Christine d'Abo's Blog

*throws confetti* Happy Friday you wonderful people! What a crazy few weeks it’s been. But an end is finally in sight for me. I’m finalizing my latest WIP, I’m about to hear on a submission, and I got a new cover!

Book four in my Long Shots series, Calling the Shots, is scheduled to come out on October 8th, 2012 and I know I’m as excited as a lot of you are for it. Josh’s story came from a lot of coffee, sweat and even some tears, but I’m thrilled with the end result. Once again I’ve also been blessed by the Carina Press cover gods with this amazing cover!

 

*does a snoopy dance*

 

Josh, Beth and Oliver are exactly how I’d pictured them! I’ve also learned that the Long Shots stories will also be going to audio book. I’ll give you more information on release dates when I have it.

Happy Friday everyone!

Hello my darlings. I’m sorry for my absence on the blog recently. Due to a number of deadlines (both given and self imposed), I have been working like a mofo for the past few weeks. Hell, I’ve barely been on Twitter, which is like my own personal crack.

So Stuff has been going on. Good Stuff, but things that I’ve needed to address. I was at RT last month and it was AMAZING! I had so much fun and got to meet a lot of my online peeps in person for the first time, I think I was still buzzing from the experience for at least a week.

I also ended up pitching to a few agents and editors while I was there. This is something I haven’t done in a while and the experience was good for me. And terrifying. I pitched a book that wasn’t finished. Now yes, I know. I did in fact tell said editors and agents that it wasn’t done. It didn’t seem to matter because they all wanted to see the story when it was completed.

PANIC!!

Thing 1 I have learned – don’t pitch something if you’re not ready (mentally or otherwise) to make Shit Happen.

So I’ve been working like a dog to get the first draft done. Three weeks and 34k later, I’m nearly finished. I’m hoping to get into the final few chapters today in fact (reality check: don’t start gardening until I’ve done my words today – you’ll stay out there for HOURS). I’m really excited about this book. It’s the biggest plot I’ve done in the way of complexity. I like to think the scenario is unique and (with luck) at least one of the editors/agents will agree.

On top of that I’ve had final edits for Josh’s story (Calling the Shots – it’s scheduled for October peeps!), three shorts for anthologies I’ve been asked to be a part of, and trying to do promo for my little book Dom For Sale (Buy it – I’ll love you for it – and yes, there will be a follow-up story. I’m working on it next). It’s been a bit overwhelming keeping everything straight.

Thing 2 I have learned – Your calendar is your friend.

I’ve been scheduling everything in and it’s been helping me keep everything timed perfectly. I rarely miss a deadline, mostly because I’m a giant stress bag who freaks out at even the idea. But the unique concept of WRITING SHIT DOWN has really helped me.

Being as busy as I have been, I haven’t been watching TV. Well, except for Big Bang Theory. I don’t watch a lot of shows, but the ones I do I’m hugely devoted to. I’m behind on Supernatural, Spartacus, Game of Thrones…pretty much everything. I want to weep every time someone says, “Hey, did you see–”

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *flees the room*

People have begun talking. I know this because rooms grow quiet and people edge away from me when I enter them now.

Thing 3 I’ve learned – I’m turning into a giant freak.

So yes, I’m still alive and I’m working. With summer approaching, I’m hoping things will start to settle enough that I’ll be able to relax and enjoy the flowers. Maybe.

Off to write!

 

PS – Thing 4 I have learned – My husband will send typo corrections via IM when he reads my blog. Fixed those up, sweetie.

Woohoo it’s here! That’s right, Dom For Sale is now available from Ellora’s Cave. And to celebrate, I’m announcing the winner of my What Would You Do With a Dom, contest.

 

The competition was tough and many great ideas where presented. I know that any Dom lucky enough to get purchased by one of you would certainly have a great time. But as the Highlander said, there can be only one…

And the lucky winner of a $25 dollar gift certificate to Ellora’s Cave is…

Melissa (Goodreads poster)!

Congratulations Melissa. I’ll be in touch with you about your prize. And thank you to everyone to participated! I hope you’ll check out Dom For Sale to see exactly what Liz and Master Gareth get up to.

I honestly can't believe that the Romantic Times Booklover's Convention starts tomorrow. I've been talking about this with my peeps for months now, and in a blink I find myself frantically packing everything I need to go away.

