Friday, January 29, 2016

You Can't Go Home Again BUT You Can Still Answer This Poll

Last night the SO and I watched the first two episodes of Season Ten of The X-Files.

Now...I was an early fan of The X-Files--and I was also an early defector. The Great Conspiracy thing bored me to tears--it was so obviously made up on the fly and it was SO preposterous, but I loved, loved, loved the Monster of the Week shows and I loved the characters and their chemistry. So eventually I did come back and stream all the episodes. And the streaming reconfirmed for me how absolutely idiotic the conspiracy thread was, but how really engaging was the core of the show.

Oh, and I saw all The X-Files movies.

This is just background to let you know I am a fan and I do understand fandom. I understand how you can love and hate something at the same time. I understand how you can feel so invested in someone else's imagination that you feel you get a vote. That your opinion should count for something. I understand that stories really DO matter and that it physically hurts when a writer gets it so wrong and dashes all your hopes and expectations.

So anyway, we watched those first two episodes and my foremost thought was...gulp...Mulder and Scully are old. Now I already knew that -- and I have also grown older -- but although I've seen Duchovny and Anderson in other dramatic vehicles, I haven't seen Mulder and Scully in different dramatic vehicles and yes, it was a little startling. And it put into my mind the thought that if you're going to bring something back, you don't want to wait too long.

 Now that I sound ruthlessly ageist, let me clarify that I actually enjoyed seeing Mulder and Scully together again and I didn't mind at all mind that they were older. I did mind things like...they weren't together as a couple anymore because I hate it when storytellers renege on a promise and when characters can't learn from the past. And the fact that the first episode was nearly incoherent with political agenda and HEY, A NEW EQUALLY FARFETCHED CONSPIRACY EVEN LESS BELIEVABLE THAN THE LAST ONE...but you know, that is so Chris Carter, I almost felt a kind of exasperated affection.

The second episode was marginally better, but if the third one doesn't bring home the goods, I will be erasing Season 10 from my memory banks.

But as I said, what watching Season 10 did was remind me that if you're going to bring something back from the grave...like a long promised sequel...you need to make that a priority. And since for once in my writing life I have no plans and no contracts beyond this year, it seems like 2017 would be a good year to tie up a few loose ends.

Accordingly I'm running a poll at Goodreads.

I'm asking two questions: which series book would you most like to see next AND (two--yes, you get TWO votes) which non-series book with a promised sequel would you like to see next?

The poll is here. (I think)

But not everyone belongs to Goodreads and so if you'd like to answer here, that's okay too.

 So onto the choices.


Of my CURRENTLY ONGOING series (which means NOT Adrien and Jake) which book would you most like to see next:

Holmes and Moriarity
Haunted Heart: Spring
Dangerous Ground


AND of the NON-series books where I have, however, promised a sequel:

The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks
Snowball in Hell
This Rough Magic


Now all these series will ultimately be completed (barring misfortune and death) and all these books will ultimately have their sequels (same rules) but in a perfect world where you are in control, what would you most like to see NEXT?

Answer below or at Goodreads.


94 comments:

  1. oooh, Snowball in Hell! (my very favorite of your books) :)

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  2. I'd love the next Holmes and Moriarity. I absolutely devoured those books a couple of months ago and fell in love with Kit and J.X.

    As for the non-series, I'll vote for a follow-up to The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks.

    Happy writing, Josh!

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  3. Holmes and Moriarty would be cool, but I'm also very anxious to see where the story and characters go in the Haunted Heart series, so I guess that one gets my vote. I'd also love more Perry and Nick, though.

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  4. Holmes and Moriarity. I do think its your BEST series. In fact, I started re reading it again just yesterday as it happens....

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  5. Snowball in Hell, I've been hoping for that for a few years now.

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  6. Hard choices, but I vote for Holmes and Moriarity and The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks.

    Thanks from a long-time fan.

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  7. The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks. It's a favourite reread of mine.

