A Sweet Addiction

As a writer, one thing I have noticed about my readers is that no matter how many books I release, their favorites are always the series. I get emails all the time about the Beaumonts, and requests for me to finish the Campbell series, and then there are the Sexy Simmons brothers. Readers become so addicted with authors' series that I had to poll the question, what is it about them you love so much? And the majority had the same response.

They’re sexy.

Hmmm. I can’t disagree with that. Most of the men are tall and have generously been dipped in dark chocolate. And then there is Reggie a crowd favorite, who I haven’t the guts yet to try and resurrect in a sequel. Reinventing that man requires time. LOL!

Readers also like revisiting and catching up with the families. According to them, book series are like watching the soap operas. You begin to connect with the characters and start to feel like part of the family.

I’ll be honest, I have a reader that I email every time I need help with one of my characters to verify information before I even try and write a sequel. I know, that sounds pretty sad that I can’t keep track, but it’s readers like her that give me the 411 on my characters. I get confused, but she (bless her heart) has created a catalog of all her favorite characters down to the size of their… Well, you get the idea.

I’ll let you in on a secret. Writing sequels are hard work because they require authors to revisit their characters again. I have to review my notecards and make sure I keep my facts straight, not to mention, I must ensure the hero I have created has the same voice, style, etc. Whoo-weee! It’s hard work but worth every second just to hear the excitement, and read the comments.

Well, it’s back to my holiday novella. I’m creating another chance for readers to revisit with their favorite family just in time for Christmas. The Beaumonts.

Until Next time,

Things that go bump in the night

As I was thinking about my post for this month, I couldn't come up with something interesting to say. When I thought of that, my post came to me: fear. I don't want to talk about general fears like big, hairy spiders. I mean fears of authors.

"Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Bridget?" Yes, authors have fears.We're all insecure. Okay, maybe I shouldn't talk about all authors. I'll say that I have lots of fears.

My first fear: the ideas will stop. I think that's the main one. As authors and readers, we always hear that there are no new storylines. Authors are supposed to create fresh characters, settings, and plots to make their stories seem less cookie cutter. I think how I do it is by punching up the norm. I write interracial romances, and I did it in a time when they were seen as fetish fiction. Then I started writing interracial BDSM romances. So now I pressure myself to take it up another notch, not only to keep it interesting for you readers, but also keep challenging myself as a writer.

My second fear: the readers will stop reading me. I think besides not getting inspired to write new stories, losing readers is right up there as a genuine fear. I love writing to entertain. If I fail to entertain, I fail as an author.

My third fear: I'm misunderstood. This fear goes hand in hand with my second fear. If the point you try to make as an author doesn't get translated, then you run the risk, as an author, on losing readers. No reader wants to read an author who is a one-trick pony, trotting out the same plot with different characters and slightly different settings. Readers want to be pleasantly surprised.

So with all of these fears, how do I get over it? For one, I have to trust my muse. The ideas will come. And if they don't, I scan news stories on the Internet. I pay attention to my dreams. I people watch. That's right. So don't pick your nose in public. Or do it. I'll make a story about it.

Now that I bared all to you, just know that as an author, I'm trying. And as an author, I appreciate every reader. And with that, I have to go and do edits for one of my publishers.

Stay sexy,

BridgeT
www.BridgetMidway.com

What's on the Horizon for the Hot MAMAs

Hey, Y'all,
It's fall! This is my very favorite time of year. Around my neck of the woods, (NC), Mother Nature must have missed the memo- the last two weeks we've had temps in the eighties and very high, sticky humidity. Not cute. Finally, the weather is beginning to break as we head into the second week of October. Here's hoping fall weather is here to stay.

We're all busy this time of year- kids are in school, groups are meeting, people are gearing up for the holiday season. The Hot MAMAs are not exempt from this fall induced busy-ness. Here's the lowdown on what's coming up here in the warmest corner of the Internets.

I'll be releasing a  new adult paranormal short story, Second Sight, on October 25th. It will be available for only .99 cents on an ereader of your choice! Don't be scared, I don't do blood and gore, and no vampires are involved. Like Altonya, I enjoy the YA genre, and want to spread my writing wings. Also, if you'll be in the Cary, NC area on October 13, I'll be signing books at the Embassy Suites on Harrison Oaks Boulevard from 5-6pm.

