Happy birthday to GHOST PLANET (with giveaway of THE OPHELIA PROPHECY)

One year ago today, Tor released my debut novel, GHOST PLANET. I ate cupcakes, drank champagne, signed books while impaired, and wore a gigantic gold tutu.

See, I wasn't kidding.

What a year it's been! Some of the highlights include (as close as possible to chronological order):

• GHOST PLANET's cover appeared in an RT Book Reviews list of cool covers for upcoming releases.
• Authors Linnea Sinclair and Kat Richardson endorsed the book with glowing reviews. 
• In my first ever printed review, Publishers Weekly called it: "an absorbing and exciting story full of science, sex, and intriguing plot twists."
• RT Book Reviews gave it 4.5 stars and said "thoroughly impresses ... a pitch-perfect balance of a cohesive scientific vision with poignant, naked emotion."



Jack-O-Lantern approved

• Co-bloggers Laurie and Donna joined me in Seattle for my first release party. (Too far for Pippa - a hop, skip, and a GIGANTIC jump.) 

• The book was nominated for the 2013 RWA RITA Award for best first book, ON MY BIRTHDAY.
• The book was named the main pick for April of the Vaginal Fantasy Hangout book club (created by actress/producer/writer Felicia Day) - also ON MY BIRTHDAY. 
• Veronica Belmont (also of VF book club fame) named the book a suggested read for The Sword & Laser book club. 
• The VF gals gave the book a super positive review on YouTube. I ate more cupcakes. 
• The book was named one of the "best of 2012" by Regina Small, senior editor and reviews coordinator for RT. 
• My agency sold audio rights to Audible.com (for GHOST PLANET as well as my other two upcoming titles). 

Wow, what a great run. And we're just getting started! An audio book to come, and I'm still waiting for that movie deal. ;) 

My second book from Tor (THE OPHELIA PROPHECY) is due out in less than six months, and I'm working on revisions for a third book (ECHO 8). (Have a brand-new project in the works as well - stay tuned for more on that.) 

OPHELIA is a post-apocalyptic biopunk romance about some sexy transgenics and an archivist with a dangerous secret. E8 is a near-future, multiverse romantic suspense that explores possible connections between quantum physics and psi (also a Bermuda Love Triangle between a parapsychologist, an FBI agent, and an energy vampire). 

Thanks for joining the party! We have a door prize: Leave a comment for a chance at winning a signed ARC of THE OPHELIA PROPHECY (official release: April 1), hot off the presses. SO hot the only person in possession of one at this point is Jessica Subject, who won it in my first giveaway. [Usual fine print on this one: US and Canada only, so as not to require me to apply for a loan to ship it. And DON'T FORGET to leave your email address in your comment if you want to be included.]

Good luck! 

Tor Books - April Fool's Day, 2014

RWA RITA "best first book" finalist chat, with giveaway - TONIGHT

Just a reminder to sign up for tonight's chat with RITA "best first book" finalists! The chat will happen on Shindig, at 8PM EDT (that's 5PM for folks on my side of the map). 

I took the chat platform for a test drive today, and it's easy to use. You can just sit in and listen, or participate by asking questions. Click "raise your hand" to question the author directly (and see yourself on screen), or type in your question to have the moderator ask it for you. 

Here's the list of "best first book" finalists who will attend: 

Kristen Callihan (Firelight)

Sharon Lynn Fisher (Ghost Planet)

Huntley Fitzpatrick (My Life Next Door)

Anna Lee Huber (The Anatomist’s Wife)

Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits)

Simone St. James (The Haunting of Maddy Clare)

One participant will win a full set of finalist books! 

MANY CONGRATS 2013 GOLDEN HEART/RITA FINALISTS!

If you're not a romance writer, you probably have no clue what a career-launching event this day can be. But if you are, you probably know exactly what it's all about, and what it means. (You can read more about the awards on the RWA web site.)

If you're one of the giddy new finalists who just happened upon this post, we offer you MANY CONGRATS! on your extreme good fortune and invite you to post your fantabulous news in comments below so we can squee along with you. 

Please feel free to ask any questions about the whole head-spinning Golden Heart process. We've had our shot at tripping down the light-fantastic road and we'd love to share the wealth with anyone who's been struck by the powerful, career-bending force of nature that is the RWA Golden Heart Awards.

Here at Spacefreighters Lounge, we have a Golden Heart record we're very proud of. Pippa Jay, who is already a successful author, has never entered, but as a group we can proudly claim multiple nominations. Let me recap:

2009  

Golden Heart Final by Sharon Lynn Fisher for GHOST PLANET

2010 

Golden Heart Final by Sharon Lynn Fisher for SHADOWED (aka GHOST PLANET)

2011 

Golden Heart Final by Sharon Lynn Fisher for ECHO 8

Golden Heart Final by Laurie A. Green for P2PC

Golden Heart Final by Laurie A. Green for THE OUTER PLANETS

(Sharon Lynn Fisher became ineligible to enter due to the sale of GHOST PLANET)

2012

Golden Heart Final by Donna S. Frelick for UNCHAINED MEMORY

Golden Heart Final by Donna S. Frelick for TROUBLE IN MIND

Golden Heart Final by Laurie A. Green for DRAXIS

So please join us in celebrating all the shiny new tiaras being handed out today, and if you're fortunate enough to be wearing one, be proud! Trust us, for an aspiring romance writer there's no experience on the planet that compares.

~~~~~ * ~~~~~