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Answers posted September 25, 1998

Q: Hello Jayne Ann, My question is why did you start having your books come out in hardback first with a considerable lapse between the hardback and paperback releases? Was it your decision or the publishers? Is it a prestige thing? (i.e. a hard back gets more respect.) Speaking as a reader with close to 6000 paperbacks with shelves built for paperback size not hardback, it is frustrating. (Teri Anne)

A: Dear Teri Anne: I certainly understand your problem with books and shelves! We've got a similar problem in this household. The decision about whether to publish in hardcover or paperback, and when to publish is the publisher's call. Regarding the prestige issue, that's more complex. It's quite true that in our culture books that appear in hardcover first are generally taken more seriously by reviewers, libraries, the media and bookstores. It's also true that having some of the books at the bestselling end of a genre appear in hardcover is critical to elevating the overall status of that entire genre. So, even though it plays havoc with your book shelves, it is, generally speaking, a good thing for the romance genre and those who love it to have some of the authors published in hardcover. Hope that answers your questions. Thanks for your interest in my books.

Q: I love reading all your books. I just purchased Flash the other day. The only question I have is: How does the inspirations for your main characters come to mind? (Rachael)

A: Dear Rachael: I always find it hard to explain where the inspiration for my heroes comes from. I'm not entirely sure, to be honest. But I will tell you this much, all my heroes share some specific qualities. They may be flawed, tormented or difficult, but they are endowed with the ancient heroic virtues. They all have a sense of honor, courage and determination. And they are all capable of falling in love.

Q: Hi, I just wanted to say to keep up the good library scenes in your books. As a librarian I read all of your books with extra attention and all of my librarian friends do to. Any plans to feature another librarian in a book? I appreciate the characters who live on information and have a talent for organization but I would like to see more actual librarian characters! (Rebecca)

A: Dear Rebecca: Don't worry: There are librarians on the horizon!

Q: Hi Jayne, I had been rather a book snob, making sure that every one knew that I only read Sci-Fi, Fantasy and serious books. Then my friend Shannon had me read a one of your books that she said was a Sci-Fi, with romance. That hooked me and now I have a bigger collection of your books, all names. than she does. What I wanted to know is, would you write a novel with a slightly older heroine. I am 40 and I would enjoy reading your take on a woman starting over finding love. Also your heroines tend to be sexually inexperienced, what if the sex with the first partner was good, but not enough to hold that man. It would make the new man have to try harder to convince the heroine that what they have is real. (Kandy M.)

A: Dear Kandy M.: Sounds like you've got some great ideas for a book of your own! Maybe you ought to give writing romance a try. In the meantime, my webmaster (Cissy) suggests you try my Amanda Quick historical, WITH THIS RING. It features a widow who finds a wonderful new love. I'm glad you're enjoying my books.

Q: Hi Jayne, Like many others I am also a big fan of yours. I have all of your old books except for one. Saxon's Lady which you wrote as Stephanie James. Is there any chance that this one will be reissued? I really need it to finish my collection. Thanks for your time. (Robin Peek)

A: Dear Robin: Copies of Saxon's Lady are scarce. The only thing I can suggest is to check elsewhere on this site for a list of used bookstores that cater to romance collectors. Cissy has put together a collection of excellent sources. Folks on the bulletin board are always finding the most amazing things there. Good luck and thanks for your interest.

Q: Hi Jayne, I just wanted to thank you not only for your great writing (there's no one better!!) but for also for recommending new authors. If I see a paperback in the book store by an author I'm unfamiliar with but it has your name on the cover stating "A great read, I enjoyed it, etc", I snatch it up (that's how I discovered Stella Cameron). So my first question is how do you discover these books/authors and secondly, how much time in your schedule do you allow yourself to read other author's books?? (Charmaine Davis)

A: Dear Charmaine: I give quotes on books when a writer friend or an editor I know requests one. Glad you found Stella's books. I also recommend Elizabeth Lowell, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Suzanne Simmons -- all great friends of mine.