Guest Posts Begin This Month

Hot MAMAs like to spice things up from time to time, so we've opened up the blog to Sunday guest posters. That's right, now you can expect even more variety of great authors when you visit us. Nancy Lee Badger, an author of paranormal and Scottish Highland themed romances, will kick things off for us with her post on October 14th. Next up will be Laura Browning, contemporary romance author, on October 28. Be sure to stop by and show them some love!

 November- Reader Feedback Month

All through November, we'll be asking for your feedback on works in progress, books we've already released, and on what you'd like to see here at Hot MAMA Land. So stay tuned- and let your voice be heard!

December- Hot Holiday Giveaway Days

No matter what you celebrate, this time of year is full of parties, and the Hot MAMAs love a party! All month long, there will be giveaways for you, the reader. Every single post, including the guest posts for the month, will offer you a chance to win fantastic prizes. Books, gift cards, swag, and all manner of awesomeness will be yours for the winning, so don't miss a single post!

I know you don't want to miss out on any of the great things happening this fall at Hot MAMA Land, so I encourage you to follow the blog. Use the blue follow button in the right sidebar to do so, so you won't miss a moment of the excitement.

Also, tickets for the Hot MAMA Land Fly Hat Society Luncheon will go on sale in December/ January, so stay tuned for updates on that. The event will be held March 9, 2013.

Until Next Time,
Kianna

African American Fantasy

Okay so in my WordPress blog from this past Wednesday, I mentioned my next YA title Eternal. I announced that the rough draft was complete but that I hadn’t had time to devote to it. I’ve been contacted by readers about the project since I first mentioned it but all I’ve really revealed about it was that it’s to be a YA Fantasy story and vastly different from my previous YA title Expectation of Beauty.

            No, there are no vampires- love reading about ‘em, love movies about ‘em, even TV shows (a girlfriend just got me hooked on The Vampire Diaries) but writing about ‘em is NOT my cup of tea. I adore the YA market as a whole but many more things about this project appealed to me aside from the fact that the main characters are young African Americans.

            The Fantasy Element: I’m sure that I’m not the only African American in love with The Vampire Diaries, Twilight, and True Blood, Harry Potter or the Divergent series. Unfortunately, when I watch these shows or read these books, the African American element is sorely lacking. I’m sure that Eternal is not the first African American fantasy to feature AAYAs (African American Young Adults) but I’ve always selected my projects on the basis of ‘If I want to read it and I can’t find it, I write it.’ So there’s a huge chunk of my motivation right there. While working on the concept of this story, I was very interested in exploring how the Fantasy aspect could be played out among a predominantly African American cast. Then there was the plot. As I said, I don’t write about vampires so I wanted the supernatural element to revolve around something not consistently (or perhaps ever- ha!) explored (or overdone).

            As with my historical novels, the Eternal storyline will combine entertainment with education. Much of my inspiration for the story involves the Yoruba culture and religion of Southwestern Nigeria. For purposes of this story, I was especially interested in the mythology. I spent several months researching its various aspects and how what I uncovered would or could pertain to the characters, their motivations and choices.

            When asked about my own motivations to becoming an author, I’ve often said it had a lot to do with reading stories and never finding characters that looked like me. I can’t help but think that younger readers have those same concerns at one time or another. I hope that Eternal will provide the intensity, entertainment and enlightenment fans of suspenseful fantasy or paranormal stories will crave in addition to characters of color that I hope they will champion.

            

