I think we could all use some inspiration today.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
New release and contest!
A couple of years ago, I wrote Tabula Rasa. It was the story of Teagan and Cash, two rodeo cowboys who were a pair of team ropers. It ended up being a finalist in the EPPIES that year, which was a nice surprise, because I really loved that story.
In any case, Teagan and Cash came back for a quick visit a couple of months ago and asked for a short story. I complied. Their new story is called Priorities and is available HERE at Torquere Books for the low price of $1.99.
After you read it, you have time to pop over to my site and enter the contest I'm running. Just answer one question about the book, email me, and you're entered. Today is the last day, so don't wait!
Get your copy of Priorities today!
In any case, Teagan and Cash came back for a quick visit a couple of months ago and asked for a short story. I complied. Their new story is called Priorities and is available HERE at Torquere Books for the low price of $1.99.
After you read it, you have time to pop over to my site and enter the contest I'm running. Just answer one question about the book, email me, and you're entered. Today is the last day, so don't wait!
Get your copy of Priorities today!
Friday, April 8, 2011
The wonders of research (or: the boxer)
Right, everybody, sorry I've been remiss in my updating here. Every time my slot came up, there was something serious in the way. Like a complete edit of my upcoming novel. Two weeks ago, I got my eyes lasered and didn't really want to update the blog with "OMG I'M SCARED!"
But my eyes are pretty much healed now (no more shortsightedness from this author – and I'll spare you the details, but LASIK is a gift from the gods), and I have sent off all the revisions I have to do in the foreseeable future. I'm in the right frame of mind to talk.
So, let's talk. I'm currently working on a story about boxing. (Sorry, I'm always talking about books that I'm working on, so you can't really buy them yet… I haven't even quite decided where to send it…but I hope that when we talk next time in two weeks, it'll be done and I'll be editing it).
Now, my partner's been boxing for two years. I watched him fight (and lose) in a "white collar boxing charity" event, and I never really thought much about it all. He's also running half-marathons, and I'm not really getting into that, either. As far as I'm concerned, I welcome his boxing because that means he's out of the house three times a week and that means I can write without interruptions. Writers are selfish like that.
But I did begin to feed him articles on boxers, or the random trivia I came across. I did watch David Haye fight, and Calzaghe, because, yeah, it was on on the telly and it is strangely fascinating. Above all, I was starting to give him books on boxing as presents (my book buying habit and his interest caused that). I started to leaf through the books. Read some quotes. Started asking questions.
Gradually, I worked out I have a character who's a boxer. It took a long while to get Brooklyn to talk. Like many of my characters, Brooklyn's not really a talker. He's just there, more a presence than a voice. I knew he was disgraced, and I knew he lived in Rachel Haimowitz' "Belonging" world, which is basically our world, but slavery was never abolished. See, Brooklyn's a slave. And a boxer, and on the way to become the slave world heavyweight champion.
Thankfully, Rachel was so kind to allow me to play in her sandbox. I'll likely end up writing more there, because slavery is a fascinating topic, especially if we're looking at slaves who fight very very hard to be free again.
But even more, during the research for the boxer story, I learnt a fair amount about both boxers and the sport, read some fascinating accounts of fights, and realized it's really not just about overpaid guys hitting each other in front of the camera.
As my partner says, "just about anything is fascinating if seen in enough detail." That really sums it all up. You can look at the most mundane things, stuff you'd thought was boring, but if you really, really look at it and look at it long enough with an open mind, suddenly you get stories. Thousands of them. Little pieces will all swirl around and then suddenly settle, creating a completely new picture.
Sometimes, you get myths shattered. Of course I knew about Muhammad Ali, but I didn't know about what he did to Ernie Tyrell.
It's worth checking out, it's a fascinating story. Go. Have a look. Wikipedia is a good start.
Enjoy your find. We can talk about it when you come back. I'll be here.
But my eyes are pretty much healed now (no more shortsightedness from this author – and I'll spare you the details, but LASIK is a gift from the gods), and I have sent off all the revisions I have to do in the foreseeable future. I'm in the right frame of mind to talk.
So, let's talk. I'm currently working on a story about boxing. (Sorry, I'm always talking about books that I'm working on, so you can't really buy them yet… I haven't even quite decided where to send it…but I hope that when we talk next time in two weeks, it'll be done and I'll be editing it).
