A.J. Llewellyn's Blog, page 33
June 23, 2011
Typos in eBooks
By A.J. Llewellyn
Some months ago I received an alert in my inbox that I was under discussion on Goodreads. There is a whole A.J. Llewellyn thread (who knew?). I guess there is for every author, but the old adage proved true. Eavesdroppers never hear good about themselves. While most were complimentary, one reader, Cori, commented that she loved my "Honeybone" books but would have given me higher marks had it not been for the typos.
Typos, bloody typos.
I make plenty of them because I type fast and I just don't notice them.
Big Oops. Big frustration.
Cori and I exchanged very cordial messages on the loop and I took the blame for the typos because I often submit books very close to deadline. I can't blame my editors. I get a chance to re-read things.
Again…I just don't see 'em!
She offered to beta read for me and she has read a couple of books now and found some typos.
Typos, bloody typos.
I have a wonderful, dear friend in a fellow author who kindly reads everything D.J. Manly and I write, and frankly my dear, I always think when something has gone through a Final Line Edit it should be good to go, but no…..
Typos, bloody typos.
Somehow, they manage to sneak their way into my manuscripts. I swear, there is a typo fairy out there – somewhere – and she's got it in for me. She hates me!
What about you? Do you make typos? What was your worst? Do you notice them? What's the worst you've seen?
I've made too many to single out one.
Typos, bloody typos. I attract them like lint.
Aloha oe,
A.J.
June 13, 2011
Gypsy Heart is out TODAY! Win a Free Copy!
OUT TODAY! Book 2 in my WWII Pearl Harbor Series…
http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=1240
Tinder McCartney thought he left behind his life as a gay male prostitute but soon learns returning to his old life may be the only way to save the man he loves…Tinder McCartney and his lover, Jason Qui, are adjusting to life in war-torn Hawaii following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Settling at first in Maui with Tinder's father, they go back to Honolulu to meet with members of the new military government regarding their plans to blow up a major access road in Lahaina that would leave the islanders in Maui stranded and without access to much-needed shipments coming into the island.
Back in Honolulu, Tinder and Jason are dismayed to see how much their beloved home has changed in just a few short weeks. Jason accepts a dangerous sea mission feeling that as a Chinese immigrant, he needs to prove his loyalty to the US. He and the crew of the ship disappear, and are presumed to have been taken by Japanese forces.
Tinder must decide what to do to help his lover. When presented with the opportunity to return to his old way of life in exchange for information that will help him rescue his lover, he must decide how far he is willing to go to heal his gypsy heart and save the man he loves…
Reader Advisory: This book is best read in sequence as part of a series
TODAY ONLY!! I am giving away a free copy of Gypsy Heart and the first book in the series, Vagabond Heart to one lucky winner at Reviews by Jessewave! Enter the draw to win!
June 5, 2011
Restoring My Faith
By A.J. Llewellyn
I hired a friend to restore a fallen-down closet two weeks ago and the results have been a close disaster. I am nowhere near getting this thing finished and I am in despair it will ever get done. My friends and loved ones keep asking, "Is it done?" and I am trying my best not to have a meltdown.
The problem is I've never spent so much money before and I know how many books I had to sell to save the money to do this project. Not that I had a choice, since the closet fell apart. The top shelf came down, the clothes pole fell…I just wanted those things fixed, then the closet doors came of their rungs. Mind you, they are forty years old (as old as me!) so they were bound to start falling apart (like me!).
I got a couple of estimates and I try not to think how much better those contractors might have been..especially the guy who came up with the idea of creating extra shelf space. I gave the work instead to a dear friend who needed the work.
Yep, my contractor is a close friend…or, at least I thought so. Now I feel taken advantage of. I feel like Murphy Brown with Eldin, the house painter who wouldn't go away. Except I suspect Eldin smelled a little better.
I think this has been a good lesson in something…not sure what. I know it's interfered with my productivity and probably ruined a 20-year friendship. Yeah, yeah, friends and money don't mix they say, but I happen to have great working relationships with friends who are my co-writers, etc.
They don't however, hang out in my bedroom taking ten years to add a few shelves and a pole to a closet. Nor do they spend mysterious amounts of time doing God-knows-what in the bathroom.
Actually, my dad reminded me on the phone last night of an old Australian movie called, The Plumber. Ivar Kants, a wonderful, underused Aussie actor plays a malevolent plumber who arrives to work on a woman's bathroom, then ruins her home. And her life.