Answers posted September 18, 1998

Q: I have been a fan of yours for years. I started with the Amanda Quick collection and after I had worn out the covers from re-reading them over and over (ESPECIALLY>>> Desire) I found you wrote modern romance as Jayne Krentz and went wild again..... I don't know if I have quite made it through all of them yet because every time I think I have I find an old one I missed somehow... go figure

But wait .... imagine my unbridled joy when I discovered your Jayne Castle collection... does it get any better than this? I salute your stamina and imagination and wonder if you ever sleep....

but my real questions are 2:

1. In all three styles you paint such wonderful word pictures I see the books as movies in my head; complete with who would play the leads and supporting characters... have you had any of your works made into feature or regular movies? If so are they available on video?

2. I love the sequels in the Castle series and I would love to read sequels in the Krentz mode.... any possibilities?

Thanks for rescuing us from the mundane and letting us walk around in your worlds..... (Mary Johnston)

A: Dear Mary: Thanks for your great e-mail. Did wonders for my morale. To answer your questions in order, one made for TV movie was made of one of my titles (The Waiting Game). It was shown on The Movie Channel this past August. Everyone who saw it pretty much agreed that they would never have recognized it from the book! Everything got changed except some of the names of the characters. That's the way it goes with books and films, I'm afraid. As for sequels, I'm experimenting a bit in the Amanda Quick books. Let me know what you think when you read I THEE WED next Spring...

Q: How many LOST COLONY romances are there and what are their titles? I recently bought a reissued copy of CRYSTAL FLAME and am loving it! I'm a fan of SFR and would like to read all of this set. Thank you. (Terri Branson)

A: Dear Terri: Glad you asked: There were three Lost Colony stories: SWEET STARFIRE, CRYSTAL FLAME and SHIELD'S LADY (this last one was published first under my Amanda Glass pen name and then later reissued under my Jayne Ann Krentz name). I love the futuristics, too. My current titles in that genre are all under my Jayne Castle name (Amaryllis, Zinnia & Orchid). Hope you enjoy them.

Q: Are any of the latest books by Jayne Ann Krentz going to be available in unabridged audio? I know Books on Tape is doing the Quick books, but they stopped doing the Krentz books several titles ago and I really do enjoy them. (Gayle Smith)

A: Dear Gayle: I know that two of my Jayne Castle titles (Amaryllis and Zinnia) will appear on Books on Tape if that helps. I'll try to keep you posted on other current audio releases on this site. Thanks for the interest,

Q: I've read your books for years and loved every one of them. I just discovered the St. Helens series you right as Jayne castle!!! and I love it do you plan to write more books after orchid??? I think these books are great and would love to see more of them! They are such a breath of fresh air! Hope to hear from you soon!! (Robin K.)

A: Dear Robin: Thanks. I plan to write more Jayne Castles eventually, but there are none in the pipeline at the moment. I'll keep you posted.

Q: Hi Jayne! I noticed that in practically all your books where the heroine has siblings, the heroine is usually the oldest. I was just wondering if this was your take on family dynamics where the oldest female child usually takes on the role of "little mother"? Sorry, if this question is too "out there", I'm just curious if writers read those "relationship" books. Now that I've read Flash, I'll just sit here and twiddle my thumbs until I Thee Wed comes out. Any idea of how long I'll be twiddlin'? Also, have you ever tried to write more than one book at a time or would it be too confusing? Wow, I just read what I typed in. Sorry it was so disjointed. I guess that's why I'm not a writer! =) (Gess)

A: Dear Gess: Yes, I was the oldest in my family (two younger brothers) and I do sometimes use that background as a "springboard". But reading those "relationship books" doesn't help much in my writing. Creating good genre fiction requires tapping into the power at the heart of the ancient, heroic traditions of storytelling -- not modern psychological theory.

Q: Hello, I just had one question and one comment. I love your books and I own as many as I could find. My question concerns your latest novels under the name Jayne Castle. I was wondering if you were going to set any more novels in New Seattle and who they characters might be. I noticed that each character, excluding the first, was mentioned in the preceding novel. Thanks so much and don't stop writing. (Sarah)

A: Dear Sarah: No plans for any more New Seattle books, but somewhere in the future there will be more Jayne Castles. (I just don't know when yet. Sorry.)

