Far Side of Lazy

02 May 2008 @ 04:06 pm

Wolfsbane and Mistletoe news

I've mentioned it before, but here is more news on the anthology Wolfsbane and Mistletoe due out in October (yes, that's not Christmas and mistletoe-y, but what can you do?) These are the stories and authors who will be included in the anthology. Now, I want to warn you guys...some are assuming this is a Cal and Niko story. It's not. As it is a werewolf/holiday oriented book and neither of the guys are furry enough for wolf status, it's a story about other characters. However, it does follow along with my tradition of urban fantasy/horror, stand by your family, and kick ass villains. Anyhoo, lots of familiar authors, so hopefully you'll scoop it up and meet a pretty cool kid that Cal and Nik wouldn't have minded hanging out with in their teens (and he could've used the help.)

"Gift Wrap" by Charlaine Harris

"The Haire of the Beast" by Donna Andrews

"Lucy, at Christmastime" by Simon Green

"The Night Things Changed" by Dana Cameron

"The Werewolf Before Christmas" by Kat Richardson

"Fresh Meat" by Alan Gordon

"Il Est Ne" by Carrie Vaughn

"The Perfect Gift" by Dana Stabenow

"Christmas Past" by Keri Arthur

"S.A." by JA Konrath

"The Star of David" by Patricia Briggs

"Better Not Pyout" by Nancy Pickard

"Rogue Elements" by Karen Chance

"Milk and Cookies" by Rob Thurman

"Keeping Watch Over His Flock" by Toni L.P. Kelner

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22 April 2008 @ 04:47 pm

Job posting

Torchwood, a super secret (wink wink), above the law agency has exciting new positions open:

1)Familiarity with weapons, medical skills, and alien technology a plus, but will train.

2)*Must* have the ability to either hold breath for great lengths of time or possess no nasal blockages and have no former knee injuries that would prevent long periods of kneeling.

3)Double-jointed applicants will be interviewed first.

4)Poodles are *hot.*

As always, an EEE (equal everything employer.)

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22 April 2008 @ 10:14 am

Torchwood

Oh, man.

Davies pulled a Joss. He took unlikable and/or characters that blend blandly into the background and suddenly makes them nice or witty, dry, and gives them a cool attitude and then....

SWAT!

I would've cried if I didn't have balls or, to be more appropriate, ovaries of steel.

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18 April 2008 @ 11:36 am

KY and IN animal lovers

Normally I wouldn't pass this on...I get sent this type of thing every day as I volunteer for a rescue agency and as much as you want to do, there is so much you *can* do. I'm absolutely full to the gills with animals. I can't shoehorn in one more. As a matter of fact, the last time I went to the vet, the vet tech rather snobbishly referred to my number of cats as a 'cattery.' I said, funny, I refer to it as a cathouse, only I make less money from it. Hmph.

Anyway, the Shelbyville Animal Shelter in KY ( 502-633-0009) is full and they start putting down animals with the next one that comes in. So if anyone has any room at all please consider going to www.petfinder.com or http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?animal=&breed=&age=&size=&specialNeeds=&declawedPets=&children=&status=&id=&internal=&contact=&name=&shelterid=KY139&sort=&preview=1

They've a gorgeous white poof ball of a dog named Stormy I'd scoop up in a second if I had an inch to spare (too bad he's not a girl...could rename him/her Delilah.) Was hit twice by two cars, came out unscathed, only to end up on death row. Call them if you can. They must have a firm commitment to pull the animal today to spare a life.

This is the only time I'll do this as it's too sad for those far away who can't do anything, but as it's my two home states, I wanted to do what I could for these poor guys this one time.

In other news: Speed Racer move....WTF?????

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13 April 2008 @ 11:52 am

San Diego Comic Con

Yes, I'm going to San Diego Comic Con again this year and hope to be signing books at the Penguin Putnam/Mysterious Galaxy Booth again. I also hope it's at a time not opposite the Supernatural panel or I won't get a single fan. Ha! Last year was great...the hour flew by and I had tons of fans (which I worried about as the Con is more geared towards gaming, TV, movies, anime, etc.) But there seems to be more of a literary presence every year other con goers told me...which is great, because I want to see the SPN boys, Clive Owen, the SGA actors, etc as much as anyone else.

