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Q: Dear Jayne, I was wondering if you had any plans to re-release any of your previous released Amanda Quick books in hardcover? I highly enjoyed the books Seduction and Ravished and the books are starting to look a little worn out. Thank you for your time. And for all the great stories! (michelle)

A: Dear Michelle: The decision about whether or not to release a book in hardcover is a publisher's decision, not mine. I'll let you know if I get word about doing any re-releases in hardcover. Meanwhile, glad you like the books!

Q: Dear Jayne, I have been wishing I could ask you this question for quite some time. It's been about six years since I first received one of your "Amanda Quick" novels as a gift, and friends and family have been buying them for me since. I suppose it's just the novelty of your pseudonym being my given name, and an unusual one at that. I'm curious about how you chose that name...did you see it somewhere, or did it just sound romantic to you? You would not believe the e-mail I get from your fans asking me for signed copies, writing advice, and for the name of an agent to whom they can send their own work! I only wish I could help them all! I do hope to hear from you or someone who can answer my question about your name. Thank you, (Amanda Quick)

A: Dear Amanda: Nice to meet you! You'll probably be interested to know that I invented my Amanda Quick pen name after going into a bookstore and noting that there were very few other authors whose last names began with "Q". I wanted something that was short and easy to remember. What can I say? Great name, huh?

Q: I just wanted to say that I love every one of your books, whether it be Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle. My current goal is to read all your books under every pseudonym. I currently finished all of Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick and almost finished with Jayne Krentz. I like the variety your add to my reading list. My question is if you know what books will be reprinted in the future? If so, which ones would those be?

I am really disappointed with my cable company. They don't carry The Movie Channel, and I won't be able to watch The Waiting Game. Do you know if they will be putting the movie on video for future rental or to buy? Keep up the excellent job on your writing. I can't wait to read what you come up with next. (Natalie)

A: Dear Natalie: I wish I could give you more info on The Waiting Game. The sad truth is, I don't know any more about it than you do. In fact, the only way I know who the male lead is, is because some people on this site mentioned it! I'm afraid that's often the way it is for authors whose books get made into films.

Q: I want to thank you for answering my last question. This is so cool. Are you going to do any book tours and if so are you planning on visiting the Detroit area? Also, when you have time to read, who are your favorite authors? (Barb)

A: Hi, Barb: No book tours planned in the near future. You can be sure I'll post them on this site if anything comes up. I will be speaking at the Emerald City Writers conference in Seattle in October but that's, unfortunately, a long way from Detroit!

Q: Dear Jayne, I have always considered myself to be on top of all your books (well actually only the Amanda Quick ones) until I happened to come across this page only to find out that you have written a lot more than I could have imagined. I totally and completely love all your books and if I am feeling particularly low I just take out one of the few that I own and when I read it I am transported into their world and forget all my problems. All I am trying to say here is that thank you for writing such lovely books, I don't know what I'd do without them. I am on my way to get With This Ring and I know I will love it as much as the other ones. Are you going to be in England anytime soon to sign books? (Folakemi)

A: Dear Folakemi (what a beautiful name!): Thanks for you interest in my historicals. Now that you've found the contemporaries and paranormals, I hope you'll enjoy them as well. I love England. My husband and I are museum buffs and we're always blown away by British museums. We do plan to go back in the next year, if possible, but the trip will be strictly personal -- it won't be connected to a book tour.

Q: I would like to ask what your favorite books are and which authors you really like to read? (S.)

A: Hi, S.: The problem with your question is that I'm always afraid to start naming names for fear I'll leave someone (possibly a good friend) off the list. I can tell you that I love to read across several genres -- including romantic-suspense, paranormal romantic suspense and "soft" horror. I also enjoy straight suspense and mystery that isn't too gritty and gory. I admit I've got kind of a weak stomach.