Q: Have you finished a new book under Jayne Castle which would pick up a new story on the new world St. Helens earth colony. I know it must be hard to keep up with writing all the books you do under your names. I read all your Amanda Quick books and love many of the ones you wrote under Jayne Ann Krentz. My favorite would be Absolutely, Positively I hope you will continue his nephew and her sister story I would love to read it. Thanks (Angela)

A: Dear Angela: I don't have any plans to do a sequel to Absolutely, Positively. Thanks for your interest, though. Hope you enjoy FLASH.

Q: Hi, Jayne. Hope you had a wonderful vacation. I've just finished reading Sharp Edges. Loved it! Very Cool to have more of the male POV. It made him more endearing (in a masculine way, of course). He could have been The Pirate's brother. ;)

Now that Flash is out, are you going to be doing signings? If so, do you think a list of times and locations could be added to this wonderful site or in the newsletter? Thanks. (Tilly)

A: Dear Tilly: Glad you liked Sharp Edges. I'll be doing a signing at the Northwest Book Festival in Seattle in October. I'll also be at the Emerald City Writers Conference in Bellevue. Don't worry, Cissy will post any and all signings on this site. Thanks,

Q: Dear Jayne, I love all of your books so much. I look forward to your new ones as well. Your web site is terrific and I am so happy to have found it. I have two questions for you. Do you ever read any romance books and if so, which authors do you like? My second question is ...what is an alpha male? (Carol)

A: Dear Carol: Glad you're enjoying the site -- thank Cissy, she's the creative genius behind it. Yes, I do read other romance writers: Elizabeth Lowell, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Suzanne Simmons and Stella Cameron, among others. And as for your last question, "Alpha Male" was a term coined by romance writers a few years back to try to explain the essential qualities of the most popular heroes in romance novels. It has come to stand for the hero endowed with the classic heroic virtues: honor, courage, determination -- a man who may be rough around the edges but who is capable of learning how to love. Beta males just aren't nearly as interesting, for some strange reason.

Q: First let me echo the comments of many when I say that I absolutely love your books. I am very curious, however, to know a little more about the beginning of your writing career. When you first began writing, what were some of the major troubles you encountered? You have mentioned that you do not have a difficult time generating ideas, but rather selecting between the masses. Was this always the case, or did your writing career start off a little more slowly? Did you suffer from many (any?) rejections, and if so, what was your best method of dealing with them?

Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions. I really appreciate it. (Jennifer Mobley)

A: Dear Jennifer: It took me six years to get published, so I guess that answers your question about whether or not I had some trouble at the beginning of my career. I didn't lack for ideas, but a lot of editors were afraid that my style wasn't "traditional" enough for the genre. When it comes to rejections, I've always found that the best way to handle them is to throw them in the trash and immediately get another proposal back in the mail. Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy my books. Makes those six years worth while!

Answers posted September 11, 1998

Q: Dear Jayne, I love your books..my mother got me hooked on your Stephanie James stories and that was "all she wrote"..:) I've thought on-and-off for 10 years or so about writing a romance. What advice can you give a would-be author? (Michaela Cody)

A: Dear Michaela: The most useful advice I can give is to consider joining Romance Writers of America (rwanational.com). The organization provides a monthly journal, local chapters, national conferences, etc. Very useful. The second piece of advice is to read widely within the romance genre to get a feel for the incredible variety of books out there. Try to figure out where your stuff fits in and then send your proposals to the publishers who are publishing for that market. Good luck!

Q: Hi Jayne, I noticed that you said that it will be some time before your next Jayne Castle, do you know when we can see the next one in the stores? (Barb)

A: Dear Barb: Unfortunately, due to contractual reasons, it's going to be quite a while before you see a new Jayne Castle. Too bad, because I do love writing them. But one can't do everything at once. Right now I'm concentrating on historicals and contemporaries. Don't worry, one of these days I'll get back to the futuristics.

Q: Good morning, Jayne! Did you know the hottest thing this summer in South Florida wasn't the heat, but your books?

