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Between the Lines with Louisa Bacio

June 6, 2011 by in category Interviews tagged as , ,
Interview conducted by Brenda Parrish


The following article was first printed in the June 2011 Orange Blossom, the newsletter for Orange County Romance Writers. Permission granted to reprint or forward with proper credit to author and newsletter.

In addition to writing, working as an editor for magazines and publishers, Louisa Bacio teaches college classes in writing and popular culture. Bacio lives in Southern California with her adoring husband, two wonderful and challenging daughters and a houseful of pets.

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Q: You are a “digital first” author and are helping to usher in a new era in books.  It’s an exciting time.  Can you elaborate on your own experiences with reading ebooks?  When did you start, what device(s) do you use? What do you see are the advantages to ebooks over traditional books? Etc.

A: I come from a traditional print background, working for newspapers and magazines. My degree is in journalism, and I continue to value holding a magazine and looking at the latest styles on the beach. All that said, ereaders and books are extremely convenient and portable. I’ve read ebooks via .pdfs on the computer, and also own a Kindle and an iPad. When I travel, it’s fantastic to bring one reader, and when you finish a book, you can simply purchase and download another. No more lugging around five books for a weeklong trip. For the most part, the ebooks also are less expensive. There have been a few occasions, though, where authors such as Stephen King come out with a new book available in hardback, and then it’s not released as an ebook for a few months later (ugh!). And, the most recent one, I could purchase for $9.99 as an ebook, or something like $10.01 as a hardback delivered via Amazon on the day of release. I chose the hardback. Also, I have the Kindle app on my iPhone. If I’m out at a doctor’s appointment and have a long wait – then I can bring up my book and it’ll sync to the latest place I was reading at home.

Are there negatives? For some reason, paragraph or scene breaks can be off in an ebook format, so I sometimes need to shift more mentally. Also, I don’t trust myself reading the ebook in a precarious position, such as in the bathtub or the spa. Finally, those pesky airlines make you turn off your electronic devices on take-off and landing, so I usually bring a magazine or paperback then.

Q:  Is the publication process much different in e-publishing than it is with traditional publishing?  Is there an advantage to the author/reader in epub over traditional pub?

A: From what I know, the books come out much quicker via electronic publishing. I know people with book contracts, and the release is scheduled for a year to 18 months out. Hello! I know that when I turn in a book, depending upon the editing process, it’ll be out in a month to six weeks. A negative to that, though, is that you don’t get all that lead time, and submit the cover and galley for reviews to coincide with the release. I looked once and RT Magazine wanted books something like six months before release – probably won’t happen with my electronic publisher.

Q: You have a fascinating set-up for your new book.  You associate three types of characters in an intimate relationship that are usually at odds with one another.  How did you generate that idea and what were your challenges in trying to make it work?

A: My publisher requested an erotic paranormal, and I immediately thought: “What’s the ultimate fantasy” Well, you get both – the vampire and the werewolf. You don’t have to decide and choose between one or the other. Now that might not be everyone’s fantasy but it played into my ‘writing’ fantasy quite well. Further, my agent asked how I would make the vampire and werewolf stand each other – and why not? 

 Challenge set, and the imagination took over.

Q: What tools do you use when plotting out your novel?  Can you give us an outline of your process?

A: For those who are plotter, you’re going to be disappointed. I’m a pantster. I’ve got a good idea of where I want the story to go, and a number of the scenes that will be included, but I don’t outline or plot the book. And, I don’t write in consecutive order. Instead, the writing flows depending upon mood. Feeling bad one day? All right, then I’ll tackle the more emotional, gritty scenes. Feeling all lovey-dovey? Then it’s time to hit the romantic scenes. Rather than constraining myself with an A to B to C structure line, I write what feels natural.

Sound good? Afterward, I print the entire novel and use a three-ring binder to move chapters around, fill in spaces, etc. The front and back of the manuscript get written on. Amazing how it all comes together at the end.

Q: How about promotion?  How does an epublisher do promotion differently from a traditional publisher?

 A: Differences don’t separate between an epublisher and a traditional publisher, but also between publishing houses themselves. Ravenous Romance sends books out to reviewers and also arranges some ads. I’m not privy to knowing all of their marketing plans, but I have come across some ads for The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome in All-Romance Ebooks, and I didn’t purchase them!

I am also an editor for the new boutique cross-platform publisher Entangled Publishing. They have a dedicated marketing staff and recently hired a professional in branding to work with the authors and editors in establishing their niches in the marketplace. Since I’m more behind-the-scenes with the business end, I can see the steps being taken.

Finally, the support network among authors within the industry is tremendous. My agent Saritza Hernandez, with the L. Perkins Agency, set up a loop with her authors, and we cross-promote, and the same thing happens with Ravenous authors and those that I’ve met on sites such as Savvy Authors, and of course locally such as our OCC/RWA chapter.

