M. J. Putney: Introduction of an Alter Ego

by Mary Jo, aka M. J. Putney

March 21st will be the 25th anniversary of starting my first book, which was published 18 months later as The Diabolical Baron.  It’s time to reinvent myself again. <G>  Hence Dark Mirror, my first young adult paranormal historical, which hit the stores yesterday. 

I’ve always written romance, almost always historical, though some contemporaries and historical fantasy crept in.  But YA is a new country, a new genre with new rules.  Though history and romance are still present. <G>

(Note: I am NOT giving up historical romance!  The Bargain will be reissued in April, and Nowhere Near Respectable, the third Lost Lords book, will be out in May, and I’m about to start book 4.)

Dark Mirror is a young adult novel with history, adventure, magic, and a dash of romance.  (Of course romance!)  I’m getting a lot of questions about the difference in writing between romance and YA.

The answer is reader expectations.  Different genres have different core stories.  Epic fantasy is the struggle between good and evil.  Mysteries are about justice. 

For romance, the core is the courtship story of the developing relationship, while the heart of a YA novel is the growth and life journey of the protagonist.  (Though lots of other things can be added to those core stories, of course.  Romance is found as a subplot in all genres.) 

But while the core stories for YA and romance are different, good storytelling is good storytelling.  That’s the foundation of all popular fiction,

So why YA?  I love combining history, romance, and magic, and I wrote several adult books of that ilk. But on the whole, historical romance readers prefer to get their fantasy reading kick from the setting, which is why lords and ladies and Cinderella stories are so popular.  When I changed publishers several years ago, I found that all the editors we talked to wanted me to write straight historical romance without woo-woo elements. 

That was okay—obviously I like writing lords and ladies and Cinderella stories, or I wouldn’t have written so many of them. <G> But I still wanted to write magic!

In particular, I wanted to write a story that connected the Napoleonic period and World War II, because I’ve always been intrigued by the similarities in these two eras.  In both cases. England stood alone against a powerful Continental conqueror, protected by the English Channel, the British Navy, and the stubborn courage of her people. 

From there, it was a short hop to thinking that Regency mages would be drawn to a similar time period where their abilities were be needed.  I had the story idea for Dark Mirror in mind for quite a while before my Del Rey fantasy editor said rather casually that it would work well in YA. 

Bingo!  The heavens opened and the trumpets sounded!  I’d never considered writing YA, even though I’ve read it for years, but I immediately knew that this story should be written as YA. 

DM takes place in a Regency world where magic exists but is disdained by the nobility.  My heroine, sixteen year old Lady Victoria Mansfield, performs an act of heroism that condemns her to the dread Lackland Abbey, where well-born children are “cured” of their magical afflictions. 

Tory chooses to cast her lot with those students who study magic in secret in the chalk tunnels below the Abbey.  One of them is Allarde, the handsome, enigmatic heir to a dukedom.  When a magical artifact draws her through time to a war torn 1940 Britain, she wants nothing more than to return home.  But duty calls, and she and her friends must use their magical abilities to help save their nation from disaster at Dunkirk. 

Mega research!  Especially on the 1940 section of the book, which is within living memory.  But there is nothing like stepping off a creative cliff to get the juices flowing.  <G> 

At least three books will be set in this world.  The YAs will be published under the name of M. J. Putney to indicate that they’re a different kind of book.  (Though you who have long memories may recall I did one historical romantic fantasy, Stolen Magic, under my initials before returning to my full name.)

This is a rather scary leap for me because the YA market and distribution are quite different from adult popular fiction.  Plus—could I fake a young adult voice?  I wasn’t a very good teenager even when I was one!  On the plus side, the readers are wonderfully enthusiastic, and there is a tremendous freedom in YA storytelling.

Besides, I had a story I wanted to tell.  <G>  I’m grateful that so far, the reviews have been very good.  Even from the teenagers. 

Here are a few of the reviews.  I particularly liked the first because it says what I hope and believe: that a fair number of my adult readers will enjoy Tory’s story.

“An amazing young adult novel from an established romance author! Mary Jo Putney’s adult readers will delight in her latest offering.”
 Leah, YoungAdultRomanceWriters.com

“One of the best stories I've ever read that mixes history, magic, and time travel.”
 Angel, 15 years old, from the teen advisory board of New Albany-Floyd County Library in Indiana.  5 star rating.

 “Absolutely riveting, Putney creates a vivid historical fantasy and delivers a page-turning read.  The plot builds slowly and deliberately and then suddenly you're got magic-wielding, time-traveling teens in WWII England, as Putney gives us a magical explanation for an incredible historical event.”
    Raven Heller, 4 1/2 stars, Romantic Times Bookclub

Since I am new to the YA genre, St. Martin’s Press wanted to release the first books close together.  Book 2, Dark Passage, is scheduled for September 2011, and the third book, not yet written, will be published some time in 2012.  (You can see why I’ve been so busy!)  There will also be a free downloadable short story, a sort of prequel, that will be available soon online.  It’s called “Fallen From Grace.” 

I have a basic website up at mjputney.com , and also a Facebook page, though I don’t pay as much attention to the sites as I should.  I can write more stories, or have a great online presence.  Not both unless I figure out how to clone myself. Triplets would be about right.  <G>

If the story interests you, or you know a young reader who might be enjoy Tory and her adventures, I hope you’ll give it a try.  Leave a comment between now and Friday midnight and you may win a signed copy of Dark Mirror from me.  So tell me what you think about this latest reinvention!

