Writing: Q&A with the Spice editor

One of my writing/critique partners, Grace d'Otare, recently published a short erotica story for Spice Briefs through eHarlequin.com.

Right now on the Harlequin forums, there's a Q&A discussion going on with the Spice editor, Susan Pezzack Swinwood, about what they're looking for in Spice and how the process works. (As way of background: Spice is the full-length printed novel format, and Spice Briefs are the short-story electronic download format.)

As I'm slowly (I emphasize *slowly*) working on my own submission for Spice Briefs, I find the discussion wonderfully informative, especially the information about the editing process and audible versions. Check it out here. Oh, and beware of the clown jokes -- I mean, who wouldn't want to buy a collection of clown erotica? (And if you do, talk to author Megan Hart. It's her idea.)

On a similar vein, there's also a forum discussion going on amongst the Spice writers with a lot more good information about writing, especially in a short format. Check out To be Brief...

The Call: Memories of Acceptance

I wish this post were about me getting "The Call", but it's not.

This is about a series of posts on the Spice Briefs MySpace page about the different Spice authors remembering when they got their call of acceptance from Spice.

My favorite story is the one posted by Grace d'Otare, because I'm mentioned in it. :)

It all started about a year ago. Some girlfriends and I were up late, drinking wine, and playing a game I like to think of as 'Writer's Grown-up Barbies.'

We imagined a mysterious castle with towers, window seats, a glass conservatory, a creepy dungeon and plenty of secret stairways. Then we filled it with fantasy couples, all telling each other stories-- sexy stories -- around a massive stone fireplace. There's a wicked storm outside. The lights go out....What would they say in front of each other? What would they hold back? What would happen when each couple got back to their room?

In case you're wondering, even though Grace had her novella published, the other girlfriends mentioned are still plugging away at their projects. Unfortunately for me, the plugging process is going rather slowly.

The Queen's Tale

My dear friend and critique partner just had her debut erotic short story published today. The Queen's Tale by Grace d'Otare is available for electronic download from Harlequin Spice Briefs.

I have a vested interest in seeing this short story sell well. Please buy it. :-)

Grace d'Otare.com

I've been helping an author-friend build a website and MySpace page to promote her upcoming release, The Queen's Tale. It's been a great experience for me as I'm learning to use different web publishing tools. I'd love to know what you think.

So, check out Grace's website. Go to her MySpace page and become her friend if you want.

Most importantly, buy her story when it comes out in February. It's a short story sold electronically for only a few dollars. Oh, and be warned, it's erotica.

:)