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Guest Author: Jenna Petersen

Contest is over. The winners are: Lorelie and Amy C. Lorelie, you get a complete set of the Lady Spies books (SIGNED!) and Amy C., you get a signed copy of Seduction is Forever. Please email Jenna and claim your prizes.

Thanks again to Jenna for coming by to visit us. Jenna, come back again soon!

____________________________________

How I Kept a Secret and Learned to Love Widgets (All in One Summer)

Hello and thanks so much for having me! I should probably introduce myself, I’m Jenna Petersen and I write historical and erotic historical romance (as Jess Michaels) for Avon Books. My latest book just came out, Seduction Is Forever. It’s a historical romance that ends my Lady Spies series.

So, I’ve been bursting with a secret since July 2007. If you read my recent Avon Romance Blog entry, you probably know that keeping secrets… yeah, not my forte. Especially when they’re good. And this one was definitely good. You see, I got a very cryptic email from my editor right before RWA National, inviting me to a “Secret Meeting”. Cue the mysterious music. Of course, I accepted. Who can resist a mystery? Certainly not me.

When I arrived, a handful of authors and I were locked into a room where we were told about the new HarperCollins Author pages. It was a basically a brand new program our publisher was doing to help us authors promote ourselves through these really cool, interactive pages at the HarperCollins website. Up until then, our pages at the publisher site had been a photo, a really brief bio and a booklist. They got the job done, but could they be any more boring?

So I listened to all their descriptions and I then I got to play with their new tools. This included not only the site builders, but the widgets, which are little embedded icons that relate to an author’s books. I learned about countdown widgets (like I have at my site for Everything Forbidden, which comes out on October 30) and “Look Inside the Book” widgets and all kinds of things that bring interactive content to a site. Plus, we found out that ANYONE could load a widget to their site, whether a reader or an author. Which was pretty cool.

Obviously, the meeting had me jazzed. I was so excited to share this new development with everyone I knew and a few people I didn’t. But then they dropped the bomb…

We had to keep it a secret until the launch.

What? I couldn’t share the excitement of building this new page and picking out colors and playing with content with the known universe? I blog, it’s now in my nature to share every little thing. I can’t help myself. But I made the big vow to keep quiet.

And then I went home and realized I actually had to build a page. It isn’t like I hadn’t done it before. I have not one, but two websites. One is my Jenna Petersen author site and the other is my site for aspiring authors, The Passionate Pen. But this was something different. I wanted the content to be fresh and fun, something my readers couldn’t find anywhere else. But since I can’t keep my big mouth shut (see above), that turned out to be more difficult than I imagined.

Thank goodness the fine people at HarperCollins actually gave me a roadmap… and deadlines. I had to write bios. Sounds easy, just tell people about yourself, right? Except that there were three bios to write now, as well as interests to list (it turns out I have very few interests beyond writing, so I’ve made a mental note to get hobbies). Should I share about where I went to school? Do I talk about my sad addiction to Halo? Is it kosher to reveal that my hair really isn’t red? These were the tough decisions I was asked to make.

Then I had to pick favorites amongst other people’s books! Virtually impossible, since I have loved to read my entire life. A different book for every mood, I say. But I went through every book (yes, every book) on my keeper shelf and picked a handful that moved me most.

But I think my favorite part of the experience was filling out the Facts and Fantasies section. These are fill-in-the-blank sentences that flash randomly across our author pages as readers explore the site. An example: “I would cast these actors if my latest book was made into a movie…” Wow, what an open ended statement! I had never even thought about it before, as I wrote Seduction Is Forever. So I pondered, and looked at pictures online and finally I answered:

Sean Bean and Reese Witherspoon.

And then I was distracted by how ruggedly handsome Sean Bean is. But eventually, I did get back on track and kept working on my author page. I got to pick colors (trying to stick to something that fit with my other websites), as well as the pretty funky design that is unique to each page. I was able to talk about the process for my latest releases, share details about alternate endings and think about why I wrote them.

Basically, I got to sit down and really reflect on myself as a writer and a person and analyze my books one by one. Not bad for a summer’s work, right? By the time it was done, I was bursting with the secret, and really wondering how it would all look when it was put together.

And I could not be happier! The page is fun, I love how I can change it any time I want, and I’m so excited about being able to share bonus content with readers there that I won’t be putting out anywhere else.

So by this point, I’m sure you’re thinking, “So where’s the page?” Well, you can find it here. And there are tons of other authors who did this process for their own pages alongside me, so do some exploring and check it out. (There’s a list of them on this press release.)

So how do you think I did? Do you like being able to access so much info about your favorite authors, or do you miss the mystery? And if you do like having ‘all access’, what’s your favorite kind of info? Stuff about the books? Personal things? Pictures of cats?

