Tweetaholic? More on Book Promotion

I promised last week that I would write this week about Twitter, so I’m doing it even though I really want to tell you about my new DOG!!!! Well, I’ll tell you a little because she is sitting on my lap right now. She is a papillon, butterfly in French, and has the giant butterfly ears to prove it. She is A-dorable. No name selected yet, but we’re considering Jolie which means pretty in French or Poppy.

Okay, on to social media. As I said last week, I’m not a social media expert. I’m just sharing my personal experience, both as an author and a PR person. Last week we talked about Facebook and said it is a very personal platform. Twitter is a different animal. I am a Tweetaholic and use Twitter more than Facebook (although I appreciate Facebook more all the time). Twitter is far more a “broadcast” medium.  Much of the world’s news – earthquakes, fires, floods, divorces-- appears first on Twitter. On Twitter, you have “followers” and you want to have a lot of them because every one is a potential reader or friend of a reader. Start by following other writers – there are tons of them on Twitter. Not only do writers read a lot, they also have people who read them who might also want to read you. Yes, you only have 140 characters, but you get used to packing a lot into that short form, plus a link to something like your blog, your book buy link, a YouTube video, etc. (This post, for example, will be tweeted several times today.) 

Unlike Facebook, Twitter is ephemeral. You Tweet, it goes out, maybe it gets “retweeted” if people are interested, and it goes away. So you can come back later and tweet about the same thing. But, like on Facebook, you can’t be too pushy. People will unfollow you if you try to sell all the time. Only about a third of your tweets should be salesy. The rest should offer useful information, be retweets of other people, and comments on their tweets. While not as personal as Facebook, Twitter is still social, and the way you treat people matters.

People freak out over Twitter wondering how on earth they can read all those tweets, especially when you get over 1,000 followers. The answer is “you can’t”. You get an organizational tool like TweetDeck or Seesmic and use it to organize your tweets. You soon start to get a sense of who you want to follow most closely. When you come onto Twitter, you read the tweets you see and maybe comment on some. That might develop a new friend from somewhere in the world. One day I saw a tweet about a movie someone liked. I asked where she saw it. She said “the city”. I said Los Angeles? She said, no, Vienna!  A very international  platform.

Mostly, on Twitter, you comment on the people who have mentioned you. It sounds hard, but you’ll get the hang of it. There are regular events like Follow Friday when you can recognize people and they may recognize you and perhaps follow you in return. Regularly, you should follow people who interest you (Twitter will make suggestions or you can look at the lists of people you follow) and they may follow you back. Some people hate the relentless nature of Twitter. But it’s a fabulous place to promote your blog, your book, your book tour. You’ll find new people that you may want to friend on Facebook or Goodreads. It’s a must for self promotion by an author. Set aside a few minutes a couple or three times a day to participate. Just always remember that book promotion is more about the book than the promotion.  Which one do you like better?  Twitter or Facebook?  Why?

Also, if you pop over to my Book BLOG and follow and/or leave a comment, you may WIN a copy of Genetic Attraction, my M/M/F menage now available from Loose Id. 

Book Promotion: Facebook Fanatic?

Have you noticed that people tend to be huge fans of either Twitter or Facebook and will use one a lot and the other very little or not at all? Actually, while you may prefer one, you have to do both because they are very different in the way they reach people and even the people they reach. I started out trying to cover both in one discussion and was heading toward a 900 word post. I figured that would try your patience, so this week I’ll talk about Facebook which I think is the easiest to grasp. Next week we’ll cover Twitter (my personal fave). Please note, I’m not a social media expert. This is my experience over the last six months introducing myself and my first novel, Genetic Attraction, plus some of my PR training.

So, let’s discuss Facebook, the most popular social media tool and subject of the film, The Social Network (great movie, by the way.) I am active on Facebook, but don’t begin to use all its tools. I don’t have a fan page and don’t think I’ll need one for a long while (fan pages are great when you want to exceed your 5000 friend limit. I should be so fortunate! LOL). So, for beginning purposes, here are some things to remember.

Your Facebook page is a part of your persona as a writer. Whether you write under your own name or not, do NOT mix your personal friends and chats with them with your professional friends. Create two different Facebook accounts and keep them separate. But, with that said, remember Facebook is a personal medium. This means you communicate with the people on Facebook as you would a friend. You share semi-personal information, things about your life, something fun you see on YouTube or television. You chat and, above all, you comment on other people’s posts, share their triumphs and mourn their losses. On Facebook, you may post an announcement about your blog or your new release once. But it stays, so you can’t push it. Facebook is not a pushy platform and people get really mad if you try to sell them. Fecebook is about friends. Be friendly! My friend, Sloan Parker is, IMO, the master of Facebook interaction, and if you want to know how to use it well, watch her.

Who do you follow? I’d start with other writers, publishers, agents, people whose information you really want to know. As you grow your list, Facebook will suggest other friends like the ones you have. You can see your friends’ lists and perhaps ask to friend some of those people. Because of the nature of Facebook, most people (even your number one author idol!) will agree to be friends with you. It’s a kick! You can have real conversations on Facebook, but mostly you want to “be a friend” to the people who you follow. Do that, and when you ask for support, like for a blog tour or book advice, chances are they will give it. And it gives your growing number of fans a place to find you and interact with you personally. I have people who like my books who see me online and come and chat.

Like all social media, Facebook can be addictive. Resist. You need time to write. But it is a marvelous way to meet people and cement relationships. If you’re not using it, go over and sign up. It’s easy. If you have an account but don’t use it, start looking for friends and vow to visit the page once a day to comment on their posts. You’ll be delighted with the results.

