Changes Are Coming! And Whew, Is it About Time.

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

My author website has always languished a bit in the shadow of my writers' website--Fiction University. I don't have a good excuse for that, aside from too much to do and not enough me to do it, and that's about to change (but sadly, this isn't an announcement that I've invented cheap, reliable cloning). I've been neglectful, and I apologize, but it's never too late to start over and do things right.

One of my 2021 goals is to give both my sites some long-overdue overhauls to better serve my readers. It's time to fix the things that are broken, improve what's working, and toss out the stuff that isn't (is it weird that I'm excited about this?).

I'm not doing enough yet to make all my readers feel appreciated, and that's going to change. You guys are why I write. You deserve better from me.

I suspect a lot of my readers have no idea I write in multiple genres, markets, and under two names. I write both The Healing Wars teen fantasy series, and nonfiction books on writing under Janice Hardy, but I also write the Grace Harper urban fantasy series as well as my upcoming science fiction detective series, as J.T. Hardy. (Now you see why some things fell to the wayside and why I really need that clone).

Want a heads up on all this? Of course you do! Otherwise you would have stopped reading by now.

If you'd like a little reminder nudge when the new and improved Janice "J.T." Hardy site launches, sign up for my mailing list. After launch (and probably some previews to give you the inside scoop), I'll show you around the new site, let you know what the newsletter will be like going forward, and give you an opportunity to say, "Yes, I want to be a part of this" or "Thanks, but I'll just follow you on Amazon so I know when you have new books out."

PS. There's also a very good chance that those who sign up early will get a little thank you when that time comes. 

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Upcoming Events for 2020


Winter Park Public Library, Orlando, FL  (Moved to online)

It’s Showtime! Show, Don’t Tell
Show don’t tell. At some point, every writer hears it. It’s critical to crafting a story that works, but what exactly does it mean? And more importantly, how do you make sure you’re using it correctly in your own work. In this workshop, writers will learn how to spot the common telling signposts, from motivational, descriptive, and emotional tells, to those frequent mental signposts that explain, not dramatize, and the always pesky adverbs. They’ll also learn how to spot common red flag words that often indicate told, not shown prose, and what they can do to fix them once they’ve found them.

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July 11: First Coast Romance Writers


West Branch Library in Jacksonville, FL (Moved to online)

Muddling Through the Middle

The “boggy middle” has claimed many a writer, but with a little planning and forethought, writers can sail right through it. In this workshop, you'll discover why the middle is such a troublesome chunk of the novel, and how it’s really where all the fun happens in a story. You’ll also learn how to avoid getting sucked into the mire, what to do keep your pace moving, and some nifty plotting tricks to help you create stronger story arcs and conflicts.

Finding the Plot in Your Premise

What starts out as an exciting premise can sometimes leave us banging our heads against a wall by page fifty, wondering what went wrong. But a little effort before we start writing can mean the difference between stuck and soaring. In this workshop, you’ll learn techniques to test your premise or idea and see if it really does have what it takes to fill an entire novel. Learn basic plotting tips for both pantsers and outliners, and discover what you need to start that novel and keep yourself on track. No matter what your process is, you'll learn ways to determine if that premise has the legs to carry the novel in your head. With hands-on exercises, so bring your laptop or pages!

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August 22: FWA Ponte Vedra Beach


Revision Readiness: How to Revise

Revision is part of writing, but sometimes knowing where to start can be overwhelming. It can be even harder if you need to trim down a large manuscript or change a major storyline. In this workshop, writers will learn how to approach their revisions with a plan, focusing on macro, medium, and micro issues to tighten their novel on a layer by layer basis. They’ll also learn how to mentally approach revisions, and how to strengthen their story from the top down.

My Upcoming Events for 2019

Interested in having Janice speak at your event? Just email her at janice @ janicehardy . com to discuss options (please remove spaces in the email address before hitting "send").

