Sunday, October 30, 2011

Yaoi Con Coverage!

The Paperback is now  on Amazon.com HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE
Kindle Ebook Available HERE
Keep checking in for the PRINT VERSION this week! 
Check out full chapter excerpts under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!





The almost complete saga of my first trip to Yaoi Con is up on my personal blog. I contains photos and, hopefully, some insights to the convention. Check it out HERE.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Why Can't No Mean No Panel at Yaoicon

The Paperback is now  on Amazon.com HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE
Kindle Ebook Available HERE
Keep checking in for the PRINT VERSION this week! 
Check out full chapter excerpts under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!
Without further ado, here are the links to the articles I referenced in the panel for those who were there. I'll explain them to the readers who weren't below the links in the blog:


My apologies for the delay. This was my first convention in a number of years. It's taken me a while to get settled and catch up on my life. I'm slower than I once was.

For those who weren't at Yaoicon last weekend, I shall now tell the saga of the panel, Why Can't No Mean No?

I hadn't planned on running a panel. This was my very first ever Yaoicon. I was hoping to meet some favorite authors (and to my absolute delight, I did, but that's for the next blog) and hopefully, do some networking for Ensnared and my other titles. Conventions that have as many years in operation as Yaoicon does have groups that know each other well. The last thing I wanted to do on a first visit is to alienate people I want to make friends with by flouncing in with a controversial take on a very sensitive topic. But I literally asked for it.

The three instigating events began with me having insomnia which I often have of late. I was trolling through the various yaoi forums and ended up in a spirited discussion (or actually, a fight) with a webcomic critic whom I thought said some terribly unfair things about a comic I like a great deal. The critic said that Starfighter Webcomic was nothing but a story about a psychopath who is constantly raping his co-pilot. The critic cited a page where the pair kiss for the first time and called that rape. I am not a fan of non-consensual couplings in fiction, and I consider myself very sensitive to an imbalance of power between characters and the least bit of coercion involved in the seduction. I not only didn't see this in Starfighter, I found it to be a very sophisticated depiction of power exchange. There are reams of subtext beneath each page of story. The relationship is unfolding with an incredible subtlety. I changed no minds in that argument, but it bothered me. The critic maintained that all the yaoi she ran into was somehow about rape.

That same week, or at least it seemed that was the case, a fellow publisher posted a link on her Facebook from the website TV Tropes which covers all things pop culture related. She was excited that the columnist knew what yaoi was. I was impressed with that, but not so happy that the writer said that all yaoi published in the US had rape as a theme. Now, all their readers thought the same thing.

On the heels of that nocturnal battle, I was searching for a new cover artist for my books. I needed to have the covers more closely match the artwork we were using in a live action version of one of the books. I had a new title coming out, and decided to have one artist do them all. The artist I wanted had a stipulation that I had to meet before she agreed to take the job. I had to give her synopses of the work to show that I had no non-consensual relationships in the books. She had very compelling reasons that I very much respected. Fortunately, I do no write that short of pairing at all. We made the deal. But that exchange made me curious about how yaoi was seen amongst my gay friends who run pop culture web sites. I had long wondered about why my yaoi titles got a very cool reception in some gay media and with gay booksellers. My friends told me that yaoi had a reputation for portraying one half of the couple as predatory. That was not an image they wanted promoted, especially coming from primarily straight writers.

All of this happened just as there was a call for panel ideas. I wrote the panel admin to ask if there had ever been such a panel on this topic. I was thinking that there had been or they'd think it was a good idea for a more experienced attendee to run. The next thing I knew, it was suggested that I submit that idea and run it myself. On the one had, I thought this would be great. I could meet people I really wanted to meet and have a thoughtful discussion on a topic that could be important to marketing my book. On the other had, I was freaking out at how badly it could go – if anyone showed up at all.

I was in a unique position to run such a panel. I could certainly appreciate the seductive allure of a beautiful, sensual man submitting to the desires of a very powerful man. I am actually a lifestyle Dominatrix and I have an extensive catalog of fiction based on Dominance and submission. Ensnared is about a complex D/s relationship that includes the submissive accepting ownership from the Dominant. What I do not condone is writing a character that is forced into accepting that submission in any way. Like my leading man, Lord Darius Galatea, it is more pleasing to find a way of seducing the beautiful being into surrendering in every way to his desires.

