More on that another time, but in case anyone is wondering why Musa Publishing is called…well, ‘Musa’, there’s a good explanation here at BRITTANICA. It’s all to do with mythology, which I love, in this case Greek, and the muses. I’m pleased to say that at Musa ‘The Story Comes First’, which deserves special emphasis. If this works out, and I’ve every hope that it will, I very much see it as a market where I can concentrate on story and incorporate sex only if the plot calls for it. I admit Acting Out calls for it, but it’s nice to come across a market where the story is all important. Anyone who knows my work knows no matter the genre I always try to incorporate a story. Needless to say, I couldn’t be more delighted.

In other news I’m working on the draft of my story for Space 1889. This is the first time I’ve contracted for a story prior to writing it, and it has to take priority. My priorities are quite easy to list for the start of the year:

1. Write for Space 1889
2. Turn in any edits that come my way
3. Come up with a new story for Changeling
4. Finish Calm and Chaos 2

That’s more than enough to be going on with. Pity all my other plans and ideas won’t listen to reason and persist in biting at my ankles.

I also simply must draw attention to an absolutely brilliant rant on the often abused word ‘was’ and the mistaken disuse of so-called passive voice. Incidentally, the ‘rule’ on passive in the UK is not to overuse, but no one EVER tells a writer to eliminate it here precisely for these reasons: http://pcwrede.com/blog/misunderstanding-grammar/

I’m mostly quiet right now because I’m writing — I’ve been finishing one romance project, which I hope will have a companion book, and now I’m into my steampunk project with a vengeance, meaning I’m not only writing but doing much research including reading articles and books, and listening to some audio files. On the home front I’m also tidying and trying to have a bit of a ruthless sort out, which has resulted in one nasty papercut from quite a thick piece of card. Hardly the injury of the year to write home about but a cut on the end of an index finger does make typing rather less fun than usual. That’s not to say I mind the typing part of writing, but there comes a moment when one wishes it were possible to project thoughts to the page. Even more so when each tap of R, T, F, G, V and B makes one go, “Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!,” and eventually, “@&%*$&@.”

Edited to add: I’m still working on the website. Some of the individual pages still need updating, checking for punctuation etc and that will be ongoing. Right now I’m not sure I’m entirely happy with this theme (the one with the coffee cup and iPhone across the top). While I like the look of it, the drop down bar seems a little messy an erratic for my subpages. It may well change again…soon.

Of course, these days these two definitions are too limiting. There’s P***; there’s Erotica; there’s also Erotic Romance and simply Romance. Even some works listed in the most innocent category of this genre: romance, aren’t what they used to be. Gone are the days when romance publishers stop at a closed bedroom door. Those that do tend to have labels such as ‘sweet’ romance, possibly aimed at the faint of heart.

The simplest definition that most will give out is that Erotica, Erotic Romance and Romance has a story — that ‘other stuff’ does not. Others will argue that a sex scene is there to titillate and therefore arrive at the same conclusion, and that there is no difference at all. My definition is simply whether the sex in a story serves a purpose. Something has to be happening ‘to’ the characters during the sex that the reader needs to be privilege to, even if it is something as simple as an emotional letting go that fuels the plot in some way.

During the AMP debacle something occurred to which at the time I made no reference. A newspaper in the publisher’s hometown labelled the authors as ‘local p*** writers’. Not only were the writers NOT local, but international, it also came as something of a shock to those who had written sci-fi or thrillers, some containing no sex scenes or reference to sex at all. Yep, folks — AMP published much more than erotic romance, but naturally those were the titles the newspaper jumped on with delight. When defending their controversial headline, which they said the reporter in question ‘did not’ write, among the titles they threw up as evidence was my ‘Virgin Special’.

While said ‘news’ paper admitted not having read these titles cover to cover, their argument was that such titles were “designed to appeal to readers looking for graphic and prolific sexual content.” They then suggested their report could have been more complete had ‘sources’ agreed to comment and not been hesitant for fear of reprisal from the publisher.

Another error on their part: the reason the writers did not wish to comment was to protect the family of said publisher in the local area where they live, and precisely because this is what happens when one talks to some members of the media. One only has to look at what is happening in the British news and the current investigation into behaviour of certain newspapers to see perfect examples of sleazy reporting at its best.

The true irony was that the headline put in place by this Colorado newspaper was designed to do exactly what they were accusing the writers of doing with the titles of their books — catch readers attention. Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but isn’t that what any title is intended to do? There are examples of sexy sounding books in mainstream publishing that are far removed from the subject, and I don’t see anyone accusing those authors of being something they’re not.