Anyone who posts a comment today will be entered to win an entire autographed set of my Lady Spies books (From London With Love, Desire Never Dies, and Seduction Is Forever). Oh yeah, and if you add a widget for any author (that you can download from HarperCollins to any website or MySpace page, you will also be entered to win a signed copy of Seduction Is Forever! So comment early and comment often and go play on the new author sites! I look forward to chatting with you all and hearing your views.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 22nd, 2007 at 9:00 am and is filed under Guest Author. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

42 Responses to “Guest Author: Jenna Petersen”

  1. Crystal B.
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 9:22 am
    1

    You did a great job. I love it when authors share information with readers. I like to know what the author is working on, inspiration for books, personal information, excerpts, a blog, etc.
    I added your widget and Elizabeth Boyle’s to my myspace page. www.myspace.com/crystalgb

  2. Andi & Stien
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
    2

    Wow, it looks great. The colors really work, and the lay out too. And you’re absolutely right about Sean Bean being handsome, hehe *swoon*.

    Andi :D

  3. Maureen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 10:20 am
    3

    I like your page. I enjoy reading a little bit about the author and seeing what he/she has written. Although I have read some authors from their first book, most of them that I find have a backlist and I enjoy seeing what else they have written. Also, information about any actual people or places is always interesting.

  4. Selene
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 10:36 am
    4

    I like the page, though for my taste there’s a little too much going on on the first page. (Although judging by some authors’ MySpace pages, this is very discreet indeed, so I’m probably in the minority. :-) )

    Selene

  5. Stacy S
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 11:07 am
    5

    This is great!! I’ll have to start checking all the other authors out now too. It’s hard to keep a good secret..

  6. Michele G
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 11:23 am
    6

    This is awesome. You did a great job.

  7. brownone
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 11:24 am
    7

    Jenna…you KNOW I LOVE the “lady spies series!! I just added the widget for Seduction is Forever to Everything Forbidden to my igoogle homepage…http://www.google.com/ig! I’m SO looking forward to that one…

  8. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
    8

    Thanks everyone! The site was fun to make. They actually just approved a whole bunch of pictures I added from my current Fabulous Fall Booktour, so you can see those on the www.harpercollins.com/jennapetersen page.

    AND today I was told to start creating a page for Jess Michaels, my alterego for erotic historical romance. :) So there will soon be one for http://www.harpercollins.com/jessmichaels (right now that’s just the old site).

    So it seems like most of you like having access to personal info from your favorite authors. Anyone feel the opposite way? That you liked the old days when all you knew about an author was if you liked her books or not. And maybe… MAYBE a one paragraph bio?

  9. anne
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:10 pm
    9

    You did a really fine job. I enjoy knowing more about the author. It is fascinating to be able to learn about their lives, how much they have travelled, where they do take trips and all about their research etc. It is interesting to read more about them.

  10. Christy H.
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
    10

    Oh wow! I had no idea about these HarperCollins Author pages! I love learning more about authors. Thanks fo all of the great information.

  11. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
    11

    I love to know that stuff, too, Anne! Sometimes I even discover things about my writer friends that I didn’t know from a blog or a website or MySpace. Like my friend Kate Smith just posted some new author photos that are so pretty. I never would have seen them if I hadn’t been snooping around her Facebook! LOL

    Christy, so glad to give you the head’s up about the HCAuthors pages!! I think Harper did an awesome job creating this platform for us. There aren’t many publishers, especially big publishers, who do this kind of stuff.

  12. SweetNSourGirl
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
    12

    Wow that’s cool! I love it when authors have an interesting webpage that I can find. :)

  13. Helen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
    13

    I love the new pages I have been popping over to them since I learn’t about them.
    I love all the information that I can get about my favourite authors.
    Thanks Jenna
    Have Fun
    Helen

  14. Sue A.
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    14

    The Harper Collins webpage is beautiful! The photos are a nice touch personal touch. Let us know when you finish the Jess Michaels page.

  15. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:36 pm
    15

    Sue, I think they’re hoping to launch it some time in November (since EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN will be out then). So look for it then! :)

    JennaP/JessM

  16. catslady
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
    16

    Actually I saw this the other day but didn’t realize it was something new. I have a lot of authors on their tracker list and I was looking at one that wasn’t well known to me but I remember thinking how neat it was. Now you’ve helped me realize that lots of authors are doing this now and I’m definitely going to want to go to lots of them. I love finding out all kinds of tidbits about authors. Thanks.

  17. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 12:52 pm
    17

    Yes, there were 40+ authors who were part of the pilot program! I think in the next few months probably more and more authors will join up and get their own sites. So definitely keep exploring. :)

  18. Nathalie
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:52 pm
    18

    I love it… looks great! Must ahve taken a lot of work :)

  19. Christin
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:53 pm
    19

    Awesome! :)

  20. Lily
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
    20

    I really appreciate it when authors take a little time to tack more about themselves and their books… we readers are just so curious!

  21. Lila
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
    21

    I was surfing the other day and saw some changes… great!

  22. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:55 pm
    22

    Thanks Nathalie and Christin.

