Vampire Wire

Mondo Christmas E-Book Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 05:32:00 +0000

To celebrate the holidays, I'm having a mondo international giveaway of many of my books on Kindle from December 19-December 21. (My publishers retain some rights to my books so I can't give them all away everywhere.) For those outside the US, the contest ends midnight 12/21 Pacific Standard Time, so I think you'll be able to get your freebies though that time.

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, The Bride of Casa Dracula, and Nancy's Theory of Style will be available for free internationally.
Happy Hour at Casa Dracula will be available for free outside the US.
Dark Companion, my YA Gothic, will be available for free in all countries except the US, Canada, and the Philippines.

Here are some reviews of Dark Companion, which was nominated as Best Fiction for Young Adults by the American Library Association's YALSA group.

"Dripping in delicious Gothicism. From the quotes of Mary Shelley and Bram Stoker, to Jane’s eerie preoccupation and connection to the whispering birch trees that surround her cottage home… Acosta plays brilliantly with Gothic conventions and introduces young readers to the finer points of horror.”

—Danielle Binks, Alpha Reader

“Dark secrets, hidden mysteries, disquieting realities, passion and romance… Without a doubt this is my favourite YA book of the year.”

—Love Vampires

“Awesome stuff. Compelling and dynamic, Dark Companion lures you in, casting a distinct spell you won’t want to break. A modern Gothic with classic style.”

—Leanna Renee Hieber, bestselling author of the Strangely Beautiful

and Magic Most Foul sagas

"A Gothic atmosphere, Jane Eyre, a sweet romance, and feminism. I loved it!"

—The Book Smugglers

Please follow the following links to get my free ebooks and please share news of this giveaway with your friends. (I didn't include all the international links, so please check Amazon in your own country if it's not listed here.) Have a very wonderful Christmas!

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Dark Companion

UK: Amazon Kindle
AUSTRALIA: Amazon Kindle
GERMANY: Amazon Kindle
FRANCE: Amazon Kindle
JAPAN: Amazon Kindle
INDIA: Amazon Kindle

The Bride of Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Book 3)

US: Amazon - Kindle
CANADA: Amazon/Kindle
UK: Amazon/Kindle
AUSTRALIA: Amazon/Kindle
GERMANY: Amazon/Kindle
FRANCE: Amazon/Kindle
JAPAN: Amazon/Kindle
INDIA: Amazon/Kindle

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Book 2)

US:  Amazon - Kindle
CANADA:  Amazon/Kindle
UK:  Amazon/Kindle
AUSTRALIA: Amazon/Kindle
GERMANY: Amazon/Kindle
FRANCE:  Amazon/Kindle
JAPAN: Amazon/Kindle
INDIA: Amazon/Kindle

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Casa Dracula Book 1)

US: Promotional copy only available as a PDF for a limited time.
CANADA: Amazon/Kindle
UK: Amazon/Kindle
AUSTRALIA: Amazon/Kindle
GERMANY: Amazon/Kindle
FRANCE: Amazon/Kindle
JAPAN: Amazon/Kindle
INDIA: Amazon/Kindle

Nancy's Theory of Style

US:  Amazon/Kindle
CANADA:  Amazon/Kindle
UK: Amazon/Kindle
AUSTRALIA: Amazon/Kindle
GERMANY: Amazon/Kindle
FRANCE:  Amazon/Kindle
JAPAN: Amazon/Kindle
INDIA: Amazon/Kindle

Free Casa Dracula Books Today at Kindle!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 16:18:00 +0000

I'm giving away three funny, flirty Casa Dracula novels today on Kindle! Here are a few recent customer reviews.

"Just like a good champagne, this novel is made of the finest ingredients, it bubbles and pops, is a little bit naughty, makes you feel fondness for almost every character you come across, takes you out of your prosaic life, and leaves you wanting more." -Pamela M

"I LOVE this series! There I said it and I will say it as many times as I need to. Marta Acosta does the impossible and brings something new to the Vampire table with the Casa Dracula series and the result is a hilarious, fun and amazing series that I am sad is over." --Larissa from Larissa's Bookish Life

"Just finished this series. Love her characters. They are so vivid you can see them clearly in your mind. Milagro has the best sense of humor and personality, yet you can feel her underlying pain and insecurity from her childhood. Very much recommend this series." --Garen Herd

Free today on Amazon Kindle are:

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula (Book 2)

The Bride of Casa Dracula (Book 3)

Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula (Book 3)

But wait, there's more! For a brief time I'm offering Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Book 1) for free as a PDF or to read online here.

You're saying, "Is that all, Marta?" and I'm telling you, "No! That's not all!" Because for a limited time (like today) you can also get a bonus of my guide to writing a kickass query letter that will give you a much better chance of getting a literary agent.

Make It Catchy: The Quintessential Guide to Writing Query Letters

Perhaps you're saying, "Geez, Marta, lots of authors give away free ebooks. Don't you have anything else for us?" YES! I can send you a personal handwritten card written with one of my vintage fountain pens and posted with vintage stamps. Send me an email with your mailing address to receive one.

PLEASE SHARE THIS GIVEAWAY NEWS WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

In other news, I'm not blogging because I'm writing and trying to complete on-going projects. My latest manuscript is with my agent know and I'm anxiously awaiting his opinion. I hope hope hope he loves it.

I'll be having another contest this week for new books and galleys!

Aspiring Writers: Free Guide to Writing a Great Query Letter!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:19:00 +0000

“Marta took my query from good to incredible. We cut words, switched sentences, and while we made it shorter, it certainly had a greater pull—amounting in seven full requests.” —H.F.

“I noticed an immediate difference once I applied Marta's advice, which keys specifically to voice, in my query. In fact, I received three requests promptly with the new changes." —J. M. Blackman

Want to get a literary agent but your query letters keep getting rejected? You should probably read my guide to getting noticed in the slush pile. I wanted to title my guide Write a Kickass Query Letter, but my illustrator thought "kickass" was a curse word. She's delightfully ladylike. Anyway, you can get Make It Catchy: The Quintessential Guide to Writing Query Letters for FREE today through September 29.

Most guides are written by people who've never had a literary agent, i.e., literary agents or professional guide writer. I wrote from the perspective of a fiction writer who started with no connections and no knowledge of the industry, and yet managed to sign with amazing agents and get multiple book deals. I learned a lot of lessons the hard way and I learn excellent tips. Make It Catchy has ten practical ways to dramatically improve your query letter.