An interview with author Denise Jeffries

Denise, would you give the readers your bio to start off the interview. Well, certainly. I’ve written my entire life. Having journaled and penned short stories since I was in grade school, after the prompting of a friend I decided to turn a short story I’d written into a book. My first book, A Walk in the Rain, was published in 1999. I’ve been at it ever since. To date, I have several books published. This includes five single titles and several anthologies, and single title novellas. I’ve also had several short stories and essays published. I have an alter ego and her name is Alexis Ke. She writes erotic romance. Oops, some people still don’t know that. I guess I just gave away the secret. I am an avid reader of any genre that is well written and it keeps my interest. I will always love a good page turner. I also love to travel, people watch and just chill. I live in the Tidewater area of Virginia with my hubby Leon. 1. So, Denise, who are your favorite authors and do you read them in print, E for both. Oh my. I have so many favorite authors. I love any author who writes tight books that keep my turning the pages. I love those books that when I'm reading them I know I'm going to over sleep in the morning before I can even get to bed. They are just that good. But I must tell you, the book Body and Soul by Felicia Mason will always be near and dear to my heart. A great friend gave me this book when I didn't even know we were writing romance and it was contemporary. I fell in love. And After I meant Felicia at a workshop she presented at a local book store it was then that I realized everyday people wrote books. That's when I decided to follow the pushing of friends and write my first book. And as for formats. Geez, I love the print book. I have over three hundred on the book shelves in my home today and I go to the book store at least once a week. I have a Sony E-reader, the Nook on my tablet and the Kindle on my phone. I will never be caught without a book. 2. If you could be one of your favorite heroines. Which would it be and why? Now why do you have to go and ask that? While I love all of my heroines I must say, I’m in a mood today was well. I just finished a contemporary romance and the heroine has a tattoo right above her hip bone on her stomach. I keep threatening to get a tat but keep changing my mind. It’s probably because I know my hubby isn’t into it and he definitely won’t fall off a roof trying to look at it like the hero did in my book. There are things in each of my heroines that I love. Dominique the cop in Whispers in the Dark, because she is tough and is also a take no prisoner kind of gal, Jade the medium in Visions in the Dark because of her softness and wanting to help Hunter and Samantha the CEO/owner in Masquerade because of herself assuredness and hey, she doesn’t take prisoners either. There is also Stormy in Sleeping Beauty because of her strength and the will to do anything to save the man she loves. And there’s Deatra in Yesterday’s Promises, the sequel to Sleeping Beauty that will be out in Feb/March of 2013 because she held secrets no one knew of and when she let them out all they could say was ‘wow.’ I think, now that I think about it, I’d have to be a heroine that covers them all. 3. Okay, so maybe I'm not so subtle. How about you tell us a bit about your latest book or books. I actually have four latest projects. My book Retribution was released in August. It’s a paranormal romantic suspense. Got the idea of a day walking female vamp and a male werewolf. They are both running from who they are until they are shoved together to save each other’s life. It’s now available in E-book on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It will be in print by the end of the year. The other is the sequel to Sleeping Beauty, ‘Yesterday’s Promises.’ The title speaks for itself. In Sleeping Beauty, if Stormy could embrace her beast she could break the curse. In Yesterday’s Promises, we realize that the things that may have been promised aren’t necessarily the truth. And lastly, last year I feel in love with Zumba and was very impressed by my Zumba instructor, Anika. Well, her energy and the transformation I saw in my body inspired a book. The heroine is an exercise instructor who has tailored her business to fit her desires. Her business is called Rhythms and ‘Rhythm of the Soul’ is right now sitting on an editors desk and I’m hoping she’s reading it and smiling and laughing. And lastly, I am waiting for the edits on Lost in the Dark, book three of my St. Agnes series. This one has St. Agnes’ newspaper publisher lost when he wakes up with amnesia. Now he has to trust the cop who has vowed to help him and find out who is trying to kill him. Especially since he is already supposed to be dead. 4. What's your next project? I visited New Orleans back in August and while there I got the inspiration for a story. I’m still working it out in my head and jotting down notes. I’m hoping to be ready to start this one in November. I also will be starting book four of my St. Agnes series. This book circles us back to Dominique and Jericho. If you remember from Whispers in the Dark, Jericho mentioned a crazy ex girl friend who came after him with a knife. Well… She’s backkkkk. 5. What mistakes have you made in the writing journey that you'd like to help others to avoid? Don’t jump at the deal. When my first book came out, I realized I knew nothing about writing, and my publisher was just as green. Learn the business, learn the market. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We all want that big pay day, that contract, but when it comes, read it a hundred times, sleep on it. Get a lawyer to read it and go with your gut. 6. Turning the table for a moment, what genre do you the writer read? Any and all. My favorite is romantic suspense. I love the page turners with the love tossed in. It makes a great mix. However, paranormal, scary, certain historical, fiction, nonfiction you name it. If it’s good I can get down with it. I’ve been reading books since I could hold one. I remember winning a book reading contest in the seventh grade. I read more than any other student in my school. I guess it’s ingrained in my blood at the atomic level. 7. Where can the readers reach you and will you write them back if they email you? I write back to all everyone who contacts me. My website is: www.denisejeffries.com I’m also on face book. I have two blogs. www.denisejeffriestheauthor.blogspot.com. And www.4getthedishes.blogspot.com this is my travel blog and its loads of fun. And finally, my monthly newsletter, Shenanigans. If you email me I will make sure you are on the list and you are entered into that months contest. Until next time…