"Be nice," my father warned.
I will…but my faith in this experience has started to be restored. I'm coming up with my own ideas for revenge. On paper that is. I can kill the guy and not get arrested for it. I can kill him…in a closet!!
How about you? Any of you had experiences bad enough you get revenge via fiction?
Aloha oe,
A.J.
May 25, 2011
Beyond Inspiration: The Malasada Season
By A.J. Llewellyn
One of the questions authors get asked a lot is, "What inspires you to write?" For me, it's the sights, sounds and smells of cooking. Food inspires me more than a sunset…er, I mean that the other way around.
Aw, heck. Who am I kidding?
It's food, glorious food and I write certain scenes eating certain types of food. For example, sex scenes and chocolate go well together. Cake and sex – fabuloso!
I like candy, too. Gummi bears and Good and Plenty are excellent, serviceable foods that won't grease up the keyboard as I write the body of my stories.
But for pure, total spiritual pleasure beyond inspiration, I can't look past the humble malasada. I've been known to go to great lengths to get my paws on a malasada. That isn't easy on the mainland. In Hawaii, malasadas are fully available since they are a staple there. Malasada trucks abound. Even supermarkets sell these no-hole chunks of donut-style Portuguese sugary goodness.
In Kapahulu on the island of Hawaii, Leonard's Bakery makes nothing but malasadas. They open at the crack of dawn and pound out boxes of the stuff.
But there's no Leonard's here and memories are not enough…
Like a hungry croc, I lie in wait each year for the mainland version of Leonard's. Finally, thank God, Malasada Season has hit the mainland.
I'm talking specifically about the plethora of Hawaiian festivals that spring up from May until Labor Day weekend in September in California.
I've had bad luck in the past couple of years with Malasada Season. I've been to festivals where they were no malasadas, or the machines broke down, or the cooks became overwhelmed with orders.This year, I wasn't going to be thwarted.
Last Saturday, I drove all the way to Santa Fe Springs, bright and early for the kick-off Hawaiian Festival. I followed my nose to the food stalls and found the malasada lady.
"I'm not taking orders for 45 minutes," she said. "The oil is just getting warmed up."
45 minutes? I grumbled and groaned but walked around looking at the Hawaiian souvenirs, quilts, books etc. on display, and counted the minutes until I could go back and order.
"Oh, sorry," she said. "I'm already swamped with orders."
"How?" I gasped. "You said you weren't taking any orders yet."
She looked sheepish. "Try me in half an hour."
I remained nice because I have a policy of being nice to anyone handling my food. You don't want people spitting in it, ya know?
I returned half an hour later. Still no joy. It tortured me to see people eating these big pieces of puffy goodness…knowing I'd been the first to arrive and yet, somehow the only one to miss out.
I began to think it was a conspiracy and I went back to lurk around the malasada stall but other people were being turned away, too.
I never did get my malasadas. I waited for about two hours, a sad statement about my severe addiction. Or perhaps too, my need for an actual life.
Not to worry, there's another festival in San Dimas June 10 and 11. I'll be there and this time, I won't take no for an answer.
How about you? What's your serious food-writing addiction?
Aloha oe,
A.J.
May 17, 2011
A Change of Heart
By A.J. Llewellyn
I need help! Normally titles comes to me, whether they end up being good or bad, but for the third and final book in my M/M, WWII Pearl Harbor series I need help in coming up with the title.
Gypsy Heart, the sequel to my best-selling first book, Vagabond Heart, will be published June 13 by Total-e-Bound.
The title of the book, Vagabond Heart, fit the story of Tinder McCartney, a Honolulu gay male prostitute in WWII who finds love with his client, Jason Qui, on the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Gypsy Heart, the second story in these men's lives came to me easily. Although their relationship and commitment to one another deepen, the ravages of war take their toll on their lives. Jason makes the heartbreaking decision to undertake a secret mission for the US – a mission that actually did occur in real life.
In the third book, I want to convey that they are together at last and that their love is eternal. I tossed around ideas like Eternal Heart, Forever Heart…I even thought about Purple Heart, but maybe some of you have some ideas?
The winning entry will get a free ebook copy of Gypsy Heart when it comes out June 13. If you don't have Vagabond Heart, you'll get that, too. You will also get a thank you in the final book (publication date November, 2011) and a copy of that book, too.