Now, my partner's been boxing for two years. I watched him fight (and lose) in a "white collar boxing charity" event, and I never really thought much about it all. He's also running half-marathons, and I'm not really getting into that, either. As far as I'm concerned, I welcome his boxing because that means he's out of the house three times a week and that means I can write without interruptions. Writers are selfish like that.
But I did begin to feed him articles on boxers, or the random trivia I came across. I did watch David Haye fight, and Calzaghe, because, yeah, it was on on the telly and it is strangely fascinating. Above all, I was starting to give him books on boxing as presents (my book buying habit and his interest caused that). I started to leaf through the books. Read some quotes. Started asking questions.
Gradually, I worked out I have a character who's a boxer. It took a long while to get Brooklyn to talk. Like many of my characters, Brooklyn's not really a talker. He's just there, more a presence than a voice. I knew he was disgraced, and I knew he lived in Rachel Haimowitz' "Belonging" world, which is basically our world, but slavery was never abolished. See, Brooklyn's a slave. And a boxer, and on the way to become the slave world heavyweight champion.
Thankfully, Rachel was so kind to allow me to play in her sandbox. I'll likely end up writing more there, because slavery is a fascinating topic, especially if we're looking at slaves who fight very very hard to be free again.
But even more, during the research for the boxer story, I learnt a fair amount about both boxers and the sport, read some fascinating accounts of fights, and realized it's really not just about overpaid guys hitting each other in front of the camera.
As my partner says, "just about anything is fascinating if seen in enough detail." That really sums it all up. You can look at the most mundane things, stuff you'd thought was boring, but if you really, really look at it and look at it long enough with an open mind, suddenly you get stories. Thousands of them. Little pieces will all swirl around and then suddenly settle, creating a completely new picture.
Sometimes, you get myths shattered. Of course I knew about Muhammad Ali, but I didn't know about what he did to Ernie Tyrell.
It's worth checking out, it's a fascinating story. Go. Have a look. Wikipedia is a good start.
Enjoy your find. We can talk about it when you come back. I'll be here.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Visual Stimulation
As a writer, I often turn to the visual arts for inspiration. I'm not sure what models Tyler Kenyon and Kyle Ledeboer are meant to convey here, but my brain thinks there are a few stories waiting to be told:
I wonder -- what's going on in this picture? Intense fitness training? A playful game of truth or dare? Could either scenario lead to something more? Add some bondage elements and you'll get a rough idea of how my Muse works. What do you think is going on in this picture?
I wonder -- what's going on in this picture? Intense fitness training? A playful game of truth or dare? Could either scenario lead to something more? Add some bondage elements and you'll get a rough idea of how my Muse works. What do you think is going on in this picture?
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Responding to reviews
I'm discussing whether authors should reply to reviews over at my website, inspired by an author who replied to criticism of her book in an amazingly ill-advised manner last week. Is it ever a good idea for authors to respond to criticism? And should reviewers mention poor grammar and typos? (I say no and yes, respectively.) Would love to know what you think.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Precious Ache & Furtive Liaison get re-released!
I have brand new covers for Furtive Liaison and Precious Ache, both of which have been re-released by yours truly in the last couple of weeks.
Author of the month!
I'm thrilled to announce that I'm author of the month over at Queer Magazine Online. Pop over & check out the interview they did with me.
http://ow.ly/4repd
Sunday, April 3, 2011
I Was Wrong
I was wrong.
I’m not afraid to admit it. I was.
I said there was no way in hell that you’d catch me with an e-reader. I said I would never give up my physical books with paper and ink and colorful cover art. I said it. And I was wrong.
How’d it happen? How’d I go from NEVER to Can’t Leave The House Without It?
It started when I won a PDF copy of Andrew Wolter’s novel, Nightfall. I sat on it for months, maybe even over a year, because no matter how I tried, I couldn’t read fiction on a computer monitor. Heck, I don’t even read many blogs because the glare of a monitor inspires low-level migraines when doing anything more than skimming emails and tweets. I save that pain for reading manuscripts and edits, so sadly, Nightfall wasn’t being read more than a page at a time.
This was around the same time that I was discovering the wonderful world of M/M romance. I had been buying paperbacks of Price’s PsyCop series and Mykles' Heaven Sent boys, but some of the great M/M stories out there weren’t in paperback or, as you probably know, they were priced noticeably higher than the mass market books and releasing well after the e-book versions. So, after I managed to win a couple of more e-books, I started to cave. (No, please don’t ask why I was entering contests for e-books in the first place. I don’t have a good answer. The book sounded good, after that, I just couldn’t say.)