Now, I know some fans might not want to go to the con as it is insanely crowded and I have said in the past if that's so, I'd be willing to come outside the con at a prescheduled time and sign books if anyone wanted that. One fan (squirrel on crack icon...ha!) suggested that fans take me out to lunch. This sounds good in theory, however I will be at the con pretty much 24/7 from Thurs to Sat and will be heading home Sunday. So, it would either have to be in the gaslamp district during con hours (and it's so damn crowded it would be very difficult to find anyplace not jam packed) or Sunday before I leave. All this sounds good, but it depends on the number of fans that actually want to do this. I've found out in the past fans aren't always reliable when they say, 'Sure! I'll be there.' I did it once in the past and out of 15 'swear to the Great Spagetti Monster I'll be there', only *one* fan showed (a second one did have a good excuse.) Luckily I was having coffee with a bunch of friends and we just moved the coffee location to B&N's Starbucks so I didn't go out of my way too badly.

So, you San Diego fans weigh in. Meet me outside convention center, lunch, or there aren't enough to make it worth anyone's while. Although, I will come outside the Con and sign a book on the sidewalk for a single fan. That's doable, and as I respect the hell out of my fans, the very least I could do!

As for the Con....CAN'T FUCKING WAIT! It's a blast. And then it's overload and you want to find a corner and go fetal (125,000 people!), but then you chug some caffeine and you're ready for more! Best costume last year in my book...dead Spartan from 300. The guy had the outfit (skimpy thing that it was...hee) and was covered in blood with about twenty arrows sticking out of him. Snort. That was a good one.

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07 April 2008 @ 06:43 pm

Hard Lessons

I suppose this in a way is vaguely related to fanfic as that is a part of fandom. I said I didn't have a problem with it and write on, MacDuff, write on, but I couldn't read it for various reasons. Now I've added I won't be visiting my fansite anymore (trust me, to a concerned fan, I'm not so crazy I visited random fansites! I was a fan long before an author...I know the freakiness that lies within fanlists. And I certainly know better than to go hopping down that bunny trail looking for anything remotely related to my work.)

I did drop in once in a while to the one created in the beginning of Nightlife, was one of the first five or ten members I think, chatted around, and would see what was going on (all the while avoiding any sight of fanfic.) It was quite fun...seeing people enjoy your work so much.

Then it changed over time. It becomes less 'Great! I love your work' into 'this is what I don't like and this is how I would do it differently' and 'a mistake? How annoying.' The 'whee' lessens and lessens and the nitpicking and personal objections start.

Forgive my humanity and the flaws that go along with that. I've written eight books and one story in five years all while editing four books and the brain isn't once as elastic as it was. Sheesh. Don't be the geek in Vulcan ears berating William Shatner that the costume in episode so and so was a distinctly different color green than in episode blah blah. We do the best we can, okay?

Oh, and 'I don't care for all the blasphemy.' A) if you read even ten pages of the book, you're going to know it's chock full of what a Christian would consider taking the Lord's name in vain. You kept reading, so what are you complaining about? And 'fuck'? The day a monster rips your arm off and you don't say fuck, notify someone...there will be a bronze statue cast in your image. Saying you don't care for the blasphemy is like saying you read LKH but don't care for erotica. Or I love swimming but I really wish I didn't have to get wet. It's a wee bit contradictory.

B) I'm not Christian. I don't consider it blasphemy. Do you consider it blasphemy to eat a hamburger? There are Hindus who would. Or an abomination to eat shellfish? An Orthodox Jew might. Or that it's not a good thing to enter a house of God while menstruating? A Muslim could. So before complaining about the blasphemy, perhaps consider the blasphemy you are commiting every day against other religions.

