June 26, 2007
The second night of our little trip culminated at cozy Chez Kessler, in a 'burb of Albany NY, after a successful signing at Flights of Fantasy bookstore in Loudonville. (Hi, Eleanor! *waves*)
Jackie Kessler, who's always encouraging me to "love my inner demon," not only chauffeured Music Man and myself (in the pouring rain!) around to a BBQ at the bookstore owner's house and then to the signing itself, but she also gave me the ability to sprout my own demonic horns! What a gal!
(You probably can't see the glitter and sequins on those lovely little horns in my bedhead hair, but they're there. Trés fashionable in the demonic world, or so I understand from Jackie, who apparently has a hotline to these things.)
Anyway, so the signing at Flights of Fantasy got me to thinking about something that should have penetrated my brain some time ago–thanks to Fantasy readers like Carl V. and Chris, and others. (But I'm a little slow sometimes.)
What I learned from the people at FOF, and the discussions both before and after, is that many people consider my books Fantasy. Wow. What a revelation!
The thought never crossed my mind, because when I think of Fantasy writers, I think of Piers Anthony, David Eddings, Tolkien, Anne McCafferty, Frank Herbert, etc. It just never occurred to me that my books fall into that genre category.
But Jackie, who knows a lot more about these things than I do, apparently, has been calling my books Historical Fantasy–or, which I prefer, Historical Urban Fantasy. I like it! I really like it.
But that means that I need to put my "Fantasy Reader" hat on and try and find some ways to promote my books to them.
I've done a pretty good job hitting up the Paranormal Romance readers, because that's a market that I know…but the Fantasy world is a whole different realm to me. (Pun intended.)
So, I'm looking for blogs, forums, reviewers, conferences, etc., that might be interested in talking to someone who writes Historical Urban Fantasy…any suggestions/referrals/leads would be greatly appreciated. (Comment, or email me at author at colleengleason dot com).
Thanks. And if this post sounds a little choppy…well, it's because I had a whole one written and accidentally closed the window without saving it. So all the finesse was gone when I had to rewrite it!
And also…my friend Colette Gale is in a celebratory mood because she just finished her latest book and turned it in to her editor! So have one on her, and her dirty version of The Count of Monte Cristo, today! (Hmmm…you could even have a Monte Cristo sandwich with it, if you really wanted to get into the spirit.)
Okay, I'm done. Off to take the kiddos to the 'brary. Lots of overdue books. Sigh.
The second installment of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles takes Victoria to Venice and Rome.
My novel, 
June 26th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I haven’t had a chance to read your new book (oops), so this is going on just your first book (currently, the other one is in the “get to it already” pile). I never tell people that you books are paranormal romance, I just always thought you put your books there because romance is the most bought genre… I call you historical fantasy when I am trying to talk my friends into reading your books. I think your covers are more paranormal romance than historical fantasy, though…
June 26th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Well, I think of your books more as urban fantasy—or historical urban fantasy, that’s a good phrase, too—rather than paranormal romance. There are all kinds of fantasy—when you say Tolkien, I think high fantasy, but when you say Patricia Briggs (her Mercy Thompson books, for example) I think urban fantasy. To me, your books fit the urban fantasy genre, best.
And it’s funny because I thought of you this weekend as I wore my “Born Venator” t-shirt to the ALA exhibits in D.C. just yesterday. I really love that shirt (maybe I’ll send you a pic)!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I’ll have to keep my eyes open for fantasy areas. there is so much out there. and I love the t-shirts! those are so great!
June 26th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
What have I been saying?!?!?
Just pop over to Wikipedia and look up fantasy and see all the subgenres that come up…there are many, many types of books that fall under the fantasy heading.
And I agree, you need to cross promote these books.
June 26th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I’d definitely cross promote your books! There’s a whole load of readers out there in the fantasy realm that would go crazy for these books. Fantasy conventions would be a great place to get the word out. Unfortunately we don’t have any here in New Orleans…isn’t that stupid! But they have some pretty big ones all over the country.
I talk about your books so much on my blog because their that good! Most of my blog readers are fans of fantasy and my reason for promoting your books is that they do appeal to more than just “romance readers”. I tend to see your books as more of a historical urban fantasy type of book than a romance, but of course I’m a guy and know absolutely nothing about what a romance should be :p
But definitely find a way to tell those fantasy readers about your books!! Conventions are great! There’s a magazine called Realms of Fantasy that always has ads for books similar to yours in it. Great magazine! Maybe consider placing an ad in there! Lots of fantasy fans read that. I do!
June 26th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
Talk to Tia at Fantasy Debut — Fantasydebut.blogspot.com
And if I can rudely volunteer the good folks at Front Street Reviews once more, I’d be glad to! They aren’t strictly fantasy, but you’ll definitely reach a broader audience through them. (I’ll even volunteer to do the reviews myself, if you’d like.)
June 27th, 2007 at 12:11 am
I have to get me one of those Venator shirts
June 27th, 2007 at 4:37 am
hey! i have a set of those horns!
i’ll wave at you from the freeway on friday as i hurtle past on my way to the folks’ house.