Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow Giveaway!

Morning everyone! World Weaver Press and Goodreads are doing a giveaway for my novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Enter to win a Kindle version of this fun space opera!
 

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic Freakshow

by Jennifer Lee Rossman

Giveaway ends February 13, 2019.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Also, I'm not sure if I've shared this already, but here's a guest post I did about writing (fair warning, I throw a lot of shade at Star Trek Voyager character Tom Paris): http://romancejunkies.com/jennifer-lee-rossman-writing-is-weird/



And now some random updates.

The stories for Space Opera Libretti, the anthology I'm editing with Brian McNett, have been selected! We'll be making an announcement soon.

I've gotten three stories accepted recently! One is a steampunk tale of queer girls, disability and autism, and dinosaurs that will be on a Glitter Ship podcast. I haven't gotten the go-ahead to announce the others but I will say this: if you like space and mythology, or if you've ever wished for a quirky story about fairy forensic pathology, I've got stories for you.

And finally, I crossed stitched some very good Rottweiler doggies named Ebony and Gunther:



Blog Tour!

On December 19, I'll be sharing a free story as part of Rhonda Parrish's Giftmas event to raise money for the Edmonton Food Bank. It's got fighting robots in it! Go here to donate, see who else is sharing stories (one of them is my friend Lizz!), and enter a raffle to win, among other things, a signed copy of Jack Jetstar's Intergalactic Freakshow! http://www.rhondaparrish.com/giftmas-2018/



　

Speaking of which, I'm up to my armrests in blog tours and guest posts. Here are a few of them. More to come:

https://www.worldweaverpress.com/blog/my-three-year-journey-to-publication

Find out who I would invite to a dinner party: https://ash2stone.wordpress.com/2018/12/07/jack-jetstar-intergalactic-freakshow/

http://writingdreams.net/book-tour-jack-jetstarks-intergalactic-freak-show-by-jennifer-lee-rossman/

Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow is Published!!!!!!

Today I am proud to announce that my novel Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow is published!

　

In the coming days, I'll have some guest posts and interviews talking more about the book, so I'll leave this announcement short. I will say that preorder sales have been great and I'm so honored that everyone is as excited about it as I am. Huge thanks to my editor Sarena Ulibarri and everyone at World Weaver Press for taking a chance on this book.


https://www.worldweaverpress.com/store/p157/Jack_Jetstarks_Intergalactic_Freakshow.html


　

FreakShow Character Introduction: Diantha

Two quick things before we get to the main event.

Schreyer Ink, publisher of the alien anthology Children of the Sky which contains my story Artist Unknown, is going out of business.
Children of the Sky will be out of print at the end of the year, so be sure to get your copy soon!
https://www.amazon.com/Children-Sky-Schreyer-Ink-Publishing/dp/1988853257/

And more about this soon, but Rhonda Parrish is raising money for a food bank, and she also has a free raffle! I've donated a signed copy of Freakshow... http://www.rhondaparrish.com/giftmas-2018/

Now to the reason you came...

　

Every Monday, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow, which comes out tomorrow! Today's character...

　

Diantha!

　

 

Jack's first love, Diantha has gone from a poor citizen of a moon ruled by the evil VesCorp to the leader of VesCorp itself. But is she changing their corrupt ways, or has she gone over to the other side?

　

Diantha is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. She is a chameleon, changing her skin to blend in with the background and render herself invisible. She also adapts her personality to fit her situation, making it hard to tell whether she's being sincere.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie. Diantha is an amalgamation of a lot of lyrics. She's the queen, the girl who sang the blues, maybe the jester and the devil, too. But her name is Latin for "carnation," as in the "pink carnation and a pickup truck."

　

Diantha is perhaps the most important character in the book, because it's her song that triggers the abilities in the other freaks. She sings it every night through the radio so Jack knows she's safe, and when she doesn't sing it one night, he knows she's in trouble and that kicks off the plot.

　

Whether she's the villain or just the target of the true villain's assassination attempt, I won't spoil. It might even be a little bit of both, depending on who you ask.

　

In my mind, Diantha would be played by Jaime Murray, who played Helena on Warehouse 13.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Lily

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Lily!

　

Lily is Jack's pilot. She's bold and sexy and not afraid to show off, but this confidence doesn't always extend to the rest of her life.

　

Lily is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. She grows wings and performs as an angel, though she refers to herself as an owl.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie. Lily is the "angel born in Hell." Researching this phrase led me to Lilith, the Biblical mother of demons who was sometimes associated with screech owls (the Latin name of which, "Megascops, is referenced in her full name, Lilimeg Ascops). Before American Pie fixed my plot, though, there was a character that sort of became Lily, who was a lionfish-inspired mermaid. A minor character named Holly was given that description instead.

