So I had my hands full….but here’s teh new cover for Treasure’s Gift, my menage story coming out from Decadent Publishing for their EDGE line. I’m pretty excited. I’m in Atlanta right now but had to share thew new art for my lovely and loyal readers!
New Cover Art!
More fun at the expense of 50 Shades of Grey
I heard that atrocious book 50 Shades of Grey is going to be made into a movie. Readers are wondering what they’ll do since the majority of the book is BDSM “mommy porn” and how they’ll cut or what they’ll cut out of the book for the movie to make sense.
It’s funny to think about this as an experiment of what’s good for BDSM and the public and what’s not.
In terms of readership, readers want a full story full of twists and turns, and to keep guessing. They like to think. The movie audience does too but visually, their minds see what the director shows them.
In some instances, a LOT of stuff will be cut. In a book like 50 Shades of Grey, with as much heavy handed BDSM as a theme, with the fact that TRUST must be shown, any director who is NOT familiar with the Lifestyle will probably make a LOT of mistakes, not entirely on purpose due to the medium being changed.
I’ve been studying film and screen writing, trying to grasp the structure of a story told via the written script and how it compares to that which is shown on screen. It’s not easy and while your humble romance author is smart, I’m still simple.
I imagine a LOT of the book will get cut or reworked for film purposes Fans will either love it or hate it, and it won’t matter because at the end of the day we’ll still have one thing to fall back on.
Secretary. A movie about BDSM done RIGHT.
Once again this post was another “done for SEO purposes” post. Though I do not have a strong opinion of 50 Shades of Grey.
50 Shades of Grey – You can’t be serious?
THIS is the book that’s getting people talking openly about BDSM? Really? After hearing all the hype on twitter by commenter and writer @Andrewtshaffer about how much it sucked, I had to check it out. The book has been labeled mommy porn by some of the folks who’ve read it, even getting the attention of Dr. Drew, having said the following:
“[50 Shades of Grey] is actual violence against women. I have to tell you, this is the part maybe i’ll get heat for, but there is a lot of violence against children in this country. There are various kinds of physical abuse. People subjected to those experiences are especially aroused by these images. I’m not saying the average women can’t be, but it’s especially arousing for them.”
on The Today Show. Now he hasn’t read the book but he did take a LOT of heat for his assertion later on that consensual submission by women was wrong.
Andrew’s blog post did a pretty good job of bashing the Dr. so I won’t rehash that, but I will start with what I learned of the book from his post on the Suicide Girls blog:
“Regardless of why it’s popular, 50 Shades of Grey‘s very existence is leading to some interesting, sex-positive discussions. “I found myself explaining what BDSM was to some of the moms at Saturday morning basketball,” publicist Alison Brod told The New York Post. Whether or not this signifies that BDSM (or even erotica) has gone mainstream is up in the air at this point, but it’s not inconceivable that 50 Shades of Grey could potentially do for BDSM what Twilight did for vampires.”
Sounds pretty good, right? Except that there are a TON of books in the erotic BDSM genre, including the ROMANCE section that have done this way before. What makes 50 Shades so damn good?
I’ll tell you.
Nothing. I respect Andrew’s opinion (goddess knows why!) so I asked him. I think the quote I got back was “the book sucked bags of dick.” Or some shit like that.
Curiousness made me pull up the free sample on my kindle app for my droid.
- First problem: First person narrative
- Second problem: First person narrative done poorly.
- Third problem: OH MY GOD did she just use the OVERDONE MIRROR TRICK to DESCRIBE HERSELF TO US?
You don’t see Laurel K. Hamilton doing that with Anita or Merry. As for BDSM, Joey W. Hill’s series that starts off with The Ice Queen gives us a deeper look into BDSM from a romance point of view that kinksters are more familiar with and one that romance readers really enjoy.
So why again is this trilogy being hailed as something great? Good question. Even the plot itself is WAY overdone.