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  8. Oh my gosh. My first comment when the X-Files came on was "Holy crap! They're old!" I watched the first couple of seasons and then they lost me. My picks aren't winning in the polls and I'm a bitter girl. That being said, I am one of the ones who said I would read your grocery list if you published it, so I'm along for the ride wherever you take us.

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  9. I voted on goodreads, can I vote here too?? :)
    I would vote Adri....oops ok crap. Kit and J.X. for sure, and Nick and Perry.
    Feel free to erase my vote since it's a duplicate :)

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  10. Oh, definitely, Holmes and Moriarity. My favorite reread when I'm in a book funk. And Ghost wore yellow socks. Love it!!! Best news ever, Josh!

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  11. x files first episode: didn't care for it.
    Second episode: a bit better
    Third episode: promises a monster. I am hopeful
    As for your polls: I voted on Goodreads
    Haunted Heart
    Snowball in Hell
    Happy Friday

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  12. Dangerous Ground because we kind of left things hanging about who was having them followed. The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks because it was maybe the third m/m book I read and I love those guys.

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  13. I like Kit and JX very much, but Will and Taylor are a close second, so feel free to chose your favorite!
    As for the non-series, I'd like to hear more about Matt and Nathan.
    TGIF! Have a good weekend!

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  14. Holmes & Moriarty and The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks please.

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  15. I love Holmes and Moriarty, but have also been dying to find out what happens next in the Haunted Heart series, so either would be great.
    And, yes, follow up to Ghost with Yellow Socks, please.

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  16. Dangerous ground and Snowball in Hell!

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  17. Holmes & Moriarity! (I love the Haunted Heart series too, but I don't like long waits between installments and you are projecting 4 books in that series, so I feel like book 2 would just make me want 3 & 4 more and then be sad when I can't buy them.)

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  18. Dangerous Ground, and
    Snowball In Hell
    no explanation needed but, they will need audio releases. Simultaneous if at all possible.

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  19. Dangerous Ground and Snowball in Hell :-)

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  20. Dangerous Ground and Snowball in Hell.
    I love the adventures of Will and Taylor, und SiH blew me away with the atmosphere und desperate affection between the 2 leads.

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  21. On-Going Series: definitely Holmes and Moriarity :)

    Stand-Alone: Ghost Wore Yellow Socks

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  22. Holmes and Moriarity! Holmes and Moriarity! Holmes and Moriarity!

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  23. Haunted Heart and Snowball in Hell. Actually, I'm trying to cheat because I voted on Goodreads :)

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  24. I choose Dangerous Ground (with Holmes and Moriarity running a close second, virtually a tie) and Snowball in Hell.

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  25. Dangerous Ground and Snowball in Hell, please. Thanks for asking our opinion!

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  26. Holmes and Moriarity. (Adding in a weepy, barely-audible voice, "But Jake and Adrien!")

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  27. For current series - first choice Haunted Heart, second choice Holmes & Moriarity. For non-series books - Snowball in Hell.

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  28. Holmes and Moriarity,please!With the exception of Adrien and Jake they are my favourites. My second vote is "The Ghost wore yellow socks". I love your stories!!! - Petra

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  29. I vote for the Ghost Wore Yellow Socks and Haunted Heart, Spring.

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  30. Kit and JX! And Nick and Perry! 4Evar!

    Never watched the X-Files on first run.

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  31. That would be Kit&JX, and Snowball. I love others as well but one must prioritize :-).

    goge

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  32. Kit & JX for series; Nick & Perry for non-series. Please please please. And thank you :)

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  33. The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks ;)

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  34. Absolutely love anything you write - and I hope you write ALL these books right away. But my first choices are Dangerous Ground and Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, I can't wait to see how Nick and Perry are doing. Thanks!

    And for Chris Carter - exasperated yes, affection no.

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  35. Ditto (can that count as 2 votes?) :-P

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  36. Holmes & Moriarty and the Ghost wore Yellow Socks. I just re-purchased Ghost because it was on an old device that died an AJ Rose death, and I wanted to read it again.

