Shawna Hunter's Blog, page 4
October 10, 2019
Owning Mistakes
Well, it's been a hot minute since I've written a blog post but that's mostly because I haven't really had much to say.
Lately I've been re-editing my last 3 books. Reviews, which I do read and appreciate, cited editing issues that had made it past the publishing process. Upon inspection there was a disconnect between myself and my new publishing company about how much editorial input the company should have. Many things I would have expected to be fixed were left in on the assumption that they were "stylistic" choices. I take responsibility for being too eager to publish and not taking the time to thoroughly triple and quadruple check.
Because of this oversight my books, although the stories are great, did not come out as strong as they should have. My readers deserve the best possible quality and so I have put my WIPs on hold to scour through my works and fix every mistake. Your emails and private messages alerting me to these errors have been invaluable and I can't thank you enough.
To that end, I finally have news! The updates to 6s and 7s and By Right of Conquest have been sent to the publisher who shares my concerns and is working hard to make the corrections and update the files across all media. A Girl Named Flower I am hard at work on and will be sent through asap.
Do not fear, however, The Kinky Destruction of Chantelle Sinclaire and Dom's Party (the next Brooke's Hollow book) are still in the works. I am not sure if I'll get either completed before 2020 but I will be damn sure that they will be of the highest quality when they are released.
Thank you all again for your kind words and patience with this process. Great, engaging and supportive readers make all the hard work and self-doubt of writing worth it and I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
Lately I've been re-editing my last 3 books. Reviews, which I do read and appreciate, cited editing issues that had made it past the publishing process. Upon inspection there was a disconnect between myself and my new publishing company about how much editorial input the company should have. Many things I would have expected to be fixed were left in on the assumption that they were "stylistic" choices. I take responsibility for being too eager to publish and not taking the time to thoroughly triple and quadruple check.
Because of this oversight my books, although the stories are great, did not come out as strong as they should have. My readers deserve the best possible quality and so I have put my WIPs on hold to scour through my works and fix every mistake. Your emails and private messages alerting me to these errors have been invaluable and I can't thank you enough.
To that end, I finally have news! The updates to 6s and 7s and By Right of Conquest have been sent to the publisher who shares my concerns and is working hard to make the corrections and update the files across all media. A Girl Named Flower I am hard at work on and will be sent through asap.
Do not fear, however, The Kinky Destruction of Chantelle Sinclaire and Dom's Party (the next Brooke's Hollow book) are still in the works. I am not sure if I'll get either completed before 2020 but I will be damn sure that they will be of the highest quality when they are released.
Thank you all again for your kind words and patience with this process. Great, engaging and supportive readers make all the hard work and self-doubt of writing worth it and I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
August 19, 2019
Authors Unwelcome
It goes without saying that one should not pester a reviewer to change a bad review but recently I've been made more aware of an increasingly vocal subset of readers who would prefer that author never make themselves known. Period.
This group believes that an author sharing insights or joining in on a conversation is harrassing and that even thanking someone for.a review or (god forbid) giving a review a thumbs up is harrassment. There is, it seems, no line between a like and showing up at someone's house to threaten them until they give you 5 stars. Simply expressing the hope that readers leave a review can be seen by some as crossing the line. They do not, so they'll scream relentlessly, owe you a review...which is apparently what "it'd be nice if more readers left reviews" says to them.
This may seem hyperbolic but it extends beyond an author's own works. Anne Rice showing up at a Lestat book club may be a nightmare to this group but what if Anne happened to like Margaret Atwood's work and wanted to join a FB group discisussing The Handmaid's Tale? Well, these people would have her use a pen name and would kick her the second she makes reference to her work or to being a writer. I have been kicked from groups myself simply for saying that I've trusted GR groups enough to list my own books on them.
To me this practice is bizarre and extremely toxic. One expects a writer to be a fan and to want to discuss books, or at least I would. If I went to a Star Wars book club and heard Drew Karpacyn was in attendance I'd be elated...not on the phone with the cops. Yet I am frequently being told that my opinion, my voice is unwelcome. That readers don't want to know what I think...even about my own work. This has gone to the point of saying that they'd never read/review my books and would discourage others from doing so because I *gasp* commented on reviews and showed an interest in conversation.
