Catching up: Interviews, Convention Recap and More!

Hello Dear Readers!

Goodness it’s been a whirlwind 6 weeks!

Beginning with an incredible final Authors After Dark in Savannah at the beginning of August, I went directly on to launch Eterna and Omega in my Cincinnati hometown, I then continued on a convention spree!

Next up I was a returning featured TempleCon guest in Rhode Island, a perennial favorite, where I presided over the High Tea and was asked to emcee the beautiful fashion show in addition to signing lots of books to a fantastic group of readers.

The next day, I went directly out to Chicago and then on to Milwaukee for a Boswell Books event with one of my favorite authors and a dear friend, Mary Robinette Kowal, who was presenting one of my favorite books of all time, her brilliant Ghost Talkers. Also joining us was Ada Palmer, whose incredible Too Like the Lightning really stunned us with its clever conceit and rich prose.

Here we are in period costumes appropriate to our work!
 

Then came the ever jaw-dropping DragonCon, where I was on a record 12 panels across the host venues! Many of these panels featured some of the most passionate and insightful commentary and questions I’ve encountered in all my years, I’m so blessed to be able to connect with such incredible fellow authors, track directors and the best fans in the whole wide world. Love y'all. Entirely selling out of books is a great feeling!

Alethea Kontis captures me mid-interview

Then... southward bound with my beloved Alethea Kontis, the princess herself, to join Space Coast ComicCon in Florida, where the staff and fans are fantastic. I was approached to do a fun "Hangin’With" video interview with Garret Pomichter, found here, and had a lovely time.

In the midst of the convention run, because I'm always working, I also happened to be on a killer deadline for a very different and unique new project I’ll be able to announce later this month. I managed to turn that challenging project in, along with a few short stories and confirmations about another few anthologies I’m honored to be featured in, can't wait to announce those as well.

If you missed my epic Twitter rants about the ending of Penny Dreadful or missed my Facebook link to this post, I wrote a very important essay on Feminism and the Gothic that the fine folks at Fantasy Café asked me for. I put a lot of heart and soul into this one.

And because I just can't miss an opportunity to share my excitement about the latest books, I was interviewed for two podcasts of recent note and relevant interests:

I hope you’ll check out one of my favorite interviews I’ve done, for the Thorne and Cross Haunted Nights Live show with the fabulous Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross as my hosts, it was a great conversation of like minds on the Gothic and creating rich atmospheres.

And I was also able to join Jason Henderson on his Castle of Horror podcast for another lively discussion on Gothic Victorian settings and explaining just what, exactly, is Gaslamp Fantasy.

AND the wonderful Kevin Steil, the Airship Ambassador himself, is featuring me in an incredible multi-post interview! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, more to come.

If you’ve missed me at any of my recent events, signed copies of ETERNA AND OMEGA can be found at the following locations:

Barnes and Noble, Streets of West Chester store, Cincinnati, Ohio
Barnes and Noble Union Square, NYC
Barnes and Noble 5^th Avenue, NYC
Morris Jumel Mansion, NYC
Barnes and Noble Oglethorpe, Savannah, GA
Boswell Books, Milwaukee, WI
And signed, personalized books can always be ordered through my page at WORD Bookstore in NYC!
Or via my Etsy store!

Cheers, blessings, stay tuned for my “Hold On to the Light” post thanks to author Gail Z. Martin during Mental Health Awareness month.

Again, please, if you enjoy my work, please consider leaving an Amazon review and telling your friends about them! If enough people do, it helps ensure my series books will have future installments. As always,

Happy Haunting!

Leanna

In which Leanna discusses ETERNA AND OMEGA and her reincarnate Victorian spirit!

In which Leanna discusses ETERNA AND OMEGA, the exciting sequel to THE ETERNA FILES, and the ways in which she considers herself a reincarnate Victorian, clothes and all. Enjoy and share with friends and anyone interested in Historical Fantasy!

My interview with Bookish and a shout-out from Delilah S. Dawson...

Interview:

In a Book Expo America interview with the fine folks at Bookish, I discuss why I loved writing Twisted Tragedy, the lure of the Gothic, and why I can't help but use theatricality in my work.
Thanks, Jessi and Bookish, for the interview!

Shout-Out:

If you don't know how fabulous Delilah S. Dawson is, well, remedy that immediately. She did a wonderful post about her New Year's Resolution: BE WEIRDER. In which I am honoured to be mentioned. Yes. Because I am WEIRD. *Proud* Check it out.

Cheers and happy haunting!

Publishers Weekly, Darker Still sale, Public Radio Interview!

Leanna at Bankstreet Bookstore, photo by Jax Medina

The Interwebs are alive with the sound of Gothic literature. Well, at least it's a banner week for mine.

Thanks to Publishers Weekly for including me in this week's roundup of events, My Twisted Victorian Holiday Party at Bankstreet Books made the news! If you'd like a signed copy of The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart, just call Bankstreet to order one, signed books are such a great gift for the holiday season, only $8.99! (Call the store as the item isn't yet added to the online catalog).

