so many characters and so many stories!

    But can you answer the question? 🙂 And how long did that specific book take?

  • John J.
    February 22, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Well, a DJ vampire does sound very interesting, and certainly a promising character. It reminds me of another series I’ve been hearing about, the Kitty series I think it was. But the vampire is so much more of an attractive character than the werewolf for sure! 😀

    Anyway, I was wondering how the inspiration for each of these series came to you. Did the writing style for any change? Was the inspiration is spurts/dreams/outlines? It always intrigues me to figure out how a writer writes, and how they evolve as they write.

    I hope your series does well, as I’m sure you deserve it for working so hard. 😀

  • Heather (DarklyReading)
    February 22, 2010 at 3:38 pm

    Hi Jeri,

    I loved Wicked Game! I was wondering how you got the idea for the vampires to have neuroses like pick up and counting dropped paper-clips? I just loved that part because many authors write vampires as suave and able to keep up with the times (and I like those vamps as well) but if I were a vamp I’d definitely need some type of coping mechanism for all the changes. Thanks – Heather

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    Nicole: Thanks! I love having the chance to interact in sort-of-real-time with readers. The questions have been great, including yours:


    Question: Are you the one who choose the person who models the cover? If so how did you choose that person? How do you come up with the characters names and the name for the book?

    The art department at the publisher chooses the models for the covers. Some big-time authors (i.e., not me 😉 get to pick a model out of a small number of choices. But for the most part, authors don’t get much say in how their covers look. I’ve been extremely lucky with all my covers. I hope that luck never runs out! 🙂

    As for character names, I chose Ciara because of a song by Luka Bloom. For most of the rest, I used the Social Security Administration Baby Name database. It shows which names were most popular for which years. I look at the top 100 and pick the one that seems to fit the character best (and that doesn’t share a first letter with another character–*that* gets harder and harder with each book ;-).

    See my answer #10 above about the book titles.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    Rebecca asks: I’ve always wanted to know which book took you the longest to write. If I were asked I’d think it would be The Reaweakened because it’s full of so many characters and so many stories!

    But can you answer the question? 🙂 And how long did that specific book take?

    Probably the book I spent the most time on was one of three completed novels I haven’t gotten published (none of them deserve it). I kept rewriting and revising for almost three years, but just couldn’t make it lovable to anyone but me. The book’s themes meant a lot to me, so I kept pushing and pushing to get it right, when it was probably never going to be any good. The story just didn’t work.

    So I learned from this experience that an author can’t afford to be too self-indulgent and stubborn. Books can be kind of like relationships–when we’re deeply involved in them, it’s hard to see when they’re not working. And sometimes believing really hard just isn’t enough.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    Hi John! Yeah, I occasionally hear the comparison to the Kitty series. What I love about the comparisons is that they often have nothing to do with the radio setting. In both series, the heroines are not uber-powerful butt-kickers and prefer to use their brains to accomplish their goals. Also, both series deal with the moral and sometimes even theological issues of supernatural creatures like vampires. So to me it’s an honor to be compare to Carrie Vaughn’s books.


    I was wondering how the inspiration for each of these series came to you.

    For REQUIEM, a friend of mine gave me the idea (I later got his permission to develop it into a novel).

    For the ASPECT OF CROW series, I had always wanted to write a book about crows or ravens. They’re amazing creatures in real life and have a deep spiritual significance in many cultures. Then I had an idea for a woman who could tell when someone was going to die. Eventually the two ideas came together, and I developed it into a world where *everyone* had a magical power bestowed by their Guardian Spirit animal.

    For WVMP, I was driving down the road listening to a classic rock station when I had an idea for a bunch of people who were “stuck in time” in different eras (I mean, we all know people who have never left the sixties or the eighties, right?). I chose vampires, since only vamps die and then come back to life. I probably chose a radio station because I was listening to the radio. This all came to me in about five minutes, after hearing the song “Bad Company.”

    Did the writing style for any change?

    I assume you mean mid-series, and the answer is sort of. For the ASPECT OF CROW trilogy, I wrote the first book from one POV, the heroine, but the second and third have four and six POV’s, respectively. For the third book in the WVMP series, I shifted from present tense to past tense, for reasons that will be revealed when the book comes out.

    Thank you for your good wishes!