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  37. Holmes and Moriarty and the Ghost wore yellow socks!!

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  38. Holmes & Ghost. Yup. If you're making me choose. But if there was a runoff I'd throw Spring in there. And of course now that no mention the not-currently-ongoing-and-should-be.... *never mind* :D

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  39. Please please please Holmes and Moriarty. I love these books soooo much and have listened to the audiobooks countless times. And Snowball In Hell please too.

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  40. Holmes and Moriarty and Snowball in Hell. Especially Snowball in Hell. I have been waiting to see what happens next for years. It's time to dust it off and give a good sequel writing. Thanks.

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  41. Snowball in Hell is my favorite (what happens next?). Holmes and Moriarty second.

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  42. I vote for Holmes and Moriarty. For the other, I would like This Rough Magic.

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  43. Flynn is such a tortured soul. I really need to see him find some peace. Help! Are there appropriate bribes that can be sent?? Chocolates? Nylons? ....crap....that was for WWII. Any suggestions??

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  44. Holmes and Moriarty and Snowball in Hell

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  45. Holmes and Moriarity for sure.

    Of the others, probably This Rough Magic.

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  46. The Haunted Heart and This Rough Magic.

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  47. I loved the Coda for Adrian and Jake and although I'm really curious how the cat and dog are getting along (okay, I want to know the guys are doing well too) I'm just going to believe all is well.

    I'm listening to Kit and JX again so yeah, I really want to see what's up with them. I really love their dynamic.

    I'd love to know how it's going for Nick & Perry... so yeah, I'd wear yellow socks again in a minute.

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  49. Thank you for letting us have a say. Here are my votes:

    Series: The Haunted Heart: Spring
    Sequel: This Rough Magic

    Have you ever considered writing a sequel to Out of the Blue? Or even a coda? I so want to know if they make it out of the war and what happens next; if, against all odds, they try to make it work.

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  50. The Haunted Heart: spring
    Snowball in Hell

    Both inspire my dreams and imagination. But it is such a tough choice. For sequels to all other books would please me very much too. So I rely on your promise to create every one of them in the future.
    I never read anything from you I haven`t read at least twice. So just keeping publishing more and more books will keep me a seriously happy reader

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  51. The Haunted Heart: Spring
    This Rough Magic.

    Can I also vote for something that is not even in the vote? Probably not, but I've been desperately waiting for that Mummy Dearest sequel.

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  52. I can never get enough of Kit and JX, and I would love a sequel to Snowball in Hell.

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  53. Holmes and Moriarity. But I'd buy and read your grocery list if that's all I had available, so anything would be good.

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  54. I already voted for Holmes and Moriarity, but now I'm thinking Doyle and Spain. Split decision . . .

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  55. The first question is tough. I would like either H&M or Haunted Heart. To the second question, I can answer without a doubt I want to see This Rough Magic. I so enjoyed the book and want to see more of the couple.

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  56. Definitely Haunted Heart: Spring. I've just reread the first one and I would love a sequel.
    As for the second - This Rough Magic would probably be my first choice, but The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks would be great as well.

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  57. Please, Dangerous Ground
    This Rough Magic
    My son's middle name is Fox!

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  58. Haunted Heart: Spring.

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  59. Holmes & Moriarity, please...I love Kit and J.X. and I keep relistening to the audiobooks.
    The sequel to Ghost wore yellow socks would also be great.

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  60. Would love to have more Dangerous Ground and Snowball in Hell. Thanks. :)

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  61. I would love a sequel to The ghost wore yellow socks and more Holmes & Moriarity would be great.

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  62. Haunted Heart: Spring
    I truly loved the first book.

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  63. Haunted Heart: Spring and The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, I really loved Winter.

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  64. It's hard to choose between Holmes and Moriarity and Dangerous Ground. Can I have both? Lol. No? Kit and J.X. It is then! Hands down my favorite series. And Snowball in Hell. I've been waiting for that one for awhile now.

