You may recall that back in December, just prior to the release of her debut novel, The Rest Falls Away, Colleen Gleason was sweet enough to be the first author grilled by your intrepid Stainless Steel Droppings reporter. The Rest Falls Away was a delectable introduction to the world of the Venators. On the eve of the release of book two in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles series, Rises The Night, Colleen Gleason has once again agreed to sit down and answer a few questions. (For background information, I highly recommend reading the first interview)

Editor’s Note: my review of Rises the Night will be posted Monday, if you want to see a synopsis of what this second novel has to offer, please go here.

1. With two published books under your belt, do you feel that your writing has changed as you’ve progressed into this series?

I think my writing in Rises the Night is better than The Rest Falls Away–at least, that’s what pretty much everyone who’s read both books has said. That’s a good thing. A really good thing! Writers worry about “sophomore slump” and not writing a second book that is as good as the first, and so it was really stressful for me, waiting to hear what people thought of Rises versus Rest. I want to know that I’m honing and improving my craft.

2. Does Rises the Night differ from The Rest Falls Away?

I think Rises the Night is much edgier and darker than The Rest Falls Away, and that worried me when I wrote it. It’s also a little sexier, but not too sexy–I don’t think. I don’t believe in putting in gratuitous sex scenes–they have to have a purpose, a reason for being there to further the plot.

3. Do you have a definite number of books planned for the Gardella series?

I plan to write five books about Victoria (Ed: heroine of the Gardella series) , set in 1820s England/Europe, and I know basically how it will end. After that, I’d like to do a Chelsea Quinn Yarbro and switch to a different time period, for a mini-series about a different female Venator. I’m thinking of Elizabethan England, Medieval England/The Crusades, or possibly Colonial America. Any preferences from the peanut gallery? I’m curious.

[This peanut votes for Colonial America]

4. Some writers talk about sitting down to write a certain book, only to find themselves carried along as the characters “take on a life of their own”. What is your own personal experience with this? Does this happen with you, or is it just author romanticism?

Yes, for me in many ways, writing can be sort of just going along for the ride. When I’m in the groove and the words are coming, I don’t always know what’s going to happen or how. Characters show up unexpectedly, they die, they say and do things I don’t always expect…etc.

However, I will say that I also have a basic idea of what’s going to happen–sometimes more clearly than others–but I have a basic idea. So and so will die. The X villain will be vanquished. This will be the final test so and so is put to…etc. I just don’t always know how I’m going to get there. And that’s what makes writing fun for me–because the experience is often like reading a book: I’m finding out as it happens, just as I would when I read.

That’s why I write. That’s why I love it!

5. In my own, one-man opinion, Rises the Night, even more than The Rest Falls Away, reads similarly to books found in the fantasy/science fiction section of bookstores (Laurell K. Hamilton, Kim Harrison). Do you feel that your books are currently in their proper niche, or should your books be opened up to multiple shelving options?

The publisher had to make a decision about which market my books would mostly appeal to, and although they can be cross-marketed/shelved, the general placement/positioning has to attract a particular market if it has any chance of success. They chose romance because there is a broad sense of romanticism in the books, even though there are elements of horror, action adventure, and historical settings.

I like having my books shelved in the romance section, mainly because romance novel sales are 55% of all paperback fiction sold. The romance readers are a huge market, and I appreciate the fact that my books are positioned and placed in such a way so as to attract the attention of this market.

However, it’s a catch-22, because the books really aren’t romance novels in the truest sense of the genre. In a true romance novel, there’s only one man and one woman, and they ride off into the sunset for a happy ever after at the end of the book…and therefore, there’s usually not a sequel about that same protagonist, because their “happy ending” has been found.

As anyone who’s read my books knows, there’s one woman…but three men, and so far, there’s no happy ever after. Yet. But I promise there will be one if I get to write the fifth book!

6. How has your life changed since you’ve become a published author? Have you had any “I recognize you”/brush with fame moments? Any bizarre fan encounters?

LOL. No bizarre fan encounters! Life has changed in the sense that it’s become more deadline-driven (not in a bad way), and more of a routine. I know what to expect now, I know how the process works. It makes it easier…for example, I know that by the end of June, I’ll probably have the cover for The Bleeding Dusk (which I absolutely can’t wait to see), and I know that I’ll have ARCs for it in the fall, and so on. It makes it easier to plan things, too, now that I know what to expect!

7. Speaking of The Bleeding Dusk, where are you at with book three?

I’ve completed book three and it will hit bookstores in February (2008).

8. You’re going on a book tour soon. Can you tell our readers a little bit about that upcoming experience?

My book tour is really just myself and my Music Man foisting our children off on their loving grandparents for five days, while we take to the road and visit old friends and as many bookstores as possible. I do have some formal signings scheduled (in MI, PA, and NY, for the curious–check my website for more info), but mostly we’ll be doing drive-by signings where I go in to the store, introduce myself to the bookseller, and sign whatever they have in stock.