The snark in this blog post will, hopefully, be clear. I find this attitude to be dehumanizing. Authors shut themselves up alone and work for months or years on end to craft their stories only to emerge and be told that your hard work is appreciated only if you shut up and go the hell away? Time was authors would put their mailing address in the back of books so fans could write them with questions and comments. Now, when we are more connected than ever, authors are expected to isolate themselves so readers can have a "safe space" to discuss the books they love.
A wall is being built between "writer" and "reader" and I can't see how that could possibly be a good thing for either.
This group believes that an author sharing insights or joining in on a conversation is harrassing and that even thanking someone for.a review or (god forbid) giving a review a thumbs up is harrassment. There is, it seems, no line between a like and showing up at someone's house to threaten them until they give you 5 stars. Simply expressing the hope that readers leave a review can be seen by some as crossing the line. They do not, so they'll scream relentlessly, owe you a review...which is apparently what "it'd be nice if more readers left reviews" says to them.
This may seem hyperbolic but it extends beyond an author's own works. Anne Rice showing up at a Lestat book club may be a nightmare to this group but what if Anne happened to like Margaret Atwood's work and wanted to join a FB group discisussing The Handmaid's Tale? Well, these people would have her use a pen name and would kick her the second she makes reference to her work or to being a writer. I have been kicked from groups myself simply for saying that I've trusted GR groups enough to list my own books on them.
To me this practice is bizarre and extremely toxic. One expects a writer to be a fan and to want to discuss books, or at least I would. If I went to a Star Wars book club and heard Drew Karpacyn was in attendance I'd be elated...not on the phone with the cops. Yet I am frequently being told that my opinion, my voice is unwelcome. That readers don't want to know what I think...even about my own work. This has gone to the point of saying that they'd never read/review my books and would discourage others from doing so because I *gasp* commented on reviews and showed an interest in conversation.
The snark in this blog post will, hopefully, be clear. I find this attitude to be dehumanizing. Authors shut themselves up alone and work for months or years on end to craft their stories only to emerge and be told that your hard work is appreciated only if you shut up and go the hell away? Time was authors would put their mailing address in the back of books so fans could write them with questions and comments. Now, when we are more connected than ever, authors are expected to isolate themselves so readers can have a "safe space" to discuss the books they love.
A wall is being built between "writer" and "reader" and I can't see how that could possibly be a good thing for either.
July 16, 2019
Its not easy to face a mistake
To the people who took the time to message me about issues they've found in my recent books:
I want you to know that I heard you. It wasn't an easy thing to hear but I appreciate your taking the time to not only let me know but to cite specific examples. I have had a rough few months for a variety of reasons but through it all I've been working hard to get these issues fixed. I have already sent off the corrections for 6s and 7s and A Girl Named Flower and I should have By Right of Conquest complete by the end of the week. I want to thank my publishers for their understanding and their willingness to address these problems during a busy time for them as well. I will let you all know as soon as I have confirmation that the updates are complete accross the various platforms where my books are available. Please note: There are no changes to the plots of these stories. Everything readers have loved is untouched. These are corrections to minor spelling and grammar issues only.
I want you to know that I heard you. It wasn't an easy thing to hear but I appreciate your taking the time to not only let me know but to cite specific examples. I have had a rough few months for a variety of reasons but through it all I've been working hard to get these issues fixed. I have already sent off the corrections for 6s and 7s and A Girl Named Flower and I should have By Right of Conquest complete by the end of the week. I want to thank my publishers for their understanding and their willingness to address these problems during a busy time for them as well. I will let you all know as soon as I have confirmation that the updates are complete accross the various platforms where my books are available. Please note: There are no changes to the plots of these stories. Everything readers have loved is untouched. These are corrections to minor spelling and grammar issues only.
May 28, 2019
Can an evil society do good?
In my new novel, 6s and 7s, I present a futuristic society in which you are given a 1-10 rank based on your appearance, intelligence and moral character with heavy emphasis on appearance. Your quality of life depends on your rank so your life LITERALLY depends on how you look.
That's unjust and objectively evil.
Yet, in this world they've ended global warming, cured diseases, erased transphobia, etc. These things and the technology to achieve them were invented because people were pushing to increase their intelligence, demonstrate their moral character and improve their health (and thereby looks) to better their rank. The unjust system they live under motivated them to do a great deal of good.
