Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year from Phaze

Happy New Year!PhazeAlthough it's a wonder that paper can hold words so hot without catching fire, some of my work is available in print.

And, to start 2008 in style, Phaze is having a sale on all its paperback titles.

So, you can pick up ArtiFactual, fine flickering hungers (an EPPIE winner!), Phaze in Verse (an EPPIE finalist!), Coming Together: For the Cure (another EPPIE finalist!), Coming Together: Under Fire, and Phaze Fantasies I for 25% off the regular price directly through the Phaze website!

The sale code to use at checkout is OHOHOH and is valid January 1st & 2nd. Enjoy with my warmest regards for the new year!

Monday, December 24, 2007

Stuff Me in Your Stocking

Phaze's annual 50% off sale runs from midnight December 24th through 1 AM December 26th (Eastern Time).

All ebooks are marked 50% off!

Gotta hold a dead tree version in your hot, little hands? Phaze will have a 25% off paper sale for New Years.

The checkout code that customers need to use for the ebook sale is HOHOHO.

Happiest of holidays,

~ Alessia

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Under Fire


Coming Together: Under Fire
Available NOW in both ebook ($7) and print ($16) from Phaze!

~~~

Saturday, December 22, 2007

The sincerest form of flattery

I had the pleasure of meeting a seriously whacked author at EPICon in 2007. Jeff Strand, dubbed the EPPIE Awards' M.C. for Life, has an enviable sense of humor that I am going to imitate (i.e., plagiarize) below. I believe this qualifies as furthering his career, so he shouldn't object too strenuously.

10 SIMPLE WAYS TO FURTHER MY CAREER

If you’re reading this, no doubt you order all my new books in a flurry of “Oh, jeez, please don’t let it be sold out…please, please, please don’t let it be sold out…all I ask is this one small–oh, thank God! Woo-hoo! V for Victory! Yeeeeeee-ha!” That’s cool. You have my utmost gratitude.

Unfortunately, it’s been brought to my attention that many of you think that your role in the process ends with purchasing and subsequently reading the books. Well, that kind of lackluster effort puts a frowny face on my face. I thought we were in this together! I’m not saying that you should be as committed to my success as I am, but is a 65/35 split too much to ask?

The process should be:

  1. I give you the precious gift of writing a new book.

  2. You buy and read my gift to you.

  3. You try to help me make it wildly successful.

  4. I get paid more for giving you future gifts of writing new books.

We’re good with 1 and 2, but 3 and 4 are a bit shaky. Perhaps it’s my fault. I haven’t provided enough guidance. Therefore, Jeff has helpfully compiled a list of 10 ways that you can assist me in selling lots of books. Please select three (3) tasks from the list and complete them at your earliest convenience.
  1. Buy Extra Copies. This is the easiest way you can help. Order several extra copies (several meaning 3 to 7) and leave them in strategic points around your city, such as a bus stop or a Starbucks. Check into BookCrossing where you can read & release books into the wild. This allows a stranger to discover the book, think "Here now, what’s all this?", read a few pages, and–SHAZAM!–I've just acquired a new fan who will order fine flickering hungers and Coming Together: For the Cure and ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique and Phaze Fantasies I and Time Warp and Artistically Inclined and Double Header and Bound for Success. All for the rather effortless act of changing the number in your online shopping cart from 1 to 7. See how easy this is?

  2. Spam. Spam like your frickin' life depended on it. Look, when I spam, it's spam, but when YOU spam, you're merely sharing news about your very favorite author. Possible subject lines include: "OMG! Alessia Brio RULEZ!" and "BRIO WRITES INCREDIBLE SEX!"

  3. Defend Me From Critics. Sometimes there'll be a message board thread or a blog comment, and somebody will say "Gosh, I can’t wait until my copy of Alessia Brio’s new book arrives," and some other cretin will say "Forget that! I don’t order ebooks!" Well, pardon my use of the f-word disguised with asterisks, but f*** them! Don't allow those Whiny Walters or Negative Nellies to poison the populace against my ebooks! When somebody posts something like that, reply back (in all caps) that you're going to kick them right in the teeth. If the message board allows you to insert graphics, include a picture of some teeth and Photoshop a picture of your foot kicking them.

  4. Write Your Own Alessia Brio Fan Fiction. If it's slash fiction, include relevant illustrations.

  5. Act All Impressed And Stuff By Good Reviews. After you've read the review, print out 75-80 copies and post them around your hometown. Stand next to the flyer in the highest-traffic area, put on your most winning smile, and tell passing strangers that we roomed together in college.