Description:

This guide will show you: how to target your query to agents who'll be interested; how to avoid wasting your time with the wrong agents; how to refine every section of your query; and how to always move forward in your quest for an agent. You'll also learn the reasons behind tips, so you can understand how agents and editors think and what they want. You'll also learn how handle the stress of rejection, and not let it keep you from pursuing your goals.

It's on Kindle, and you can download it to your ereader, computer, or read it online on Amazon's Cloud.

"Marta gave me a gentle but thorough critique that helped me think about both my query and novel in different ways. Her advice contributed to a query that garnered several partial and full manuscript requests." —Sierra Godfrey

Please share this link to the free read of Make It Catchy with others!

Last Day to Get Bestselling Kindle Vampire Chick Lit for Free!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 16:02:00 +0000

My giveaway of free ebooks on Kindle made my funny, quirky Casa Dracula books hit Kindle's #1 and #2 bestselling in both Romantic Comedy and Humor Fiction!

Today is the LAST DAY of the giveaway. Also, sshh, I'm giving away Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, book 1, as a PDF to read online or download.

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, Book 2, free through 9/20/13

"Somehow it just WORKS. Milagro is perfectly flawed and I can't get enough of her. Just try Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula and tell me if you didn't find yourself laughing your way through the entire thing." --Stephanie

The Bride of Casa Dracula, Book 3, free through 9/20/13

"Witty dialogue, eccentric characters and often oddball situations. Acosta's crazy whodunits are not to be missed...even if you think you've figured it all out--you haven't." --B. Loveto

Please share this giveaway with your friends!

Big September Giveaway of Three of My Novels!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 16:15:00 +0000

One of the best things about having my books on Amazon is that I get to share freebies with you. Right now you can get FREE EBOOKS of three of my novels on Kindle or to download onto your computer or read on the Kindle Cloud.

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, Book 2, free through 9/20/13.
"Somehow it just WORKS. Milagro is perfectly flawed and I can't get enough of her. Just try Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula and tell me if you didn't find yourself laughing your way through the entire thing." --Stephanie

The Bride of Casa Dracula, Book 3, free through 9/20/13
"Witty dialogue, eccentric characters and often oddball situations. Acosta's crazy whodunits are not to be missed...even if you think you've figured it all out--you haven't." --B. Loveto

Nancy's Theory of Style, free through 9/19/13
"This is the perfect feel good book...If I could grade it more than 5 stars I would!" -- Bookaholics

I'm also offering a short-time promotional read of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, Book 1, free as a PDF to read online or download.

Get the books now and please share the giveaway with your friends!

Also, I'm still sending cards, so if you'd like to get a handwritten card from me with vintage stamps, just send your mailing address.

Have a great day!

Giveaway of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula ebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:30:00 +0000

Book Sense Pick * Fresh Fiction Fresh Pick

Romantic Times 4-1/2 Stars Gold

I'm having a short giveaway of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, the first novel in my Casa Dracula series. Act fast if you'd like to read a free copy of this book. Just click here and you can read online or download the file to read on your computer or e-reader. Please tell your friends about my giveaway, but please don't load the book onto online sharing sites because this is only a temporary freebie.

"A comedy of manners with fangs."

--Christopher Moore, NYT Bestselling author of

Bloodsucking Fiends and Lamb

"A cross between Bridget Jones's Diary and Interview with the Vampire."

--Latina Magazine

"Cool characters, witty dialogue, and laugh out loud moments in this Jane Austen channeled vampire romp.”

--All Things Urban Fantasy

"The first thing that the author has done is throw away all of the old established vampire clichés. Happy Hour At Casa Dracula is a comedy of manners and it reminds me of the writing style of Jane Austen in places...perfect summer reading material."

--Love Vampires

SUMMARY: Funny, sexy, bright Milagro de Los Santos is a round peg in a square world, not quite fitting in anywhere, but still managing to have fun in her haphazard city girl life of part-time gardening jobs, clubbing, and arty boyfriends. She also writes political horror stories about zombies, but worries that she may be as insubstantial as her relationships. Then one night, at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend, she meets Oswald, a fabulous man who tells her he's interested in her writing. A mad kissing session leads to a fall, cut lips, and an accidental exchange of blood.

Then for the first time in Milagro's life, she becomes sick...and has cravings for raw meat and an aversion to sunlight. The ex-boyfriend kidnaps her, accusing her of being a vampire, and the fabulous stranger's family comes to her rescue.

Milagro hides away to recover at his family's wine country estate. The family thinks she's a trashy golddigger. She thinks they're awfully snobby for people who claim not to be vampires, but merely to have a genetic "condition." Oh, and fabulous Oswald is already engaged to an equally fabulous woman, her ex-boyfriend's still hunting her down, a decadent aristovamp visitor Ian Ducharme has taken a special interest in Mil, and she's lost her apartment and all her possessions.

With all these distractions, it will take every bit of energy to behave like the sincere and serious person Milagro knows she's meant to be.

CLICK HERE TO READ IT ONLINE OR DOWNLOAD IT!

Contest Winner for Lucy Woodhull's The Dimple of Doom!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:07:00 +0000

Congratulations, BN100! You're the contest winner for The Dimple of Doom by hilarious Lucy Woodhull. I'll send her your info so she can give you your prize.

I was just talking to Lucy about how difficult it is to market a certain type of more satirical, absurdist humor when you're a woman. I'll probably discuss this later, but basically a guy can write about farting and he's considered witty. And you can quote me on that.

Lucy Woodhull Guest Blog & Contest for rom-comfastic THE DIMPLE OF DOOM!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 18:02:00 +0000

"From daring (but funny) art heists to steamy hotel moments and shoot outs this was action packed, passion filled and funny from start to end. A must read if ever I have seen one."

--The Jeep Diva Reviews

I have a deep and abiding fondness for funny women, and a few years back I was happy to make the online acquaintance of hilarious, wacky Lucy Woodhull. Since then Lucy's published Ragnar and Juliet and Ragnar and Juliet 2: Concubine Boogaloo, throwing her own sizzling romantic comedy spin on science fiction. One reviewer said, "Lucy Woodhull does for human/alien romance what Captain Kirk's galactic conquests never could."

