Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Yes, yes, more Adrien. But barring THAT, any stories you're hoping for? Any particular characters you'd like me to revisit?

I'm always looking for ideas -- and I'm open to suggestion. (No promises, though!)

oK, I won't say Adrien! When is Tequila Sunrise coming out? love all of your books by the way!

Thanks very much, Lori! I'm sorry to say Laura and I decided not to move ahead with the Crime and Cocktails series. She might end up continuing the series on her own one day, although I know she's pretty busy with her other activities at the moment.

Sorry the news is disappointing!

Thanks for replying, that *is* disappointing BUT I shall forgive you :)

NOW I'll say Adrien tho!

Ouch! You're obviously a tough negotiator in your real offline life. :-D

I HAVE a real offline life? (looks around ...)

Adrien and Jake and all their family circle and writing group weirdos are worth visiting anytime!

I have a soft spot for Nathan and Matt from Snowball in Hell and surely would love to read a sequel. If not, perhaps another historical romance/mystery from you? They require such hard work I know you'd enjoy the process :)

I am absolutely determined to do a follow up to Nathan and Matt. I actually have two storylines in mind, so...it's just a matter of finding the time. I have them scheduled for the end of the year, but at the rate I'm going...probably realistically next year.

More Nathan and Matt? Yes! Good news *g*, even if we have to wait for it.

Josh wrote: "I am absolutely determined to do a follow up to Nathan and Matt. I actually have two storylines in mind, so...it's just a matter of finding the time. I have them scheduled for the end of the year, ..."

YIPPEE! I love a writer's determination :)

Thanks, Chris. Those two are one of my all time favorite pairings. It drives me nuts I haven't been able to get back to them in nearly two years.

Thanks, Eve. *g*

How can I write Twas the Night Before Christmas based on Adrien and Jake and not answer with them? But other than that:
1.Sequel to Cards On the Table
2.Sequel to In A Dark Wood
3.Sequel to The Dark Farewell
4.Sequel to Don't Look back
5.Sequel to Other People's Weddings
6. Sequel to Strange Fortune
7. Sequel to SKHE
8. Sequel to The French Have a Word For It (is it word or name? It is labeled both)
9. Sequel to A Ghost Of A Chance
10.Sequel to A Limited Engagement
11. Sequel to TGWYS
12. More from the fellas from Dark Horse, Old Poison, I Spy
Have I left anyone out?
I love how you write characters with physical ailments. I would love to read a phobic character (not snakes though), you'd write it better than I ever could.I really enjoyed Ghost of a Chance and would something else along those lines.

Andy wrote: "How can I write Twas the Night Before Christmas based on Adrien and Jake and not answer with them? But other than that:
1.Sequel to Cards On the Table
2.Sequel to In A Dark Wood
3.Sequel to The Dar..."

I think you should post that poem here. Fans of the series would love it. *g*

I don't even want to look at that list. My jaw dropped.

You did give me a great idea with the phobic character thing. Probably not snakes, I agree. *g*

I do like writing spooky old house stories. A regular ghost story would probably be fun to do again. I try and break up the physical ailments -- at least as far as chronic illness -- but I do enjoy exploring that dynamic. Now that I think about it, I've written only one CI story this year, and that would be The Dark Farewell. I hadn't thought about that!

Josh wrote:"I think you should post that poem here. Fans of the series would love it. *g*
I don't even want to look at that list. My jaw dropped.
You did give me a great idea with the phobic character thing. Probably not snakes, I agree. *g*"

I'll post it, if you want. It's your if you want to share it.
I think you'd write a kick ass phobia story. Glad I gave you a plot bunny!
I loved Ghost of a Chance and how you captured the feel of a ghost story. I would love a sequel with those two - perhaps another haunted house to investigate? And what I love about your chronic illness characters is that they are not pity parties. They cope and live 'normal' lives. And they do not get a miracle cure at the end.

