P&E Poll Results

The votes have been tabulated. Here are the 2007 P&E poll results ...


Romance Short Story published in 2007...
Artistically Inclined [ RESULTS ] 7-way tie for #17

Print/Electronic Erotica Novel published in 2007...
ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique [ RESULTS ] 4-way tie for #19

Short Story (All other genres) published in 2007...
Time Warp [ RESULTS ] #15

Print/Electronic Book Editor...
Alessia Brio, Coming Together [ RESULTS ] TOP TEN! (#9)

Anthology published in 2007...
Coming Together: For the Cure [ RESULTS ] #11

Author published in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ RESULTS ] 5-way tie for #28

Artist publishing in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ RESULTS ] 3-way tie for #13

Book/e-book Cover Artwork published in 2007...
Lord Carabas [ RESULTS ] 7-way tie for #15

Poet published in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ RESULTS ] TOP TEN! (#9)

Poem published in 2007...
forked [ RESULTS ] TOP TEN! (#7)

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About (Writing) Sex But Were Afraid to Ask

Title : Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About (Writing) Sex But Were Afraid to Ask
Date : Feb 9-10 2008
Presented by : Eden Bradley, Lillian Feisty, Alessia Brio
Cost : $15 (PI Members) and $20 (Non-PI Members) Be one of the first 20 PI Members to email karen.e.erickson@gmail.com to be added to the free members list. [NOTE: The free slots are all taken. Sorry.]

Workshop Description :
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About (Writing) Sex But Were Afraid to Ask
An in depth and totally uninhibited discussion about any and every subject, with three authors who’ve been there, done that, and written about it!
presented by Eden Bradley, Lillian Feisty & Alessia Brio

* * *

In this two-part workshop, we’ll cover every subject imaginable! This will be done in an open discussion format, where we will interact with our audience, introducing various topics and answering questions. In Part One, we’ll discuss the basics of writing sex, and our experience in the erotica and erotic romance market. In Part Two, we talk about edgier subjects.

This online workshop can be done in one day, or in segments lasting up to three days in a Question and Answer format.

BIOS :

Eden Bradley writes dark, edgy erotica. She’s published with Bantam, Berkley, Harlequin Spice, Phaze and Magic Carpet Books. Her first Bantam novel, THE DARK GARDEN, was a Romantic Times Top Pick in June 2007 and is a Reviewer’s Choice nominee, and has been praised as “the most beautifully written BDSM novel…ever…” by Love Romances & More. Erotica author Maria Isabel Pita has called Eden’s work “elegant, intelligent and sensual”. She has a number of erotic novels, novellas and short stories coming out from her various publishers in 2008 and into 2009.

Eden, the 2008 president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter, Los Angeles Romance Authors, has also published a number of articles on writing sex, and has presented her workshop, An Exercise in Sensuality, at several Romance Writer’s of America chapters. News and updates can be found on her website: www.EdenBradley.com.

You can also visit her at her blog: edenbradley.blogspot.com.

Lillian Feisty writes fresh erotic fiction for Ellora’s Cave and Harlequin Spice Briefs. Her first novella, Dance of the Plain Jane, was called a “stand out” story by Romantic Times and a “particular favorite” by Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Feisty, as her friends call her, writes in many genres of romantic fiction including contemporary, urban fantasy, and light paranormal. I Love Lacy and The Sting of Desire will be released in 2008.

Ms. Feisty owned an art gallery for several years, holds a degree in Creative Arts and was just a few units short of her MA when she decided to drop out of school to write smut. She currently serves as president of Passionate Ink, the special interest chapter of Romance Writers of America for erotic romance authors. She loves to ramble about the strangest things at lillianfeisty.com.