Q: What advice would you like to give to an aspiring author?

A: Keep pushing yourself, and don’t give up. Now that I’ve published two books, and have contracts for three more, my husband likes to remind me of those nights where I cried because I would ‘never finish a book, and never be published.’

Also, enjoy those baby steps of progress – celebrate each moment of validation. And finally, rely upon those wacky, author-friends of yours, who do understand what it feels like, and what you’re going through. We can relate like no other.

Q: What’s up next for you? What are you working on?

A: My next book is within the Sex University ‘universe,’ which  means it’s a loose sequel to my first novel. One of the main characters is Officer Margaret ‘Marge’ Neil, who was briefly introduced in the first book. As I wrote about Maggie – she’s transforming – in Physical Education, I knew that there was much more to her character. It should be out mid-summer. And then in the fall, I’ll be releasing book 2 in The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf series, and readers will fall in love with Trevor’s sister, Silver, who’ll be coming into her own as a female werewolf. There are not enough kick-ass female werewolves in the world!  

 

Along with The Vampire, The Witch and the Werewolf, Louisa’s debut novel Physical Education is available through Ravenous Romance, and Amazon.  Check out the latest happenings via her blog http://louisabacio.blogspot.com

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A Glass Half Full

June 2, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as ,

by Jann Audiss

A glass half full!

In this world, we all look at life in different ways.  Myself, I like the glass half full way of thinking.  Looking back at the last six months, OCC/RWA’s meetings have been filled with speakers such as Anne Walradt, Robyn Carr, HelenKay Dimon, last month’s meeting and reception with Charlene Sands and Leanne Banks (the reception was so much fun) and this month Rob Preece and Sue Grimshaw.  The next six months will be filled with more great speakers, a networking session and our 30th Birthday Party celebration in October.  By the end of my  OCC/RWA Presidency, I will have a full glass.

                However, I find myself looking at my writing as the glass half empty. The Well Writer series in the May issue of the RWR has four outstanding articles on issues to help us evaluate and focus our lives and our writing.  One article had me nodding my head in agreement to many of the little monsters that get in my way,  like the internet, procrastination (my biggest monster), fear of failure, and asking myself, although I don’t think of writing as a hobby, where does it fall in my list of priorities. I had to chuckle at the “Just Say No” section (if I had listened to that one, I wouldn’t be writing this message).  However, the articles on the power of believing in oneself and meditation were full of suggestions and ideas to help stay true to oneself and to open and refresh your mind (I’m actually listening to a spa meditation CD while I write this message).  I’m already redesigning my writing area and looking at colors to paint the walls.  The article on keeping the creative well refilled helped to justify why I take classes, read blogs, seek information from websites, and attend OCC/RWA meetings. But, I will now keep in mind to watch how much time these activities are taking. The workshops, friendships and support I have found at OCC/RWA provide me with inspiration and strength to continue my journey in this wacky world of writing (and probably the reason I find myself volunteering). If you haven’t already read these articles, take a few minutes and see if maybe there may be an idea or two that might resonate with you – especially if you have hit a brick wall. 

                I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Weekend.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women serving and protecting our country and their families, as well as to everyone in the Midwest and the South who have been struck by the devastating storms.

              Jann
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Call for Submissions

June 1, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as ,

Right as we hit the beginning of summer, are you ready to start thinking about the holidays? No … well, the publishers have planted the seed. It’s the time of year to start looking forward. This month, the calls feature Halloween and Thanksgiving. And guess what: Christmas and other winter wonderlands must be just around the corner!
ROMANCING THE PAGES, Vol. One
In celebration of its 30th “anniversary,” OCC/RWA will publish a collection. Get your romance on. Story length: 2,000 to 10,000 words. Deadline: Sept. 1. OCC Members only.
Stay tuned for more information.
MIDNIGHT SEDUCTION
Evernight Publishing is looking for stories 5,000 – 10,000 words for our upcoming Halloween anthology. Edited by Kimberly Bowman. All submissions will need to be thoroughly edited with engaging characters, plots that pack a punch, and strong romantic elements with a HEA or HFN.
Think demons, shifters, and vamps.  What about a witch with a naughty fetish?  An alpha shifter in a race to find his mate, or a gargoyle who can only court his human lover when the sun is down?
These Halloween shorts need to be hot and titillating! Send a brief synopsis and the full manuscript to evernightsubmissions@gmail.com. Deadline: June 24, 2011.
Tina B’s Alternative Military Romance

