$20 for Non-Members
Robin L Rotham, Treasurer
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68702
Robin L Rotham, Treasurer
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68702
I haven’t done this in awhile, but I’m also performing an experiment. Anyway,
Kink and bondage are highly popular, marketable stories. Many folks think that once a book is written the author’s job is done. Not so. As any seasoned author knows, once we finish writing, we have edits, cover art choices, more edits, and of course the hype. Marketing, promotions. PR Hell as it is known in some circles. That’s the toughest part of any author’s job IMO and will make or break any author dumb enough to rely solely on the publisher. Our job as authors is a business and needs to be treated like such, even if we DO get to have a little more fun than any corporate schmo.
So, in order of author responsibilities after we’ve written the novel of course:
1. Establish the Brand (I’m Sascha Illyvich, paranormal erotica/BDSM romance author)
2. Maintain the Brand (Primarily through PR, I write about wolves, fae, vampires, but you’ll never see me write a western!)
3. Grow the Brand (I write paranormal romances, which puts me in with the anime crowd who likes dark fantasy, the BDSM crowd because my characters engage in mental dominance AND the romance crowd because my stories have a HEA!)
This workshop will focus on Number 3: Grow the Brand. What authors often fail to realize is that in including different elements like spanking or light bondage that they are writing for their normal audiences but with a little more effort could target not just the fringe readers; those who are closeted about their darker desires, but those who are a little open with their darker desires.
What we’ll cover:
• Definition of BDSM in all forms
• SSC vx. RACK
• Explanation of the BDSM symbol
• Mentality of the various players (there’s truly only three but variants are fun!)
• Definition of a Scene
• Structure of a Scene (music, equipment, etc)
• Basics on toys and reasons we use them (hint, it’s for our fun!)
• Sub and Dom/me Space
• The Club Scene (along with a story about real estate and my ego beating lol!)
• Role play
• Definition of Fetish
• Basic types of fetishes while debunking some of the more common fetish myths.
• Fakers – Those who claim to be everything to all people!
• ABUSE defined – crossing the line between BDSM and Abuse
• Where to go to ask questions and not feel embarrassed
• How all of this relates to romance writing
And of course, resources galore!
Thank GODDESS I live in Oakland. YNOT Summit is here this week and I’m on a few panels with M. Christian, Jean Marie Stine et. al. I’ve probably consumed more alcohol in day one than I have all week or month LOL!
Seriously though, the convention itself is an experience for authors and I’ve been surprised so far at how many people have A: actually READ my one page, and B: want to talk, even if they aren’t looking to do business. This just reaffirms the power of an author platform. The beauty here is I”ll let you folks read about that on my publicist’s page.
For now, know that the travel aspect of travel SUCKS! On a really reader related front, I’ve come up with a few ideas I think you’ll love. For starters, anyone who has read the snippets of my Puma/Witch erotic romance story know there’s a brother involved in initially helping Derrick rescue his soul mate, Sonja. Derrick’s brother Max was talking in my head last night, needing his own story. Thank the folks at ACC Cigars and James LaBrie for that one.
James LaBrie’s album Elements of Persuasion has a track on it called In Too Deep. It’s pretty bad ass, sets the theme for a spy novel. He’ll need a sexy as hell Heroine and some adventure. And blackjack.
Forget the Blackjack.
How about some inspiring music by which to read by? Or write by…
Luka has finally united the local and regional packs of Northern California, but Lajon the Eldest says Luka needs a mate to balance him out.
Michele hates the fact that she’s Lupine and wants nothing to do with her heritage since the accidental killing of her parents. Yet the necklace Luka wears intrigues her despite her disposition towards wolves.
Can the two lovers share passion and learn to be together from the heart or will the work Luka’s put into building an alliance go to waste?
Excerpt:
Glancing at his wet bar, he mentally perused what he had on hand. Vodka? No, too cold for now. Scotch? He wasn’t in the mood for a cigar.
Bourbon? Nodding, he walked into the kitchen and retrieved a glass from the bar, filled it with two ice cubes and poured himself a drink.
