Jen Winters Guest Post!

Happy Halloween, Readers! Jen Winters here, guest posting on The Erotica Writer Blues! Thank you so much Jordan Buchanan for having me and giving me the chance to chat with you today!

For those of you who don’t know me, I write paranormal romance as well as homeschool my kids, and stay at home mom. You can tell I do all these things because my house is only clean once a month…for about two hours…

I am also a staunch supporter of the indie community! I promote and advertise other indie authors as much as I am able, and I admin a very special Facebook group called Author Promo Co-op. We don’t actually promote to each other, we help each other promote to our readers! This is an author’s resource group and a close knit circle of friends. We welcome any supporter of the indie community and liberally use the ban button to keep the spam away.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1605983442956270

This week, I am happy to announce that Kissing Demons is going on its first Kindle Countdown Deal!! It will be available for download FREE from October 29th through November 2nd! Woohoo!! Can’t beat free, right?!

http://www.amazon.com//dp/B00R28094U/

 

Why am I giving away my first book this week? Because I am having a PART-AY! October 30th I am hosting a paranormal romance SPECTACULAR!! We have an amazing line-up of authors taking over from 2:30-10pm CDT. We are having a huge competition to see who represents their favorite supernaturals best! Are you a vampire? Shifter? Spell-caster? Or Fae? Pick a team. Participate in the daily competition questions leading up to the party. Participate in the competition at the party, and we will find out who is the best!

https://www.facebook.com/events/735560049903373/

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your favorite supernatural! Don’t forget to share this post and show our host some love! And remember…

Changing the aesthetic

I met a gaggle of great new-to-me authors at DTHE3, and I've been trying to read at least one book by each since. I didn't think it was possible to do, but I believe I have overdone it. Yes, I have overdosed on erotica. I literally can neither read nor write another sex scene and will have to wait until the effects wear off. Whew.

I've been noticing recently that authors are trying to embrace the notion that not all heroines need to be reed thin or cover girl beautiful, although the hero always thinks, and tells her, she is. Absolutely nothing wrong there -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? It's subtly written, usually along the lines of "he loved her curves". You' will never read "he kissed the adorable pudges of fat bulging at the base of her shoulder blades" or "he lovingly caressed her muffin top". She is usually self-conscious about her weight, while he thinks she's crazy for not recognizing what a knockout she is.

The heroes,however, aren't getting cut any slack. They are all handsome, hot and, without a doubt, hung like a horse. All are unbelievably skilled lovers. In a book I recently finished, I lost count of how many orgasms the heroine had,each of them "the most intense//overwhelming/amazing she'd ever had in her entire life".  How high does that bar go anyway? The love interests in our books are never short or chubby. It's as if there is an unspoken bond among romance writers to compensate for real life by giving us perfect book boyfriends. Is there no room for reality in romantic fiction? If I wrote a love story about two overweight 50-somethings, would anyone read it?

Personally, I find all sorts and sizes of people attractive. If you iined up the guys who ever played the part of love interest in my life, you'd never find a more diverse group. Not a George Clooney or Brad Pitt in the bunch but still capable of making my heart beat faster and my temperature rise.  I was never tempted to impose unrealistic expectations on them regarding appearance. However, I can't say
the same for myself. I completely fell, and still fall, victim to the belief that because I'm not thin and growing older, with the wrinkles and gray hair to show for it, it's not appropriate for me to act in a sexual way. My husband once broached the subject of recording a video. "I do NOT want to see that," I told him."If I ever see myself having sex, I may never want to have it again, and I like it far too much to give it up."  I've always said that you can get a woman to do almost anything if you convince her she looks beautiful doing it. I guess I'm harder to convince than most.

I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for more romantic characters that stray from the conventionally good looking mold. I'm rooting for the nerdy guy that fixes the computer, the accountant that saves me money, and the contractor that builds me a steam shower. My heroes!

No bail will get you out of this jail

Two days of partying at Damn, That's Hot Erotica 3 are in the books, and it has been great! The authors and bloggers are unbelievably generous with the giveaways. The participation level by the attendees is high, and everyone is having a blast.