Alessia Brio: Take one part Appalachian redneck, one part insatiable sex goddess, and one part filthy-minded wordsmith. Mix well and serve with chocolate-covered cherries. There you have the one and only Alessia Brio. Alessia writes all colors and flavors of erotica, from heterosexual to ménage to same sex, and from twisted to humorous to deeply touching. (Sometimes, usually by accident, it even qualifies as romance.) Her work has earned her critical acclaim in the form of an EPPIE for Best Erotica (fine flickering hungers) and a Romantic Times Top Pick (Coming Together: For the Cure) in addition to a plethora of glowing online reviews. Readers can find her online at alessiabrio.com

To Pay Online :

Using PayPal (http://www.paypal.com), send payment to renewals@passionateink.org with “WORKSHOP - Everything You Wanted to Know” as the subject. In the “message” section, include Your Name and Email Address.

Cost: $15 for Passionate Ink Members, $20 for non-members

To pay by check, print this page and send with a check to
Passionate Ink Workshops
c/o Karen Steele
1304 Forest Marsh Dr
Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Under Fire at Joyfully Reviewed

Join some of the authors and poets of Coming Together: Under Fire from noon 'til 6pm Eastern today on Joyfully Reviewed's Yahoo!Group! They'll be posting excerpts and talking about what inspired their hot contributions to this charity anthology.

~ ~ ~

More Nominations & Contest Entries

I am shameless about nominating my work for awards or in polls. I figure, what've I got to lose? Even if I don't win, it's free publicity -- getting my name and titles before the voters/judges. So, today I submitted ArtiFactual for a PEARL (Paranormal Excellence Award for Romantic Literature). Voting begins February 1st amongst the membership.

The eCataRomance Best of 2007 polls opened today as well. No registration required, but only 1 vote per IP address will be counted. Take a stroll over there and vote, eh? If you're so inclined, I'd be delighted if you'd vote for me in the following categories:

Best Sensual Romance
Bound for Success by Alessia Brio & Will Belegon

Best Sensual Contemporary Romance
Artistically Inclined by Alessia Brio & Will Belegon

Best Sensual Romance under 100 pages
Mixed Blessings by Will Belegon

Best Sensual Paranormal Romance
ArtiFactual by Alessia Brio & Will Belegon

Best Love Scene
Andi, Brad, and Eric in Double Header by Alessia Brio & Will Belegon

Best Erotica
Time Warp by Alessia Brio

Thanks!

~ ~ ~

Copy Cat

Eliza Gayle started my day in my second favorite way -- LAUGHING! (Sex is first, of course.) I'm reposting this video clip 'cause it's too damned funny & I'm thanking all known deities that it wasn't one of MY books being read aloud in it!



NOTE: The audio is explicit. Video is G-rated.

Yet another Best of 2007 poll

This one's at All About Romance. Pop on over and enter your favorites. It's heavily slanted toward "traditional" romances (as opposed to the steamier side of the genre), but let your voice be heard, eh?

~ ~ ~

Wearing Orange

Tomorrow is supposed to be a day for wearing orange, per the ACLU's campaign to close Guantanamo Bay, and I will. However, since I plan to stay at home and write all day, no one will see me except my children. So my blog is going to wear orange, too. It will be seen by (hopefully) more than 3 people. *grin*

If it matters to you, why don't you do the same?

Peace, y'all. Peace.

Coupons!

Now through next Friday (January 18th), you can take 15% off Fictionwise ebooks using the following coupon codes:

15% off Romance: SNS9R
15% off Science Fiction: SNS9SF
15% off Suspense/Thriller: SNS9T

I don't have any titles in the latter two categories, but please do use the Romance coupon to download any of my Phaze publications and/or the Coming Together anthologies.

Oh, and while I have your attention, the Preditors & Editors Best of 2007 readers polls are open through January 15th. Please VOTE.

~ ~ ~

Say it loud ...

and, yeah, say it proud:

I am a Litizen!

What is a Litizen?

A Litizen is a registered Literotica member who posts material (stories/poetry) on the main site and/or participates on its forums. I do both. Well, I rarely post new material there anymore. Some older stuff is still there for perusal, but I'm gradually removing it in favor of paying venues. I'm still active on the forums, though, particularly the Author's Hangout.

