First Cup of Coffee – September 29, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 29, 2020

September 29, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

I'm ranting today about how writers should be paid for their work - and how there are so many people who skirt the edges of this by pretending to offer value in the form of promo, but it's still not paying.

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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First Cup of Coffee – September 28, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 28, 2020

September 28, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

Fair warning: a scatological podcast today, with musings on the joy of toilets, fear of chamber pots, and how we treat fictional characters and their biological needs. Also how I don't love mysteries.

You can watch the Love's Sweet Arrow panel from Saturday that I mention here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xOFw4ziPSY&feature=youtu.be)!

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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Contact Jeffe!

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First Cup of Coffee – September 25, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 25, 2020

September 25, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

A bit of a rant today on the use of the term "Clean" in reference to books - and sex in general - and how some authors produce two versions of a book, one "clean" and one with sex.

Also a shoutout today to Smart Podcast, Trashy Books (https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/podcast/)! (I said it wrong in the show - sorry!)

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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Contact Jeffe!

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First Cup of Coffee – September 24, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 24, 2020

September 24, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

I'm talking about levels of editing today - what you can expect - and what an editor you hire should absolutely NOT do. Also updates on the garden, Dark Wizard, and UNDER A WINTER SKY.

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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Cover Reveal for UNDER A WINTER SKY!

In case you missed the big cover reveal on Frolic yesterday, UNDER A WINTER SKY has a cover!

Isn’t it gorgeous??

I think this midwinter holiday anthology – out November 19, 2020 – is going to be just amazing. I’m super excited about it, especially to have a story alongside amazing authors Kelley ArmstrongMelissa Marr and L. Penelope.

My story will be THE LONG NIGHT OF THE CRYSTALLINE MOON, and will kick off my new series, Heirs of Magic. This follows the “next generation” in the world of The Twelve Kingdoms and The Uncharted Realms, a totally new quest happening twenty-five years later. A great place for readers new to the world to jump in. Here’s my blurb:

Shapeshifter Prince Rhyian doesn’t especially want to spend the Feast of Moranu at Castle Ordnung. First of all, it’s literally freezing there, an uncomfortable change from the tropical paradise of his home. Secondly, it’s a mossback castle which means thick walls and too many rules. Thirdly, his childhood playmate and current nemesis, Lena, will be there. Not exactly a cause for celebration.
Princess Salena Nakoa KauPo nearly wriggled out of traveling to Ordnung with her parents, but her mother put her foot down declaring that, since everyone who ever mattered to her was going to be there to celebrate the 25th year of High Queen Ursula’s reign, Lena can suffer through a feast and a ball for one night. Of course, “everyone” includes the sons and daughters of her parents’ friends, and it also means that Rhyian, insufferable Prince of the Tala, will attend.
But on this special anniversary year, Moranu’s sacred feast falls on the long night of the crystalline moon—and Rhy and Lena discover there’s more than a bit of magic in the air.

Magic and mayhem will ensue!

You can preorder here! 

Here’s the rest of the stories:

Four powerhouse authors of fantasy and urban fantasy bring you a feast of romantic midwinter holiday adventures. These heartwarming and pulse-pounding tales celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, the solstice, Yule – and holidays from worlds beyond our own. With fancy-dress balls, faery bargains, time travel, blood sacrifice, and festive cocktails, these stories will delight lovers of fantasy and romance, with a dash of seasonal joy.

Ballgowns & Butterflies by Kelley Armstrong

The North Yorkshire moors are always a magical place, but they’re particularly enchanting at the holidays…especially if one gets to travel back in time to a Victorian Christmas. For Bronwyn Dale, it is the stuff of dreams. Fancy-dress balls, quirky small-town traditions, even that classic one-horse open sleigh, complete with jingle bells. There’s just the tiny problem of the Butterfly Effect. How does a time-traveler make a difference without disrupting the future forever?