One word of warning, and I hate having to say this, but there are folks out there who get their jollies by trolling events very clearly labeled as ADULT and finding posts or pics to report. Because of it, authors must promote their erotica in PG13 ways. Let's use the Muppets for the 50 Shades movie sequel. On second thought, that could be pretty funny. Miss Piggy in a black wig as Ana, Kermit as Christian -- think about it. But I digress. What happens if a pic you post is reported? Facebook blocks you from your account for days, a week, a month. You're in Faceboook jail. Needless to say, I'll be cautious with my posts.

REMINDER: My timeslots are 6 pm on Friday and 9 pm on Monday. It is a private event, and you need an invite to attend. Friend me on FB and I'll be happy to send you one.

Jordan Buchanan Facebook Page 

Xander's Garden

 I'm within shouting distance of finishing the first draft, but struggling a bit with the ending. Even though it's a futuristic fantasy, it still must tie up all the loose ends. I hate to finish a book and think, "but what about..." 

Here's an excerpt from one of my favorite scenes:

Rose poured Xander a third cup of tea and took her accustomed seat. “She’s better, better than I thought possible after only a few days. She’ll be here today to work in your office, I’m sure of it.”

“She doesn’t have to; I hope she knows that. I don’t wish to rush her.” He looked toward the doorway as if willing Violet to appear. “I had a message delivered to Janis’ parents. Perhaps the loss of their daughter will help sway them into making a favorable decision about taking in her child.”

“You would think they would want to know their only grandchild.”

“Yes, you would. In any case, we’ll go on as we have been for the time being. At least we have a few months free of worrying about Daron. What has become of your plans for Ladies’ Night?”

“We’re going to meet about it this afternoon and get back on track. I think the activity will do Violet good.”

“Yes, it will do me good,” the girl agreed, stepping into the room. “Thank you for giving me the time I needed, but I’m ready to work.”

Xander smiled for the first time in days. “Wonderful. Happy to hear it, the children have been asking for you, and Rose has threatened my life if I've made a mess of your file organization.”

Violet, with a seriously determined look on her face, took a seat next to Rose. “I need to ask you both something, and I want an honest answer. What if I told you I’d like to become a sex provider?”

Xander’s jaw dropped, and Rose audibly gasped. “Violet, why?” she stammered.

“I want to go to University, and it’s the only way I can imagine making the money quickly enough. I know I’m inexperienced, but I can learn. And I’ve been told I’m pretty.” At that, she looked down at her feet, her cheeks pink.

“You’re beautiful, Violet. That’s not why I’m hesitant.” In truth, Xander was unsettled by his reaction to her request. Is this what a father feels when he realizes his little girl has grown up? If so, he had a new found respect for fathers everywhere. “Maybe it would be best if you talked this over with Rose. I trust her judgment on this.” Rose shot him a look that spoke volumes; she was quite aware he was dodging the issue.

“Why don’t you go grab some breakfast and some coffee, and I’ll meet you in the dining room in a few minutes?” she asked Violet. “It’s still early, and we should have the place to ourselves.”

After making sure Violet was out of earshot, she turned to Xander, daggers shooting from her dark eyes. “Thank you very much for putting the monkey on my back! You think this is a simple hiring decision? She’s not like the girls who normally come to us, and you know it.” Rose was something to see when angry. Her cheeks flushed in a lovely way as she stood before him, fists on her hips. 

“I know. I don’t think it’s right for her either, but she has a point about money for University. We all think she should go, right?”

Rose blew out a breath and sat back down.. “Yes. You haven’t heard from your parents yet, have you?”

Xander shook his head, his expression somber. “There is one other option. She’d still have to take a client, but only one.”

“Oh, my God, the Virgin Auction.”  The light bulb went off over Rose’s head. “It has been so long since we had a candidate, I had forgotten all about it. Xander, you’re a genius.” She startled him by jumping up and kissing him quickly on the cheek before flying out the door “I’ll explain it to Violet right now.”

It's almost party time!

