Personally, I think Scott Fischer did an awesome job on this one.  I like it even better than the cover for Stepsister.  What do you think?

For months, I've been thinking about what I should blog today. I remember back in 2004 at Windycon, talking to some friends about this killer idea I had to take three fairy tale princesses and turn them into a Charlie's Angels type team, saving the prince and fighting the witches and evil fey and generally kicking ass. And now it's a book. With pages and words and everything :-)

So what do you post on book day? When Goblin Quest came out from Five Star in November of '04, I did a contest where all you had to do is mention the book in your blog, and you were entered to win. It worked, kind of ... but looking back, I'm not sure how comfortable I feel about that. It feels like I was buying people's support. This is probably my own neurosis, but I'm not going to do that again.

My friend Joshua Palmatier did a nifty cut/paste banner for his book The Vacant Throne [Amazon | Mysterious Galaxy] (which also comes out today!) I thought about stealing his idea doing something similar, but decided to go a different route.

I'm just going to make this a request. Some time over the next week or so, if you've read the book, or if you've read the preview, or if you just like the cover, or you just think kick-ass princesses are a cool idea, please spread the word. Tell a friend. Post a review. Mention the book on your blog. And when you do, say why you think it's worth checking out. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful factors when it comes to a book's success.

My thanks to those of you who have already done so. I very much appreciate it.

If you choose to mention the book, here are a few links that might be helpful:

Preview of chapter one: http://www.sff.net/people/jchines/SS%20Preview.pdf
Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0756405327
Small cover (93 x 150): http://www.sff.net/people/jchines/Covers/Stepsister%20-%20Med.jpg
Lg cover (199 x 320): http://www.sff.net/people/jchines/Covers/Stepsister%20-%20Lg.jpg
My web site: http://www.jimchines.com

I should also mention the giveaways, for anyone who wants to pick up a free copy of the book.

1. Four book giveaway. Answer 8 questions, win 4 books. Sounds good to me! Deadline is January 25.

2. SciFiChick. Quick and easy to enter. Deadline is January 9.

3. SQT's Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin' Blog. Comment or e-mail to enter, but get your entry in today!

4. Grasping for the Wind. E-mail to enter. Deadline is January 16. (GftW also posted a nice review yesterday, calling this my best work yet. Yay!)

At this point, things are pretty much out of my hands. I wrote the book and turned in the final revisions over a year ago. I've arranged some signings and interviews, created some icons, sent out extra ARCs, ran some contests, and done everything I could squeeze into my schedule ... I think I'm ready to let go now. I'm a control freak, so I don't want to let go, but it's time.

Thanks to all of you who've stuck with me so far. That's probably the most important thing to say. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, your enthusiasm, and your willingness to put up with me on cranky rant days ;-)

I love this book. I love these characters and their stories. I hope you will too.

Joshua Palmatier is a fellow DAW author, creator of the community, and general nice guy. The Vacant Throne [Amazon | Mysterious Galaxy] is the third and final book in his trilogy.

I reviewed his first book, The Skewed Throne, in my LJ almost two years ago.

The real strength of Palmatier's book lies in Varis. Varis is a bitter girl, hardened by years of living in the Dredge, but she retains a core of humanity. Her ability to slip into what she calls the river, where threats stand out as splashes of red in the currents of the world around her, makes her an intriguing point of view character ... I like Varis enough to want to read the next book. And I'm very eager to learn more about the history of the Skewed Throne and the origin of the White Fire, things that were only touched on in this book ... if you enjoy grittier fantasy, I would recommend picking up The Skewed Throne.

Next up we have Diana Pharaoh Francis, whose latest book is The Black Ship [Amazon | Mysterious Galaxy]. This is the sequel to The Cipher, a book I picked up because I like Di, the book sounded interesting, and it had kick-ass cover art.

Within the first few pages, you can tell Francis has serious worldbuilding skills. Crosspointe is a well-realized port city, full of the rich detail that most fantasies gloss over. And Lucy is a fun, stubbornly determined hero ... Overall, I'd strongly recommend the book. Francis writes very honestly. Characters and relationships are flawed. Victory comes with a cost. Magic is powerful, but it's a raw, poorly understood power, one that's difficult to control. Nor is Lucy invulnerable to her own magic. When she creates fire, she too is burned. It's a wonderful example of the price of magic, and I cheered the writer even as I gritted my teeth at Lucy's pain.

Now might be a good time to remind readers that you can win four free books, including Joshua's, Di's, and the one that Shall Not Be Named Today, by answering eight simple questions. Details over here.

S. C. Butler also has a new book out. Queen Ferris [Amazon | Mysterious Galaxy] is the second book in Butler's Stoneways Trilogy, and came out in mass market just last week.

