C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 176

Book Trailers: The Discussion Continues

 by C. Margery Kempe

I figure I would piggyback onto Gerri’s discussion from yesterday because I just made another trailer for an anthology I’m in. But I figured it might be helpful to share some examples and see what works — and doesn’t. The first one up is my “general” trailer from a year or so ago. Time to update! I interlaced titles with a few bon mots from reviews in the hopes of giving a general idea of my style.

Next up is my trailer for Chastity Flame, my first novel. I wanted to give a quick sketch of the story, just enough to tantalise. I used some of my own photos from London; I’d actually chose a specific place for Chas to live and took a bunch of pictures to have at hand to remind me. The climax takes place on the Millennium Bridge, so that’s handy!

My trailer for alter-ego Kit Marlowe‘s The Mangrove Legacy featured a lot of 19th century art, an advantage when you’re trying to find art that is not held by copyright (although you do have to be careful that reproductions of original art may themselves fall under copyright — always be sure). I tried to capture the silly tone of this comic Gothic in the text.

My latest video capitalises on the premier league champions for the first time in 44 years, Man City, who give their name to my latest publication, a naughty football ménage. So I mashed the two things together with some lively drum-based music (I love drums).

The last video I’ll share is my latest, for a publication under my given name. Because of the nature of this anthology, the trailer tells the story of the book’s creation rather than any of the stories within it. It’s a good hook.

So, what do you think? What works best? What would you suggest for the future?

Filed under: Business, C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, Discussion, erotic romance, historical romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, Marketing, paranormal romance, Promotion, romance, What are you watching?

Saturday Love/Sex Scene Mischief Continues

This is the second Saturday and yes, I’m still under a sexy influence.

To say I have a lot to do is an understatement.   This is going to be a busy summer.  It’s already heating up. Where’s my popsicle?  Hmm.  Well, right now it is nose to the grindstone… and write like a maniac.

This week I am featuring a love/sex scene my vampire/supernatural adventure romance novel The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais.  Yes, it’s all about David and Laura.  So if you’re over eighteen, you may proceed to this link, unless of course your local laws prohibit it.  Warning:  Adult Contest Follows:

http://romancebystarlight.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!  May the romance of life embrace you!

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

P.S.  I will be having a special contest for my newsletter subscribers starting June 1, 2012.  If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, please, email me at onlyladyknight(at)yahoo(dot)com  and put newsletter in the subject.  I just need your name and email.  Thanks.   More on the contest coming soon!

Filed under: contest, Love/Sex Scenes, Susan Hanniford Crowley

Book Trailers, Love ‘em or Hate ‘em? by Gerri Brousseau

This week I got an email from my publisher (man, those words never get old), telling me my first novel will have a release date in August 2012.  Wow …that’s really exciting.  But now I have to remove my “writer’s hat” and put on my “marketing” hat.  The problem is, I’m not a marketing expert.  Hmm, now what?  I pulled out my copies of “Market or Die” by the wonderful marketing guru, Jennifer Fusco, and set out to create my plan of attack.  These three books are small; short reads written in plain day-top-day language and they hold a wealth of information.  Knowing now what I want to do, I pulled out my copy of “The Tricked Out Toolbox” by the fabulous Tonya Kappes & Melissa Bourbon Ramirez.  This is a great book to have on hand when you are laying out your marketing plan because it actually gives you sites, as well as promotions that worked for the authors.  I highly recommend these books if you are getting ready to sit down and create a marketing plan for your novel.

One of the ideas I want to explore is making a book trailer.  Tricked out Toolbox gives a website to Create Your Own Book Trailer Free, which gives step-by-step detailed instructions on how to create a book trailer.  The key word here being “Free” which appeals to my very limited budget.  I am going to check this out for sure.

Have any of you ever created your own book trailer?  Do you as readers like book trailers?  Readers, what types of book promotion interests you?  What an a writer do to draw your attention and make you want to read the book and, more than that, actually purchase the book?  Any suggestions are welcome.