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Heather: Thank you! I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying the books.

    I was wondering how you got the idea for the vampires to have neuroses like pick up and counting dropped paper-clips?

    I got the idea from an old Eastern European belief about vampires, that they are what we would call Obsessive-Compulsive. I wondered why I’d never seen that trait in modern vampire fiction, and figured it was because OCD is not very sexy. 😉 (I also wondered if that’s where Jim Henson got the idea for The Count from SESAME STREET.)

    But I was able to tie it to their “stuck in time” feature by having their OC behaviors be their way of feeling like they had control over something. As Shane says, “It’s the only way to feel sane.”

  • Sheila DeChantal
    February 22, 2010 at 4:45 pm

    Jerri,

    I had no time to read the previous questions so this may have more than likely been asked, but what were the steps you took to become a writer? (I always find this interesting and helpful). Did you always know – did you write first then look for a publisher…. I would love to hear the details.

  • Wanda
    February 22, 2010 at 4:57 pm

    I would like to know what time of the day you write. Are you a morning person? So many writers seem to be.

    Please enter my name in your wonderful draw. Thanks.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    Sheila asks: what were the steps you took to become a writer? (I always find this interesting and helpful). Did you always know – did you write first then look for a publisher

    Well, first I wrote a book. I’m not saying that to be a smart-ass (even though I am one). Writers write, and they finish what they start. Nothing else can happen until that first novel (or short story) is finished.

    After I wrote that first book, I revised it several times and finally submitted it. While it was being considered for publication (and ultimately rejected to the point where I realized it would forever be a “practice novel”), I wrote another novel.

    Those are the steps for everyone: Write, revise, submit. Repeat forever.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    Wanda asks: I would like to know what time of the day you write. Are you a morning person? So many writers seem to be.

    Hee-hee. I really envy those writers. I wish I could get up and get the book writing out of the way first thing so it wouldn’t be hanging over my head all day. But I do my best work in the afternoon and evening, so I usually use mornings to read, exercise, and catch up on e-mail.

    Editing, OTOH, I can usually do any time of the day (assuming I have had sufficient sleep), so when I’m down to the nitty-gritty revising before a deadline, I will work on the book 8am to midnight.

  • Rebecca
    February 22, 2010 at 6:20 pm

    Thank you for answering my last question, but i’ve thought of another!

    When I read the Aspect of Crow trilogy, I felt attached to the characters and reading the last page and knowing that it was the end brought strong emotions upon me. In Requiem for the Devil, I litterally read the last couple of chapters in tears and since you’re the author and these characters came from your imagination, you obviously have a much stronger relationship with them.
    So was it hard to finish your books and sit there and think of so many ways in which your books can end and have to decide on what you think is right or wrong and deciding the fate of characters you know so well? (that’s not phrased very well at all but hopefully you can understand what i’m trying to say :P)

    Thank you!

  • Christine M.
    February 22, 2010 at 7:08 pm

    Hi Jeri!
    I was wondering, is there a ‘switch’ you have to turn on and off to go from writing fantasy to Uf to YA?
    Thanks!

  • Julie Swaney
    February 22, 2010 at 7:09 pm

    How hard was it to choice between writing urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy? Your books are great. Keep up the great writing

  • Amber
    February 22, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Eek! I hope this questions hasn’t been asked yet, but I’m in a hurry and I’m afraid I’ll forget to come back and ask. I’m a huge music freak so I’m always curious about what authors listen to when writing. Do you have a playlist for any of your books? If so, care to share some songs?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    Rebecca asks: So was it hard to finish your books and sit there and think of so many ways in which your books can end and have to decide on what you think is right or wrong and deciding the fate of characters you know so well?

    What a great question! I still remember the day I woke up knowing it was the day to write that tragic scene in REQUIEM. I felt like such a jerk. But I never considered changing my plans, because any other choice would’ve been wrong for the story.

    So yeah, it’s hard sometimes, because the characters are like real people to me.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    Christine asks: I was wondering, is there a ’switch’ you have to turn on and off to go from writing fantasy to Uf to YA?

    I like to have a bit of a transition period of at least a couple days when I’m switching back and forth between projects. The current work-in-progress affects the music I listen to, the books I read, and even the movies I watch. They help me to make that switch, especially the music.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Julie: Thank you very much! I’m so happy you’re enjoying the books.

