First things first, the winners of Barbara Ross's giveaway are Judy Singer and Abigail!!! You can claim your prizes at:
barbaraannross at gmail dot com
CONGRATULATIONS!
JENN McKINLAY: My favorite part of the writing process is the first draft. I think I used to say that my favorite part was the revisions but I've had some pretty horrific revisions since then and now I love the first draft when there is no limit to my imagination and no one else has gotten their sticky fingers on my project. LOL.
I know I've asked before but, Reds, what's your favorite part of the process? First draft? Revisions? Copyedits? When you see your baby in the bookstore?
Presently, I am roughing it, meaning I'm writing the rough draft of BOOKS OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN. Yes, I'm stepping into a new genre - cozy fantasy - which is described as low stakes fantasy and can be as fantastical or not as the author desires. There don't seem to be any rules. This suits me just fine.
Because it's me, there is humor, as well as a slow burn sub-plotted romance, and a mystery...natch.
One of the best parts of this new venture is the amount of research I've done, looking at pictures of all the amazing libraries in the world, searching for just the right image as my stepping off place. I found this one and knew THIS WAS IT!
The George Peabody Library in Maryland: Isn't it beautiful?
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| Photo shared from: https://www.loc.gov/resource/highsm.18385/ |
Here are more sources if you want to feel reassured that the love of books is alive and well in the world:
But back to the writing, because I can't share the manuscript yet - still roughing it! Here's the short synopsis, to give you an idea of where I'm headed, hopefully.
On the recommendation of her mentor Agatha Lively, Zoe takes the book to the Museum of Literature in New York City, where there is a secret collection for Books of Dubious Origin, known to the staff as the BODO. Housed several floors beneath the museum and inaccessible to all but the chosen few, the BODO is maintained by carefully vetted archivists and librarians. They say the books are full of secrets that can’t be deciphered and possess powers that must be guarded because of their ominous potential.
The volume Zoe received definitely fits the profile. When offering the book to the BODO department, Zoe is stunned to learn that she is descended from a family of witches who specialized in necromancy and the archivists think her book is the family’s grimoire. A confirmed skeptic about all things witchy, Zoe has no interest in discovering the secrets of the strange book. She just wants it gone.
When newfound evidence suggests that someone wanted the spell book so desperately that they murdered Zoe’s grandmother, and quite possibly her mother, to get the volume, Zoe has no choice but to leave her quiet village in Connecticut and join the staff at the BODO in an attempt to crack the book’s code and ensure that she is not the killer’s next victim.
Hopefully, by the time we're talking about what we're writing, I'll be able to share more!
What's the prettiest library you've ever seen, Reds and Readers?
What a fascinating synopsis, Jenn . . . I can hardly wait to read the book!
ReplyDeletePrettiest library I've ever seen [in pictures] . . . The Morgan Library in New York.
The Morgan is so cool! I nearly squealed when I saw a copy of Poe’s Tamberlaine there. The guard was amused and very nice to me.
DeleteOops! That was me. I don’t know why it didn’t include my name (even though I typed it).
DeleteI agree with the comments above on the Morgan Library which had been the private home of the financier JP Morgan.
DeleteI also like the Houghton Library at Harvard University and the reading room at the Boston Public Library.
I love the Morgan!
DeleteOooh, this sounds enticing: secret books, witchcraft, portals to the unknown . . .
ReplyDeletePrettiest library? I've only read about it and seen it in pictures, but the Livraria Lello in Porto is stunning. It used to be free and it was on my bucket list. But J.K. Rowling claimed to have used it as the inspiration for her Harry Potter series, for which I could strangle her: Now they charge for very short tours. On a trip to Porto, we trudged over in hopes, but the long, long line discouraged us too much. Sigh.
Oh, that is too bad. I'll have to add it to my list but maybe not to visit.
DeleteFun synopsis, Jenn!
ReplyDeleteThe most breathtaking library I've ever done research in is the main reading room of the Thomas Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress. It's a functional study room full of reader desks yet also awe-inspiring with arches, ceiling, statuary. Gorgeous! Our national library! (Selden)
Oh, Selden, yes! I love that one!
DeleteThe Boston Public Library has an impressive reading room. I love your synopsis!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Edith!
DeleteThis is just fascinating Jenn--all of your interests pulled together! Your unconscious is working triple time on this one. I thought the Trinity College library was stunning, though I've never visited a library I didn't love.
ReplyDeleteI would kill to be revising at this point instead of slogging through first draft!
LOL - yeah, sometimes the first draft is an uphill climb.
DeleteLove your excerpt and I'm not a fantasy reader.
ReplyDeleteFor sheer beauty, the Trinity College library in Dublin. For sentimental reasons and nothing to do with beauty, my carrel in the stacks of my college library, on a level between floors so no one could find me.
Everyone should have their own carrel - I had one at Buley library at university and at my local Scottsdale Public :)
DeleteThis book sounds like fun, Jenn. I’m looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy!
DeleteYour synopsis of Books Of Dubious Origin pricked my interest Jenn.
