The first week of the tour features the first book, Jenny Pox, and you can check out the review that Pushy and I wrote when we first discovered the genius and awesomeness that is Jeff Bryan.
Heather: The Paranormals series has followed Jenny, a girl whose touch transmits a plague like pox, as she navigates small town life in isolation. When she discovers her opposite in Seth, a boy whose touch can heal people, Jenny’s life is changed drastically when she can finally have somewhat of a normal life. And that’s when all hell starts to break loose. Where did you get the initial idea for this series, and how did you expand it into three books?
Jeff: Initially, the first book was more of a character study than a plot-oriented story. I had lots of ideas about Jenny, her life, and how her power would shape her existence. It was also obvious from the beginning that she would have an opposite, a boy with a healing power who could touch her, so that would be her first real human contact.
Expanding into three books was just a matter of following the implications: Ashleigh would have an opposite, whose touch spread fear instead of love, and he’s really the catalyst who expands the story – that’s why the second book is named after him. At the same time, it didn’t seem fair that Jenny could ONLY be with one guy in the world, so she needed another option in order to have a choice. Alexander isn’t just resistant to the Jenny pox, he actually feeds on it – it enhances his power. So that was a new twist rather than just having another guy who happened to be immune.
Heather: Alexander Death is the third and final book in The Paranormals series. How does it feel to wrap this successful series up, and do you have any plans to revisit the characters in the future?
Jeff: It’s both satisfying and sad to wrap up the series. I’ve spent a lot of time with these characters, and I’ve enjoyed all the great feedback from bloggers and other readers who have really connected with them. But, like the third book cover says, all things must end, and it was time to bring the story to a conclusion.
I do sometimes have thoughts about continuing the story, but there’s nothing solid right now. So much was resolved in the trilogy that I would need to start an entirely new story arc, and I’m not sure what that would look like. It’ll be some time before I write more about Jenny, if that happens.
Heather: You explore the mythology behind what kind of beings Jenny, Seth, Ashleigh, Tommy, Alexander, and Esmeralda really are much more deeply over the course of the three books. How much research went into deciding what they were, and how much did you twist to fit your mythology?
Jeff: My basic conception of them is loosely based on Lovecraftian ancient beings, from the chaos before our current universe. I imagined such ancient evil entities learning to incarnate among humans. Some keep to their original nature, expressing their inner evil in the human world. Others learn and evolve from their experience. I think it would be hardest for Ashleigh to evolve, because if you can make everyone love you without any effort, you’ll never really learn about love at all.
Since they reincarnate, I found places where they would fit into history – as gods, witches, sorcerers, things like this. For the second book, I researched places where plagues had served as a turning point in history, and eventually settled on the Peloponnesian War, where a plague in Athens helped alter the course of the conflict between Athens and Sparta.
What did I twist to fit my mythology? Probably everything I touched, in particular the history and mythology of ancient Egypt and Greece. The first big pyramid in Egypt was the Step Pyramid, and that was built for Alexander, who was incarnated as the pharaoh at the time (though they weren’t called pharaohs yet). I think this fits pretty well with his late 19th/early 20th century incarnation in Fallen Oak, the same obsession with death, legacy, and leaving monuments to himself.
Heather: Who would win in a cage match between Jonah from the Haunted E-book, Jenny, Tommy, and Alexander from the Paranormals series, and Douchette from Mid-Afternoon? By the way, my money’s on Douchette because I always bet on the one with the weird name.
Jeff: Hmm…Jonah would have the advantage of nobody really being able to touch him. He’s a slippery ghost. But the vampire Douchette would have the advantage of coming from a world where very little makes sense and there are lots of wild cards. I think Douchette would win by first letting Jonah take the living humans, and then he’d probably trap Jonah in some kind of book. Probably a Sesame Street board book for toddlers, just for the humiliation factor.
Heather: Yes! And I would now be at least fifty grand richer! Eat that UFC, and this proves the dominance of batsh*t crazy vampires over other supernatural creatures.
Jeff: As if there were ever a doubt.
Heather: What has been the best part of writing and publishing your own books? And the most unexpected? One thing that I love about Indie writers is the shorter time between books. You’re able to give the readers a new novel in less time without sacrificing quality.
Jeff: The best is just having an outlet. I used to have a cycle of writing books, sending out a flood of query letters to New York literary agents and so on, then going into kind of a bad depression because it was nearly impossible to get published or even to get representation. It’s so much easier to write now because I don’t have to worry about any of that nonsense – I just pick my own cover artists and editors, and when the book’s ready, it goes on sale, available all over the world. I love ebooks, the Kindle, the Nook, all of that. As you mention, that’s so much faster than the years it can take to get a book published by a traditional publishing company.