I haven't yet had the chance to read Butler's work, so I'll turn to him for help on this one.

Queen Ferris is the second book in my Stoneways trilogy, which includes Reiffen's Choice, and the third book, The Magicians' Daughter, due out in April. The trilogy's name says it all. I always liked Dwarves more than Elves, so I decided to write a book that way. With caves.

In Reiffen's Choice we learn why Reiffen chose magic;
In Queen Ferris we learned what he did with his magic;
In The Magicians' Daughter we learn what his magic did to him.

Finally, Jackie Kessler has a project out tomorrow as well. A Red Hot Valentine's Day [Amazon | Mysterious Galaxy] is a collection of ... let's call them "spicy" stories by four hot writers. Jackie's contribution tells how Jezebel and Daun first met all those millenia ago, and how their relationship has evolved over time.

I reviewed Jackie's book Hotter than Hell earlier this year. Jackie's a wonderful person and a skilled writer, so if you're looking for a more adult kind of fantasy, check this one out. But be warned -- in her own words, "Major demon nooky ensues. You should be 18 to read this story. And maybe take a cold shower after." Having read her other book, I can tell you that Jackie writes good demon nooky.

Now it's your turn. What else is out recently that you're excited to read? Where else should we be spending our holiday gift cards? (After we've run out and picked up that book, of course ;-)

Want to win four free books from some of SF/F's hottest writers?

Joshua Palmatier, Diana Pharaoh Francis, Elizabeth Bear, and Jim C. Hines are teaming up to give away copies of their latest releases! One lucky winner will receive autographed copies of Whiskey and Water, The Vacant Throne, The Stepsister Scheme, and The Black Ship.

All you have to do is answer the following questions. Send your answers to jpalmatier@sff.net.

The deadline is January 25. We'll take everyone who got the answers right, toss their names in a (virtual) hat, and draw a winner.

Answers can be found on the authors' web sites:

http://www.joshuapalmatier.com
http://www.elizabethbear.com
http://www.sff.net/people/di-francis
http://www.jimchines.com

Good luck, and please feel free to spread the word!

1: What is the title of the first book of the German release of Joshua Palmatier's THRONE OF AMENKOR series?

2: What is the name of the five-year-old daughter who was killed by the Chorl in the excerpt of THE VACANT THRONE provided on the website?

3: What quote from Christopher Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great Part 1 serves as the epigraph to Elizabeth Bear's INK AND STEEL?

4: What's the first sentence of Elizabeth Bear's ALL THE WINDWRACKED STARS?

5: Who attacks Princess Danielle in the first chapter of Jim C. Hines' THE STEPSISTER SCHEME?

6: Who is Jim Hines' favorite muppet?

7: CURSED BY SYLVETH was the original title of which of Diana Pharaoh Francis' books?

8: What are some of Di's favorite things, as mentioned in her website?

(With Apologies to Clement C. Moore)

'Twas the night of midwinter, and all through the cave,
Every goblin was starving; their outlook was grave.
Jig sorted through discarded garbage with care,
In the hopes that some scrap of food might be found there.

The children were hungry and wailed from their cribs,
Their baby fangs scraping on bare old dwarf ribs.
And Jig in his loincloth with Smudge on his lap,
Knew he would soon take a permanent nap.

When deep in the tunnels came a terrible fuss.
So Jig stood to go, "'Cause they always send us."
Away through the darkness he tiptoed in fear,
Listening hard with his pointy blue ears.

With Smudge on his shoulder and knife in his hand,
He crept toward the snow-covered, cold, moonlit land.
When what to Jig's wide rheumy eyes should appear,
But the wreck of a sleigh and eight vicious reindeer.

The driver in red cracked a wicked long whip,
Making Jig's small knife start to shake in his grip.
Larger than stallions the great beasts appeared,
Their teeth bared and ready, their antlers like spears.

"Smudge, what are we doing?  They're going to eat us!
We're goblins!  Everyone always defeats us.
In every fight it's the goblins who fall,
So run away, run away, run away all!"

While the stranger struggled to extract his sleigh,
Jig and his spider were soon on their way.
When what of all things should choose to betray him,
But the growl of his stomach, calling out to slay him.

And Smudge in his fear grew as hot as a coal.
The intruder advanced, like a vicious red troll.
Jig threw his spider at the stranger's white beard.
Smudge burst into flames, and the man's face was seared.

The stranger wore fur from his head to his foot,
And now, thanks to Smudge, he was covered in soot.
A strange lumpy bundle he had in his sack,
Like bodies to feed to his animal pack.