The Long Night of the Crystalline Moon, a prequel novella to Heirs of Magic, by Jeffe Kennedy

Shapeshifter Prince Rhyian doesn’t especially want to spend the Feast of Moranu at Castle Ordnung. First of all, it’s literally freezing there, an uncomfortable change from the tropical paradise of his home. Secondly, it’s a mossback castle which means thick walls and too many rules. Thirdly, his childhood playmate and current nemesis, Lena, will be there. Not exactly a cause for celebration.

Princess Salena Nakoa KauPo nearly wriggled out of traveling to Ordnung with her parents, but her mother put her foot down declaring that, since everyone who ever mattered to her was going to be there to celebrate the 25th year of High Queen Ursula’s reign, Lena can suffer through a feast and a ball for one night. Of course, “everyone” includes the sons and daughters of her parents’ friends, and it also means that Rhyian, insufferable Prince of the Tala, will attend.

But on this special anniversary year, Moranu’s sacred feast falls on the long night of the crystalline moon—and Rhy and Lena discover there’s more than a bit of magic in the air.

Blood Martinis and Mistletoe by Melissa Marr

Half-dead witch Geneviève Crowe makes her living beheading the dead–and spends her free time trying not to get too attached to her business partner,  Eli Stonecroft, a faery in self-imposed exile in New Orleans. With a killer at her throat and a blood martini in her hand, Gen accepts what seems like a straight-forward faery bargain, but soon realizes that if she can’t figure out a way out of this faery bargain, she’ll be planning a wedding after the holidays.

Echoes of Ash & Tears by L. Penelope

Coming soon!

First Cup of Coffee – September 21, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 21, 2020

September 21, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

Good news on THE PROMISED QUEEN! I read you the fab email from my editor. More on story structure, and a reveal of my new series AND the title of my novella for UNDER A WINTER SKY!

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

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Contact Jeffe!

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Critique, Alpha Read or Beta – Which Is What?

Here’s a little tease for you of the cover of UNDER A WINTER SKY – the midwinter holiday anthology I’m doing with, well, as you can see! Kelley ArmstrongMelissa Marr and L. Penelope. An amazing lineup and a seriously gorgeous cover. Look for the reveal on Tuesday, September 22 on FrolicPreorder links are here. 

Also, I’m super excited to be doing this online event “at” Love’s Sweet Arrow bookstore with my brilliant author friends Maria Vale, Amanda Bouchet, and Kait Ballenger. Danielle Dresser, Editorial Manager for Fresh Fiction will moderate. Join us on Saturday, September 26, at 3pm ET for fun conversation! You can register here. 

Our topic at the SFF Seven this week is: How do you define Critique Partners, Alpha Readers, and Beta Readers?

I think this was my topic suggestion because I was sincerely interested in everyone’s definitions. Seriously, I feel like writers use these terms very differently depending on the person. Come on over for my take. 

First Cup of Coffee – September 18, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 18, 2020

September 18, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

A report on our outing yesterday and kayak fishing in New Mexico. Also some thoughts on the things readers say to authors, seeing writers as real people, and why we don't need to rank everything. 

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

Support the show

Contact Jeffe!

Find me on Threads
Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.com
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Thanks for listening!


First Cup of Coffee – September 17, 2020

First Cup of Coffee with Jeffe Kennedy

First Cup of Coffee - September 17, 2020

September 17, 2020

Jeffe Kennedy

I'm talking about POV today and why 3rd Person isn't more "mature" than 1st Person. I'm also looking for help on titling my next series if you all have input!

The blog post on gender bias is here (https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/08/12/being-aware-of-gender-bias-in-stories/)

And the More Than Paranormal online event hosted by Love's Sweet Arrow is here (https://blog.jeffekennedy.com/2020/09/16/more-than-paranormal/)

First Cup of Coffee is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. You can find more outstanding podcasts to subscribe to at Frolic.media/podcasts!

Support the show

Contact Jeffe!

Find me on Threads
Visit my website https://jeffekennedy.com
Follow me on Amazon or BookBub
Sign up for my Newsletter!
Find me on Instagram and TikTok!

Thanks for listening!