“Anastasia Steele, a college-age virgin who has never been kissed, meets Christian Grey, the 27-year-old billionaire CEO of Grey’s Enterprises Holdings. Christian is unbelievably handsome with his “tousled hair” and “expensive body wash.” He is also unbelievably kinky. He lost his virginity to a dominatrix when he was fifteen, and, after five years as her submissive, became a dom himself. He used his vast wealth to turn a room in his penthouse apartment into a virtual dungeon, nicknamed the “Red Room of Pain.” And he wants to share his love of BDSM (and fine wine, classical music, and Bruce Springsteen) with Anastasia.” – Andrew once again at the Suicide Girls Blog
Yawn. I’m not normally a hater on books but the plot is so overdone in literature. I know, you’re all probably wondering what fuck I give since I’m not out to write the Great American Bondage Novel but please, I can go to any book store, pick up any random BDSM collection and find this story written much better and with less annoying characters AND possibly a better 1st person POV.
I’m not going to lie, this post is how I feel but I did it for the SEO value.
Seriously, I couldn’t make it past the first page. Something rubbed me raw with the writing and I’m honestly pretty open about what I’ll read.
Go read some REAL BDSM Erotica:
- Surrender to Love – a Decadent 1NS
- The Playground – a Decadent 1NS
- Forced Pleasure – Two Novellas of Erotic Bondage and Romance
- Mistress Kitty and Trent (I’m even throwing in a femdomme novel!)
Frolicon 2012 Schedule
I’ll fly into Atlanta Wednesday around 10 PM and have a day to recoup from flying before we start the fun that is Frolicon!
Friday April 6th 2012
-WriteSEX Panel at 11:45 – 1:15 with Shakir Rashaan and Nikita in BOARDROOM
We’re going to break down the importance of having an author platform, understanding the market and how successful erotica writers actually think and function and how they become successful. This has been an awesome platform for me and the few truly old guard people on the WriteSEX team and while I’ll be the only one there I will mention the site and those involved in the project and how it helps them out as well as serving for a central focal point for both me and writers, new and old.
4:00 – 6:00 PM Unofficial Frolicon Cigar Herf – Location TBD
That’s right, a bunch of us are going to get together and have a good old fashioned Cigar Herf. Yeah I’ll be out anyway smoking only the finest in cigars, but I wanted some friends, so we’re organizing it outside. Come by with premium cigars, pipes, alcohol and enjoy the company of fellow brothers and sisters of the leaf!
Saturday April 7th
10:00 AM – 111:30 AM Erotica/Erotic Romance Editors Panel in CANCUN with Cecilia Tan, Trinity and Me
Some editors at some of the top erotica and erotic romance publishers are right here at Frolicon, because we’re a bunch of kinky folks. Take one look at us in the dungeon and you’ll probably suss out what we like. But have you ever wondered what we like IN A MANUSCRIPT? In this panel we’ll tell you the ins and outs of how to submit an erotic manuscript and answer all your questions about erotic writing, breaking into the business, and the author/editor relationship. (Is the editor the dom and the writer the sub? Or is it the other way around? Hmm…)
11:45-1:15 Writing from the Male POV in CYPRUS 1 – I’m teaching!
This class focuses exclusively on learning how to write from the male point of view. Obviously, bringing our characters to life is key to keeping and gaining new readers, but what if you’re a woman who has never really been able to grasp the male mindset? Do you want to enhance, understand and craft heroes that readers will talk about? The importance of understanding the male mind in conjunction with the Heroine and her journey are imperative to any well written romance.
1:30-300 – Dom/Domme Fantasy Archetypes in BOARDROAM with Ceclia Tan Lord Cailleach, Angelina Sparrow, Shakir Rashaan and Sascha Illyvich
The Whip-wielding “she-wolf”, the medieval inquisitor, the pirate captain, Catwoman, so many of our fantasies of dominants who make us weak in the knees come from genre fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. Why are so many of these figures villains in the stories they come from, but heroes in our dungeon daydreams? Or are they? Our panelists discuss the fantasy fuel that drives these archetypes and how fantasy inspires their own dominant side. Where’s the line between fantasy and reality? Between dominance and sadism?