What is your favorite social media tool? Why do you like it best?

Oprah Recommends Dickens, I Recommend Loose-Id's Not Quite Christmas

Last week, Oprah selected the 65th book for her insanely, popular book club. Since it's the holidays, I'm sure many of her viewers were expecting a novel that would embody the spirit of the season.

A tome so feel good and belly-achingly heartwarming, every one of her one billion plus viewers around the world would run out and purchase gazillions of copies like so many times in the past.

Personally I think her current pick, a special-packaged edition of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations and Tale of Two Cities, feels sort of like a lump of coal. And I think many of her loyal readers will also question if they've been naughty or nice.

Book length aside, Dickens' plots aren't the happiest. Who could ever forget an orphan pickpocket's iconic request for more gruel? I'm flumoxed by her choices because it's not as if Dickens didn't pen several Christmas-themed stories, including the holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol. Instead, she choose one of the two most depressing stories from the Victorian writer's catalogue and two stories that have nothing to do with the season.

Am I missing something?

Maybe there's something in these two tales featuring angry mobs, a mentally and physically abused orphan, an unfortunate spinster who sits around in an old wedding gown, and prisoners locked up because of the family they were born to. Or maybe I'm just over-analyzing this and it's just an ill-informed recommendation by a social icon who's never read anything by Charles Dickens. Me thinks it's the latter.

Fortunately, the season isn't over. You still have time to salvage your holiday reading list by curling up with Loose-Id's special collection of holiday themed romances, Not Quite Christmas! So save Dickens for another day. You won't be sorry. Each story in the collection is scorching, they embody the spirit of season and they won't bumb you out with convicts filing off a limb and threatening innocent children.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

Not Quite Christmas Collection

So, what do you think of Oprah's holiday picks? Any Not Quite Christmas book you really love so far?

Posted by Koko Brown
My Loose-Id Titles

Release Day!! His Brother's Keeper

His Brother's Keeper
by Ali Katz
Publisher: Loose Id
Cover Art: Justin James
Purchase Link

What happens to romance when the honeymoon is over? Eventually, real life will interrupt: jobs, finances, sickness, disaster, kids, the age old question of who's turn it is to do the dishes tonight. Few couples lead lives so charmed they never have to deal with these things. The raging heat of passion is reduced to a simmer when family takes over.

His Brother's Keeper, affectionately referred to by my friends and crit partners as HBK, is one family's story.

Sal and Jess are from different worlds. Sal knows how to love. He's watched his parents practice for-better-or-worse his whole life. Jess, who's homelife revolved around taking care of his little brother, is still learning.

But, when disaster strikes, it's Jess in the driver's seat with Sal riding shotgun. Romance, however, is forced into the back seat for a while and love becomes the fuel that keeps them going.

More than a romance, HBK is a love story. I hope it touches you in some way.

Blurb

After six months, Jess and Sal are still living the honeymoon - sex in the hall, sex on the stairs, sex on the kitchen floor. Life couldn't be more perfect.

Enter Jess's little brother, Teddy.

A kid is the last thing the lovers need, especially a sullen, troubled teen, with far too much baggage, but Teddy needs them, and when life throws a curve, real men swing.

A kid in the house, however, means getting together is no longer just a matter of wrestling to see who's going to top, or stashing little bottles of lube in convenient places. It takes innovation - they haven't tried the laundry room in the garage -- and discretion -- hard to be discreet if your lover crows when he comes. Watching Teddy bloom makes the daily challenges worthwhile. They manage.

Their little family is just beginning to take on a healthy new shape when Teddy is viciously attacked and Sal comes under suspicion.
Now, where and when take second place to if and but. The ultimate test begins as they fight to hold fast to love and family while merciless forces work to rip them apart.

Read an Excerpt

Thanks for reading,

ali
www.a-katz.com
On Facebook: Ali Katz
On Twitter: practicalkatz

Weeee! My book is out!!

An Invitation: Ariel's Pet
Publisher: Loose Id, LLC
ISBN:978-1-60737-5761-6
Cover Artist: April Martinez
Price: $7.99

At last, Ariel and Dane can leave me alone and I can get on with my other stories. I truly enjoyed playing with my chef and her Dom, but I'm ready to release them onto the readers (**wicked evil grin here**) so they can see how bad the pair can play with one another.

I do have to admit though, the recipes I researched for the book have my tummy grumbling and my imagination reeling out of control. When you read the dinner scene, I'd love to hear what your opinions are regarding how much of a tease Ariel can be. Not to mention how well Dane is at turning the tables on his sexy cook.

Hopefully the readers who enjoyed Jennifer Cole's An Invitation: Alayna's Training will feel compelled to see how the story continues with my installment--An Invitation: Ariel's Pet.

I'll be wandering around the various loops today (don't you just love Spring Break!!) so feel free say hello.

Take care all,
Qwillia Rain

author Interview: Viki Lyn

Author Name: Viki Lyn
Year started writing for LI: 2009
Titles: The Tiger Within
Web Page: www.vikilyn.com


What genre do you write in, and why? : M/M Romance. This is a new genre for me. My past books have been historical romances but with edgier characters that live on the outside of society. My WWII Trilogy featured a gay triangle and was a strong secondary subplot, so writing M/M wasn't a difficult transition.


How much time do you spend writing every week? : I'm really a sporadic writer! I'm disciplined when I have deadlines, but other than that, I write at all times of the day. I don't have a set schedule so maybe if I did, I'd be able to write more. I average 3 hours a day, including weekends.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :

A short fan fiction piece in 2000. From there, I wrote numerous fan fics before attempting original short stories. My first novel was a fantasy that I never had published. Sometimes I think about going back and rewriting the darn thing. Some of the characters are worth resurrecting, but once my stories are completed, I like to move on to something new.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :

If I get turned on by reading them, then I've succeeded!

