October 17, 2011
It may be a rather gloomy Monday but that means only four days to go to the Festival of Romance on Friday. I can’t wait to meet romance readers and authors, not to mention taking part in the workshops and the chocolate making….
One of the authors who’ll be at the Festival is Talli Roland. She’s a bundle of energy and radiates positive vibes. I think that’s just what you need to publish your own novel – and after building a platform of devoted readers from her first two traditionally published novels, Talli has decided to take control.
Taking Control
One of the hardest things about the publishing business is that so much is out of the author’s control – the editor you’re assigned, the cover design, the amount of sales and marketing your book receives. And that’s just if you’ve made it to the publishing stage! Let’s not forget the query-go-round, being on submission, the endless waiting… it’s all enough to drive a writer to drink (more).
So, when I decided to self-publish my next novel, Build a Man, I felt like a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now I had control of my novel’s destiny – well, as much control as one can have when it comes to selling to the public. I could hire an editor I respected, ensure it had the cover I wanted, and use my skills to promote the book to the best of my ability. Not only that, but if I self-publish in the future, I can control my timeline and output. If I want to release three novels a year, the only thing stopping me is me.
I don’t believe self-publishing is the only way forward, as many evangelists cry. Traditional publishing has been around for a very long time, and the industry’s skills and knowledge should be valued. If I hadn’t had my first two novels published traditionally – and learned an insane amount in the process – I may not have taken the step to strike out on my own. But now that I have, well, it’s very liberating. Is it a risk? Sure, but any new venture in business is risky.
I’m excited about holding my future in my hands. It’s a brave new world out there for authors, and I can’t wait to get started!
Talli Roland has three loves in her life: chick lit, coffee and wine. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings. Her first novel, The Hating Game, was an Amazon UK best-seller and was shortlisted for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance awards. Talli has just released her second novel, Watching Willow Watts. Her next novel, Build a Man, will be out in December. Talli blogs here and can be found on Twitter here.
Posted by Phillipa @ 4:07 am |
October 15, 2011
Welcome to guest author, Tina Donahue, who writes erotic romance for Samhain and Ellora’s Cave and has two new releases out now. Here she gives her view on writing in some very diverse genres and asks readers to name their favourite romance pleasure.
What’s Your Pleasure?
When I began writing romance, I focused on romantic comedy because the sub-genre came so easily to me. As my friends say – I don’t have a reverent bone in my body. My editor agreed and snapped up my manuscripts readily.
After doing numerous romantic comedies, I began to write historicals for my publisher. Growing up, I loved Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and all of Dickens’ works, so veering into another time period wasn’t too much of a stretch for me, except for the dialogue. My first historical romance took place in 1400s Spain. People didn’t use contractions then. Try writing a line of dialogue without it. Murder.
After my stint with historicals, my editor suggested I try steamy contemporary romances. And that’s where I am today, although I have recently delved into paranormals.
So, what’s your pleasure when it comes to romance?
If it’s a sexy contemporary or a smoking hot paranormal, then I have a treat for you. This month, I’m pleased to say that two of my erotic romances (from different publishers) are being released within days of each other. I didn’t plan it that way – it just happened.
Here’s the cover art, blurbs and links that will take you to excerpts. Hope you enjoy!
Oh, and one more thing – I’m hosting a contest today…more on that later.
SiNN – contemporary erotic romance (ménage) from Ellora’s cave – releasing October 14
She’s every man’s carnal fantasy…and the target of one’s revenge
At a Phoenix gentleman’s club, Lea dances as SiNN, her body bared and vulnerable to her male partner, her features hidden behind a feathered mask. To the men watching, she’s a sensual enigma, submissive and seductive with no face, name or history. Not even Lea knows her real origins.
A man from the past does and wants her dead.
Not on the watch of U.S. Marshals Jake Gabriel and Toby Quinn. Commanding and decisive, Jake not only wants Lea’s safety but to have her naked and yielding beneath him. To Toby, she’s all he should resist but cannot.