So, please help me…and may the best title win!
Aloha oe,
A.J.
By A.J. Llewellyn
I need help! Normally titles comes to ...
By A.J. Llewellyn
I need help! Normally titles comes to me, whether they end up being good or bad, but for the third and final book in my M/M, WWII Pearl Harbor series I need help in coming up with the title.
Gypsy Heart, the sequel to my best-selling first book, Vagabond Heart, will be published June 13 by Total-e-Bound.
The title of the book, Vagabond Heart, fit the story of Tinder McCartney, a Honolulu gay male prostitute in WWII who finds love with his client, Jason Qui, on the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Gypsy Heart, the second story in these men's lives came to me easily. Although their relationship and commitment to one another deepen, the ravages of war take their toll on their lives. Jason makes the heartbreaking decision to undertake a secret mission for the US – a mission that actually did occur in real life.
In the third book, I want to convey that they are together at last and that their love is eternal. I tossed around ideas like Eternal Heart, Forever Heart…I even thought about Purple Heart, but maybe some of you have some ideas?
The winning entry will get a free ebook copy of Gypsy Heart when it comes out June 13. If you don't have Vagabond Heart, you'll get that, too. You will also get a thank you in the final book (publication date November, 2011) and a copy of that book, too.
So, please help me…and may the best title win!
Aloha oe,
A.J.
May 15, 2011
Romeo and Julius
OUT NOW!
Romeo and Julius
A new M/M Paranormal Romance by A.J. Llewellyn
Purchase Link: http://tinyurl.com/6csu8ku
Julius snapped up the job of Romeo's dreams…can these star-crossed men get past this to fulfill a different kind of dream?
Synopsis: Romeo Quiles has accepted a job online in lush and sunny Kauai. However, upon his arrival in the Hawaiian Islands, he discovers the job is a scam. The company that hired him has emptied his bank accounts and he must scramble to either return home to Cupertino, California, and certain unemployment, or to give paradise a chance.
He's thrilled when he lands another job, ironically at the same resort hotel used by the scam artists to lure him to Hawaii. Except that Romeo's fallen for hotter than hot Julius who just took on the job Romeo wanted – and he's not a very nice boss. To top it off, there's secrets. Secrets galore. There's ancient fire knife dancing, mysterious chants and old blind man Romeo comes to cherish but love rips at his heart. Can Romeo and Julius break the curse that separates them? Or will they wind up apart?
For My PHANTOM LOVER fans – Kimo and Lopaka make a special guest appearance in this story!
Special Offer May 15th ONLY! Buy Romeo and Julius and I will give you ANY Phantom Lover series book you want FREE – including the spin-off series Children of the Rainbow. Send me your online receipt to ajllewellyn@gmail.com and I will send you a pdf copy of the book of your choice!
May 6, 2011
The Big 4-Oh
By A.J. Llewellyn
So I hit the big 4-0 today and I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, to be really, really, really honest, I didn't think I would still be there. My brothers and I have struggled with the fact that one by one we have all passed D-day, which is the age of 37, the age our mother was when she died.
We are, thank God, healthy and cancer-free and to some extent we all feel guilty that there was no cure for colon cancer when she became gravely ill. I recently had a conversation with both my brothers who, like me, secretly thought we wouldn't make it to the big 4-0…now I'm here, I feel like we have each been handed a gift. I know all three of us live each day like it's the last one on earth. We truly do.
People ask about my prolific work ethic and I think that it's partly to do with the short-life-phobia but more than anything it is just an endless thank you to the universe for allowing my passion for writing to be realized.
I have been so blessed to be a published author and to have been able to connect with so many readers and writers online who, like me, also have a passion for books.
I can't help feeling that even though I am starting to feel aches and pains, can no longer indulge my obsession with ice cream and cornflakes for breakfast and I am starting to forget where I left the car keys…I am here. I am alive and I am writing and listening to music, I have the most awesome romantic partner ever, the best dog on four legs, two handsome, amazing cats…and I have the big 4-0.
I want to thank all my readers and fellow authors who have reached out to me over the last four years. I hope you still do even though I am officially middle-aged.
ARRRGH!
Anyone else noticing changes with the passing of years? What thing do you hate most? Please leave a comment and I'll be giving away a free paperback of my new book The Love God of Indian Frybread.