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy?:

Well since they are M/M sex scenes, no, but I do have a gay friend who reads for accuracy. And the more I write hot sex scenes between two men, the more comfortable I become in knowing what can be done. In the beginning, I went to the local adult bookstore and bought two gay sex manuals for references. They were a big help!

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :

No, but then, my sex scenes are not that 'way out' (not yet, anyway!) - and my characters don't use a lot of sex toys - LOL - that will be next...

What one word best describes your toy collection? :

Oh boy, boring! The usual shapes and sizes!

Favourite candy while writing?: Ice cream (to cool down!)

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :

From my imagination, and my interest in the occult, mythology and ancient spiritual philosophies.

What inspires you to write? :

My muse is fickle. I used to create abstract mixed media works of art before writing, so maybe some day I'll go back to my art. Writing fits my personality, because it's mutable. No two stories are alike and the possibilities are endless.


What music inspires your writing? :

I listen to my iPod which has a very eclectic mix from The Pet Shop Boys to Loreena McKennitt.


Plotter or a Panster? :

When I begin a story I'm a panster but once I get into it I mutate into a plotter.


Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :

Oh, I am boring...because none of my sex scenes seemed too challenging. I guess for my next book I'll have to change that. Maybe sex under water?

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :

Sometimes I need to take a break from writing. When I do, I try not to beat myself up with self-guilt. To get back into a writing mode, I just sit in front of my laptop and type, even if it's junk.


The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?

None I want to put down on paper!

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :

Golf course at night.

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :

A picnic in the middle of a rushing river as we lounged on granite boulders warmed by the sun.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :

Mysteries! I devour them.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :

No...and no!

Soulmates? Do you believe? :

Sure, I believe in soul mates and they can be either gender. I don't believe a soul mate has to be between a man and woman exclusively. I have two very wonderful girlfriends that are my soul mates.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :

Pie, Pepsi, and most definitely coffee!

Author Interview: Michelle CAry

Author Name: Michelle Cary

Year started writing for LI: 2008

Titles: For Better For Worse, Sophie’s Secret, The Price of Submission

Web Page: www.michellecary.com

What genre do you write in, and why? :

I have two genre’s that I stick to. My first love is contemporary romantic suspense. However, LI doesn’t take contemporary romance, so my suspense and contemp stories go to a different publisher, while I sent all my erotic stuff to LI.

How much time do you spend writing every week? :

As much as I can. Though, between the demands of two children, a husband and a ‘real job’ I’m lucky if I can average two hours a day during the week. I try to get in more time on the weekends by getting up before everyone else and working on my MS.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :

My very first story was years ago. I was a teenager and wrote a short story with a friend about our favorite band. It was horrible, but it was fun to write and dream. I think the first line of the story was something like. ‘Once in a town, there were five guys…’ LOL

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :

I’m a firm believer that sensual is just as much about the emotion of the moment as it is about describing the play by play. The more the characters care about each other, the sexier the scene is when they finally come together.

If I can re-read a scene and know that even if I took all the graphic descriptions out that the scene would still be sexy, then I think I’ve done a good job.

What one word best describes your toy collection? :

Lacking! LOL Because I have small children, who do watch television in my bedroom sometimes, I’m always terrified that they’ll start snooping and come across something. I’m certainly not prepared to explain to them what a butt plug or nipple clamps are for, so I go without instead of risking it.

Favorite candy while writing? :

Anything chocolate!!!!

What inspires you to write? :

The sense of accomplishment I get at seeing my work completed.

What music inspires your writing? :

It depends on what I’m writing. Most of the time the radio is on and tuned into the local rock station, but if I’m writing something specific that I need a mood for, I’ll play anything from country music to classical.

Plotter or a Panster? :

A little of both. While I like to have a loose plot of how and where I want things to go, the actual story writing is all done by the seat of my pants and my characters have been known to change direction on me mid story.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :

Don’t have a cat. I used to have two, but we had to find them new homes after we discovered my son was allergic to them.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :

Telling my 72 year old grandmother what I write and then having her say to me ‘Well you never know, I might enjoy reading something like that.’ ACK!!!!!

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :

I clean my house or go read a book and give my muse a rest. Usually after a day or two I have a breakthrough and can return to my writing.

The Personal stuff:

What kind of books do you read for fun? :

Mostly romance, though I will get on kicks where I want to learn about other stuff (ie: witchcraft, crab fishing, the origin of music).

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :

Not really. My life is pretty normal. I mean I have my moments of drama, but thankfully, they’ve never been as dramatic as what some of my characters experience.

I don’t really have any ‘fantasies’ of sorts. Stuff I dream up usually ends up in a story, but I don’t normally fantasize about being with another man. Boring I know.

Soulmates? Do you believe? :

Absolutely! I totally buy into that one look and you’re in love thing.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :

Cake (chocolate)

Coke all the way!

Ice tea during the day – hot coffee in the mornings

Lonely Hearts by Adrianna Dane - Now Available

You're off to the jewelry store this month, Who's that lovely man behind the counter? What kind of secrets does he have? What sort of life does he live?

Or maybe you're getting ready to plan a wedding to take place this summer. He's the man who knows how to take color and make it come alive. The wedding planner who takes your life in hand to make your wedding the best in the world. Who is he? He gives you your dream--but what about his own?