I like a girl who takes her crayons and scribbles like mad over the lines. Lucy's ventured away from her space operas to write The Dimple of Doom, the first of her Samantha Lytton series of romantic comedies: I'm very happy to have Lucy here to talk about...oh, the things that rattle about in that interesting brain of hers.

CONTEST: Read to the end of Lucy's post to find out how to win an ebook of her new saucy romantic comedy!

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Your High School Gym Teacher Was Right: NEVER HAVE SEX!

Hi, I'm Lucy Woodhull, romantic comedy author, and I'm having a bit of a fangirl flail from being on Marta's blog. Have y'all read The She-Hulk Diaries? So awesome! Thanks very much, Marta, for hosting me.

Now, on to business: I have a very serious question for you. Has sex led you to ruination? Don't worry if the answer is "yes" -- many of us have made a bad decision or two in the noble pursuit of sweet, sweet booty. Such is the sad tale of Samantha Lytton, heroine of my new contemporary rom-com The Dimple of Doom. It's the story of a failed actress/depressed secretary/roller skate enthusiast who kissed the wrong guy at the office Christmas party. She thought her snog occurred with a nice accountant who would save her from eating cheese alone until she dies from patheticness.

Instead, this "accountant" (hint: he's totally not one) gets her in trouble with gun-toting jerks who'd kill her over a painting, which is, frankly, rude. This disastrous "accountant" has one seriously cute dimple.

You might not know that the dimple is the most evil of facial features, but it's clinically proven. Please refer this handy chart I just made, which is totally based on real science.

See? Samantha never had a chance against the power of a smirking, be-dimpled man with witty repartee and a kiss that makes steam come out of her ears. Who wouldn't commit a little burglary with such a man, or run off to Vegas with him, or even square dance in a silly outfit? I know, it's terrifying, but that's why I'm blogging here today -- to warn you all about the dangers of charming men and the dimples they dimple. You might not even realize that the reason you're wearing a crop top, or agreeing to go bungee jumping, or committing a weeknight break-and-enter is because of a dimple, but it's a distinct possibility. Constant vigilance is the only way to defeat hunky men. Or, you know, give in to them and have lots of hot, sweaty fun. Just try to stay out of jail, kids.

I managed to elude the sexy beckoning of a dimple, but my husband walloped me with a masterful chin dent, or "chin butt" is it is commonly known. I don't want to say what vile horrors his adorable face has caused me to undertake, but let's just say one of them might involve a sexy Wookiee outfit and a package of Sno Balls.

I've said too much.

What wicked deeds have you committed in the name of lust, er, love? Admit your most base sins in the comments for a chance to win a digital copy of TDOD. [The contest runs through August 15 and Lucy will choose the winner(s).]

Thank you very much for reading!

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Thanks, Lucy, for sharing your scientific knowledge of evil facial features. I have often been led astray by a significant nose and have recently developed an inexplicable appreciation of stick-out ears especially when the light shows through them.

Visit Lucy's website and read Chapter One of The Dimple of Doom. Lucy also offers sample chapters from Ragnar and Juliet, books one and two.
Visit Lucy's Author Page at Amazon.
Buy The Dimple of Doom at limited time discounted price of $1.00 at Total E-Bound

Upcoming Guest Post by Lucy Woodhull

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 23:36:00 +0000

Yes, I am freezing here in the fog belt and baking bread to warm the house, thank you for asking. I'm going to remodel my house into The Global Warming Bed & Breakfast -- bring a warm sweater and I'll give you a cup of tea.

I have a lot of these great ideas, but tragically lack the follow-through to actually make anything happen. This explains all the abandoned Robot Maid parts in my garage. The closest I ever got to creating a workable Robot Maid was the model that could mix an excellent strawberry daiquiri. I had such hopes! How could I know that giving a robot access to the Cuisinart and other appliances would result in the creation of mutinous clones? Luckily I was able to disarm them with the swift application of wet poodles thrown into the microwave, but, ay caramba, what a mess! And the mess really made me want robot maid assistance.

The point of this is: damned if you create a robot maid to make tasty frozen drinks and damned if you don't have one to clean up poodle/microwave casualties. I hope you will learn something from this poignant cautionary tale.

So hilarious Lucy Woodhull, who I deeply admire because of her very fancy name, will be the guest blogger here on Thursday, August 8, to talk about her new book, The Dimple of Doom. She'll be sharing a free excerpt and all kinds of stuff. Maybe she'll even give me some robot-making tips. Fingers crossed! Lucy's very funny, also romancy, with a soupcon of smutty, so I hope you'll come read her guest blog.

Free Starting Today! Most of My Backlist, incl. Three Casa Dracula Novels!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:50:00 +0000

I'm baaaack and having a big ol' giveaway of my of my backlist on Kindle. This won't last long so get your copies now.

Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, free through July 26.

The Bride of Casa Dracula, free through July 28.

Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula, free through July 27.

Nancy's Theory of Style, free through July 25.

If you're outside the United States, you can also get Happy Hour at Casa Dracula, free through July 28, and here's the UK Kindle link and the Canada Kindle link.

If you've enjoyed my blogging, please take this opportunity to read my novels -- and tell your friends about my funny, romantic, wacky, snarky Casa Dracula novels!

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

I was pretty happy when The She-Hulk Diaries was featured on Good Morning America, but my fangirl heart was thrilled to see my novel right there on the Marvel table when Joss Whedon had an interview at Comic-Con. I'm absolutely convinced that he begged for my book when the interview was concluded. So the theme today is Joss Whedon shows.

Want a Literary Agent? Get My Guide to Writing Query Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:32:00 +0000

I know that a lot of you are writers, too, hoping to find an agent and get published, and I know how difficult that is when you don't have any inside contacts. I was in the same situation, and it seemed that all the guides on how to get an agent and publish a novel were written by people who only wrote How-to books. I made a lot of avoidable mistakes and I learned from them. So I wrote Make It Catchy: The Quintessential Guide to Writing Query Letters, and it's a free read now through June 30 on Kindle.

Hope you'll take the opportunity to read my guide. Please tell any friends who would like to be published with a traditional press. Although I've also started self-publishing projects, I really value having a great agent for my traditional book deals.

Can't believe my seventh novel, The She-Hulk Diaries, was released last week! It's been getting very nice reviews, like this one in Wired:

Holy moley, I was entirely won over by this. It’s glorious, trashy fun. I want to see Acosta take on more Marvel heroes now, as well as do multiple follow-ups to this book. Hell, I want to see Acosta get to make this into a monthly comic.