2019 Events

September


Gainesville, FL: FL-SCBWI Boot Camp Workshop (full day)

Saturday, September 21
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Members: $85, Non-Members: $115
Registration opens next week

Saint Leo University
4650-B NW 39th Place
Gainesville, FL 32606

My Workshop: Bringing Your Novel to Life


Great novels blend skilled writing with compelling storytelling, using a multitude of techniques to draw readers in and make them love the book. These techniques work together to build immersive story worlds, creating characters readers love, settings they want to live in, and stories they can’t put down. In this workshop, writers will learn techniques to bring a novel to life for readers. Use point of view to show, not tell, and draw readers in without info-dumping; find the best ways to describe the setting and build a world; tap into the emotions of the characters and use those emotions to drive the plot and deepen the story; and how all these techniques work together to build a novel.

What to bring: Bring your work-in-progress and your favorite note-taking tools.

Target audience: MG and YA authors of all experience levels

October (two events)


Midland, TX: Permian Basin Writers' Workshops

October 12-13
Midland, TX

My Workshops: Planning Your Novel in Ten Easy Steps and Revision Readiness: How to Revise


Planning Your Novel in Ten Easy Steps: 
Writing a novel can be a daunting process, but a little planning can go a long way to making that process easier. Even predetermining a few key turning points in the story can keep writers focused, whether they prefer to outline every scene or pick a story direction and write toward it. In this workshop, writers will learn how to create the critical elements of a novel’s plot, how to use goals, conflicts, and stakes to build a story and develop characters, and how to approach a novel in a way that will make it easier to write and be more marketable to agents, editors, and readers.

Revision Readiness: How to Revise: Revision is part of writing, but sometimes knowing where to start can be overwhelming. It can be even harder if you need to trim down a large manuscript or change a major storyline. In this workshop, writers will learn how to approach their revisions with a plan, focusing on macro, medium, and micro issues to tighten their novel on a layer by layer basis. They’ll also learn how to mentally approach revisions, and how to strengthen their story from the top down.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL: All Write: Jump Start Your Novel

Saturday, October 26, 10am - 3pm
The Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America (FMWA)
Nova Southeastern University
3100 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314

The event is free and open to the public.

My Workshop: Understanding the Scene: The Engine of Your Story


Scenes are the building blocks of a novel, but they don't always unfold the way we want them to. In this workshop, you'll learn the mechanics of scene and its troublesome partner, the sequel, and how to use this pairing to drive your story. You'll also learn how to develop scenes and weave them together to build strong and focused plots, as well as what to do when you story grinds to a halt and you don't know why.

Hope to see some of you at these events!

Happy Release Day! I've Got a New Novel Out!


Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

I’m excited to announce the release of my new novel, Blood Ties—an urban fantasy series for adults, and the first book of my new Grace Harper series.


This novel has a special place in my heart (more on that below), and I’m so happy that it’s finally out in the world. It's been a long journey to get here, and one I never expected to make.

Let me tell ya what it's all about!

On the run from beings that can’t possibly exist…

Grace Harper has spent her life on the run, ever since her mother’s unnatural death at the hands of creatures that shouldn’t be real. It’s hard to believe in vampires, but the things chasing her fit every legend she’s ever heard. She dubs them “Pretty Boys,” though their beautiful faces hide ugly appetites.

For twenty years, she and her father have stayed ahead of them, but for the last five years, their lives have been quiet. Grace has found a home, a life, and people she could even care about. She thinks the nightmare is finally over, but then a man shows up asking questions about a missing woman who’s somehow connected to her and her mother. He might also have answers about her mother’s death, if she’s willing to take a risk.

Before she can decide, she’s attacked by a Pretty Boy and barely escapes. If the Pretty Boys have found her, it’s time to run. Reluctantly, she prepares to abandon her life, possible answers, and the only friend she’s ever had.

Until they take her father.