My latest release, Lonely Hearts, is now available. A bit of romance and love, some angst and some sparkle for the month that calls to lovers. Caleb and Jim are two lonely lovers, for different reasons. One dark, one light. Read more about these men. The dream of love will always find a way.



Title: Lonely Hearts
Author: Adrianna Dane
Publisher: Loose Id
ISBN: 978-1-59632-865-5
Purchase Link: http://www.loose-id.net/prod-Lonely_Hearts-878.aspx
Author Website: http://www.adriannadane.com
Genre: Gay Erotic Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella

Synopsis:

Caleb Wilson creates happily-ever-afters for a living. But he’s never found a man who wanted the same things out of life that he did.

And then he’s given a task by his father that takes him through the doors of Morgan and Sons Jewelers. And it’s an errand that may change his life.

James "diamond Jim" Morgan inherited his father’s knack for working with fine gems. And even though Jim is surrounded by the glittering symbols of long-term commitment every day, Jim continues to pay penance for sins of the past, leaving no hope of a future.

When Caleb Wilson walks into his store suddenly every gem in the display beams brighter. Caleb is everything Jim wants and nothing he can have. Can Caleb help to heal Jim’s past? Their passion burns bright, but will the searing fire of desire last? A shocking revelation may be the key that changes everything for these two lovers. But will it forge their love or destroy it forever?

Purchase this story: http://www.loose-id.net/prod-Lonely_Hearts-878.aspx

Read an excerpt: http://www.adriannadane.com/lonelyhearts.html

Adrianna Dane
Passionate Stories With Adventurous Heart

Website: http://www.adriannadane.com
Blog: http://www.adriannadane.blogspot.com/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/adriannadane
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Adrianna_Dane

Will I ever learn?

Contrary to the usual standard 'oh I was writing stories when I was 6/8/10' staple of many authors I didn't pick up a pen until 2006. Or more exactly I should say I didn't pick up a pen and write a story with it, I've a long checkered history with photographs, oil paints, pencils, pens and ink. So writing, and indeed publishing is a career that is relatively new to me. Oh how my frustrated English teachers must be turning in their graves! (Yes, I was the person that debated every poem and every paragraph of prose when we were 'told' what it meant. That person in class that pulled out the 'but how do you know that's what they meant?' line of defense.)

I may well have been a minor genius at debating our understanding of the written word and the authors actual intent, but I couldn't deconstruct the English language to save myself. I still can't. It's a sad thing to know that my 2nd grader probably could tell you what's wrong with a sentence faster than I can. Oh, I can tell you what's wrong, all right, using a finger and the phrases 'this needs to be here, and that over there or else this is doing that which is impossible!' but if it comes to using such phrases as participles, adjectives, dangling modifiers you're shit out of luck. And you're likely to be the recipient of a blank stare as Anne frantically searches the recesses of her brain for the answer because-she-should-know-this-stuff-damn-it!

Thank your preferred Deity for good editors. Barbara M, you're my lifesaver!

I'm pretty sure I'm the bane of her existence.

I've had a lot to learn the past 2 1/2 years. The dreaded 'it' and 'that', show versus tell, dialogue tags (who knew he said/she said was a bad thing?), the list goes on. And then there is my pet foible, starting sentences with '-ly' and 'ing'. Yes, the dreaded 'Suddenly, there was a noise.' syndrome (and, if you noticed, my bad habit of starting sentences with And only superceeded by But). Yet, every time I hand in a new manuscript I wait with baited breath for the first edits.

Did I manage this time to pick up on my problem areas? Did I slip back into NZ/Britishisms when the piece is set amibgiously but with American turns of phrase (which I did in this case, seriously though, do you have any idea how hard it is to realise what is or isn't a Kiwi/Britishism when you are a Kiwi? Doesn't everyone call it a chilly bin and a kitchen bench?). Did I find all the it's and explain just what 'it' is? Have all those things my editor has taught me finally sunk in yet? (cross fingers, touch wood, thrown salt over my shoulder etc etc)

Can I plead baby brain when the baby is now eight? Rapid onset adult ADD? Is it possible, nearly three years on to plead newbie status? Or should I resign myself to the fact that even at 80, my editor will still open that first final draft file with their eyes closed?

And most importantly of all: Will I still be sending off that final draft file with my eyes firmly glued shut?

I guess I'm just going to have to stick around this writing game a bit longer to find out. :)

AnneD
(Who really needs to get back to her editing and finding all those pesky Kiwi phrases that slipped through!)

PS. If you want some good advice on how to make your work great, hit Lena's blog, where she's done a whole series from plotting to editing and further that has some GREAT advice.



And here is the rest of it.

Celebrate With A Contest

INTO THE NIGHT, book two in Caitlyn Willows' Into the Heart erotic paranormal series, was just released (Book one, INTO THE LAIR, is a 2007 Dream Realm Award Winner) which gives Caitlyn two fantastic reasons to celebrate! And Author Island is helping me do so with a great contest!

Want to win the Shapeshifter Tarot card deck that helped guide Caitlyn's muse through the writing of INTO THE NIGHT? Then head on over to Author Island for information on how you can enter.

New Release: Into The Night by Caitlyn Willows

INTO THE NIGHT
Book 2 - Into The Heart Series
by Caitlyn Willows
Erotic Romance - Paranormal - Shape-shifter
September 2008
Cover Artist - Marci Gass
Loose Id
ISBN 978-1-59632-770-2

It’s an experience too farfetched to be real, but Trina Tate knows she holds the memories of another woman's soul. Memories that cry out to be with the man, the king she once loved. Drawn to the park each night Trina watches shape-shifting black jaguars running...and mating...and craves to be a part of that. Is she shifting herself or is that too only memory?

