Susan Grant's Cyber-Launch Book Party

Cyber-Launch of MY FAVORITE EARTHLING! This is it! You found it! This is where the party is. I hope you’ve got your best dagger-proof vest on and know how to properly address a galaxy queen. MY FAVORITE EARTHLING is in all the stores right now. I even found it at Fred Meyers (also known as Krogers to you Lower 48ers.) You can also buy it at amazon.com. Susan Grant writes Science Fiction Romance like Linnea Sinclair whom we cyber-launched a couple of weeks ago. Traditionally, the Science Fiction and Romance genres have been at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Through a lot of imagination and a whole lotta love, authors are bringing the Force into balance. I haven’t actually read this one yet. And being the mommy I am I can’t help but wonder if there will be a little flock of moon princesses trailing after the hero and heroine by the end of the story. After all, the reviews say this story is hot, hot, HOT! And I think we all know where babies come from. Although…in a science fiction universe, that ain’t always so.Here are some questions I asked Susan which she graciously answered:I asked: Can you share the journey you took in creating MY FAVORITE EARTHLING? What inspired you? How did the characters reveal themselves to you?Susan replied: Here’s something not everyone knows: Earthling was supposed to be book #3 in the trilogy, but Jared and Keira kept appearing in my mind and with such vibrancy, the longer I thought about them, the more I knew I just I had to write their story first. Seeing that this epiphany happened less than three months before the book was due, and I was already writing, or trying to write How to Lose an Extraterrestrial in 10 Days (due out this July), let’s just say I’m glad I had an open-minded and very flexible editor! She said go for it, and within weeks, Earthling was written and done. A beautiful gift of a book. I asked: What experience do you hope readers will take away from reading MY FAVORITE EARTHLING?Susan replied: I want them to have a rollicking good time, the feeling you get from watching a great movie in the theater on a Saturday afternoon, i.e. a total escape.Click on Susan Grant’s username to the right to find her website for more information on MY FAVORITE EARTHLING and her other novels. She also has a blog and a MySpace. Leave a comment and you have a chance to win an autographed copy of YOUR PLANET OR MINE? This is the first in the trilogy, which I featured on a Tuesday Speed-Read a while back. The saga will be complete in August with the release of HOW TO LOSE AN EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL IN 10 DAYS. And now, I bid you welcome to the party by clicking on the perfectly innocent little comment link at the bottom of this column. Uh, but, first, just, just tug on the straps of your dagger-proof vest to make sure they’re secure. Oh, and, uh, sign this little document which absolves me of all liability for dismemberments and disembowelings. Thanks.Oh, don’t worry, we only had one fatality last time! ********************************************************************* Kimber An said... (Kimber An paces in front of her flock of winged Altarian waitresses lined up in military precision) “All right, people, today and tomorrow we launch MY FAVORITE EARTHLING which features a queen as the heroine. A queen! That means I expect all of you to be on your best behavior. No flinging Yoda across the room. And, Nixie, keep your ganglionic tentacles to yourself. Clear?” (convinced of their sincerity, Kimber turns to her Trans-Dimensional Vortex Chamber and works the controls) “Okay, we’re going for dignity and elegance this time. Hmm. Oh, I know! Elven nobility! Yes. I’ll just conjure up Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel from LORD OF THE RINGS.” (taps controls and waits)(The Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, leap out with their musicians and start dancing on the tables. The dwarf, Gimley follows them with his own tankard of beer, laughing)Gimley: “Where are the little hairy women?”(Kimber slaps a hand to her forehead) “Oh, no!” (returns to working the controls)(Legoles the Elf steps out) Legoles: “I am Legoles of the Woodland Rhealm.”(Kimber looks him up and down, blushing scarlet) “I’m…I’m…mmmmmarrried!” (she shoves him back into the Chamber) “Oh, man, what am I going to do? What if Susan brings Queen Keira? What if the Queen hates Hobbit music? Where the heck did I put my dagger-proof vest?” Susan Grant said... Hey, gang! (pauses to kiss alien lover on the cheek before he flies off to work) Thank you for having me, Kimberly! Shall I post here or up above? Thanks, Pam!And thank you Laura for such nice words about Planet! Earthling just came out, you can probably find it new Susan Grant said... thwack! thwack! (daggers fly. embed in wall. It was ugly wallpaper anyway!