Protected by them at a secluded estate, Lea’s drawn to their potent masculinity and the raw male lust in their eyes. Inviting desire and an emotional connection, she submits to both at once, surrendering to their most shameless hunger along with her own wanton needs.
All while a killer edges closer…
Buy link (with excerpt): http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9642-sinn.aspx
UNENDING DESIRE – erotic paranormal romance from Samhain – coming October 18
His hunger for one woman will make him a traitor to his world…
Outlawed Realm, Book 1
From a portal in his lab on E2, one of the five dimensions of Earth, quantum physicist Nikoli Zorr gazes on everything forbidden to him. Passion. Desire. The exquisite pleasure of running his hands over the lush curves of a young woman he should have stopped watching weeks ago.
His duty is to close the portals that keep the monsters out of E2—and never interfere with the inevitable fate of those on the other side. Yet he can’t bring himself to abandon the woman who has captured his soul.
Psychologist Regina Page is trying to keep her mind on her client, and off the mysterious, unbearable sexual cravings that consume her when she’s alone in her bedroom. The next moment she’s attacked by vampires, then swept into another realm by a stranger whose touch awakens that same raw desire. Whose eyes are already filled with farewell.
Yet beneath their undeniable carnal lust, something else stirs. The beginnings of illicit love. The unexpected need to protect him. Even if it means risking body, blood and soul to defeat the merciless horde…for a future that was never meant to be.
_______________________________________
Product Warnings
Contains a repressed scientist who likes to look, and the woman who delights in unleashing his inner caveman. And sex hot enough to burn a hole in all three dimensions…and maybe create a whole new one.
Buy Link (with excerpt): http://store.samhainpublishing.com/unending-desire-p-6491.html
Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and/or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests. Three of her erotic novels were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. Sensual Stranger, her erotic romance, was chosen Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category) at the French review site, Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for her erotic romance Lush Velvet Nights; and Deep, Dark, Delicious (erotic romance) recently received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011). She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.
Email: tina@tinadonahue.com
Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000458023097
*** CONTEST ***
To celebrate the release of SiNN and Unending Desire, I’m offering a contest. One lucky commenter on this blog will have her choice of one of my following ebooks**:
1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT
2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit
3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award
4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT
5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT
6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller
7. Take Me Away – #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books
** Winner chosen at random. Winner chosen October 18.
Posted by Phillipa @ 9:17 am |
October 10, 2011
It’s the season of mists, mellow fruitfulness and a stinking cold, sadly. But that didn’t stop me getting out to Derbyshire yesterday for a walk through the autumn leaves followed by tea and cake in the coffee shop at gorgeous Ilam Hall. It’s Jane Austen country, so it all felt very atmospheric.
Over the weekend, I also received a fab four star review from The Season for Romance for Fever Cure. The reviewer called it “A sexy, racy love story filled with emotion, humour and steamy hot romance” but there’s a detailed review on the site, along with lots of comments from readers.
If you’ve downloaded the E-book, thank you! Please feel free to post a review on Goodreads or Amazon UK or US. If you are waiting for the paperback, I know the team at Samhain are working on the paperback launch for the book right now so I hope to have a date very soon.
I also hear Escape Press are also about to put Brief Encounters out in paperback – I have two long-ish (if you know what I mean) short stories in this collection and it should be available by the end of the month!
Posted by Phillipa @ 7:36 am |
October 7, 2011
Any excuse to use a picture of enduring love!
You may have seen reports in the UK press last month about the decline in sales of women’s fiction, and specifically chick lit. Actually, most genres of paperback sales are suffering in most markets – but some commentators used the stats as another excuse to bash women’s fiction.
So I was delighted to read this encouraging piece in RT Book Reviews, one of the most respected and influential literary publications in the USA.
The article reports on the US Publishers Marketplace look at the state of dealmaking. This is an overview of what books publishers are buying and how much these deals are worth from 2007-2011.
The figures make fascinating reading.
I know you’re busy but if you’re an author, agent or avid reader, you’re sure to find it enlightening.