There are over three quarters of a million Litizens. Some (probably the majority) are just readers. Some are crude, brash, and damned near illiterate. Others are courteous, educated, and extremely talented. They all share a hearty appreciation of eroticism.

Does being a Litizen define me?

No more or less than my many other labels: woman, mother, author, activist/advocate, cover artist, editor, philanthropist, brunette, rebel, pantheist, bisexual, 40-something, intelligent, humble, demure, impulsive, etc. (I'm sure there are a few more that others would apply. Goddess, maybe. *wink* Oh, and I was recently called a "fucking artist." I like that one because of the various ways it can be parsed.)

Do I care if readers (or potential readers) are aware of my writing roots?

Heavens, no! I dedicated my first book to the "wonderfully supportive denizens of the Literotica Author's Hangout." So, it's certainly something I've never attempted to hide. The e-venue is home to some of the most caring, compassionate, talented, and generous people I have ever had the privilege to meet. I consider it an honor to call them friends and even more of an honor that they call me the same (among other things). It is there I met my partner, Will Belegon. It is there that Coming Together was born (or hatched).

The Lit forums can be an intimidating, exhilarating place. As I recently wrote in an email: "The discussion forums are a zoo--a wild, uncensored, hedonistic zoo--and I absolutely adore them for that very reason." I seldom stray outside the Author's Hangout, but I have ventured over to the Poetry Feedback & Discussion forum or the General Board on occasion. (The latter is the biggest, most active forum and, arguably, the wildest.)

I recently witnessed an alarming example of narrow minds and mob mentality defining a group of authors as incestuous pedophiles, simply because of their association with Literotica. It was reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition and other similar persecutions.

This morning, I read a blog post advising authors against advertising their association with Literotica, lest they be painted with an unfavorable brush. Um, no. I refuse to be ashamed of something that is not shameful. So, once more:

I am a Litizen!

~ ~ ~

Passion in Pittsburgh

click to enlarge

Isn't it pretty? *strokes the wrap cover* This print publication will combine the ebook novellas Artistically Inclined and Bound for Success. We'll have "exclusive" pre-release copies for RT in April, since it's in Pittsburgh. Official release later in the spring/summer.

The Cult of Phaze

Of all the damned ridiculousness.

Backstory: A day or so ago, Mrs. Giggles, a reviewer who's achieved a certain notoriety, posted a blog about Phaze in Verse, the EPPIE-nominated poetry anthology. I wish I'd saved it now, because she has this tendency to make things disappear. Ah, wait. I found it quoted on a message board:

There are people who enjoy reading poetry, but I am not one of them. The only poetry for grown-ups that I can appreciate are those by WB Yeats, but that's because he's kinda cute in the photo on the cover of the collection of his poems that I own. Even if the poem in question is supposed to be erotic, it goes right over my head. I guess I'm just not that kind of literate/artistic people. I only like rude poems found in kiddie books, but that's about it, I'm afraid.

But hey, don't let me stop you from enjoying things like Phaze In Verse. It's an EPPIE-nominated thing, after all. For the life of me, though, I can't imagine what kind of poetry one can write about a publishing house. Sonnets of appreciation for getting published? Sordid haikus about the orgies that went on in the recent company Christmas party?

By the way, is it just me or Phaze's publishing roster when it comes to erotic stuff comprise mostly folks from Literotica?

Yeah, it's a little snarky... but, really, not too objectionable. (In truth, maybe 10% of Phaze's roster of 120+ authors has Literotica roots, if that. I take the blame credit for that, as I enthusiastically encouraged some of my Lit colleagues to submit their work to Phaze. I also took one of the earlier Coming Together anthologies to Phaze. It will be released in print on the 7th, by the way. *grin*) I looked at the initial post as a positive, in general. Free publicity with a link directly to the buy page. A couple of Phaze authors posted clarifications and suddenly, we're a coven of creepy authors for wanting to set the record straight.

A cult, mind you. I'd say that comes dangerously close to libel.