Q: Hi, I'm from Malaysia. I love all your characters. Not all beautiful and gorgeous but special. They are smart and attractive in their own way.. like me....oopsss.. When you were writing, what did you do to make the stories , the people...seems real ? Did you talk to yourself a lot like mad people talking to themselves in order to make the conversation real ? Did you write from experience or you make the experience? Would like to hear from you soon... (Azira)

A: Hello, Azira -- Thanks for the questions. Unfortunately, they're difficult to answer. All I can tell you is that writing is a compulsion for me. I do it because I need to do it in order to satisfy some internal drive. I tend to do a lot of dialogue because that is the way I "hear" the story in my head. Other writers lean more toward narrative because that is how they see their stories. I can tell you that I've never written a book "for the reader" -- when I write, I'm always telling the story to myself, first. When its finished to my satisfaction, I send off the manuscript and hope that readers will like it, too. From experience I know that some will and some won't. Like the man said, you can't please all of the people, all of the time. That's one of the things that makes writing and reading such an adventure for writers and readers, alike!

Q: I am from Europe and I read some of your books. I like them. But I would like to know why you used to write under different names. And what is really your name. Thanks, (Claudia)

A: Thanks for your interest in my books. So you want to know my real name? I was born Jayne Ann Castle. My married name is Jayne Ann Krentz. As to why a writer ends up with a lot of names: There are a couple of reasons. One reason is contractual. Some publishers (usually series romance) insist that the writer use a pen name so that the publisher can control it legally. It's a way of trying to "chain" a writer to a house.

Q: I've been reading a lot of your books recently and I was wondering how you come up with your names? (Filomena, Nichodemus, Olympia, etc.) Also, I've noticed that a lot of your heroes are into a type of philosophy and some kind of exercise, or way of defending themselves (example: your hero in Deep Waters), do you practice/use any of the things you mention in your books? (Liz)

A: Dear Liz: Coming up with new character names is always a challenge! The basic idea is to pick a name that somehow "feels right" for that particular character. I've got a shelf full of "Name the Baby" books and I've been known to go through the phone book and the obituary columns looking for good ideas!

Q: Dear Ms. Krentz, Being of a sentimental nature my curiosity prompts this question: is there any one book or series of books that you have written which remain your favorite or retain a special prominence for you? (Other than your first published book which I would automatically assume as special since it marks your debut as a "published author".) Thank you for your response, (Rebecca)

A: Hi, Rebecca: You're certainly right about how much that "first sale" means to an author. I doubt if any of us ever forget where and when that moment occurred! But as for which of my books are special to me, I have to tell you that I always love most the one I'm working on at the moment -- whichever one that happens to be. It consumes me, it excites me, it takes over my life.

Q: Dear Ms. Krentz, In regard to the movie version of your book THE WAITING GAME, will you have any creative control or input on the movie's script or production? If not, I hope you will at least have some royalty rights. Thank you for your response, (Rebecca)

A: Dear Rebecca: No, I have absolutely zero input on the film. Zip-city. I haven't even seen a script. I'm going to be as curious as everyone else is to see how it turned out. My friends who have been through this process have warned me not to get too excited. Apparently authors are generally doomed to disappointment when they see their books made into films.

Q: Ms. Krentz: I have read that the next big romance convention will be in Canada. Will you be attending? Do you ever have book signings in Canada? You have many fans across the country. (Bonnie)

A: Dear Bonnie: I don't know yet if I'll make the Canadian romance convention. Frank and I do love Canada, however, (my mother was born in Canada although she's now a US citizen), so we might just make it. I'll keep you posted.

Q: I really enjoyed your "flower" futuristic series, even tho' some of the premises were the same (unmatchable, true love conquers science etc.). However, could you please please please write a novel wherein the heroine being the "talent" and the hero being the "prism"? To me a "prism" is passive; a receptacle and no matter how feisty etc. the heroine is, she's still playing a traditional role. I recognize the sexual implications of this talent/prism stuff, but, gee, I'd sure like to see strength and assertiveness coming from a heroine. (sfg)

A: Dear sfg: Sounds like you've got some specific ideas about the kind of story you want -- that may mean that you're ready to try writing a novel of your own! Go for it. As for me, I'm finished with the "flower" paranormals. But I do intend to do some more Jayne Castle futuristics (another "Curtain" colony world but with a different set of rules for the paranormal elements.) Maybe you'll like the new style better than you did the old one. I'll keep you informed.