  6. Drive a Species To Extinction in My Name. This sounds ambitious, but I'm not talking about a major species, like manatees or humans. I just mean that if, maybe, you're walking down the sidewalk and you see this weird-looking beetle, and you remember from some science documentary that only one of them remains, that you stomp on it and shout my name. No big deal.

  7. Include the phrase "That's all well and good, but what does it have to do with Alessia Brio's fiction?" in all of your daily conversations. I think this one is self-explanatory.

  8. Praise Booksellers Who Carry My Books. The owner of Best Erotic Books doesn't HAVE to carry my books. Nobody put a gun to his head and said "Put these books on your site or your brains will create abstract art upon your flowery wallpaper," and they didn't punch him in the gut when he made a witty but anger-inducing comment about his splattery brains being better reading material than my books, and it certainly wasn't necessary to break a couple of his fingers to get him to cooperate. So why not praise the man? Tell him how much you appreciate the fact that he carries fine books written by people like me. Send him a package of expensive pears, or maybe bring over some hot cocoa after you visit his website, just to say "Thanks."

  9. Add Brio Promo To Your Signature Line. What does your current signature line have? A funny quote? A life-affirming statement? Promo for YOUR book? Sorry, but that me-me-me attitude isn't going to sell more copies of fine flickering hungers now is it? Change your signature line to say something like “Buy Alessia Brio's EPPIE Award-winning single author anthology fine flickering hungers or you suck!" Post often. Send a flurry of one-line e-mails with vapid content that won't distract the recipient from your signature line. Bonus points if you create a flashy, obnoxious, eye-melting banner that links to my website.

  10. Every Time You See a Computer, Visit This Webpage. At work? At your public library? At your local Circuit City? Anyplace there are computers around, just pop www.alessiabrio.com into the web browser and walk away. If they're seated in front of the computer and try to slap your hand away, pretend to enjoy the physical contact a little too much.

Okay, everybody got it? Let's get the Brio Brigade into gear and ROCK THE WORLD! March on, sexy friends!

Friday, December 21, 2007

And a Lammie Nomination ...

fine flickering hungers (print version) is a nominee for the Lambda Literary Foundation's annual awards.

The 20th Annual Lambda Literary Awards, the Lammies, will be awarded on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the Silverscreen Theater at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California.

Book Expo America is also in Los Angeles that weekend. Thus, I may be making my first visit to LA in 2008. I'm just not sure that's a cherry I wanna pop... ever.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Fictionwise Super Year End Sale!

Fictionwise Super Year End SaleFictionwise Super Year End Sale!
Our biggest sale of the year has now begun! Now through December 31, every MultiFormat eBook is discounted 20% and every Secure eBook receives a 20% Micropay rebate. These discounts also apply when you use the "Buy this eBook for a friend!" button, which is located right below the "Add to Cart" button on every eBook description page. And Buywise club member discounts combine with these savings, as always! And don't forget, you can give the gift of eBooks or Buywise club memberships using our Gift Certificates system.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Cover Awards!

EPIC, the voice of electronic publishing, has announced the category winners of its annual cover art contest. I have two award-winning covers!

Ariana 2008A Gamble Worth TakingMy cover for Wendy Stone's A Gamble Worth Taking won the Ariana in the "Contemporary/ Suspense/ Mystery/ Historical Erotic Romance and Erotica" category. I get another one of those cool EPIC glass trophies to add to my *wink* collection! It and 12 other Ariana (category) winners now go on to compete for the QUASAR Award. Voting for the QUASAR will take place from January 15 to January 30, 2008 amongst the EPIC membership. The QUASAR will be awarded at EPICon in March 2007.



DAW 2008Lord CarabasAnd, my cover for James Buchanan's Lord Carabas took a runner-up (Dirk A. Wolf Honorable Mention) award in the GLBT category. I'll get a medallion for this one. Woot!

Monday, December 17, 2007

Fantasies in Print

Phaze Fantasies v1
Now available in print!

Phaze Fantasies I
by Alessia Brio, Leigh Ellwood, Bridget Midway and Ann Regentin
Ships in 2-3 Weeks