Bringing the liquid up to his lips, he inhaled the charred American oak aroma. He took a sip and pondered his next move. He only had a few days left before the moon cycle came full circle and Diana chose a mate for him.
He didn’t want her doing that.
Despite the fact all wolves belonged to Diana, they were still sovereign. At least as Northern California’s pack Alpha, that was his stance.
The fact was that if Diana chose his mate, he’d be relegated to being the pack beta. Leaders moved before it was time, she said. Not when the time was up.
Taking a larger sip of bourbon, he let the alcohol slide down his throat and warm him. It was winter outside, and regardless of the fact he’d been born a wolf, the creature comforts of humans still amused him.
Setting his glass down on the marble countertop, he picked up the phone and called for Tiffany to come over. The conversation was brief. He spoke, she listened.
He spoke more. She agreed and happily scheduled time to come over.
She was the perfect submissive, it seemed.
Except the necklace he wore didn’t respond to her presence, either. Could it be because she was human?
He shook his head. That couldn’t be it. The necklace warmed around certain humans, but even the pack’s elder magicians couldn’t figure out why.
The dame who’d just left had tried to top him, which was amusing. But he was good enough to recognise when a sub was trying to control things from the bottom, a trait many humans had that annoyed him.
A few minutes and two bourbons later, his doorbell rang with the grandeur of a wealthy man—by growling.
Luka threw on the shirt he’d left on the countertop, walked through his enormous living room and reached for the front door. When he opened it, he saw Tiffany standing in a large overcoat with her eyes lowered. Hair had fallen in front of her face
He reached to move strands of hair behind her ear. “Come in, honey. And no, I don’t need a submissive right now. I need my friend.”
Tiffany straightened, looking at him with a deep kindness.
Luka caught a reflection of movement in her pale blue eyes, just to her left.
He cocked a brow. “What’s this?”
Heat visibly crept up Tiffany’s face. “My sister. She wanted to meet a real wolf. She’s never seen one and I-I thought you’d be okay with this.” Tiffany took a tentative step back as though in fear.
Luka shrugged. “Let’s see her.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited for Tiffany’s sister to appear.
The other woman came into sight. She was a bit taller than Tiffany, probably five foot six, Luka guessed. Her complexion reminded him of mocha, rich and heady in taste. Her auburn hair flowed in long rivulets down her face and stopped just short of her hips. She brushed a thick cord of hair back and revealed plump breasts that begged to be teased and taken into a watering mouth.
Bedroom brown eyes sparkled with something more than interest, but Luka couldn’t place the emotion.
It smelled of lust. Hot and tangy.
But he couldn’t be certain.
She stepped forward and slanted her mouth. “You’re a real wolf, eh?”
He nodded. “What’s your name, kid?”
Stepping in front of her sister, the other woman extended a hand. “I’m Michele. Pleased to meet you. But so far, aside from a scrumptious chest and washboard abs, I fail to see how you differ from any human.”
Luka’s chest warmed. The pendant! He adjusted the collar of his shirt and peered down to see the thing glowing. Heat that spread throughout his entire being radiated from the diamond-shaped stone. Magick seemed to swirl around the pendant in colourful light that penetrated his clothes.
Michele’s eyes widened at the sight, and her sensual mouth opened. She stepped back carefully.
Tiffany reappeared and ran a hand through her hair. Tossing her head back, she looked up at Luka. “Something the matter, my lord?”
Michele reached out and teasingly tugged strands of Tiffany’s hair. “Why call him that?”
Luka scoffed. “Because, little girl, she’s my submissive. Much of the time, anyway.”
Tiffany blushed.
Her sister poked her in the ribs.
Giggling, Tiffany stepped closer to Luka.
He reached out for her, pulled her into his arms and cuddled her. “All the time she’s my confidante.”
Michele snorted. “Submission is for the weak.”
Luka cocked a brow. “Really, now?”
Michele nodded. “Ever seen a submissive leader?”
He smirked. “That’s the point. They’re not usually leaders. But yes, I have.”
Michele stepped forward, forcing her chest outward to emphasise her size over Tiffany’s. “Do tell.”