Wyatt Caldwell has resolved himself to a life without his soulmate. He's lost the love of his life twice. Duty now occupies him -- duty as head of Braden Institute, duty as leader of the shape-shifters. But once he sees Trina roaming, searching the park fully nude, body and soul calling for his touch. How could he possibly resist?

Excerpt:

Trina pulled in a hard breath. A thousand different scents assaulted her. She shook her head to clear it and tumbled to one side. Vertigo. Damn, it was happening again. Trina caught herself before she fell and eased down onto the cool grass. Nausea roiled in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around her midriff in a desperate attempt to keep from throwing up. The buzz in her head grew to a roar. She squeezed her eyes shut against the pain she knew was coming. It slammed into the back of her skull with the force of a sledgehammer.

She tucked into a fetal position, shaking arms clutching her knees. Blackness clouded her mind, and she felt herself drop into a void. Her body convulsed, as if it were trying to leave the confines of her skin. Trina couldn’t say if the seizure was real or just the workings of her troubled mind. Finally, the sensation passed, and she peeled her eyelids open.

She was sprawled on the ground, her fingers digging into the soft grass like a lifeline. Deep gouges bloodied her forearms. She panted, as if she’d run a marathon, each hard breath amplified as the pain in her head drifted away.

Trina pushed herself upright. She felt weak now, every movement an effort. Braced against the tree once more, she hugged her knees. This was why she'd sought the jaguar shape-shifters out. She wanted answers. Needed them. Except the pull of sex, the smell of sweat and hormones, the magic of whatever they were, had taken over instead. She’d been compelled to strip off her clothes, to watch, to join them.

Then Wyatt had been upon her, tracking her, reeking of sex and maleness, asserting his dominance. And she caved, letting him do whatever he wished, take whatever he wanted. The loss of control, the total submission, affected her in ways she’d never imagined. The old Trina would have nipped that in the bud without blinking. But this person she’d become, this person she didn’t recognize…

She buried her face in her hands to squelch the rush of tears. Trina didn’t know what she’d become. She needed help -- their help. Somehow she had to convince them to do so, convince them she wasn’t crazy or nosy or whatever she’d been before. She needed to convince herself, too. She didn’t know which task was harder, getting someone to believe she'd changed, or trying to believe it herself.

No, she knew what was hardest -- asking for help in the first place. It’d taken her a great deal of soul-searching to get to this point -- finding the clan and following them. She couldn’t let the opportunity pass now. The chances of finding them again would be few after tonight; they’d be more watchful now that she’d gotten too close. Of course, Trina could always corner Wyatt at the institute.

Just like he could corner me.

Trina’s pulse leaped at the thought. She hugged herself at the memory -- the promise -- of his hard, hot body looming over hers. Here was a man who took control without asking, who took it because it was his right. If he could do all this to her in the space of an hour and with an audience, what would he do if he had privacy and all the time in the world? The things he could do to her body! The things he could do to her heart.

She shook her head. No, being alone with Wyatt Caldwell was a big mistake. It was better to get this over with tonight. To make the shape-shifters listen and give her the answers she needed.

If they could.

Trina pushed to her feet and brushed her hands down her T-shirt. Her ragged nails snagged on the cotton. Her forearms stung. She didn’t want to see how much damage she’d done to herself while she was out of it. The truly bizarre thing was that, by morning, any sign of injury would be gone anyway.

It was one of those new mysteries happening to her, like how she could now see in the dark, how her body healed overnight, how her sense of smell rivaled that of a bloodhound. She’d learned to accept the enhanced abilities; after all, what other choice did she have? But the isolation, turmoil, and confusion they caused were driving her slowly insane. Or maybe she’d always been close to the edge, and these events were accelerating her decline. The last few nights she'd spent watching the jaguars was the first time she’d felt connected to anything in six months. No wonder she’d hesitated to shatter that by approaching them.

God, you’re pathetic.

Trina winced at the words her conscience threw at her. The last time she’d heard those exact words had set her on a course from which she’d sworn she'd never deviate. Never again was she going to be the victim in any way, shape, or form.

Trina sighed. That decision had isolated her as well. How ironic she’d be suffering this -- she looked at her hands -- whatever this was, now.

She lifted her chin and tried to catch the clan’s scent. A cacophony of smells slammed into her -- the zoo, the residue from the autumn fires, the ocean, vehicle exhaust. Blood.

Fresh nausea clenched her stomach before she considered it was probably her own blood filtering into the mix. She’d only had six months to learn how to deal with a super-sensitized sniffer. Sorting smells in the rain forest was vastly different than doing so in the city.

Trina shook her head. No, this was a lot of blood. Something big had been killed and recently, too, since the stench of decomposition hadn’t set in. Now that was a smell she’d never had a problem identifying. Living in the rain forest, life and death were never more than a hundred yards away, and nature quickly reabsorbed the loss. But this…

She debated on whether to call the police. The conversation played in her mind. I think something’s dead. No, I don’t know what. I don’t know if it’s a person. No, I don’t know where. Somewhere in Balboa Park. No, I’m not a fucking psychic. This isn’t a crank call.

Trina sighed and let it go. Without specifics, there wasn’t anything she could do to help. She clenched her fist against her thigh and forced her attention on finding the clan. Except too many scents vied for her attention, making it difficult to sort them out.

Now what? Did she wander the park, hoping to run into them? Disillusioned, she wrapped her arms around her midriff as she determined her next move. Wyatt’s scent drifted upward. Trina smiled. Of course, he’d been all over her. His scent would naturally be on her.

