Strangely Beautiful the Musical. In the Beginning...

How does one make a show? A show on a trajectory to a Broadway musical? Very carefully. And with talented people. Step by step, a show comes together.

I hope you'll recall this spring when I excitedly announced that the option rights had been sold for my debut novel, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker to be adapted into a musical theatre production. As an actress / playwright / author who never expected all her talents to come crashing together into one enormous dream, there's nothing really more thrilling, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that its happening. Now to be clear, it's a long road to Broadway, with stops in other cities prior to the big move, but making a show begins small; in the minds and hearts of a core group of people, and for me, on index cards. I promised I'd offer an inside view onto the process, so here goes.

My role as script writer (in theatrical terms: "the book" of the musical) is to create the structure into which the composer and lyricist's beautiful (and I mean beautiful- they've done incredible work so far) songs will be placed, and make sure the connective tissue from one theme to the next is full of simple but effective storytelling.

To do this, I had to think of my book in skeletal form; to storyboard it out. To wrap my head around this, I picked up a stack of blank index cards. I've been working on the Strangely Beautiful storyline for a decade at this point so I pretty much know the story blindfolded, in my sleep, by rote, etc. Rather than picking up the book, I simply thought about the bare bones of my story. On the top card I wrote: "The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker As Told By Index Cards" (see photographic evidence). When adapting a work of fiction that is ostensibly longer than the work you are adapting it into, the main plot points are what needs representation, not all the details.

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I then took what were the obvious bullet-points and typed up a document with headers and subcategories, the main events and the smaller moments, called "beats" in theatre. I also included in the document some quotes from the novel encapsulating the 'feel' and most important theme of that particular chapter. From this the composer and lyricist hopefully get a sense of things to take away into their own work, which is to write the big numbers, while I create the structure and weave in appropriate dialogue, which will either be spoken or sung, depending on what the creative team decides. I have to be a storyteller on a grand and bold scale, making sure the bare bones of what Strangely Beautiful is all about remains structurally clear, the musical numbers filling in and fleshing out all the information, conflict and emotion I've hopefully set into place.

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Last week I sat in on a session sharing some of the themes, music and lyrics already composed for the show. All I can say is wow. I think the music is inspired, lovely and well-suited, atmospheric, beautiful when beauty is called for and spooky when called for. The team had a great discussion, we made some choices and got on the same page, I cut some characters (a necessary evil, it must be done!) in hard and fast decisions.

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And I had a moment, sitting at the table, my book in front of me, music inspired from my book caressing my ears, and all my years of theatre training and playwrighting and fiction writing had led me to that moment where I felt a God-like voice murmur: You were meant for this.

And so it is; we're making a show. I'll keep you posted along this magical journey as it continues to unfold.

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Newsy Bits:

We have a release date for A Midwinter Fantasy including "A Christmas Carroll" (Strangely Beautiful 2.5): November 23. (digital / eBook only). Join the Midwinter Page for access to more details.

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I joined my new publisher's Teen Fire forum, where we'll be actively discussing YA Fiction and Magic Most Foul. Join in the fun! I just set up a group for Magic Most Foul, so come join me!

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I just turned the sequel to Dark Nest, titled Dark Nest: Reckoning, to my editor and that should release from Crescent Moon Press within the next couple of months. Look at CMP's pretty new site! It's definately a change of pace to return to the Dark Nest world, a futuristic paranormal, but I hope all those who have been asking "what is going on on that ship next!" will be pleased. :)

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If you still have not joined my new Facebook Page, please do, I'll be running a lot of contests from there in the months to come and a lot of information will flow through that portal in regards to Magic Most Foul, Dark Nest, and also, the future of the Strangely Beautiful series.

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Cheers and blessings!