In June my college roommate, a librarian, handed me, a media specialist, Amaryllis saying, "Give this a try." WOW! I had the best reading summer yet. From Amaryllis to Orchid (I LOVED Orchid and the whole trilogy and spent some fun time theorizing what flower would be immortalized next in New Seattle.... Violet, Laurel, Daisy ... once you run out of flowers, would you move onto gems....with Jade, and Topaz and Garnet?) to The Pirate and on my reading went all summer. I took your books with me everywhere and then Sunday night I discovered your web site. Eureka! Good work, Cissy!

Your books are wonderful reading and re-reading. The characters have dimension, spirit, interests, challenges and guts. They feel like real people you would enjoy meeting. It's a great touch that so many of the books involve books in the plot line. I also love the fact that the plot lines are intricate and feasible. Certain scenes still make me smirk days after reading them.

Although New Seattle may be on hold for awhile, I will continue to explore other Krentz books in the meantime as well as Quick which I have yet to try. Many thanks for so many great reading moments. (Gayle)

A: Dear Gayle: What can I say, except thanks! I'm so glad you're enjoying the books. Please thank your friend, the librarian, for me. As a former librarian, I am always particularly thrilled when another librarian recommends my books.

Q: Recently I've read The Pirate and it's wonderful. The secondary characters are well-developed especially David and Kate's two good friends. I was wondering, will there be any books featuring them?

A: The Pirate is actually a re-release of a book I wrote for Harlequin a few years ago. Yes, there are more in the series: The Adventurer, and The Cowboy. Thanks for your interest.

Q: Dear Jayne: I am currently reading Sharp Edges and I have a question and a comment. What is a "speaking glance"?

Also, I am an inveterate proof reader. I am constantly proof reading anything I read. It's just my nature. On page 290 of the paper back book of Sharp Edges, second paragraph, "Rhonda" was used where it should have been "Fenella." (Annette)

A: Dear Annette: A "speaking" glance is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a "very expressive" glance. Hope that clears up that little point for you. As to your proof-reading comments, I'm afraid that it is virtually impossible to produce perfect books. Between the copy-editing, the typesetting, and the printing processes there are a number of opportunities for errors. The publishers do their best, but mistakes will happen. Thanks for your interest in my books.

Q: Hi Jayne, I love reading your books. I love contemporary romance and seldom read historical, but I have read and loved all of your Amanda Quick books. I would like to have a signed copy of one of your books and would like to know if you will be having any autograph sessions at Seattle area bookstores in support of Flash?

A: Thanks for asking. As a matter of fact, you'll have a couple of opportunities this Fall to get a signed book. The first will be on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 4pm - 5pm at the Bellevue Hilton in Bellevue (in conjunction with the Emerald City Writers Conference). The second chance will be at the Northwest Book Festival (Sat. & Sun. Oct. 24 and 25). I'm not sure when I'm scheduled but there will be detailed announcements in the local papers. Hope to see you!

Q: Hi, Jayne. My daughter and I were just chatting about upcoming releases and I checked for a web site for the first time. I read your response to the reader who enjoys you books the "second time around." I wanted to let you know that I enjoy your books in two ways--I read the hardcover of anything you write--but I also order the audio book as I have a very busy career and often spend hours in my car. Do you have any say about condensed vs. unabridged recordings of your books? I enjoy abridged--but no matter how good the abridgment, nothing compares to a good actress reading every word you've written. In any case, you, Nora Roberts, Tami Hoag, and Elizabeth Lowell write some of the best contemporary romance/suspense/mystery around--and I read Grisham and Patterson too--they can't touch you gals!

Your historicals cannot be matched--the Quick novels are the best in their genre! I write this as we're waiting for Hurricane Earl to decide what he's going to do tonight. Keep on writing--you have a very loyal following out here! (Sherri Patterson)

A: Dear Sherri: Hope you survived the hurricanes! Glad you found the website. Thanks for the kind words on my books. As for the audio books, I have very little say. Generally, the actual words are not changed, but the books have to be cut for length and that is done by an editor who specializes in that kind of task. I certainly understand the importance of the voice. I don't know too much about that side of the business, but I do know that a lot depends on which actresses are available when the book is ready to be produced in audio form. Audio books are a unique media with unique demands. Very interesting.

