SEPTEMBER 2010 M/M ROMANCE NEWSLETTER
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Welcome to our newsletter. We hope the content on this page is both informative and entertaining. We welcome feedback; you can send it to the Newsletter Editor. Also, please visit the Dreamspinner Press blog! Follow the blog to see author posts, book excerpts, contests, and other news from the press about M/M romance. Enjoy!
Lynn West, Editor in Chief, Dreamspinner Press
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW |
Why did you decide to write romance stories?
Well, I wouldn't say it was an actual decision so much as romance was simply what came easiest for me as a writer. I love mysteries, but it's the interactions between characters that is most important to me as a reader and as a writer. Romance novels just seemed a natural extension.
Why choose a criminal for a character?
As a reader, I've always been drawn to crime stories, ones that explore the darker side of human nature. And while my work as a criminal defense attorney exposed me to some of the worst that humanity has to offer, it also showed me that the vast majority of criminals have a part of themselves that is capable of love and of making better choices if given support and opportunity. I have never been very good at seeing the world in black and white, so making one of my main characters a criminal felt right to me.
How were you introduced to M/M fiction?
I was introduced to M/M fiction online, actually. I read quite a few stories in different fandoms and then felt compelled to try my hand at writing M/M fiction myself.
What are five of your favorite books/series?
Oh, this is like being asked to pick my favorite child! My list is somewhat subject to change, but the book that will always take the top spot is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. The other four are Mystic River by Dennis Lehane, Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, The Stand by Stephen King, and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison. Did I mention I like dark novels?
Why did you decide to try to publish your stories?
I decided to try and get my novel published because my husband wouldn't stop nagging me about it! He thought I was crazy to write a novel and then just let it sit on my computer. I figured the worst that could happen was I would be told no, and that's never been enough to stop me from doing anything before, so I went ahead and submitted the novel. And I'm so glad I did!
Brooke McKinley has always been practical. So after college she continued on to law school instead of pursuing her lifelong dream of writing novels. She didn't stop writing but confined it to scribbles on the edges of yellow legal pads and hurried paragraphs during late-night coffee breaks. After ten interesting and challenging years as a criminal defense attorney, Brooke left the practice of law to try something new. She now divides her time between corralling her children and giving voice to the endless characters in her head. And she has decided that practicality is vastly overrated. E-mail Brooke at brookemckinley@earthlink.net.
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Win an eBook copy of your choice of one of this author's works. Clues are available in author bios on our web site.
This author writes M/M romance, but she has a degree in anthropology. She works at a bookstore and wrote one of Dreamspinner Press's best selling titles featuring young adults.
E-mail the Newsletter Editor with your answer. A winner will be chosen randomly from the correct answers. Contest ends the last day of the month.
The correct answers to last month's question: This author's wide-ranging and varied careers, from ship building to making special effects movie props, has given him enough material for a lifetime of stories. Patric Michael.
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Douglas took a deep breath, tried to stay calm. "Son, just explain it to me. I want to hear your side of the story. I mean, Mom's hysterical, the principal has called twice, and there's a news van parked on the edge of the lawn. What were you thinking? I just don't...." He glanced down at the newspaper on his lap, winced, then rolled it up and shoved it under the couch cushion.
"Dad, I'm not a baby anymore. Do you expect me to ignore the Well-Dressed Cowboy Contest sponsored by Bean's Western Wear and the Rodeo Club? And the prize is a date with the Rodeo Princess of your choice? It's sexist, demeaning, and, I might add, sponsored by our tax dollars. No mention of safe sex. No mention of diversity. You expect me and every other gay cowboy in Texas to just slink away and hide our pride under our hats? Not a chance. You know Grandma was one of those women's... what do you call 'ems back in the sixties."
"Women's lib. That's what it was called."
"Right. Dad, it's not right to treat women this way. Mom would never put up with it. And it's not right to treat me this way. We're still in high school! They're selling our sexuality to make a quick buck on cowboy boots!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Two things. The school board cut funding to the health ed program and required the teachers to start abstinence-only education. Second, they refused to let us start a LGBTQ club."
"What the hell is Q?" Douglas shook his head, held his hands up. "Never mind. I don't want to get off track here. In principle, you're right. Of course you're right. The Well-Dressed Cowboy Contest is sexist and demeaning. But you're a senior in high school. I'm just questioning the method you chose to...." His voice petered out, exasperation and incredulity fighting for the upper hand. "Son," he choked out, "why the condom?"
He pulled out the paper, opened it, and held up the front page. The picture was of the new billboard erected on the main road into town. His little cowboy, dressed in black hat, boots, and spurs. Under the newspaper-applied fig leaf, a black condom completed the outfit. A Tuxedo, his son had informed him. The headline on the billboard read: Everything the Well-Dressed Cowboy Needs.
The well-dressed cowboy bent over and kissed his father on the cheek. Douglas Junior had topped out his Dad by a couple of inches this year. His father remembered what he looked like the first time he had seen him, wrapped in a white blanket, just about the size of a loaf of bread.
"Who gave you the money to do this? Never mind. It was Grandma, wasn't it?"