Despite my own stance, I did not want to bash anyone's tastes or writing styles. I also wanted it clear that I was in no way talking about fan writing forums where the point is pushing the boundaries to explore their writing and sexuality. My question was more about how yaoi is perceived to the rest of pop culture and to venues that I'd like to be able to market my fiction. I was petrified at offending anyone, yet I really wanted to explore this topic.

To my relief and utter delight, the audience was very open to what I had to say, and highly articulate about their points of view. I may not have agreed with many of the positions stated during that time, but I came away with a much better grasp of why writers and readers are drawn to non-consensual pairings. I think they understood my views as well though I don't think I swayed many to my side. I also figured out how to better handle my marketing during the course of that hour. It seems that I should take a page from the fan forums and label my work as D/s but consensual in my press releases for reviews and advertising. Best of all, I felt very welcome in this community. They were very kind to this newbie. I can't wait to get to know them better.


Ensnared is Now in Paperback!

 Now in print on Amazon.com HERE
Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE

 Kindle Ebook Available HERE
Keep checking in for the PRINT VERSION this week! 
Check out full chapter excerpts under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page! 
 
Thank you, patient readers for bearing with the delays. Ensnared Volume 1 is now available in print at Amazon.com. Volume two will be available in all formats in just a few weeks!

Post Yaoicon Prieview Update

Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE
 Kindle Ebook Available HERE
Keep checking in for the PRINT VERSION this week! 
Check out full chapter excerpts under Hot Links in the Menu on the right side of this page!

We had a very successful first Yaoicon! I will have the full blog on the panel Why Can't No Mean No along will all of the links we mentioned in the next few days. Thank you for your patience.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Yaoicon 2011

If you are attending Yaoicon 2011, I have a panel on Saturday entitled Why Can't No Mean No? Hopefully, it will be a spirited yet fun discussion on the public perception that most of Yaoi is about non-consensual relationships. Is it as prevalent as it seems to some? Is there a problem with loving a story that begins with a non-consensual act? Here's the schedule of events. Come by and join in!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

In Praise of Arrogant Men

Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE
 Kindle Ebook Available HERE


Darius Galatea, the Cosi Lord and planetary ruler isn't the first arrogant uber seme. I've written. However, he proved to be the most challenging I've ever created. The first thing a reader must do for Darius to work as a character is clearly see why anyone would fall hopelessly in love with him. The reason must be about more than incredible good looks. There has to be a profoundly compelling reason for someone to put his body, mind and will under the complete control of someone else. The reader really needs to understand this in general, but when the submissive is a powerful person in his own right, the reason for submission must be very clear and compelling.
That last word is the key to making a really arrogant character convincing as a romantic lead. Some writers theorize that a character must be sympathetic or empathetic to successful. I disagree. A reader must be able to put themselves into the shoes of a character or relate to their point of view to sympathize or empathize with a character. That isn't necessary for a reader to find a character compelling. I don't need to know the motivation or worldview of a life long mobster to find Michael Corleone fascinating to watch. The character can behave like a saint or like the devil incarnate as long as the reader can't help but want to watch him. I had to find a way to hook the reader on wanting to follow Darius. While he is being arrogant in a charming and fascinating fashion, there is time to reveal all the aspects of his personality. The reader gets to see more and more of what is behind his enigmatic mask as Andreas does. Hopefully, the reader will not only understand why Andreas couldn't help but fall for him, they will fall for him as well.

This was far easier to pull off in ASoldier's Choice with Colonel Rik Heron. That book begins with my arrogant uber seme badly injured physically and emotionally. The reader meets him at a point when all of his defenses have been stripped away. The only thing that gives Rik an edge over Major Vincent Greven, his former subordinate, is sexual experience. The reader doesn't get to meet the hard shelled, arrogant Colonel of legend until the story is well underway. In Rik's case, the compelling factor is the fragility that lurks behind the arrogant mask. Darius is in no way fragile. The only weakness he has is to his rule and that stems from his relationship with Andreas.

But how does Andreas first see behind this mask? Darius Galatea is known worldwide for his arrogance, his brutality and his temper. He has the face of an angel and the body of a god along that vicious reputation. But what initially attracts Andreas is seeing Darius deeply enjoying the food at a restaurant that is far more humble than anything he'd normally encounter. The sensual abandon apparent in the way Darius consumes that food causes Andreas to really watch the Lord. For a true hedonist like Darius (though I think Darius qualifies as a sybarite), food can be as powerfully pleasurable as good sex. Andreas can see that pleasure clearly on Darius' face as he eats. He begins to wonder what it would be like to have that sensual focus aimed at him. And then when the great Lord Galatea is not only willing to go to the bar to fetch a refill of his wine, he is also playful about it, Andreas cannot squelch his curiosity. He approaches Darius. Their intense chemistry takes over from there.