This is only my second RT convention, but I have very fond memories of the first. With it being in Chicago this year, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend some time in the Windy City. Not only that, there will be a TON of fun to be had. If you are attending or are from the area and want to visit, I'll be at both the E-Book/Small Press book signing (Thursday) and the Giant Book Signing event (Saturday). I'm bringing Snoopy with me, so come say hi.

I'm also looking forward to the EC Hip-Hop Dance party tomorrow night. Not that I have a clue what to wear (probably be boring in a dress or something), but it's a chance to dance, which I love! This year I'll also be attending the Carina Press cocktail party and will be helping to run a bingo game. I love bingo!!

I'm going to do my best to take pictures and maybe a video or two. I always say I'm going to do that and then never seem to remember my camera. I should go pack that now…

While I'm gone, don't forget that I'm running a comment contest. State what you'd do with a Dom for the night and you will be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate from Ellora's Cave. And don't forget, Dom For Sale comes out next week!

I'll see you all when I get back. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter if you want to see the craziness I get up to real time.

With the release of Dom for Sale coming pretty damn fast, I thought I'd run myself a little contest.

You're standing at the base of a stage. There, standing on the middle is the most gorgeous man (or woman) you've ever seen. They're strong, confident and have that glint in their eye that tells you you'll be in for one wild night.

You bid. The competition is fierce and you don't know if you'll be able to pull it off. You battle through the lesser submissives and WIN! Holy shit you have a Dom for a night!

Now what do you do?

Post in the comments what you would have your Dom do for the evening. On April 18th (release day), I'll select one lucky winner.

What's up for grabs? How about a $25 gift card from Ellora's Cave?

Be creative. Be naughty. Tell me what you'd do if there was a Dom For Sale!

Woohoo!!! Yes, it's that time, ladies and gentlemen. We have a cover for Dom For Sale!

And it's it amazing! Than you to the incredibly talented Dar Albert for giving me such a fantastic cover.

*does a snoopy dance*

What do you all think?? As soon as I get the release date for the book, I'll let you all know.

Christine, how does one go about buying a Dom?

It's a valid question. I mean if I'm a sub looking to purchase a Dom for a night or even a weekend, there aren't many options out there for you. And I mean, they're Doms. It's not like they're just going to stand around waiting for someone to come buy them.

Here are some possibilities for those who are on the look out to add the perfect Dom to their collection.

Kijiji – Really, this is always my first stop when I'm making any purchase. Best to check out what's out there first to get a solid idea on pricing. Plus, sometimes you'll get a bargain price on gently used items.
Groupon – In recent years I've managed to find quite a few good deals through Groupon. Make sure you select the "safe and smutty" option so you are sent appropriate items.
 Home Shopping Network – A visual is worth a thousand words! There isn't a better way to see exactly what you're getting, and all from the comfort of your own living room! Drawback, the Whips and Chains show isn't on until midnight.
Home Parties – This one requires a bit more planning. Finding the right work friends to invite is key. You don't want to get a bunch of hangers-on who are only interested in downing your snacks and beverages and not the Doms! Bonus – the occasional Hostess Discount. Two Doms for the price of one!
Charity Auctions – Combining the in your face visuals of the Home Shopping channel, with the fun of a home party (minus the clean up), the charity auction is an adrenalin packed event guaranteed to help you find the Dom of your dreams. All for the low, low price of…well it depends on your competition.

If none of these options appeal to you, you can always check out Dom For Sale, coming soon from Ellora's Cave.

 

Happy Sunday everyone!

I've been working diligently away on Dom for Sale, getting it ready for publication over at EC. This one has flown through the editorial process quickly and I'm tying up all the loose ends today and tomorrow.

One of the things that I normally dread, writing the back cover blurb, came surprisingly easy this time. I think I had to do with the main character, Liz, and how I can clearly hear her voice in my head.

Scary!

Now I'm waiting on the cover and an official release date from EC. I suspect it will be coming out in April 2012, but I won't know for certain for a week or so. I'll keep you all posted!

For now, I thought I'd share the blurb with you all here today. I hope you enjoy!

 

Dom for Sale Blurb

I've always had a thing for dominant men. I mean, who doesn't, right? But it's not the sort of thing I can throw out there when I'm dating. Hey, I think I like you, mind spanking me before we have sex?

I'm not really sure I am a submissive, or simply infatuated with the idea of being with a man who's not afraid to be in charge. When my friend Connie pulled me aside and said, "Hey Liz, I have the perfect solution to your problem," I knew I was in trouble.

