Comments on: Anne Sowards, Editor, Gives 2008 Urban Fantasy Preview

By: Russ Monk

Russ Monk — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:45:41 +0000

Anne,

Thank you for working so well with Devon on her 1st novel. It has been nice to see her first book land at the book stores and to have seen her hard work come to reality. I am very proud of her. You have been great to help her make this happen. (The pros make it look easy…..Thanks)

Take care,

Russ
Devon’s hubby.

By: Editor Spotlight: Betsy Mitchell, Del Rey | Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:00:46 +0000

[...] Msaggie (5/22) I always wonder how editors assess books or do they read like normal people (without the extremely critical eye, etc). [...]

By: Jia

Jia — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:47:28 +0000

It's interesting that in the science fiction fantasy realm there is a pro male bias where pen names like Rob Thurman are likely to get more attention from male readers.

Speaking of which, have you seen the op-ed piece in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/22/harrypotter.women?

The comments are… something to behold too. *sits on hands*

By: Keishon

Keishon — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:05:13 +0000

On a related note, Anne Sowards also edits a traditional fantasy series I enjoy: the Melusine books by Sarah Monette

Sarah Monette is the da bomb. LOVE her work and still have The Mirador in my stacks here.

By: Popin

Popin — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:46:18 +0000

I love this genre, so thank you for doing this. Midnight’s Daughter looks good, I’m a little nervous about reading it, because I was on the fence with her first two books. Devon Monk’s book looks really good and I can’t wait to read Gale Force.

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Fri, 23 May 2008 02:18:21 +0000

BTW, I’d like to hear about Seven Seas Literary Agency.

By: Charlene Teglia

Charlene Teglia — Thu, 22 May 2008 23:02:07 +0000

Well, thank you for filling up my book wishlist…

By: Bonnie L.

Bonnie L. — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:56:43 +0000

Another Sevenwaters book by Juliet Marillier? Swoon! I cry every time I read Daughter of the Forest, it is just so beautiful.

By: msaggie

msaggie — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:47:36 +0000

Jane, I think this is another great idea of yours (another one I love is the author’s first sale story). I would love to hear other editors’ views on books they have gone through/previewed/edited recently – it only will do good as it’s another way of informing readers what’s coming up. I always wonder how editors assess books or do they read like normal people (without the extremely critical eye, etc). I am especially excited about Juliet Marillier’s Heir to Sevenwaters – she is a superb writer, and I had to get some of her books from Pan MacMillan Australia as I could not wait for the US edition (which usually lagged by a year). She does fantasy in a mythological manner (complete with the learning tales) very well.

By: K. Z. Snow

K. Z. Snow — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:51:07 +0000

Fascinating post, Jane. Thank you for the research!

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:42:17 +0000

Just from reading this list, I’m quite excited to try out Devon Monk’s book. That looks fantastic!

Anne is a dream to work with. I can’t say enough good things about her.

I try out any new author she buys because I think she has amazing judgment. She swings away from “high brow” stuff; she goes for stories with high entertainment factor — and that’s exactly what I’m looking for when I curl up with a book. I don’t want to be edified; I want to be taken on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

By: Jia

Jia — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:35:43 +0000

On a related note, Anne Sowards also edits a traditional fantasy series I enjoy: the Melusine books by Sarah Monette. So while I agree that there are too many variables to follow an editor’s list fully, I think there’s some merit to it. I know I like a lot of books Anne Groell at Bantam edits (from Kelley Armstrong to George R.R. Martin).

By: Liviania

Liviania — Thu, 22 May 2008 21:20:28 +0000

Cool idea – certainly a number of books I enjoy are on that list.

I agree that you should give Rob Thurman’s books a chance.

For editors, my favorite is Terri Windling.

By: Li

Li — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:54:35 +0000

Very cool post – I’d no idea that so many of the authors I read have the same editor. And thanks for the upcoming books list, there are some interesting ones there!

I’d love to see more of this – maybe start with an editor for a well-known author and ask her/him what other authors s/he works with? Would love to hear from hmmm… whoever edits Sharon Shinn, Lois McMaster Bujold for starters?

I think Jennifer Estep’s theme idea is great as well.

By: Jennifer Estep

Jennifer Estep — Thu, 22 May 2008 20:17:43 +0000

I always think it’s interesting to see the editor/author and the agent/author combos, and I really enjoy this sort of info (along with the deal lists you guys post).

Maybe you could tackle it by editor and theme — historical romances, westerns, epic fantasy, romantic suspense, etc. — and feature a different editor/genre every week. I’d love to get some recommendations for westerns and RS.

I don’t know that you can really “follow” an editor like you can an author, though. I think there are too many variables when it comes to editors (editors taking over someone else’s authors, changing houses, changing lines, etc.) for you to get as concise a feel as to what their books will be like.

By: MD

MD — Thu, 22 May 2008 19:21:27 +0000

Don’t let the author’s pen name stop you from reading Nightlife, Mooonshine, and Madhouse. The brother protagonists are adorable and sexy (and so much like real brothers, I was impressed), and their romances are really sweet and have a great romantic quality. I’ve read too many romances lately, especially of the urban fantasy variety, that are just all about the sex, and I’m pretty much bored to death with them.
In this author’s case, I think the amazon reviews have been quite accurate. I had fun reading them. The heroes AND baddies were all vivid, and I loved the humor that runs through all the books. Definitely give them a try.

By: ilona andrews

ilona andrews — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:30:33 +0000

Ilona Andrews recommended this for the pirate fun of it.

Everything is better with pirates.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:13:48 +0000

I'm not into Urban Fantasy, but ARMED & MAGICAL totally rocked!///

Ilona Andrews recommended this for the pirate fun of it. I liked it but found some elements to be kind of tired (particularly the triangle).

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:12:55 +0000

Have you read the original trilogy?//

Yep and loved it.

By: Kimber An

Kimber An — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:02:09 +0000

I’m not into Urban Fantasy, but ARMED & MAGICAL totally rocked! Been there, read that, Cyber-Launched it, got the ARC. Ditto MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND, also by Lisa Shearin and that one is autographed.

And I haven’t been a Young Adult in a loooong time.

Sara J, my fellow reviewer at Enduring Romance, tackled GRIMSPACE.