The Rally for Sanity / March to Keep Fear Alive

My household gets its news from National Public Radio, but we can only stomach television news via The Daily Show. We also happen to think Stephen Colbert is perhaps the greatest luminary of our age. So when the Rally for Sanity / March to Keep Fear Alive was announced, we knew we had to go.
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Yes, there was a CRUSH of a million people. Yes, it was hard to hear, hard to see, but as we were jam-packed amidst the very reasonable and surprisingly sane and entirely diverse throng, we all knew we were a part of a meaningful cultural event. We all knew that this event was, as Stewart indicated, beyond politics. It was about human beings, sanity and countering extremism on all sides. Because no one can hear if everyone is shouting. It was about looking critically at the fearful world we live in not because we don't have things to fear but that we cannot live in hysteria. We can only live as a community of human beings acknowledging that yes there is evil in the world but we can't let fears rule us or our choices. As Stewart so aptly said; "We live in Hard Times. Not End Times."
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A girl in a head-scarf held the sign: "Don't jump to conclusions, just jump rope." She was part of an interactive group of young Muslim men and women who were jumping rope with participants beneath the sign that simply read: "Jump Rope with a Muslim". They were doing just that. Jump rope and you got a sticker. That was just one way in which the Rally crowd engaged in fun and thought-provoking ways to bond as human beings, fears and prejudices aside. It did my heart good. It did my soul good. And, because Stewart and Colbert were everything I expected them to be, clever and to-the-point, it made us all laugh.
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But what was even better and even more clever than the Daily Show writers? The crowds themselves. And their signs. And so I give you: A sampling of Rally signs. Enjoy. I sure did.

Mexico and the Steampunk Indie Mart!

Goodness me. I've been traveling so much that keeping up with myself has been hard. :) I went back to Ohio, trekked down to Mexico and over to Brooklyn for a Steampunk Festival. Somewhere in there I did some film work and finished a novella. All in a month's work. :)
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Mexico City. WOW. How do I describe it? Here are a few tangled phrases and brief highlights to give you some idea of my rapturous sentiments; the thousands of years of culture and the sheer VAST mass of Mexico City had me in awe from the start. The exceedingly generous people warmed my soul, the many kinds of music was enchanting, the drinks were delectable, the never waiting more than a minute for a subway train on a platform that was very clean was unheard of for us New Yorkers, the incredible museums like the Anthropology museum where the huge and famous Aztec Sun Stone now lives- look how enormous it is compared to the onlookers- was daunting and overwhelming. The shopping was incredible and made me wish I had a hedge fund to sponsor all the things I wanted to take home, the architecture was diverse and spoke of so much complex history, Diego Rivera's murals in the governmental palace truly had us speechless. The Casa Azul- Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's aptly named blue-house-turned museum was full of art and the palpaple life of two geniuses. The pre-Columbian excavation site at Templo Mayor- a thrilling work in progress led by Annabella's inspiring cousin Carlos is a must-see. We witnessed an amaing Aztec dance next to the colonial Metropolitan Cathedral- (also the first picture above) that is hundreds of years old and was built atop the Aztec holy structures which had stood in that plaza in the 16th century - you can see the dancing beside the church came out like an amazing ghost dance on our camera, the faint traces of the white shifts and some of the elaborate plumed head-dressing.
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Our souls were transported by the invitation, due to a fateful and meaningful connection across a dinner table, to Guernavaca south of the City, to attend church with and visit with the generous Catherine and her inspiring family (she is pictured with us at the incredible pre-Columbian pyramid sites at Xochimilco - our stellar guide Rey told us about the mix of different indigenous cultures that the stone carvings behind us indicate were present at this sacred site). The beauty of these Pre-Columbian pyramids and temples high above the valleys took my breath away amidst my trying to spot local birds.
The language continues to enchant me (es bueno practicar mi Espanol!), the food... well, the food was: *swoon*. I was in Mexico City thanks to and on behalf of the Annabella Gonzales Dance Theatre, helping out with the sound board in exchange for the trip - we were put up in an amazing historic hotel in la Zona Rosa and treated to some of the most incredible meals I have ever eaten, including divine fare at the San Angel Inn, thanks to Annabella and her extremely generous friends and family. What an incredible week, and bonus, I was with my sweetheart/parnter/real-life-hero. I cannot pick one favourite experience. I've tried. Every museum, meal, conversation and sight was its own distinct pleasure. One of my favourite things of all? The incredible Goth clothing shop I found; The Horror Boutique. I found it because of the dress high in the window; a gorgeous gown many stories up in a shop window with all the trappings of fine Gothic couture. I elbowed Marcos saying: "Mi gente!" - "My people!" The Horror Boutique is a heavenly little shop just off the central plaza near the enormous Metropolitan Cathedral pictured above. I got a great deal of clothing at a great deal, direct from the designers. Ariel was so cool, as were all the designers and staff, and the talented designers were there making clothing as we shopped! The whir of sewing machines on corsets while I drank in all the finery was dreamy. I happy-danced right in the store. Just look at this incredible Dia de los Muertos gown hanging in the window high over The Zocolo (square) below! Squee!
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I was beside myself with all of the amazing Dia de Los Muertos (day of the dead) crafts. My suitcase returned full of cut paper banners, ceramic skulls (calaveras) and joyful skeleton dioramas in boxes called Nichos, a tin skeleton with a winged heart bearing an image of Frida Kahlo from the Casa Azul, and a Jack Skellington necklace. Jack, from The Nightmare Before Christmas, is all over Mexico this time of year. Tim Burton had to be aware of the incredible rich cultural history of calavera art throughout the country, and Mexicans embrace Burton’s imagining as their own. Speaking of which, my favourite Halloween movie is The Nightmare Before Christmas. I listen to the soundtrack throughout October. Well… all year, really. Jack Skellington is one of my many gothic-esque literary love-affairs. Hail to the Pumpkin King!
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But I do love my town, New York, and its always good to come back to the city, and to Persebunny the bunny who I miss madly whenever I'm away.
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Coming back to a Steampunk event is always nice too. Thanks to the fine folks at Tor Books and Tor dot com for sponsoring the Steampunk Literary Corner at the Brooklyn Indie Mart, the Lit Corner organized and presided over gloriously by editor extraordinaire Liz Gorinsky (who was dressed in a gorgeous corset and emerald green doubled skirts and had managed to bake over 200 DELICIOUS scones and prepare delicious tea- as if she wasn't a rockstar already, this took the cake). I was invited to read from The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker to a fabulous (and fabulously dressed) crowd which included readers, Steampunkers, fellow authors and bloggers like Ay-Leen from Beyond Victoriana who, while at the fest, managed to win The Last Drink Bird Head Award on her awesome blog's first birthday. Huh-to-the-zzah! A good time was had by all. Thanks to dear friend (and NYT Bestselling author) Sarah MacLean for coming and for taking this photo! And note: I'm wearing clothing I got at The Horror Boutique in Mexico City!
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In other news, I turned the sequel to my 2009 Prism Award winning novealla "Dark Nest" (futuristic fantasy), titled "Dark Nest: Reckoning" in to my editor so more news on that will be forthcoming, in the meantime if you're curious about "Dark Nest" - head on over to my Facebook page where I'm holding a contest and giving away one print copy.