She inhaled and felt a rush of goose bumps over her skin. Her breath hitched as her body remembered the hard thrust of his body. She scuffed her hands over her arms in a futile attempt to banish the desire burning inside and then lifted her nose to the air to catch Wyatt’s scent.

There. Trina expanded her senses and caught a whiff of the rest of the clan. They’d congregated not too far away. Pulling in a breath and warning her libido against getting sidetracked, she headed in that direction.

Hot Topic - Heroines with more to love

If you've read any of my books you'll know that I'm a fan of the plus sized heroine. That means size 14 and above, not the Hollywood ideal that a size 10 is plus sized.

I wrote my stories with these heroines for a specific reason -- I'm writing what I want to read. Real women - no I'm not saying fat is 'real', just that a sz 14 is more realistic for the average woman than a size 4 or 6 - meeting real men who fall in love with them just as they are. Outside of Chicklit - where, face it, they usually get 'skinny' to get their ideal guy - it's damn hard to find women of size battling the bad guys, solving the crimes and saving the day. I like to write stories about women doing exactly that. (Well, saving the day maybe, suspense and crime drama storylines seem to be eluding me at the moment).

Why am I rambling on about heroines with more to love? The ladies over at Smart Bitches, of course! They had an interesting topic up over the weekend: The Plus Size Heroine - the one who's well adjusted. A topic near and dear to my heart.

Frankly, no woman is ever happy about her shape. If there's not too much, there's not enough. If the weight is right, the proportions are not. It webbles, it wobbles, and horror of all horrors... it all falls down! It's universal - fat, thin or in between. Seriously.

As a plus sized woman I don't want to read the 'I'm so fat, and he's my gorgeous gym instructor and he will only love me when I'm thin' story line. I also don't want to read the story that is 'my life is so bad because I'm fat' or the 'I'm fat so I don't deserve any better' either.

I want to read stories with kickarse heroines who save the day, who worry about all the same things every woman worries about and finds a lover who thinks a bit of junk in the trunk (or hood in my case) is just what he needs keeping him warm on a cold winters night. NOT A STORY ABOUT A FAT WOMAN.

There is a difference. A really fricking huge one (no pun intended). Confidence.

People don't like to read about size 4 Mary Sue whining her little head off about not being pretty enough, and they sure don't like reading about Mary Sue's size 18 sister Debbie Sue whining about not being skinny enough. But they do love reading stories about women who have confidence, who get on with doing what they have to to succeed/live to fight another day/beat the bad guy/save the world -- so why not have that woman be a size 18, or 16, or 20? Make your heroines as diverse as the world live in, embrace all the different sizes and colors of women the world over. Variety is the spice of life!

Romance novels are a fantasy, an escape, it's said. Well my fantasy includes a size 18/20 woman, in some kick arse, sexy as hell 3 inch heels beating the fuck out of a bad guys goolies (with the aforesaid heels), before reapplying her lipstick and making out with the hunky geek neighbour who's in absolute awe of the beautiful Amazon next door - not one of the Olsen twins on a 'fat day'.

What do you all think about Heroines - and Heroes for that matter - that don't meet the societal norms of what everyone should look like? Love em, hate em, don't really care?

PS... how much do I love Loose Id that they have a separate Full Figured Heroine Category!!

Author Interview: Katrina Strauss

Author Name: Katrina Strauss

Year started writing for LI: Late 2007

Titles: Blue Ruin 1: Some Kind of Stranger, Blue Ruin 2: Close to Me

Web Page: http://www.katrinastrauss.com/

http://katrina-strauss.blogspot.com/

What genre do you write in, and why? : Dark, erotic, edgy romance, or what one of my first readers dubbed Romance for the Black Coffee Crowd. The darker and sexier, the better, and I don't see why romance can't encompass both. I originally wrote paranormal and historical het but now focus on m/m and yaoi contemporary. The majority of my work, both het and m/m, encompasses BDSM themes. Real life experiments aside, I find BDSM works well on the written page in exploring not just the physical but the psychological dynamics at work in romantic relationships.

How much time do you spend writing every week? : In a good week? Around 8 hours a day, up to 12 if I'm meeting a deadline. Other weeks, I may not get anything written at all!

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) : The Adventures of the Cute Little Pig, complete with illustrations. Hey, I was only six. And yes, it was a romance, though I dare say my style has, erm, matured since then.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? : If I get so hot and bothered that I have to step away from the computer and go outside to cool down? Then I trust my readers will enjoy the scene as well!

Favourite candy while writing? : Chocolate, of course! The Muse demands it!

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? : A marathon viewing of D.Gray-man which led to naughty yaoi fantasies, followed by re-watching Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, paired with research on Victorian-era train travel, psychiatry, and spiritualism. Lo and behold, a story emerged from all that.

What inspires you to write? : I've always had a need to create and have dabbled in various artistic mediums since childhood. Before I started writing full-time, I tried photography and enjoyed a few publications. I'm also a self-taught seamstress and made Renaissance-inspired clothing and Pagan lifestyle accessories for a few years.

What music inspires your writing? : My writing mix used to consist of older bands like The Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, or Depeche Mode, but with the Blue Ruin series I've updated with more current acts like The Killers, Linkin Park, and Shiny Toy Guns, along with various J-rock bands. (Though the Blue Ruin books are each named after an 80's song, so go figure…)

Plotter or a Pantser? : Pantser, though with the last few books I've created a kinda/sorta outline after winging it through the first few chapters and getting a better handle on where the story is going.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? : I don't have cats anymore, but when one of my two dogs wants attention, he nudges the sliding keyboard tray under the desk with his nose and then props his head in my lap.