Fleeing is no longer an option. To find him, she must face ancient secrets, creatures from legend, and an unbelievable truth that will shatter her world. But to save him, Grace has to do the hardest thing of all: stop running and start fighting.

Blood Ties is available on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats.

Amazon Paperback | Amazon eBook

Come Visit Me at the Orlando Book Festival!

My next event is in July, right here in sunny Central Florida. I'll update the details when I have them, but it's already shaping up to be a fantastic festival.

July 8, 2017
Orlando, FL







Orlando Book Festival

Publishing Tell-All: Three authors share their behind-the-scenes knowledge and experience. Ask anything you want to know about the publishing process and industry.
Authors: Janice Hardy, Larry Loftis, James Ponti
Moderator: Laura Helseth of Read Head Editing

Visit Me at SleuthFest!









SleuthFest: February 24
Boca Raton, FL

Writing for Middle Grade and Young Adult Readers 
Friday, 2:00 to 3:15

It's a common misconception that writing for kids means "dumbing down" the story, but the opposite is true. Books for today's teens and 'tweens are just as complex as those for adults--with certain differences. In this workshop, writers will learn what's needed to write for younger audiences, how the market differs, and how to adjust to "thinking like a kid." It will focus on the differences in pacing, voice, plotting (and the complexity of those plots), and common pitfalls to avoid. A must for anyone considering writing for this hot-selling market.

Come Visit Me at the Space Coast Comic Con in September

By Janice Hardy, @Janice_Hardy

If you like comics, cosplay, science fiction, fantasy, and fun, and are looking for something to do in September, come visit me and my fellow panel mates at the Space Coast Comic Con in Cocoa, Florida (that's near the Kennedy Space Center in Central Florida for the non-locals). We'll be talking about magical worlds and how to create them.With me on the panel are: Jaimie Engle, Ryan Gish, Keith Rommel, and E. J. Wenstrom.

You'll also find us in the vendor room behind stacks of our books and fun giveaways. Stop by to grab the latest copy, get a signed book, or just to say hello!



Where: Space Coast Convention Center, 301 Tucker Ln, Cocoa, FL 32926
When: September 9-11, 2016
Time: My panel is at 2pm on Saturday, September 10

The Panel: Crafting Magical Worlds

Where does magic come from? How is it powered? What are its limits? From Middle-Earth to Bon Temps to Hogwarts, every magical world has its own answers to these questions. Magical words are complex, each with their own history and rules. On this panel of four imaginative fantasy authors from the Space Coast region, fans will get a behind-the-scenes look as the pros share their creative processes and what drives the development of--and inspires--these unique fantasy worlds across a range of fantasy subgenres from epic to urban to horror.

Panel Members:

Jaimie Engle is an award-winning author of fantasy, horror, and science fiction books from the Space Coast of Florida. Engle has published several award-winning books and spoken to tens of thousands of kids across the country about their part in bullying.

Ryan Gish’s critically acclaimed debut novel, Enthralled, was inspired by his close group of friends, although the characters are complete works of fiction. He currently lives in Florida with his three children.

Janice Hardy is the author of The Shifter, Blue Fire, and Darkfall from Balzer+Bray/Harper Collins. She's also the founder of Fiction University, a site dedicated to helping writers improve their craft, and the author of Planning Your Novel: Ideas and Structure, a self-guided workshop for planning or revising a novel.

Keith Rommel is an award winning author of ten novels and is an award-winning screenwriter. His writing has been called, "Horror for the curious mind." His first two novels, The Cursed Man and The Lurking Man are at various stages of production, nearing release for 2016.

E. J. Wenstrom is a fantasy and science fiction author living in Cape Canaveral, FL. Her debut novel Mud, the first in the Chronicles of the Third Realm War series was released by City Owl Press in March 2016. She writes for websites about comics, writing and geek culture—find her bylines in Panels, The Mary Sue, DIYMFA, and more.