"That billboard is gonna save some lives and might even get me a hot date to the prom. Damn, I'm good-looking! You know I'm right, Dad." He tipped his hat and was gone.
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Snared
By JL Merrow
"a fantastic, as well as humorous, were-cat shifter romance."
Literary Nymphs Reviews
Near-Life Experience
by Alix Bekins
"I think Ms. Bekins's storyline is excellent. The fears, grieving, loving, sharing are so realistic that the two guys come alive and are easy to relate to."
The Romance Studio
Something for Nothing
By Connie Bailey
"It has cute teen heroes, a bit of suspense and angst, plenty of love and youthful romance, and a feel-good ending that will leave you with a smile."
Book Wenches
The Summer Gardener
By Jan Irving
"Filled with lots of laughter and steamy love scenes, there isn’t anything lacking in this short tale of human and fae love."
Bitten by Books
Summer Song
By Louise Blaydon
"The story is a fascinating look back in time where life was slower and differences in culture or sexuality were not accepted like they are today. ...an inspiring story."
Fallen Angel Reviews
Bee Among the Clover
By Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe
"The detailed portrayal of this unsettled time period, a well-drawn cast of characters, and the desperate hope that, somehow, all will be well in the end more than keeps the reader's attention."
Whipped Cream Erotic Romance Reviews
State of Mind
By Libby Drew
"What an amazing thrill ride! This book seizes your heart from the very first sentence and doesn't let you go until long after you've put it down! Wow!"
3rdlegpress Reviews
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CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
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Limited Call
Dreamspinner Press is accepting submissions for Naughty or Nice: 2010 Dreamspinner Press Advent Calendar.
Santa's got a list, and he's checking it twice. Will you tell if your lover's been naughty or nice? In these stories, the winter holidays will shine brightly whether with sweetest love, cackling laughter, or blistering passion. Readers will get a story a day in the month of December, all with holiday flair. Stories from any winter holidays are welcome: Advent, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, Yule, and so on.
Editor in Chief Lynn West will be reviewing manuscripts of 5,000 to 18,000 words in length. Manuscripts shorter or longer will be considered but will have to be extraordinary. The submission deadline is Sept. 15, 2010. You must follow general submission guidelines for short stories for proper consideration. Please list "Advent Calendar" in the subject line of your submission.
Continuous Call
Dreamspinner Press is accepting submissions for our in-house genre Timeless Dreams, romantic M/M historical fiction with happy endings. While reaction to same-sex relationships throughout time and across cultures has not always been positive, these stories celebrate M/M love in a manner that may address, minimize, or ignore historical stigma. You can visit the rough and tumble Old West, travel the ancient kingdoms of desert sheikhs, see the black and red lacquer of the Far East, or dance in dramatic Regency England. No matter where or when, in the romantic worlds of Timeless Dreams, our heroes always live happily ever after.
Manuscripts of any story length may be submitted. You must follow general submission guidelines for short stories for proper consideration. Please list "Timeless Dreams" in the subject line of your submission.
Dreamspinner Press is accepting submissions for our in-house genre, Bittersweet Dreams, stories of M/M romance with nontraditional endings. It's an unfortunate truth: love doesn't always conquer all. Regardless of its strength, sometimes fate intervenes, tragedy strikes, or forces conspire against it. These stories of romance do not offer a traditional happy ending, but the strong and enduring love will still touch your heart and maybe move you to tears.
Manuscripts of any story length may be submitted. You must follow general submission guidelines for short stories for proper consideration. Please list "Bittersweet Dreams" in the subject line of your submission.
Calls Coming Soon
Riding Double, an anthology of Westerns, edited by Anne Regan, and A Matter of Logistics, an anthology of stories about men in uniform (military, police, fire, government agency, etc.), also edited by Anne Regan.
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NEWS |
Sarah Black interviewed author Red Haircrow upon release of Red's short story A Lieutenant's Love.
Cover artist Paul Richmond was interviewed by Michele 'n Jeff Reviews.
Savvy Authors interviewed authors Sarah Black, author of Idaho Pride and Anagama Fires, and Andrew Grey, author of the Love Means... books.
The Romance Studio posted praise about and interviewed Ruth Sims upon release of her novel Counterpoint: Dylan's Story.
Book Wenches interviewed Amy Lane upon release of her novel Making Promises.
Romancing the Book interviewed Ruth Sims upon release of her novel Counterpoint: Dylan's Story.
Queer Magazine Online interviewed Serena Yates and named her September Author of the Month.
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What kind of stories are most likely to be accepted right now?
At this time, submissions of contemporary romance, science fiction, and Westerns have the best chance of being accepted. Lowest chance: Mystery/Suspense and BDSM/Kink.
Ask the Editor in an e-mail to the Newsletter Editor.
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DREAMSPINNER PRESS |
Launched in May 2007, Dreamspinner Press offers quiet romance, supernatural passion, out-of-this-world lovers, kinky explorations, and heated dreams--a little taste to whet your appetite for romantic homoerotica. We hope you take a little time to be enchanted, romanced, and loved by enjoying the publications of Dreamspinner Press.
We appreciate your patronage! If you have feedback, please e-mail to contact@dreamspinnerpress.com or mail to Dreamspinner Press, 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034, USA. Thank you!
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