I like that the reviewer gets my sense of campy humor. It's not for everyone, and I'm glad Kara-Karina at Nocturne Book Reviews enjoyed my new book: "I adore Marta's books. Every single one. She is hilarious, extravagant and very nerdy. What's not to love? And The She-Hulk Diaries is Marta at her best."

My book got further geek approval from the illustrious Den of Geek: "the pizzazz and sass to make one heck of an amusing, often hilarious book."

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

The theme is kickass chicks. I usually don't choose videos with commercials, but the gecko is green, just like the very best characters.

Only one more season of Fiona, alas.

Publication Day for THE SHE-HULK DIARIES!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:44:00 +0000

"This book is utterly delightful. It's fun, it's likeable, it's periodically laugh-out-loud funny, it has action, mystery and lots of romance."

--Jenn Morgans, Waterstones Books

"A fun, escapist romantic romp with superheroes—who can resist?"

--Kirkus Reviews

My funny romantic action-filled new book The She-Hulk Diaries is now available! Comics Beat says, "It’s fun, it’s funny, it’s She-Hulk. Why not?" Exactly -- why not?

Order your copy now!

Zombies & Entertainment Weekly asks "Is She-Hulk the New Bridget Jones?"

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:17:00 +0000

First, only four more days until the release of The She-Hulk Diaries. I was rather thrilled to have the book featured today in Entertainment Weekly with a big headline comparing it to one of my favorite funny characters, Bridget Jones. It's also nice to get geek cred.

"I'm adoring this book. I genuinely thought it was great. For people who like me actually like chick lit when it's done well and like She-Hulk you should totally pick it up."

—Graeme McMillan, Wired and The Savage Critics

Graeme's an avid reviewer and I was happy to see that he also enjoyed In The Flesh, a new zombie miniseries. I caught the first funny, uncomfortable and even poignant episode last week and am looking forward to the rest. Raging zombies are all the rage, but they bore me. They're terrible conversationalists and are all "eat brain eat brain eat brain." Did the zombies ever consider that when they've eaten all the brains, they'll have nothing to eat. Nope. Zombies lack forethought and impulse control.

Their dancing is appalling. Fences confuse them. I can understand why they might not want to attempt driving, but they can't even think to use a bicycle to get around, for heaven's sake. They are not interested in sports or poetry. If I ever became a zombie, I would dedicate myself to becoming the finest zombie poet in all the land and I'm sure I'd be inspired by Wordsworth.

I meandered solitary as a skull
That rolls down hills and into dells,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A crowd with juicy brains to eat;
Oh, what a treat for me to eat beneath a tree
Whose brains were these? Now mine in joyous revelry.

I tried watching The Walking Dead and could not care. I did like 28 Days Later and, of course, I loved Shaun of the Dead.

Graeme writes:

The high concept for In the Flesh is that being a zombie isn’t a permanent condition. Or, rather, it is, but thanks to a combination of drugs, therapy and cosmetics, zombies — or those with “Partially Deceased Syndrome,” in the socially acceptable doublespeak of the show — they can be rehabilitated and placed back into society. The central character in the show is Kieren Walker (Luke Newberry), a PDS sufferer who returns to his hometown after committing suicide and then being resurrected as one of the undead.

If you're looking for something other than the usual boring monomaniacal brain-eaters, I suggest you try this show. And there's even poetry!

GRATUITOUS ZOMBIE VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Here are some happy treats for you. Have a wonderful weekend!

And somehow it always comes back to AC/DC. Which is not a bad thing.

THE SHE-HULK DIARIES Contest Winners & Join the movement to ban DARK COMPANION, Please!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:42:00 +0000

Thanks to all of you who entered my contest for The She-Hulk Diaries and other stuff. Here are the winners of my random draw.

SANDY - First Prize a signed copy of The She-Hulk Diaries, a signed hard cover copy of Dark Companion, a signed copy of Nancy's Theory of Style, and promo items.

HOLLY - Second Prize a signed copy of The She-Hulk Diaries a signed copy of Midnight Brunch, and promo items.

LORI -Third Prize - a signed cover flat of The She-Hulk Diaries and promo items.

Congrat's contest winners! Send me your email addresses and I'll send your prizes. I have to go to the post office anyway since I forgot to mail one of my packages the last time I went because I was so distracted by the woman in front of me. She was mailing a big box labeled "My First Skeleton."

I asked the clerk, "What did she say was in that box?"

He said, "Bones." Agh!

Also, I wanted to share this review of Dark Companion, which will be out in paperback on June 18. I got so excited by this that I had to read it aloud to The Husband.

Before anything else... THIS BOOK IS *NOT* FOR TEENS. No, I'm serious - it is SO not for teens. It's marketed as a teen book, but unless you're looking for something along the lines of Poe or Shelly, don't pick this one up for your daughter. Having said, I gave it two stars because it *was* well written. The characterizations and descriptive writing was spot-on. The language was... for our times, very well done. The author has a charm to her, and it came thru in the book. But I'll be honest with you - I'm not happy with this book. The cover says, "A modern-day Jane Eyre", which is why I picked it up at the library. It's got mild under-tones of Jane Eyre, at best, but mostly it's Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' (vampyrism/blood drinking)meets Grimm Brother's 'Hansel & Gretel' (fatten up the sacrificial child) meets Twilight (bronze-haired boy who's pale and wanted by every girl in school but has a secret... he's a vampire. Only his name is Jacob, which drove me CR-azy the whole book. Pick an original name, for pity's sake!) The book was non-stop adult topics. There was sadism, masochism, abuse, suicide, murder, drug use, occultic practices, bondage, prostitution, graphic violence... the list is long and extensive and the story (as well written as it is) is dark and disturbing, regardless of how sweet and fun Mary Violet (secondary character) is in trying to lighten it up. He's still slicing her with a pen knife and sucking at various parts of her body throughout the book. I will be telling the library that this book is not suitable for teens, and recommend they read it and review their decision to put it in a children's section.

I don't recall the bondage and occultic practices, but it's been a while since I read my book so it's entirely possible that it's in there somewhere. The rest, yep, that's accurate. It's always rewarding when a reader actually gets a book, and she gets that my gothic has dark, disturbing themes like the classic gothics she mentions.