　

At first glance, there's nothing "wrong" with Lily. She's just a sexy bird who sometimes sleeps with men she hardly knows so they'll fall in love and buy her things. But the jewelry they give her is just a bonus: she enjoys toying with them, making them fall in love so she can break their hearts. She knows it's messed up, but it's just the way she is, and she would never do it to someone she cares about.

　

In my mind, Lily would be played by Elizabeth Banks.

　

(There was, briefly, a version of Lily that ACTUALLY ate men and spit them out, which I think was a reference to how owls eat things whole and spit out pellets full of mouse bones? But I gave the violent tendencies to Merulo instead. Thank. God.)

　

(I also want to stress that, despite everything I just said about Lily, the sexual content in the book is very minimal. Nothing more than a kiss happens on the page, her using men is only alluded to, and while its clear that Jack finds her very attractive, I don't think I describe it in any more graphic detail than saying her curves make his cheeks feel warm.)

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet the final character, Diantha!

　

Freakshow Character Introduction: Ruby

Quick word from our sponsor before we start: Brian McNett and I are editing an anthology of space opera. Our goal is for it to be a diverse and inclusive collection of humorous sci-fi with a musical bent, and it's important that we pay our authors decent rates.
If you can spare the money, it would mean the world to me if you would check out our Kickstarter. As little as a dollar will get you a copy of the anthology as soon as it's ready, which we hope will be this summer.
We already have some amazing stories on our shortlist, and when we reach $900 we're going to reveal the cover art we commissioned. Thank you.



Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Ruby!

　

When I decided to introduce a character a week and planned out the schedule, I included Ruby because she's a big part of the story. I forgot, however, that I can't tell you why she's important without spoiling things. So here's what I can say:

Ruby Marta is the ten-year-old daughter of Diantha and Garon, the leaders of VesCorp, a ruthless company/government that rules over the universe with an iron fist. It's also the corporation that altered the genes of Jack's freak ancestors.

Except... is Ruby really Garon's daughter? After all, her mother and Jack were in love before Ruby was born, and she does have Jack's ruddy complexion...

Ruby is my absolute favorite character. She's sweet and totally unafraid of the monstrous freaks. My favorite scene in the entire book is when she returns to her mother's childhood home.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Lily!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Rubeno Mardo

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

The Rubeno Mardo!

　

The Rubeno is Jack's ship. Technically his father's ship, though she miiight be a little bit stolen. She's an Aldebaran Highwire cargo ship, and her cargo hold has been converted into a carnival.

　

There are three named ships in the book. The Rubeno Mardo and Mia Nubo are named after Rolling Stones songs, Ruby Tuesday and Get Off of My Cloud, translated into Esperanto. The third is the Dorno Argenta or "Silver Thorn," a lyric from Vincent by Don McLean.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Ruby (who may have been named after the ship)!

　

FreakShow Character Introduction: Cara

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Cara!

　

Cara joins Jack's crew early on in the book, and quickly finds her place on the ship as a mechanic. She's a young redhead who runs away to join the carnival, and is possibly the sweetest character in the whole book.

　

Cara is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. She can speak to electronics, and performs in the show as a cyborg.

　

I'm afraid of spoiling some important plot points if I tell you too much of Cara's backstory, so I'll tell you about my inspiration for her instead. Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie, but Cara is the exception. Technically, Cara is short for Carabidae, a type of beetle (Beatle), but that's where the inspiration ends because Cara predates American Pie's influence on my plot.

Before Jack was a firebreather, before the music died, back when Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow was just called "Freak Show"... there was a little redheaded girl who ran away to join a space carnival. That's right, this book was originally Cara's story. From a certain point of view, it still is, but saying any more would be ruining a whole bunch of surprises.

　

I'm not hip to who all the newfangled young actors are nowadays, but I imagine Cara as looking like a young Karen Gillam.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet the Rubeno Mardo (the ship totally counts as a character)!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Pneuman

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Pneuman!

　

Along with his identical twin, Theon, Pneuman handles communication for the ship. He's the sweetest person, and usually wears an old souvenir t-shirt advertising the freakshow.

　

Pneuman is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. He can sense emotions and uses this to perform as psychic, conjoined triplets with Parthen and Theon.