One of the most interesting stats is that in the US, romance and women’s fiction is alive and kicking exuberantly. Categories including debut novels and general fiction have held steady. Romance, women’s fiction, science fiction and fantasy have had a slight decline. That’s a ‘slight decline’, not a bloody great landslide into oblivion. Plus there have been good deals for authors.
I’ve been feeling a bit demoralised lately, what with the news on the economy and the barrage of doom mongers eager to hammer the last nail in the coffin of my genre. Yes, things are tough for authors and publishing – tougher than ever – but we’re certainly not all dooo-omed!
Posted by Phillipa @ 4:08 am |
October 5, 2011
Well, I now have my ticket and my train ticket to Watford Junction so I’m ready for the Festival of Romance Friday on October 21st. Today, I’ve paired up with one of the festival authors, Charlotte Betts – she’s here on my blog and I’m over on her website.
Charlotte’s novel, The Apothecary’s Daughter, won the RNA New Writers Award 2011 so welcome, Charlotte!
What are you doing at the Festival?
I shall be on a panel on Saturday 22nd October at 11.55 discussing ‘Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?’ I’m fascinated to hear, and learn, from other members of the panel and look forward to questions.
I attended the Romantic Novelists’ Association conference earlier this year and came away punch-drunk with ideas and that lovely warm fuzzy feeling from being able to talk endlessly about writing without anyone’s eyes glazing over since we all shared the same passion! I’m sure the Festival of Romance will be equally inspiring. Writing can make for a pretty solitary existence but you need to mix with others to gain fresh insights. The Festival of Romance is a great opportunity for authors to talk with not only other writers and industry professionals but also the all important readers to find out what they look for in a satisfying story.
What else are you looking forward to at the Festival?
My first published novel The Apothecary’s Daughter has been shortlisted for the Choc Lit Best Historical Read Award, which is really exciting, so that makes the Festival extra special for me. I’m particularly looking forward to the Fashion Show and the workshops and talks, especially A Beginners Guide to Writing Historical Romance by Jean Fullerton and Fenella Miller. There is a Book Club discussion and tea and cup cakes … not a moment will pass without an interesting event. And then, of course, there’s the Have a Heart Ball in the evening to raise money for children and teenagers with congenital heart disease, where the reader awards will be announced for The Best Romantic Read, The Best Historical Read and The New Talent Award for an unpublished writer.
Why should people come to the Festival?
If you are a reader of romantic fiction you have the chance to discover and talk to new and already loved authors. It’s a great chance to stock up on signed books to give away as Christmas and birthday presents. If you are an as yet unpublished author you can find out how published authors achieved their dreams and meet agents and publishers to find out what they really want.
What sparked your love of reading and writing historical novels?
I’ve always been a voracious reader and enjoy both historical and contemporary novels. I didn’t particularly enjoy history at school but I’ve always loved visiting historical houses and imagining how people might have lived in those days.
The story of The Apothecary’s Daughter began when I found a copy of an old map of London before the Great Fire. I pored over it for hours, mentally walking the narrow streets, alleys and courts of Restoration London. The timber framed houses were cramped together, all higgledy-piggledy with the first floors jettied out over the street and cutting out the daylight below. Sewage ran in open drains. I pictured a dark and airless city, hot and stinking in the summer, bone-chillingly cold in the winter with a permanent pall of smog and the stench of the tanneries hanging over everything.
I began to imagine a young woman living in this bustling, malodorous city. Who was she? I pictured her green eyes, as clear as water, and her chestnut hair shining out through all the grime. She would be strong, impatient perhaps, but able to cope with everything that life threw at her. Susannah came into being. Then, visiting a second hand book shop, I bought a copy of Culpepper’s Herbal and suddenly Susannah’s purpose became clear; she would be an apothecary. Except, of course, that there were no female apothecaries. What would happen if a young woman, contentedly helping her father in his apothecary shop, was suddenly ousted from her home? And what if the plague stalked the streets and friends and family were dying like flies around her? Who could she turn to? How would she live? What would happen to her?
And so The Apothecary’s Daughter was born.
www.charlottebetts.com
Posted by Phillipa @ 7:37 am |