My only objection is to the implication that I got Jacob from Twilight. Jacob is named after my friend Jacob, aka Jack. You really can't win with names because any one that you can think of has been or will be used somewhere else. (I thought that Milagro De Los Santos would be unique, but now there's a TV show called...wait for it...Milagro De Los Santos.)

As for Jane Eyre, well, we all take different things away from it. I think of Jane as a child living in her loveless aunt's home, punished by being locked in the terrifying Red Room, sent off to live in a horrible institution where children were abused and starved. I think of Jane sleeping with her dead friend beside her. I think of Jane when Rochester torments her and tells her he's sending her away, and when he's trying to trick her into a marriage that will ruin her and then he tries to seduce her.

So he was tricked into marrying a beautiful CR-azy bitch. Boohoo, big deal, and he has affairs with French ballerinas, parties hardy with snobs, scorns his young ward, and now he's hot for the teenage governess. Could be worse. He could have been a destitute child sent to an orphanage where he was starved and abused, and then forced to take a crappy job for a sarcastic rich man who kept a woman locked up in the attic. I think Rochester's a fascinating character and also a complete tool. And you can quote me on that.

Also, I am going to be using "CR-azy" from now on because it is a huge improvement on the boring "crazy." I recommend that you do the same.

Funny & Romantic Summer Read FREE at Amazon through May 26!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:28:00 +0000

A Library Journal Women's Summer Reading Selection

My promotion for free copies of Nancy's Theory of Style ebooks is happening now through May 26. Go to Amazon and get your copy! Please tell your friends about this fun, frothy, and romantic story, an ideal book for your summer reading.

"A witty, emotion-packed contemporary romance novel that will leave you longing for the story to go on." --Romance Junkies

"[Acosta] uses humor and romance to show that in life and love, perfection is overrated." --Booklist

"A fiercely fun and witty contemporary love story nestled in one of San Francisco's trendiest neighborhoods, Pacific Heights." --Nob Hill Gazette

"Chick-lit with brains, manners, zest, and know-how." --San Francisco Chronicle

photo by Peggy Gough

"An ideal volume to throw in your beach bag... Nancy's Theory of Style is an easy, breezy read that managed to suck us in with its San Francisco references, chick lit 'tude and love drama-rama." --SF Indie Fashion

"To borrow a phrase from Nancy, you will be absolutely thrillified! I was. It was the perfect flirty, happy, sweet, and thoroughly enjoyable read." --Love Romance Passion

I've also created a few boards at Pinterest inspired by scenes from my books, including a board for Casa Dracula and one for Nancy's Theory of Style. (The photo at left is a Fillmore Street shop display.) I hope you'll check them out and follow me there.

Have a great weekend!

Contest for THE SHE-HULK DIARIES & NANCY'S THEORY OF STYLE Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:10:00 +0000

"A fun, escapist romantic romp with superheroes—who can resist?"

--Kirkus Reviews

I just got a box of spanking new The She-Hulk Diaries books, so I'm having a contest with multiple prizes. I'm also doing a big ol' giveaway of Nancy's Theory of Style ebook free on Amazon starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 23, and going through Friday, May 24.

First Prize

a signed copy of The She-Hulk Diaries
a signed hard cover copy of Dark Companion, which is coming out in paperback on 6/18.
a signed copy of Nancy's Theory of Style
various bookmarks and postcards

Second Prize

a signed copy of The She-Hulk Diaries
a signed copy of Midnight Brunch, Casa Dracula book 2,
various bookmarks and postcards

Third Prize

a signed cover flat of The She-Hulk Diaries
various bookmarks and postcards

So...let's do the contest this way. Leave a comment here about anything--like what you're doing for the Memorial Day weekend or what you're reading or how you feel about the new Star Trek movie, whatever--and you get one entry in the contest. You can get an additional entry for each Tweet, Blog, Facebook Like or post, or other social media mention about my Nancy's Theory of Style giveaway on Amazon, 5/23-24/2013. (It won't be free after that date.) UPDATE: SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH MY SCHEDULED GIVEAWAY SO PLEASE CHANGE THE DATES TO MAY 24-25. That sound you hear is me screaming.

The contest is limited to the United States, Canada, and the UK, and runs through June 5th, but you can only get these extra points through Friday, May 24. Here's the link to share and the free book giveaway starts tomorrow.

Nancy's Theory of Style

www.amazon.com/Nancys-Theory-of-Style-ebook/dp/B00CM1BPAO/

Please tell people about my Nancy's Theory of Style giveaway! My fun and frothy read is a great way to start off the summer.

"A fiercely fun and witty contemporary love story nestled in one of San Francisco's trendiest neighborhoods, Pacific Heights."

--Nob Hill Gazette

"To borrow a phrase from Nancy, you will be absolutely thrillified! I was. It was the perfect flirty, happy, sweet, and thoroughly enjoyable read."

--Love Romance Passion

Speaking of contests, Michelle Par, please email me with your mailing address so I can go to the post office and mail off the cover flats for the last contest.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Since Nancy and She-Hulk are both romantic comedies, the theme today is romantic comedy, and, yes, I do think Jane Austen wrote them.

I love the fantasy comedy miniseries Lost in Austen about a loony contemporary girl from London who finds herself in the world of Pride and Prejudice. And Fitzwilliam Darcy hates her...a lot.

Okay, last year I gave a frickin lecture on Edgar Allan Poe at a screening of the heinous The Raven. (Don't even ask how I'm suddenly an EAP expert.) But John Cusack's role as Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything gives him a lifelong pass to do any heinous movie he likes. In fact, there are brother in Nancy's Theory of Style named Lloyd and Dobler.

Gendered Covers, Girl Cooties, & Winners of the She-Hulk Cover Flats!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:09:00 +0000

Congratulations to the winners of my contest for signed cover flats of The She-Hulk Diaries, to be released June 14!

Michelle Par

BN100

I'll send you emails to get your addresses.