    How hard was it to choice between writing urban fantasy and paranormal fantasy?

    I don’t really think in terms of genre (or sub-genre) so much as in terms of story. I focus on the story I want to tell and the characters I want to spend months or years with, and then determine which type of world would fit it best.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    Amber asks: Do you have a playlist for any of your books? If so, care to share some songs?

    Heh, funny you should ask! I have playlists for my WVMP Radio books, where music is an integral part of the story. You can see them on the WVMP music page on my website.

    Now this isn’t the music I listen to while writing (although that music often finds its way into the playlist)–it’s the music specifically mentioned in the story itself. Or in some cases, it’s the chapter titles, which are all named after popular songs.

    While I write my current work-in-progress, Book Four of the WVMP series, I’m listening to Elbow, Ladytron, Shiny Toy Guns, and Red Hot Chili Peppers (the RHCP’s are the main character’s favorite band). These choices are on the lighter side because that’s the tone of the book, but for Book 3 (BRING ON THE NIGHT, coming out in August), I listened to much darker stuff.

  • Elizabeth
    February 22, 2010 at 8:55 pm

    This series looks so interesting, I can’t wait to check it out!

    Rock ‘n roll DJ vampires is such a great premise for a series — what gave you the idea? Did you have trouble getting it published?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    Elizabeth asks: Rock ‘n roll DJ vampires is such a great premise for a series — what gave you the idea? Did you have trouble getting it published?

    Thanks! See my comment #47 above for the answer to the first question. I guess since it was eventually bought by a publisher, you could say that I didn’t have trouble getting it published. 😉 I was really lucky to be picked by Pocket Books–they’ve been fantastic to work with, and my editor Jennifer Heddle is incredibly cool and brilliant. Then they were awesome enough to buy two more books, so for the first time in my life, I’m writing the fourth book in a series. I’m very grateful!

  • Tiah
    February 22, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    Hi! I wanted to let you know I am only on chapter 3 of Wicked Game right now and I can already tell I am going to love this book.

    So do you want to work at a radio station like Ciara?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:39 pm

    Tiah: Yay! Thanks for letting me know you’re enjoying WICKED GAME.

    I think it would be amazing to work at a radio station! I would love to do marketing like Ciara and think of fun promotions and activities for the DJs to do. Especially if they were vampires–the options are limitless (well, except for the fact that they can’t go out in the sun). It would be great to get free tickets to concerts and meet musicians, too.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 22, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    Well, it’s after midnight here on the east coast, so I’m off to bed. Thanks to Thea and Ana for having me, and to all the readers who asked such fantastic questions!

    I have a date with an oral surgeon Tuesday morning (and not the fun kind of date), so I’m not sure how much I’m going to be online to answer questions tomorrow. Wish me luck!

  • austenfan
    February 23, 2010 at 4:44 am

    Hi Jeri! I’ve read a review of Wicked Game just a while ago (from Steph Su Reads), and she really liked it! Would definitely want to read it too. 🙂

    Now, my question is, since from the review, Wicked Game was compared to Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series… I want to know if you’ve read it? And if you had, what do you think will happen next? LOL. 🙂

  • jmspettoli
    February 23, 2010 at 8:43 pm

    I’m not sure if this has been asked yet, but what is the craziest fan letter/email you’ve ever received?

    Thanks for writing awesome books!

  • Spav
    February 23, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    Hi Jeri. What were your favourite books from 2009?

  • Stella (Ex Libris)
    February 24, 2010 at 9:14 am

    Hi Jeri,

    If you could have a fantasy dinner party, who would you invite to attend (dead or alive, real person or fictional character, etc)?

    Thanks! 🙂 Stella

  • Sharli
    February 24, 2010 at 10:21 am

    I don’t know if it’s been asked yet, but how do you like your covers? I’m a cover person, so I always wonder 😛

    Thanks!
    entrelibros_blog(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Lisa B.
    February 24, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Jeri,

    Question: You’ve done YA and UF. My question is, what’s next? Will there be more YA in your future? And how many planned books for the WVMP RADIO vampire series? Are there any passion projects on the back burner (thought I know you can’t share too much)?

    Thanks so much.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    austenfan, I just read Steph Su’s wonderful review of Wicked Game, and I’m so thrilled she loved it!