Q: Jayne, I love all your books. I've been reading them since 1980.(I started with Queen of Hearts). Do you think you will ever do a 3rd book about Jonas and Verity? Gift of Gold and Gift of Fire were so very good, and I know many of us would love a 3rd book. Please think about it. (Leslie)

A: Dear Leslie: Thanks for your interest in Jonas and Verity. No plans to do another story about those two but I do intend to write more "paranormal"stuff. It will appear under my Jayne Castle name.

Q: Did you write under the name of Jayne Roberts? (Esther)

A: Dear Esther: No Jayne Roberts, but I did do one book as Jayne Taylor. Somewhere along the line some people got my Taylor pen name confused with Roberts.

Q: Dear Jayne, I've been picking up some audio books so that I can listen to your wonderful stories on my long commute. I have been somewhat disappointed that so many of the wonderful quirky secondary characters are left out or cut back too much to recognize in these shortened versions. Is the editing on these tapes approved by the author and if so, how do you go about choosing what stays in and what goes out? (Desederata)

A: Dear Desederata: (Great name, btw -- Audio books (except for Books on Tape) are almost always edited for time and space. Unfortunately, that means something has to go. I don't do the editing but the people who do tell me that they usually cut "for plot". That means a lot of the sub-plots and side characters have to go. If you want the whole story, I'm afraid you've got to read the book!

Q: I love your books under your name and am getting used to your new series under Jayne Castle. Please write more! Will you ever consider coming out her to Singapore - Borders has just opened their first Far East outlet and I'm sure you have many friends who would love to meet you. (Serena)

A: Dear Serena: Don't worry, if I ever get to Singapore, I'll let you know! Meanwhile, I'm thrilled to hear that you've got your very own Borders. It's a great book store.

Q: I am writing mostly to make a comment but am adding a question to so it fits the category. Someone on the last set of questions was complaining about Whirlwind Courtship. Though I will admit the plot isn't as detailed nor the character development as interesting as some of your later work, I have always found this story (Ferd the Bird is well worth the read) and [The Devil to Pay] (I love the Love me, love my dog/coffee references and her battles with the townfolk)amongst the most enjoyable. I think it is the exuberant humor in them that makes these stories so readable. Now for the question. I occasionally will see a short write up by you on other writers work. Are you opinions solicited by the press that is issuing it or is it because the author has been brought to your attention and you have offered to write a commentary? (Anna)

A: Dear Anna: Glad you liked Whirlwind Courtship. You're a perfect example of what I'm talking about when I say that different readers enjoy different books and no one loves every single thing I write (except, maybe, my mother).

Q: I was wondering how often you do book signings and do you ever do so in the San Francisco Bay Area, like in Silicon Valley (hint: you seem to like Barnes & Noble, there's one in Santa Clara/San Jose on Stevens Creek Blvd)? If you don't make it down here very often, do you do book signings often in Seattle and how can we find out what your schedule for this is? I would guess that you would do this kind of thing when new books come out (? - this really IS a guess as I've never been to a book signing before) so do you have plans for doing this for "Flash", and if so when and where? (Carole)

A: Dear Carole: Thanks for the invitation! Don't worry, if I get down that way, I'll let you know via this site.

Q: I read that you are planning a new three-book set of futuristic romances under the Jayne Castle name. First, is this accurate and if so, any idea as to when they'll be out for sale? Second, can you give a little preview of what they're about (setting, general type, whatever). I really loved Shields Lady (have reread it multiple times) and enjoyed the New Seattle series as well, so am excited at the possibility of a new set of futuristics. Crossing my fingers and hoping it's true! Cheers and thanks for taking the time to answer this, (Carole)

A: Hi, Carole: Yes, I'm definitely planning more Jayne Castles (another Curtain world, different paranormal rules and problems. No news yet on pub dates. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted!

