E-Readers, Excerpts, Names, and Anniversaries

I meant to post a blog entry on Monday, but sometimes best intentions just don't pan out. It also doesn't help that it's a gray day and my throat is sore and I've got a pile of new books. I just want to lay in bed and read all day. Hopefully, I don't succumb to that evil urge.

In the meantime, I've got lots of announcements!

1. E-reader

I think I've finally chosen an e-reader. Sort of. Thank you for all your wonderful input. All that fantastic information made it so hard to choose. In the end, I actually had to go to a store and hold the items. I've noticed that with gadgets, I have to play with them first to get a feel for if I will like it. It was very close and I think that I would actually be happy with any of them. But for now, I'm going to start with an iPad 2. Not only can it function as an e-reader, but it will let me access graphic novels and comics, which I want to get back into, as well as work on other things while I'm on the road. However, I will be keeping on an eye on the Kindle. After comparing it to the Nook Color (which is very awesome), I have a feeling that Amazon will release a big update soon to stay competitive. I wouldn't be surprised if I get a second reader in another year or two.

2. Excerpt

A large excerpt for Burn the Night should be posted soon on HarperCollins' site. I am checking with my editor and I will announce something soon.

3. Name That Character Contest Winner

Wow! This was really hard to choose. Everyone came up with such fantastic names and it took me a little while to wade through everything and consider them. I'm a little torn on how to award the winner and I'm trying to be fair. So, here's what I came up with.

I chose the name "Simon Thorne" which was suggested by Raven. Raven, please send me an email at Jocelynn DOT Drake AT gmail DOT com with your mailing address and the name you would like me to use in the acknowledgement for the Tattoo Artist book.

Now, here's the snag. Lisa Coder was technically the first one to suggest "Thorn" in the contest. I didn't want to use just Thorn because he was a vampire in Nightwalker. However, I did use Thorn as part of his name so I would like to send Lisa a signed copy of Burn the Night. Lisa, please email me your mailing address so I can get you a copy of the book. Thanks for all the suggestions! There will be more contests soon!!

Now, here's some random thoughts on the names:
**All the names were very unique, rare, original, and a little strange. I wonder if that's because you know I use strange names or because we feel a little more uninhibited when we're naming fictional characters.
**These names were suggested more than once: Sebastian, Balthazar, Marcus, Percival, Victor, Orion, and Damien. Very unique choices to be popular among readers.
**Suggested: Thanatos -- I can't remember if I mentioned this anywhere, but this is the name of Danaus's father
**Suggested: Charon -- already used in the Tattoo Artist book. Ponder that one.
**Suggested: Nathaniel -- this is the name of a close family member and I've very picky of when I use it.
**Suggested: Alucard -- HA! Dracula spelled backwards, name from the Castlevania game series, conjures up too many images of vampires for me rather than warlocks, but I love it.

4. Anniversary

On Monday, June 13, it was my four-year anniversary of receiving my first contract offer for Nightwalker. In four years, I have had approximately 6 books published along with 1 novella in an anthology with other fantastic authors. In addition, I am sitting on two more contracts that cover two more books and three short stories!

My entire published life has been spent with the wonderful people at HarperCollins, particularly with my amazing editor Diana. In addition, I have spent that entire time with my awesome agent Jennifer Schober from Spencerhill Associates. They are so amazing and have made the past four years simply heavenly. I wouldn't be here without them.

In addition, one of my greatest joys has been conversing in person and over the Internet with all the fans of the Dark Days series. Thank you so much for the time you have taken to tell me how much you like the series. Your input and support have been very important to me. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I am hard at work on the new series and I really hope you like it as well.