Luka licked his lips. She was giving him quite the show of cleavage. He recognized the trick of pushing her chest out to appear more dominant.
The pendant hanging beneath his clothes had heated up so much that his skin grew hot. He pulled it out and dropped it, letting it dangle on the outside of his form-fitting shirt.
Michele eyed it with curiosity. “What’s that thing?”
Luka flashed a fang. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
Tiffany wrapped her arms around him. She stood up on tiptoes and whispered. “I told you my sister was special.”
He nodded. If the pendant was glowing and reacting to Michele, that meant something was up. Was she his chosen mate according to the magick of the pack’s pendant?
Luka shrugged. He’d have to do more research, first. “What brings your sister along with you, aside from her curiosity to meet a flesh and blood wolf?”
“I wanted to see who my sister was hanging out with. She needs to be in school and work, not surrounded by rogues.” Michele crossed her arms over her chest and threw her head back, exposing the line of her neck. Dark skin begged for a touch, just a taste.
Luka contained himself. Just because the pendant was responding to her presence, it didn’t necessarily mean anything.
The fact that his cock had stood at attention the entire time, however, was a different story.
Shrugging it off, he waved Michele inside while escorting Tiffany with his arm around her. “She’s safe. I make sure she gets her studies done. As for work, that’s not my problem.”
Michele caught Luka by the arm and spun him around to face her. “What do you mean, ‘that’s not your problem’? If she’s got duties and responsibilities to other commitments, then she should tend to those first and not some asshole who is forcing her—”
The pendant grew even hotter against his skin.
Luka held up a hand and pressed two fingers against Michele’s soft mouth. Her lips were plump, juicy just like he’d figured. She was aroused, he could smell it. Her hair covered her breasts, but her top was stretched tightly enough that even with her curls, he could detect her nipples becoming tiny buds.
What he wouldn’t give to suckle them while he drove himself inside her.
But, she was anti logic, it seemed. “First off,” he pulled his fingers back, “she’s not in any danger. I’m plenty well-to-do as you can probably see. Even you’re not blind.”
Michele made an undignified noise. “Money isn’t everything.”
Luka snorted. “No, it’s not. But in case you haven’t been looking, her studies are fine. Now, what can I do for you?”
“Tell me why you wanted my sister to fuck you.”
Luka gasped. While he’d trained Tiffany, they’d never had any sort of contact more intimate than when he’d hugged her earlier. He just didn’t view her that way.
Michele, on the other hand…
He licked his lips. “I’ve never had relations with your sister.”
Michele shoved a hand forward, pressing it against Luka’s chest.
He laughed. “You think you could actually shove me?”
Michele dropped down to one knee and threw a leg out in a sweeping motion.
Luka stood solid where he was, the hit connecting with enough force to annoy him. As he glanced down at Michele, the wild sweep of her hair spread out over her back made him think of how lovely she’d look taking his cock in her mouth.
Still, he managed restraint. “If you’ll get up and knock off the silly nonsense, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about my relationship with your sister.”
Looking defeated, Michele stood and brushed stray hairs from her face. She smirked. “You’re strong. You’re a wolf, huh?”
He grimaced. “Wanna see me get furry and fang-like?”
An enthralling contemporary fantasy, and a passionate erotic romance. Marco and Selene. Werewolf and witch. He is the sexy, rebellious young werewolf whose anger and violence are legendary.
She is a sexy, mature witch into whose care the elders of his pack have given Marco. At once she realizes he is more dangerous and powerful that the other werewolves. To Marco she is the most desirable woman he has ever met, and he knows he will never give up until he possesses her. As she attempts to show him wisdom, he subjects her to his very considerable charms.
Something has to give – and does. As nights of torrid lovemaking and nights of the full moon when he tears himself from her side alternate, neither suspects that they are at the center of a conspiracy by the leaders of Marco’s pack, or that they may all be pawns in an ancient prophecy from the dawn of time. For the love that binds them both is bringing death nearer with every beat of their hearts. Marco is strong and Selene wise, but these are as nothing to the power of the danger that threatens them.
Read an Excerpt
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