Aloha oe,
A.J.
May 3, 2011
The Love God of Indian Frybread
Ever Beleno just met an older man…about two thousand years older!
By A.J. Llewellyn
Several months ago I had afternoon tea with my friend Rosie and a bunch of other people who plan esoteric day trips that had, up until this occasion never really inspired my romance novels. They were, however a much needed diversion from my computer.
Somebody casually mentioned the Mummies of the World exhibit and I was excited to join the group planning a trip there.
I asked Rosie if she wanted to go.
"Oh, no." She actually shivered. "I'd be too afraid of something following me home."
Dear, darling, Rosie. She inspired what has become my latest novel, The Love God of Indian Frybread.
In it, Ever Beleno, a Hollywood archivist, goes to the exhibit and is followed home by the spirit of an ancient Egyptian priest.
I went to the exhibit myself, stunned by the crush of people. I'd never heard of the Science Museum up until that day and it was an effort to get a closer look at all the mummies. I'd had no idea that Egypt wasn't the only country to mummify people, and/or animals. The exhibit is macabre but fascinating. I had trouble with the mummified dogs, cats, monkeys and lizards etc…but in the back of my mind came the idea:
Ever Beleno just met an older man…about two thousand years older!
The story took shape quickly once I set on how I would tell my tale. I did some research into Egyptian pharaohs and also used a roommate I once had who collects Hollywood memorabilia from studio dumpsters and combined the two.
Every dumpster dive depicted is true and my mate John has the actual Lost in Space spaceship in his living room. Many years ago when we shared digs, you couldn't get past the damned thing it took up so much er…space.
He was fond of inviting strangers over to look at his finds. I woke up one night to a lot of noise and found actor Christian Slater in our living room. I think he was a little bemused by it all, but he was apparently a huge sci-fi fan and once people got a close look at that space ship, they knew they were seeing something special.
John even had a massive gun prop from the British series Red Dwarf he hijacked from a dumpster in London. Try getting on board a plane with a five-foot weapon in this post 9/11 era.
It was fun to visit old Hollywood and recall my fondness for its history for The Love God of Indian Frybread. There are many of us who are passionate about the old stars, the old time movies and Hollywood legend.
I took my niece and nephew to Universal Studios during the writing of this book and in what was a clear case of serendipity, we rode that manic roller coaster The Mummy's Revenge, which gave me my final piece to the book's puzzle.
Of course, I wanted to write down verbatim what the mummy shrieks on the ride and had no trouble convincing the kids to go on it a second time. But these are, after all, the same kids who have forced me to sit through multiple viewings of the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notre Dame many times in a single weekend.
Going on a ride twice? Easy peasy.
Thanks to Amber Allure, The Love God God of Indian Frybread is out now in ebook form and soon to be released in paperback.
Please leave a comment to qualify for a paperback copy of the book!
Purchase Link and Hot Excerpt: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LoveGod.html
Aloha oe,
A.J.
The Love God of Indian Frybread
OUT NOW!!
Ever Beleño is a collector of old Hollywood memorabilia. He's also a fan of dead people. Mummies are his special passion, just like flying saucers are his roommate Johnny's particular obsession. Ever's dark and gothic world might be lonely, but after a heart-breaking split with his ex, he wants it no other way…until he visits the sold-out Mummies of the World exhibit.
As Ever studies one particular ancient Egyptian mummy, he experiences the odd, chilly sensation of somebody touching and following him. Every time he turns to look, he thinks it's handsome but obnoxious security guard Chris Coelho, who snuck Ever into the exhibit as a favor. Chris clearly wants the favor returned, but would the man really feel up Ever in public? Ever isn't sure, but then once he goes home, weird things continue happening.
Chris shows up everywhere, but he's suddenly sweet, silly, profound and…forgetful. After a torrid night of passion, Ever becomes hooked on the guy even as his feelings for Chris veer between desire and exasperation.
And then, the mummy Ever had been studying disappears from the exhibit. Could the events be connected? Could the spirit of the mummy have somehow followed him home? Is Ever losing his mind? Or is Chris really, as he says in a drunken moment, The Love God of Indian Frybread?
The Love God Of Indian Frybread
by A. J. Llewellyn
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-104-4 (Electronic)
ISBN-13: 978-1-61124-959-0 (Paperback)
Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/LoveGod.html