There's been a lot of chatter on the internets lately about book cover design and gender. It started with a tweet by author Maureen Johnson, who then wrote "The Gender Coverup" in the Huffington Post. Here's the gist of it: women are given cover art with feminine coded stuff and men are usually given gender neutral covers. Allow me to summarize the basic points:

Men assume rightly that their readers will be male and female.
Women assume rightly that most men will not be inclined to pick up their books if they see a woman's name on the covers and/or any kind of female gender coding in colors or imagery.
Critics do not take books with gender coded covers seriously, putting women authors at a disadvantage for the awards and accolades that generate increased sales.
Women assume that the covers convince the critics that these female gendered books are froth.
Actually, the critics think women's books are froth because they were written by women, and therefore have the dreaded GIRL COOTIES! but the critics can't really say that so they just say, "Look at the cover! It's pretty so it must be pretty shallow, duh!" even though they know authors don't have control over covers.
Many women authors think that they will be taken more seriously if their book covers don't have gender coding and many women still use initials instead of first names to conceal their gender.
Gender-neutral covers for women are the literary equivalent of writing V.A.C. on the back of your hand: Vaccination Against Cooties, although girls are seen to be the only carriers of this terrible condition. (Alternative form of vaccination is drawing a circle, circle, dot, dot.)

And women are the ones who are supposed to cater to this sexism and sexual insecurity...because? Why? I don't get it. I do understand wanting to be taken seriously by critics especially if it means more money money money from sales. Things get more complicated when we're discussing publishers' motives with gendered covers. If gendered covers didn't increase sales for most books by women, I don't think publishers would use them. But I doubt publishers do actual market research, so who knows?

Women are the majority of readers. Women are the majority of writers. Hell, women are the majority of the fricking population. Here's what I think: all women readers should demand that publishers make the covers of men's books prettier. All books should have pretty covers. Stephen King, I'm talking to you! (And what is this obsession with door knockers on the covers of books by men?)

Yawn

Contest for SHE-HULK DIARIES Cover Flats & Midnight Brunch Giveaway Extended!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

The giveaway for Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula is going so well that it's #8 bestselling on Amazon's Kindle Humor Books! I decided to extend the giveaway of this eread through Tuesday, May 7, midnight. If you haven't gotten your copy yet, please go to Amazon now and get the book that Romantic Times called "hilarious" and Publishers Weekly said was "addictive."

Also, I received a few cover flats of The She-Hulk Diaries, which will be released on June 18. Everyone who's read this book tells me how very funny it is so I'm starting to believe them. I mean, my agent called me to tell me how funny it is. My editor wrote to tell me how funny it is. Assistants are sending me notes saying how funny it is. I've even asked The Husband, and he assures me that when he reads it, he'll find it very funny. (I'm sure he'll read it any week now!)

Hyperion and Marvel are so psyched about the book and are going to have a She-Hulk costume contest at Comic Con! I wondered if they'd fly me there to judge it but they promise me that it will be even better if I watch it online at home, which is the natural habitat for a writer anyway.

Anyway, if you'd like to win one of TWO signed cover flats for The She-Hulk Diaries and miscellaneous promo bookmarks and whatnot (mostly whatnot although I am tragically out of Slinkys), just leave a comment about your favorite superhero. (Mine is the cartoon Batman because his voice was awesome even though he was entirely lipless.) The contest runs through May 15 and two winners will be chosen by random draw. You can increase your points by Tweeting or Facebooking etc. about my giveaway of Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula.

The contest is limited to the US, Canada, and the UK.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

I have to wait months for Lost Girl to return so here are some videos while we wait. I love the friendship between Bo and Kenzi. Nice to see such a strong and positive relationship between these very different women.

Dyson's my favorite werewolf on TV even though the actor didn't initially seem werewolfy.

CORRECTION: Giveaway of MIDNIGHT BRUNCH AT CASA DRACULA!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:38:00 +0000

"Midnight Brunch has it all. Laughs, romance, mystery, friendships, and a fantastic fictional world you'll never want to leave. Acosta has found the perfect combination for all of the paranormal fans out there that wanted their vamps but wanted something different too."

--Novel Reads

The correct date of my one-day giveaway of Midnight Brunch at Casa Dracula, a #1 Amazon Hispanic bestseller, MONDAY, MAY 6 at Amazon! The giveaway is all day Monday and runs through midnight.

Get the book & share the link with your friends of a book at Futures Mystery Magazine said had "Impeccable timing and rare wit...[A] glorious madcap mystery of a ride."

Summary:

Horror story writer/gardener/party girl Milagro De Los Santos thinks she's well on her way to becoming the sincere and serious person she knows she should be. She's in a serious relationship with a fabulous man, Oswald Grant, MD, and living at his wine country ranch with his career-fixated relatives. It's true that Oswald accidentally infected her with the rare family condition that makes them crave blood cocktails and need protection from the sun, but what family doesn't have it's quirks?

She thought they accepted her, so she's hurt when she's excluded from a midnight ceremony with special guests including a creepy family elder, Oswald's hostile parents, and Milagro's ex-lover, decadent and powerful Ian Ducharme.

When Milagro's life is threatened, she flees to the desert to hide and work on a screenplay. Instead of solitude, she encounters an egomaniacal actor, a partying socialite, a sly tabloid reporter, and a lavish spa full of dark secrets. It's all lots of fun until the bwaa-ha-ha laughter and the knives come out. Now all Milagro has to do is finish her screenplay, ambush a world domination movement, and overcome a terrible infection before she can make her way back to Casa Dracula.

This is the second in my Casa Dracula series, and I've included a bonus feature--Milagro's own version of how she came to Casa Dracula--in this special Kindle edition. If you haven't read the first book, this feature will catch you up. If you have, I think you'll enjoy this new piece in Milagro's voice. Remember, THIS GIVEAWAY starts Monday morning, May 6, and goes through Midnight PST.
Sorry for any confusion about the date! Please be sure to share this giveaway information with your friends.

Great Tips for Designing Your Blog/Website from Icey Design's Hasfah

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:45:00 +0000

Some time ago, when I was looking at blogs I really liked, I noticed that several were credited to Icey Designs. I was delighted to discover that the hardworking entrepreneur behind ID was a Texas teenage writer and blogger, Hafsah. She and her younger sister have a wonderful book review site, Icey Books. When I was struggling with a tech problem with my author Facebook page, I contacted her and she provided a solution and design toot suite for a great price. Of course, someone so passionate about books is writing, too. I'm very happy to have Hafsah here today to share her advice on web/blog design, author branding, and social media and to discuss her own writing.

* * * *
MARTA: I first came across your design and review sites because I saw your terrific work and looked you up. I was so impressed that you created your business as a teenager. What came first – your love of books or your love of design?