Filed under: romance

So, Did I Flop or Not? by Gerri Brousseau

Last Friday I wrote a blog article entitled, “Will I Come Out on Top, or Flop.”  I was talking about a workshop I was going to presenting with my friend and mentor, Susan Hanniford Crowley, at CTRWA Fiction Fest.   Our workshop, Blogging With Heart, was going to be the first time I was to speak before a group of writers.  As you know if you read Friday’s article, I was nervous and that evil “Doubt Monster” had crept into my mind.  I was worried.  Would there be people snoring in the back of the room?  Would these writers think I was an idiot who had no real idea what the heck I was talking about?  Would I drop my notes, lose my place and look like a fool?

Susan had a complete workshop prepared, as she had done this several times before.  (Special thanks to her for allowing me to put my two cents in)  I knew what her presentation would be, so I reviewed it and planned out what I wanted to say.  I made notes, numbered my pages (in case I did drop them), I practiced in front of a mirror.  The day of the workshop arrived and my stomach danced with nerves.

The room was prepared, and the handouts were placed on each chair.  The clock was ticking … would anyone come to hear our talk?  Five more minutes until the workshop kicks off … what if no one comes?  Damn you, Doubt Monster.  Then, a few people appeared at the door; and then a few more … and soon, the room was full.  Now that nasty Doubt Monster whispered … “you are a fool if you think you will be successful here.”  It was then Susan welcomed those attending and my inner warrior princess told that doubt monster to back off and shut up!  And much like my skydiving experience where I found, once you are out the door of the plane, it’s all good … here I found that once I uttered my first words … it went well.

The atmosphere of our workshop was friendly and low key.  This is because Susan and I have blogged together for a while.  She is my friend and mentor, so we talk frequently.  We sat in front of the room and presented as if we were simply having a chat.  People asked questions, good questions … and we answered them.  People laughed … where they were supposed to.

Many told me later they really enjoyed our presentation.  Writers came up to me afterward and asked additional questions.  I would say the workshop was a success … not only that, it was a ton of fun to do.  So, I guess I did come out on top … and it turned out to be the Doubt Monster who took a flop!

Filed under: romance

Library in the Sky

I love traveling! And not just for the obvious ability to see and experience different countries, cultures, traditions and people, but I love the aspect of seeing so many people reading books of so many different types.

This weekend I went on a mini-trip. Nothing exciting but a great opportunity to visit with family. There is a hustle and bustle feel to airports. People on a mission or journey somewhere, everyone with a purpose. And yet, despite their busy schedule they take time for enjoyment. These days, that can easily include a movie on a long flight or with a laptop/IPad. But many times, enjoyment includes a good book or books—often on a nook or kindle. As a writer, I now spend much of my time writing. Still, I’ll occasionally pull out a book when I’m too tired to type another word. And no matter how much time passes in between the books I read (which really isn’t that much), it’s like coming home every time I open the cover of a new book.

What about you all? Is there a type of book that comforts you in particular? Are you amongst those reading in airports? Or do you spend most of the time writing?

P.S. For those mothers this past weekend, Happy Mother’s Day!

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

A Look Inside My Heart by Leia Shaw

***In honor of Mother’s Day (a little late). Happy Mother’s Day!

I’ve always been a mother at heart. As a child, I treated my baby dolls as if they were real. I loved to babysit and would smile at children in groceries stores. And kids have always loved me.

I used to want seven children like the Von Trapps, from The Sound of Music. I was in love with the idea of having a large family with lots of kids, lots of activities and chaos. Ah, the misguided ideals of youth.

When M came along 4.5 years ago, he redefined my version of motherhood. At 1.5, he came to our home as a foster child, having already been through what most adults couldn’t dream of. At that time, M was a mystery to me. He had his own personality, his own story we didn’t know much about, and his own emotional turmoil we couldn’t comprehend. We loved him, yes, but we didn’t know him.

In reflecting back on my first few months of being a new mother, I can now see what a hard transition it was for me, for all of us. Not at all like typical mothers who have a flood of warmth for the newborn that looks like them and is dependent on them for love and affection. In fact, my child hated me in ways I couldn’t understand for the first six months of our life together.