Long story short, I studied the Kindle, and other readers, for months – MONTHS – before finally breaking down and buying one. My first download was a book part way through a paranormal series by the lovely Ally Blue. From there, I fell in love. Oh, I already adored Ally’s characters. I meant I fell in love with my Kindle, and I never looked back. There are still paperbacks sitting on the shelf unread because I can tuck the Kindle in my messenger bag and read M/M at work discreetly. (Plus it has a copy of Alice in Wonderland, so when people ask to see it, I can switch from a hot and heavy threeway to something more office friendly for a demonstration.)
I’ll get to those paperbacks eventually, and I’ll still buy horror paperbacks to grip the pages white-knuckeld (until I decide I’m wrong about that too). I must say, however, I’m glad I was wrong, because it tickles me pink to put my very own books on my Kindle. I can stare at them and convince myself it’s not just a dream without looking like a narcissistic maniac to passersby. I’m crazy, after all, just not that kind of crazy.
Have a great April, dear Readers!
Ciao,
Pia Veleno
http://piaveleno.com
I’m not afraid to admit it. I was.
I said there was no way in hell that you’d catch me with an e-reader. I said I would never give up my physical books with paper and ink and colorful cover art. I said it. And I was wrong.
How’d it happen? How’d I go from NEVER to Can’t Leave The House Without It?
It started when I won a PDF copy of Andrew Wolter’s novel, Nightfall. I sat on it for months, maybe even over a year, because no matter how I tried, I couldn’t read fiction on a computer monitor. Heck, I don’t even read many blogs because the glare of a monitor inspires low-level migraines when doing anything more than skimming emails and tweets. I save that pain for reading manuscripts and edits, so sadly, Nightfall wasn’t being read more than a page at a time.
This was around the same time that I was discovering the wonderful world of M/M romance. I had been buying paperbacks of Price’s PsyCop series and Mykles' Heaven Sent boys, but some of the great M/M stories out there weren’t in paperback or, as you probably know, they were priced noticeably higher than the mass market books and releasing well after the e-book versions. So, after I managed to win a couple of more e-books, I started to cave. (No, please don’t ask why I was entering contests for e-books in the first place. I don’t have a good answer. The book sounded good, after that, I just couldn’t say.)
Long story short, I studied the Kindle, and other readers, for months – MONTHS – before finally breaking down and buying one. My first download was a book part way through a paranormal series by the lovely Ally Blue. From there, I fell in love. Oh, I already adored Ally’s characters. I meant I fell in love with my Kindle, and I never looked back. There are still paperbacks sitting on the shelf unread because I can tuck the Kindle in my messenger bag and read M/M at work discreetly. (Plus it has a copy of Alice in Wonderland, so when people ask to see it, I can switch from a hot and heavy threeway to something more office friendly for a demonstration.)
I’ll get to those paperbacks eventually, and I’ll still buy horror paperbacks to grip the pages white-knuckeld (until I decide I’m wrong about that too). I must say, however, I’m glad I was wrong, because it tickles me pink to put my very own books on my Kindle. I can stare at them and convince myself it’s not just a dream without looking like a narcissistic maniac to passersby. I’m crazy, after all, just not that kind of crazy.
Have a great April, dear Readers!
Ciao,
Pia Veleno
http://piaveleno.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Romantic Times
So next week is the infamous Romantic Times Convention out here in sunny So.Cal.
We do need to have a talk with the RT folks on why they put it in Downtown LA. I mean, seriously, its a wasteland and a ghosttown after 7pm. It is by no means a "vibrant city center" like many other downtown districts are. You go in, you go to work, you leave...maybe you go to the Disney Concert Hall or Dorthy Chandler for Opera, and you eat before you go into downtown and you go back to near where you live for after performance cocktails. On weekends you might go to Olivera Street or Korea Town for some shopping or Santee Alley if you need knock off Rolexes and a pet turtle for the kids while you pick up a boys Quinceniara tux for $50.00. There is a "mall" downtown...it closes at 7pm.
But if you're there, I'll be around. You can find me probably hanging at the bar or scoping some panels. On Friday I'll be doing the "Fight Club" panel at 10am and the "Champagne Promo on a Beer Budget" panel at 2:45.
