Aonia News May 2011

Before May leaks into June, I thought I’d better post an update.

This month saw both the release of ‘All Washed Up’ and ‘Hounding the Beat’ at Changeling Press. The first is m/m and the second, m/m/f for their Protect and Serve series created by the wonderful Lena Austin, so I’ll talk about that first.

I was a little worried writing for a series created by someone else. You kind of feel you not only have to maintain the level of excellence but maybe ‘up your game’ a little. I’m very pleased to say that not only did Lena love the concept, and then the characters and story, the book just got its first review where the reviewer called it a story that will “give you grins and a few laughs along the way. Add this one to your summer reading fun list.” Which is kind of what I was aiming for so I seem to have achieved the right tone. You can read the full review here: http://www.theromancestudio.com/

As a result I’ve received re: other series. All good, although at present I’ve had to bow out as simply have no time. Still, they’ve added me to some loops with new series concepts, and it’s not impossible later in the year.

The cover for All Washed Up got blocked by photobucket. After the initial irritation, I thought, “My first ban; cool!” LOL. Honestly, you see more ‘nudity’ in an advert or on the beach, and it’s poser art for cripes sakes, but no better publicity than bad publicity as they say. Hounding the Beat also ‘posed’ some cover problems. The series have photo covers and could a ‘sexy British Policeman’ be found anywhere? You bet it couldn’t. I did find a very interesting article as to how our Police have been told they may not wear sexy undies — no thongs, no colours, no panty-line may show — but that didn’t help me much. In the end, even the artists had to admit defeat and produce a composite (something Changeling don’t normally do for photo covers). I have to offer the artist a big thank you, not only for doing more than usual, but for producing such a great cover. Seriously, you would not be able to tell that the helmet wasn’t originally on that guy’s head. And if that came out sounding like innuendo, it wasn’t my intention, honest.

Both books can be found at my author page at Changeling: http://www.changelingpress.com/

I’m waiting to hear on my short story at Untreed Reads, but they did hope to have it out before I go away in June. Don’t hold me to that. I’m waiting anxiously on this one. Nervous and excited about it going out. It’s exactly what the editor wanted but that doesn’t mean it won’t flop. It’s the type of short story I love to write. Just the fact that the editor adored it is almost enough, but if it does okay this could be a market for some of my other short, dark and twisted tales.

So that’s it for May. Hope to send you some June news soon, before we go off on a very special celebratory holiday.
Happy Reading!
Love Sharon x