His eyes how they glowed, and his scowl was so scary,
His whip was a viper to slay the unwary.
His cloak was thick fur, just the color of blood.
His breath smelled all sour from within his hood.

He stomped on the floor, his face red with fury.
While Smudge ran away, Jig cowered and worried.
The man doffed his cloak and howled from his belly,
And he shook from his rage like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a damn pointy-eared elf!
And Jig groaned when he saw him, in spite of himself.
A glint of the eye and a twist of his head,
Gave Jig to know he might soon end up dead.

He came after Jig with his whip and a dirk,
While the poor goblin fled, then turned with a jerk.
At the mouth of the lair Jig gave a great shout.
"He'll feed twenty mouths, and he's brought eight huge mounts!"

A desperate whistle called reindeer to fight,
But the goblins were starving and set them alight.
And Jig said to himself as he thought of those beasts,
"Happy winter to all, and to all a good feast!"

Game Master: (Rolling dice) Ooh ... that's not good.

Jim: What? What happened.

GM: (Rolls again) Youch.

Jim: (Throws a Dorito at the Game Master)

GM: Sorry about this. You've been challenging a lot of high-level markets lately. It looks like three of them have decided to gang up and launch simultaneous Rejection Attacks. Amazing, Weird Tales, and Realms of Fantasy flank you on three sides. That's a +2 bonus-- No, wait. That's cumulative, so +6 to their attack.

Jim: (Whimpers) Another Ego Saving Throw? Remember, I'm second level now, and I should have bonuses for finally selling something to Marion Zimmer Bradley.

GM: Good point. That gives you a +3. You need to roll a 32.

Jim: It's a 20-sided die!

GM: (Rolls) Their combined attack does 16 Ego Points of damage.

Jim: (Crumples his character sheet) I'm at negative six.

GM: Now wait a minute. You're bleeding ego all over your manuscripts, but you're not dead until you hit minus ten, remember?

Jim: So what can I do?

GM: (Pages through the manual, then rolls several dice) As you're dying, you hear footsteps approaching. Through the darkness, you see the glow of healing magic. A man in glittering editorial robes whispers a spell, and you stabilize at one Ego Point.

Jim: 'Thank you, stranger.'

GM: 'I witnessed your valiant struggle. You fought well and should have triumphed, if not for the treachery of your foes. They attack en masse because they fear your strength. Join me in my quest to overthrow these overlords. Their thrones of power shall be melted down to reward writers such as yourself.'

Jim: Sweet - quest hook! Ahem. 'Does this mean you wish to lay the Blessing of Publication upon my short story?'

GM: 'Noble warrior, I seek to empower your novel.'

Jim: (Does the dance of joy) What kind of bonuses do I get for this? A novel publication has to be worth at least three levels, right? Not to mention all of the gold!

GM: The man strokes his goatee and says, 'We shall offer you one gold piece as a token of our good faith. Remember, Royalty is the true key to the Writer's power.' He produces a quill and scroll and hands them to you.

Jim: Only one gold piece?

GM: 'We ask only that you tithe your treasures to us, so that we can combine our wealth to help overthrow the Overlords of Publishing. We will provide you with new tomes to use, for only 30 gold pieces each.'

Jim: 30? The handbook says a finished tome should only be about 8 gold. Wait, did you say he has a goatee? I cast Sense Alignment.

GM: (Rolls) You do sense the strong presence of sleaziness.

Jim: I attack. (Rolls)

GM: You hit, and the man stumbles back. He pulls his robe tighter and laughs. 'So be it . . . writer. If you will not join me, you will be destroyed.' He casts a lightning bolt.

Jim: Son of a crap! How much damage?

GM: (Rolls) It hits for half an Ego Point.

Jim: (Stares) That's it? Wow. My resistance really went up when I hit second level.

GM: Oh, right. I forgot about that. You take no damage.

Jim: Really? So it's all show and no power? (Rubs hands together)

GM: 'Beware, young writer. I command more henchmen and followers than you can imagine. With a single word, I shall summon them from the depths of Maryland and they shall--'

Jim: (Rolls) 19! Does that hit?

GM: You cut off his arm. He screams and staggers back, disolving in a putrid cloud. Well done!

Jim: Booyah! So what was that monster, anyway? Some kind of doppelganger?

GM: I found the stats online. So what next? Are you ready to challenge another Editor? That encounter didn't give you enough experience points to hit third level, but you're close.

Jim: I don't think so. I've been getting my ass handed to me for weeks. (Strikes a dramatic pose) It's time for me to join a guild.

