In October, I’m going to be attending the GayRomLit reader/author event in Chicago. I managed to get an author spot off the wait-list, and I look forward to it with mingled anticipation and anxiety. Going as an author involves a bit more prep and decision making than going as a reader (when my big decision was “how to I dress to meet Amy Lane?” – the answer to which turned out to be, any way I liked, because Amy’s too kind to even care.) As an author, I have to bring swag (what kind?) and books (how many?) and this year there is a new feature…
Some wonderful people are organizing a GRL free book full of stories or excerpts from the attending authors. Like a sampler, not just of new authors this year, but of many of us. Because they’ll have a hundred authors in it, we each get 1500 words to use for an excerpt, or a story. It’s intended to introduce readers to authors they have not yet tried.
If you’d never read my books, what would you want to see? An excerpt? (And if there’s a book or not-too-spoilery scene you think would be ideal, I’d love to know.) A complete little short story? I have some that short, although mostly among the thirty or so that I’ve done for the Young Adult Group.
As you know, 1500 words for me is a pittance, but since I’ve now written a score of 100-word drabbles for the M/M group, I think I’m getting the really short form down. I could write an adult 1500 word short. I think. So… Any advice?
Hi Kaje How about a short story that could lead to a full length novel later? Like an introduction to characters that could meet up some time in the future and achieve their HEA.
Maybe… although then I might have to write the book 😉
I did a little story once for a blog, about a young man with a ukulele, and the street guy he meets… I always thought there should be more to that one.
Well that was my secret objective – to get you to write another book LOL.
😀 Not like I can stop writing anyway…
I would want to read about Mr. Ukulele *nodnodnod* Or maybe an excerpt from Unacceptable Risk? Hot werewolves are always a good thing.
I might have to post that sometime if I don’t use it here. It was a bit of a quick piece on another blog, but it kind of stays in memory…
The ukulele short snippet is here BTW – http://thenovelapproachreviews.com/2013/09/11/and-now-a-warm-joyful-approach-welcome-to-kaje-harper/
Thanks!!
It could be the launch pad for another series of books like Life Lessons. No pressure obviously!
No pressure 🙂
A complete short, hot story would be nice and I know you can do that. 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence (writing sex is the thing I find hardest to do, so I’m pleased you’ve liked what I have done.) It’s a thought, although it’s hard to do heat and sex in very short form, and still be unique. I noticed that at the book readings at GRL – the people who read sex scenes all kind of ran together, while the ones who read some other distinctive episode were much easier to remember.
I’ll take your vote for a complete short though…
I have read most of your works….including the 100 word drabbles…over the past year – I vote for a complete short (not that another novel wouldn’t be great!). I think what I enjoy most about your writing is your ability to describe the people and the setting and the plot in a way that is real – it is so easy to slide into the “moment’ – so believable. And you have a pretty broad range – from paranormal to sci fi/fantasy to yesteryear and, of course, the present (I totally identify your picture of Tony as Tony even on another author’s cover – lol). I don’t usually enjoy…or perhaps “get’ is more accurate…poetry – but you have done some intriguing work in the M/M group on Goodreads.
I really love when people refer to that guy’s picture as “I saw Tony…” Of course he’s Tony to me, but it’s cool that he’s so linked to my guy in readers’ minds too.
I’ll take your vote for a short story.
I do try for realism, even in fantasy, so it’s nice to hear that comes across. And the poetry – LOL – I’m not really a poet but it can be so much fun to play with words, either seriously or in very lighthearted ways. I like the chance to do that on the group.
I’d love to see something new too, but for excerpts I like the scene in Life Lessons where Mac is interrogating Tony about if he’s ever been attracted to a student and Tony basically comes on to him in return, saying Mac is more his type. It’s kind of sexy but a good intro to the characters too.
I also like the scene in Unacceptable Risk when Simon takes Paul to the gay bar and they kiss for the first time, but that might be too long.
I thought about that scene from LL – I think I used it as an excerpt somewhere… It does give you a hint at their characters.
Hi Kaje I just finished reading No Iron Bars A Cage How about a little adventure in this world. You just blow me away with great story telling. I loved the men in this story alot !!
I’m glad you enjoyed Lyon and Tobin. It’s a thought, and I appreciate the suggestion, although I worry that with so few words, the world-building wouldn’t be clear to a reader who hadn’t read Nor Iron Bars. But I’ll put it on the list of possibilities. Thanks.
Hi Kaje You are right upon thinking about it. It would take to long to do the world building. Here is an idea. How about three gay men and baby I would love a book for Lyon and Tobin when you have the time
That’s an interesting image – maybe Casey’s sister from Changes Coming Down has her baby sitting arrangements fall through and has to call on Casey, Will and Scott…
I’d love to do another book for Tobin and Lyon some day, about where the magic went and some more progression, and something that lets Lyon be strong for Tobin as well… Someday.
How about writing an established couple either from a pairing that you have already done or a new pairing. This way you don’t have to do the whole world building thing. Pubbed established couple will have your fans know what has happened already and wet the appetite for the new reader to want to know what has happened before. New established couple doesn’t require world building either and depending how you end it, it will leave the new readers and you fans wanting more or just enjoy the short. Whatever you come up with, it will be awesome.
I do like established couples… Thanks for the confidence. 🙂
I’m prejudiced, of course, but I’d like to see an excerpt from “The Family We Make!”
There’s a value to doing that, given that it will probably be my next novel out. Thanks for the suggestion.