I’ve had so much email and so many questions from other sources about a sequel to Wicked Hot that I decided I needed to say something official about it. Yes, I planned a sequel (actually I planned a trilogy) and proposed it to my St. Martin’s editor, and she did not want it. Yes, I was disappointed. However, since I also like being employed and paying bills I promptly moved on to something else and Animal Attraction was approved and written and will be out next March.
In theory writers can write anything they please; in reality, they need to deliver what publishers will accept to fulfill contracts and there is not an infinite amount of time and energy for non-contractual projects with uncertain outcomes. But can’t I sell Wicked Fire elsewhere? Well, there’s the uncertain outcome.
Due to contract terms, pretty much the only alternative is to offer Wicked Fire to my Ellora’s Cave editor, who may or may not want it, either. And this may not be a very satisfactory solution to readers who bought the first book in print and might never think to look for it as an ebook with a different publisher, or for those who buy the second book as an ebook and have to go hunting for the print book, which might be difficult to find by then. Due to the probable time lapse between the print release of Wicked Hot and the e-release of Wicked Fire, should EC acquire it, it may have missed its window for readers who wanted more. By the time a print version came out, it would likely be two years or more after the first book and the window looks even worse. And then there’s the inevitable reader frustration of not being able to get both in the same format.
So, I’m not sure that there’s a good answer to this. I don’t like leaving readers wanting, and I very much wanted to tell that story, but for now Wicked Fire sits in partial form on my hard drive. If enough readers want it, though, I can talk to my EC editor about it and see what she says. If you’d like to give your input, let me know in comments how you’d feel about getting it in ebook format.
Charli,
Well you know what *I* think of Wicked Hot! I loved it: http://www.denisemcclain.com/blog/blog.html
I for one cannot wait to hear about Dal’s story, which is what I’m guessing Wicked Fire tells.
Sounds like a dilemma to be sure, but perhaps after seeing the sales from Wicked Hot your editor will change her mind?
Denise, it’s not very likely that she’d take a second look at this point; the book would be so far out in the publishing cycle that that window problem would be huge.
Gotcha. Yes, it does seem like the publishing world is similar to the military: hurry up and wait.
I’m sorry to hear that, but I for one, if it got around that Wicked Fire was available as an ebook, would purchase it. My own curiosity for the rest of the story is too high to let something like a different medium scare me away!
Obviously I have no clue how your option clause reads, but what about another print house since it’s been rejected? I know I know…those things can get sticky 🙂
Ok back to edits so I can go READ 😀
Fingers crossed the books wind up where they will be loved. 🙂
You know how *I* feel about it. I’ll take it in any form I can get it. ebook, print, you calling me and reading it to me… I’m easy!
I still have the lovely signed copy of Wicked Hot you sent me on my TBR, and I can’t wait to dive in. If I like the story as much as I think I will, I wouldn’t hesitate to get the second story from EC, different format or not.
I still can’t believe your editor didn’t want the sequel to Wicked Hot. I’d hang on to it a bit and see how much mail the publisher gets about it. If the book gets has a shelf-life and the buzz keeps getting better, who knows what might happen.
But we definitely need you to finish it and publish it somewhere!
Charli: As a reader of both print and e books, I just want the story. I stayed up all night to read Wicked Hot and had to work the next day. I didn’t care, it was that good. I hope EC will publish it, I really wanna know what happens to that hunky brother!!!
Thanks for the input, guys. I will put Dal’s story in the schedule tentatively and run it past my EC editor. : )
What about the baby? And Claire? I am not familiar with EBooks. But I can definitely tell you that I would read it in any format I can get it. It’s a favorite and must-read!
You telling me I have to buy Wicked Hot in paperback? Man tell the nutts to sale first book in e-book,then sale EC the second one and I’ll be happy.LOL I Love Ebooks Oh well,gone to order from
amazon.