So, can an objectively immoral society do good? Are the Whiners right that the injustices need to be stopped even if some of the benefits go with them? Or are the conservatives like Theta right in thinking that the benefits are worth a bit of injustice?
I never came to a solid decision while writing and I think both arguments have merit. So, I just don't know.
Decide for yourself I guess:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...6s and 7s
That's unjust and objectively evil.
Yet, in this world they've ended global warming, cured diseases, erased transphobia, etc. These things and the technology to achieve them were invented because people were pushing to increase their intelligence, demonstrate their moral character and improve their health (and thereby looks) to better their rank. The unjust system they live under motivated them to do a great deal of good.
So, can an objectively immoral society do good? Are the Whiners right that the injustices need to be stopped even if some of the benefits go with them? Or are the conservatives like Theta right in thinking that the benefits are worth a bit of injustice?
I never came to a solid decision while writing and I think both arguments have merit. So, I just don't know.
Decide for yourself I guess:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...6s and 7s
Pimpin' ain't easy
Much of my author presence is dedicated to my erotica works so a pure Sci Fi novel is a bit tricky. It's great to have one for those pimp posts on facebook that specify "no erotica" but in terms of getting the book in front of actual science fiction readers? That's far more difficult.
6s and 7s
6s and 7s
May 22, 2019
New Release...new genre
Don't worry, I haven't abandoned erotica. I did, however, have an idea for a novel and I pursued it. The result? 6s and 7s which should drop in the next few days. This is a scifi/dystopian/cop drama. The feel is somewhere between Divergent and Bladerunner. Its NOT YA but it has that feel. It also lacks any explicit sex. This is a novel that you won't have to hide in your sock drawer. You can read it in public without getting embarassed when your free hand starts to wander!
The story takes place in a technologically advanced society ruled by "The Ranking System." Under this system everyone gets a 1-10 number based on their physical appearance, intelligence and moral character. Appearance is heavily favored, however, with the other factors just slightly tilting the scale. This seems harsh but it has benefits. Cosmetics are outlawed save for reconstructive surgery and so people take better care of themselves. They focus on study, health and longevity. Its not all great, however, and a rebel faction called The Whiners is on the rise. These increasingly violent malcontents have an unknown leader and when their plots turn genocidal one of their liutenants will defect.
This defector, Zeta, will join forces with our main character Theta Beauline, a staunch defender of the system. They may be ideological opposites but they'll have to put those differences aside before a revolution begins. Zeta may hate the system and Theta may protect it but neither wants to see change born from an ocean of blood. The only question is who is the real enemy and can they stop this threat in time?
I've been thinking about this story for a while. The world today is so divided and so I saw great appeal in a story about finding common ground and working together. I do enjoy the commentary on beauty standards, how we judge people and whether we value the right traits. Above all I had a lot of fun putting my Sociology background to work crafting this society. I didn't want a clear black and white. Both sides have merit and its up to the reader to decide if the system helps or harms society in the end.
Its always fun to stretch my creative wings and explore new territory. Hopefully you will all join me in this, my first literary journey where everyone (for the most part) keeps their pants on.
The story takes place in a technologically advanced society ruled by "The Ranking System." Under this system everyone gets a 1-10 number based on their physical appearance, intelligence and moral character. Appearance is heavily favored, however, with the other factors just slightly tilting the scale. This seems harsh but it has benefits. Cosmetics are outlawed save for reconstructive surgery and so people take better care of themselves. They focus on study, health and longevity. Its not all great, however, and a rebel faction called The Whiners is on the rise. These increasingly violent malcontents have an unknown leader and when their plots turn genocidal one of their liutenants will defect.
This defector, Zeta, will join forces with our main character Theta Beauline, a staunch defender of the system. They may be ideological opposites but they'll have to put those differences aside before a revolution begins. Zeta may hate the system and Theta may protect it but neither wants to see change born from an ocean of blood. The only question is who is the real enemy and can they stop this threat in time?
I've been thinking about this story for a while. The world today is so divided and so I saw great appeal in a story about finding common ground and working together. I do enjoy the commentary on beauty standards, how we judge people and whether we value the right traits. Above all I had a lot of fun putting my Sociology background to work crafting this society. I didn't want a clear black and white. Both sides have merit and its up to the reader to decide if the system helps or harms society in the end.