XoXo Publishing presents Submissions Call for their newest line.
Stories must be:
·      4,500 words
·      They must focus on a couple
·      Safe sex is a must
·      Must be a romance-driven story
·      One or both main characters should be military or former personnel.
Tina’s B stories offer readers a diversion from the ordinary by introducing stories that explore higher levels of sexual intensity while maintaining the emotional value of relationships.
We encourage authors to write persuasive emotionally intense stories while fully developing their characters to the extreme and beyond sensuality.
Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines WILL NOT BE considered for publication.
Submit your completed polished manuscript to tina@xoxopublishing .com; Subject line: Tina’s Anthologies military. Deadline is Aug. 15, 2011.
LIKE A COMING WAVE
Merfolk and naiads cavort among the rolling waves, while selkies and sprites winnow below – though not so deep as the serpents or kraken, far beyond the reach of the sirens’ song or Charybdis and Scylla’s hungry mouths. The ocean is a vast playground of creatures real and imagined, rife with power and depth. We want to know how this translates into the sensuality and sexuality of those who live in and around Earth’s last frontier. How do merfolk court? Do the denizens of the sea get worked up by great storms? What happens if a naiad gets stuck in a tide pool? We’re looking for stories that focus on the humanity in the inhuman, the exploration of unfamiliar boundaries, and the instincts and seductions of creatures that never have to worry about getting somebody wet. Circlet Press welcomes sex-positive stories of all sexualities and preferences.
Submission Details: Length: Our preferred length is approximately 3,500 to 7,500 words, but we will consider the range from 2,000 to 10,000 words. All submissions must be made via email Andrea Trask, editor, at the following address: blisswrites@gmail.com. Deadline: July 31, 2011.
All stories must include explicit sexuality and erotic focus. Romantic content is welcome, but in a short story remember to keep the details on the action and its effects on the main character’s internal point of view. Whether first person or third person, a strong, singular narrative voice is our preference (no ‘head hopping’ or swapping points of view within scene from one character to the other).
For more details on our editorial preferences, see the general submission guidelines on circlet.com (http://www.circlet.com/?page_id=11). We highly recommend reading the guidelines, especially the “do not send” list, to increase your chances of sending us something we’ll love.
Originals only, no reprints. We purchase first rights for inclusion in the ebook anthology for $25, with the additional rights to a print edition later which would also be paid $25 if a print edition happens. Authors retain the rights to the individual stories; Circlet exercises rights to the anthology as a whole.
THANKSGIVING ANTHOLOGY

Cooking a turkey takes hours, and why waste it? What are your characters thankful for on this long holiday weekend? What will they be thankful for before the dinner is served? How would your characters handle the awkward introduction of an arch rival to the family Thanksgiving getaway?

Silver Publishing is looking for high-quality erotic romance stories for a Thanksgiving anthology. Details: Word Count- 5-18K. Genre- All genres of erotic romance are welcome. Deadline: Aug. 13, 2011; Release date:  November 19, 2011.

For submission guidelines, please visit the submission page. When submitting your manuscript , please clearly state that you’re submitting for the “Thanksgiving Anthology” Submission Call. https://silverpublishing.info/page_4
Compiled by Louisa Bacio
Bacio’s new erotic paranormal The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Threesome is now available. Visit her at http://www.louisabacio.com.