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Stay tuned for more book news and events. Next up? A report from the RALLY FOR SANITY / MARCH TO KEEP FEAR ALIVE... Considering I get a healthy dose of my news from Mr. Stewart and Colbert... It's nothing short of my very duty as a citizen to attend. :)

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Blessings!

Announcing MAGIC MOST FOUL... a new series!

(Photo by Barbara Vey - Thanks Barbara!) Monday night was quite an exciting night. It being the first Monday of the month, it was Lady Jane's Salon and we had an incredible lineup of bestselling authors; from L to R, Sabrina Jeffries (who recently hit #8 on the NYT with her latest!), innovator, author and activist Donna Hill, the charming and hilarious Janet Mullany, and myself in my Victorian regalia, de rigeur whenever I'm reading. We also had the pleasure of Publishers Weekly's Barbara Vey being our guest Emcee for the evening, thanks to Barbara for this picture and for mentioning us on her Beyond Her Book PW blog! Getting to step from Lady Jane's co-founder into the spotlight to read is always one of my favourite events, since I don't have time to be on stage in productions anymore, reading at Lady Jane's certainly scratches that itch. I read from "A Christmas Carroll" featured in A MIDWINTER FANTASY, and since there's been a delay in the release, Dorchester has put up a special MIDWINTER Page where you can join the mailing list and receive coupons too! Check it out!

The crowd was filled with industry professionals, authors and readers. It was here, as I took the stage, that I got to make the announcement of my really good news; a new book deal!

Come November, 2011, I'll begin my new Victorian Paranormal Young Adult series: MAGIC MOST FOUL...


Set in 1882 New York City, the story is told via the diary of eighteen-year old Natalie Stewart, a spirited and intelligent young woman who, despite innate talents, suffers from Selective Mutism due to a childhood trauma. When her father, who works for the new Metropolitan Museum of Art, gets wrapped up in a supposedly haunted painting, Natalie's world is turned upside down. A sensitive young woman who has always wondered about the supernatural, she has no idea how profoundly her curiosity is only the tip of a terrifying iceberg of dark magic. The portrait of young Lord Jonathon Denbury is no ordinary painting. Inside that canvass is a trapped soul, while a body possessed is terrorizing New York's infamous Five Points. Its up to Natalie and her newfound guide, the wealthy and compelling caretaker of the painting, Mrs. Evelyn Northe, to solve the mystery of the curse and up to Natalie alone to reverse it. All while on a ticking clock; the soul of Lord Denbury is fading. The harrowing mystery must be solved before more murders take place, and Natalie must find the courage to not only stare a demon in the face, but to use her most hidden of all gifts; her own voice.