Review – The Playground a Decadent Publishing 1NS
Newest Release by Sascha Illyvich, erotic romance author at Decadent Publishing
Rae Spenser from Goodreads writes: “I found this story very intriguing. Sascha made ‘The Playground’ very realistic, where anyone could picture themselves in Devon’s or Shelly’s shoes by using a scenario that has affected most of us at some point in our lives. Closure is so important and I liked the emotional honesty the story displayed. The dom/sub being portrayed from a ‘non toys’ perspective, showing how simple clothes can be used, was a great addition allowing the honesty to grow along with the characters.” – The full review can be found on Goodreads
Looks like my newer versions of DIY BDSM stories are paying off with readers who wish to see themselves in arousing situations with satisfying endings. My two current 1NS stories from Decadent Publishing, and the third on the way deal with do it yourself bondage, dominance and things that don’t require an expensive dungeon despite the fact that the service itself may or may not be costly. Madam Eve never talks price so…we can only assume that because of location, rigamarole and such that lots of dollars may have been exchanged. I don’t know. I DO know that the fantasy of tying up one’s lover in the park is doable.
This trend of more DIY bondage stories started for me when I realized that living the Lifestyle was easy for ME, but not all of my readers have access to a fantastic dungeon nor do they have funds to purchase the myriad of whips and floggers I do. I wanted to give readers something more accessible, more raw. Basing the heroine from the first story in Forced Pleasure off a loved one who I treasure and consider a hot cougar gives that story a different flair. The dominant in that story is younger, relatable to my age bracket yet arousing enough for the strong cougar female makes the story more realistic. Erotica and Erotic romance are meant I believe to have an edginess to them in both emotion and arousal because humans need said things and sometimes need to make due without fancy dungeons and equipment.
In The Playground, Shelly learns the lesson slowly, that her worth was never a question. She merely didn’t know it and it’s up to Devon to show her, using tactics that subdue on the sly.
I hope you’ve picked up your copy of The Playground at Amazon
Forced Pleasure is also available at Amazon – Ignore the wrong name on the book, it should be fixed ASAP!
Talking on Edin Road Radio today – Surrender to Love
I’ll be a guest on Jesse’s show Edin Road Radio today at 3:30 PST for half an hour or so, discussing SURRENDER TO LOVE – my newest Decadent Publishing 1Night Stand title. We’ll share some laughs, see if I can’t get her to break out her toys, meet me at a con for a drink…you know the drill 
If nothing else, perhaps she’ll inspire me for a new story…
By Sascha Illyvich
New Workload Post – Writing, Stories and Projects
We’re well underway with the new year and that means new projects. Sort of.
By Sascha Illyvich
Agent Saritza Hernandez and I talked back in January about me doing another 1Night Stand for Decadent Publishing to see what sales look like and learn how their audience responds to me. I’m really enjoying knocking out a few shorter pieces to keep exposure out and in that same vein keep a few bucks strolling my way 
This third story for Decadent features a pixie-like heroine who is fed up with life and men in general. She would give ANYTHING to find two truly dominant men who could share with her the true rewards of sexual experiences. Using the 1Night Stand service, she fills out the questionnaire throws caution to the Vegas wind.
In the same story, Chase and Jason are a pair of very alpha men who want to find the perfect submissive. They’re open to men but really prefer to play with a sexy, sassy and intelligent woman who can accept all the love they have to give. I should finish “Their Virgin” this week and sub to Decadent by middle of next week.
Burning for Derrick needs me to make ONE more pass at it before I sub it to Saritza. We had talked about editing and how it needed a better pair of eyes to go over it so I’ll probably call in a favor from one of those who owes me, see what we can do to make sure this awesome paranormal romance turned spy story gets into good house I’m really looking forward to letting you all see it. And the followup of course.
