Brita Addams's Blog, page 15

A Publisher's Tribute to an Awesome Writer - Bryl R. Tyne

So many things are happening, much writing going on, which is why the blog hasn't been updated in the last couple of weeks. 

I just came out of my writing cave to share something that touches my heart. When you read it, you will see the obvious reason. Every writer would love to have the praise that Jay Hartman from Untreed Reads heaped on my writing partner, Bryl R. Tyne, but even more than that for me, is the fact that maybe NOW, Bryl will realize what a brilliant writer he really is. 

Writing is such a solitary pursuit, it is easy to be lost in the commas and grammar, and not be able to step back to see that you have indeed created a masterpiece, as Bryl has done with his six installments of his Zagzagel Diaries. 

They touched me in ways that are hard to describe. Bryl's grasp of human nature is astounding and his self-deprecating humor and pride has endeared him to me. Frustrating is the fact that he doesn't always believe how good he is. My hope is that now he will.

When you finish reading, dash over to Untreed Reads and snap up your copies of Bryl's Zagzagel Diaries. Your reading life isn't complete without them.

It is with very mixed emotions that I'm announcing that the final diary entry in Bryl R. Tyne's worldwide hit series The Zagzagel Diaries will be published this coming week. The final entry is titled Loved, which I think is extremely appropriate considering how the series has been received.

When Bryl brought the series to me in the early part of 2010, I knew we had really discovered something incredible. As the series built, the reaction from readers around the world has just been astounding. This is a series that seems to have resonated with everyone. I think it's strong gay/lesbian/bisexual/straight ideas were all things people could relate to, regardless of sexual identity.

I know that the series has been just as emotionally draining for Bryl to write as it's been for many people to read. I know that there will be a certain sense of closure and relief for Bryl, but I'm also sure there will be a little bit of a hole there that Zaggy (as we call him behind-the-scenes) and his tales used to fill.

In honor of the end of one of the first series to ever appear at Untreed Reads, and one that we think really helped define who we are, we are declaring April The Zagzagel Diaries Month. We'll be offering the first short in the series for free and discounts on the rest of the entries and Bryl's other title, The Secret Ingredient.

We'd like to encourage readers everywhere who have been touched by the series to send us their thoughts about what the series meant to them, and we'll be sharing those throughout the month at UntreedReads.com in our blog. If you'd like to share your feelings, thoughts, ideas, artwork etc., please send them to zaggy@untreedreads.com . We'll make sure that all emails are shared with Bryl.

Please do repost this anywhere and everywhere.

As an editor, you dream of having a series that's both brilliantly written and beloved by people all over. Bryl R. Tyne is one of the most magnificent authors I've ever had the good fortune to work with, and publishing The Zagzagel Diaries has been an incredible pleasure. We'd like to thank Bryl for allowing us to be a part of the world of this uncommon angel, and we will always remain a fan of the series and of Bryl.


Best,Jay HartmanEditor-In-ChiefUntreed Reads Publishinghttp://www.untreedreads.comhttp://store.untreedreads.com

Till next time, Luv, Brita

My Brand New Video for Love Immortal

Just received from Sassy Brit - the new video for Love Immortal.



Till next time, Luv, Brita

A New Contract

I've been a busy girl, sorting through the hard drive and sending the finishing little chicks out to be read, evaluated and contracted. It's quite rewarding when your babies grow up to be entities of their own.

My first contemporary m/m romance, Free Me, has been contracted by , the Gay, Lesbian and GLBT arm of Amber Quill Press. It will be a part of the Postcards from Paradise series. The release date is June 5.


I'm pleased to have my story accepted by them, and who wouldn't be? Ava March is pubbed there for heaven's sake!

Another one of my Regencies has been recommended for acquisition at Noble Romance, a stand alone called Vanity Unfair. Clever title, don't you think, a play on Vanity Fair - oh, you get it!

I'm working on another manuscript, it's written, just needs some work and that should be sorted and submitted in the next couple of weeks. Then on to yet another finished historical, which I plan to submit after checking for any obvious flaws.

I've started writing a sequel to Free Me, tentatively called, Keep Me, which is the continuing story of my characters, Bryan and Phil.

AND, Bryl Tyne and I have over 10k on our joint project, Johan's Quest. That is a fun piece, not fun as in a laugh riot, but fun in the writing sense, since Bryl and I are truly writing it together - on Google Docs. There are times when he's writing one paragraph, and I'm working on another. The chat feature allows us to discuss plot and characters - great fun. Sad that we don't have as much time to work on it as we'd like, but there are other things going on in our lives! Hmm.

Though I've kept a low profile of late, much is being done. There will be some new and exciting projects out there soon.

