Wednesday, July 23, 2014

RWA 2014

So today I'm off to San Antonio to check out the Romance Writers of America Nationals conference. I can't wait! While I've attended writer conferences in the past, this is the first really big one. As a hybrid author (traditionally published and self published), I'm looking forward to learning about topics that are specific to the genre I write, as well as, rubbing elbows with agents, editors, and other writers.  This is my SXSW!

If you happen to be in San Antonio on Thursday, July 24, drop by my Kensington book signing. It's from 9:45-11:15 at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel.  I will be signing copies of Nephilim and giving away lots of free swag.

Esmae Browder will also be attending RWA! Be sure to drop by the Goody Room and pick up copies of her Naughty Shakespeare series. Can't make it? No problem. All three of her books will be free at Amazon this week in honor of RWA 2014!

And speaking of free...if you haven't picked up the companion stories to Nephilim, they will be free next week at Amazon!

Hope to see you at RWA 2014!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Both Sides of the New Adult Coin by CD Brennan

A few months back, I got to review CD Brennan's delightful novel, Watershed. I'm currently in the middle of her latest novel, A World Apart, and hope to review it next week once all the excitement of RWA dies down. One of the hot topics at RWA is the subject of the New Adult genre. But what is that? Today we get a great explanation from CD Brennan who explains what New Adult means and how it's changing the world of publishing! -- Mary Ann

Both Sides of the New Adult Coin
by
CD Brennan

As both a writer and editor of New Adult romance, I am particularly interested in the future of this genre. It was practically genius who devised New Adult. I love that the age range is vast, from 18 – 26, because growing into who you are as an adult takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight, or within the halls of a high school, and some mature faster than others. Personally, I dawdled—bad. It took me, like forever, to figure out who I was, what I believed, what was important to me without letting outside influences alter my path. Looking back, I think I was a complete and utter eejit those years. Where was my head? In my heart, most likely. But that’s okay, and an often explored meme in New Adult.


I’m first and foremost an Editor, then an author. Editing is my job and I love it. I’m not being modest when I say that I am a better Editor than I am a writer. Writing and editing are different disciplines. One uses the right side of the brain; one uses the left. As an editor, I work with parameters and rules, including grammar and construction. I work within the laws of the language and guidelines set by my house. I evaluate a book’s development as if it were a puzzle, rearrange content, if needed, for it all to fit. As an author, I develop settings and plot lines, create loveable, iconic characters, and devise witty, realistic dialogue. From nothing. From thin air. Poof! Okay, maybe with help from a glass of wine and 80s love songs. Everyone has their muse.

I am a Content & Acquisitions Editor with Lyrical Press, a romance imprint of Kensington Publishing out of New York. In the last year, we have seen a large increase in New Adult submissions. As a new genre, it is still growing, and that means writers are expanding into new territories with New Adult. Lately, I’ve received some great NA subs, including time-travel, historical, and fairytale. New Adult writers are dipping into other subgenres, which I am pleased to see. The possibilities are endless. Perhaps a NA sci-fi? Or even better, NA dystopian? I’ve got an idea for that one myself. Or why not New Adult erotic romance? Who’s to say a college chic can’t have an erotic journey of discovery with a hunky grad student on a summer archeological dig? Tent + middle of nowhere = no one will hear them scream.


Maybe NA is becoming more popular for its first mature love combined with youthful fantasy and silly mistakes. Young adults face profound life choices and powerful emotion. Parfait them with great sexual content, and you can’t help but have a winner. The best YA stories make me so effin’ excited when they first kiss, I could cry. Then I want more. How many YA stories did you think to yourself – God, I just wish they could get it on?

That’s where NA comes in. New Adult doesn’t have to be red hot, but it can include characters’ sexual exploration side of their relationships. My series is low in heat, but I reckon if I knew then what I know now, I would have written them a bit sexier. New Adult sales are stronger with higher heat levels. And fair enough. How many young twenty-somethings do you know who aren’t having sex? Sometimes copious amounts! Don’t mistake edgy and angsty with sexy. They don’t have to go together like tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. There is nothing wrong with a lighthearted storyline with lots of great sex. You can have a strong storyline that integrates sex into the character or relationship development, without the need for uber-drama.
What I am trying to say, is that whatever way you choose to write your New Adult novel, this genre currently has the most potential for new and different. The possibilities are endless.

All Things Writing members interested in publication with Kensington Publishing’s Lyrical Press line may submit directly. Believe in your story and send it to me. cdemaagd@gmail.com

Or, I’d be more than honored if you wanted to check out my own NA series, Love Where You Roam. www.cdbrennan.com

Happy Writing!
Corinne DeMaagd


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Deal Sharing Aunt

Here is my third stop for this week at Deal Sharing Aunt! This is a simply fantastic blog filled with all sort of giveaways. Are you a book lover? Stop by today and enter my giveaway or any of the fun giveaways she has posted there!

Deal Sharing Aunt: Naughty Shakespeare Series

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Monday, July 14, 2014

5 Things I Learned After I Published My Book

Hello! As part of my virtual book tour for The Naughty Shakespeare series and in preparation of RWA Nationals next week, today I get to visit the fabulous Sydney St. Claire at her blog. We will be discussing 5 Things I Learned After I Published My Book! Drop by and get in on the Rafflecopter contest going on. I'm going to be giving one lucky reader all three current books in the Naughty Shakespeare series for free! Here is the link to the blog:

Sydney St. Clair Blog


Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wickedly Wanton and It's Raining Books!