Four tales of erotic fiction by four Phaze favorites! Alessia Brio continues the Costa Rican adventure that launched fine flickering hungers, her EPPIE Award-winner. Bridget Midway shines with "Service Recall," a tale of relationship rebound done right. Leigh Ellwood opens the door to a magical menagé in "Midnight Passions." And Ann Regentin's "Midnight Conversations" explores the sexual memories of a fixer-upper's past occupants.

Length: Quasar (Anthology - 94,000 words)
Rating: 5 Novas (click here for Phaze's ratings legend)

Only $14 for a limited time (regularly $16)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

EPPIE Finalists Announced!

WOOT! I'm thrilled to be a part of TWO of the finalists for the 2008 EPPIE Awards. Coming Together: For the Cure (Erotica) and Phaze in Verse (Poetry) now proceed to the final round of judging.


EPIConPhaze in Verse
Coming Together: For the CureFor the complete list of finalists, visit the EPIC site. (If that doesn't work, Emily Veinglory's posted the full list on the EREC blog.) Winners will be announced at EPICon in March. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, December 02, 2007

4 Angels for Double Header

Double Header
Double Header packs one heck of a sexual punch right from the start. Andrea is a complex character with sizzling sexual needs. The reader will keep trying to figure her out. Her sexual needs are uninhibited and daring. She has a thoroughly modern outlook on sex. She comes across in the story as a confident, strong woman that knows exactly what she wants. There is interplay between Andrea and the baseball players. The secondary characters are a welcome addition to the story and add a certain fun and spice. The sex scenes are extremely hot and raw. The men in the story are sexy. The authors have done a nice job in telling a hot and sexy story.

Reviewed by: Dawnie

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Goin' to the Pink

Join a diverse group of authors from noon 'til 6 o'clock on Saturday 15 December 2007 at the Pink Banana Boutique in Virginia Beach, Virginia. We'll be signing our books, schmoozing with customers, and giving away a big 'ol gift basket!

The Pink Banana Boutique
352 N. Newtown Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Crystal B. Bright ~ Bridget Midway
Leigh Ellwood
Alessia Brio
Monique Lamont ~ Yvette Hines
Denise Jeffries ~ Alexis Ke
Violet Heart
Pamela Kinney ~ Sapphire Phelan
Cheryl Bonner
Shara Lanel
Barbara Donlon-Bradley
Will Belegon

Friday, November 30, 2007

Mini Rant

I have Google Alerts set up on certain keywords. One of them is erotica -- because I wanna know what the media is saying about my genre. It also occasionally provides blog fodder. Oh, I'm sure I could work up a blog rant about the typical alerts I receive -- a community's uproar over a "dirty book store" opening in its back yard or a politician's prediliction for BDSM reading material -- but I just don't have the energy. Once in a while, though, I follow the links to "news" and read something that speaks to me. Today, for example.


The email looked like this:

Not Oprah's Book Club: Getting Off
Feministing - New York,NY,USA
I've browsed Nerve.com and I like to check out Bust's one-handed read, but generally I've steered clear of porn or, even, truth be told, erotica. ...

I clicked. I read. I seethed.

The article is a book review (and the use of the keyword "erotica" is ancillary). Considering the source, it's no wonder that it has a good bit to say about misogyny in porn. The book's author is also, apparently, aware of it and very critical of his gender for its hypocrisy.

What pisses me off is the seemingly pervasive mindset that misogyny is a male "flaw" and, as such, is the responsibility of men to correct it; that by shining a light on it, men will realize the error of their ways and learn to appreciate women for the remarkable creatures they naturally are. (Y'know, we chastise our children for incessant whining.)

Misogyny sells. Why does it sell? Because it fuels the male desire to dominate. Why do men have this desire? Well, one school of thought is biological: Men are genetically programmed to do so (i.e., the cave man model). Another, however, is seemingly lost on most feminists: Men feel inferior (i.e., the playground bully model). Which is it? Probably both -- and in constant flux.

So, rather than bitching and accepting a subservient role (as the biological school of thought posits women are genetically programmed to do), why aren't the more vocal feminists DOING something constructive about it?

Misogyny prevails in porn (and in other realms) because women have allowed it. Women are enablers, and many women -- even the most vocal feminists -- are codependent enablers when it comes to fueling misogynistic behavior.

Porn has been described as addictive, as skewing reasonable expectations about sex and relationships. If likened to alcoholism, the pathology of codependency becomes quite clear. Everyone, I believe, wants to be so incredibly desirable that they drive their partner to complete distraction. (I know I do!) Yet when women achieve this objective objectification, they bitch about it. Go figure.

