Who the heck is this C.J. chick?
This week, the Wicked Writers will be blogging about something we know better than anyone else on the planet – ourselves and our books. I helped plan this blog with novelists of multiple genres to enlarge the audience each of us would be able to reach on our own. More and more mainstream books are considered cross-genre these days, and I believe a blog reflecting those trends would be a leap in the right direction.
Sharing information comes second nature to me — I have the gift and curse of gab. It’s aided me in a successful career being self-employed for well over a decade. What I know about writing… well, let’s just say I learn more each day and I’m grateful for it.
I have an academic background in art and science and a professional background in all things real estate. Art reflects my active imagination, science showcases my fascination with systems and control, and my work life taught me how to sell – a unique combination of interests and skills to bring to writing, to say the least.
One of my best friends and fellow Wicked Writer, Supriya Savkoor, encouraged me one fateful night in January 2009 to put my wild ideas down on paper. She followed up with phone calls and emails – even offered exceptional writing advice to the newly enthralled and ignorant writer that I was. I’d like to say I’ve retained all the wisdom she shared, but punctuation will forever be my downfall.
What I did do well was take my love of reading fantasy, mystery, suspense, and erotica and weave it into a tale that falls under Urban Fantasy. My book, Vampire Vacation, takes all of these elements and mixes them up with a walk through the world from a powerful ancient vampire’s point of view. Vivian’s a sarcastic realist who owns a remote Alaskan resort for the undead. When an un-drained corpse is discovered in a locked room, she tries her hand at playing detective while still attempting to manage the vacationing vampires. Sex, mayhem, and intrigue abound and the lush innkeeper struggles to control it all.
I’m happy to report that, so far, the book has gained a pretty loyal following on Facebook. The manuscript is currently out with several agents and has been requested by four publishers. Results from two contests could steer the fate of Vampire Vacation to a publishing contract this month. I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on the outcome.
Thanks for stopping by and giving our blog a read. I love hearing and responding to comments from fellow writers and readers – please share your thoughts by clicking on the link at the top of this post!
C.J. Ellisson
Gregory Marshall Smith
David Sartof
Anastasia V. Pergakis
James Garcia Jr.
George Allwynn
Sharon Hamilton
J.D. Brown
C.J. Ellisson lives near Washington DC with her husband, two children, two Staffordshire bull terriers and a young cat to whom she’s newly allergic. 
After spending most of her working life associated with real estate, she’s now pursuing a new passion of fiction writing. Her Erotic Urban Fantasy series stars a smart, strong, and slightly sarcastic female vampire running a resort for the undead in Alaska.
J.D. Brown lives with her two Pomeranians on the border between Wisconsin and Illinois. She enjoys the best of both worlds: peaceful country side and neurotic city life. J.D. began writing for publication in 2009, when she started her first Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Thriller series, Dark Heirloom. She fell in love with the craft and her writing became a wicked hot obsession.
Gregory Marshall Smith, born in Somerville, Massachusetts and raised in historic Medford, is a jack-of-all-trades. 
Anastasia V. Pergakis is a high fantasy author, mostly. She also writes Sci-Fi, Urban fantasy, and mystery novels. Her main novel, The Faery’s Tale Saga is a four part series, a high fantasy mixed with action/adventure and romance. She also writes dark poetry and the occasional twisted or humorous short story. Besides writing, Anastasia also loves reviewing/editing, cover art design, and web design. 
The eccentric George Allwynn not only pens GLBT romantic suspense, but at times, has been caught sneaking in some paranormal, humor and (gasp!) erotica. 
Sharon Hamilton loves all things paranormal: angels, vampires, a witch or two, and even some hybrid beings who don’t know what they are. 
David Sartof has a PhD in management philosophy, has served in the Merchant Marine and as an Officer in the UK’s Royal Air Force. In addition, he spent most of the first decade of the 21st century developing businesses as an entrepreneur. 
David is the author of River of Judgement, a crime novel set in the City of London during the start of banking crisis of the late-noughties.
James Garcia Jr.began writing when he discovered horror novels in junior high. Later, he set aside his dream of being a writer while he and his wife started their family. 
Hey CJ…you forgot to mention Vampire Vacation is in the top 5 in one of the contests. I’m pretty impressed you’ve been able to write such a GREAT story in such a short time!!
Thanks W.J.! Glad to hear you like it!
I find out if the story makes the next round of elimination today – it narrows the field down to three. We’ll find out the winner on Jan 15th. I know the days until then are going to drag for me!
I’ll be watching for the results. Try not to chew off all your fingernails
Fingers crossed for you and VV in the contests, CJ! It’s only a matter of (a short amount of) time before you’re out in mass-market!
Thanks Nicole! They just announced fourth and surprisingly V V is still in the race!
Looking forward to seeing more posts. ^^
Thanks for stopping by and checking us out! More posts are on the way tomorrow – next in the line up is Greg.
This is a good website for Horror and Vamp writers. A lot of intellectually gifted writers like CJ and others. I will definitely hang out and check in here daily. I like a daily chat with people like me. Hello to you all on here.
Vamptig
Hey Vamptig! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words. Looking forward to a daily chat as well – writing can be very solitary by nature, eh?
Cheers,
C.J.
Hi CJ – just found your blog thanks to @dougbremner earlier tonight. I’m looking forward to reading all the profiles of the five of you
I’m a fellow writer and hope you make it to the top!
Hey Madison! Looks like I owe Doug a big thanks – I’ll have to track him down and tell him. Always glad to see a fellow writer stop by – and a huge thank you for the kind words! I’m also hoping I make it to the top – but I bet every writer I know has the same dream, right?
Why is everyone else’s life so much more interesting than mine?
All kidding aside, this is a great blog. I feel that I am allied with a soon-to-be major writer in the horror genre (watch out Stephanie Meyers).
I’ll have to read “Vampire Vacation” when I get a chance. OH, wait, I already did, didn’t I?
Well, I’m off to work on my next blog (to be posted 1/12/10 at 2…p.m.)
I’m not so sure my book would be called horror – I’m confused what genre it would be and was going to ask whomever has read the full MS for help deciding! The sex and relationship with the married couple don’t quite fit with the horror I’ve read, but I haven’t been reading anything in that genre for a decade or more. I think you, Supriya and a small handful of other writers on WDC were the first ones to read the whole MS. Your help was invaluable and if you ever read the book when it’s published you’ll see your input in every chapter, I’m sure.
Hey – don’t make me get my whip out! I’ll be grabbing it by noon next week!
It’s probably a mix of two genres — erotic horror like you might find on http://www.talesoferotichorror.com or Dark Seductions: Tales of Erotic Horror by John Scognamiglio and Alice Alfonsi (I think they’re both Greek or Russian) or the Hot Blood anthology series.