Darius remains arrogant throughout the story. Andreas is dismayed and amused by the fact that Darius has arrogant handwriting. It is my plan that through the long arc of the relationship, the many facets of his personality will be revealed. He inspires fierce loyalty in most of his close circle. Andreas actually grows to feel very protective of this very powerful man. But the background of that relationship dynamic is for the next time.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Ensnared is Live!

 Ebooks for all types of players available on Smashwords HERE
 Kindle Ebook Available HERE

Overview -- No Spoilers

In this world, everyone is a captive. Each being has a role to play as part of a caste they were born to. This is the way things have been since the civilization that is rose from the ashes of the cataclysm. The most powerful and privileged are the Cosimo or Cosi, an word from The Time That Was that means 'Those Who Keep Order.' In every generation, one among the Cosi is chosen and bred to lead them all, making him the most powerful being in the world or off. In this generation, Darius Galatea is the leader of the Cosi. He is extraordinarily tall and very well built. Like all Cosi, Darius has beautiful features and nearly waist length hair. Darius appears as many believe and angel may look, but he is not a gentle and benign being. He is brilliant and arrogant. Though he has a great deal of patience, he is better known for his vicious temper. When he came to power less than a decade before, Darius and his Second, the platinum haired, violet eyed Mykos Estevan, laid a path of devastation that shocked the world and beyond. Though that reputation haunts the pair, they are actual far more civilized hedonists. When they aren't brutally exercising their power, they are always on the hunt for the most exquisite sensations and the most beautiful objects.

Andreas Hesper is a leader as well, but he comes from the lowest caste in that civilization. He was raised first in a foundling home and then in a charity school in the city of Eris, one of the poorest and most dangerous cities on the planet. He is unusually tall for a commoner. And he has an usual feature that sets him apart beyond his height and striking good looks. He has an amazing pair of green-gold eyes where most from Eris are dark eyed. Andreas is very smart along with being good looking. He is also charismatic. He used his assets along with a keenly intuitive nature to elevate his gang, Zed Crew, to a point where they can leave Eris and find their fortunes in Kacia. This city is where higher born commoners and those with enough money to escape Eris go to serve the needs and whims of the city of Amara where the Elite class or Calix dwell. Kacia is safer than Eris by and large and it is possible to have a very comfortable life working there. Andreas and Zed Crew use their resources to help one of their own open Club Zero, a bar/restaurant/night club that attracts Calix and Commoners alike. Through the contacts from the club, Zed Crew had found lucrative work that drew the attention of the Cosi themselves.

One fateful night, Darius and Mykos happened into Club Zero seeking it's excellent food and music. Though Zed Crew had been doing jobs for the Cosi for some time, Darius had never met Andreas. When those two men meet, social order is upended. Darius is powerfully attracted to the Crew leader as much as he is attracted to the Cosi. An affair between the two men would be highly unusual and potentially problematic. What Darius desires could threaten even his status as a Cosi Leader. There is a class of Commoner that are trained as pleasure slaves. They are Damians or tamed ones also known as Damis. A Dami sells himself into such bondage for a certain length of time so that they will earn a very comfortable retirement. The reality is that their lives are sort and often filled with pain and fear and humiliation. Darius does not want to treat Andreas that way, but he does want to own him for a time as one would a Dami. Such a notion raises questions about his judgment. Damis are privy to the most confidential parts of their Owners lives. A crew leader like Andreas could become dangerous that close to Darius.

A series of events unfold to throw the two men together. Powerful forces have conspired to end Andreas Hesper's life. The contract also puts Cosi interests at risk drawing Darius and Mykos into the mix. While they hunt those who hunt Andreas, the Crew Leader must turn to Darius to provide protection. The price for safety is simple – Andreas will become a Dami to Darius for a year. The need is too great and the attraction is too powerful for Andreas to refuse. That decision sets in motion a series of events that upend the caste system, endanger Commoner and Cosi alike and may spark the next cataclysm to destroy their civilization.