Till next time,
Luv,
Brita

Research, Starting a new Book and Fixing One

I've hit the ground running after vacation, but with a better grasp of the thought process. I needed our trip but I'm glad we are back.

Bryl Tyne and I have started writing Johan's Quest: The Soulless Man, and with all stories, it is amazing to see the twists and turns the story is taking with each line we write. We're writing in Google Docs, which has a great chat feature. We can even write at the same time. Great fun and we plot along the way, which has surprised us, because we have the story planned. 

I'm loving the co-writing experience. Bryl is brilliant and this story rocks! It takes place in 1968 New Orleans and is a mystery/erotic m/m romance. I've done a lot of the research, including a couple of trips to New Orleans for logistical purposes as well as taking a gazillion photographs. 

Bryl's never been to New Orleans and I'm having a blast bringing the city to him, through this book. In October, we will both go to the Big Easy and attend the Gay Lit Retreat, along with some other authors of m/m romance, mystery, and other genres. I'll keep you posted as the time gets closer.

Noble Romance has contracted one of my very first books, and it is now undergoing a thorough scrubbing at my hands, before I finally turn it in. My writing style has changed quite a bit since I wrote it and I'm enjoying the change. This one will be a Regency, with erotic elements. It's one of my longer books and I'm very excited to complete my fixes and get it submitted.

More writing and research, which I happen to think is half the fun. 

Till next time,
Luv,
Brita

Back from Vacation and Working

Hi All!

Well, I'm back from the sunny Caribbean. Back to reality, made abundantly clear with a marathon day of laundry the day after our return. I promised hubby a nude cruise for our next one.

Since we'd been on that particular cruise several times, we didn't do shore excursions at the various ports, at least nothing more than walking off the ship and perusing the shops at dockside. Two or three of those and you have seen the offerings, made your purchases and were ready for a cold drink back on the ship.

Those days provided me with many hours of writing, in a wonderful little alcove I adopted as my own, unless it was already taken by a woman who enjoyed knitting while looking out the enormous window. Brita muttered mightly that day, but sought refuge nearby and banged out 7k on the new Sapphire Club book. Production was mine, albeit in a different chair.

The shows were wonderful, including several with a troupe from Second City. A mysterious Italian magician named Cripton was fantastic and the singers and dancers provided us with seven nights of great entertainment.

I found that on this vacation, away from the internet completely (at 75 cents a minute for access, the decision was made to avoid it all together), I was more relaxed than I can remember ever being. I slept a bit later and my mind seemed clearer. I needed this trip and never realized how much until I was actually there.

We all wear different hats in life and I am no different. Aside from being a writer, I am a wife, a mother, house cleaner (yeah, right! I keep saying it in hopes someone will believe that bit of fiction), and plotter of destinies (far different than being a writer).

I'm also a reader, not quite as avidly as I'd like, but then my other hats seem to take precidence. I am only able to read in bed, at night, while winding down from my day. While cruising, I read three books, one positively horrendous and two were absolute joys to read. I find I can't stop reading a bad book, all the while complaining internally about what a crashing waste of time it is. As a writer, I want to see the characters redeemed, the story bolstered and author become a new favorite. Two out of three books isn't a bad record for seven days.

Now I'm back and happy to be. The puppy is back home where she belongs - how I survived without my little muse for a week is still a mystery. This is Fiona Dialia and there's never been a more precious creature. Oh, how we love her!

Sadly, this week, we said good-bye to our grandpuppy, Lalia, a Catahoula Hound, who died of distemper. It was very sudden and my daughter and her family are devastated at her loss. How fragile life can be. She was loved greatly and will be missed.

So, vacation is over, emails are answered and I am working on polishing a manuscript before submission. One of several I hope to complete in the coming couple of months. There is a huge project looming and one I am enormously excited about. I am writing a series called Johan's Quest with a marvelous author, Bryl Tyne. We've been plotting and drawing up characters for our epic (slated as a three book series) and we are both chomping at the bit to get started with the actual writing. We each still have some plate clearing to do, but work should start soon, or better, as we have a deadline for the first book of the series.

If you've never read any Bryl Tyne, please check out his backlist. He is one of my top two favorite authors and I am so blessed to call him my friend. We've forged an understand over the last months of working to create our story and I've discovered a charming, talented, intuitive and occasionally grumpy guy, who isn't afraid to tell me when I have it all wrong. I love that about him, among other things and with such candidness, we will rub along nicely together.

I'll tell you more about Johan's Quest as we move along with it.

So that's it - I'm back. Rested, with my work in better order and pleased to be faced with the internet once again. Ha! Can't wait to show you what I have in store.

Till next time,
Luv,
Brita

And the Winners Are...

