AUGUST 2011 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!
Ariel Tachna, Social Networking Coordinator, Dreamspinner Press
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AUTHOR INTERVIEW |
Why did you decide to write romance stories?
Who doesn't love a good romance? I guess I've always been a sucker for a story where two people meet and realize that a life without the other has become inconceivable. Writing these romance stories has also forced me to do a lot of thinking about what romance really is and all of the different forms that it can take.
Do you think there's a difference in romance written by men as opposed to women?
I don't believe there is a difference. I've read a lot of comments that male characters written by women don't "ring true" and that's simply not something I've found to be true. I've read some stories written by men in which the male characters are even more stereotypical or effeminate and to whom I simply can't relate; and conversely, I've been bowled over by some stories only to find out that a woman was able to capture exactly what I thought only a man would be able to understand. Ultimately, for me, the story and the writing themselves are of the utmost importance, not the sex of the author.
How were you introduced to M/M fiction?
I was surfing the net one day - about eighteen months ago - and was looking for some new books to read during the upcoming spring break. I happened upon a book entitled Caught Running and was drawn to it because it featured gay school teachers. Well, of course, I bought it, devoured it and then spent weeks and months searching for more books just like it.
What are five of your favorite books/series?
I have many favorites, but of those in the m/m genre: Caught Running by Urban & Roux, A Note in the Margin by Rowan, Patient Eyes and An Unexpected Guest, both by Eisenberg and Zero at the Bone by Seville. Of course there are so many others, both in the genre and beyond, but these five had a significant impact on me; they made me think and evaluate many things about what I believed and felt - and that's always what I look for in a good story.
Why did you decide to try to publish your stories?
I have always been writing stories, for as long as I can remember, but it wasn't until I began reading m/m stories that I realized there was an actual market for the kinds of stories I had been writing. My desire to be published probably stems from a combination of wanting to see if I could be published and hoping that my stories would touch people as so many of the m/m stories touched me.
When D.W. Marchwell is not teaching future generations the wonders of science, he can usually be found hiking, writing, riding horses, trying new recipes, or searching for and lovingly restoring discarded antique furniture. A goofy and incurable romantic, D.W. admits that his stories are inspired by actual events and that he has a soft spot for those where boy not only meets boy but also turns out to be boy’s soul mate. Visit his web site at http://www.marchwellbooks.ca/.
You can contact him at dwmarchwell@hotmail.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 was born in Michigan on an asparagus and peach farm. He also teaches Buddhism and meditation.
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 graduated from Marshall University and used to work as a copy editor for a newspaper. Dawn Kimberly Johnson
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Robin took another sip of his hot chocolate, curling his fingers around the paper mug in the hope of keeping his hands from freezing. He'd thought his gloves were in his pockets, but apparently not. The wind roared down the street, the tall buildings creating a tunnel of vicious proportions and even the three-sided enclosure at the bus stop provided little protection. Shifting back and forth to keep his blood circulating, he wondered how long it would be before the bus arrived.
"Morning."
Robin looked up and smiled at the only thing besides his drink that had any chance of warming him up on such a frigid day. He'd run into Darren one morning at this bus stop and had started walking the extra block ever since. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired. Everything Robin wasn't. He'd come to terms with being a short, skinny, redheaded twink in college, but that didn't keep him from occasionally wishing he had the looks to attract a man like Darren. The other man was generous with his smiles, though, and his conversation, and that kept Robin coming back every morning at the same time.
"Morning," Robin replied. "Cold today."
Darren nodded. "And it's only supposed to get colder as the day goes on. They're predicting a foot of snow tonight."
"Why did I want to live on the lake again?" Robin quipped.
"Because the breeze off the water is cool in the summer?" Darren suggested.
Robin scowled and took another sip of his hot chocolate, his tongue swiping away the foam that coated his upper lip.
"Where are your gloves?" Darren asked suddenly.
"I must have left them at home," Robin said. "I thought they were in my pockets, but they aren't."
Darren frowned and moved closer to Robin's side. "Here," he offered. "Let me hold your drink so you can put your hands in your pockets at least. You'll freeze your fingers off that way."
"I'm okay," Robin insisted, warmed by the concern. "The hot drink helps."
Darren's frown deepened as he pulled off his own gloves. "Then put these on and I'll put my hands in my pockets. I can see your fingers turning pink from over here."
Robin flushed, cursing his fair skin and freckles silently, sure his face looked like a tomato at the moment. To hide his embarrassment, he took another sip of hot chocolate. Before he could lick the foam away, Darren's finger traced his lip. "You've got cream there," he said softly.
Robin's breath caught in his throat at the slow, sensual touch. He told himself it was just Darren being helpful, but he couldn't stop the ray of hope when his finger lingered.
Then Darren's face moved closer, head angling slightly, and their mouths touched. Robin gasped into the kiss, and Darren took advantage, his tongue darting out to lick the inner face of Robin's lips. The kiss was as hot as Darren's nose was cold against Robin's cheek, but he didn't mind. It was proof this wasn't another dream.
"I knew it," Darren whispered, his head lifting only enough to speak. "You're even sweeter than the hot chocolate."
Robin flushed again, eyes darting away, but Darren wouldn't stand for it, catching Robin's chin in his bare fingers and tipping his head back up until their eyes met again. "What time do you catch the bus home?" Darren asked.
"Five-thirty," Robin replied. "Why?"
Darren smiled. "So I know what time to meet you tonight for dinner. And hopefully more kisses."