    I confess I haven’t read the Vampire Academy books yet (they are near the top of my list to read), nor have I seen TRUE BLOOD, but I have read the first Sookie Stackhouse book and loved it (I have all the rest on my shelf). I think the tone is similar, with probably the same level of humor. They also both take place in small towns rather than big cities. Ciara only has one boyfriend throughout my series, though. 😉

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    jmspettoli asks: what is the craziest fan letter/email you’ve ever received?

    Probably years ago, when a woman thanked me for revealing how Satan was at work in Washington, DC. I don’t think she’d even read my book, Requiem for the Devil, probably just the description.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Spav: What were your favourite books from 2009?

    I’m so glad you asked, because i never had a chance to blog about this at New Year’s. I assume you mean books published in 2009, although I tend to be way behind and read books years after they come out. Here are some I loved!

    GOING TOO FAR by Jennifer Echols
    FADE by Lisa McMann
    EVIE EVER AFTER by Beth Ciotta
    SEDUCED BY SHADOWDS by Jessa Slade
    BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert
    FAMILY AFFAIR by Caprice Crane
    ICE by Sarah Beth Durst
    CONFESSIONS OF A DEMON by S.L. Wright
    IF I STAY by Gayle Forman
    BREATHERS: A ZOMBIE’S LAMENT by S.G. Browne

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    Stella asks: If you could have a fantasy dinner party, who would you invite to attend (dead or alive, real person or fictional character, etc)?

    Hmm, I always try to answer this question differently each time, so let’s say…Attila the Hun and Jane Austen. 😛

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:37 pm

    Sharli asks: I don’t know if it’s been asked yet, but how do you like your covers?

    I love them! I think my favorites so far are the ones for SHADE and BAD TO THE BONE. BRING ON THE NIGHT’s is awesome, too, and you can now see it here.

    Because SHADE is a hardcover, it has a full jacket wrap design that goes beyond the front cover. You can see both the front and the full covers here.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 12:47 pm

    Lisa B asks: You’ve done YA and UF. My question is, what’s next? Will there be more YA in your future? And how many planned books for the WVMP RADIO vampire series? Are there any passion projects on the back burner (thought I know you can’t share too much)?

    I have a second YA coming out next year (SHIFT, the sequel to SHADE), then hopefully one or two more books in that series. I plan to have five books in the WVMP series. But right now, only four are guaranteed (here’s where I say to readers, if you like a series, buy the books when they’re released, and spread the word about what you like, because that’s the only way it’ll survive).

    Since I plan to stay with each of these series for the next year or so, I haven’t thought a whole lot about new ideas, but I have a couple of urban fantasies in mind. One is definitely adult, and the other hasn’t decided which it wants to be yet. 😉

  • Lindsay
    February 24, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    I would LOVE to win this!!
    Thankyou!! :D:D:D
    What did you do to keep on writing even when you didn’t feel like it?
    -Lindsay

    lindsay15photo@gmail.com

  • Diana Dang
    February 24, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    Wow, there’s so many questions asked that I don’t know what to ask!

    Hm, is there a place you want to travel to but haven’t yet?

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 11:48 pm

    Lindsay asks: What did you do to keep on writing even when you didn’t feel like it?

    I find fear to be a great motivator. Fear of deadlines, mostly. I know that if I don’t meet my daily goals, I probably won’t meet my weekly goals, and so on. So every day, I remind myself I’m on deadline, even if that deadline is months away.

  • Jeri Smith-Ready
    February 24, 2010 at 11:55 pm

    Diana Dang asks: Hm, is there a place you want to travel to but haven’t yet?

    Great question! Lots of places. I would love to go to Yosemite National Park in California and the Arches in Utah. Ooh, and Hawaii. Overseas my first choice (that I haven’t been to yet) would probably be Ireland. Or Costa Rica. And New Zealand! India would be really cool, too. I’ll stop now. 😉

  • The Book Smugglers » Blog Archive » Guest Author & Giveaway: Jeri Smith-Ready on Inspirations and Influences
    September 15, 2010 at 6:01 am

    […] is no secret that we are fans of Jeri Smith-Ready. She has blogged with us before and Ana recently fell in love with her YA novel Shade (reviewed here). And to celebrate the UK […]

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