Mary Jo, aka M. J.

Comments

[PRationality]

I've been reading your novels since I was a pre-teen (so around 15 years!) so when I heard you were coming out with a YA Paranormal Historical I was like 'PERFECT FOR MY COLLECTION' :D

Lexie

[Cynthia Owens]

Mary Jo, I look forward to reading this story, and then passing it on to my 14-year-old daughter, who's as much of a bookbug as I am!

[Hannah Lee]

Looking forward to reading it, Mary Jo!
As I still have a teen at home, I have an ostensible reason to browse in the YA and children's section of the bookstores. And, I still review new books for my library.

[Mary Jo Putney]

PRationality, I'm glad to know my stories didn't corrupt your innocent mind when you were a tyke! Funny that now that you've out grown YA, I've written one, but I hope you enjoy it anyhow. *g*

Cynthia, it's lovely that you daughter is a reader, too. The acorn isn't falling far from the tree. *g*

Hannah, you're one of the ones who helped me realize the breadth of riches in the YA section. Middle grade is a bit young for me, but YAs can work just fine for adults. That's one reason the genre is growing, I think.

[Hellion]

I read YA fiction almost as much as historical romance or contemporaries. (My friend say they can't stand teenage angst--"I'm so over it!"--I assure you she's not; but I think the stories are so much more than teenage angst.) But then I enjoy a good coming of age story, which I think most YA is.

[Janga]

I've read YA novels since my own YA days long years ago. It's a rare year when one or more YA titles are not included on my personal "Best of" list. And I'd never miss an MJP book, regardless of genre. Congratulations on your debut in a new genre, Mary Jo. I look forward to reading Dark Mirror.

[kate]

I am really looking forward to it. I read "The Marriage Spell" and have been waiting for something similar to come along. I like the idea of being at the Abbey. Will it be run by the same man who ran it in the previously mentioned book? I told my daughters about it and they are intrigued. Can't wait to find it at the library and check it out. Take care!
Kate

[maryjoputney]

Hellion--

I agree that YA is just about always a coming of age story, which I also like. If characters don't change, there's no novel, and young adults tend to me in the midst of great change. Contemporary non paranormal YAs tend to be the most angsty, I think. If you're busy dodging demons or learning magic, there's less time for angst. *g*

[maryjoputney]

Janga--I hope Dark Mirror doesn't disappoint! YA is definitely a happening genre now, with a really wide range of stories available.

[maryjoputney]

Kate--

Though some of the concepts of Dark Mirror are similar to The Marriage Spell, it's a different world with a different school. Not only is it in the southeast of England rather than the northwest, it's co-ed, which is much more interesting. *g* If you like Marriage Spell, though I think there's a good chance you'll enjoy Dark Mirror.

[Martha Lawson]

Hi Mary Jo!

I love your books, and I must say Dark Mirror looks awesome. I am looking forward to reading this one and then passing it on to my 14 yr. old grandaughter, who is an avid reader! Good luck.

[maryjoputney]

Many thankss, Martha! I'd say your granddaughter is exactly the intended demographic, but since adults read YAs, too, I hope you'll both enjoy it! It's fun to be able to discuss books with a family member. When I was a kid, we all read, but we read different things. *g*

[LouisaCornell]

I think this reinvention is just a testament to your fabulous talent as a writer. I've been reading your books since The Diabolical Baron and you never fail to deliver!

I was forced to start reading YA romance as my brother refused to let his daughter read anything outside of school unless I read it first. She is 17 now, but YA is still her favorite genre! I think these books will be a perfect fit for her! The only problem will be keeping her out of my stash of Mary Jo Putney books once she finds out how wonderful your books are!

[maryjoputney]

Thanks for the lovely words, Louisa! If your niece is 17, I din't think he'll be able to control her reading much longer.

[LouisaCornell]

You are very probably right, Mary Jo! He is already horrified that she wants to study forensics in college and eventually become a crime scene investigator and / or coroner. And I have promised her she can read my manuscripts once she turns 18. LOL

[Kim in Hawaii]

Aloha, Mary Jo! Congratulations on your longevity in romance - your fans also appreciate it! I am excited to read your new books - love the parallel between Regency and WWII!

[librarypat]

I wish I were still ordering for the county library. These books are exactly what I would put on the shelf. The teens would love them. I'll contact my former coworkers a encourage them to order the series.
YA is an exciting place to be right now. Many established authors for adults are trying their hand at YA fiction. There are also many new voices in the field.. The quality of YA fiction is wonderful.
I hope you do well with your YA venture. I'll be looking for them.

[maryjoputney]

LibraryPat--thanks for the good wishes!I agree about the quality of YA fiction now--there are great writers doing a dazzling variety of things. I hope you can persuade your former coworkers to give the series a try!

[tracey wurzbacher]

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Finished it and then gave it to my sixteen year old :)

[MaryJoPutney]

Tracey, thanks so much for lettng me know! I'm so glad you enjoyed Dark Mirror so much. Since this is a new genre for me, it's a little scary, so I'm happy that the story worked for you.

Mary Jo in Tucson at a book festival

[Nike Shox]

The idea has alternative. A little mystery novel!!