    Actually, their program was really interactive. Harper sent us pallets and design elements. We picked the ones we liked. Mostly, it was just entering content. Which is always the biggest amount of work for any website. Then our editors reviewed it, copyedited, etc. Then it was approved. Now when things are approved, they auto-publish. So that’s very cool!

  23. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
    23

    LOL, I know I am as a reader, Lily! I like to know if someone has kitties like me or likes the same shows. Of course, it can be a double edged sword. There have been people whose personalities have gotten under my skin. It’s harder to like a book by someone who you don’t like. So I guess that’s the downside. If you make yourself unlikeable, then maybe you lose readers.

    Lila, don’t they all look great! I thought it was really interesting to see which authors picked what color schemes and designs. Sort of a personality test. LOL

    JennaP/JessM

  24. Jennifer Ray
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
    24

    I love it! You did a fabulous job on your pages! I almost didn’t finish the blog though after you tried to distract me with Sean Bean…

    *Jennifer, who is your newest fan and made ‘Everything Forbidden’ her recommended read for October 2007!*

  25. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm
    25

    Thanks so much, Jennifer! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. For everyone else, it’s not available yet, but Jennifer had a review copy for her review site. :) EF hits stores on October 30th! I’m very excited!

    JennaP/JessM

  26. Helen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
    26

    I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Everything Forbidden and it is fantastic I recomend you all get it when it is released it is not put downable.
    Have Fun
    Helen

  27. Rachel
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
    27

    Jenna…I love to read all of your stuff! The passion you have for your writing comes through in everything you do.
    PS…Sean Bean is a handsome devil!

    All the best,
    Rachel

  28. ruth
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:19 pm
    28

    Your pages are excellent. It is a great idea to have these pages available since I appreciate learning more about authors.

  29. AmyC
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
    29

    Hi Jenna, that is very cool! I added a widget for Seduction is Forever on my myspace page! :)

  30. Angi
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:25 pm
    30

    It looks great :) I’m not done playing though … a new toy … just what I need to keep my butt rooted to my chair more LOL Oh well it beats doing dishes my a mile LOL

  31. Lorelie
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
    31

    Anyone feel the opposite way? That you liked the old days when all you knew about an author was if you liked her books or not. And maybe… MAYBE a one paragraph bio?

    I think it’s unlikely you’ll find people roaming around the internet, particularly on Bam’s site, who are gonna say they don’t like more info about their authors and books. I for one find sites like these by going looking for more information. Perhaps I’m wrong but I imagine the people who liked the old days max out when they hit Amazon. It’s got almost every author’s backlist, they wouldn’t need much more.

  32. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
    32

    That’s an excellent point, Lorelie. I suppose if you are visiting a blog, you probably like blogs. LOL Otherwise… um, why torment yourself? So those who don’t like info will be a silent minority.

    Have fun playing, those of you who have just discovered the new pages. And thanks to everyone who has added a widget! They are so cute. I could fill a page with only widgets.

  33. Toni A.
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
    33

    hi jenna, both look really awesome. good job! :)

  34. Amanda
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 4:10 pm
    34

    I love to read more about my favorite authors. I think it’s great idea. You did an awesome job Jenna.

  35. Jennifer Y.
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
    35

    I love the websites…I have added several of the book widgets to my blog already….I think I am going to change them up each month since there are so many great ones to choose from. They are so much fun and a great way to tell others about great books!

    http://jennifersrandommusings.wordpress.com

  36. Jennifer Ray
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
    36

    Jenna, you SHOULD be excited! ‘Everything Forbidden’ is a fantastic book!

    Helen, I agree wholeheartedly with your description of ‘not put downable’! LOL

  37. Amy
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 6:02 pm
    37

    How exciting for you! I have recently begun a hunt for your books. Borders didn’t have anything on the shelves, so I hope that means they sold out!
    I’m always looking for new authors, and ways to find them! Best of luck with your pages!

  38. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 6:05 pm
    38

    Thanks again, everyone, for stopping by today and commenting on the author sites! I hope I’ll be able to come back another time. :)

    The winner of the complete signed set of Lady Spies books was Lorelie.
    And the winner of the the signed copy of SEDUCTION IS FOREVER was Amy C.

    If you two will email me privately at jenna@jennapetersen.com with your addresses, I will mail the prizes to you ASAP! :)

    JennaP

  39. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
    39

    Amy, I hope you’ll keep looking! If you ask, hopefully they can order some if they didn’t for some reason. :)

  40. Jennifer Ray
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 6:13 pm
    40

    Congratulations, Amy and Lorelie!!!!

  41. Helen
    Posted: Oct 22nd, 2007 at 7:19 pm
    41

    Congratulations Amy and Lorelie if you haven’t read these books already you are in for a treat they are fantastic.
    Have Fun
    Helen

  42. Jenna Petersen
    Posted: Oct 23rd, 2007 at 4:21 am
    42

    Thanks so much for having me, Bam!! :) And thanks to everyone who commented yesterday.

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