Come by, say hi.
We do need to have a talk with the RT folks on why they put it in Downtown LA. I mean, seriously, its a wasteland and a ghosttown after 7pm. It is by no means a "vibrant city center" like many other downtown districts are. You go in, you go to work, you leave...maybe you go to the Disney Concert Hall or Dorthy Chandler for Opera, and you eat before you go into downtown and you go back to near where you live for after performance cocktails. On weekends you might go to Olivera Street or Korea Town for some shopping or Santee Alley if you need knock off Rolexes and a pet turtle for the kids while you pick up a boys Quinceniara tux for $50.00. There is a "mall" downtown...it closes at 7pm.
But if you're there, I'll be around. You can find me probably hanging at the bar or scoping some panels. On Friday I'll be doing the "Fight Club" panel at 10am and the "Champagne Promo on a Beer Budget" panel at 2:45.
Come by, say hi.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Ahem.
Hey!
We used to have this cute song at summer camp that we sang before announcements, but it's the kind of thing that's mostly only cute at summer camp and even if I was tech savvy enough to imbed a recording of me singing it, my voice would make you all flee before I could get to the announcements.
First of all, for anyone in the capital area of Albany, NY I'm going to be at the NY Library Association's Book Festival at the Empire State Plaza in Albany this Saturday (April 2). This link takes you to the website and a little map. It's open to the public and free to attend, and there will be lots of stuff there for book lovers. I recommend parking in the underground garage (it's worth the $5) Leave yourself some extra time, because although it's easy to get to, the Plaza was designed in the age when we wanted everything to look so symmetrical it's disorienting once you're out of the car. Did we pass that modern art painting before?
In addition to the total coolness of seeing me—and many more famous authors—there are panels on many topics. I'm involved in one called "Writing Under the Covers" which is scheduled at 12:45 so feel free to show up and ask me embarrassing or interesting questions.
And for the very shiny news: My June release has a gorgeous cover.
That's Kellan in front and Nate in back. Best of all, after you fall in love with them in Bad Company you'll get to hang out with them—and their friend Eli in Bad Boyfriend which will release in December. I love these books and can't wait to share them with everyone. They've been a lot of fun to write. Okay, I'm back to torturing Quinn so Eli can make it up to him. Hope to see you Saturday.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
It's almost here!
Release day, that is! This Saturday, 2 April, my next novella will be coming out from Torquere, Compass Hearts.
How do you define yourself when others have always done it for you? Half a world from home, Matthew must find the answer before his loses the one man who may truly love him.
As the fourth son of merchant parents, Matthew Morgan has always been superfluous. The only guidance he ever received was to behave himself and stay out of the way. Now, at a new university half a world away from home, he must discover who he is and what he wants. The only trouble is, he's never made a decision in his life.
When Ash Thearon meets Matthew -- the handsome fellow student he's been ogling all quarter -- he finds him sweet, sexy, and more than a little puzzling. To solve that puzzle, he must first collect all the pieces -- something more easily said than done.
The new friends quickly become lovers, but Matthew's sheltered life has taught him only how to follow another's lead. Ash wants more than that; he wants the give and take of an equal. Matthew's tendency to try too hard to please others leaves Ash wondering how to teach him independence without losing him.
And I must give a shout out to Alessia Brio for the gorgeous cover art!
How do you define yourself when others have always done it for you? Half a world from home, Matthew must find the answer before his loses the one man who may truly love him.
As the fourth son of merchant parents, Matthew Morgan has always been superfluous. The only guidance he ever received was to behave himself and stay out of the way. Now, at a new university half a world away from home, he must discover who he is and what he wants. The only trouble is, he's never made a decision in his life.When Ash Thearon meets Matthew -- the handsome fellow student he's been ogling all quarter -- he finds him sweet, sexy, and more than a little puzzling. To solve that puzzle, he must first collect all the pieces -- something more easily said than done.
The new friends quickly become lovers, but Matthew's sheltered life has taught him only how to follow another's lead. Ash wants more than that; he wants the give and take of an equal. Matthew's tendency to try too hard to please others leaves Ash wondering how to teach him independence without losing him.
And I must give a shout out to Alessia Brio for the gorgeous cover art!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
New book!
I've been telling people about this book forever, so I'm thrilled I can finally offer a to-buy link.