ReplyDeleteI almost always include the visit of a library when I visit a new place, I love them so much.
We have beautiful libraries in Canada and in the USA but the history and architecture of the ones in Europe are hard to beat.
I also loved the Trinity College Library of Dublin but the Bodleian Library of Oxford was pretty impressive too.
Danielle
Thank you, Danielle! I loved the Long Room at Trinity.
DeleteJenn, your book sounds deliciously different! I'm in! I've seen very few libraries in person but but, like so many others, the Trinity College is on my bucket list. I'll let you know if I ever get to visit it.
ReplyDeletePlease do! I think you'd love it!
DeleteI really love your courage; by listening to your muse, creating new adventures for your fans. And welcome to the fantastic world, where anything can happen (and does) Please write fast. Libraries. I could say the FCM library at the meditation center which combines books of Buddhist dharma with Buddhist art. Or the newer Seattle public all modern and weird and almost claustrophobic at times -- scary not pretty for me others love it. Do I have to choose? Other choices: The library at San Simeon which held yards of antique tomes complete with the innards of an old library from Europe. I mean the shelves walls everything. So prettiest? maybe it will be the BODO library that is yet to come. Again write fast. Much love as you go roughing.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do hope it's the BODO for you :) Thanks for the positivity, Coralee!
DeleteJenn, I love this outline, The whole concept of Books of Dubious Origin cracks me up (although I know it can be scary too! I am already planning to get your book for my sister, who reads way more sci-fi than I do.
ReplyDeleteMost beautiful library--I'm sentimentally attached, but I think of our own Central Library here in Portland OR. As a child, I remember climbing that beautiful staircase and looking down, using the card catalog on the second level, and hanging out in the (now named) Beverly Cleary Children's Library where my mom worked. The Popular Library was like a grand community living room with easy chairs where you could just sit and read. Central has been recently renovated and your post reminded me that I need to go see it!
Oh, I love that it was named for Beverly Cleary! I remember my childhood library in CT as being magical, too!
DeleteSounds wonderful, Jenn. Cozy fantasy is a new genre to me - looking forward to reading Books of Dubious Origin and learning more about it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kait!
DeleteWhat fun to start something new! Good luck with it. Prettiest library? Hard to say – I’ve been in a lot. But here are few special ones: 1. Trinity College, Dublin. This is very famous, knock your socks off, can’t forget. 2. Jefferson Market branch, New York Public. It was a few things before it was a library, including a courthouse (with cells!). The exterior is kind of a crazy Victorian style, lovely garden (it was in Sex and the City!) and the inside has both charm and spookiness, from all its previous lives. Love it. 3. Soft place in my heart for the beautiful marble library – yes, with lions in front - in my home town. Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library. There was money in town when it was built and civic pride. Gorgeous rotunda with a painted dome says clearly, “This building matters.”
ReplyDeleteNice. We have the same taste in libraries, Triss :)
DeleteOMG, OMG, OMG. First, thank you Barbara! I am thrilled.
ReplyDeleteJenn, your new book is going to be so much fun, I can hardly wait. Your collection of novellas set at the Museum of Literature is an absolute delight and sending Zoe there with her grandmother's grimoire is brilliant. Brilliant! Also, I love the character names. I am wildly waving my hand to be an early reader. XXOO
Yes! We're going to need early readers. I just saw a book narrator on bookstagram named Swarm - no, not kidding - and he may or may not become a character in BODO.
DeleteLove the outline! Can't wait to read the book and find out what happens.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Candace!
DeleteWowza, Jenn, that's quite the plot you've dreamed up! Have fun with the writing...
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am having so much fun, throwing off the fetters and just going for it.
DeleteThe prettiest library? I haven't visited too many, but I love the geology library at Ohio State. Second level balconies overlooking the main floor--not too big--sort of cozy, old, and out of the way. You felt like almost anything could happen there. But then again, favorite library is always the one closest to wherever I find myself.
ReplyDeleteJenn, cozy fantasy is a great definition of the kind of fantasy I enjoy. Like Garth Nix and those left-handed librarians! Interesting how a library is often a jumping off point for current fantasy. Speaks to the power of books to enchant us!
I think books are having a renaissance these days.
DeleteOh, I adore Garth Nix and the Left-handed Librarians!! Have you read these, Jenn? If not, you must! I hope he writes another one soon.
DeleteOooh, I don't know. To me every library is beautiful. But I definitely lean towards older libraries as having more character.
ReplyDeleteCharacter. That's the perfect word, Pat.
DeleteThis sounds wonderful! I can hardly wait because I love libraries so much. The Trinity College Library is gorgeous of course but I also love the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. I did reference work there for my doctorate and it was hard to stop looking and work.
ReplyDeleteAtlanta
Dang it, I was with two teens in Paris and didn't get to see that one. Must go back!
DeletePrettiest library would be the Library of Congress in DC. I did some research there for a job nearly 50 years ago and still remember its beauty and charm.