Since I won't be around anymore, this will allow a free atmosphere for the fans to praise and/or bitch, which I think is important. I do not agree with your wanking, but I will defend to the death your right to wank, a great man once said. :) I just don't want to see it and ruin my Zen (as Niko would say). I will miss the little sketches. For those who *didn't* know I was one of the first members of the site...well, I was. For those who start any new Leandros fansites, I'll be happy to link them if they do not violate internet legal standards, but please don't be insulted if I don't visit. I'm just happy knowing you like the work enough to create sites.

PS The BSG premiere didn't have the big reveal I was hoping for, but I enjoyed the smiting. That was smiting Pulp Fiction style. Daaaaaaaamn.

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17 March 2008 @ 07:14 pm

The 'Lay'-andros Brothers

As stated below when someone commented that some fanfic people are writing Cal and Niko as a couple, I do *not* write Cal and Niko involved in an incestuous relationship. That being said, I also don't write Niko/Robin or Cal/Robin (although I am a slash fan myself.) I have one same sex relationship in the series and we haven't gotten there yet (Book Four, baby! Book Four.) Long ago I did say I didn't mind fanfic and I don't. I think it's a reflection of love for the series and the characters and isn't it amazing someone wants to play in the sandcastle I built. It's a compliment and I take it as such.

But by opening that door, that doesn't mean I can control or *should* control what people write. They might write things I don't agree with (although I really, really, REALLY wish no one would ever write rape fic), they might write things I'm opposed to, they might write things that would have me running screaming across the lawn, and they might write things that are goofy as hell, but it's not my place to police anyone's imagination. I can't say 'sure you can write fanfic, but only *this* type of fanfic.' First of all, it would be impossible to enforce and second of all, I am not the Thought Police.

Lastly, as I don't read *any* fanfic from my series due to issues such as a fanficcer saying 'hey, I wrote that story and her book has the same plot. She must've copied.' First, it's my copyright. Penguin Putnam and I own them, not you. Secondly, since I don't read the fanfic, that negates that issue. :)

That said...have fun. And play nice, people. Life's too short.

PS For the explicit slashers, Cal has two penises like the Auphe do. Ha! Just kidding. (wipe tear from eye) Damn, I crack myself up.

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17 March 2008 @ 05:03 pm

Japanese Covers and Generally Being Pissed Off

It's a two parter post, because I'm too lazy to actually do two separate ones.

1. I've seen the preliminary covers for Nightlife (which will be divided into two volumes as the Japanese like their books small. They must divide a Stephen King book into 500 volumes. :)) I can't show them to you or anyone for that matter...I was sworn to it...but I will say this: I have never seen a manga cover that resembled these and I mean that in a very good way. Cal and Niko are typical manga and hot as blazes (ride 'em, cowboy!), but the rest of the covers have a surreal quality that just blew me away. It's not remotely like any cover I've seen on the B&N manga bookshelf. I can't tell you more without giving anything away, but they are very eye catching and I think I must be the luckiest author in the entire world when it comes to my artists.

2. Fanmail and I'm going to bitch because I'm cranky today.
99.9% of my fanmail is fantastic people saying fantastic things and I couldn't be more pleased to get them. It's no fun to write in a vacuum. Thank you all for sending and I try to respond to them all (although it takes a while)...unless you piss me off. Then, unlike some, I think if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.-until now I suppose. Please don't write me with this laundry list--the mass contradictions makes me think that 'I wished him under the cornfield' kid wasn't so bad after all:

I don't like Cal and George together
I'm pissed you didn't get Cal and George together
Not enough Robin
Too much Robin
Not enough Promise
Too much Promise
I'm glad a guy finally wrote a male pov. Women can't do it. It's never realistic. (That was a compliment and an insult all in one. Kudos)
Too much everyone. There should only be Cal and Niko (I wonder who'd deliver their vegetarian pizza in that abandoned New York City? Will 'I Am Legend' Smith?)

For those who have not heard that you can't please everyone all the time...what are you? A frigging alien? Don't aliens have cliches? Learn it, live it, love it. Or just gather together in a giant steel cage and the last one standing gets to pick exactly how much face time each character should get and pay for my sex change operation so the male author=male pov realism will be true.