Its always fun to stretch my creative wings and explore new territory. Hopefully you will all join me in this, my first literary journey where everyone (for the most part) keeps their pants on.
March 27, 2019
The great review drought
I don't mean to complain...
thank you for reading.
...
:D
Anyway here's a long winded complaint to vent my frustrations. No one seems to review anymore. My sales have been steady (a bit dipped but up and down in general) and I know people are reading but no one is sharing their thoughts. Not here, Amazon, Kobo, B&N, Litsy, Booksprout, etc. It's as if people have simply stopped discussing books. I don't understand this. My stories get the same love/hate reactions as anything else and always seem to provoke people but no one has taken the time to so much as click a star rating.
That is horrible. Not only because it impacts sales but because it leaves me with no idea of what my audience likes or doesn't like. I know, I know, I shouldn't care and just write what I enjoy but I like to have a sense of who's buying, who's reading. As it stands I don't. I'm screaming into a void and sometimes a little pocket change is popping out but I'm getting nothing else back. I love my work and I love to discuss it but in the absence of even a superficial dialogue I just feel isolated.
Isolated
olated
lated
lated
ted
ted
ed.
Hello?
elloooo?
ellooo?
looo?
thank you for reading.
...
:D
Anyway here's a long winded complaint to vent my frustrations. No one seems to review anymore. My sales have been steady (a bit dipped but up and down in general) and I know people are reading but no one is sharing their thoughts. Not here, Amazon, Kobo, B&N, Litsy, Booksprout, etc. It's as if people have simply stopped discussing books. I don't understand this. My stories get the same love/hate reactions as anything else and always seem to provoke people but no one has taken the time to so much as click a star rating.
That is horrible. Not only because it impacts sales but because it leaves me with no idea of what my audience likes or doesn't like. I know, I know, I shouldn't care and just write what I enjoy but I like to have a sense of who's buying, who's reading. As it stands I don't. I'm screaming into a void and sometimes a little pocket change is popping out but I'm getting nothing else back. I love my work and I love to discuss it but in the absence of even a superficial dialogue I just feel isolated.
Isolated
olated
lated
lated
ted
ted
ed.
Hello?
elloooo?
ellooo?
looo?
March 8, 2019
New Book Update
Update:
Fingers crossed that my beta reader will have my WIP finished by this weekend and I can make the finishing touches.
The story, roughly 60k words, is a dystopian/scifi cop drama set in a future where society issues ranks based on your physical appearance, intelligence and demonstrated moral character with a heavy focus on appearance as its thought an outward sign of the other traits. Your job, where you live, what food you are allowed to eat are all based on your rank. Cosmetics are outlawed, who you can marry is heavily restricted and aging is sometimes seen as a fate worse than death. On the plus side technology (especially medical) is vastly advanced, people work hard, exercise and take care of themselves and the environment is on the mend. Some people are VERY happy...others, predictably, are not. An underground movement of what the media calls Whiners is rising and their plan could come down to genocide. Standing in their way are a cop who has dedicated his life to defending the system and a rebel who hates the system but won't kill innocent people to see it end.
My beta reader has likened the first half to the first Divergent movie (which she loved) and praised the world building. I had a blast writing this story as well and I'm very pleased with the result. I can't wait to share it with you all.
Fingers crossed that my beta reader will have my WIP finished by this weekend and I can make the finishing touches.
The story, roughly 60k words, is a dystopian/scifi cop drama set in a future where society issues ranks based on your physical appearance, intelligence and demonstrated moral character with a heavy focus on appearance as its thought an outward sign of the other traits. Your job, where you live, what food you are allowed to eat are all based on your rank. Cosmetics are outlawed, who you can marry is heavily restricted and aging is sometimes seen as a fate worse than death. On the plus side technology (especially medical) is vastly advanced, people work hard, exercise and take care of themselves and the environment is on the mend. Some people are VERY happy...others, predictably, are not. An underground movement of what the media calls Whiners is rising and their plan could come down to genocide. Standing in their way are a cop who has dedicated his life to defending the system and a rebel who hates the system but won't kill innocent people to see it end.
My beta reader has likened the first half to the first Divergent movie (which she loved) and praised the world building. I had a blast writing this story as well and I'm very pleased with the result. I can't wait to share it with you all.