Yes, it's a slippery slope. Passion tends to work that way.

In defense of the book -- and its review -- they are merely triggers for this rant. I found the reviewer quite frank about her perspective and open to alternatives. I think I may actually read the book, too.

I've lost my steam, so rant over.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

This Just ROCKS!



Coming Together: For the CureComing Together: For the Cure is a Top Pick in the January 2008 issue of Romantic Times BOOKreviews (magazine):

COMING TOGETHER FOR THE CURE
by Alessia Brio, Editor

RT Rating: ½
Category: EROTICA
Publisher: Phaze.com
Published: January 2008
Type: Erotic Romance (Anthology, E-book)
Phaze's 2007 charitable anthology takes on breast cancer, with proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization. These 20 tales encompass a wide range of encounters, including same-sex male and female and BDSM. Some stories are sweet, some blistering, some artistic, others intellectual. The souls of the writers shine through, showing the beauty of loving relationships in deep and often poignant ways.
Summary: The strongest stories in this collection deal with breast cancer survivors. Other tales follow characters dealing with difficult situations, like the loss of a pet or a relationship, or characters struggling to revive flagging relationships. And some are paranormal tales. There's truly something for everybody. (PHAZE.com, dl $7.00)
—Jennifer R. Wells-Marani

scan of print review

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Eat My Shorts!

Three of my non-erotic short stories are now available as Amazon Shorts:

Knead
The Seven The Seven: Revisited

Just $0.49 each!

~ ~ ~

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

30% Off ArtiFactual

CyberRead
ArtiFactualQuestion: What's better than a collection of four, fun, sexy Mandy & Bruce novellas under one cover?

Answer: A collection of four, fun, sexy Mandy & Bruce novellas under one cover and ON SALE!

Now at CyberRead, you can download ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique for 30% off the cover price. That's 58,000 words of haunted sex toys, Indiana Jones-style adventure, legal drama, and plentiful hot sex for less than the price of a Saturday afternoon matinée.

Just enter COUPON CODE 111007 at checkout!

BLURB:
Finally, in one volume, are the sizzling erotic adventures of Mandy and Bruce, connoisseurs of sexual pleasure, with or without batteries! ArtiFactual features the original tales Erotique, Switch (a Preditors & Editors Reader's Poll Winner!) and the exotic Amichu. Also included is the never before published novella Closing Arguments, where sexual desire is put on trial. Just as lawyer Bruce's courtroom savvy doesn't seem enough to save Mandy's shop, along comes help in the form of the delightful, and spirited, Aunt Viv.

REVIEW:
I found this a thoroughly delightful erotic romp, complete with adventure, plenty of sex, and a few mysteries. The unusual items for sexual pleasure were especially intriguing. Amanda and Bruce are well suited to each other, playing off each other’s strengths. They complement each other well. I found a touch of comedy in one chapter that really had me going. I laughed so hard tears streamed from eyes and it took me a few minutes to start reading again. I loved it! The amount of detail the authors use in describing the items in the museum and their backgrounds reflected a thorough of the subject matter, incorporated well into the story without reading as a lecture. I recommend this story to anyone looking for a hot read on the beach or in the bed. You’ll laugh with Bruce and Amanda, snarl with them, and solve the puzzles and mysteries as they wind their way toward each other and a great partnership. ~ The Romance Studio

If ebooks aren't your thing, ArtiFactual is also available in print (and eligible for Free Super-Saver Shipping) from Amazon.com

~ ~ ~

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Brio Bytes

The November issue of my newsletter is now available:

http://www.alessiabrio.com/news/2007-11.htm

Enjoy!

--
peace & passion,

~ Alessia
www.alessiabrio.com

Coveting a Covey


Naughty Rendezvous
One of my book cover designs is nominated for a Covey Award this month! Naughty Rendezvous, by Ms. Victoria Blisse, is entry #5. Please pop on over to the blog and cast your vote in both polls:

Most Eye-Catching Cover

and

Most Relevant Cover

Thanks, y'all! I hope to see my work nominated regularly (especially if I don't have to nominate it myself). *grin*

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

La Jolla Writers Conference