I’m not well-known enough to draw enough of a crowd–YET. 🙂 I’m hoping after three or four books, it might be a little more formal, and I’ll have signings every night for two weeks, and two on weekends, kind of thing…but not yet!

9. When you do become “well-know enough to draw a crowd”, what sort of ‘rock star’ treatment will you demand?

Hahahaaa! Massages every day. Spa treatments once a week. Room service. (Can you tell I love to be pampered???)

10. Regarding book sales, how important are first week numbers, and what can fans do to increase your exposure?

Publishing is a business, and numbers are important. Uber important.

Sales are the driving factor as to how an author does, of course–so since I’m only contracted for four Gardella books at this time, if I want to write the fifth (and beyond), the sales for the previous ones have to be there. I know that my editor was pleased with the preliminary numbers for The Rest Falls Away, so I’m hoping Rises the Night does even better. And I won’t get full sales reports until about nine months after the release of each book, so it’s a lot of shooting in the dark.

Anyway, first week sales (meaning, for me, the week of June 5-10, 2007) are of the utmost importance…if you want to have a chance of hitting a best-seller list. That’s pretty hard to do, but it happens, and best-seller lists are only hit if the velocity of sales is high. Meaning, if I sell 1000 copies in one week and only 50 the next, I have a better chance of hitting a list than if I sell 600 one week and 450 the next. It’s all in what you do coming out the door.

That’s not to say that only first week sales count–not by a long shot! But I must say(and most other authors would agree), that if you’re going to buy the book [in stores],or order from Amazon.com, doing so the week of the book’s release is really appreciated. Getting on a best-seller list is a good step toward getting another contract. 🙂

11. Are you working on anything else besides the Gardella Vampire Chronicles?

Shhhh. I also write erotic historical novels under a pen name. And right now I’m finishing the second one. The first one will be out in August, and it’s a very erotic version of The Phantom of the Opera. Once I finish its follow up (a version of The Count of Monte Cristo), I’ll get to work on Gardella Four. [Ed. note: If you want to see the naughty site, its here. Don’t tell Colleen I told you!]

12. Are there other types of books/series that you want to write in the future? Any stories that you feel you have to get out?

I’d love to write a contemporary female James Bond character. I have the first book done and the second started…so maybe some day! I’m also fiddling with a series for middle grade children.

13. What are you reading now?

I’m reading The Goblet of Fire. I’ve been re-reading the HP books in preparation for reading (for the first time) The Half-Blood Prince, and then (yay!!!!) The Deathly Hallows come July. Can’t wait!

14. Which in-theater film have you enjoyed the most thus far this year?

Uh…probably Music & Lyrics. (I know, chick flick….but I love Drew Barrymore!!)

15. What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Hot baths and a book. Going out to dinner by myself with a good book. Taking naps in the middle of the day when I should be writing. 🙂

16. Is there any cool Gardella merchandise on the horizon? Vis bulla navel rings, etc?

I don’t know about the navel rings–but I think that’s a great idea. I have BORN VENATOR t-shirts, and am working on doing a new set that says “Powered by Vis Bulla” on the front, but I can’t figure out the best design for them.

Any other slogan suggestions? Would love to hear them!

17. Could you drive a stake through a vampire’s heart?

You betcha!

Thank you so much, Colleen. As before it has been great fun reading your answers. Colleen has graciously volunteered to answer any questions you might have as well, so ask away in the comments section and Colleen will respond! Look for the Rises the Night review on Monday, and make plans today to hit your local bookstore on Tuesday to nab a copy of your very own.
____________________

If my memory serves, we had a giveaway that ended last night! And the winner of your very own autographed copy of Rises the Night is….

MOSKER!!!

Congrats! You’ll really enjoy this one. Email Colleen your address at author@colleengleason.com and she’ll get this sent out to you right away!
_________________________

CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Want to win an autographed Advanced Reading Copy of the third book, The Bleeding Dusk, in Colleen Gleason’s Gardella Vampire Chronicles series? Do you?

Okay, here’s what you do. I want us to all do our part to help Rises the Night sell like hotcakes during its opening week June 5th-June 10th. So here’s how you can get a chance to win that ARC:

1. Buy the book during the week of June 5th-June 10th.

2. Take a picture of yourself doing so:
-either at the bookstore when picking it up
-at home sitting in front of the computer if you’re ordering online
-at home with the book if you forgot your camera when bookstore shopping or are just too shy to take the picture in the bookstore.

3. Send me that picture in an email to cvincent68@comcast.net by 11:59 p.m. CST on June 10th and I’ll draw a name for an autographed ARC of The Bleeding Dusk (ARC will be available this fall, the book doesn’t come out until Feb. 2008)

I’ll post all these pics and announce the winner the next day. I thought this would be a fun idea to boost sales. Be as creative as you want with your pics or just take a normal picture.

But remember: I want to see you, or at least your hands, holding the book in the picture or you at the pc ordering it please.

Let’s boost Colleen’s sales through the roof. And believe me, it is worth it, this book is really an enjoyable read and a great continuation of the series!