(disdainful sniff) Barbaric Earthling pattern. I, Queen Keira, hereby declare that I detest Hobbit music. Off! Shut it off! (wields dagger, eyes narrowed) Kimber An said... (Kimber walks over to greet guests, but is blown over by a whoosh. She sees all her winged waitresses getting sucked into the Chamber.) "Wait! No! Come back! Oh, no. Not again! And I suppose I'm stuck with trolls for bouncers again too. I keep telling them they're in the wrong genre here! Oy." (picks up tray of champagne glasses and offers them to guests) "Hi, glad you could make it." (kicks cord to Chamber out of sight) "Sorry about the wind." Kimber An said... (Kimber dives behind the Chamber) "Dang, I knew I shouldn't have bought this second-hand!" Laura said... *gets dagger out of wall and slices some cheese* Would you like some cheese and crackers, Queen Keira? ORION said... This is such fun...buy why am I always late?It must be that "Hawaiian time."EWWW!!! who slimed me?What's the alien's name who's green and has fourteen fingers on each hand...er...sorry that's not his hand...um Kimber? Somebody?HEEELLLLPPPP!!! Kimber An said... (CRASHH!!! J crashes the window and blasts the alien harrassing Pat) "Sorry about that, Ma'am." (holds up memory-eraser pen)(Kimber lowers his hand) "That won't work here. My Trans-Dimensional Vortex Chamber is giving off to many psyonic waves."(J tucks away his pen and sunglasses) "I know someone who can take a look at that for you." (grabs alien's tail and starts dragging him out) "Sorry about the mess."(Kimber enjoys the view as he walks out) "It's all right." (waves) "Have fun saving the galaxy!" (door closes after him) "Blammin, he's gotta nice butkis." Susan Grant said... I've been gone in New Book meetings all day with Hordish Warleader Finnar Drakken and Coalition Admiral Brit Bandar. Needless to day, it's been tough getting these two to agree to a book wherin they will fall in love and live happily ever after. (they are forced to live and work together on a starship as part of everyone learning to get along now that the Horde has surrendered) Brit told me she'd rather cough up blood. Finn promptly informed her that blood makes for a relaxing bath. So I popped in to see if I could borrow a cask of snow berry liqueur to relax everyone. Otherwise, it's going to be a hell of a long day.Thanks for every who's stopped by so far! And for the nice words! (looks around, wondering who's going to be cleaning up the mess) Wow! This is some party, and it's still early! Susan Grant said... Darkken. His name is Finnar Darkken. Not Drakken. Now he's sulking, folding his muscular arms over his armor. (Sighs in frustration) BRB. Laura said... Tell Darkken to relax and enjoy the party! Meanwhile I'm wondering how that armor comes off. How about some entertainment! Captain Tasha Sebastian said... Wow, this is great. But then, Kimber always throws a fun party. Sorry I'm late but Tank decided to eat a griztard just before we left, and Branden and I had a helluva time cleaning furzel barf out of the ACI voicelink synthesizer on the shuttle. So. ::hands on hips and surveys the party:: Ah, there's Captain Sue. Let me get Tank over to her so he can hang out with Her Mewness. Then Branden and I can enjoy ourselves. ~Sass Kimber An said... (Kimber offers Captain Tasha a drink.) "Glad you could make it!" (She notices the Tribble floating around and flips it out. The Tribble hits Queen Keira in the face.) "Ut-oh. Gotta go. Buh-bye!" Victoria Dove said... ((Vicky walks in, attempting to close her portal door before any of the insanely bored teenagers from her 8th period study hall can get in)) Hello! Great party as always K! Congrats on the book Susan! ((Turns to the Queen and bows very, very low)) Happy to see you here, Your Majesty. So, Kimber, could I be of any help? ((catches Tribble)) He's so cute! Cindy Holby said... Hey SueThanks for the invite! I got to read Your Planet or Mine before it hit the shelves. And It was one hot story. I wouldn't want to mess with Keira but I'm betting Elle, from Star Shadows could handle her since she's pretty good with the daggers too.Colby Hodge Laura said... So far we've got a queen, a tribble, a warleader, an admiral, a captain, and a princess. Oh and how could I forget the hobbits? All we need now is the hunky cyborg to bring the beer and this party is out of control!And whoever brought the grub worms from Maduxia III, they might be a delicacy on your planet, but next time leave them at home. They are escaping off my plate. Susan Grant said... Whew! Finally can hang out for a spell until the little one's need to be driven somewhere else. (surveys room with a smile) Hey, everyone! Thanks for all the fab words about the books. It makes all the hard work writing them worthwhile, I tell you. Hold on-- (grasps Keira's hands in a greeting) Where did you get that beautiful cape--it looks like fur! Is that PETA approved? (leans