I am a writer. Imagination is my garden. I pluck succulent images from it and wrap them in sensual words for readers to savor. If I do it well, they experience things they might not otherwise experience. Hopefully, they are satisfied but at the same time, hungry for more of my fruits.

Where, then, do I seek sustenance? What feeds me as a writer?

This past weekend, it was the La Jolla Writers Conference. I will be rolling its many flavors around on my tongue for quite some time. No other conference or convention provides such a comprehensive menu.

The Romantic Times BOOKLOVERS Convention is a promo salad and raucous party dessert.

EPICon is an appetizer of craft followed by an e-publishing buffet.

But the La Jolla Writers Conference is a full-spread banquet prepared by some of the top word chefs in the world from a wide variety of cuisines. Wildly successful authors of many genres, publicists, screenwriters, editors, agents, booksellers all add their specialties to create a feast of art and craft. Then, they sit at the table and chow down with you.

They share their favorite recipes as well as taste your fare and offer constructive advice on how to improve your cooking or presentation. There is more food than any one author, no matter how big her creative appetite, can consume in one weekend.

Decisions on which dish to sample are downright agonizing. There is no way to stop, even when full to the point of bursting with fresh ideas. You simply must keep eating, stuffing everything you can possibly fit into your mind-mouth.

I'm home now, trying to digest everything I ate. I feel both gluttonously full... and ravenously hungry. Going through my notes (sparse, because I was too involved in the interactive meals to put pen to paper), I am overwhelmed and empowered. It's beyond invigorating. I can't wait to do it again next year!

...
The quality of the attendee's writing simply blew me away. It was so much fun to hear them read parts of their stories aloud, and then all of us jump in for a discussion afterwards. ~ Linda Lael Miller
...

Monday, October 15, 2007

Green Sex


Sideling HillSideling Hill, June 2006


Today is Blog Action Day, and that got me thinking about sex in the great outdoors. I've written quite a bit of it... and "researched" even more.

Check out the outdoor antics in "Wetter Has Never Been Better" (the lead story in my EPPIE Award-winning anthology, fine flickering hungers). In it, you'll find a threesome in the pool at the base a waterfall, girl sex at the volcanic hot springs, and a mouth-watering blow job in the rain forest -- all set in Costa Rica.

Capping that same anthology is "Boiling Point," which involves sex while bound to a tree.

"Pura Vida!" (included in Phaze Fantasies I, also set in Costa Rica) features sex on the beach and in an open-air bungalow.

In Double Header, Will & I wrote some steamy sex in a roadside field. "Amichu" (one of the stories in ArtiFactual) contains a supernatural sex scene in the snow of the Peruvian Andes. And San Diego Sunset culminates in an encounter on Black's Beach.

Lastly, in my Phaze Flare "Pantheism 101" (a free download), there's rather ethereal sex in a park during a rainstorm.

So ... tell me about YOUR experiences (or your fantasies) between Mother Nature's legs!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Brio Bytes

The October issue of my newsletter is now available:

http://www.alessiabrio.com/news/2007-10.htm

Enjoy!

--
peace & passion,

~ Alessia
www.alessiabrio.com

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Sexy Reads reviews Double Header

Fellow Phaze author and Sexy Reads mistress, Victoria Blisse had some wonderful things to say about Double Header:

Alessia Brio and Will Belegon deliver hot, top class erotica constantly and Double Header is not an exception to this rule.

Alessia and Will write seamlessly, I’d never guess two authors worked on this story and they write convincingly teasing all your senses.

Monday, October 08, 2007

5 Hearts for ArtiFactual

ArtiFactualThe Romance Studio gives ArtiFactual a glowing review:

I found this a thoroughly delightful erotic romp, complete with adventure, plenty of sex, and a few mysteries. The unusual items for sexual pleasure were especially intriguing. Amanda and Bruce are well suited to each other, playing off each other’s strengths. They complement each other well. I found a touch of comedy in one chapter that really had me going. I laughed so hard tears streamed from eyes and it took me a few minutes to start reading again. I loved it! The amount of detail the authors use in describing the items in the museum and their backgrounds reflected a thorough of the subject matter, incorporated well into the story without reading as a lecture. I recommend this story to anyone looking for a hot read on the beach or in the bed. You’ll laugh with Bruce and Amanda, snarl with them, and solve the puzzles and mysteries as they wind their way toward each other and a great partnership.