Josh wrote: "I don't even want to look at that list. My jaw dropped. "

You should have been prepared for it. I have said I would love a sequel to every story you have written but one. And I still feel guilty about that...

Andy wrote: "Josh wrote:"I think you should post that poem here. Fans of the series would love it. *g*
I don't even want to look at that list. My jaw dropped.
You did give me a great idea with the phobic charac..."

I think readers of the series would get a kick out of it.

That's actually one of the stories I always forget about, but at one time I did have a sequel in mind for them.

I have a number of friends with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and one thing about their lives -- they aren't about their illnesses. Yes, illness does influence and affect, but I get impatient when I read characters who can't seem to cope. I love competency -- especially when it's against the odds.

I'd love to see a sequel to Cards on the Table, and of course more Matt and Nathan. I love the 'noirish' feeling and the creepiness of In a Dark Wood, it's back to the empathy again. I want to know what happens next to the characters, can Tim get dried out and make a relationship with Luke??? Can Timothy and Jack make it work out?.....

Josh wrote: "Andy wrote: "Josh wrote:"I think you should post that poem here. Fans of the series would love it. *g*."

Ok, here it is...

A/N: I wrote this for Josh for Christmas as I was getting ready to read The Dark Tide. I had it set to be read on Christmas Day - and waiting that long was killing me and I was very tempted to peek at the ending. I was also under the influence of allergy medication.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The Sony reader was plugged in with care,
knowing a full battery soon would be there.

I was nestled all snug in my bed,
while visions of The Dark Tide danced in my head.
A little nervous with the end of the series,
would I be right with any of my theories?

When down in the living room there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the hallway, Louisville drawn in a flash,
Tore down the stairs, tripped and fell with a crash.

The firelight was casting everything aglow,
Illuminating my newly broken toe.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a sight I did revere,

A writer of such grace and panache,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Josh.
More rapid than eagles, my questions they came,
and I jumped and shouted sounding like some crazed dame:

"What about Adrien! And Jake!
Natalie and Lauren!
And Bill! And Lisa!
Angus and Emma too!

I had to know if everything turns out right!
I could hardly be polite!
Tell me! Tell me!
I must know how it ends now!"

Sitting down St. Josh quickly replied,
told me I’d have no reason to treat him like William Bligh.
Seems Adrien has a lot to sort through,
with Guy, Jake and Mel too.

I warned I’d hit the roof.
if Murder, He Mimed received a galley proof.
And what about Chan. Would he get his wish,
and strike it rich when he decides to self publish?

Would we see Jake dressed in leather, from his head to his foot?
Would he be able to give his BDSM fetish the boot?
Or will Adrien decide to take Guy back?
I must admit, the mere thought is causing an anxiety attack!

Jake’s eyes--how they twinkle! His smile, how merry!
Doesn’t Adrien see that this is the one he should marry?
And with that troll Mel wanting in on the show,
I just had a feeling he was related to Jordan’s Russeau.

Would Em finally get a horse that she could call Matt?
Or would Adrien give her Tomkins the cat?
Will Tomkins get a fat little belly?
Does he love to curl up on Adrien’s lap while he watches the telly?

Will Angus come back a better man?
Or does he now drive a delivery van?
Does Jake cause Lisa to see red
and would a reconciliation fill her with dread?

The thought of Adrien without Jake drives me beserk.
When will he see that Jake isn’t a big jerk?
The end is filling me with much sadness,
no more Adrien and Jake might drive me to madness!

St. Josh sprang to his feet, and gave a loud chuckle.
And then laughed so hard I thought he knees would buckle.
And I heard him exclaim, “There’s no reason for such fright!,

"Now, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Yes, I'd love more stories with Matt/Nathan, Timothy/Jack, Tim/Luke. But also The Dark Farewell - I'm curious to know how how Flynn and Julian get on. Particularly Julian: does he learn to read (does he even want to?), does he get his cafe, how about his health etc.

Andy wrote: "Josh wrote: "Andy wrote: "Josh wrote:"I think you should post that poem here. Fans of the series would love it. *g*."