close to the queen to hear her smirk and whisper: "Tribble fur") Susan Grant said... Amy asked: "Who are some of your favorite authors?"Anyone who can combine SF with romance and give me the best of both. It is not easy to do. The authors who've popped in here so far today are all fantastic--Rowena writes with a great British wit, and Colby's Star series is a blast. I recently read and enjoyed the War series by Elizabeth Vaughan, and Linnea's Games of Command, loved them. On the SF side, I enjoy Catherine Asaro. Our very own Kimber is so talented, and I can't wait to see her books in print. "What is your favorite thing about writing?"Typing "The End" LOL! (I just got off a horrid deadline, so the muse is a little frazzled.) But seriously, and honestly, it's the blessing of being lucky enough to get paid to share my daydreams with readers. It's the best feeling. Kimber An said... (Kimber staggers in, falling into a chair.) "Geez, Terrellian Flu really wipes a person out. How it got to Alaska, I don't know. But, this has just been a reeeally bad year for colds and the flu on the Last Frontier." (peers into Laura's plate) "Mmm, grub worms. The Klingons like those fresh, but they're really best fried in beer-batter." (takes plate) "I'll just hand them back to the kitchen for you." (notices the Queen's new fur) "Hey! Now, I know why we haven't had any trouble with the Klingons this time. They're allergic to tribbles, you know." Carla said... Commander Carla here, just zooming through quick-like to check up on both of my Captains and Queen. All seems fine, so I'll leave you kids to your party.The Cyborg hunk and myself have some serious...um...negotiating...yeah, that's it!...negotiating!...to do.Vroooooom!C.C. : ) Shadowspun said... Well, I guess we now know what the Klingons did with the tribbles Scotty was so kind as to leave in their engine room. *sigh*Great book, Sue. I can't wait for the next! Kimber An said... Hi, Shadow. Have a Romulan ale? Yeah, I was kind of worried when I accidentally flipped that Tribble into the Queen's face. But, like Scotty, it was no tribble at all!";) Susan Grant said... Hi to the newcomers arrivng! So many familiar faces! Thanks to all of you for the sweet words! You are making my day, I tell you! Enjoy the food and drinks--thank you, Kimber (and the Alterian wait staff)! (whispers: Kimberly, I hear the clang of boots in the airway, are we expecting visitors from...outside?)Before I go, Funny story: I'd been working on my line edits that my editor wants done, and left the manuscript pages out on the kitchen table when I went to pick up the kids from school. Forgot about the pages, not a big deal. Well, I come back a little while ago and there's a post-it note with the word "Bad!" on it and an arrow pointing right to the F-word! LOL. I hardly ever use profanity in my books and OF COURSE the one scene (an interrogation by rogue Earth cops) the kids have to see! (could have been worse, could have been a scene with the word "nipple"!!!) They saw me and were laughing their butts off (they're teens)giving me a hard time, saying, "Bad mom! Now we know how to spell it!" I tried to explain that it was necessary for literature, that bad cops wouldn't beat a guy up and say, "oh, darn it!" Too funny. That one will go down in the hall of fame of memories. And what were they doing reading the pages anyway!? Well, I'm stuffed & I've had a little too much +hiccup+ too drink. Going to go cuddle in the corner with my alien lover, dreaming of abduction... Kimber An said... (Kimber slides into her chair, enormous coffee cup in hand.) "Oh, that is a funny story, Susan. Did..."(Suddenly, a swarm of Klingons comes stomping and crashing through the door.)"RUN!!!" (Kimber dives behind the bar.) "The Klingons are here to exterminate the Tribbles!!!" Captain Tasha Sebastian said... Ah, yes, Captain Sue. Educating your children. Wait until they get old enough to READ your books. Hmmm, my mom wrote THAT? [evil grin] I know my, um, "transcriber", author Linnea Sinclair, originally was much uncomfortable when her stepdaughter (and she's been stepmom for almost 30 years) read her books. You know, the, uh, intimate scenes... but now Jai is one of her best crit partners. So children so become useful with age. Hang in there! [grin]Another funny story I know you have--the good use of spammers. Want to share?~Sass, UC Huntership REGALIA Kimber An said... (Kimber hands Captains Sue and Sasha chocolate as the sit behind the bar, listening to the brawl, dodging the occasional splatter of green goo.) "Thankfully, my children are too young to figure out where I keep my PG-13 stories." (dodges a splat of good, points with thumb) "You know, I hate it when this happens before my second cup of coffee in the morning." (points to pressure rifle) "May I borrow that please? Thanks." (Kimber stands up and blasts the ceiling, wild look on her face) "Mwa-ah-ah! Wooo-hooo, yeah!"