Female authors, m/m romance, and cultural usurpation

So I’m a woman, and I write m/m romance.  Now that my writing is out in the public eye, I have to wonder, is that…okay?   Humans all share the same emotions, the same love and fear and lust and embarrassment and anger and excitement.    Is it egotistical to think that I can successfully create believable gay men in my fiction out of that shared human experience?  And even if I can, is it exploitative … Read more

Covers, models and chest waxing

I’ve been thinking about covers a lot.  As a new author, the big first hurdle is getting people to pick up your book and try it.  When I saw the gorgeous layout Winterheart Design did on Life Lessons I did a little happy dance, because I knew that would be a big factor in making people stop for a second look.  I owe the art folks a huge thank-you for that one. (And thank-you, thank-you … Read more

Sequels, series and familiar characters

I just got the contract in and signed for the sequel to my book, Life Lessons. The next one, Breaking Cover, has been completed for a while, but now I can start the editing and publishing process. And a third adventure for Mac & Tony is in first-draft form. At the same time I was reading Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb, which is the 32nd book in that series. And it got me thinking … Read more

OK, so I need a Website…

From Goodreads, May  15,2011: My editor tells me that it is essential for a writer to have a website.  If I’m reading her correctly, the biggest impetus is to give readers a chance to contact the author with questions and comments.  Obviously, it also serves as advertising.  So I spent a while browsing other authors’ sites and blogs.  They varied from pretty basic to very professional with buttons and videos and direct channels to where … Read more