The most unexpected part has been the huge level of support I’ve gotten from book bloggers and also from other indie authors. It’s amazing that the book blogging culture is out there to provide support. I don’t have to spend time “selling” books, I can just send out review copies and provide content like guest blogs, and that way establish a presence and relationships in a very informal kind of way.
Book bloggers are kind of everything to indie authors – you can imagine a world with book bloggers but no indie authors, but it’s kind of difficult to imagine a world with successful indie authors but no book bloggers. So, I would say it’s very unexpected that writing turned from an extremely solitary (and kind of hopeless) activity into an intensely social one. I’m fortunate to have made friends with so many great writers and bloggers.
Though sometimes bloggers have unusual requests, like wanting you to name characters after them and things like that.
Heather: And Pushy and I think that every book should have at least one character named Heather–they really are the most versatile characters *wink*
Jeff: See what I mean?
Heather: Hey–oh well, get to work on your next trilogy. It is called The Chronicles of the Fabulous Heathers, right?
Jeff: Um, spoiler alert?
Thanks, Jeff, for an awesome interview and being a great sport. And for the record–yes, the character of Dr. Heather Reynard in The Paranormals was named for Pushy and me.
About JL Bryan – website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
J.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on the English Renaissance and the Romantic period. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He enjoys remixing elements of paranormal, supernatural, fantasy, horror and science fiction into new kinds of stories. He is the author of The Paranormals trilogy (Jenny Pox, Tommy Nightmare, and Alexander Death). Fairy Metal Thunder is the first book in his new Songs of Magic series. He lives in Atlanta with his wife Christina, his son John, two dogs, and two cats.
About Jenny Pox – goodreads, amazon, Barnes and Noble
Jenny has a secret. Her touch spreads a supernatural plague.
She devotes her life to avoiding contact with people, until her senior year of high school, when she meets the one boy she can touch, and she falls in love.
But there’s a problem–he’s under the spell of his devious girlfriend Ashleigh, who secretly wields the most dangerous power of all.
Now Jenny must learn to use the deadly “Jenny pox” she’s fought her entire life to hide, or be destroyed by Ashleigh’s ruthless plans.
And now for the contests:
Prize #1 – The chance to win a gorgeous, Jenny Pox themed bracelet featuring the caduceus for Seth’s healing power! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and you will be automatically entered in the giveaway. Comment by 11:59 CST, October 24, 2011.
Prize #2 – The second giveaway is a Kindle Fire, skinned in the winner’s choice of Paranormals artwork and loaded with an AMAZING indie library! Simply fill out the form below (just once during the course of the tour) and you’re entered to win the latest and greatest from the biggest name in eReaders: an Amazon Kindle Fire! Open US/Canada. See full contest rules here.
Check out my reviews for all three books in The Paranormals series, these are books that you don’t want to miss!
Jenny Pox, Tommy Nightmare, Alexander Death
And check out all of Jeff’s other tour stops. The first week will focus on Jenny Pox, the second week will focus on book two, Tommy Nightmare, and the third week will feature Alexander Death! There will be a daily jewelry giveaway at each stop. Full schedule can be found on JL Bryan’s Kismet Book Touring page.
Jenny Pox week:
Monday, October 17th – Bewitched Bookworms
Tuesday, October 18th – Fangtastic Books
Wednesday,October 19th – Coffee Table Reviews
Thursday, October 20th – Splash Of Our Worlds
Friday, October 21st – The Unread Reader
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Great interview! This series looks fascinating. 🙂
My recent post Book Review: Shattered Dreams by Ellie James
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LOL that was great! As a book blogger its so nice to know that we are appreciated and that our reviews and your guest posts do sell books. I love reading the self published books I am sent for review and I really think the bloggers who don't accept them are missing out big time!
At the moment I am just about 20% from the end of Alexander Death and it is awesome! I'm quite shocked at Jenny … but I will say no more! I think this series is my most recommended. Anybody who asks me for a recommend gets this one shoved down their neck 😀
Once again I'm wishing I had a US address so I could enter the giveaway 🙁
P.S. You know, it did cross my mind that Heather in Alexander might have been named after you.
