Joy, as a mother of two teenagers, I know it’s a struggle to juggle everything. How do you manage your mom-time and your writing-time and do you have any specific schedule you follow when you’re writing?
I actually have two teenagers and a twelve year old, and I also work part time at a non-writing job. With three kids, sometimes things are really crazy around here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m blessed with a wonderful husband who does a lot around the house and also drives more hours as a hockey dad than most NYC taxi-drivers!
My main strategy for keeping to my writing schedule without going nuts is to schedule my writing time for early in the day. Yep, that’s the same advice all those weight loss articles give you for maintaining your exercise program: Do it early in the day, or it won’t get done. So I set a minimum number of pages for each day and get them done before all the other distractions kick in. The writing gets done – too bad I can’t say the same for exercise!
I can relate. It's easy to find a reason to postpone exercise! On a personal note, before we begin talking about the Immortals, what can you tell us about yourself that few people know and what do you like to do in your spare time?
Let’s see…something people don’t know about me. My immigrant grandparents were truck farmers and I seem to have inherited their gardening genes. I don’t let a summer go by without growing tomatoes, sweet peppers, and basil (among other vegetable), which I always start from seed. Right now my tomatoes are in season and taste like heaven!
In my spare time - I don’t watch much TV (because the commercials are so annoying), but I love to watch movies (new and old) with my husband and/or kids. My son and I just finished a marathon of all three Rush Hour movies – Jackie Chan is so great, and we laughed so hard! Next up on my movie queue is Saving Silverman (already and fave) and Fargo (haven’t seen it yet, but I love the Coen brothers).
The Crossing is coming to the Immortals in October, but take us back to the first installment—The Awakening. What can you tell us about the beginning of the Immortals and The Awakening from a behind-the-scenes standpoint? Where did you get the idea and what steps did you take to ensure its long-term success?
If you’re not familiar with the first four books in the Immortals series (released in 2007 and still available!), here's what you need to know:
Time and Place: Now, on Earth--but the Earth of Immortals is not the one you know! Magic and magical creatures are commonplace. Humans get cozy with demons, vampires, Sidhe, or werewolves...and many other magical creatures.
Magic: There are two kinds: Life Magic and Death Magic. These eternal forces must exist in balance for humans to thrive. While humans can practice both kinds of magic, magical creatures are aligned with one force or another. On the Life side: Sidhe, Werewolves and other shapeshifters. In service to Death: demons, vampires, Unseelies, and zombies.
The Immortal Warriors: Five big, bad, sexy warrior demigods/brothers who have existed since ancient times. Their mothers are different aspects of the Mother Goddess, their fathers were five human priests from various cultures and times. The Immortals were created to champion the fledgling human race against the forces of Death Magic. All five Immortals fulfilled this purpose until the Middle Ages when, mysteriously, they disappeared from human affairs.
The Immortals world is the brainchild of Jennifer Ashley. Robin Popp and I were brought on board by the Immortals editors, and had a great time helping Jennifer develop all the details of the Immortals world and characters. A big selling point has been the Immortal series website and MySpace (we have over 1200 myspace friends! – whew, I was never that popular in high school, lol) Check out all the extras at www.immortals-series.com and http://www.myspace.com/immortalsseries. Don’t miss the cool book trailers!
How many books are planned for Joy Nash and the Immortals series?
Right now the Immortals series stands at eight books, ending with an anthology, Immortals: The Reckoning, in March 2009. My contributions are Immortals: The Awakening, Immortals: The Crossing, and the novella “Blood Debt,” in Immortals: The Reckoning anthology.
Jennifer Ashley’s Immortals books are Immortals: The Calling, Immortals: The Gathering, Immortals: The Redeeming, and the novella “Wolf Hunt,” in Immortals: The Reckoning. Robin Popp’s Immortals books include Immortals: The Darkening, Immortals: The Haunting, and the novella “Beyond the Mist,” in Immortals: The Reckoning.
Do you mind to give us a short summary of The Crossing and The Awakening?
Not at all!
Immortals: The Awakening (August 07) Immortals Series, Book 3 - When Coven of Light witch Christine Lachlan tracks an elusive Immortal Kalen to his castle in Scotland, she finds the cynical warrior isn’t interested in saving mankind from a powerful demon. It’ll take all her power to convince him to join the fight. (A USA Today Bestseller)
Immortals: The Crossing (October 08) - Immortals Series, Book 6 - Demigod Manannán mac Lir (Mac) is on the trail of Artemis Black, a stunningly dangerous woman who’s inexplicably able to intertwine life magic with death magic. For the safety of his people, he should destroy the desperate witch. But first, he needs to uncover her darkest secret.
You are a USA Today Bestselling Romance Author. This is not an easy milestone to reach by any stretch of the imagination, especially today. With more and more small presses offering authors the opportunity to build a reader base and tougher competition in the romance industry than ever before, what do you think truly sets a bestselling author apart from the rest of the crowd?
There is so much talent out there, and so many wonderful authors and stories. Ebooks and small press are a growing part of the business, and I’ve discovered many new favorites through that medium. When it comes to appearing on national bestseller lists, a lot is beyond an author’s control. A book makes the bestseller’s lists mainly on the strength of its sales in the first week of release. Besides having a well-written book in a marketable sub-genre and a strong online presence, a bestselling author will always have the support of her publishing house in the form of a good-sized print run, good distribution, advance publicity, and co-op dollars spent to ensure prime placement in bookstores.
Tell us what is up next for Joy Nash.
2009 is going to be a very busy year for me. March 09 brings the Immortals: The Reckoning Anthology. My novella in the anthology, “Blood Debt,” features my very first vampire hero. June 09 will see the start of a new, lighter contemporary series with A Little Light Magic. Then my Druids of Avalon historical paranormal series returns in October 09 with Silver Silence. Silver Silence is the third book in the Druids series, after The Grail King and Deep Magic. I’m working on that book now.
Joy, I want to thank you for joining us here today. I wish you all the success in the world and I will most definitely read the Immortals! Please come back soon to visit!