Hi Everyone,

I am so excited, for a couple of reasons. First, we have our five winners of signed cover flats, signed by Jimmy Thomas and me. 

Without further ado, here are the winners:

Gabrielle Lee 

Yadkny

Artemis

Ashley

Cindy

Each will receive the signed cover flat and a book mark, signed by me.

NOW, everyone who left a comment will receive a signed book mark. I will need mailing addresses from everyone.

Please email me at britaaddams@yahoo.com, with your mailing address and I will get your winnings out to you.

Please know, that due to the other reason I am so excited, the mailing will be delayed a week. I leave for vacation on Sunday and won't be back for a week, but that will give everyone time to send me their addresses. 

Thank you so much for participating in the contest and for your great comments. 

Thank you Jimmy, for your answers to Margie's and my questions. We put some pretty tough ones to you, and your answers were gracious and candid.  *Hugs* to you for that and for all you do to make authors like Margie and me have the wonderful covers we have. 

And a huge thanks to Margie Church, who is not only a fellow author but a friend. I love you, Margie, for all you are. Folks, Margie is a wonderful author and a really beautiful person. If you haven't read any of her books, you are in for a treat.

Okay, I have packing to do and you have emails to write. Love you all and thank you so much.

I'll send you a postcard.

Brita

Jimmy Thomas is in the House

My dear friend, Margie Church and I have the privilege of sharing our favorite romance cover model, Jimmy Thomas today - mind out of the gutter, people - in a great interview. He agreed to answer our questions, no-holds barred. The rest of the interview can be found at Romance with SASS. You will want to read the entire thing and leave comments, because that qualifies you to win autographed cover flats. 
We each sent Jimmy cover flats from our books where he appears as our hero. With silver pen in hand, he has signed them all, as we will do when we get them back.
The ONLY way to win one is to leave a comment after each of our interviews. Easy right?
Now, grab a glass of wine, and read on.
Did you ever want to send the crew home and "carry on" with your model? Have you ever?  Um YES!!! And no I haven't, that would be kind of too obvious, and I need to do my shoots. Anything else can always happen later ;)
Describe one of the sexiest things a fan has ever done for you?   The sexiest? I don't think any fan has done anything "sexy" for me. But their compliments and praises for the images I produce and how I am to them and others are so flattering and sweet.   What's your favorite prop you've used the most in shoots?  A blindfold.
Mmm, now that's interesting. Could that have anything to do with the Brita bondage shots? A girl can dream! Do you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert? Both, depends on the situation. At a party, club, lounge, etc? An Introvert. On my shoots? An Extrovert!
Do you consider yourself a sub or and dom in life or in the bedroom?  Both, again depending. A dom in life, and both in the bedroom; it's fun and exciting both ways
Are there kinks you're curious about?  Two or more girls and me
I absolutely must know what are your top three favorite all-time covers and why?   A new one by Donna Grant: "Shadow Highlander" because it's a bad-ass mass-market press cover! Lol. 
Of course "Love Immortal" is one of my top favorites, it's so clean, sharp and striking.Oh, that was such a loaded question! I knew that answer, because you've said that Love Immortal was one of your faves before how. Reese Dante is a brilliant cover artist, who really labored over this cover. Jimmy had dig in previously unpublished images to find the one we ultimately used. Thank you for that!
But to just list 3 is impossible, as I love many of them, like:
"Dream Lover" "Never Say Never" "Book Of The Dead" "A Captain's Order A Duke's Command," (from Noble Romance Publishing) "Solstice Seduction" "Who's Been Sleeping In Her Bed" "Carly And The New Forman" "Lucas"… SO MANY more!
How hard to you have to work to keep looking as great as you do?  I've been working out and eating smart for MANY years, so not much at all, once or twice a week maybe.
Now you're just showing off! Back to the treadmill for me! Has being a romance cover model helped or hurt your romantic life?   Both. Girls love it at first as they find the images hot and sexy, so they want the man behind that hot and sexy feeling. But then, when they get feelings for me, they don't like my covers anymore and won't even want to look at them.
Jimmy, this was so much fun, and I hate to see it end. You were very brave committing to this interview without seeing the questions first, and I have to say, you have given your fans some real insights into who you really are. Thank you for that.
We look forward to maybe another visit you later in the year. *winks at Jimmy* I'll be in touch, babe.
Now, folks, leave your comments. You know you want an autographed cover flat. 
After you leave your comments, go on over to Romance Novel Covers and take a look at all the gorgeous shots Jimmy has available. 
Take a peek at my newest cover, all bright and shiny, for an upcoming anthology on the 7 Deadly Sins. This is one of the pre-made covers Jimmy offers and I think it's gorgeous.  