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? : If my input isn't balanced with my output, my work suffers. I turn off the computer and read a new book or manga, watch a movie, or *gasp* go outside. I hate to admit it but zoning out during housework with the I-Pod helps, and I often work out plot elements while I'm sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. I also find a nice long drive helps me think more clearly on whatever I'm writing.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past? A few. I was pretty scandalous in my younger days. Don't tell my teenagers this.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? : A golf course. At night. Yes, the sprinklers came on. Fore!

What kind of books do you read for fun? : I enjoy manga and am currently reading the D.Gray-man, Loveless, and Godchild series. I also can't get enough of JD Robb's In Death series and devour each release like candy. (JD Robb is actually Nora Roberts, but the In Death series is darker and grittier than La Nora's usual fare.)

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? : Got yaoi?

Soulmates? Do you believe? : Yes, I do, though I also believe soulmates can be star-crossed, thus making for challenge.

Sex with anyone famous? : Not that I can recall…

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? : Cheesecake (which is a little of both cake and pie??), Coke, and white chocolate mocha latte with a shot of raspberry liqueur. Yes, I confess – I write Romance for the Black Coffee Crowd but I prefer some flavor to my brew.

Author Interview: Josh Lanyon

Author Name: Josh Lanyon

Year started writing for LI: Spring 2006

Titles: The Dark Horse, The Adrien English Mysteries, The Hell You Say, Partners in Crime, Dangerous Ground

Web Page: http://www.joshlanyon.com

What genre do you write in, and why? : I’m strictly GLBT or M/M romantic-suspense or mystery-romance. I write GLBT for a number of reasons – yep, it’s a deliberate choice (I could be – and have been -- more commercially successful by writing mysteries with straight or heterosexual protagonists) and, yes, I do have a political and social agenda. The key is to never push that agenda down a reader’s throat; to inform and educate and persuade by telling entertaining and moving stories of mystery and romance between men.

How much time do you spend writing every week? : I’m a full-time writer. Between writing and the business of writing, I put in about sixty to seventy hours a week. I’m a little obsessive, but that’s what happens when you’re self-employed. It helps that I love what I do – even when I’m cross-eyed and incoherent with exhaustion.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) : The first story I’m aware of writing was this thing about clouds in the third grade. I don’t remember the details (maybe I’ve blocked them out as too dreadful to remember), but I remember my teacher telling me that I would be a writer when I grew up.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
By my own physical response to what I write (as well as my response – or lack of response – to what others write). I know what turns me on, and I try to capture that for readers. Also, I pay attention to what my core readership has to say. But the thing is, I’m probably more frugal with my sex scenes than the typical Loose Id writer. I’m a believer in the Less is More theory. Fewer scenes but greater emotional impact.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
Jeez. What are you ladies writing that you can’t picture it in your minds? Ah, I get it. It’s just an excuse to have more sex with your partners: that’s a GREAT idea!

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Well, no. What kind of men are you sleeping with? Oh, you mean for your writing? No.

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
Uh…vintage?

Favourite candy while writing? :
Sees. Dark chocolates – assorted nuts and creams.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
Here’s my little trick. I don’t write unusual plots – although my stories are plot-intensive. I write tried and true basic mystery and romantic-suspense. I depend on my characters and my “voice” to make my stories unique and memorable. So, actually, the more corny and time-worn the plot, the more fun it is to me. Granted, not every reader and reviewer gets the joke, but most do, and I have to amuse myself too when I write. I like the challenge of taking something old and making it new again.

What inspires you to write? : Good writing, bad writing, music, movies, rain… You know, I write all the time so it’s hard to say what my trigger is. Opening my eyes in the morning?

What music inspires your writing? : I’m very eclectic in my musical taste. I think dark minor and harmonic chords evoke an emotional response from me – and that makes me want to write.

Plotter or a Panster? : Depends on the length of the work. For novellas, no outline necessary. For novel-length work, I outline, although the outline changes as I go. That’s because writing is an organic process. And of course I sell off of proposals, which means you need an outline and/or synopsis.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? : Interesting question. I think it was – maybe still is – a little difficult to go from being known as a mystery writer to being known as an erotic-mystery writer. For some reason adding sex into your stories puts you in a different category for many readers, reviewers, publishers. It weakens your credibility as a story-teller. That shouldn’t be true, but it is.

Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :
The dentist’s office

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
It depends. Actually, I talk a lot about this and other writing quandaries in MAN, OH MAN: Writing M/M Fiction for Kinks and Ca$h. It’s a writing book aimed specifically at women (and men) targeting the M/M and GLBT market. The book is due out at the end of February through MLR Press.

The Personal stuff:

Any outrageous liaisons in your past? Of course!

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
An Irish music festival

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :
Oatmeal. You had to be there.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
Mysteries.

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
Yes.

Sex with anyone famous? :
Myself?

Flash Fiction - Licorice

My apologies everyone, not only did I miss last week, I'm running late for today. Please feel free to send me emails kicking my butt into gear! ;)

Today's word is

LICORICE

Hot Topic - A Piercing thought...

Today's topic:
Body Piercing

Does body piercing do it for you, or does it leave you feeling a little punctured?
Piercing, in one form or another, has been around for centuries. It's ritualistic, tribal, beautifying, exciting, erotic, horrific... the list can go on and on. Does a pierced hero or heroine turn you off, or turn you on?