Robin's smile grew as well. "That thought will keep me warm all day."
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WHAT I'M READING Julianne Bentley, Associate Editor |
The Way You Say by Dar Mavison
Australian adventurer Adam Yager arrives in Athens for a conference and meets a colleague from the past: Dmitri Pryce, a brilliant archaeologist, a charming individual, and a beautiful man. Adam has never found a man beautiful before, not like this, and between remembrances of the dig in Tanzania four years ago and talk of more recent work, Adam does his best to keep his arousal hidden... until he blurts out his admiration for the way Dmitri says the word "ass." And once Adam's said it out loud, it's too late to take it back.
Dmitri remembers lusting after Adam four years ago with painful clarity, but he made himself get over his crush and accept Adam's friendship at face value. Now, as a documentary of the dig they both worked on is about to be released to the public, Adam clearly wants more, but Dmitri believes their opportunity to have passed. Except Adam is unwilling to miss this once in a lifetime chance to really get to know Dmitri and explore the passion they both feel.
Julianne's thoughts: The Way You Say by Dar Mavison is one of the longest and most delightful teases I've ever read. The narrative flips back and forth in time, ending up in the present day with two men dealing with so much sexual tension and lust that they can barely listen to the the other speak without needing some time alone. I love the archaeological-academic setting, giving a romantic life to characters usually portrayed as nerds; they're smart men, but they're also real and in lust and often hilarious - the inner monologues are especially fabulous. I enjoy a lot of build-up, and this story had me aching in anticipation, right along with then characters. It might be hot in Africa, but it's even hotter with this novel! - Julianne Bentley, Associate Editor
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Wings of Love
By Scotty Cade
"Wings of Love was for sure a good romance, but it had also the feeling of being true, not so pink glasses perspective as many other romances I read. First of all the two main characters, Brad and Mac, are not so young, not so old even, but let say they are not new at the love game."
Elisa at Live Journal
Where the Allegheny meets the Monongahela
by Felicia Watson
"Where the Allegheny meets the Monongahela is a complex novel, built with an impressive amount of detail. The information about abuse is so skilfully interwoven within the dialogue, I didn't realise until I finished the story how educated I had become through the course of reading while still staying in tune with the plot line and characters. Felicia writes her characters with dignity, and although certain realities within this story won't be for everyone, each piece of information only built my repartee with these men and their impending collision."
Nerine at Queer Magazine Online
Woke Up in a Strange Place
By Eric Arvin
"Eric Arvin always weaves his magic with an almost preternatural ability. His work captivates his audience, beginning with The Rest is Illusion and continuing the spellbinding tradition right up to his latest release. Woke Up In A Strange Place reverberates with the reader long after the last word is read."
Carey Parrish at Sole Focus
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NEWS |
The following books will have a limited number of signed copies available on a first come, first served basis: >When Memory Fails by D.W. Marchwell, A Solid Core of Alpha by Amy Lane, Sand and Water by Shae Connor, Boots for the Gentleman by Augusta Li and Eon de Beaumont, Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade, and By Any Other Name by Tia Fielding.
The following authors will host Meet the Author events at Dreamspinner Press's Goodreads group this month. All Meet the Author events are from 1 to 6 pm EST unless otherwise noted:
Emily Moreton - August 6,
Kate McMurray - August 13,
Shae Connor - August 20,
M.D. Grimm - August 27
Rowan Speedwell was interviewed at SJD Peterson's blog.
Read Damon Suede's interview with Jessewave.
Cardeno C. did an interview with Sue Brown.
Cooper West did an interview with Top2Bottom Reviews.
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.
See the Open Calls for Submissions page for further details.
Limited Calls for 2011
Higher Learning
Enter the hallowed halls of higher learning, where there's a lot more to life, sex, and love than what these men can get out of a book. They'll give English a slip of the tongue, practice their Interpersonal Communication skills, and learn about the birds and the bees in Biology. Join them as they see why flexibility is important in Phys Ed, figure the odds of finding the perfect mate in Statistics, flirt and woo each other with poetry in Literature, and discover why Chemistry is a double entendre.
Submission Deadline: Aug. 15, 2011
I'll Be Home for Christmas
2011 Advent Calendar
It's the most fervent dream of the holidays: to have a life full of blooming romance and enduring devotion with love, joy, and even a touch of lust to warm the cold winter nights. No matter what holidays are celebrated, the idiom holds true: home is where the heart is.
Submission Deadline: Sept. 1, 2011
Two Tickets to Paradise
A vacation is exactly what these men need to find love in their lives. It may be about looking for a little fun, gaining a fresh perspective after a breakup, or building up the nerve to take the plunge. Whether they travel by plane, train, or automobile, none of them want to go it alone. They're hoping romance will be the ticket to finding paradise in another man's arms.
Submission Deadline: Dec. 1, 2011
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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A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick: Canes and Scales by S.A. Garcia
Fallen Angels Recommended Read: Gatekeeper by Rayne Auster
Blackraven Reviews Recommended Read: Gathering Storm by Lyn Gala
Jessewave's Desert Island Keeper: Hot Head by Damon Suede
Literary Nymphs Recommended Read: The Inventor's Companion by Ariel Tachna
5+ kisses at Top2Bottom reviews: Kaminishi by Jan Suzukawa
Dark Divas Recommended Read: The Locker Room by Amy Lane
Whipped Cream Reviews Best Book: Nothing Ever Happens by Sue Brown
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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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