Available in both ebook and print from Phaze and other online booksellers!

New Banner

Hmm. Think it's too much?



Sunday, October 07, 2007

Andi's Up!

Double HeaderAndrea Spring doesn't love baseball, but she sure loves baseball players. When her carefully-crafted casual sex life gets rocked by unexpected forces, she meets the challenge with her unique style. There's nothing conventional about this woman. When Andi plays, everybody wins.

Available now from Phaze, FictionWise, All Romance eBooks, and MobiPocket.

October, 2007
ISBN 978-1-59426-772-7
$5 (38K words)

EXCERPT:

Andrea Spring lifted her head and, sweeping her dark hair from her eyes, peeked over the broad shoulder of the shortstop in search of the clock. Six fifty-three, if it could be believed. With a sigh, she carefully removed the second baseman's arm from her waist and eased her nude body toward the foot of the king-sized bed. Neither man stirred as she extricated the meat from their human sandwich, chuckling as her foot landed on a sticky condiment.

She wondered how long she'd slept. Couldn't have been more than a couple hours, since it was already approaching midnight when they reached the hotel where the team was staying during its three-game series with the Sox. The final game in that series started in just over six hours, so she'd soon have to rouse her sleeping studs if she was to receive the type of farewell fuck she desired.

The used condom adhered to the bottom of her foot, and she hopped as she peeled it off. Closing the door as quietly as possible, Andrea flicked on the bathroom light and blinked as her eyes adjusted to its garish brightness. She splashed cold water on her face, finger-brushed her teeth with the tiny tube of complimentary toothpaste, and used the bidet to freshen up before returning to find the vacancy she'd created unchanged.

Slipping her body between the fine specimens of male flesh, she squirmed until she rested on her back and took a cock in each hand. "Batters' up," she whispered.


Friday, October 05, 2007

Why Buy?


Amazon.com

A while back, there was a poll on LiveJournal asking readers what promotional tools led them to purchase a book. The results were very interesting, and I just started a thread on Amazon's romance forum to continue the discussion. Pop on over and share what triggers that reach-for-your-wallet reflex!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Monday, October 01, 2007

Passionately Pink - For the Cure

Passionately Pink - For the Cure
Dress your blog in PINK throughout the month of October and join the Coming Together: For the Cure team by making a donation in any dollar amount via the Coming Together page on the Susan B. Komen for the Cure site!



Coming Together: For the Cure
And, while you're surfing, check out ERWA's review of Coming Together: For the Cure. Now available in both ebook AND print from Phaze.


It's erotic altruism at its finest!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

Review Me and Win!

In an effort to get more reviews posted on my Amazon titles, I'm starting the following promotion:

Every person who leaves a review on one of my titles will be entered into a drawing for a $10 Amazon Gift Certificate. For every 10 reviews on a title, I will draw one winner.

This promotion will continue until at least 20 reviews are received on each title. Once a title has received 20 reviews, no further drawings will take place for that title. Other titles, those with fewer than 20 reviews, will remain eligible for the drawings.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Friday, September 28, 2007

ArtiFactual now available on Amazon

Woot! ArtiFactual's now available from the world's largest online bookseller.

ArtiFactual

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Big e-Step

Harlequin Goes All E-Book
By Josh Kerbel -- Publishers Weekly, 9/21/2007 7:25:00 AM

Harlequin said yesterday that from this point forward it is making its complete frontlist catalogue available in e-book format. Active in the e-book marketplace since October 2005, with an initial publication schedule of nine titles a month, Harlequin will now be releasing more than 120 titles per month in both print and digital formats.

Harlequin’s e-books will be priced slightly lower than their print books and be available in Adobe, Microsoft Reader, MobiPocket, Palm and Sony formats. The company said it is launching this initiative because its customers embrace the immediacy and portability of the format and the titles do not go out of stock.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Mobi-fied!


Alessia Brio at MobiPocket
Yay! Phaze eBooks are now available via MobiPocket, which means they'll soon (again) be available for purchase/download from Amazon.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Phaze in Verse