Then there’s Covenant of Wolves: Stalker (Dub Mix) – you’ll be seeing more cut stuff posted here. Hot m/m sex, wolf on fae, and probably a foursome that’s getting pulled form the book. Can’t say why yet, just trust me! My original beta readers will recognize the story and be glad for the tremendous changes. Oh, book two was started there also…
Also I have a new story idea involving a spy, two bisexual men and the “Road To” theme. I’m going to pitch it to Sartiza first, then tell ya’ll.
Oh I’m also forgetting to mention the screenplay ideas that I’m working on with Amanda Rhea courtesy of casting director Elizabeth Schell. It’s taking me a little longer than I hoped for that to get off the ground, I have a LOT to learn about screen writing but it promises to be fun. Yeah, I’d be writing for TV. Yay me!
Oh there’s my menage story that Total E-bound rejected, it needs a little reworking too. The heroine needs to be more feminine. Too bad her real life counterpart sees herself as more masculine bwahaha! But that’s 17k right there I’ll be working on.
There is always a lot going on behind the scenes. Something is being written or updated every single day by THIS author. That being said, I’ll be keeping my head down and nose to the grindstone over the next few weeks.
Weekly Blog Post Roundup and Book Review!
Been a busy week for me. First, today I’m over at Brenda and Steve’s blog doing a simple Q/A on writing, my upcoming release “Surrender to Love” and sticking around for another day or so. Find me here
Did ya’ll see the review for The Playground that Night Owl Romance gave it? 4.5 Stars! AND a Top Pick
The folks at Night Owl said the following: ” It was a hot and steamy love story with two characters that loved and lost and found love again in the unlikeliest of places.” Read the full review here
I was at Tonya Kinzer’s blog last week. I think I even gave away a book. But the interview/blog posts she hosted may look familiar to some of you. Still, peep the link and 
comment. I’m sure I left her plenty of things to ponder while I caused trouble.
Did you pick up your copy of The Playground yet? It’s now available on Amazon.com
Oh I turned in the second round of edits for “Surrender to Love” and that’s looking like a Feb 7th release. I hope ya’ll enjoy another sordid tale of sweet, sinful seduction
New Cover Art!
Remember at the end of last year I had announced that Decadent Publishing picked up my second 1Night Stand submission to them? Well, I have edits to do this week AND I got goodies! Cover art goodness!
In order to cure the dreaded creative rut she’s in, Livia ends up in Las Vegas by suggestion from her therapist. Oh and there’s a catch. Livia ‘s been set up to have a one night stand with a very handsome man who promises her freedom through submission. Can she surrender to more than just passion?
I’ll have an excerpt soon!
In the meantime, don’t forget my first 1Night Stand – The Playground
This Writer has officially checked out for the year!
Hey Folks,
Aside from a bit of pre planning for 2012, I’m done. I’m not even sure I’m coning into the office every day until January 3rd at least, because I’ve had a long year. But it’s been a fun and productive year despite the lack of releases. Spoken to both agents, things are shaping up for 2012 to be the year of the Sascha LOL!
Up on the conference schedule, it looks like Authors After Dark in New Orleans has been added, so I’ll be there speaking, selling books and chopping it up with readers! New releases planned for next year, already the two from Decadent Publishing, both for the 1Night Stand series, The Playground, should be out in January or February, and my second 1Night Stand, “Surrender to Love” should come out soon afterwards.
I know a lot of authors are pushing for final sales in the last quarter of the year but I’m tired! This year I’ve done four conventions all within the Con Season and while they were ALL a LOT of fun, and I made some great friends (You reading this Momma Lion?) and got to see some old ones, travel wears me out! I’ve got that bad heart thing still, two hospital visits this year, and done a HELL of a LOT of editing LOL!
Overall it’s been a good year. I have some new music that is sure to inspire more passion and romance in next year’s books, and I’m looking forward to sharing with you what I have written.
But for now, I’ve checked out I won’t be back in my office (except to handle little admin things) until January 3rd at the earliest. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and blessings to you and yours, my lovely readers, in the new year!