Ok, here it is...

A/N: I wrote this for Josh for Christmas as I was getting r..."

I think one of the things I love about this is it really was the Christmas season. *g*

So funny. Thanks for that.

Liade wrote: "Yes, I'd love more stories with Matt/Nathan, Timothy/Jack, Tim/Luke. But also The Dark Farewell - I'm curious to know how how Flynn and Julian get on. Particularly Julian: does he learn to read (do..."

That's one of the stories that I don't know that there's really enough plot for a full-on story, but maybe sort of a follow up like I did with ISSB.

Mmm. Maybe a 1920s Christmas visit...interesting. Not least because that period in New York's history -- and the gay community -- is really fascinating.

Jan wrote: "I'd love to see a sequel to Cards on the Table, and of course more Matt and Nathan. I love the 'noirish' feeling and the creepiness of In a Dark Wood, it's back to the empathy again. I want to kn..."

Dark Wood is one I do definitely intend to revisit. It's another sort of grim piece. I have to be in the right frame of mind. Maybe next year will be my year for catching up a lot of sequels.

Josh wrote: "I think one of the things I love about this is it really was the Christmas season. *g*
So funny. Thanks for that"

I am glad you enjoyed it. The Dark Tide made my Christmas Day very enjoyable. I was very tempted to peek several times and I am glad I didn't. A truly beautiful story.

I'd love to see a sequel to Cards on the Table

for some reason, Cards on the Table is one of the short stories that I reread often. It's a story that always tugs at my heart. Maybe there's something about it being a draft for Adrien English series? I thought the story wrapped up nicely already though.

Actually, for a short story I would love something from Jake's POV. It could even be a scene already written, like the scene on the boat... Or, just to be difficult a short from Lisa's POV.

Thanks, Andy.

And as far as a story from Jake's POV...I don't rule it out. It would be tricky, but it would be fun for a short story to see Adrien's world through Jake's eyes.

And fun to see Adrien as well, perhaps.

Eve, Cards on the Table is another one of the stories I tend to forget all about. I too feel like it wrapped up neatly. Certain stories I deliberately leave loose ends so that I can always go back and work in that world again. But some of them feel complete. That one generally feels complete.

Josh! I would die joyfully if you revisited anything from the Darkling thrush. I cant seriously be the only one who loved the characters, the whole idea of the AU.. and seriously you have so many plot bunnies to grab a hold of and swing off of for ages. It might just be my undying love for fantasy and books, but I love the idea very much. And Colin was adorable.

And of course strange Fortune (I think I see a running theme.)

Samantha, I'm going to be honest here. The readers who bought The Darkling Thrush really did seem to appreciate it (for which I am abjectly grateful -- it's so hard when you try something new!), but that has to be one of my poorest performing titles of all time. Readers just didn't buy it. It's not that they didn't enjoy it, they didn't BUY it. Period.

So, truthfully, it is discouraging. I did have plans for further stories, but we'll have to see what happens. Sometimes books suddenly break out in third party sales venues, so maybe that will happen here.

I did put a lot of time and effort into that world and there's a lot there that I wanted to explore, so thank you!

Gah.. people are dumb. (general theory of a retail assistant) Well I hope you do get to expand the universe, its one of my favourites. A damn original idea and something I could see myself just getting utterly engrossed with. (And I did!) I like it when you try something new, especially fantasy, you always do it so very well.

Samantha wrote: "Gah.. people are dumb. (general theory of a retail assistant) Well I hope you do get to expand the universe, its one of my favourites. A damn original idea and something I could see myself just get..."

Thanks so much. It's a tricky thing. Some readers complain you never try anything new, but they are inevitably the readers who don't buy you when you try something new. *g*

Josh wrote: "Samantha, I'm going to be honest here. The readers who bought The Darkling Thrush really did seem to appreciate it (for which I am abjectly grateful -- it's so hard when you try something new!), bu..."