And speaking of amazing prices, DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul is now on sale for Kindle and Nook for only $1.99 through the holiday season! A very important Gothic Victorian fix to prepare you for The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart!

And the fine folks of WVXU Cincinnati, the beautiful public radio station there, kindly did an interview with me about TWISTED TRAGEDY, have a listen! I talk the latest novel, about being a cross-genre writer and what it's like to thread my theatrical training into my books.

Cheers and happy holidays!

Apocalypsies Feature: Janci Patterson

Welcome to my next Apocalypsies Feature where I ask a bit about brand new fabulous books from my YA debut crew and a few random questions that inquiring minds want to know. Okay, well, at least weird questions that I want to know. Welcome Janci Patterson and debut novel CHASING THE SKIP!
CHASING THE SKIP
by Janci Patterson

Release Date: Today!

Synopsis: Ricki’s dad has never been there for her. He’s a bail bondsman who spends his time chasing parole evaders—also known as “skips”— all over the country. Ever since Ricki’s mom ran off, Ricki finds herself an unwilling passenger in a front-row seat to her father’s dangerous

lifestyle. Ricki’s feelings get even more confused when her dad starts tracking seventeen-year-old Ian Burnham. She finds herself unavoidably attracted to the dark-eyed felon who seems eager to get acquainted. Ricki thinks she’s ever in control—the perfect accomplice, the Bonnie to his Clyde. Little does she know that Ian isn’t playing the game by her rules.

Leanna Asks:

Your Fave thing about your book:

I loved writing about bounty hunters, and their place in the American justice system. It's exciting to write about people with interesting lives--things real people do for a living, but that other people generally know very little about. Plus, the subject allowed me to write some adventure and some pathos, which is a fun combination.

Your Fave fluffy animal: 

The red panda. Most adorable critter ever, and exotic, too.

If you were a ghost, where would you haunt?:

Red Butte Gardens in Salt Lake City. I could be ghostly and still enjoy the flowers.

Your Website, Twitter, FB links: http://www.jancipatterson.com/ , https://twitter.com/#!/jancipatterson , http://www.facebook.com/JanciPatterson

Thanks Janci! HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!

Apocalypsies Feature: Jay Kristoff

Welcome to my next Apocalypsies Feature where I ask a bit about brand new fabulous books from my YA debut crew and a few random questions that inquiring minds want to know. Okay, well, at least weird questions that I want to know. Welcome Jay Kristoff! Happy Release Week to Stormdancer!

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Stormdancer

Synopsis:
A DYING LAND

The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST

The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her. But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Your Fave thing about your book, Jay:

Chainsaw katanas.

Your Fave fluffy animal:

Ninjas. They're fluffy, right?

If you were a ghost, where would you haunt?:
The guy who cancelled Joss Whedon's Firefly. (And Leanna says "Amen!")
Your Website: http://misterkristoff.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/misterkristoff
FB:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJayKristoff

Yay Jay! Happy Release Day!

Apocalypsies Feature: Kathleen Peacock

Welcome again to my Apocalypsies feature, where I ask my fellow YA and Middle Grade debut crew a little about their book and a few totally random (but important to me) questions. Today, welcome debut author KATHLEEN PEACOCK! *Muppet dance!*


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Book Title: HEMLOCK
Release Date: May 8, 2012 - Today!

Synopsis:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Your Fave thing about your book:

The way the characters interact with each other.

Your Fave fluffy animal:

A kitten. Or a bunny. Oh! Can I say Bunnicula?

(Leanna says: "Yes, Kathleen, yes you can. See that bunny up top there? That's Persebunny but sometimes I think she's actually Bunnicula. Which rocks.)

If you were a ghost, where would you haunt?:

A huge old used bookstore with a resident cat. Or each of my ex-boyfriends (if they thought I was PitA while I was alive…).
Your Website: http://www.kathleenpeacock.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kathleenpeacock

Yay Kathleen! Happy release day! Hemlock looks amazing!

Apocalypsies Feature: Marissa Burt

Welcome to my next APOCALYPSIES Debut feature starring Marissa Burt!
In this feature I ask a bit about these fabulous debut novels and of course something about fluffy animals and ghosts because this is my blog after all and I'm nothing if not true to my themes...

Welcome Marissa!


Shop Indie Bookstores Book Title: STORYBOUND by Marissa Burt
Release Date: 4/3/12 - Today!

Synopsis:

In the land of Story, children go to school to learn to be characters: a perfect Hero, a trusty Sidekick, even the most dastardly Villain. They take classes on Outdoor Experiential Questing and Backstory, while adults search for full-time character work in stories written just for them.

In our world, twelve-year-old Una Fairchild has always felt invisible. But all that changes when she stumbles upon a mysterious book buried deep in the basement of her school library, opens the cover, and suddenly finds herself transported to the magical land of Story. But Story is not a perfect fairy tale. Una’s new friend Peter warns her about the grave danger she could face if anyone discovers her true identity. The devious Tale Keeper watches her every move. And there are whispers of a deadly secret that seems to revolve around Una herself….