Phaze in VersePoetry has long been a short form method to story telling. Morals, epic tales, even desperate pleas for understanding have been recorded through the ages in verse. And yet, somewhere along the line of our technologically advancing society, it seems those small intimate pleasures are growing lost. Poetry is love, life, and feeling breathed into words. Our shared experiences, emotions, dreams… Today, we are pleased to present to you a fine collection of poetry. This is not just iambic pentameter or rhymed. It is not only free verse or measured. This is a comprehensive collection of a wide variety of tastes, styles, and passions. Just like our readers. There is a little bit of something for everyone.

Available now in both eBook ($5) and print ($10)!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

That Four Letter Word

A few years ago, I wrote a short story entitled "Topping Love" in which love was compared to a pizza. There were basic elements (crust, sauce, cheese) for everyone, but the importance of toppings varied from person to person. (The story appears in fine flickering hungers and uses the characters from my Costa Rica series: Sam, Jess, Charlie, and Richard.)

I did a good bit of reading about love, especially research/theories, while writing that story. One that has stuck with me is Yale psychologist Robert Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love:

Sternberg's Triangle

If I'd make a poster of the image above, I could use thumbtacks to accurately peg every relationship in my life that was deeper than a casual acquaintance. Each day, I could adjust the placement of the tacks as bonds grew or were damaged by action or inaction (whether mine or that of others). Maybe I'll do that - just for grins. *wink*

The ultimate (consummate) love, Sternberg asserts, is the interior of the triangle. Most of the time, I agree with that assertion. I think a lot of people invest a lot of effort to achieve that ideal -- and even more to maintain it. I wonder, though, if it's an unrealistic expectation for the long haul.

What do y'all think?

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Bound's First Review


Dirty Girl Reviews had this to say about Bound for Success:
Alessia and Will are teaming up once again for a short erotic work that gets your juices flowing right away. They have a way with words that makes the characters really come alive. Kevin and Cyndi have a playful banter that is just a pleasure to read and the sex scenes are absolutely steamy!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

ArtiFactual now available in print!


ArtiFactualTogether in one volume we are proud to present the Tales of the Erotique Mystique. From the incredible writing team of Alessia Brio and Will Belegon comes a vivid collection of stories of passion, adventure, and exotic toys. ArtiFactual includes Phaze favorites Erotique, Switch (a P&E Readers Poll Winner!), Amichu, and a never-before-published novella, Closing Arguments in the continuing adventures of the playful and sexy couple, Amanda Long and Bruce Winfield.


Available in both eBook ($7) and print pre-order ($10) from Phaze!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Bound for Success released


Bound for SuccessA stand-alone continuation of the tale which began with Brio & Belegon's most popular novella, Artistically Inclined. Pittsburgh's daring duo is back in a hot-blooded romance with a penchant for ties that bind! When Cyndi's nerves about her gallery opening get the better of her, Kevin takes matters into his own hands, replacing one tension with another and setting the stage for a very eventful evening.

Available now from Phaze ($3)
Length: 19K

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Have you been squeezed lately?

Fresh Squeezed

Mammogram day. I just got home. The timing is fortuitous, given the recent release of Coming Together: For the Cure, huh? I love the image above (and want it on a T-shirt), even though the editor in me is screaming: It's FRESHLY SQUEEZED!

Anyway, in my typical duller-than-dirt promo way, I'll cut to the chase: Please take the Comment: For the Cure blog tour, if you haven't already done so, and leave a comment on each. You'll be raising $$$ for a great cause, and you may win a book in the process.

peace & passion, y'all *squeeze*

Monday, August 27, 2007

Vanity Search Hits Gold

Gaylactic Spectrum AwardsI was Googling this morning to see if anyone else had picked up the torch in the blog comment contest for Coming Together: For the Cure that started on Alison Kent's blog, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover my short piece for girl-girl erotica, Listen To Me, listed among the nominees for Best Short Fiction.

A Short List of Recommended Works and a winner will be announced in each category at Gaylaxicon 2007 in October, 2007.

Nevermind that the story isn't science fiction, fantasy, or horror. It's an honor to be nominated. *bows*