Just wanted to let you know that your discussion has convinced me to go and buy that book, Samantha and Josh. Something new always deserves a chance.

The blurb did sound a bit 'complicated', and I wasn't too sure what type of book I'd be getting - maybe others have had the same problem? I know (from experience!) how hard it is to write a blurb, so I'm not trying to blame anyone here. Just trying to find an explanation.

I promise to let you know what I think once I've read the book... :-)

Josh wrote: "Samantha, I'm going to be honest here. The readers who bought The Darkling Thrush really did seem to appreciate it (for which I am abjectly grateful -- it's so hard when you try something new!), bu..."

First a snake makes and appearance in my living room, then Spain loses to the Swiss and now I read this... What is the world coming to? I loved that story - even if my Sony reader did not, the formatting was horrid. I forgot to add that one to my list didn't I. You know what my side job is and I think that is where the problem lies. We did everything we could to prevent it.

Serena wrote: "Josh wrote: "Samantha, I'm going to be honest here. The readers who bought The Darkling Thrush really did seem to appreciate it (for which I am abjectly grateful -- it's so hard when you try someth..."

Thanks, Serena. I hate writing blurbs, to be honest. I wish these publishers would all do what the mainstream pubs do and write the damn blurbs for you. Then we could all happily bitch about our blurbs.

Anyway, it's a diffcult story to describe. It is complicated. It's...very much a fantasy novel. How's that for a blurb!

Serena wrote:Just wanted to let you know that your discussion has convinced me to go and buy that book, Samantha and Josh. Something new always deserves a chance"

Oh! Its Amazing, really. The plot is highly original and engaging and the whole universe is well structured. I only wish it went on longer. And as with all Josh's characters, they have a great balance with one another. You wont regret it, I guess its complicated to explain but its not when you read it. (That made sense yeah? XD)

See Josh, I might single handily start the turn about XD

but that has to be one of my poorest performing titles of all time. Readers just didn't buy it. It's not that they didn't enjoy it, they didn't BUY it. Period.

I wonder if that's because people think of you as a mystery writer? Although...people don't buy as many of my fantasy titles as they do my contemporary ones, either, so it could just be that's the way it is for fantasy.

Josh wrote: "Anyway, it's a diffcult story to describe. It is complicated. It's...very much a fantasy novel. How's that for a blurb! "

I like that blurb - I love fantasy. So, yeah, that one works for me. :-)

As for publishers writing blurbs for us: I've got one who gives me a draft (which is brilliant, 'cause then I can add to it if I want) and the other who makes me do a draft first, but then critiques it and helps me make it better. I've learned a TON from both approaches!

Jaime wrote: "but that has to be one of my poorest performing titles of all time. Readers just didn't buy it. It's not that they didn't enjoy it, they didn't BUY it. Period.

I wonder if that's because people ..."

I think it is partly that. And also, per the publisher, contemporary titles sell best of all, so fantasy is going to have a smaller audience to start with. If I'm honest, there's only a small handful of authors who I buy regardless of genre, so there's bound to be some of that. It's one of those titles that will probably benefit as time goes by and readers run out of other Lanyon choices. Sad but true.*g*

Serena wrote: "Josh wrote: "Anyway, it's a diffcult story to describe. It is complicated. It's...very much a fantasy novel. How's that for a blurb! "

I like that blurb - I love fantasy. So, yeah, that one work..."

It's easier when they give us something to work with. Carina Press did the whole damn blurb and that was BEEEOTIFUL. *g*

See Josh, I might single handily start the turn about XD

I'll owe it all to you! *g*

I'll expect an acknowledgement on the sequel! XD

Samantha wrote: "I'll expect an acknowledgement on the sequel! XD"

Stranger things have happened.

What I'd like to see:

A Regency--straight up with spies for Boney and country house dances and everything.
A Depression-era Historical Set in the West.
And... a story where one of the protagonists shoots a guy in the face. (I know I always ask for this, but it just never gets old.)