Friends and family asked m how I liked motherhood and if it was everything I dreamed it would be. It took all I had to smile and say “yes, it’s great” when inside I felt like collapsing in a pile of tears. M was nothing like what we thought parenting would be. And I felt like a huge failure. Like I had been preparing my whole life for something that, as it turned out, I sucked at. I sucked at being a mom.

After we figured out that M had legitimate special needs, not caused by what I thought was our crappy parenting, I began to relax a little. I looked at myself differently. I saw that I was actually a very patient and loving mother, even though I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t suck at this mothering thing, I had been dealt a hand I was not prepared for. I had a tough kid. Who came from an even tougher circumstance. And I don’t think M would have fared any better in another home, as I had previously thought. He ended up right where he’s supposed to be.

If my daughter had come first instead of M, I would still have that dream of seven children. Parenting D is my idyllic version of motherhood. She is normal and healthy. She is loving and well-adjusted. She is calm and easy-going. She is everything I thought having a baby would be. If she came first, I would probably be begging my husband to adopt another. My whole outlook on being a mother would have been different.

But that’s not what was meant to happen. I am happy and thankful for both my children. Parenting D has been marvelous and magical; full of joy and cuddles. Parenting M has been full of challenges. But he’s taught me more lessons than I ever knew I needed to learn. He taught me about what’s really important in life. He taught me grace, forgiveness, selflessness, patience, unconditional love, and he brought out an inner strength in me I didn’t know was there. I’ve matured and gained wisdom beyond my years because of him.

Having to fight so hard for his love and trust has bound us together indefinitely.

He will always be my mystery.

But he is also my heart.

He is the reason I am a mother.

(stock photo, not M)

Filed under: romance

Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Happy Belated Mother’s Day!  Actually I feel they deserve more than a day!  The energy of all that love is predominant this week.

While I’m not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets, I am intimately linked with the paranormal in the world.   In many ways, so are you.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Fae/human bonds have created some interesting humans.  Check your family tree. 

Taurus

Werewolves are cuddly and wonderful friends.  So what’s a few fleas between friends.

Gemini

Pixies love to grow flowers.  Have you started noticing there’s more flowers than usual?  Enjoy them.

Cancer

A sacred cat has gifted you with joy this week.

Leo

A vampire is a terrible to stake.  Or not.  Not everyone sparkles so be cautious.

Virgo

Shapeshifters love to cuddle, and they are worth it.  Everyone isn’t necessarily what they seem.

Libra

Eagles claim you as one of their own.  It’s time to soar.

Scorpio

You are loved.  Wood elves prefer the shadows  to admire from afar.

Sagittarius

Queen Mab has given you a gift.  People will notice.  Smile and act mysterious.

Capricorn

There’s a new vampire in town.  He wants more than blood.  Be ready for an adventure.

Aquarius

Mermaids sing in the deep.  You will explore new depths of happiness.

Pieces

Dragons love barbecue.  Fine cooking is in your future.  Enjoy!

–Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: paranormal, romance, Susan Hanniford Crowley, Weekly Paranormal-Scope

Finding Inspiration

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by C. Margery Kempe

Do you have a special place in nature that provides you with inspiration? I love going to museums and seeing art and artifacts, but there’s just something glorious about being out in nature. I’m a natural pagan. While I can admire great buildings and sigh before a beautiful work of art, I can agree with Sebastian in Brideshead Revisited that a tree or a flower can inspire equal awe: especially trees!

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I went to a local lovely spot with my friend Maura on Bank Holiday Monday and we tramped around the wonderful Brigit’s Garden before the crowds got there. The day didn’t look propitious at its start. Rain bucketed down as we drove out of town into Connemara. Fortunately it stopped by the time we got there, and as the day wore on it became just lovely.

They had a special themed event for their spring reopening, the “Sole of the Garden” exhibit, which featured — yes! — shoes as planters.  You can guess someone had the bright idea here of connecting spike heels with the spiny spikes of the cactus.