　

Most of their backstory was explained in a scene that got cut, but I do mention it briefly in one surviving chapter. The three of them grew up on a planet that Pneuman and Theon's people ruled. When settlers turned it into a trading hub, their people were forcibly moved to temples they could never leave. Some people -- like Parthen -- brought them food, and were labeled unclean for doing so. Running away to join the freakshow was their only chance at a real life, and someday they're going to go back and help their people.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie. Pneuman is the "holy ghost" in "the father, son, and the holy ghost." His name means "air" or "spirit." Like his brother, I imagine Theon looking like Michael Ealy.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Cara!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Parthen

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Parthen!

　

 

Parthen coordinates the crew's schedules and plans their travel through the galaxies. She's black, has purple hair, and is friendly but shy.

　

Parthen is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. She can change the chemical structure of anything she touches. In the show, she uses this to meld her body with Pneuman and Theon, and they perform as psychic, conjoined triplets (though she is not related to either of them).

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie. Parthen is the "son" in "the father, son, and the holy ghost." Her name is short for parthenogenesis, or "virgin birth."

　

I imagine Parthen as looking like Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays Beth on This Is Us.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet the third triplet, Pneuman!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Theon

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Theon!

　

Theon is one half of Jack's communications specialist. He's black, confident bordering on arrogant, and not afraid to tell you what you're doing wrong. And Jack has a wee little crush on him.

　

Theon is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. Along with Parthen and Theon, he performs as psychic, conjoined triplets (more about that in the next weeks). He can also read minds.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie. Theon is the "father" in "the father, son, and the holy ghost." His name actually comes from the Latin word for "god."

　

I imagine Theon as looking like Michael Ealy. (I have trouble distinguishing faces but "casting" the movie version of your book is apparently a Thing, so I maaay have asked some people "what is the name of a very pretty black man?")

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Parthen!

Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic Freakshow Giveaway!

Want to win a signed copy of Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic Freakshow AND this starry carnival cross stitch?

We're holding a giveaway all this week over at World Weaver Press's blog (and you can read the first few pages of chapter one):

https://www.worldweaverpress.com/blog/giveaway-jack-jetstarks-intergalactic-freakshow

FreakShow Character Introduction: Merulo

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Merulo!

　

 

Merulo is Jack's first mate. He is asexual and aromantic, and comes from a toxic planet called Valeo. Having grown up in a wasteland, he has a passion for protecting the environment and bringing peace to the universe... but he also really enjoys bloodshed and war. Merulo is a conflicted man, but you won't find anyone more loyal.

　

Merulo is a freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. He turns into a beast, sort of a combination of a werewolf and a bigfoot.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie, and musicians referenced in it. Merulo is based partially on John Lennon ("Lennon" means "blackbird," and the Latin name for blackbird is "merula"), and his home planet being a radiation hazard was inspired by "the birds flew off with a fallout shelter."

　

If Jack is Han Solo, Merulo is Chewbacca. I even accidentally drew inspiration from the prison transfer scene. My "dream casting" for Merulo would be Sean Baek, who plays Fancy on Killjoys.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Theon!

FreakShow Character Introduction: Jack Jetstark

Every Monday from now until December 3rd, I'm introducing a character from my debut novel, Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow! Today's character is...

　

Jack Jetstark!

　

Jack is the main character of the novel, as well as the owner of one of the last carnival ships still roaming the stars. He's a hopeless romantic who wants to show people the wonders of space, wonders that he himself only dreamed of seeing as a child on the poor, swampy moon of Stoval. Though he only talks about relationships with women, he is also attracted to men and identifies as bi.

　

Jack is a self-described freak, a descendant of people who were genetically engineered to have superhuman abilities when they hear a certain song. His powers are firebreathing and, it can be argued, the ability to always say the right thing at the right time.

　

Most of my characters were inspired by lyrics from American Pie, and Jack is no exception "Jack Flash sat on a candlestick 'cause fire is the devil's only friend" gave him both his ability and his first name. His family name comes from the name of two James Dean characters: Jett Rink and Jim Stark.

　

While writing this book, I accidentally drew a lot of parallels between Jack and Han Solo, so my "dream casting" for Jack would be a young Harrison Ford. Or possibly Norman Reedus from The Walking Dead, but that may just be because they both wear vests and know someone named Merle.

　

Preorder here and add it on Goodreads!

　

Come back next Monday to meet Merulo, Jack's first mate!

Senator John Kennedy Stole My Title

Senator John Kennedy stole my title.

Okay, he probably didn't really steal it, but he did just describe the Kavanaugh hearing as an "intergalactic freak show." We spent so long picking out that title, and I'm just laughing hysterically.

I highly doubt anyone in the GOP would enjoy my book. It's all about equality and freedom and taking down oligarchs.

https://www.worldweaverpress.com/store/p157/Jack_Jetstarks_Intergalactic_Freakshow.html

JACK JETSTARK’S INTERGALACTIC FREAKSHOW COVER REVEAL!!!!