My recent post In My Mailbox #40
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Wonderful interview! Like the Slowest Bookworm, I love reading self-published authors and think that we, as bloggers, need to show our support for them. If not, you're missing out on some extraordinary books 🙂
I look forward to reading your series <3
My recent post The Lost Blog Tour ~ Excerpt & Giveaway
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I loved all 3 books! I hate that the series is over, but I am satisfied with how it ended 🙂
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Love this interview. I like getting to know an author. Thank you Jeff for letting us get to know you. 🙂
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Love this interview. I like getting to know an author. Thank you Jeff for letting us get to know you. 🙂
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What I like most about J.L. Bryan is how down to earth he is. He even takes the time to chat with fans on Twitter. A totally approachable guy. No matter what he's talking about he always puts humor into it. Not to mention he's a great writer. I own every one of his novels. Definitely one of my favorite authors.
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Awesome interview!!
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Very interesting interview. I like where you got your ideas. Interesting twist on the genre. Great interview
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Hi Heather and Jeff! Just stopping in to say hello 🙂 Great guest post ya'll!
Added the link to my site for some extra traffic (I hope).
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Thanks for having me over, Bookworms! I wanted to mention that Jenny Pox is still free on Kindle this morning if anyone wants to grab a copy.
@Lieder, Hesperia, Lisa, Tamela – Thanks, I'm glad you liked the interview 🙂
@Slowest Bookworm – Jenny's having a pretty wild time…
@Jill – Thank you! I'm so glad you loved the trilogy!
@Britany – Hi! Thanks for coming by 🙂
@Claudia – I really appreciate the link! Hope your Parallel tour is still going well 🙂
My recent post Blog tour launch! Win prizes, make friends, read blogs.
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Hey J.L.! I absolutely love this series! Seriously…I am so glad that you are doing so well because you are an amazing author ! Also, thanks to the Bewitched Bookworms for the chance to win a Jenny Pox bracelet! So excited!
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I SO TOTALLY WANT TO ENTER THIS. But, since I'm a member of the blog – i can't. boooooo! Just got Jenny Pox on my Kindle – thanks for the heads up, Jeff!
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Thanks for the chance to win! I love the Paranormals series!
andralynn7@gmail DOT com
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I loveee this series!! Read them all!!
My recent post J.L Bryan Give Away
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Seriously…. I want this Bracelet… SO BAD! But my fav bracelet is coming later in the tour! (No, I won't say where and when … this will be a surprise, you have to follow the tour)
But, as I'm a member of this blog and also working together with Jeff on his tour, I can't enter… Makes me sad…
I really want this Bracelet!
Oh and Jeff and Heather: Awesometastic Interview!!!
My recent post The Paranormals Blog Tour and Author Interview with JL Bryan and Contests
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hahaha he's funny! What a great interview. I downloaded Jenny Pox on my Kindle the other day–how fitting. Thanks for the awesome interview and giveaway!
kaitlynkline[at]gmail[dot]com
My recent post IMM (13)
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I have heard a lot of great things about this series. All three sound amazing and are on my TBR list. I can't wait to start reading The Jenny Pox. Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Sthrnsweetie115@AOL.com
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Thanks so much!! I've been hearing such wonderful things about this series. I must start it soon!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
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I have recently started reading indie books and I really like them. This series looks like another great way. Wishing you a wonderful tour, hope you reach tons of readers.
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I'm about 20 pages away from finishing Alexander Death…loved this series!!
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Was anyone surprised that JL Bryan is a man? I love his female characters! I think the reason people give those one star reviews on Amazon for Jenny Pox and call it "porn" is that the sex scenes are so realistic. There aren't rockets exploding and bosoms heaving and all the other nonsense. It's just sex. Which apparently frightens people!
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I just loved Jenny Pox, and I am hoping to read Tommy Nightmare very soon. Thanks for the giveaway, and I love the interview
My recent post Review of Iron King by Julie Kagawa
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I am a huge fan of Amanda Hocking (and was way before she hit the million book mark, lol!) and when she recommended JL Bryan's books I thought, "What the heck!" and purchased Jenny Pox. Reading the book was like riding a rollercoaser….if you really, really like riding rollercoasters! I almost even threw the book down towards the end but then picked it back up and was so glad I finished it. It was one of the best books I've read in a long time! I have since read Tommy Nightmare which didn't disappoint and am getting ready to start book 3. LOVE this series, it is one of my favorites!!
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These books are really interesting, and they draw you in. Definitely check them out!
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I think that the bloggers that don't read self published books are missing out big time too. I've yet to read one that I didn't like. In fact, some of the best books that I've read in the last couple of years have been self published. Authors like Jeff Bryan, Scott Nicholson, Claudia Lefeve, and Amanda Hocking have put out consistently great books, and I've really enjoyed reading their work. I'm constantly recommending their books to other people.
