Petit Morts

A sinfully rich collaboration between Josh Lanyon and Jordan Castillo Price

A storefront. You've never noticed it before. It's small, unassuming, and yet there's something about it that draws your eye. And the aroma drifting out, rich and dark, so enticing. How could you have overlooked it? It must be new.

So why does it look like it's been there for ages? And the chocolatier behind the counter...certainly you'd remember him.

Petit Morts: poisonous little reads by Josh Lanyon and Jordan Castillo Price

Coming Valentines Day 2010 from JCP Books

 

Whipping up a Batch of Stories

A chat about the evolution of Petit Morts with Josh and Jordan

Jordan: There's a special place in my heart for TV series that aren't sequential, shows that you can watch as the spirit takes you. You know the kind I mean: Love Boat. Tales from the Crypt. Fantasy Island. Twilight Zone. If you understand the basic premise (i.e. We're-all-on-an-island. Or, something-weird-is-gonna-happen. Or, this-boat-is-so-70s) then you can tune in whenever, wherever, and still enjoy the story.

I've always wondered if it was possible to do something like that with the written word.

Josh: Oh yeah! Definitely. Kind of a like a themed anthology, but no anthology. <g> Anyway, I love short stories. Not just as a reader, but from a writing perspective. They're very challenging to write. Figuring in what to leave in, what to leave out -- making every word count. That's one reason I was thrilled when you came up with the idea for the Petit Morts. (The other reason being I was delighted at the chance to work together again.)

Jordan: Absolutely. I'm eager to work on a collaborative project with you too, because it seems to me that bouncing ideas off another like-minded author results in a lot of unusual, unexpected, and somehow deeper ideas.

If I really enjoy a DVD, I watch the director's commentary and also any "making of" bonus material that comes with the show. I always feel so envious of script writers who get to sit around in a big room with other script writers and come up with ideas. How fun!

Josh: Or not. I'm kiiiiiiidding. I'm a kidder. Collaboration is tough. It's tough on the ego and it requires unbelievable discipline. But at the same time, it does create this amazing energy. Synergy. Ideas evolve that are significantly different from what either artist would concoct on their own -- and that's usually a good thing. An exciting thing.

Jordan: Another exiting thing is that I'm more willing to take chances on a novelette and explore some themes I might not want to visit for an entire novel. Novels will always be my first love but shorter work intrigues me in a different way. I read Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine from cover to cover every month, and their stories are mostly novelette length. I adore the idea that we can create something like that, only all m/m!

Josh: Reading is one of my greatest pleasures. It's basically how I spent my Christmas vacation. I love the crossovers that are so popular in genre fiction right now. A spec fiction mystery, for example. So we get to take advantage of this new creative spirit and freedom in publishing -- only our stories have a focus on m/m relationships. I think it's a terrific idea and I'm proud to be part of it.

Jordan: I feel like the sky's the limit. It's like having our own TV show, but with no networks, sponsors or "focus groups" to answer to, and totally free rein to do whatever tickles our fancy. Readers, keep your eyes peeled. The first tasty batch of Petit Morts will be ready for consumption on February 14!

Find the ebooks at JCPBooks.com

Pre-order the paperback at Amazon.com

 

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