HAFSAH: Believe it or not, I was never a lover of books until I started homeschooling in middle school and there was nothing else I can do. My love of design, however, came gradually, and I believe it started before my love of books - I was always trying and testing things out on my computer, and what started as a love for coding has evolved into a love for design.

MARTA: I think some people understand visual communication much more than the rest of the population. What inspires you?

HAFSAH: I think you're right! I think designing is a talent that a person is born with. Sure, you can learn design, but it won't be the same as being born, or raised, with it. My dad is great at interior design, and I think I got it from him.

I find inspiration in colors and typography. I'll see a new font, or color theme somewhere, and I'll either incorporate it into my next design, or save it for when I get a client with similar ideas.

MARTA: I am obsessed with website design and I’ve changed mine a kazillion times since I started. Can you give us any advice on, say, three key elements for our sites?

HAFSAH: No matter how eye-catching and graphical your design is, a reader will click out of it if navigation is a pain.

First, ensure your site is easy to navigate, including having navigation links up where it's easy to see - and remember not to have too many. Sometimes, over-categorizing makes it difficult to find what you need when you're not too sure yourself!

Second, make sure your site is easy on the eyes. Having a dark background and yellow text may seem cool at first, but it'll hurt your readers eyes, and take a while for you to realize your mistake.

Third, personalize it. Not everyone is a designer, but if you're website is about food, try to incorporate that somewhere in there. And if you're a writer of dark, whimsical fantasy, make sure your site reflects that, in color and font.

MARTA: What’s the biggest mistake that authors make with websites? Is there a disconnect between what authors think readers want and what readers really want?

HAFSAH: I wouldn't call it a mistake - because what one person sees as a mistake might not be seen by another, but I think an author's website needs to reflect their book. If you want readers to visit your site and be awed enough to forward it to the next person, you need your website to stand out. And when I love a book, I usually take the time to visit an author's site, to see extras and feel like I'm stepping back into the world the author created.

Think of your website as an expansion of your book, another window into the world you created with words, only this time, with graphics..

MARTA: Publishers are pushing authors to have websites, blogs, newsletters, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. It all gets overwhelming and definitely cuts into our writing time. Do we really need to have presence everywhere?

HAFSAH: I think having a strong online presence is key in today's world - if you want to succeed in reaching an audience. And it's true, keeping on top of it all can be wholly overwhelming. In my opinion, Twitter is the easiest to maintain - after all, you can only use 140 characters! Here are a few tips to save time and worry less.

Link your Facebook profile to Twitter. This way, you can tweet on Twitter and Facebook will update your status with the tweet.
Link your Twitter and Facebook profiles to Pinterest. Your pins and repins will automatically post on Twitter and Facebook, giving you a larger audience and social media profiles that are regularly updated.
Create a Feedburner account. Chances are, most author blog. Even little posts. And having to create a newsletter can be a pain. With Feedburner, you can allow your blog visitors (or anyone you give your link to) a way to subscribe via email. Feedburner will automatically format your post and email it to all your subscribers.

MARTA: Most authors and book reviewers are trying to survive on tight budgets. I’ve been very happy finding reasonably priced and talented designers on Etsy and other sites. Any tips for creating an attractive and welcoming web presence without spending a fortune?

HAFSAH: There are ways to create your own website with a custom flair. If you can't afford Photoshop, download Gimp, a free alternative. Visit color theme websites, such as kuler.adobe.com and find or create a theme that expresses you. Based on that, create your design. A header and background with coordinating colors and nice font (dafont.com has a ton) will go a long way!

MARTA: Do you have some crazy website design that you’d love to do, but no one else agrees?

HAFSAH: When a potential client reaches out, I always have them describe how they want their design to look like. But if there's ever a design I'd love to do, I'll either create the design for my book blog, IceyBooks, or my website, IceyDesigns!

MARTA: You’re also writing speculative fiction, including a YA scifi novel, UNBREATHABLE. Can you tell us a little about your writing projects?

HAFSAH: I've only ever written YA science fiction, though I just realized that after I finished UNBREATHABLE. I love the world and I'm not ready to set it aside forever. But I do have a fantasy - my first! - that I'm itching to write.

MARTA: What’s next for you as a designer and a writer?

HAFSAH: As a designer, hopefully many things! I just started designing covers recently and what began as one cover for a self-published author has led to a trilogy of covers for Spencer Hill Press. I also have a few other potential projects lingering here and there. We'll see how they go!

As for writing, it's taking a back seat as I'm really busy with designing. Soon as I get organized and set a schedule (freelance work is hard to schedule), I'll open that document again.

MARTA: I was delighted to see that you've just added cover design services. What are the challenges of designing cover art that must work as both a print book and as a tiny online graphic? Have you ever wanted to create a design for one of your favorite books?

HAFSAH: Versus a graphic, sizewise there isn't much of a difference. But covers are a bit trickier than blogs and websites. They need to capture the essence of the book - an important scene, recurring object (say a forest), or a character. At the same time, it needs to pop and capture a potential reader's attention, one who has no idea what the book is about and will only understand the cover design after they read the book.. I'm loving the challenge so far!

I doubt I would redesign a cover for a favorite. I love them just the way they are!

MARTA: Thanks so much for visiting and sharing your tips!

************************

I've heard wonderful news that Hafsah has received interest in her query letters for UNBREATHABLE, and I'm hoping that some savvy agent will snap up her novel soon.

If you have any questions for Hafsah about design work or her passion for speculative YA fiction, please leave a comment!

Also, be sure to follow Hafsah on Twitter!

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Just new videos today. Vampires and arty new wave -- Enjoy!

Dracula and disco!

What's Up Buttercup? Q&A with Hasfah & Re-Release of CASA DRACULA Books!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:58:00 +0000

Design by Nan Richards Illustration

My blogging has been put on hold because I've been busy, busy, busy formatting my Casa Dracula series and Nancy's Theory of Style for re-release as ebooks. I'll be offering Midnight Brunch as a FREE ebook at Amazon starting Wednesday, so watch out for that announcement. I recently got the rights reverted for these books. Of course, I went through them making tweaks and changes.

Because this was such a major project for me, I enlisted illustrator Nan Richards to design all the ebook, print, and audio covers. Nan is a fan of the series and I think she did an incredible job capturing the fun, wacky spirit of my Casa Dracula world.

design by Nan Richards Illustration

She included the famous funicular in the cover for Midnight Brunch. As Milagro De Los Santos always says, "Funicular has fun right in the name!"