One of the luckiest things I did when I first began pursuing self-publishing was to attend a multi-author Facebook event. Several of the authors I "met" that night have since become FB friends and have been exceedingly generous with their time and advice. I've learned a ton from these folks and they helped me fine an editor and a formatter. If you're a newbie, I recommend you check out a few author events. You never know who you might meet and what impact it could have on your writing career.

Beginning Tuesday, October 6 and running through October 12, the Damn, That's Hot Erotica 3 Facebook event will be going full bore and hardcore. If you're an aspiring erotica/erotic romance writer or reader, don't miss it! I caught up with host John Tucker who was kind enough to answer a few questions.

John, how many authors and bloggers are participating?
The Facebook Event -- Damn,That's Hot Erotica 3 -- will Feature 30 Erotica Authors who also have blogs, groups, and pages to their credit.  Most Erotic Genres will be Represented -- Straight / Gay / Lesbian / Menage / Paranormal / BDSM and Fetish-Related.  This is the 3rd Event Created by the Facebook Erotica-Only Group -- Erotica That Makes You Go ...... Damn and will be repeated every three months.

Hosting events like this entails a lot of work on your part. How and why did you get into doing this?

When I started writing Erotica a couple of years ago I noticed how the genre seemed to be regarded as the red-headed-stepchild in the literary business -- either being called written pornography or a branch of literature populated by sexual perverts or freaks. Honestly, the people I've met during the five events I've hosted have been amiable, kind, and thoughtful -- even when it comes to their fellow authors.

I've always liked to organize things in my life -- from job-related outings to TV nights watching specific shows -- and the always enjoyable events have helped me to keep my sanity when outside issues steer me toward a depression that seems to haunt me throughout my personal life. While my dealings with it affects me only 2-3 times a year it does cripple my writing. These events help me push through.

What will people miss out on if they don't attend?
The Damn, That's Hot Erotica event will be non-stop fun, sexy posts, and introduces readers to authors they may not know. We have debut authors, long-time writers, and ones who also deal with other genres as well as Erotica. Freebies will be given away every hour, naughty pictures will be prevalent, and snippets of carnal literature will be the norm.  If you like to read about sexual matters, or consider yourself a sexual person, you'll want to stay for every one of the 56 hours.

You're not only the event host with the most, you're an author yourself! Tell us about your body of work.

As far as my own erotic offerings, I have three to my credit.

TWELVE DOORS TO ECSTASY is a full length novel concerning a sexual innocent who aspires to broaden her carnal horizons. When she encounters a mysterious man who gives her the opportunity to do so, along with making a few bucks for her troubles, Tristina Sanyon is taken to a four story building with six differently painted doors on each level. She is to choose three rooms per floor and complete the sexual task inside. The suites range from intensive massages, group sex, fetish, BDSM, and straight sexual encounters.

As Tristina goes from room to room the mysterious man develops a crush on her and becomes determined to make her his personal sexual toy. When she finds herself in the midst of a mutiny from the man's associates, Tristina discovers she may be in more danger than she ever thought possible.

TWO DAYS TO PASSION is the sequel to Twelve Doors To Ecstasy. It follows Tristina and her new friends/associates as they start a fantasy-styled brothel in Switzerland intended for society's rich and elite. When they learn their former 'leader' is hunting them down for revenge they start to make plans to escape his wrath.  The last book in the series -- Six Suites To Sin -- will wrap up the Tristina Sanyon Saga.

VERGENE (REVENGE, TWISTED) is a standalone novel about a successful married woman with sexual skeletons in her closet, and the vengeance-bound young woman she hires to be her son's nanny.  The two women, who are similar in many respects, soon chart a collision course to where being a survivor may not be a possibility.

I have 2 WIPs. One is a Paranormal Erotic Thriller about a woman who encounters a truly haunting voyeur. The Other is a Contemporary Romance about a 'soulmate' couple who find out they might be meant for others. 

Thanks, John! I look forward to the event, not only as an attendee but also, for the first time, as an author. I can't wait to chat with everyone, have fun, talk trash, and give some books away!

So, now that we've convinced you to party with us, Friend me on Facebook, and I'll send you a personal invite!

Jordan Buchanan Facebook Page 

RELEASE DAY

4Play is live!