And actually, I, too would be interested in seeing another story set in the Darkling Trush world. Not necessarily with the same characters, because I don't care so much about that as a reader, but that world really is interesting. A dark, almost baroque bureaucracy.

I'd like more Darkling Thrush world too, the first time I've ever thought that about a fantasy novel. The thing for me is that the character's reactions have to be understandable and appropriate.
Cards on the Table is beautifully rounded off as a story, I just liked the characters so much that I want to know how things turn out for them.

Liade wrote: "The Dark Farewell - I'm curious to know how how Flynn and Julian get on. Particularly Julian: does he learn to read (do..."

That's one of the stories that I don't know that there's really enough plot for a full-on story, but maybe sort of a follow up like I did with ISSB.

Mmm. Maybe a 1920s Christmas visit...interesting. Not least because that period in New York's history -- and the gay community -- is really fascinating.

Yes yes, I know there's not really enough meat in the story for a full sequel - though your musing sounds promising. But at the end of the story they both disappeared so suddenly through the trap door - albeit with a clap of thunder - that I feel a little welfare visit to check that everything works ok is in order *G*.

But tonight I had another quite different idea for a story: one of many evenings spent with a bunch of classical musicians reminded me again that I have yet to come across an m/m story set in that field (or did I miss one?).

Surprising really, for a start the possibilities for innuendo are numerous. Musicians tenderly hugging their instrument between their knees or to their shoulder; keeping their precious historical instruments warm under their arms, all that cleaning of tubes. Imagine nimble fingers and all that blowing *G*. Or The Master with his stick baton.

And what about the possibilities for murder: tons of artistic temperaments/jealousies/histrionics, singers losing their voice, sacked soloists and last minute replacements.

Add to that that the fact that they are real artists (not joking) doesn't usuall stop orchestra musicians from keeping car magazines/crime novels etc. on their music stands for those periods when it's somebody else's artistic turn... I'm still waiting to see the first m/m novel.

Maybe I'm biased (I love it all) but I think the whole setup is just rife for an m/m story or two, with or without one or more murders.

I'd be very interested to know what exactly Jake told Paul Kane about Adrien so that it resulted in Paul managing to identify Adrien. I'd love to read the entire scene, because clearly Jake must've told Paul something more than just mentioning a past gay bookseller lover and appearing all heartbroken about that.

I'm sorry to hear about The Darkling Thrush not selling well - if I have to be honest, I'm one of those readers who prefer contemporary romance novels and bought it only because it was yours. However, somehow it ended being a favourite of mine despite its genre - so it's always worth it to try something new. I definitely was pleasantly surprised!

Josh, I think I remembering reading somewhere that you were going to write a western someday. Since you are familiar with the English riding/hunter/jumper world it would be interesting to have a character from that world plunked into a working ranch where western riding is the order of the day. Having spent some time riding and showing, I think the English riders can sometimes be a little bit....elitist in their thinking. However, being on a horse trained to chase down cattle would be a unique challenge. Maybe add a character of a different cultural background into the mix; i.e, American Indian or Latino. The rest of the plot is yours to work out, I think! ;)

I remember you mentioned "Snowball in Hell" didn't do as well as your other novellas when it was first released. I don't know if it has changed since. Branching out to sub-genre, be it historical or fantasy, always carries a risk and it takes time to get readers (other than your hardcore fans/fanyons) to warm up to them. On the other hand, it's good to add a wider spectrum to your works. Just look at Kit - see what writing ONLY about an old woman and her cat got him into *g*

I love The Darkling Thrush, for me, it's a good blend of historical and fantasy - like a wonderful part-real, part-made-up world building. I trust it has staying power.

So yes, please carry on trying something new! :)

P.S. you know I'd read it if you write phonebooks. but I can tell you what upcoming stories I wouldn't like to see from you - vampires! The whole Twilight books and movies have ruined the whole sub-genre for me.

Cowboys. It's time.