I was quite surprised with the changes in Jenny in Alexander Death, but once you get towards the end, you'll be pleasantly surprised 😉
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Ditto on the self published books, see my comment above in reply to the Slowest Bookworm. If Jeff were to write a series featuring us, it would be a lot of chocolate and complaining from me with a heavy dose of sarcasm, and a lot of wine and optimism from Pushy. Add in a bunch of kids under five, two husbands, and two careers, and you wouldn't have much of a very exciting series 😉 I love that we can joke with Jeff, he's still the same guy that he's always been.
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Me too–I can live with the ending. Now I'm ready to move on to Jeff's Fairy universe.
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And that's one of the best things about Jeff, he's so approachable and he hasn't changed one bit. You can joke with him about anything and he gets it.
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Thanks, Claudia, for linking up the interview.
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You want the bracelet? I totally want the Kindle Fire, but I'm in the same boat as you. So I preordered one the day they were announced.
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I'm a big fan of Amanda Hocking too, but I actuallly found her through JL Bryan. I definitely became an even bigger fan of hers when she offered me an advanced copy of the third book in her Trylle trilogy. I was excited to be one of three bloggers that she offered them to. Anyway, definitely get to Alexander Death. It is a bit of a rollercoaster ride too, but it is so good you have to finish it up.
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Hi Katy! I guess you're back for another blog tour 🙂
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You're welcome! I won't rest until all the Bewitched Bookworms have read it..
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Hi Andra! Thanks for coming by!
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Thanks, Erica! 🙂
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That's great, Laura! 😀
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No one was more surprised than me…
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Thank you! I enjoyed your review 🙂
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Yep, Amanda is a wonderful and kind person!
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omg plague?! that is definitely unique! Thanks for the giveaway. Also, at first glance, it looked like Bryan could have possibly looked like Kellan Lutz in his younger days… yeah lol
shae_carcar(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I recently purchased Jenny Pox and have books 2 and 3 on my wishlist. Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us today. I am definitely looking forward to the "incredible Heather trilogy" snick, snick – sometimes you have to pay attention to the spidy sense LOL Appreciate the fun today!
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
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Ok I've got to get my Pox on- I hear such great things. I will succumb!
Pabkins @ Mission to Read
My recent post Little Known Blogs: Reading Under the Influence
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Great interview, cute bracelet, awesome series, amazing giveaway…need I say more?
barbbattaglia@yahoo.com
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Great interview! Loved the silly banter 🙂 Love your books Jeff!
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I Loved, Loved, Loved Penny Pox and Tommy Nightmare and cannot wait to read Alexander Death. I see what JL means about Jenny Pox being more character-driven as I had the same thought when reading it. And normally, I'm not a fan of strict character studies, but the mythos and world JL was playing with grabbed me right off the bat.
Thanks for the giveaway op!
Smiles!
Lori
My recent post Welcome!
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Thanks, if that's a good thing!
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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The Incredible Heathers will be an amazing 10-book series!
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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Ha, sounds like we got you, Pabkins!
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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Thanks, Barbara! Good luck! 🙂
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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Thank you, Ginny!
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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Yep, and the second and third naturally get a little more plot-driven…
My recent post Blog Tour: Interview on Splash of Our Worlds
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Thanks for this giveaway: i hope the brecelet giveaway is open internationaly…please
isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com
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Such a great series! Thanks so much for the blog post! 😀
Ammy Belle
apereiraorama @ gmail . com http://lateintothenight.blogspot.com/
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"Book bloggers are kind of everything to indie authors." <– AWW! See my grin? Because I'm really grinning!
I can't wait to read Jenny! Jeff's other book was AMAZING and I know this one will be too!
mimivalentine@hotmail.ca
My recent post Follow Friday #21
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These books sound awesome. Thanks for introducing them to me and I am crossing my fingers to win. 🙂
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This is a fantastic contest and a great tour! I'm loving the posts coming from it! I've read the Paranormals Trilogy and fell in love. 🙂
My recent post Author Spotlight: Chris Lindberg
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I just finished Jenny in a 2 day reading marathon. Just couldn't put it down. Now I'm about halfway through Tommy and can't wait to get on to Alexander. Just wishing it wouldn't end.
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I just finished Jenny in a 2 day reading marathon. Halfway through Tommy now and can't wait to get on to Alexander. Just wish it would never end.
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