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With ties to my favourite 19th century novels, this series will create common ground for those who love the classics and those who love YA/Teen paranormal fiction. I get to maintain my background in and my profound love of Victorian-era stories, continue with my theme of unusual, unique, underdog heroines; as Natalie is a strong and vibrant character despite her disability, and weave in the sort of dark, lyrical, fantastical paranormal reality that I love most in storytelling. For those of you who have loved the Strangely Beautiful saga, I promise you this will appeal to you as well. While entirely new; it will feel familiar; a different dress out of a similar fabric, creating a fresh design from my favourite materials.
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The series will release in Trade Paperback format, as well as in digital, from Sourcebooks and their Teen Fire line. I'm very, very excited. My editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, is fabulous, and the Sourcebooks team is a thrilling cast of individuals passionate about the book arts. Follow Sourcebooks on Twitter, Paul their Fire publicist, and Danielle their Romance publicist, they've got a lot of exciting things going on. Those of you who love YA fiction check out the Teen Fire forum.

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Blessings and thanks for your support along the way! I couldn't do it without my committed readers, friends and fans. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to continue writing the fantastical stories that keep me up at night for the love of them.

Miss Percy's growing awards shelf and a picture of a bunny

Hurrah! More awards for The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker!
She's sure cleaning up this year. Miss Percy wins the Paranormal Category of the 2010 Heart of Excellence Awards sponsored by the Ancient City Romance Authors! Here are the contest results, congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

Ancient City Romance Authors (ACRA) is pleased to present the winners of the 2010 Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award for published authors:
Historical Romance
1st Place – Captive of Sin by Anna Campbell aka Karen Schwartz
2nd Place – A Bride in the Bargain by Deeanne Gist
3rd Place – Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe
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Inspirational/Traditional Romance
1st Place – A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
2nd Place – Learning to Let Go by Elizabeth Pina
3rd Place – Sunset Beach by Trish Perry
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Short and Long Contemporary Romance
1st Place – Scene of the Crime: Bridgewater Texas by Carly Cassidy
2nd Place – His 7-Day Fiancée by Gail Barrett
3rd Place – Her Best Bet by Pamela Ford
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Romantic Suspense
1st Place - Cover of Darkness by Kaylea Cross aka Kari Lee Walker
2nd Place - No Turning Back by Kaylea Cross aka Kari Lee Walker
Tied for 3rd Place - Last Gasp by Carla Cassidy
Tied for 3rd Place - Under Fire by Beth Cornelison
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Erotic Romance
1st Place - Drive Me Wild by P. J. Mellor
2nd Place - In the Flesh by Sylvia Day aka Livia Dare
3rd Place - Rogues Run by Lara Santiago aka Laura Freeman
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Paranormal Romance
1st Place - The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber
2nd Place - Garden of the Moon by Elizabeth Sinclair
3rd Place - Wild Magic by Ann Macela aka Fredericka Meiners
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Strong Romantic Elements
Tied for 1st Place - Seeing Red by Susan Crandall
Tied for 1st Place - Flying Free by Amber Polo
2nd Place - Murphy’s Law by Sandy James
Tied for 3rd Place - According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
Tied for 3rd Place – All the Right Reasons by Sandy James
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Single Title Contemporary Romance
1st Place - Healing Luke by Beth Cornelison
2nd Place – Faith of the Heart by Sandy James
3rd Place - It Happened One Night by Lisa Van Auken

LEANNA on the INTERWEBS:
- There's a great INTERVIEW and contest to win signed books at Buckeye Girl Reads!
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- My interview as Miss Percy, a GREAT 5 star review of "A Christmas Carroll" (Strangely Beautiful #2.5) featured in A MIDWINTER FANTASY as well as a signed SB #1 plus other fun swag contest is still up at Larissa's Life!
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And more fabulous announcements will be coming soon! I've some very good news I can't wait to share.
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For those of you looking for A MIDWINTER FANTASY, releasing electronically, thanks for you patience, hopefully the new download links will be up from Dorchester on Oct. 1st? *crossing fingers*

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And because there are never enough cute pictures of bunnies:

Persebunny has begun to devour The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker as heartily as the she did the first tale...

Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend 2010

The Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend was not only a huge success in every way, but gosh it was fun! Hosted by bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank, who is beyond fabulous, and organized flawlessly by the force of nature that is author Stella Price, this personable yet larger-than-life conference, in only its second year, is an event to be reckoned with. I was fortunate enough to be utilized as a featured author and participated in panels on worldbuilding, about the many inventive creatures that my fellow authors and I have created in our diverse worlds, we discussed Steampunk and I even got to present the Victorian Language of the Fan. Being in a generous, friendly, excited environment, all of us together for the same idea; love of paranormal fiction, creates a great space for sharing, making new friends and having great parties.
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I was so thrilled to meet some of my beloved book bloggers who have made all the difference in my Strangely Beautiful series, like JoJo's Book Corner, Bibliophilic Book Blog, Intense Whisper, Simply Ali and Joyfully Reviewed, and the particular delight of Larissa's Life and her interview at the Literary Masquerade, where I got to play Miss Percy in person- and where Percy won the costume contest! (See below). I also got to meet many fabulous fellow authors. Jennifer Armintrout and I got to go all mutual fangirl on each other. Thanks tons to Jacquelyn, Stella and Froggy and all the organizers for creating a wonderful experience! And thanks tons to Biz Urban Photography for the following great photos:

Photo 1: Gaslight Gothic

2: Lurve for Stella

3: Teaching the Victorian Language of the Fan
4: Playing Miss Percy, caught in one of her shy, quiet moments at the Masquerade

5: Author Jennifer Armintrout as Marguerite from The Scarlet Pimpernel (one of our mutual favourites), with Miss Percy at her side
6: Miss Percy wins the costume contest announced by Jacquelyn (in lovely Regency regalia) and Stella (in Steampunk plaid)

7: Last but not least, Miss Percy's first interview! Thanks Larissa!

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The Golden Apples

Last night was the Golden Apple Awards sponsored by the Romance Writers of America New York City chapter, where I was extremely honoured to be named Author of the Year, alongside lifetime achievement winner Mary Jo Putney, Agent of the Year Lori Perkins, Editor of the Year Deb Werksman of Sourcebooks, who was named Publisher of the Year. (I'm proud to mention my editor, Chris Keeslar, won Editor of the Year last year). Thanks to Biz Urban Photography for taking lovely photos of our awards and of ourselves.

I'm posting my speech, as it sums up just about everything I- and Miss Percy- have to say about this whirlwind year:

"For any year to receive this incredible honour, this certainly has been the most amazing year of my life. A year ago, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker hit the shelves and I began a hell-bent course of promotion, appearances, guerilla marketing at its most frenetic, and you’ve been kind enough to want to hear about it along the way, and I want to share anything and everything about the journey. Because an award doesn’t happen in a vaccum. It happens because north stars are generous enough to lead someone in the right direction. There are so many north stars in this room. Isabo Kelly who got me here in the first place, then president Elizabeth Kerri Mahon, who at my very first meeting pointed me in several right directions, one of which landed me my agent, Nicholas Roman Lewis (More about him in a second). Marcos, my love and strong help always. And thank all of you, for being the net under me while I’ve been off doing crazy aerial tricks and unsure if I was going to stick the landings, we all need such a net. Wonderful parents are a great net too, and I was blessed with the best. Since my desire to publish has been the sole fault of one strange young woman and this year has indeed been her year, here are closing words from Miss Percy Parker herself:
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“Hello, friends. She Who Created Me knows I’m too shy for crowds so since she’s so good at putting words in my mouth, it’s only right and proper she offer my personal thanks. For in honouring her you honour me; her fierce labour of love for a decade, me; an awkward, overwhelmed girl with a story of love conquering all odds that so desperately wanted to get out into the world. But, as I so dearly feared, no one wanted me. I was too strange, too hard to pin down, too ‘cross-genre’ – but it only takes one person to accept you, and suddenly you’re on your way to finding a community. Thank you, Nicholas Roman Lewis, for seeing some glimmer of possibility in my eerie eyes and never doubting me for a moment. And he’s even landed me a musical! Isn’t it marvelous? And then to the man who took that greatest chance upon my tale, Chris Keeslar, editor extraordinaire who refined my tale and helped it win awards and lovely things, you gave me very the gift of life, and there’s naught more precious than that. And then you, for accepting the tale of a simple girl who dared to dream. And isn’t that what you all do, by that brave act of putting pen to paper, daring to dream against those terrible odds called the Publishing World? Don’t ever doubt the dream, even for a second. Despite all odds, provided you believe, and you rely on this beloved community, your tales must and will be told, and then you’ll tell another. And another. Because you must. I cannot thank you enough for helping me to tell my tale, and for honoring it.”