OCTOBER 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?
My journey into writing is a long, strange story that started with me trying to write short adventure stories and eventually led to me writing gay romance fiction. The jump may seem odd, but it was a natural progression for me. I always wanted to write but never found the patience to sit down and actually finish any of the projects I started, that is, until I met someone who is now one of those nearest and dearest to me. She introduced me to roleplay writing, where the two of us would each own a subset of characters and would write out scenes for these characters, as well as to yaoi, which is the Japanese term for gay romance stories. I was exposed to each of these within a very short time period and fell in love with the idea of both. I discovered that writing a story using the roleplay approach was an entertaining way to approach writing, seeing as you never know what's going to happen next. I also had time to get annoyed with the air-headed characters often portrayed as female in the anime genre. The love of yaoi anime influenced the stories my friend and I roleplayed, and we ended up roleplaying male romance into the fantasy story that was the result of our very first story together.
What about fantasy/paranormal or science fiction settings for romance appeals to you?
I always enjoyed fantasy, for as long as I can remember, as both a genre to read and write. I love the freedom the genre possesses. I am drawn in by the various mythical creatures that can be portrayed and the sheer breadth of abilities and different life experiences that can be attributed to them. I love how even though there are fixed rules that govern the genre, these rules are flexible and can be changed, mixed, and merged, their potential only limited by the power of your imagination. Most of all I adore how often these stories contain a hero who discovers things about himself that he did not know.
How were you introduced to M/M fiction?
Through my close friend who introduced me to yaoi anime. This in turn led me towards yaoi manga, which in turn led me toward gay online fan fiction. I didn't really like most gay online fan fiction, because I believe it is difficult to beat the original concept. I then started to search for original gay online fiction. Soon thereafter, I started to post my own and read what was available. A few years later, I ran out of decent online pieces to read and commented on it to a friend I made online. This friend recommended a few reads in the published sector, which opened a whole new world to me.
What are five of your favorite books/series?
Dresden Files series (Jim Butcher), Ranger's Apprentice series (John Flanagan), Adventure series (Willard Price), Partnership in Blood series (Ariel Tachna), The With or Without series (J.L Langley). Note: I'm excluding manga.
Why did you decide to try to publish your stories?
I always wanted to publish but never had any confidence in myself. Then a little while ago, I started to write and post a young-adult fiction novel that received incredibly good feedback from my readers online, both in the number of readers as well as in the comments these readers left behind. The story really seemed to touch a few of them deeply, and this reaction gave me hope. I decided to take a chance and submit the piece for publication. Sadly, this piece failed miserably and was and still is rejected. Fortunately for me, Dreamspinner Press was the first place I decided to submit it to, and the feedback I received let me know it was not my writing style or the merit of the story itself that was making it difficult to publish, it was the genre itself. This is why, two years later when I was on the border of giving up on publishing altogether, I decided to take a chance and submit one of my other pieces, one that did not contain the same genre difficulty. It was accepted, and here I am!
Rayne Auster always had a passion for writing. However, growing up, she didn't have the patience to finish what she started. Most of her projects died before even seeing the light of day. While studying for a master's degree in computer science, she decided to post what she wrote online. That is when she discovered the joy of sharing the stories in her head. Unable to bear the thought of leaving her readers hanging, she finished her first piece of fiction. The satisfaction of actually completing a story quickly led to further inspiration, and she hasn't looked back since. You can contact Rayne at rayne.auster@gmail.com.
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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 has been accused of being eccentric and a shade neurotic, both of which she freely admits to, but her muse has OCD tendencies. She's written epic fantasy Timeless Dreams historicals with a co-author, as well as a three-book paranormal series of her own.
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 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. J.M. Colail.
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Gabe glanced down at the sugary concoction on the plate in front of him; the sight of the caramel-chocolate-nutty cheesecake almost made him drool just looking at it. He turned his dimples on Kurt.
"I told you we'd get free dessert out of it," he gloated. Kurt glanced down at the gooey cheesecake on the small white plate. He raised a brow.