Q: In GIFT OF GOLD & GIFT OF FIRE the hero had a psychic talent called psychometry; he was able to tell how old weapons had been used by touching them. I found this very interesting. Is this an ability that some people really have or is it fictional? Do you think that you will ever write another book with psychometry in it? (Cheryl)

A: Dear Cheryl: About psychometry: All I can tell you is that there are people who claim to have it. Personally, I don't believe in it but I think it makes a great story theme and I'll probably use it again one of these days!

Q: I discovered your Amanda Quick books a few years ago. I now own every one and find myself rereading them from time to time. A week ago I came across the New Seattle series of Jayne Castle books. I admit that I usually only really enjoy historicals but these three books were wonderful! Where do you find inspiration for your stories and those fascinating characters? Out of curiosity, do you outline the story before writing the book? (Sissy)

A: Dear Sissy: Glad you found and liked the Jayne Castle books. As for story ideas, all I can tell you is that the hard part is not coming up with new ideas; the hard part is shutting off the flow! Once in a while someone suggests a story idea to me and I always tell her "write it yourself" because I've already got more ideas than I'll ever be able to use in this lifetime.

Q: Dear Ms. Krentz, I would like to thank you for making a big difference in my life. Thanks in part to your extremely favorable and sympathetic portrayal of librarians, I quit my job, went back to school for my Master of Library Science degree, and am now working at my dream job - Reference Librarian in a small public library. (I would have sent this by regular mail through your publishers, but I sent you a small package about 2-1/2 years ago via them and never did hear if you received it, so I thought I'd try this way. My apologies if I am mis-using this forum, and you don't need to select this for publication, but I did want you to know that I'm truly grateful to you for opening up a whole new life for me! (Lynne)

A: Dear Lynne: Congratulations and best of everything to you in your career as a librarian. As far as I am concerned libraries and librarians are the hallmark of a civilized society. Sorry I never got your package but publishers are notoriously bad about forwarding author mail. Take care and thanks for letting me know your story. I really admire people who take charge of their own lives.

Answers posted June 15, 1998

Q: I have been a fan of yours ever since you wrote for Silhouette, I still have the first one you wrote for Desire series. Are they going to reprint any more of your books? In particular the Guinevere Jones series?

Now that they are making a movie on THE WAITING GAME are there any other books being considered for a movie? (Barb)

A: Barb: Thanks for your question. There are no plans to reprint the Guinevere Jones series - but I am planning a new Jayne Castle paranormal series which I think will appeal to fans of GJ. I'll let you know more about it later. Suffice it to say that I'm really excited about it. As for the Silhouettes -- I don't know what Harlequin's schedule is.

Q: Any chance of a reprint of Saxon's Lady? ( Susan Cass)

A: Susan: Reprinting Saxon's Lady is a Harlequin decision, not mine. Therefore, I can't give you an answer on this one. Sorry, but thanks for the interest.

Q: Any chance of your really early work being re-released? I am missing a few of the Candlelights, hadn't realized the earlier McFadden titles till I got to this sight, and am really interested in Saxon's Lady.

Have any of the critics mentioned the parallels between your latest, Sharp Edges, and Grand Passion? I liked the reversal on the male/female characters.

A: No plans as of now to re-release the McFaddens and Saxon's Lady. I'll keep you posted if things change. No, no one except you has mentioned any parallels between Sharp Edges and Grand Passion. But I will tell you, however, that art is one of my favorite themes and if you pay close attention to my work, you'll see that I use it frequently as a backdrop. I like to use art because it brings both elements of emotion and passion into the books.