I truly gave this book my best effort, and that still small voice in my head hopes it finds a reader or three that enjoy it. The erotic romance market is extremely saturated with great books, and it's very difficult to be noticed in the crowd. This time, though, I did everything within my power to give 4Play a chance. I've previously posted about the following steps, but here's an abbreviated recap:

• Writing - I revised, rewrote, added content and pored over these stories with a critical eye. I did not rush to the "Publish" button.
• Cover design - I accepted that I have no business making covers. I hired Julie Nicholls, and boy, did she deliver! 
• Editing - Ekatarina Sayanova, Red Quill Editing, rocks SO hard! Anyone who does not love working with their editor should check her out. Kim Morgan provided outstanding proofreading skills as well.
• Formatting - BB eBooks gave me beautiful mobi and epub files I could upload with confidence. 
• Promo - I wasn't going to spend anything on advertising for this size book, but therience wouldn't be complete without it. Shannon Hunt of Once Upon an Alpha coordinated my release day blitz. She functions like a well-organized demon.
• Outlets - Not only did i publish on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, 4Play is offered through Kobo and Smashwords as well. 

4Play - Amazon 

4Play - Barnes & Noble 

4Play - Smashwords 

4Play - Kobo

Good luck, little book! One, okay, two margaritas and I'm headed back to Xander, Violet, Daisy, Rose and the rest of the gang at the best little whorehouse in space. I'll leave you with an excerpt from "Viewer Discretion Advised", one of the stories in 4Play.

***********************

"Miss Parker, you have to be excited about this scene. Any woman in the country would trade places with you. Sheesh, who doesn't want to be in bed with Brad Watson?" Angie giggled as she worked on Sara's eyeliner.

"I don't," Sara grumbled under her breath.

It wasn't like she had a choice. Andy Batuzzi, this episode's director, had made that abundantly clear. As usual, the cast had gathered for the table read on Monday, Andy's cigar smoke hazing the air. Sara had given him a dirty look for it and received a condescending smirk in response. Flipping through some newly added script pages, she had been disconcerted to see the episode now ended with a sex scene. A sex scene starring Brad and her.

"Andy, what the hell is this?" she had demanded, pointing to the final page of the script.

"It's for sweeps week, darlin'," he’d replied through a puff of smoke.

"But our characters are partners, not lovers!" She looked across the table at Brad, seeking affirmation. Wow, he doesn’t seem the least bit surprised.

"Sugar, we'll slaughter every other show in our time slot. The whole horny country wants to see you two in the sack and believe me, we'll play it up with promos the whole week before air." Andy had leaned forward, leering at her. "And who knows, you might have a good time."

"There's no dialogue here," she’d pointed out. Big scene, no lines for Sara.

"That's because we're going to play the whole thing over music, you know, a love theme!" The little, bald man cackled. "Hey, maybe we'll release a soundtrack!"

After the reading, Andy summoned Sara to his office. Still seething, she plopped down into a chair, scowling at him.

"Now listen up, kiddo. The exec producer has been talking to me about you. He says the other cast members and even the crew are pissed about your lousy attitude. He's sick of your bitching and wants me to deliver this message. If you give me any grief, balk at direction, or cause any shit whatsoever, he wants you to know you can be written out at the end of the season. Cops do get killed in the line of duty, ya know."

"What attitude? I'm a professional, Andy. I studied at the Actors Studio, I've done commercials for dog food and douche, and I’ve guested on a dozen series. I've worked hard to get this far. This pretty boy quarterback comes along and steals my thunder, and I'm just supposed to grin and bear it?"

"Yup," Andy had laughed at her. "Grin and b-a-r-e it is right. You’re going to be topless for this scene. Now I know we'll have to edit, but we plan on showing as much skin as we can sneak by the censors. Remember when that hot blonde showed her tits on NYPD Blue? Even in reruns, that episode killed, and God knows how many hits it has on YouTube.”

"I don't do topless. I don't do nude scenes. Never have, never will."

The director had glared at her, his expression grim. "You will if you want to keep this job, Sara. You'll do it, and you'll do it cheerfully. Now get your ass outta my office."