Octocon Online

Octocon,

This weekend is Octocon weekend and of course because this year is a hell year things are different. But far from cancelling (how could they have cancelled???)

This is Octocon’s 30th anniversary, Guests of honour are Michael Carroll, and founders Helen Ryder and Phillipa Ryder.

No, THIS YEAR it’s ONLINE.

And there’s even more good news. It’s FREE!

You can access it through the miracles of technology and all the details can be found on the Octocon site here

The full programme is here. And this is what I’m up to…

Ruth Frances Long at Octocon 2020

Hope to see you there!

New Books on the way

New Books, WIP, Writing Craft, Writing Life, , ,

Exciting news as I have signed a new contract with Bookouture for a further two books. Both of these will be standalones and I’m really looking forward to sharing them with you.

The first book is out in March next year, with the second to follow in September.

They are both a little different and both stories that I have wanted to write for ages. Real books of the heart. Also the first, which I refer to as Foxfield, is a cautionary tale on never giving up on a book you love. I wrote a version of it a few years ago but the market was not there for it at the time. It was a young adult book, on the younger end of the age range. When I spoke to my lovely editor Ellen about it she saw the possibilities and the rewrite is underway as we speak, no longer young adult and with a darker, more adult tone.

It always pays to remember in publishing it only takes one yes, and some books take just that little bit longer, and perhaps a few adjustments, to find its place.

I’m so happy to be able to say that Foxfield is going to finally make its way out into the world in a new and even more exciting form.

Bookouture re-sign Thorne and Josselsohn

Nightborn is out today!

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Nightborn, book 2 of The Hollow King is out today and available in ebook, print and audiobook.

I’m so delighted to share the second part of Grace and Bastien’s story, and to fill in some more of the mysteries of the Hollow King. There’s also lots to learn about Ellyn, Danny and Kurt. Action, adventure, romance and omelettes.

‘I legit just finished reading this book, and I’m speechless… my heart was breaking… the whole ending was just me switching between the sobbing, mind blown, shocked, angry emojis… There really isn’t a calm moment in this book, and it keeps you turning the page… you’re going to fall in love… kept me up until the light started shining in through my window. Perfect binge-able books. Have I convinced you yet?’ Writing the Universe, 5 stars

‘I don’t know what to say. I still haven’t recovered yet… kept me in complete suspense… led me to despair and back to earth again… At some points I was completely devastated and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. I went through all the possible feelings through this story… amazing book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I stayed up wayyyy too late reading this story, but it was definitely worth the lack of sleep… actually had me tearing up… Recommended!’ Goodreads Reviewer

‘I devoured this book and stayed up into the early hours of the morning just to finish it… completely blew me away… My heart broke… I found myself shouting nooooo more times than a little… be prepared for a heart-wrenching emotional journey… It’s a page-turner… sure to be a bestseller… brilliant book.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I devoured this in one sitting!… Jessica Thorne delivers delicious romance, intrigue, and all of the drama… I was enthralled and couldn’t stop turning pages… Five stars!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I went through so many emotions reading this story… It literally at times makes your heart break. It is full of action, adventure, romance, magic and courtly intrigue… Fantasy fans, you really must read this series.’ BookishReadsAndMe, 5 stars

‘Wow… There’s romance and magic… The pace doesn’t let up… a brilliant fantasy adventure that gallops along.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

The BlogTour is up and running too. Check them out all this week.

RNA Awards night

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We had a fantastic trip to London for the Romantic Novelists’ Association annual awards. The Stone’s Heart was nominated for the Fantasy Romantic Novel award so I was there as Jessica Thorne. Here are all the finalists in our finery.

Belinda Jones, Eleanor Harkstead, Ruth Hogan, Jessica Thorne, Rowan Coleman

Congratulations to winner Ruth Hogan! I had such an amazing night and it was so much fun to see everyone. Roll on next year! 😀

Behind the Bestseller Podcast

Fantasy Romance, Guestblogging, Interviews, Podcasts, RNA, Sci-Fi Romance, Space Opera, Writing Craft, Writing Life,

I had such an amazing time talking to Sam Blake on her podcast, Behind the Bestseller. 

Romance is the biggest selling genre worldwide and award winning author Ruth Long, in all her various incarnations as RF Long, Ruth Francis Long and Jessica Thorne, writes romance combined with fantasy – from parallel worlds to sci-fi space opera, for both young adults and adults. Discussing what romance is and why it’s so popular, Sam Blake explores how Ruth develops character, the secrets of world building and what makes a successful book in this huge genre. Ruth outlines how important community is and how organisations like the Romantic Novelists’ Association can be of huge help in assisting authors build their career.

Come and listen to us chat about fantasy and romance, about worldbuilding and all the things my characters get up to when I’m not looking. It makes sense*. I promise.

 

*it may not actually make sense.

The Stone’s Heart RNA Award Nomination

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I’m over the moon to share that The Stone’s Heart, the sequel to The Queen’s Wing by Jessica Thorne has been nominated for the Romantic Novelists Association Fantasy Romantic Novel Award. It’s an amazing shortlist and I’m so delighted to be on it. All the details and all the nominations are on the RNA website here.

We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the prestigious 2020 Romantic Novel Awards in what promises to be a spectacular year for the Association, as we celebrate our 60th (Diamond) Anniversary. Writer and performer Jenny Eclair will present the Awards during a ceremony at Leonardo Royal London City Hotel on Monday 2nd March.

I adore this book and its heroine, Petra. It’s pure Space Opera and Petra herself is kickass and vulnerbale at the same time. I’m absolutely honoured and can’t wait for the party. Fancy gúna has been bought and the golden glittery shoes are making a comeback. Such and adventure.

Thanks so much to Bookouture, my editors Kathryn and Ellen, and my agent Sallyanne, and to all my friends and family.

New Year, New World

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So 2020 beckons. And it’s shaping up to be a rollercoaster of a year already. I have news that I cannot wait to tell you (but have to. Alas.)

However the first thing we can share is the brand new shiniest of shiny covers for my new book Mageborn, the first in a new series called The Hollow King. This is epic fantasy romance on a grand scale and honestly the type of book I have always wanted to write. It’ll be coming out on the 18th February, with a sequel to follow in May. That’s right TWO Books! I have been busy. (Looks frantically at edits. Yes, have…)

So here it is….

**DRUMROLL**

The Bookouture cover fairies have knocked it out of the park again.

Intrigued? You can find out all about Mageborn here and you can preorder Mageborn on Amazon kindle right away. Print and audiobook to follow.