There. I feel better. I know every author gets it and gets used to it and it never bugged me until today when I had a double chocolate espresso. The bean is bad for me. Sighhhhhhh. When did people stop learning the word 'egocentric' in English class?

Oh yeah, last one...no, Cal and Niko aren't involved in an incestuous relationship. Can't help you there.

Done. I'm going to take a nap.

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09 March 2008 @ 03:39 pm

Contest Winnahs

And the names chosen from the Monty Python Killer Bunny shoe are: serenity'sangel, hairro, anonymous theresa, angst driven, k_kisara, and lorela.

I decided to give away five books instead of just the one as your response was so amazingly supportive. So, five books and one poster. I'll draw again amongst the six names to decide who gets the poster, but thought some might prefer the book. If you'd prefer the book to the poster, comment below and I'll make sure you get the book. All six please email me at rob@robthurman.net with your name and address and who you want the book signed to or do you want a generic 'best wishes.'

Then I'll pop those puppies in the mail.

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07 March 2008 @ 07:22 pm

Cal Model

I asked Chris if he had Randall Smith's (Cal) agency website. He found it. He said the pictures they have up don't look much like Randall or Cal, but it's better than nothing eh? And he does have the contrast of dark hair and light eyes (even if they're blue instead of gray.) He's several pages in...so keep clicking that right arrow.

http://www.clickmodel.com/index.php?page=division&did=26

Chris really came through for you guys. Give him love if you need to buy gifts for fellow Nightlifers. His prints are *amazing.* The lack of title and all other print just makes them even more stunning.

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06 March 2008 @ 02:17 pm

Cal and Niko models

For all those who have wondered....I received an email from Chris McGrath, the artist for the series (or rather THE artist as there are no other artists in my mind. :))

" Hey Robyn,
I can't believe how many emails I get asking who the models are for Nikko and Cal. I should tell them how popular they are getting the next time I see them. Randall Smith is the guy who poses for Cal, but he does not have a website that I know of. The guy who Poses for Nikko is Paul Marron
you can see his website here: http://www.paulmarron.com/
maybe you'll want to start a blog session about this topic.
Anyway, take care and talk to you later
chris
www.christianmcgrath.com"

So, sadly, we can't check out Cal unless Chris snaps a camera phone shot of him, but we can check out Niko.

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04 March 2008 @ 10:57 am

Pleading (as usual)

Here I am again...same plea, new book. Will those of you that have read it already due to the early release please leave an Amazon review. It's disheartening when the leather clad vampire loving' chicks get tons of reviews and my boys get only a fraction of that. Are they not angsty? Cynical? Darkly humorous? Sexy? Kick ass? Don't they deserve reviews too? I don't have any deleted scenes to bribe you with (Robin: You had to bribe them to review my brilliance?) But for everyone that does it I'll put your name in a hat and give out a signed mini Nightlife poster and to another, a signed copy of Madhouse.

So, do it for the children...I mean, do it for the guys. And for me would be nice too.

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25 February 2008 @ 04:13 pm

More News

It's been a newsy month, eh? First off, someone asked if the early releases would hurt Madhouse's ranking. I had no idea, but if I'd actually thought about it.... yes, in-fucking-deedy, when only half the bookstores release your book, it does hurt your ranking. Madhouse debuted at #22. From #4 with Moonshine to 22. I was not pleased...the kind of not pleased that involves pretty white coats with sleeves that tie in the back.

But my editor informed me this was just temorary and wait until more bookstores released and, yep, she was right. Madhouse is now #3 on the B&N SF/F brick and mortar list! Whoo hoo! It's also #3 at Borders/Waldenbooks SF/F. So all is well and thanks a million to you guys who ran out and bought it. You and you alone are responsible for that #3 (okay, maybe a naked Robin Goodfellow helped.)