Here are this week's final tour stops! What a fun time I've had so far and I can't wait to meet more new fans in the upcoming weeks. By the way, I will be attending RWA Nationals July 23-26. In honor of that, all three books in the Naughty Shakespeare series will be free those days.

Tour Stop July10: Wickedly Wanton Tales

Tour Stop July 11: It's Raining Books

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Shakespeare With a Side of Naughty!

Today's tour stop is at Books on Silver Wings. I will be blogging about my passion for Shakespeare and what inspired me to dive into an erotic fiction series based on some of his more famous works! Check it out and enter to win the giveaway!

Books on Silver Wings

Interested in Naughty Shakespeare? Stop by my blog www.esmaebrowder.com or drop by Amazon and pick up a copy of Taming of the Prude!

Some marriages begin with mutual trust and admiration. And some...well, some begin with the promise of a dowry and the taming of a wife. When saucy, headstrong Kate discovers that the man she's just seduced in the courtyard is to be her future husband Petruchio, she is furious and vows to make sure that he never receives the dowry her father has promised him if he tames her! Instead, Kate begins a campaign to tame him and her methods are a little more adventurous than his. Unafraid of her sexuality, Petruchio's wife uses all sort of devices to make sure he knows exactly who the boss is in their marriage is. But can they fight the sparks of love that threaten to tear their strong willed natures a part? And just who is taming who? 

This fun, fast paced erotic tale based on Shakespeare's comedy The Taming of the Shrew is the third book in Esmae Browder's Naughty Shakespeare series.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Day 2: The Naughty Shakespeare Book Tour!

Yesterday's stops were so much fun! Here is where I am today! Drop by and learn more about me and my erotic Naughty Shakespeare series.

Tour Stop Today: Author Mia Downing



Check out Book 2 in the Naughty Shakespeare series!
Amazon: Ravishing Rosaline

Ravishing Rosaline...Romeo's first love or so the story of Romeo and Juliet tells us. But who was she really? In this sizzling erotic tale, we are invited in to Rosaline's world--a place where women are expected to be chaste and submissive. But Rosaline isn't like that. Her pleasures know no bounds, her need for revenge against a former lover consumes her. She will do whatever it takes to get her desires met--even if it means taking Romeo away from Juliet. 

Once again, Esmae Browder delivers a modern day prequel to one of Shakespeare's most timeless romances. Ravishing Rosaline is Book 2 in her literotica Naughty Shakespeare series.

Monday, July 7, 2014

The Naughty Shakespeare Book Tour Begins Today!

Today I'm so excited to begin my book tour which is being run by Goddess Fish Promotions. I have two stops today and invite you to drop by to learn more about me and the first book in the Naughty Shakespeare series: Ophelia's Lessons.

Stop One: Danita Minnis's Blog

Stop Two: The Crafty Cauldron

Sweet, innocent Ophelia--she wants nothing more than to marry Hamlet Elsinore. But what does a simple virgin know about pleasing a man like the sophisticated and charming Hamlet? Not a whole lot, but when her seductive roommate, Portia, learns of Ophelia’s interest, she gets Horatio to “teach” the innocent girl everything she’ll need to know to seduce his best friend, Hamlet. 

Horatio is a hot, experienced lover who claims virgins are his specialty. He explains she has what every man wants--an innocent look, but the potential to be a whore in the bedroom. Hamlet has particular tastes and likes his women to be submissive and sexually open--something Ophelia, due to a lack of experience, is not. While she doesn’t completely understand what he means, Ophelia’s confusion is swept aside when her virginity is taken by Horatio’s expert skills, and her world is opened up to a whole new way of thinking. 

Set in modern day, this prequel to Hamlet is steamy enough to have even the Bard blushing! Enjoy this first book of literotica in the Naughty Shakespeare series.

Amazon: Ophelia's Lessons

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Virtual Book Tour for Esmae Browder via Goddess Fish Promotions

So Mary Ann is on vacation all this month (practically all this summer) which means I get to be in charge of the blog! I've been a little lax these past few months, but with good reason! I've released three books in my Naughty Shakespeare series, been prepping for RWA Nationals next month, and organizing a book tour to really get my name out there. Whew! Now it's time to settle down and focus on All Things Writing!

However, I must begin with shameless self promotion!

Starting July 1 and running through August 1, I will be on a virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions! The ladies at Goddess Fish have been nothing but professional and I can't wait to visit all the tour stops they have set up. I will be blogging about the Naughty Shakespeare series, what it's like to write erotica, my obessesion with Shakespeare,  and of course, answering some fun interview questions. To follow along, here are the stops on my tour!

July 7: The Crafty Cauldron
July 7 SECOND STOP Danita Minnis
July 8: Mia Downing
July 9: Books on Silver Wings
July 10: Wickedly Wanton Tales
July 11: It's Raining Books
July 14: http://sydneystclaire.wordpress.com
July 15: Book Suburbia PROMO
July 16: Deal Sharing Aunt
July 17: Queen of the Night Reviews
July 18: Katherine Givens
July 21: Long and Short Reviews
July 22: Books and Other Spells
July 23: Dena Garson - Real... Hot... Romance
July 24: Punya Reviews... PROMO
July 25: Bunny's Review
July 28: All I Want and More
July 29: Literaria
July 30: Serenity Doesn't Come Easy
July 31: Tory Richards
August 1: Reviews by Crystal

Not all my links are live and ready to go, but they will be starting next week! Interested in getting your own copies of the Naughty Shakespeare series? Click on the links below to get started!
OPHELIA'S LESSONS

RAVISHING ROSALINE

TAMING OF THE PRUDE