So that's why I'm here, standing in front of a stage at a charity auction, staring at Master Gareth and wondering if I can actually do this. Buy a Dom for the night. Actually give in to my desires and let a perfect stranger do what he wants to me?

Screw it. You only live once, right?

Hello everyone. I thought I'd pass this along for anyone who might be interested. It's a great way to get your name out there and to help a worthwhile cause.

Wild at Heart

Editor: Delilah Devlin

Publisher: Diamond State Romance Authors

Deadline: April 1, 2012

Wild at Heart is open to all authors.

Editor Delilah Devlin is looking for stories for a special project to benefit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

Last October, six Diamond State Romance Author chapter members spent a weekend falling in love with the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and its exotic inhabitants. The refuge is home to large cats and a variety of exotic animals that would otherwise have to be put down because they aren't suitable for placement in zoos or to be returned to the wild. The need for financial support was apparent. Our chapter decided to pool its resources and find a way to help.

What we propose is to produce a volume of short stories, all centred around animals in need of refuge. All proceeds from the sales of the book will go directly to the Turpentine Creek Refuge. We will edit the submissions, seek professional cover art and formatting, and assist the refuge by uploading the anthology to online bookstores like Amazon's Kindle store and Barnes & Noble's Nook store.  Additionally, we will help upload the book to CreateSpace so that printed volumes can be available for sale in brick-and-mortar bookstores throughout Arkansas and inside the refuge's shop.

This is a national call for submissions of short stories to be donated for the cause. Only the best stories will be accepted. All genres of fiction (contemporary and paranormal, sweet adult romance and Young Adult) will be considered. Please keep in mind that stories must be PG-rated as the book will be two-sided—one side geared toward adult readers and the other toward teenaged readers.

Examples of the kinds of stories we seek:

A maimed Iraqi war veteran learns to accept his disability by working with equally damaged animals
A teenaged girl helps a were-cougar hide his true nature while both hunt for an escaped cat
A teenaged couple encounters a tiger escaped from its private owner's cage and work together to find help to capture and care for it
A pushy animal psychic must gain the trust of the refuge's veterinarian to help a depressed bear
A troubled teenager discovers a tiger living in a national forest, then seeks a way to prevent locals staging a hunt from killing it

How to submit: Prepare your 1,500 to 4,000 words story in a double-spaced, Arial, 12 point, black font Word document with pages numbered (.doc, NOT.docx) OR rich text format. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (regular double spacing, do not add extra lines between paragraphs or do any other irregular spacing). US grammar (double quotation marks around dialogue, etc.) is required.

In your document at the top left of the page, include your legal name (and pseudonym if applicable), mailing address, and 50 word or less bio in the third person to dsrawildatheart@gmail.com. If you are using a pseudonym, please provide your real name and pseudonym and make it clear which one you'd like to be credited as. Authors may submit up to 2 stories.

About the editor: Ms. Devlin has published over one hundred stories in multiple genres and lengths. Her published print titles include Into the Darkness, Seduced by Darkness, Darkness Captured, Down in Texas, Texas Men and Ravished by a Viking. Her short stories are featured in Zane's Purple Panties, and Cleis Press's Lesbian Cowboys, Girl Crush, Fairy Tale Lust, Lesbian Lust, Passion, Carnal Machines, and Dream Lovers. She is published by Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, Atria/Strebor, Ellora's Cave, Samhain Publishing, and Berkley. In Fall 2011, she debuted her first anthology with Cleis Press, Girls Who Bite.

Direct any questions you have regarding your story or the submission process to Delilah at dsrawildatheart@gmail.com.

Yes, that's right, I have a new book on the way! I've officially started my edits on a new book for EC that will be in their Exotica line.

Dom For Sale is a book of firsts for me. My first Exotica book. The first time I've written something in first person. And it's the first book I've written that doesn't end on a sex scene. Weird, right?

The book is told from the perspective of Liz, a woman who thinks she might be a submissive, but wants to find out for sure in a safe environment. She goes to a club with a friend and buys a Dom for the night.

But Master Gareth is going to give her more than she bargained for.

I'm madly working on the edits for this right now, but I have a sneaking suspicion it will have a fairly quick release date. So those of you who are anxiously waiting Josh's story to come out in October, here's a little something to keep you tied over.

If all goes well, there will be a few more stories set around the action and some of the fun the club members have.

I'll post more details, blurb, cover as they become available.