The next news...ROC has bought a second series from me featuring a female protagonist (don't groan too loudly HTOH fans. There are one, two..count them...five hot guys in this one.) Me and a female protagonist...I know, it is to boggle. But she's fun and snarky...rather like Robin's cousin (if all pucks weren't male and nonhuman), so I think you'll enjoy her and the HPOH. I think Holy Pentacle of Hotness applies as there are demons involved. Or maybe UHPOH...unholy pentacle of hotness...hmmm. No, that sounds like a place that serves up demonic pancakes.

That should be out some time next year...guesstimating fall or winter.

Now I have to wrap my mind around writing four and a half books. I'm going to need some tequila here...stat.

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15 February 2008 @ 03:19 pm

Early Releases of Madhouse

It appears some bookstores including B&N have released Madhouse early. Not all of them (so I would check by phone before making the trip), but some of them. So Madhouse might already be out in your area.

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15 February 2008 @ 11:27 am

Supernatural

I'm watching Supernatural last night and of course they have nearly an exact same humorous line that I wrote last year when I finished up Book Four...sigh...but the guy sitting at the counter in the diner who barely has the money to pay for his coffee (and later does something very bad)? His name is Cal.

Booooooogety. Where's my tinfoil hat?

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07 February 2008 @ 01:56 pm

The news!

My publisher has contracted three more Cal and Niko books from me. So, yes, the adventures of Cal, Niko and Robin will continue on for at least Books 5, 6, and 7. Now, don't ask for the *naked* adventures....I'm not that sort of author....

Nah, just kidding, you get to see Robin naked in Madhouse...the countdown continues.

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01 February 2008 @ 04:44 pm

Appearances and news News NEWS

I'll be at San Diego Comic Con again (Thursday, July 24 -Sunday, July 27...although I doubt I'll be there Sunday.) Stalkers beware...my friend Shannon will be with me. She is six foot tall, trained in the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga and will stomp your ass like a baby cockroach. To a very fine paste indeed.) People passing by will guess your costume to be space porridge or zero gravity vomit.

Fans are welcome, hugged, and given hints to future adventures of Cal, Niko and Robin. Just ask the two who were first in line last year...they got a big hint. Much squealing and bouncing was to be had. It was great fun!

As for the news! ....I can't tell you. Isn't that evil...so evil that I need a shaved cat sitting in my lap and a volcano headquarters. But keep your eyes open, I'll reveal in the next two weeks or so. And, no, it's not a movie (you guys always ask...if wishes were horses) and it's not action figures. I can't imagine the pervy things you people would get up to with action figures of the HTOH....no, wait, I can.

Oh, hell, now I have to go watch Torchwood for the fourth time. I wonder if there are any Captain Jack action figures. Mmmmmm.

PS Hello to my Japanese translator. Fumiyo is the absolute best. And I managed to get an amazing manga cover artist whose men look like men...not women with really flat chests. All is well!

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26 January 2008 @ 10:05 pm

Torchwood the aftermath

That was the fannish highpoint of my life. I may as well die now, there can be nothing better. And I have to say...I have to admire the mind that came up with a man who can lust after a poodle five minutes before his death and failed murder rehab.

Most amazing episode of all time.

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26 January 2008 @ 06:05 pm

Countdown to Torchwood

Three more hours. Jack and Spike. Be still my heart...and various other parts of me.

Before comes Dr. Who. Now, I can take or leave Dr. Who. I'll watch a rerun here and there...mainly to see if Rose finally applies so much mascara that her center of gravity shifts and she tumbles face forward. But I have to say I enjoy the ones before Torchwood today. There are the Daleks (bad BBC special effects) facing off against the Cybermen (even worse BBC special effects.) There are 4 Daleks and 4 *million* Cybermen and they're talking smack.
Cybermen to the Daleks: This is war.
Daleks response: This is not war. This is pest control.

Go Daleks! Talk that smack! Four against four million...you've got some big shiny metal balls.

2 hours 45 min to Jack and Spike. Oh man.

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15 January 2008 @ 06:59 pm

Turning Japanese, I'm turning Japanese, I really think so.

Yes, Nightlife is going to be translated into Japanese. I knew those guys had great taste. Now if only we could break into the manga market....

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