Q: While I enjoy every one of your books, I was particularly intrigued with Shield's Lady. You left the couple (Gryph and Sariana) knowing that their unborn child would be an unprecedented girl. Will you do any follow-up on this child? Even a short story or novella? (Mercedes)

Yours,
Jayne

Q: One of my favorite books is Too Wild to Wed? I really liked the secondary characters, the friends of the bride and groom. You seemed to indicate a story between the two. Did you ever write one (and I just did not connect them)? If you didn't, are you planning to, I would definitely buy a copy. (Leslie Haas)

A: Dear Leslie: Too Wild to Wed? is a good example of another theme that I like to work with: the academic versus the business world theme. Obviously we need both mind-sets in our society but I think there is a built-in conflict between the two which provides great plot ideas for conflict between my heroes and heroines. No, no plans to do a follow-up to this particular book.

Q: I have a question about your Amanda Quick series: Now that you have started to include characters from past novels into your new ones (i.e. references from Mischief and Mistress showing up in With This Ring, are you going to do any stories on secondary characters from your earlier books, and if so are you going to do a story on the secondary characters from Seduction? I was especially taken with Gideon, and would love to see a book about his story. (Sunita)

A: Dear Sunita: I sort of recast the secondary characters from Seduction and told their story (with the names changed to protect the innocent) in Surrender. I was going to write the story with the original characters but my editor at the time felt that "sequels" were invariably a disaster. I guess it only goes to prove that publishing is a strange business. Glad you like my Amanda Quick books.

Q: Dear Ms Krentz, I really love your books! I have as many as I can get. Just wondering though, do you intend to continue with your "New Seattle" romances? It was quite obvious in Amaryllis that Nick Chastain was going to appear in the next book, and in Zinnia, Rafe was a sure thing. Orchid was mentioned in both books as well. But there didn't seem to be any potential characters in Orchid, and the last chapter, with Lucas, Amaryllis, Nick and Zinnia,seemed to be an end to the series of sorts. I really hope you continue with your Jayne Castle line. It's superb! (Lesley Tan)

A: Dear Lesley: The New Seattle books are finished, at least for now, but I definitely have plans for more Jayne Castle "Curtain" books in which I will tell other paranormal futuristic stories dealing with characters who are part of societies that were stranded after the Curtain closed. I'll keep you posted...

Q: Is Hatch from Gift Of Gold and Sweet Fortune the same person? (Dawn (Gambit))

A: Dear Dawn: Nope. Sometimes I reuse names because, after all these books, I'm running out of names that I really like (not stories, just names). Lately I've been reduced to reading the obituary columns and the phone book!

Q: Aloha Jayne, I'm a member of the Romance Readers Group at Borders Books in Honolulu and met you during your two visits to our group last year.

When are you coming back to paradise again? Davie and I would love to organize another high tea again. Take care and keep writing! (Debbie Stelmach)

A: Dear Debbie: We'll be back! Actually, we've been back to Honolulu a couple of times since I last saw you but I didn't want to bother Davie or the Borders Books crowd. I'm afraid of becoming a pest! The fact is, we go to Honolulu two or three times a year. I'm afraid the store will get tired of seeing my face so I don't always tell Davie that I'm in town. Tell Davie I said hello and Aloha to everyone in the Romance Readers Group at Borders in Wards Centre.

Q: Ms. Krentz - I recently signed with Pocket Books. My debut novel, Portrait of Dreams, is a September '98 release. My editor has nothing but the best to say about you.

Okay - here's my question. I've read all of your books and you often have your heroines making this incredible pesto sauce. So, do you have the recipes ... and if so, would you be willing to share them? *g* More than once (especially in FAMILY MAN), you had me eager to whip up a batch for dinner. I know most people will ask deeper questions than this one, but I admit to being curious (as well as hungry). LOL. Thanks! (Victoria Malvey)

A: Dear Vicky: Congratulations on signing with Pocket and best of everything with Portrait of Dreams. Pocket is a house with a lot of experience in publishing romance and romantic-suspense. I'm sure they'll do well by you. I'll be watching for your book.

Note from Cissy: Working on it now!