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Writing Fight/Action Scenes

May 30, 2011 by in category Lyon's Lair tagged as , , , ,

by Jennifer Lyon 
I never thought I’d be forced to do this, but here it is…
I might actually have to thank my brothers. All these years, I have credited my parents and my sister for giving me my love of reading that led to writing. But more and more, reviewers are bringing up the fight and actions scenes in my books. I have a writer friend who sends me her fight scenes to critique…and you get the point.
So how is it I can write fight and actions scenes when I have not taken a single martial arts class in my life?
Because the first years of my life were practically on the job training. One of my earliest memories is seeing my older brother do a flying jump, snapping a kick in mid air, and break a board held by my other brother. I can still hear the crack that board made.
A few years later, one of my brothers went on to become a black belt, and he co-owned a karate studio with a friend. I remember being in the studio one day, I was about eight or nine years old, and watching him and the friend spar. It was terrifying and exhilarating. I remember the long wall of mirrors and the blue mat, the pungent smell of sweat and male, the sounds of flesh hitting flesh, the shouts and grunts, and how fast it all moved.
And most amazing of all, the expression in their eyes when they saw a weakness in their opponent then planned and executed a strike—all at lightning speed!
It’s all vivid and tactile in my memory.
And that’s exactly how a fight scene, or any action scene, should read in a book. It must be vivid and present…not distant and vague. The reader wants to see and feel with the point of view character. Here are some of my tips:
Establish point of view and stay there. This character is going to show your reader everything. It will anchor your reader into the scene and help them “see” everything that’s happening. And the same time, it should be revealing more about your character too. This is an example from NIGHT MAGIC:
Phoenix sprinted around the side of the building, followed the blood trail of the witch to a ladder on the side of the church and started climbing.
It was an A-line roof two stories up. Damn, he wasn’t a fan of heights. Why couldn’t people do their business on the ground? Hell. He grabbed the edge of the roof and silently hauled himself up to the wickedly slanted top. The tiles were slick, and he had to lay flat on the slope to keep from sliding off. He looked around while digging his fingers into the raised edges of the tiles.
In this snippet, first tension is building because there’s going to be a fight on an A line roof—someone is going to fall off, it’s only logical. But as we’re in Phoenix’s head, we’re learning about his fear of heights. And notice that while he mentally gripes, his fear doesn’t stop him.
Never use passive writing in a fight scene (and I can think of a time when I broke my own rule!). Passive writing of Phoenix keeping a woman protected behind his back while fighting his attackers: “In an instant, the rogue was on the ground.”
Yawn. A more active version:
He didn’t want to move and expose the woman. He ripped off his chain, snapped it around the knife hand, and jerked. The rogue fell to the ground, and Phoenix flipped his knife to stab the blade through the rogue’s back—
Choreograph the scene. Draw out the setting and all your characters on paper. It helps you build a visual in your head and then you know where everybody in the scenes is. And more importantly, what they are doing. You must keep track of everyone through your point of view character’s eye. That way you don’t start out with five people in a fight and two just fade away never to be seeing or heard from again. Drawing it out really helps—even with my stick figure drawings!
Action/fight scenes must be building your plot, otherwise they are just filler. Readers recognize filler. Make your action scenes work for you. Gratuitous fight scenes are as boring as gratuitous sex scenes.
Fast paced writing. This is the place for shorter sentences and carefully chosen description. In this example Phoenix spots the rogues and a woman, and goes after them into an alley. This is the entire description of the alley:
The cool air was blighted by the combined stench of rotting food, copper, and urine. Scanning the narrow street lined with weak light that spilled from the street-lights and buildings, he looked left and spotted the tops of the rogues’ heads on the other side of the blue Dumpster.
Just enough to set the scene, give the reader of visual. And notice we get the visual as Phoenix is looking for his prey. Fight scenes should be tight, clean writing using only the words you need.
And that’s all I can think of at the moment. Except to say thank you to my brothers!
Okay now for a little promo: Romantic Times gives SINFUL MAGIC, out May 31st, a 4 ½ HOT and said:
The power of undying love truly shines through here, adding plenty of emotion to an otherwise dark and action-packed adventure. Another Lyon triumph!
SINFUL MAGIC hits the shelves on May 31st, I hope you’ll pick up a copy!
Jennifer Lyon always wanted to be a witch. When her witch-powers didn’t materialize, she turned to creating magic in her books. NIGHT MAGIC and SINFUL MAGIC are the third and fourth books in an enchanting, passionate and supernatural series. 

Visit Jen at www.jenniferlyonbooks.com or visit the Wing Slayer Hunter Lair on Facebook 
     
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Me and My Kindle

May 28, 2011 by in category Archives

I got a Kindle for my birthday.

I wasn’t certain if I wanted an e-reader. Then the publishing world changed, and I went from ‘do I want an e-reader’ to ‘which e-reader do I want?’ Then the prices on the Kindle went down, and everyone I knew suddenly had one. Still I hesitated. I mean, Kindle sort of puts you in the boat with Amazon, and I’d always been a loyal Borders customer, so I was looking at the Kobo, too. But that was it–just looking.

Then the choice was taken out of my hands. I received a Kindle and an Amazon gift card from my family for my birthday.

It took me a day to take a closer look at it. I sort of circled it, as if it were a suspicious package at the airport. I turned it on, pushed this button and that. Registered it at Amazon. Read the User Guide. Tried to figure out how to make capital letters and numbers.

Once I had the lay of the land, I loaded the gift card so I had a balance at Amazon. Now the question: What do I buy?

Answer: EVERYTHING!

I suddenly remembered books I’d been meaning to buy but hadn’t chased down yet. I went looking for them and with the click of a button, I had them. Wow. Talk about instant gratification!

Like most book lovers, I have a house full of books, more than I can ever read again. They’re piling up, and we might have to charge them rent soon! The Kindle takes care of that problem, since all books live on this slim little device. I can take a long trip and bring dozens of books with me without worrying about weight limitations on my luggage. I can eat my lunch and read at the same time because I can lean the Kindle against something and not worry about trying to keep the pages open.

On my Kindle, I’ve read more books in the past week than I have in months. Also, I’m more willing to take a chance on an unknown author, since if I don’t like the book, it won’t be living in my house forever, and the price is right (there are a LOT of books for under $5 out there). Suddenly I am reading again like I used to when life was easier and I had more time to go to the bookstore. Now the bookstore comes to ME.

So here I sit, my Kindle charging next to me in preparation for a Memorial Day weekend trip, completely converted. I’ve already discovered two new authors I would never have found in the bookstore, and I look forward to finding more.

I’m a believer.

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