You might have noticed I've revamped my blog colors. That's because it's time for the JACK JETSTARK’S INTERGALACTIC FREAKSHOW COVER REVEAL!!!!

 Preorder it here or add it on Goodreads!

Sarena Ulibarri, my amazing editor at World Weaver Press, did the cover and I love it so much!

　
I'm going to keep this post brief and just direct you to this page for more information: http://jenniferleerossman.blogspot.com/p/jack-jetstarks-intergalactic-freakshow.html


　

JACK JETSTARK’S INTERGALACTIC FREAKSHOW will be published on December 4, and starting in October, I'm going to be introducing you to one of my characters and talking about my inspiration for the book every Monday.

　

We're also planning an awesome giveaway in the coming months, so if you like cross stitch, stay tuned!

Children of the Sky is Published!

First things first, my novel Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic Freakshow is being published on December 4th! We've got a cover reveal on September 10 - sign up here and you can get an advanced review copy before anyone else: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNGh58bFJINgtT6t_W7Q5nA6BjgoRpeVM-sfCctA8D0Wlvbw/viewform




Children of the Sky, an anthology of eight alien stories -- one of which is my Artist Unknown -- has been published by Schreyer Ink Publishing!

Ebook 
Paperback

Here's a tip for writers: Keep a dream journal. I've been keeping one for years, and I underline interesting ideas and images so I can find them later. Artist Unknown was based on one such entry.

Direct quote from my dream journal, dated March 26, 2016:

"A boy and his family fly across country in a race against time to discover secrets about an old painting. "Gustav's Pocket Watch" is actually some other guy's monocle, and a whole series of events is revealed by examining the reflection in the glass, which is not the artist."

The boy and his family didn't make it into the story, nor did the bit about the monocle (to be honest, I don't fully understand what that was supposed to mean), and of course I had to add aliens.

But the main idea - an image hidden in a painting of a watch - is the same. The painting is even called Gustav's Pocket Watch, though I haven't the slightest idea where my brain came up with the name.

Talking 'Bout Contracts

A lot of people have been asking about my contract with World Weaver Press for Jack Jetstark's Intergalactic FreakShow, so let's talk about contracts.

Is my contract the absolute best I could hope for? No. It's a small press and obviously I'm not getting a multimillion dollar advance and a movie deal. I'm actually not getting an advance at all, and my book will probably not be in many - if any - brick and mortar stores. I am not getting rich or famous from this book.

So what makes it a good contract? It fulfills the Big Three:

1. I get paid. Specifically, 39% of net profit. That means what I make is dependent on what they sell, but I am getting paid.

2. I don't have to pay anything. I'm not obligated to buy copies or pay for any part of the publication process.

3. I retain my rights. That means I own my story and my characters - if they decide not to renew when the contract is up in 5 years, I can publish it again and write sequels and generally do whatever I want. I'm not selling the story - just the right to publish it.

　

Also, one advantage to a small press is that I retain control over so much of my story. No one can change anything - except typos and the like - without my consent, and I'm going to have at least some say in the cover.

It's super important that you never sign anything you don't fully understand. A lawyer is nice, but asking for clarification (a simple question like "I think this clause means x; am I right?") is good, too. You've poured your heart into this book - don't lose it because of a silly misunderstanding.

　

I'm so excited by this whole process. I just sent in my latest round of edits (the eighth draft, by my count)!

Editing Notes. IN. SPAAAAACE!

Hi, how was everyone's holidays?

I'm going to try to get on a schedule for posting here. Let's try every Thursday and see how it goes.

　
So, in case you missed it, my novel JACK JETSTARK'S INTERGALACTIC FREAKSHOW is going to be published by World Weaver Press!



And even though I've edited it so many times over the past year, an acceptance in this case means more editing. I'm working with a great editor, Sarena Ulibarri.

And I have editing notes!

　

• That's what happens when your only exposure to Don Quixote is an episode of Wishbone.
• It occurs to me that the long-range attackers should maybe be in the back and the defenders should be up front to... you know. Defend?
• My editing process: "But what if everyone was queer?"
• A typo changed my character's dad from a drunken oaf into a drunken oak. Go home, Treebeard, you're drunk.
• Basically this round of edits is about making everyone 500% more gay and adding lemur shenanigans.
• I'm editing a novel about sideshow freaks in space... so of course I'm reading an article called "Lemurs smell funny on birth control".
• And now I'm reading about how "Lemurs share gut bacteria when they cuddle". What. Why are lemurs so weird.