ReplyDeleteUgliest library is, sadly, the public library in my hometown in NJ. It was built in the 1960s and I loved it when I was growing up. It was so exciting to have a whole building rather than a few rooms in the basement of the oldest school. About 20 years ago, when visiting my mother, I went back to the library. What a disappointment! Cold fluorescent lighting. Painted cinder block walls. Low ceilings. Ugly metal furniture. It really made me appreciate my library here in Massachusetts. It is currently closed for expansion and renovation, part of which is restoration of as much of the original Carnegie structure and decor as possible.
Carnegie was the inspiration for the Museum of Literature! What a legacy.
DeleteJENN: Love the wonderful creative names and the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteMay I ask if you were thinking in Sign Language when you created the names Zoanne / Zoe Z. and Agatha Lively? I love that you created Z names.
IMHO, the most beautiful library that I have seen in real life is the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
Diana
The Bodleian is on my list! I don't know that I was thinking in sign language but I do love alliteration.
DeleteJENN: Enjoy working on the first draft on your new cozy fantasy series.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with DIANA about Oxford, England's Bodleian library.
Oddly, the current ugliest library, Ottawa's Main branch, will so be replaced with the construction of this stunning state of the art building called Adisoke.
Here's a rendition of the library
https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/central-branch-adisoke
Oh, thanks for the link, Grace. I love looking at library architecture...clearly. :)
DeleteJenn, I haven’t read fantasy for years but this sounds so delicious I have to read it as soon as you have an arc!
ReplyDeleteTrinity Library in Dublin is my favorite.
Mine, too! And thank you, Rhys!
DeleteOh, take that back. The library in Alexandria, Egypt is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI just saw pictures of it while making this post - yup, it's now on my list.
DeleteThere are a lot of well known libraries both here and in other countries which offer tours and virtual tours if you aren’t able to visit in person.
ReplyDeleteThere are also many older libraries, both public and private-usually university libraries which have beautiful architecture on the outside, but have renovated the insides to the extent that they are more utilitarian now and have lost some of their original charm.
Andrew Carnegie provided endowments all over the country to provide libraries to many cities and universities these, of course, are known as Carnegie libraries.
Downtown Phoenix has a Carnegie Library. His reach was mighty - thank goodness!
DeleteJENN! THIS. IS. FABULOUS. YAAAYYY!!!!!! (and the Boston Public LIbrary is pretty amazing....)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh, I love BPL!
DeleteJenn, I always think I don’t read fantasy, but then see a synopsis like yours and say, “Oh, that’s fantasy? I’m in!” Love the idea of the BODO.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the prettiest library I have ever seen (in real life), it has to be the Library of Congress. I was so excited to be there. I wasn’t that enamored of the tour (too much emphasis on the artwork depicted on the walls), but was entranced by the reading room! When I found that anyone could get a Readers Card, I left my husband and son to their own exploring and got one! I didn’t know what to look up once I was there so tried to do some genealogical research. Since it was a last minute thing and I didn’t have any of my notes, I mainly just looked around. But I can say I did some research in the Library of Congress! (And the branch library in my home town where both my sister and I worked when we were in high school will always have a special place in my heart. As will the librarians there.) — Pat S
Thank you, Pat! I, too, love the LOC!
DeleteJenn, I can't WAIT for this!! I already love the Musuem of Literature novellas and they make the perfect jumping off point. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteMost beautiful libraries? The Bodleian, tops, then maybe the London Library. The Library of Congress is stunning. And while I wouldn't call it beautiful, I love the British Library. I could live in one of the reading rooms quite happily.
I've always thought it would be fun to live in a library and some of these old ones? Heaven.
DeleteI've looked up many of the libraries mentioned here (on Google of course).
ReplyDeleteBut, I think my daughter would say her favorite is the library at Reed College in Portland, OR. In fact, that is one of the major reasons she chose Reed. It's not a big spectacular library - but she was enchanted by the fireplace and the library cat! She was an English major.
Oh, that sounds just perfect.
DeleteMeant to add a shout out to librarians! Yeah to Jenn too (as a former librarian).
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteLooking forward to taking this new venture with you, Jenn. Sounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark!
DeleteI realize I'm a day late and it is likely no one will ever see this comment, but I can't help myself. Jenn, this summary sounds AMAZING!! Cozy fantasy was a genre I didn't know existed, but I have apparently been reading it for a while. I can think of several books I have LOVED that fit your description of the genre.
ReplyDeleteThe most impressive library was the main library in downtown Helsinki, Finland. Three walls of the building are glass. The floors are wooden. There are live, full sized trees and shrubs decorating the entire space. There are ramps and slopes and stairs with acoustics that allow children at one end of the library to play and yell and scream. Yet, the voices do not travel any further than their immediate area. Here you see parents and children sitting on the floor reading and playing games. A little robot car called Veera takes the books from one area to another. The entire set up of the library is to take advantage of any light that is available even during the darkest months. Please go online and view a photo of this marvelous architectural wonder called OODI which was a project for the 100th anniversary of Finnish independence which opened in 2018. From the sky, the roof looks like a giant ocean wave!
ReplyDelete