February 25, 2019
Why my next book is NOT erotica
I am currently in the process of editing my 11th book. This story, tentatively titled 6s and 7s, will follow an enforcement officer (a cop) siding with a rebel to unravel a mystery that threatens their entire world. It is a world dominated by a social ranking system that looks at 3 characteristics. Appearance (including genetics), Intelligence and Morality with a heavy weight placed on the first category as it is thought to indicate the other two. From 1-10 these ranks indicate the sort of employment you can pursue, the food and healthcare you receive, where you can live and (basically) your overall quality of life.
There are benefits to the system, and unlike some dystopian stories I do explore them, but there are those who do not like it. Some, like the main character Zeta, want systemic change. Others want a more radical solution. That solution unites Zeta and officer Theta Beauline despite their ideological and rank differences.
It's a story of co-operation, common ground, mystery and action. Both characters slowly come to see the other's point of view to an extent but getting past their divisions is not easy. The story has many sci-fi elements and a lot of fun world building.
What it does not have is sex. I know its a departure for me and there are mentions of sex and a lot of wink, wink, nudge, nudge innuendo but overall I've created a story that would be just a little north of PG-13 (mostly for language). The reason for this is both to challenge myself creatively and to provide my family with a book they can actually talk about.
You see I get complaints all the time that friends and family would love to support me and talk about my books but that they don't feel comfortable discussing erotica. The genre, perfectly fine though it may be, still carries the stigma of being something dirty, something to be hidden in the sock drawer. As such those closest to me have never read any of my works nor have they felt comfortable recommending them to others. It really sucks to be an author with 10 published books and to go to social events only to be reminded in a whisper "try not to mention those sex books ok?"
So 6s and 7s will be for all those prudes that love me but won't admit it. Don't worry though, book 12 is half written already and it will be erotica. A return to Brooke's Hollow and the election saga! I am, first and foremost, an erotica author after all and though I take my loved ones into consideration I will never be ashamed of the fact.
There are benefits to the system, and unlike some dystopian stories I do explore them, but there are those who do not like it. Some, like the main character Zeta, want systemic change. Others want a more radical solution. That solution unites Zeta and officer Theta Beauline despite their ideological and rank differences.
It's a story of co-operation, common ground, mystery and action. Both characters slowly come to see the other's point of view to an extent but getting past their divisions is not easy. The story has many sci-fi elements and a lot of fun world building.
What it does not have is sex. I know its a departure for me and there are mentions of sex and a lot of wink, wink, nudge, nudge innuendo but overall I've created a story that would be just a little north of PG-13 (mostly for language). The reason for this is both to challenge myself creatively and to provide my family with a book they can actually talk about.
You see I get complaints all the time that friends and family would love to support me and talk about my books but that they don't feel comfortable discussing erotica. The genre, perfectly fine though it may be, still carries the stigma of being something dirty, something to be hidden in the sock drawer. As such those closest to me have never read any of my works nor have they felt comfortable recommending them to others. It really sucks to be an author with 10 published books and to go to social events only to be reminded in a whisper "try not to mention those sex books ok?"
So 6s and 7s will be for all those prudes that love me but won't admit it. Don't worry though, book 12 is half written already and it will be erotica. A return to Brooke's Hollow and the election saga! I am, first and foremost, an erotica author after all and though I take my loved ones into consideration I will never be ashamed of the fact.
January 18, 2019
The Fairy has landed!
Hey hunters and huntresses,
Just a quick note to celebrate the fact that The Lust Fairy in Exile has finally released on Audible! It was to drop with the ebook but the narrator got sick. Regardless its out now for Audible, Amazon and Itunes.
To celebrate I'm running one of those like, comment, tag contests on my facebook fanpage. Annoying, I know, but it gets the word out. For details and entry head over to facebook.com/ShawnaHunterErotica
Just a quick note to celebrate the fact that The Lust Fairy in Exile has finally released on Audible! It was to drop with the ebook but the narrator got sick. Regardless its out now for Audible, Amazon and Itunes.
To celebrate I'm running one of those like, comment, tag contests on my facebook fanpage. Annoying, I know, but it gets the word out. For details and entry head over to facebook.com/ShawnaHunterErotica