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  65. Oh Haunted Heart: Spring! I empathized with Flynn and I keep hoping his book will be the next released.

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  66. Holmes and Moriarity please, cried with laughter at the last one (when I wasn't sympathising the hell out of Kit's reluctance to commit).

    For the sequel, This Rough Magic please.

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  67. Dangerous Ground; Snowball in Hell

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  68. Come Unto These Yellow Sands :)

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  69. Holmea &Moriarity
    Snowball in Hell

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  70. Holmes and Moriarty, because, well, Holmes and Moriarty! And The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks, these guys were so great!

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  71. This is tough... ( I laughed at what you said about the X-files! I loooved that show and even took my nieces to 1 of the traveling "X-files Events"...Good times...

    for the poll:

    1. The Haunted Heart series
    2. "The Ghost wore Yellow Socks" followed closely by "Ghost of a Chance" followed by
    Come unto these yellow sands
    PS Poll page didn't appear
    RDAFAN7

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  72. After Jake and Adrien, I adore Will and Taylor best, so definitely Dangerous Ground (although I won't be disappointed if a different series wins the vote, because I like them all) and I would love to see a sequel to The Ghost Wore Yellow Socks. Thanks for letting us give input!

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  73. Definitely Dangerous Ground. Will and Taylor are my favorites.

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  74. Dangerous ground puhleaaasseeee......

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  75. more kit and jx please. i'm curious tho, have you decided not to move forward with illmet by moonlight?

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  76. I haven't voted on Goodreads, so I'm doing so here.

    Tough choice. Of the series books, I love them all. I'd have to say that Haunted Heart would be the first one I'd love to see a sequel to with Holmes/Moriarty (sp?) being a close second...Although I do love the Dangerous Ground series. Sigh.

    I haven't reread the non-series books for awhile, so if you don't want to just write two sequels to the series books, I think Snowball in He'll would be my top choice now.

    The third option would be to completely give up your personal life and write sequels for all of them...hook up an IV for food, etc. Just kidding. ;)

    Looking forward to reading whatever you work on.

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  77. Hi, I'm just wondering if Elliot and Tucker will get their last book you've mentioned a while ago in 2016, and you didn't put them up for voting because it's a sure thing... or if it is so far away that you are not even thinking about it at the moment. Thanks!

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    1. Yes. Absolutely. Their final book is contracted to Carina Press for this year. So there was no question on the when that one has to happen. ;-)

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  78. Holmes and Moriarity, I love the pair! And the Play serie, but I have understand it is no on going now.

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  79. Will placing two votes in the ongoing series category invalidate this? :P Because JX and Kit and Will and Taylor. I really enjoy Kit's head space- even when he's at his most human i.e. whinny. And I really want to find out about who was having Will and Taylor followed.
    Or you can just decide to write anything and you have me on board.

    And YES to monster of the week episodes- Clyde Bruckman I'm looking at you.

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  80. Is it too late to vote for Snowball?

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  81. Haunted Heart:Winter had been on my to-Read list for a while, so as I read it, I kept thinking to myself "the is so good I can't believe I didn't read this immediately after finding out it existed!" And then I got to the end and realized there wasn't more Kirk and Flynn, and I almost passed out. Pleeeease write more of these guys! Please? I appreciate writing is a pretty intense process and that you've got a ton of stuff going on but please? Pretty please with sprinkles?

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    1. There will definitely be more Haunted Heart. :-) It just happens to be at the bottom of a very long list of stories that were already promised. But I haven't forgotten Kirk or Flynn. :-D

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  82. FWIW, "Haunted Heart: Spring." And I'll throw in my non-series votes for that one too.

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    1. Aww! Well, HH did not win in the polling, but I will get around to finishing the quartet nonetheless. Thank you for your answer!

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  83. So I'm so late to the game it isn't even funny, but I just read Haunted Heart - and I want more!!!!

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