People used everything: wellies, trainers, boots, dress shoes — even a pair of red clogs. You can see the whole picture album on my Facebook page (it’s public).

Of course the most important thing to me wasn’t the planters but the gardens themselves and even more the trees and rocks, some of which are incredibly old. The tree at the top of the post was probably my favourite. Very old tree, also the vine that wraps around it has kind of taken over and the rocks beneath them offer both an obstacle and a challenge to the roots. Amazing what can be done with patience and time!

The beauty of nature is a big part of the inspiration it gives me; I can just stare at the intricacy of roots or the fantastic shape of a tree in amazement. Flowers, sure — they’re beautiful, but have you looked closely at leaves? The infinite varieties, the individual shapes while maintaing the overall recognised form — fascinating! Of course there’s also the other kinds of inspiration: inadvertent surreal suggestions. It’s a habit of our brains to make connections.

The way we make connections has a lot to do with shape as  our brains recognise the similar patterns. We can see a face in the leaves, a body in trunk and a nest of snakes in the roots of a tree. Where a glacier has shaped a rock, we might even see a sleeping dragon…

Where do you find inspiration in nature?

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Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, Discussion, erotic romance, inspiration, Kit Marlowe, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, Settings, What inspires you?, Writer's Life

Mischief Making is In Progress

Gerri will be great tomorrow.  We’re going to be at The Heritage Hotel in Southbury, CT for Fiction Fest.  We’ll be doing a workshop called Blogging With Heart.  It is going to be a blast.

I have an Indigo Bunting.  It’s a bright blue small bird.  Last time I saw one it was a child.  It is quite an exquisite creature.

Now for the news:  I’m in with an adventurous band of erotic romance authors.  We’re all posting sex scene from our books for four Saturdays.  You know me.  Even in an adventurous group, I can’t really fit–so I’m posting Love/Sex scenes because I’m all about the love for six Saturdays–one scene from each of my published books.  Here is the adult content warning

ADULT CONTENT AT THIS LINK:  http://romancebystarlight.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/love-and-sex-scene-from-when-love-survives/

Since Nights of Passion is PG rated, I had to create a new private blog just to participate.  Let’s see if it works.  Let’s see what people think.  This all started you know because of the public craze about a particular erotic romance book.

When the six weeks end, I’ll be back on Friday with What A Writer Needs.

Hugs and have a wonderful, splendid Mother’s Day on Sunday.  If you didn’t get something, run out quick.  lol

-Susan

Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: romance

Will I Come Out on Top or Flop by Gerri Brousseau

TGIF … and Happy Friday, readers.  For the next few weeks, I will be appearing on Friday rather than Saturday.  Today I want to tell you that I’m a bit nervous.  Tomorrow I am going to be at Connecticut Fiction Fest, which is a writer’s conference offered by the Connecticut Chapters of Romance Writers of America.  The key note speaker will be wonderful and there will also be about a dozen workshops to choose from.  So, why should that make me nervous?  I’m glad you asked.  Tomorrow I will be presenting my first workshop.  I will be standing before a group of writers who have paid to come to the convention.  I’m talking about something I do frequently and I’m comfortable with the subject matter.  I have written an outline and I’m satisfied with the content, but still I can’t help but wonder if I will come out on top, or be a flop.

I’m pretty lucky though because my dear friend and mentor will be standing in front of the group with me as we are doing this workshop together.  I think it’s nice not to have to go it alone on the first try.  For some reason, I’m not afraid to stand up in front of a group and talk, but I’m more nervous about what the group will think of what I have to say.  The dreaded Doubt Monster seems to have crept in … and I thought he only came around when I was writing!

So, tomorrow I’ll put a smile on my face and step in front of an audience and speak.  No, I’m not going to pretend they are sitting there naked (as some suggest you do to make you less nervous).  I’ll have to let you know how it all turns out.

My question today is, have you ever stood before an audience and given a presentation?  Where you nervous?  What did you do to remain calm?  How did it turn out?

Filed under: romance