There is life after Triskelion

It's all over the internet. Triskelion Publishing, my current publisher is closing its doors. There was no warning, although it seemed the company was experiencing financial difficulties. As a result, all my e-books and my latest print books will soon become unavailable. So if you wanted to get ANAZ-VOOHRI, RELICS, LOCKDOWN, WHITE TIGER, or the anthology THIS MAGIC MOMENT, now is the time to get them. As of July 2, 2007, these books will be officially defunct. I have more titles coming in the near future for other publishers, and I'll let you know when I have definite release dates, but in the meantime, get the disappearing titles fast, before they become collectors' items.

Contact me if you can't find the books. I have a few copies in store.

http://www.vijayaschartz.com/

It's official, I will be at the 2008 Romantic Times Convention

The 2007 convention is barely over that we are already planning the 2008 Romantic Times annual event, which will take place in Pittsburgh, PA on April 15 to April 20. It was an easy decision. Not only will I participate, but I will be part of the Faery Court, a group of authors organizing the annual Faery Ball. We are speaking of themes and costumes, decorations, ideas, colors, and I can tell you already that it will be fabulous.

Fae, will you ask? Fantasy often mixes with Science Fiction and futuristic romance, and I don't mind mingling with other talented authors in the Fantasy genre. Sci-Fi was well represented this year, and this new genre promises to make an even bigger splash next year as more publishers are following this popular trend. I will be in good company with Cheyenne McCray, Eden Robins, Tina Gerow, Brit Blaise, and many other great authors, although I may be the only one with a sci-fi theme to my faery costume.

Just for fun, I posted the picture of my costume at the Faery Ball in May. It's a Genie costume. Genies are fairies, too, right? Watch out for next year. I plan to get noticed, but I haven't figure out how a gun toting amazon in black leather fits into a faery theme. I'm not losing faith. Creativity is my middle name.

In any case, it should be fun to se what happens next year. I'll keep you informed and plan on opening a new page on my personal website, just for that particular event.

Have a wonderful day.

Sci-Fi & Romance With a Kick - by Vijaya Schartz

I always thought pure Sci-Fi could benefit from a little more human (or alien) emotion, and pure romance lacked in action, adventure, and plot. For me, a good read should have all of the above, that's why I write Sci-Fi romance. The road has been difficult at best, but finally publishers are starting to realize that these two genres were meant to mix to make a new category, for which bookstores still have to find a slot on their shelves. Romantic Science Fiction, or as I call it, Sci-Fi & Romance with a kick, has a wide readership eager for more books.

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The first publisher to give me a chance was Triskelion Publishing. They started in 2004, mixing romance with other genres, like gothic, urban fantasy, and Science Fiction. From an e-book publisher they went on to trade paperbacks and now mass market paperbacks, carried by all major bookstores. You may visit them at http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/

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Since then, larger publishers realized the potential of sci-fi romance and you can find these books slowly filling the shelves, although the booksellers still do not know where to place them. So our fans have to look very hard for them. Often in romance, these books are called futuristic, but the definitions vary greatly among authors and publishers. Is the emphasis on the romance? Or is it on the futuristic plot? My opinion differs from most. I think there should be an equal amount of plot and emotion. When the perfect balance is achieved, the reader, male or female, will enjoy the story.

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Yes, I said male. My readers are equally male and female. When I talk to a male reader, I say there is sex in my books. When I talk to a female reader, I say there is romance in my books. The truth is, men don't mind romance as long as you don't call it that, if the story is exciting. And women don't mind a little techno talk, as long as there is a romantic thread and tension throughout and a happy ending. I call it the best of both worlds.

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Another trend in romantic sci-fi is that the heroine is strong and very often kicks butts. That's my girl! No damsel in distress here. She often saves the hero's sweet little butt. Right you are. Maybe it's because I'm a black belt in Aikido that I like strong heroines, but publishers like them, too. The modern women is no victim and takes control of her destiny, no matter how hard it gets.

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If you are looking for a good sci-fi kick butt romance, check out my titles at Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index%3Dbooks%26field-author%3DSchartz%2C%20Vijaya/102-5291164-3280150

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And if you want to know more about my books, just visit my website at:

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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Have a wonderful day.

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Vijaya