Professionalism

Hi Ya'll; 

Every now and again I have this urge to be serious. It does not happen often for I love to laugh and see others smile. However, when I find the need to speak, it usually helps someone, so, here it be...... Authors are people too. Allow me to explain why I’m making such a silly statement.

When we sit down at a computer or grab pen and paper, we are opening ourselves up to scrutiny. We take hours, days, weeks, months and yes sometimes years to put on paper a story we feel is worthy to entertain, educate or enhance the lives of people we don’t know. Some do it for the love of writing, others for the love of money. In which case, I feel for you. Each author has their reasons for sharing their lives, imaginations, loves, smiles and in some cases blood, sweat and tears with others. Whatever the reason, we open ourselves up for anyone and everyone that reads our work. Some times the results are wonderful, helpful, enlightening and very often educational. Then there are those times when the results are not so gratifying. At times, it borders on cruel and unusual punishment. 

As professionals, which authors are, those not so gratifying times should be handled with as much grace as the award winning moments. We cannot, nor should we, approach or attack reviewers of our work in a public forum. After all, everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, there are times when the content of the individual’s opinion becomes personal. In those moments, after you have (in private called the a-hole every non-biblical name in the book) really thought about it, the individual does not know you as a person. They read some of your work and were not pleased with the final product. Okay, that’s fine, simply because for everyone that does not like your story, there are twenty that will, you do the math. 

You see, the public is watching you and your reaction to these situations. They are not watching the person that mercilessly degraded your name. If you go at the person the same way they came at you, it will only hurt your reputation. You have more stories to tell and more books to sell. Once you go negative, you can’t go back. Yes, you can try to clean it up afterwards, but for some they will never know, because you lost them with the outburst. 

Never allow anyone else’s action determine your public image. Behind closed doors, curse, scream, or even break a few things, but in public, smile and say thank you, for the person did purchase your book, and/or took the time to read your story. Then move on. Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits. Believe in yourself and your work. Stay professional at all times.

Sorry for the serious nature of my thoughts, but it was on my mind. I’ll be back with Love Letters next time. 

Until then,

Iris

www.irisbolling.net

Literary Events: Attending or Not So Much?

The year has been flying by and as an author, I get excited when a new release is pending, don't you? Remember, I was a reader long before I penned my first novel. (That was a long time ago, another story for another blog.)

Today's notable is on literary events. Authors: Have you attended any this year? Why or why not? Were they well organized? Overwhelming? Maybe just not as informative as expected? This goes for writer's conferences and gatherings as well.

With E-books at the ready of a one-click, paperbacks are still in demand. I love having personalized novels in my collection, which is why I love attending book fairs, events, even dressing up for the theme it holds. Yes, I've done that and it's a lot of fun.

When attending literary events, are you networking with other authors, publishers, editors that provide specific services that may tailor to your future needs? I know we're all trying to sell our products, but usually in the midst of the madness, a gem or two fall into your lap. Be aware and research the business to see if it's a good fit for you.

Noted book fairs like the BEA and Harlem Book Fair, have become staples in the industry, along with a few others. One event on the rise is The Annual Authors Literary Festival being held in Richmond, Virginia from November 2-3, 2012 at the Sheraton Richmond Park South.

This particular festival will feature over forty authors including: Gwyneth Bolton, Brian W. Smith, Booker T. Mattison, Trice Hickman and many more. A meet and greet will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012 from 8pm to Midnight featuring poets from all over the country.

This is one event that will be talked about for months to come. Don't be left out.
Visit: www.theannualauthlitfestival.com for more information.

I'll be there with the lovely young lady featured below as "Nieva Claiborne" in the RENDEZVOUS Series. See you soon!
Loretta R. Walls, Author of RENDEZVOUS 2: Nieva's Dilemma #nucherte