Your Fave thing about your book:

With the timeless appeal of books like A Wrinkle in Time and the breathtaking action of Inkheart, Storybound has all the makings of a new classic. Brimming with fantastical creatures, magical adventure, and heart-stopping twists, Storybound will leave readers wishing they too could jump through the pages into this enchanting fairy-tale world.

Your Fave fluffy animal:

No question. Cats. Someday, I will be that lady with all the cats.

If you were a ghost, where would you haunt?:

My homes with happy memories.

Your Website: http://marissaburt.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marissaburt
FB: https://www.facebook.com/marissaburt

Yay Marissa! Happy release day!

Apocalypsies Feature: E. C. Meyers

Welcome to my next APOCALYPSIES Debut feature starring E. C. Meyers!

In this feature I ask a bit about these fabulous debut novels and of course something about fluffy animals and ghosts because this is my blog after all, and I'm nothing if not true to my themes...

Welcome E. C. and his fabulous new book!


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Title: Fair Coin

Release Date: March 6, 2012 - Today!

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is
even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.

Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.

The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.

LRH: Your Fave thing about your book:

E.C.: You mean other than the fact that it's finally out in the world? I'm really pleased that my protagonist has a good relationship with his mother, and that this is something many readers appreciate so far. I think Fair Coin breaks with some YA conventions, such as the missing or dead parents, and it straddles some lines. That makes it a weird book indeed, but it's exactly the story I wanted to tell.

LRH: Your Fave fluffy animal:

E. C.: Red panda! It's like an adorable mix of a raccoon, a panda, and a fox.

LRH: If you were a ghost, where would you haunt?:

E. C.: The Jefferson Market branch of the New York Public Library. I'm assuming that I'll be able to manipulate objects so I can read all the books there, but even if not, I want to be around people who love books as much as I do. I would also enjoy just hanging around that beautiful building, and something tells me I'd have a lot of ghostly company there.

(Leanna says: OMG this is one of my fave responses I've received to that question. You rock, E. C.)

Website, Twitter, FB links:

Website: http://ecmyers.net/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ecmyers
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/flipthecoin


Cheers and congratulations on release day!

Apocalypsies Features

I'm a proud member of THE APOCALYPSIES debut crew of YA novels releasing in late 2011 and 2012. Due to the madness of the DARKER STILL tour, I'm belated on shoulting out my fellow 2011 Apocalypsies releases. Here's what 2011 and early 2012 has brought us SO FAR in our Apocalypsies realm. Very exciting books!

August 23, 2011


POSSESS by Gretchen McNeil (Balzer + Bray)
October 13, 2011

DARWEN ARKWRIGHT AND THE PEREGRINE PACT by A.J. Hartley (Razorbill)
November 8, 2011

DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul by Leanna Renee Hieber (Sourcebooks)
December 1, 2011

CATCHING JORDAN by Miranda Kenneally (Sourcebooks)
January 1, 2012

THE BOY PROEJCT (NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS OF KARA McALLISTER) by Kami Kinard (Scholastic)

LIVING VIOLET: THE CAMBION CHRONICLES by Jaime Reed (Dafina)

LOVE AND LEFTOVERS, by Sarah Tregay (Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins)
January 3, 2012

CINDER by Marissa Meyer (Feiwel & Friends)

THE CABINET OF EARTHS by Anne Nesbet (HarperCollins)

UNDER THE NEVER SKY by V. Rossi (HarperCollins)

CRACKED by K.M. Walton (Simon Pulse)
January 5, 2012

LITTLE DOG LOST by Mônica Carnesi (Nancy Paulsen Books)
January 10, 2012

THE GATHERING STORM by Robin Bridges (Delacorte)

DITCHED by Robin Mellom (Disney-Hyperion)

MAY B by Caroline Rose (Schwartz and Wade)

DESTINY'S FIRE by Trisha Wolfe (Omnific)
January 17, 2012

NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic (Graphia)

FRACTURE by Megan Miranda (Walker/Bloomsbury)

THE BOOK OF WONDERS by Jasmine Richards (HarperCollins)
January 24, 2012

EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton (Balzer + Bray)
January 31, 2012

INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows (Katherine Tegen Books)

ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons (Tor Teen)
February 1, 2012

HALFLINGS by Heather Burch (Zondervan)

THE OTHER LIFE by Susanne Winnacker (Marshall Cavendish/Usborne)

February 2, 2012

HARBINGER by Sara Wilson Etienne (Putnam)
The whole list is over on The Apocalypsies Blog and it is the best way to keep track of all of us as a whole and what we're up to.

BUT, in the coming months and through 2012 I will bring some of the Apocalypsies here to elaborate upon themselves and their work in a few brief questions. You know, like what their favorite fluffy animal is. And if they were a ghost, where would they haunt. Burning questions I want to know. Oh, and a little about their books too. :)

So stay tuned!