Tomorrow, I'll be having designer and writer Hasfah of Icey Designs as my guest here, and she's answering all my questions about website and blog design for authors and book reviewers. I'm constantly impressed by Hasfah, who is still a teenager and has already established herself in the writing community.

Also, Jennifer Thorpe-Moscon has just released How Geek Girls Will Rule the World as both an ebook and in print. This book is a collection of interviews with women who've succeeded in fields dominated by men, such as the sciences, technology, gaming, comics, and fantasy. This is a great book for inspiration -- just flip it open to any page and read some astonishing woman's advice on keeping positive and pursuing her dreams.

Jennifer includes interviews with several speculative fiction writers: Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Linda Addison, Beth Bernobich, Patricia Briggs, Jacqueline Carey, Rose Estes, Esther Friesner, Sara King, Genevieve Pearson, Anne Rich, Pamela Sargent, Lucy Taylor, Lisa Tuttle, Carrie Vaughn, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. I'm quite honored to be included with these dynamos, who are like spinning tops when I am more of the Slinky nature, i.e., sit around and occasionally fall down stairs in an amusing way.

Genre Confusion, Media Frenzy, Fiasco!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:34:00 +0000

Milagro de los Santos, my character in the Casa Dracula series, says that she'd like to have twins and name them Fiasco and Fracas.Those are awesome names. Stephanie Carmichael at Misprinted Pages has a Q&A with me today and asks me about the mislabeling of my books, genre conventions, and sexism.

MP: Do you think the media should be more responsible with this sort of thing? Why do you think everyone ran with the words “romance” and “traditional” and had such extreme reactions to them?

MA: I think “romance” and “traditional” are terms historically used to demean women, so they set off reactions. The media likes reactions. Do I think it’s irresponsible for the Hollywood Reporter to claim that these books are inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey? Yes, but I also think it’s hilarious to make that up.

Come on by and read the rest of our discussion!

Green Girls, Tragic Misunderstandings, and Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:55:00 +0000

I'm a guest today at Misprinted Pages yammering about how no one understands me. This is what happened: Stephanie Carmichael wrote a blistering reaction to what she thought was a romance novelization of She-Hulk, and I contacted her, and then she invited me to 'splain myself, Ricky.

It almost makes me question the wisdom of starting each day with a dozen Sudafed and a tumbler of Tanqueray because my appalling pretentiousness is in direct inverse relation to my, uhm, cheerfulness. Luckily, readers quickly assumed that I’d merely written a really bad teen romance. Whew, that was a close call!

Yes, I'd like some cheeze with that whine! Come on by to read about my stumbles along the road to ~~not get a real job~~ pursue my writing career.

In other things: I finally caught up on watching Supernatural. I enjoy the show, but...it feels as it it's just replaying previous episodes that were done better and more cohesively the first time. I'm always a little disappointed.

Meanwhile, Lost Girl, the Canadian indie show about fae solving and committing crimes in a gritty urban setting, continues to amuse and entertain me. I especially like the variety of interesting women in this show, from my fave, hilarious wacky Kenzi to Tamsin, the kickass new Valkyrie police detective. This show has an combo of action, character, and humor that works for me. It's also grown-up about sexuality in a way not found on many shows.

GRATUITOUS VIDEOS OF THE DAY

Zoe Washborn, played by gorgeous and fierce Gina Torres in Serenity & Firefly, really is one of my all-time favorite kickass chicas.

A vid featuring a favorite new character on Lost Girl.

Going to Change Blog Name to Ralph

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:32:00 +0000

Okay, I'm not going to change my blog name to Ralph, but I'm going to change it to something else like Marta Rants or Marta's Musings, which makes it sounds as if I've got a wreath of daisies in my hair and am playing a harp while singing a song about unicorns. (The song would have the lines, "Your unique horns are what I love about unicorns/Lush manes and tails should never be shorn/Sparkly coats of ebony and alabaster/Who can be this strange horse's master?" This might need a little work.)

What was I saying? Oh, the name change. If you have any brilliant suggestions, tell me. Basically, this will be more of my occasional blog with contests for my books and whatnot and less a blog about paranormal/urban fantasy books, although they'll also be featured as suits my fancy.

Speaking of which, I just found out that Doctor Who will start off the next season with a new Companion. I had not been able to get into the last season of the show, because I don't transition easily to things. But I'll watch it in a marathon so I know the backstory.

So what's the news, boo? Well, galleys of The She-Hulk Diaries should be out this week! Supposedly, they're being taken to some conventions this month, but I don't know what conventions. My publisher Hyperion is the most secretive publisher ever. Since I was obsessed with MI-5 aka Spooks last year, I love all the intrigue. I am hoping they will send encrypted drop-off messages to me. I'm also hoping for a few copies to give away in contests.

MI-5/Spooks, created by David Wolstencroft, made me tense, paranoid, made me cry. Ruthlessly brutal, deeply cynical, profoundly hopeful, it makes The Americans look like a bedtime story for children. I loved every second of it.

I like The Americans but got irked in a recent episode when the older daughter had to be saved by her much younger brother from a predator after she'd put them in a dangerous situation. I think Keri Russell is very good in this show -- raw-edged and determined -- although I rather miss her surprising talent for comedy in Running Wilde.

Here are a few Spooks videos.

Visiting Reel Girl Today!

noreply@blogger.com (Marta) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 18:46:00 +0000

When the official announcement of The She-Hulk Diaries went out, there was a reaction from some comics lovers who were concerned that my book would demean women. Agh! I wrote to Margot Magowan, who established Reel Girl to promote gender equality in fantasy, and she was kind enough to ask me to visit her site and talk about my new book, my writing, and gender issues.

I liked comic books as a child, but I certainly couldn’t afford them. My older cousin would lend them to us. I’ve always been a fan of speculative stories and tend to prefer darker stories with an element of humor, like Buffy, The X-Files, Battlestar Galactica, Dark City, eXistenz, Firefly, BBC’s Being Human, Misfits…[more]

As you have probably guessed, I have a few opinions. In fact, I have lots of extra opinions so if you need any on any subject, please ask and I'll give them to you so you can express them at your next dinner party. Caveat: express at your own risk, because you may not get follow-up invites.