"Yeah, that makes it worth waiting almost two hours for our food," he grumbled, his tone sarcastic. He took a drink of his wine as he watched Gabe dig into the cheesecake enthusiastically. The spoon slid into the creamy texture as Gabe scooped up the first bite, careful that he got chocolate, caramel, nuts, and chocolate chips all on the spoon. As he closed his mouth around it, his eyes slid shut, and he moaned quietly, savoring the treat. Realizing Kurt's eyes were fixed on his mouth, Gabe's dimple flashed wickedly in his cheek just before his tongue slipped out to slowly lick his lips while he watched Kurt's expression from under lowered lids. Kurt's cheeks flushed, and he caught his bottom lip in his teeth as he stared.
Gabe opened his eyes and put down his spoon. Kurt watched Gabe's deliberate movement with curiosity. "It's not good?" he asked. He thought the look on Gabe's face had suggested otherwise, but now it seemed like Gabe had changed his mind about eating it.
"It's good," Gabe said with a slow smile that dented his cheeks and curled Kurt's toes. "I just wanted to let you taste it."
Kurt's eyes were drawn back to the plate, and he watched, speechless as Gabe broke a piece of the cheesecake off with his fingers. The soft cake smashed between Gabe's thumb and forefinger; caramel and chocolate sauce smeared and ran over his skin. Kurt's eyes widened with panic as he realized what Gabe intended.
"Gabe!" he exclaimed quietly glancing around the restaurant. Public displays of affection were not on Kurt's list of things to do. Gabe's grin just grew.
"It's dark in here, baby, and besides, we are back in this booth. No one is paying any attention to us. It's okay. You worry way too much. Here, just try it." Gabe lifted his fingers to Kurt's mouth and pressed the cheesecake teasingly against his lips, painting them with the sticky-sweet caramel-coated dessert. It wasn't the temptation of the treat that parted Kurt's lips, but the brush of Gabe's warm fingers. When his mouth opened to allow Gabe to press the cake inside, Gabe breathed out in a quiet hiss and edged closer along the bench of the booth, close enough that their hips pressed tightly together. His eyes fixed on Gabe's face, Kurt licked and sucked the cheesecake from his fingers, searching out every bit of sweet and uncovering the flavor that was distinctly Gabe.
Gabe stared at Kurt sucking his fingers, and the sight had his cock quickly coming to attention. He squirmed as his jeans became uncomfortably fitted across his lap, and when he reclaimed his fingers, it was to cup Kurt's jaw with them, thumb on one side, fingers splayed and controlling on the other. He tipped Kurt's head back and leaned forward.
"You have a bit here," Gabe muttered, and Kurt's eyes slid closed when he felt the wet glide of Gabe's tongue on his chin. "And here." Another teasing lick, this one at the corner of his mouth. Kurt's lips opened with on sigh.
"Yes," he breathed. The restaurant was forgotten as he turned into Gabe's touch, and his fingers tangled through the wild curling length of Gabe's hair, hand fisting there as if he were worried Gabe might try to get away. Gabe's tongue slid against his, and Kurt was unable to stifle the small whimper that escaped him at the intimate touch. The kiss was slow and thorough; Kurt's fingers unknotted, and he began to stroke them through Gabe's hair. Gabe's fingers caressed Kurt's face but held him securely in the kiss as their tongues stroked and played, tangling together in the wet heat of their mouths. When they finally pulled apart, Gabe slid his hand into Kurt's, lacing their fingers and holding tight.
"It's time to go," he said. His eyes, usually so bright, were dark, pupils blown; his desire was written openly on his face. "Now, K. We have to go now."
Kurt nodded. He could feel it, the urgency in the air that demanded they find someplace to be alone. The bathroom, his truck… right at that moment, Kurt wasn't feeling very picky, but Gabe was taking time to box the remainder of the cheesecake.
He felt Kurt watching and turned the full force of his grin on him.
"I liked you cheesecake flavor," he said, scraping the last of the sauces from the plate and into the box. He leaned closer, and his lips brushed Kurt's ear. "I'm going to cover you in it, K, and then I'm going to lick it off, and then I'm going to fuck your brains out."