Seriously, what gives? Cults don't allow their members to speak out. (Oh, wait -- that was another publisher -- one that blacklisted authors who didn't behave.) Cults don't let their members belong to other cults... erm, publishers. (Damn, close to half of Phaze's roster has work also published elsewhere -- with its blessing, even.) Cults don't let their members go without a fight. (I can attest that no one's a prisoner at Phaze.)

Rather than wonder why so many of its authors are willing to voice their support, it's just assumed that we're under some collective spell. In these times of epublishers going tits-up at the drop of a hat, it's easier to cast aspersions on one that's regularly paying its authors, dealing above-board in all its activities, and putting out quality work that's consistently achieving positive recognition from independent industry reviewers. Uh huh. (Don't step in that hypocrisy!)

I added the following comment (as close to verbatim as I can recall):

Hrm.

Note to self: Clarification now qualifies as defensiveness in the blog-o-sphere.

Note to Emily: That comment was beneath you.

Note to Mrs. Giggles: Thanks for the free publicity.

The next thing you know, that post was pulled and the following appeared:

This is officially a Phaze-free zone

After some thought, I've deleted the last two blog entries because the whole drama is pretty stupid. So, if you have missed it, email me and I will let you know what you missed. Of course, my POV is no doubt biased, but that's okay considering that the folks involved are a bunch of humorless twats.

I'm not going to mention the publishing house ever again. I am not going to buy anything from there, not that I ever did much of that in the past anyway, and I am not going to even write down their name because the very action seems to bring out the creepy cult determined to make mountains out of molehills and assume that I am attacking all of them personally. This is not the first time I found myself dealing with the cult, mind you, but this is the last time as I'm not going to waste any more time on them, their books, or anything else they have to sell because they just weird me out with their delusional self-importance and selective-reading.

I made a mistake of assuming that a select few of the twits there are the cult members but now I'm convinced that all of them must have drank the Kool-Aid.

Whatever. Let's just move on.

Okay, now that I have think about it, the above is really most immature and mean. I stand by my point that I am not going to mention this publishing house unless I absolutely have to because of the drama the mention inevitably generates, but it is not fair to lump in the publisher for the unfortunate creepy coven that write for them.

So, let me revise my point: I still have nothing against Phaze - come on, are you kidding? I don't even know who owns that business, much less harbor any personal agenda against that person! - but I think some of their authors should do well to get over themselves.

Sorry for the drama, feel free to email me to send me some jeers if you are embarrassed for me as much as I am feeling quite embarrassed about myself at the moment, but if you don't mind, I'm going to put the whole drama behind me.

No comments for this entry, folks. I'm having a headache as it is and I really want to put the whole thing behind me.

Thus ends my participation on Mrs. Giggles' blog. When it comes to defensiveness, she and a few other dr'oggers have a serious pot/kettle thing going on. No more for me. I believe in my publisher, its staff, its authors, and the work it produces for a variety of solid reasons -- and I'll gladly tell anyone who'll listen. Those folks aren't listening.

~ ~ ~

P.S. As I was drafting this post, the following Google Blog Alert appeared in my inbox:

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST PHAZE
Because I am going to touch on Phaze, what with experiences in the past have taught me that some of the authors from this place are very zealous in defending the house, I am...

Of course, when I clicked the link, the post was already gone. Figures.

P&E Poll Time

Please visit the site and cast your votes for the best of 2007 in the following categories ...


Romance Short Story published in 2007...
Artistically Inclined [ VOTE HERE ]

Print/Electronic Erotica Novel published in 2007...
ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique [ VOTE HERE ]

Short Story (All other genres) published in 2007...
Time Warp [ VOTE HERE ]

Print/Electronic Book Editor...
Alessia Brio, Coming Together [ VOTE HERE ]

Anthology published in 2007...
Coming Together: For the Cure [ VOTE HERE ]

Author published in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ VOTE HERE ]

Artist publishing in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ VOTE HERE ]

Book/e-book Cover Artwork published in 2007...
Lord Carabas [ VOTE HERE ]

Poet published in 2007...
Alessia Brio [ VOTE HERE ]

Poem published in 2007...
forked [ VOTE HERE ]