Happy World, my co-written novel with Kiernan Kelly, is now available! Here's the blurb from the site:
Kyle Forester likes rules and schedules, and he loves his janitorial job at Happy World. The gigantic theme park has strict regulations that Kyle knows are in place for a reason. After all, life just runs more smoothly when there are rules in effect, and Kyle is going to make sure his new trainee is fully aware of that. They’ll both get along fine, Kyle is sure. Anyone working at Happy World must be a good employee.
Rory Stafford doesn't like policies or regulations. Unfortunately, getting a job at the world's most popular theme park comes with a handbook full of both those things. Rory is pretty sure his new job at Happy World isn't going to work out, especially after he meets his trainer, Kyle Forester. Kyle is definitely a rule-follower and makes no secret of his contempt for Rory's rule-breaking. However, after just a few shifts together, Kyle and Rory discover that they can’t keep their hands off each other. The two of them find themselves on a wild roller coaster ride of heat, emotion, and not-so-hidden lust as Kyle and Rory try to find common ground in the giant hamster ball known as Happy World.
If you've ever - and I mean EVER - been to a theme park, you'll like this one. Kiernan and I had so much fun working on it together. There are rides, junk food, crowds, games... and oh yes, a little bit of hot lovin'. Step right this way, all for the bargain price of $5.99 ebook or $13.95 print!
If you've bought the book already, I'm going to be running a contest very soon on my website that has some easy questions about the book. Stay tuned for that, and go check out Happy World.... it's the horniest place on earth.
Happy World, my co-written novel with Kiernan Kelly, is now available! Here's the blurb from the site:
Kyle Forester likes rules and schedules, and he loves his janitorial job at Happy World. The gigantic theme park has strict regulations that Kyle knows are in place for a reason. After all, life just runs more smoothly when there are rules in effect, and Kyle is going to make sure his new trainee is fully aware of that. They’ll both get along fine, Kyle is sure. Anyone working at Happy World must be a good employee.
Rory Stafford doesn't like policies or regulations. Unfortunately, getting a job at the world's most popular theme park comes with a handbook full of both those things. Rory is pretty sure his new job at Happy World isn't going to work out, especially after he meets his trainer, Kyle Forester. Kyle is definitely a rule-follower and makes no secret of his contempt for Rory's rule-breaking. However, after just a few shifts together, Kyle and Rory discover that they can’t keep their hands off each other. The two of them find themselves on a wild roller coaster ride of heat, emotion, and not-so-hidden lust as Kyle and Rory try to find common ground in the giant hamster ball known as Happy World.
If you've ever - and I mean EVER - been to a theme park, you'll like this one. Kiernan and I had so much fun working on it together. There are rides, junk food, crowds, games... and oh yes, a little bit of hot lovin'. Step right this way, all for the bargain price of $5.99 ebook or $13.95 print!
If you've bought the book already, I'm going to be running a contest very soon on my website that has some easy questions about the book. Stay tuned for that, and go check out Happy World.... it's the horniest place on earth.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Get a Good Read
Who wants a free book? If you head over to Goodreads now, you can enter to win my giveaway, a signed copy of M-Squared, my first M/M collection in print! M-Squared features some of my later M/M stories: Long Awaited Friend, Dare and Dare Alike, By the Chimney With Dare, and others. It is also available from DLP Books and Kindle for only $2.99!Also, if you're in New York City today, come by the Rainbow Book Fair, the largest GLBT book event on the east coast! I'll be selling and signing with Augusta Li, Eon de Beaumont, and KT Grant. I enjoyed myself last time I went, hope to meet readers who love the manlove this time!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
RIP Liz Taylor
Liz Taylor has passed away at 79. If you have to ask why I'm posting about her here at an M/M blog, then you must not be aware of how she stood by Rock Hudson in his final days. Or was an ardent supporter of gay rights before it was the cool thing to do. Or devoted her later years to AIDS activism. RIP, Violet Eyes.
Ms. Taylor's memory can be honored in the form of a contribution or message at the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation: http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/
Ms. Taylor's memory can be honored in the form of a contribution or message at the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation: http://www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Any new gay movies out there?
I'm in the mood for some gay cinema, but I feel like I've seen all the good gay flicks out there. Can anyone rec a quality movie from the last two years or so? Non-tragic endings are preferred!
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