First I want to thank Jadette Paige for this second
opportunity to present information about my work. It’s a pleasure being here!
Ai Press is a young but up and coming publisher of erotic
fiction. My professional relationship
first began with my short-story, Rain
Play, a M/M contemporary romance.
Rain Play was originally a piece of flash fiction that was submitted to
an online contest. It didn’t make it and
at first I thought there probably wouldn’t be a market for it but as with many stories, not just my own,
the characters, they demanded that their story be told. I felt that there was more to Zach and
Mark. I felt they needed greater
development.
So I sat down and decided how better to flesh out the
characters and their story. Maybe tell a
little bit about their journey together and how it started. The original story was just one of the love
scenes written in the overall work. Zach
and Mark already had their relationship going.
So how they got there was important as well.
And of course every story needs conflict. This allowed me to delve deeper into the
personal lives and the past of both my characters. I think the end result was quite good but
don’t take my word for it, have a look for yourself and tell me what you
think! Here’s a nice blurb and excerpt
for you. Enjoy!
Title: Rain Play
Genre: M/M Contemporary
Price: $1.99
Purchase URL: http://ai-press.net/2011/08/04/now-available-rain-play/
Blurb:
Zach Wilder has to content himself with lusting after Mark
Davis from a distance. His sexy co-worker is already involved and Zach is no
home-wrecker. Mark spends most of his time in whispered cell phone
conversations with his boyfriend. Zach is nothing more than an eavesdropper
until Mark’s relationship ends abruptly, leaving Mark heartbroken and
available. Zach steps in willingly and gives Mark the comfort he needs…
One taste of Mark and Zach is hooked. However, Zach quickly
learns his new lover has interesting…tastes…of his own, a side that pushes
boundaries Zach has never before breached. Is Mark worth overcoming his limits
or will Zach just take the memory of that hot encounter and go on his way?
Excerpt (contains graphic language):
Some kid came out the complex door, carrying a box. He
struggled to load it into the back of the truck. The guy behind the wheel
didn’t make a move to help him. I suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling that
the kid had to be Mark’s ex. I thought, Really? This dumb kid actually left
Mark for a complete asshole?
The kid went back inside. I was like, Damn, now what? Mark
hadn’t told me when to come. So what was I supposed to do? I guess I was crazy.
I got out of the car and headed for the building.
I didn’t have to be buzzed in, which was good. I walked up
to the fourth floor and as soon as I stepped out of the stairwell, I heard the
voices.
“Why the hell are you drawing this out? Just leave, all
right?”
Mark’s apartment was
4B. I could see the door was open as I walked down the hall. I got a good view
of what was going on. They were both in the living room, standing and facing
each other.
“I’ll go when I’m damn good and ready. You’re going to hear
what I had to say.”
“Why would I want to hear anything you have to say?” Mark
demanded.
“Because you need to hear it.” His ex shot back. “You need
to know how hard this is for me.”
“For you, you son of a bitch?”
“I’m letting you down easy, aren’t I? I’m the one who’ll
look like the bad guy. You shouldn’t be such a bitch about this.”
I couldn’t listen to this bullshit any longer. I knocked on
the doorframe.
Both of them turned to me. Mark looked surprised, then
embarrassed, and the ex looked pissed.
“Who the fuck are you?”
Normally I would have backed off. I don’t like confrontation
as a rule, but looking at Mark, seeing the tears in his eyes and the flush on
his face, just pissed me off to hell. “I’m the fag who’s going to smash your
face into a wall if you don’t get the fuck out, you little asshole.”
I’d never seen a guy turn three different colors in such a
short time, first green, then pale, then red. A sight to behold.
He turned and strode past me, taking care not to get too
close. Guess he thought I was going to do something to him.
“Zach?” Mark’s lower lip trembled.
“Hey.” I went to him and put my arms around him. “Are you
all right?”
He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I’m
glad you’re here.”
“Don’t worry about it.” I kissed him. It wasn’t anything
kinky, just a quick peck on the lips. I just felt like he needed it. I led him
over to the couch and sat him down. “Is all his stuff out? He’s gone for good?”
Mark nodded. He blinked, and the tears ran down he cheeks.
He didn’t look as though he realized he was crying. I hated to see him that
way. Then I thought again, What the hell?
I didn’t know what he wanted but I thought I knew what he
needed, and right then I didn’t give a shit that he was on the rebound. I knelt
and reached for his belt buckle. He didn’t look at me at first. The tears had
dried on his face and he was in his own world, staring at the far wall. I
figured at this point I didn’t have anything to lose.
*****
Now, I’m currently working on another novella for Ai Press, Crave The Dark, which has its own
backstory as well. Like Rain Play, Crave The Dark started out as a short story, originally a straight
heroic fantasy, not a contemporary as it is now. The characters were very different. I can’t get too deep into it right now
because I’m still working on the story and I have to keep some things a
secret! But I think my readers will also
be pleased by the results.
I made the changes I wanted and submitted the work. At the time it was about five thousand words
if I recall. And like Rain Play, it was merely a moment in the
lives of the characters. After turning
it in, I received an intriguing e-mail from the editor, would I be willing to
expand upon the story? I took this as a
challenge, one that I was determined to take on. So far, it’s going quite well, although I had
to make some changes, including the name and character traits of one of the
heroes. I’m hoping to have it completed
by the end of the month, so keep an eye out!
Want to hang out with me sometime? Here’s where you can get in touch with
me. I’m always willing to talk shop.
2 comments:
Hi CJ! Thanks for guesting! Love the cover of Rain Play and the excerpt was great. Hugs, love!!
The more erotic books about contemporary romance are sold, the more I realize we have evolved as society. For example, I was really glad to see that there were many books about romance between people of different social classes, races, religions and origins in a hotel in buenos aires I stayed last year. It meant that the hotel was receiving many open-minded guests. I like that!
Amy
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