Author Interview: Barbara Sheridan

Author Name: Barbara Sheridan

Year started writing for LI: 2007

Titles: Samurai Captive (2/08) (the following with Anne Cain) Orange Moon, Winter Song, Under a Silver Moon, Secret Moon, Parallel Process

Web Page: http://www.barbarasheridan.com

What genre do you write in, and why? :
Primarily paranormal, historical and M/M I’ve also done short contemporary. Why? Those are the subjects that most interest me. I’ve been a fan of thing historic and paranormal for as long as I can remember

How much time do you spend writing every week? :
Not nearly as much as I should considering how slow my solo writing goes.

What was the first story you ever wrote about? (not nec. first published story) :
It was a fanfiction--my continuation of the Louis & Lestat relationship after reading Interview With the Vampire.

How do you judge the effectiveness of the sensual scenes in your stories? :
I hand it off to friends and see if they rate it “Hawt!”.

Do you ever try out the sexual positions you write to make sure of accuracy? :
AT this point in time all I have is my imagination, but if anyone knows a gorgeous intelligent man who’d like to volunteer as a research partner…*grin*

Ever been told, Um...sweetie, that's not how it works? :
Not that I recall.

What one word best describes your toy collection? :
How about Nonexistant.

Favourite candy while writing? :
I actually like sweetened dry cereal with no milk instead of a candy snack.

Where did your most unusual plot idea come from? :
I’d say watching Japanese rockstars.

What inspires you to write? :
The random ideas and character voices that pop into my head when I least expect it.

What music inspires your writing? :
Rock mostly. Lately Japanese rock and some US tunes.

Plotter or a Panster? :
Pantser definitely. I need to find out “what happens next” along with the characters.

Does your cat insist on sitting on your keyboard like mine does? :
We’ve got 5 and they like my lap or climbing up near my neck.

What is your most embarrassing moment as an erotic romance author? :
I’m still waiting for that one.

Most challenging place you've ever written a spicy scene? :
Don’t have any since I always write at home.

When you get stuck, how do you find your way back to the writing? :
Mostly by whining to myself and a few tolerant friends that “I’m stuck again!”.

Any outrageous liaisons in your past?
I have led a dull dull life and have none.

Where's the most unusual place you ever managed to have sex? :
See above. Dull. Way dull life.

What was the most romantic meal you've eaten? :
I’m still waiting for that one to happen.

What kind of books do you read for fun? :
Non fiction mostly though I do love paranormal YA and crime stories.

Is your real life anything like your stories? What about your fantasies? :
My real life is like a deathly dull.

If you were to make a bumper sticker for your car that had to relate to erotic romance, what would it say? :
Everything goes better with Yaoi.

Soulmates? Do you believe? :
When I see it firsthand I’ll believe it.

Sex with anyone famous? :
Only in my dreams.

Cake or Pie? Coke or Pepsi? Tea or Coffee? :
Pie, coconut cream, Coke Classic, Coffee, two sugars and creamer thanks. ^_^

Hot Topic - Kids and Pets

Kids and Pets and erotic romance - can they work together?

One thing I've noticed is that kids don't show up a lot when it comes to erotic romance - apparently single mothers are great for sweet romance (oh, the juicy angst!), but not so much for the sexy stuff. Pets - not the shapeshifting ones - tend to be a little sparse as well, although they show up more often than kids.

Now there is a whole genre of 'baby drama' when it comes to category romance - whether it the secret baby, the abandoned baby, or the one-last-shag-before-I-kick-you-to-the-curb-what-do-you-mean-you're-pregnant baby - but it doesn't seem to translate over into its erotic romance cousin. I wonder why not?

Is the 'hot sex because we are trying for a baby' too close to home? Along with the trying to have an active sex life while avoiding being walked in on by the kids? (oh, I have such an embarrassing story about that - Anne)

Tell us what you think - and if you've got any great recommends for sexy erotic romance reads where the hero/heroine have kids or very charismatic pets, do tell!

Hot Topic - When the Hero is really the Heroine

Today's topic: When the Hero is really the Heroine.


Sounds a little confusing, no?

One of the core dictates of the romance genre in general is that there is a Hero, and he 'saves' the Heroine, but what happens when this dictate gets tossed on it's ear and the Heroine is the one saving the day? She's the one seducing the Hero, and the one telling the Hero what's good for him -- and no, I'm not talking about the Heroine who blithely goes her own way while the Hero looks congenially on because he knows she's going to come a cropper and he will swoop in to save her from ruin. I'm talking about the Heroine who has the power, the will and the way to show the hero just what she wants, and demand he give it to her.

Now, I quite like reading these stories, find them empowering even, but I'm told they just don't sell. Apparently romance readers in general want the man in power and the woman subdued by him, the opposite just doesn't work. Why the hell not, is my question? Women want to let go, they say, want all their daily responsibilities taken off their shoulders as the man 'gives' them release. On a personal note, I've never felt so not in control of my life as when I was forced to become a SAHM -- then to let a man come in and tell me how it's going to be after all that? Oh hell no!

A big strong man at my beck and call - oh yes, that could work in my ideal world!

How say you all?

Hot Topic - Let's talk about hair

The long and short of it: today's topic is Hair.

Fabio - the historical romance writers ultimate cover hunk - he works the long mane and muscles like nobodies business. Thank God he never stooped to the mullet - the romantic kiss of death. But what about us girls (and guys) that like the idea of a man 'high and tight' - maybe just the tight factor. And then there are those men who are bald and proud of it (Bruce Willis and Jean-Luc, err... Patrick Stewart anyone?).

Then of course you move from the head to lower regions - Chests and underarms, then lower still with shaved genitalia. Shave or not to shave? Neatness versus looking prepubescent smooth? Ahhh... the options!