Happy Book Stuff: The Mermaid's Madness has its first blurb! From the wonderful Diana Pharaoh Francis: "The Mermaid's Madness belongs on your must-read list. It's an enthralling adventure that takes you back to the stories of your childhood and then folds, spindles and mutilates them--in the best possible way. One of the most entertaining stories I've read all year. You'll never watch the Little Mermaid the same way again." I am quite pleased.

Short Story Update: The short story was turned in on Monday. This was an anthology invite, but that's still no guarantee the story will be accepted. I wrote a story for an anthology invite last year that got bounced. (Fortunately, the story then sold to Realms of Fantasy.) I wrote another one this year that didn't fit the anthology, but the editor was able to take it for another project she was doing. With an invite, you've got a pretty good shot, but nothing's set in stone. Happily though, I received an e-mail earlier today stating that "The Creature in Your Neighborhood" has been accepted for Strip Mauled, edited by Esther Friesner. Whoo hoo!

Book Update: With the revisions to Mermaid turned in and the short story complete, I finally turned my attention back to Red Hood's Revenge yesterday ... only to find that after a month and a half, I had no idea what was going on in the book or where I had left off, let alone where I was going with it all. Inertia my old foe, we meet again. It's not pretty, folks. So last night I printed out 40,000 words of incomplete draftage, and I'll be going through that, trying to decide whether to keep writing or start over from page one.

I doubt I'll be online much tomorrow, so Happy Thanksgiving to my U.S. readers, and happy Thursday to the rest of you!

Game Master: Your character is a level one writer. You've got 7 ego points (EP), and you put your skills into . . . wait, why did you put all of these points into Psychology?

Jim: I kind of changed my mind mid-way through the character creation process. Now I want to be a Writer.

GM: Fair enough. Writers are good for multi-classing. The adventure begins in a library. The year is 1995. You're alone in the stacks. Cramped shelves block most of the light, save for the flickering fluorescents directly overhead. The air smells musty.

Jim: I make a search check. [Rolls a 17]

GM: Not bad. You find an old tome marked "Writers Marketplace" from 1992.

Jim: Sweet!

GM: [Reads from the module] The Writers Marketplace is a compendium of monsters, complete with summoning instructions. As a first level Writer, you might want to start out with some of these lower-level--

Jim: Screw that! I need to build some XP! [Flips pages] What about this one? She's got a pretty high challenge rating.

GM: [Raises an eyebrow] Are you sure? We already spent the whole afternoon making this character, and now you want to--

Jim: Yes, I'm sure. I read the invocation.

GM: You've cast "Summon Marion Zimmer Bradley". The casting time is three to six months, but--

Jim: Three to six MONTHS? Are you freaking kidding me?

GM: For the sake of gameplay, we're going to speed things up. MZB has a Challenge Rating of 98. Roll your dice.

Jim: Can I get a +2 bonus to my cover letter for talking about how I'm a level 1 writer? Oh, and I'll tell her all of the spell components I used for crafting my manuscript. [Rolls dice] Um. Does a 16 make it?

GM: [Laughs] Against a CR 98? Marion Zimmer Bradley smites you for-- [Rolls] 3 points of ego damage. Wait, MZB gets a bonus to crush young egos. Make that 5 points of damage. Also, you've failed to craft your manuscript properly. You're left sprawled on the library floor. Bradley shakes her head sadly and disappears in a cloud of blue smoke.

Jim: I bandage my ego wounds and crawl back to the book. What about this one? [Points to another page in the book]

GM: You're down more than half your ego points, and you don't even want to take time to heal? Your funeral. At this rate, we'll be done in time for Battlestar Galactica. Fine, you cast "Summon L. Ron Hubbard". Casting time is . . . wait, casting time is supposed to be another three months? Who writes these rules? Forget it. We're jumping into the next combat. L. Ron steps out of the shadows. His contest has a CR of 96.

Jim: [Rolls] Critical hit! Go me!

GM: Wow. Roll to confirm.

Jim: [Rolls again] Holy crap! Triple damage!

GM: L. Ron fails his save. You finish your manuscript and hold it high. Bunny-shaped knives leap from the pages, driving your opponent to his knees until he bows his head in surrender. You didn't score high enough to win his gold, but you claim his silver and receive a place in his tome.

Jim: Yeah, yeah. Get to the experience points! Come on, lay those beautiful XP on me.

GM: [Calculating] You level up. Congratulations. Roll 1d4 for Ego Points, and you also get 10 skill points to add to your writing. You'll have to decide where to distribute those points, and whether you want to start specializing in any particular concentration.

Jim: My friend said this game was hard. Hey, what's that other sourcebook you're hiding there? Editors and Agents Compendium? When do I get to fight some of those?

GM: [Evil smile] Any time you're ready. . . .