Kurt stared at Gabe, wide-eyed. He swallowed, his mouth inexplicably dry and then turned without saying another word to motion for the check. Kurt had the sudden feeling that dessert was going to make it worth every second they'd waited too long for their overcooked pasta dinners.
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Admit One
By Jenna Hilary Sinclair
"..a moving and extremely compelling contemporary romance. Once I got started I found it very difficult to put this book down."
Romance Junkies
The Year Without Summer
by G.S. Wiley
"For those readers that enjoy romance stories off the beaten path and a little bittersweet, The Year Without a Summer completely delivers. It may not have a happy ever after right now, but it is filled with romance, love, and hope."
Whipped Cream Reviews
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NEWS |
Don't miss this chance to save! Take 20% off all Dreamspinner Press titles Oct. 2-3 when Dreamspinner Press is a Featured Publisher at Rainbow eBooks! In addition to the 20% savings, the following titles will be available as a free download at Rainbow eBooks for the times listed below:
Fri. 6 p.m. - Sat. 10 a.m. Promises by Marie Sexton
Sat. 10 a.m. - Sat. 10 p.m. Seducing C.C. by Ariel Tachna
Sat. 10 p.m. - Sun. 10 a.m. Change of Heart by Mary Calmes
Sun. 10 a.m. - Sun. 10 p.m. Unrequited by Abigail Roux
Sun. 10 p.m. - Mon. 10 a.m. Brush of Wings Anthology
*All times listed are EST.
Trina Lane, author of Love's Return, was interviewed at Total e-Bound.
Several Dreamspinner authors are taking part in the All Romance eBooks' Just One Bite Short Story Contest.
Cristian Flesh, lead character in Ethan Stone's novel In the Flesh, was interviewed at yaoiradius.com.
Amy Lane, author of Keeping Promise Rock, Making Promises, and Truth in the Dark, was interviewed at Literary Nymphs.
Ariel Tachna, author of the Partnership in Blood series, Her Two Dads, and A Summer Place, was interviewed at Dawn's Reading Nook.
Dawn Kimberly Johnson, author of Broken and its sequel, Home, was interviewed by Shae Connor.
S. Reesa Herberth, author of the short story "Fin de Siecle" in the Sindustry I anthology, was a guest blogger at Delilah Devlin.
Janey Chapel, author of the Maritime Men books and Get What You Need, was interviewed by Shae Connor.
Alan Chin, author of Match Maker, was interviewed at Queer Magazine Online and named October Author of the Month.
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
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In order to give all our potential authors the best service and attention, Dreamspinner Press no longer accepts simultaneous submissions.
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.
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What kind of stories are most likely to be accepted right now?
At this time, any short story or novella submissions (5,000 to 60,000 words) are welcome. Especially light contemporary romance, science fiction, and Westerns have the best chance of being accepted. Novel submissions are also welcome. Lowest chance: Mystery/Suspense and Fantasy/Paranormal.
See our Submission Guidelines for details.
What references do you use to edit my story?
Our primary reference is The Chicago Manual of Style, the publishing industry standard. (Please note that Chicago Style varies in many ways from Associated Press style, which is used by the media.) We also consult several dictionaries, including Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster. Further research resources include the Online Etymology Dictionary, Thesaurus.com, and even Grammar Girl. We do have an in-house style guide, but it is simply a list of frequently edited items as supported by Chicago style.
Ask the Editor in an e-mail to the Newsletter Editor.
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Recommended Read at Dark Diva Reviews: A to Z by Marie Sexton
Recommended Read at Two Lips Reviews: Out of the Fire by Ariel Tachna
Hot Fiction Tip from Queer Magazine Online: Anchors Aweigh by Janey Chapel
Book of the Week at Whipped Cream Reviews: Bee Among the Clover by Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe
Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews: Bewitched by Bella's Brother by Amy Lane
10 out of 10 Stars at Outlaw Reviews: Special Delivery by Heidi Cullinan
Desert Island Keeper award: Take My Picture by Giselle Ellis
Joyfully Recommended: Romanus by Mary Calmes
9 out of 10 Quills at Novelspot: Talons of the Condor by John Simpson
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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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