Q: I truly enjoyed Dangerous Men & Adventurous Women. Have you done any more non-fiction work of this nature? Or, is anything slated for the future? During grad school, I used Dangerous Men to defend the romance genre when dealing w/ the academic elitists. :-)

BTW, I've read everything (except the elusive Bentleys) you've written & look forward to your next releases. You have been my role model for years . . . thanks (Danyelle Warden)

A: Dear Danyelle: A role model? Moi? Surely you jest. But thanks anyway, I'm honored. Other than several talks and an interview in Para*Doxa -- Studies in World Literary Genres, Vol. 3, No 2 1997 (which focused on the romance novel) I haven't done much non-fiction. But I do think about it from time to time...

Q: What books did you most enjoy reading during your teen years? Did you happen to get hooked on the early Victoria Holt and/or E. Loring novels? I wondered because those were my teen fairy tale books and now your books are my happily ever after pleasure reading. Keep up the great writing! Thanks! (Rebecca)

A: Dear Rebecca: Glad you asked. The authors I read most in my teen years after reluctantly leaving Nancy Drew behind (I still consider her my role model) were Robert Heinlein (the books written before STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND), and Andre Norton. And then there was that incredible book I discovered one night while babysitting when I was a mere thirteen years old -- E.M. Hull's The Sheik...What can I say? It changed my life. Unfortunately, I had to wait another thirteen years before I discovered that there was an entire genre of romance out there!

Q: Hi Jayne, So glad I found this site and first I loooove your books and I make a pain out of myself whenever you books are due out I call my friend who has a bookstore wanting to know if it is in. Now for my question Are you going to the RWA in Anaheim on July 29 for literacy? Also what is your next book going to be about and when is it due out.? Take care and will looking forward to hearing from you. (Vicki)

A: Dear Vicki: Feel free to make a pain of yourself inquiring about my next book whenever you like! No, unfortunately, I won't be in Anaheim this year. To answer your last question, my next books will be, in order of appearance, the paperback of Sharp Edges (August) and the new hardcover FLASH (on sale in Sept.)

Q: Jayne, what ever happened to your bird named "Ferd"? I never see a reference to it anymore. (Donna)

A: Dear Donna: Thanks for asking about Ferd. A few years ago he went to that great bird land in the sky. We still think about him. He was an important part of our lives for many years. Bonding with pets teaches us so much about this world and our place in it.

Q: How long does it take to write each book? (Jenny Nowakowski)

A: Dear Jenny: The short answer is "as long as it takes". In actual fact I do about two books (sometimes three) a year. That seems to be a natural pace for me.

Q: Hi, before I ask my question, I would just like to say that you are one of my favorite authors, and you have a wonderful talent. I can honestly say that I've loved everyone of your books that I have read. That includes the ones you've written under Amanda Quick and the other names. So any way, my question. Last night I went to the library and saw that there was a different book by you that I haven't read. It's paired with High Energy, by Dara Joy. I checked it out and started reading it. I don't want to sound like some b---- who thinks she knows more about your writing than you do, but after about halfway through the book, I was incredibly disappointed. In all your other books, and again this is just my interpretation, but all the other women in your books have a very admirable independent streak in them, and that's always been my favorite part about them. The heroes respected that facet of their character and therefore the couple always seemed to kind of mesh together. In your book, Whirlwind Courtship, this does not happen. Phoebe puts on a show of independence, but always seems to give up in the end. And Harlan... well, Harlan's just a jerk. I was just wondering why this book is different from all the others. Again, I'm sorry if I have offended you, but I just had to know. I've come to expect that kind of writing from other authors, but not you. Umm, now that I reread the letter, I realize I sound incredibly arrogant, but I don't have a lot of time on the computer so I'll just have to send it like this. Please don't be angry. One of your greatest fans,

A: Whirlwind Courtship was one of the first books I ever wrote. To this day it remains one of the most controversial novels that I've done. I'm not exactly sure why. But just as there are a lot of people who, like you, feel that this is their least favorite book of mine, I get a lot of mail from other readers who think it was one of my best! But I guess that's what makes horse races. I'm glad that you're enjoying my other books.

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