I have a lot of writer friends. A lot. Like, easily into the hundreds. Although most of these are people whom I’ve never met in person, we still interact regularly via social media. I do get to see people in person every once in a while, either locally, or when I go to conventions.

One question that should go unasked between writers is “Have you read my work?” The reason being, most of us would not possibly be able to read everything all our friends write, no matter how much we might want to. The best answer, when it is awkwardly asked, is “It’s on my ‘want to read’ list!” AKA the TBR: To Be Read.

I read Jane’s books. Because I want to. Because not only do I enjoy the fantastical aspect of angels with a Russian twist, but because the inter-personal relationships are compelling and complex. I read the novels because I enjoy them. I read them because they influence my own writing in a positive way.

Jane puts her angels through hell. I had to take a break from writing the other night because I wrote the long-awaited scene where a main character dies. Jane loves to torture her characters. I have  pangs of guilt when one has a hangnail.

A while ago, I won a free e-book from an author I follow. They’re popular, and although I like their style, I haven’t actually read anything of theirs. I was rather surprised to win the book, since I hadn’t entered any contest. It turns out, she did a random drawing from people who follow her on twitter. I’ll add the book to my TBR list.

A few weeks ago, Jane’s novel The Prince of Tricks was released. I bought it for my nook as soon as it came out. I also have her House of Arkhangel’sk trilogy on my nook, which I love! To celebrate the release, Jane had a little party on her facebook page.

I was all over that party. I was commenting, I was giving my two cents worth on every opinion offered up. I pissed several people up when my own image of Belphagor differed from their own…

And I was thrilled…T-H-R-I-L-L-E-D when I won autographed copies of her Arhangel’sk trilogy! These books weren’t just tossed my way…I wanted these. And the fact that Jane signed all three sent me over the moon! She even signed the first one in Russian (of which both Jane and I have some familiarity, though neither of us is fluent.)

Jane Kindred was my fourth interview on this blog, back in 2011. Although we live on opposite sides of the country, she is high on my list of writer-friends-I-really-want-to-meet-in-person-someday.

And now, I won’t have to worry about that awkward “can I have your autograph?” moment. But I’m still planning on the “can I get a picture together so I can plaster it all over social media and prove I actually me you?” moment.