Frequently Asked Questions

Updated June 4, 2011

Where do you get your ideas?

Some people claim that I harvest them from the dreams of sleeping innocents, but that's a slight exaggeration.

Seriously, most of my ideas come while I'm listening to music, often in a moving vehicle of some sort. There's probably an explanation for this, but I don't want to think about it too hard. Never look a gift idea in the mouth, right?

How long have you been writing fiction?

Since February 1995. It took six years to get my first book published, then another (yikes!) five years for the second one. Since then, they've been coming out on a regular basis, one or two per year through at least 2013. Thank you very much if you've helped me realize my dream (and stay employed) by buying or borrowing one of my books.

What are your books about? When are they coming out? What order should I read them in? Where can I buy them?

All these questions (and more!) can be answered in the Books section of this website. If you can't find the answer there, it must be a really fascinating question, so please contact me to ask.

What age ranges are your books appropriate for?

Shade is for ages 14 and up. My Aspect of Crow trilogy is probably fine for 14 and up, while my urban fantasies (the WVMP Radio vampire series and Requiem for the Devil) are probably better for 16 and up.

Will Requiem for the Devil ever have a sequel?

Nope. Not every book needs a sequel. After a lot of consideration, I've decided to keep that series to just one book. If you like the style and tone of Requiem, you’d probably like Wicked Game and Shade.

Which internets are you on?

I’m active on Facebook (where I also have a fan page), Goodreads, and am totally addicted to Twitter, so come friend me!

How old are you?

Old enough to say, “Next question?”

Let’s talk about my needs now. How can I get an autographed copy of your books?

One of these ways:

Order from Constellation Books, a fabulous independent bookstore in Reisterstown, MD. When you place your order, be sure to let the nice folks there know whether you want it simply autographed or if you want it personalized (i.e., "To [name of awesome reader]"). Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Join my newsletter. I give out a limited (but generous!) number of autographed bookplates by request with every quarterly issue. PLUS, before each issue, I draw two names at random to win free autographed books or Advance Review Copies (ARCs), so...bonus! Sign-up boxes for the newsletter are located on the right-hand sidebar of this page and most other pages on the website.
OR, Send your copy of the book to me at P.O. Box 66, Westminster, MD 21158 with a self-addressed stamped envelope for return. Let me know how you’d like it personalized. Again, allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

How can I get books or ARCs to review on my blog?

The quickest way is to send a direct request to my publisher (Pocket Books for the WVMP series and Simon Pulse for SHADE). If you don't have a contact there, then fill out my contact form and I will send the publisher your request.

The following information is required in the original request to me:

Name and mailing address. NOTE: my publisher can send books in the SHADE series to US, Canadian, and UK addresses only. Books in the WVMP series will be sent to US addresses only. Though some of my books are published in foreign languages, I don't have contacts at those publishers and therefore cannot handle requests from any countries but those listed here.
Your blog's URL address
Which book(s) you'd like to review

Will you read my work and refer me to your agent/editor?

Sorry, but for legal reasons (not to mention lack of time), I can’t read fiction that isn’t already under contract to be published.

But wait! I have a contract. Will you blurb my book?

First of all, congratulations! Second, I prefer blurb requests go through my agent, Ginger Clark at Curtis Brown, Ltd., because it's hard for me to say no to a new author, even when my deadline schedule says I really should. Thanks!

I'm looking for advice on how to get my book published. Can you help?

Since each career is unique, I can't offer specific advice to aspiring authors. Writers organizations such as SFWA and RWA are generally reliable resources.

I sent you an e-mail but you never replied. What’s up with that?

I try to reply to reader e-mail within the week, but deadline pressures have caused me to get behind, and for that I am truly sorry.

Also, I get a ton of spam at my business e-mail address. If you haven't heard back from me after a month or so, I might have accidentally deleted it, especially if your subject line was “Hi” or “For Jeri” or “med$ at the best prices 4U!” Consider resending the message with a subject line such as “Shade is the best book ever.” Or just use the contact form.

How do I subscribe to your quarterly newsletter?

Just type your e-mail address into the box at the top of this page (the one that says “Sign up for Jeri’s newsletter”). Each issue has at least one contest, so sign up and win stuff!