As for my book, does it contain sex? Yes, for which I make no apologies. But sex does not equal ‘P***’ and I’m tired of those ignorant enough to think that it does. The book also deals with grief — maybe not to the extent I could have taken it, but as it’s now open to a rewrite maybe I can fledge it out beyond the restrictions for the series I was writing it for. The title — and idea — came from the name of a cocktail. It was part of a series where all the titles were based on the names of cocktails.

My ‘virgin’ is a man who never got to sleep with his beloved because they had decided to wait, and she died before they married. His attempt to commit suicide is thwarted by some rather supernatural means where he encounters a couple who happen to be vampires, who have also lost someone they loved. The question of the book is whether they can heal together or face death together — two walking into the sun, one into the sea. Readers always contacted me to say how they ached for their grief. Reviewers stated how they would have been happy with either outcome. A romance that ends in death? To have even one reader say they would be happy with that is some feat. To my knowledge not one reader or reviewer said anything about how ‘titillated’ they were. They wrote to me mentioning how I had affected their emotions.

This is part of one of the reviews:

…and so begins the psychological drama that is … Virgin Special. Hannah and Seth take over James’ care and try to tempt him back to the land of the living. Some readers might be non-plussed by the manner in which they do so, but Hannah and Seth are vampires fighting for the will to survive and James is their only hope. How do you convince someone who’s lost the very meaning of his life to live again? Through thoughtful conversations, simple board games and shared pain, Hannah and Seth attempt to do just that, but James doesn’t make it easy for them. He resists their overtures at every turn and is determined to hold on to his grief at any cost. Bidwell deserves kudos for elevating an erotic, menage vampire tale to such a cerebral level that I wasn’t sure how the story would end. The characterizations are particularly strong in Virgin Special. Bidwell gives the reader a lot of background on each person, with plenty of vivid flashbacks so that their motivations are crystal clear. This is a good thing because the heart-stopping ending pays off handsomely. I would have been okay with either outcome.

Sounds terribly ‘p***like’ doesn’t it! Things are not always what they seem. Even many of the romance writers who edge into or write outright BDSM are truly writing about psychology. Read a BDSM book where the writer hasn’t got the psychology of the relationship right and it doesn’t matter how good the sex is, the book will feel ‘off’ even if one can’t quite figure out why.

Once I stopped laughing, I realised the true paradox — two companion m/m romances I’m working on feature an unscrupulous reporter. Making readers sympathetic to him is precisely why this particularly book is somewhat difficult. Now I truly understand why I’m struggling.

Really pleased to say that Elaine was the recipient of my Nights in Pink Satin. Happy Reading!

And in another way, it isn’t over. I have decisions to make and new homes to find for those said works, which in some cases may not be easy. Even if they are snapped up, it means re-editing and some thought on my part. In an industry that can prove to be devastating in all sorts of ways, that’s the least of my worries — a week ago today the arrival of that letter was nothing more than a dream. I’m hoping the owner of AMP fulfils many more wishes before the end of the year.

Maybe a little seasonal magic was involved granting me an early Christmas present. Who knows when the fae are around? Another nice surprise was coming home to the cover for my next work at Changeling Press. Due out on November 25th. Many thanks to Renee for my cover:

30% Off All Thanksgiving Titles (http://bit.ly/tFb2V2)
The Killer Wore Cranberry edited by J. Alan Hartman
How to Sweeten a Mother-in-Law by Stephanie Beck
Who Snuffed the Turkey? by Lance Zarimba
Turkey Cull by Laird Long
Biscuits, Carats, and Gravy by Barb Goffman
A Mobster’s Guide to Cranberry Sauce by Beth Mathison
Ambrosia by Jack Bates
Death by Jello by S. Furlong-Bolliger
Last Licks by Kathleen Gerard
Murder With All the Trimmings by Leslie A. Diehl
Pumpkin Lie by Lorraine Sears
The Secret Ingredient by Bryl R. Tyne
The Thanksgiving Cookoff War by Earl Staggs

Celebrating Veteran’s Day
30% off The O’Quinn Fights: Basement Brawl by Robert Evans
30% off The O’Quinn Fights: Foul Fight With a Pit Viper by Robert Evans
30% off A Daughter’s Love by Lorraine Sears

National American Education Week (November 13-19)
30% off Mastering the Thesis Statement by Steve Sharp
30% off Shakespeare by Another Name by Mark Anderson

National Game and Puzzle Week (November 20-26)
30% off all Mystery novels, novellas and short stories

Black Friday (November 25th)
Buy any short story, get any other short story at 50% off. Both titles must be added to the cart to get the special.
Buy any novella, get any other novella at 50% off. Both titles must be added to the cart to get the special.
Buy any novel/anthology/collection, get any other novel at 50% off. Both titles must be added to the cart to get the special.