(millions of tribbles fall on the heads of the Klingons who flee screaming from the party) "That'll learn 'em." (Kimber slides the rifle down the bar to Sasha and slams her fist on the counter) "Bartender! Milk-on-the-rocks!" (grabs his shirt) "CHOCOLATE milk-on-the-rocks."(bartender rushes to obey, trembling)"So, Captain Sue, does the Queen need another new fur coat?" Henny said... It has been my experience, from PAD story coalitions with Kimber, that parties invariably come to this whenever she's invited. I had yet to experience one that she'd [i]thrown[/i], so I just had to drop in.I see I've managed to arrive at the point where she's standing in the smoking debris at ground zero, the guests all fled for fresh clothes, and she's just shrugging, and going,'What?'like she really has no idea what all the fuss is about.And then as the dust settles in the crater around her, she lifts her booted foot to find she has discovered, quite by chance, the lost treasure of Cerzana, the last surviving, and long-sought document of an ancient race of intergalactic travellers who seeded our known universe, and from whom all life springs.'Well slap me with a wet kipper,' she says, 'I'm off on my travels again.'Yep, that's Kimber, and any author she thinks is going to fulfill her need for adventure and romance has got to have written a stonkingly good novel.Love the titles in your series, Susan. Congratulations, and all the best.With the clearing-up operation that entails any party of Kimber's, too. Kimber An said... "Hot dang!" (Kimber studies document while Henny continues delivering her speech with impeccible British flair.) "And here I thought the Intari had toilet-papered our rafters again!" 2:51 PM henny said... "An easy mistake to make, Kimber. The Cerzani were know to have written on scroll-like documents, perforated in regular sections along the length."*Looks at watch.* "Just gone eleven o'clock. Better make sure I'm home by midnight, or Kimber's hoo-ha will look like nothing on earth. Good night all, and thanks for the invitation!" Kimber An said... (Kimber looks up from studying the document.) "Bye, Henny! Thanks for popping in!" (Notices Vivi) "Oh, hi! Welcome to the party. Watch your step. There's broken glass under all those Tribbles. I'll take care of it." (taps her wrist-com) "Hi, Olivia. This is your Official Transcriber. Junior's gone and wrecked my party room again. Uh-huh. Okay. Thanks." (a red-haired teenage girl pops out of the Chamber) "But, I didn't do it! I swear! I was playing rocketball!"(Kimber hands her a shovel and broom.) "Your mother said you've got twenty minutes to clean it up or you'll be scrubbing the hyperspace field coils too."(lower lip protruding, Junior grabs the shovel and broom and gets to work)"I would feel bad setting her up like that but..." (Kimber leans against the bar.) "...she's one of my characters, so it's my job to torment her." 3:29 PM Susan Grant said... Stonkingly. What a great word. Love it!I've been gone all day, away from the computer, and have to leave again soon for a pre-birthday dinner with my precious offspring, whom we now know are proficient in the spelling of nasty language, thanks to Mom. They are taking me out for sushi, which is a rather alien food, being so unique and repulsive to some, delicious to others (me, included!).Hey, Sass! Linnea's right. It's yet another thing we have in common with our writing: Spam is a goldmine for character names! You know Tibor Frix in My Favorite Earthling? Yep, got a spam e-mail one day for gods know what penis enlargement or overseas pharmacy scam and the name caught my eye. Writers: Start looking at the froms on your spam and you'll be amazed at thwat great alien names there are! Before our deadlines got a chokehold on us, me & Linnea were trading names as they came in each day. There were some GREAT ones! Ha. Hey, Sass, safe flying out there, 'kay?Kimberly--Keira didn't say anything about the--thwack! thwack!"I had the cape vaporized! It had fleas! Who was the merchant for this infested adornment!? (glares with jewel-like eyes, chest heaving, dagger in hand) Show yourself or be vaporized, too!"Well, I must freshen up for my big dinner out. Again, thank you to all for your wonderful comments! I have been loving every minute of this launch party! Susan Grant said... PS--Kimber, wanted to say I love your new website. The pic of you kissing your husband is awesome, so romantic! I want to see one of the kids! 3:39 PM Kimber An said... All right, Everybody, all together now..."...Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Susan. Happy birthday tooooooo...youooooooo!"(Kimber watches Junior finish cleaning up and leave.) "Works every time." (addresses Queen Keira, hand to chest in supposed astonishment.) "Your Majesty, I was under the impression that you slew and skinned the little beasts yourself!"