Q: I have bought every book that you have published and have read some of them over ten times. At each reading, they retain their freshness and interest me all over again. My question is -do you intend to write another book as Jayne Castle? I loved Amaryllis, Zinnia and Orchid but must confess to wondering, if there is another book, who will be the hero! I am looking forward to reading the new hardcover Flash and I want to thank you for countless hours of pleasure. Please, Jayne do not ever stop writing.

A: Many thanks for the kind words. I'm honored that you can read my books as many as ten times and still find them interesting! There won't be any more "flower" books but, sooner or later, there will be more Jayne Castles. Hope you enjoy FLASH.

Answers posted September 4, 1998

Q: Hi Jayne!!! I noticed that a lot of your heroes tend to be "linear " in their thoughts/actions. Do you think this is because your husband is an engineer? My husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-laws are engineers and they often think/act/communicate like some of your heroes. I noticed many of your heroes have technical jobs, does your husband give you any of these ideas?

I love your books. I have all of them except for the Bentleys. I work part-time in a bookstore and recommend your books all of the time. BTW are you a vegetarian? I noticed a few of your characters are.... (Cheryl)

A: Dear Cheryl: Where to begin? Yes, my husband is an engineer. Good guess! And, yes, he helps me out with the research on some of the technical aspects of my stories. And yes, we are vegetarians (with an occasional bit of fish on the side). What can I say? You obviously know me very well from having read my books! Thanks for your interest.

Q: I finally found you on the internet! Been looking for a very long time. I love your books. My first question: when did your website go onto the internet? My second question: Do you go stale on any ideas for book matter. Last Question, why did you change your covers on your books? I liked the depictions of the characters that you wrote. It helps me to get a better picture of whom I'm reading about. (Christina Ropeter)

A: Dear Christina: Glad you found my website. Cissy "invented" it just a few months ago. She did a heck of a job, didn't she? As to your second question, I don't have any trouble coming up with new ideas for books -- the hard part is choosing the ones I want to write about at any given time. And, as to your last question about covers, what you're noticing is a change that is going on throughout the romance genre. Fashions and trends come and go in cover art, just like they do elsewhere. Glad you're enjoying the books.

Q: Help ! in one of your books there was a robot who was a servant. My wife has been racking her brains to find out the title. Can you help?

p.s. Before I retired (2 years ago) I often taught your books in my class in Popular Fiction. The students loved them. (Norman Hinton)

A: Dear Norman: I think the book you're looking for is Conflict of Interest, a Dell Ecstasy title I wrote under my Jayne Castle name. The hero invented robots and had one running around his house. Please tell your wife I appreciate her interest. And thanks for letting me know that you used my books in your popular fiction class -- I'm honored!

Q: This is not really a question but just a comment. Although, I've enjoyed all your books for me the really special favorites are those that develop the non-traditional family ties (i.e. Hidden Talents, Deep Waters, Trust Me, and Absolutely, Positively just to mention a few). I hope that you plan to do more 'non traditional families' in future books. Again, thank you for so many hours of reading pleasure! (Rebecca)

A: Dear Rebecca: Don't worry, family themes (traditional and non-traditional) will continue to show up in my work. I don't see how anyone could write without them! Thanks for your continuing interest.

Q: I have read all your work with a great deal of pleasure, and I've introduced you to several friends as well. I own all your books except for the elusive MacFadden titles. One of my favorites is the Amanda Glass title Shield's Lady. I know you like futuristic plotlines, so I am wondering if you plan to set any more books on this world? It has lots of interesting possibilities. (Marsha)

A: Dear Marsha: I don't have any more books scheduled for the world in Shield's Lady, but I definitely plan to get back to paranormal/futuristic stories one of these days. Thanks for asking.

Q: Hi Jayne - I've been curious about similarity between the Heaven's Gate cult and the cult in Deep Waters. The book was published before all the publicity about the cult in San Diego, but they had previously been active in the Northwest and I was wondering if you had heard about them and based the cult in your book on Heaven's Gate. (Jean)

A: Dear Jean: Believe it or not I finished the manuscript for Deep Waters many months before anyone had ever heard of the Heavens Gate cult. I was horrified when the headlines hit at about the same time as the book! One of those amazing coincidences. But there was a major difference: my Deep Waters cult was simply a financial scam operation, not a "real" cult.