Luv ya,Brita 

Mark your Calendars - Jimmy Thomas in the Spotlight

You all know the gorgeous romance novel cover model Jimmy Thomas or if you don't, what rock have you been living under? He graces the header of this blog and the covers of two of my books, both of which I have liberally sprinkled about these pages, because frankly, I enjoy looking at them and him.

Well, the man is not only drop dead delicious to look at, but he is just about the nicest person I know. He promotes author's books that he appears on and if you've ever visited his Facebook page, you know how he interacts with his fans, and there are legions of them!

My dear friend, Margie Church and I, along with a few of our other friends, enjoyed a wonderful chat with Jimmy a couple of months ago and from that, he consented to an in depth, no holds barred interview. 

Since we'd like him to come back again and again, we took it easy on him, but we did ask him some different questions, because we know you all don't really want to know what he eats for breakfast, no more than he really wants to tell us.

As he prepares his answers, Margie and I are baking cookies, putting up the decorations and preparing for a hot chat with the hottest thing to EVER hit romance novel covers - Fabio, who (and why??)

Jimmy has appeared on nearly 1000 covers in the, I think, twelve years he has been modeling, and by far his covers are the most gorgeous I've ever seen. I've had the chance to speak to him about his images and found he takes his photo shoots very seriously. When he has a model posing with him, the shoot is set up like they are on a date, with the emotions requisite to that experience. 

Jimmy handles all the shoots himself, from lighting to costumes. He wants to give the industry what it needs and I'd say, yeah, Mr. Thomas, you do succeed in spades. 


Visit his website, Romance Novel Covers. If you're an author, pick out a few shots for your upcoming books. If you are a fan, pick some up and frame them. Look all you want over there, Lord, I think Jimmy should charge me rent, I'm there so much, but please, don't drool - makes a mess of those gorgeous shots.


Now, this is how the interview will work. Since we loaded Jimmy up with all the questions we knew everyone would want to know the answers to, Margie and I are going to split them up. Sooo, half the questions will be right here and the other half over at Margie's gorgeous blog, Romance with SASS. Oh, yeah, the lady can write some SASS. You have to visit her to find out what SASS stands for, cuz I'm not tellin'. Get to know her work, you'll be glad you did.

Anyway, come on by on Saturday, February 5th, just a couple of days away and get to know Jimmy a bit better. Then pop over to Margie's blog and learn even more.


We'll be holding random drawings and 5 commenters on each of our blogs will be receiving autographed cover flats of the books you see sprinkled liberally in this post. AND not just autographed by Margie and me, but by Jimmy as well. That's right, now how cool is that?


Oh, yeah, and Margie and I will be sending out signed bookmarks to several people as well. I'm not sure about Margie's, but mine have Jimmy's face on them, both sides!


Here's one more cover for you, that of my daughter, Lindsay Marene Ordone's wonderfully sweet romance, Most Eligible, which just came out this week. As you might guess, I am most proud of my sweet girl and would consider it a great honor if you purchased her book. 


When Jimmy saw this cover, he told us that it was one of his favorite poses. Mmm, we can see why, right?


Meanwhile, take a look at Jimmy's 2011 calendar. On the back, he offered advertising space and guess what, Most Eligible and Love Immortal are on it! Yes they are, but you have to buy your own copy to see them.


Hang out and stare awhile, or you can camp out until Saturday. I'll come by to check on you often.

Luv,
Brita

Is Something New Always Good?

I've spent this last couple of weeks working hard on a submission with a deadline of April 1. It is a departure for me, being a contemporary, though the setting is quite familiar - a cruise ship. I've been on seven cruises and will be taking another soon, so the inspiration for this open submission call came quite easily.

Contemporary, however, is another story. I find myself with characters who speak in old English - probably not, given that they are Americans. Funny, when I edit back and see what I'd written so naturally. I wonder if my muse is telling me something, but, I am doing this story for Bryl Tyne, who asked me to answer this special submission call. At this point, I will do pretty much whatever Bryl asks me to do, so contemporary it is.

Bryl and I will start writing our "Johan's Quest" series, hopefully next month, if we can each clear our plates a bit more. He's been working on a story that's had him by the throat for several weeks and he's even had to beg a deadline extension. It's a great story, with some really deep characters and Bryl is really getting it right, as he does with everything he writes. 

Johan's Quest, or rather the first book in the series, The Soulless Man, will be a writing journey for me. I like that, as it will stretch my writing, given that, though historical, it takes place within my lifetime. Uhh, I never considered 1968 to be historical until now! 

Our Johan will be in search for the man he was or the man he wishes to be, but isn't. The series will have a noir feel to it, which Bryl and I both love. We've each written a few scenes, to get a feel for it, and we are satisfied that we can do this and get the product we want. I'm excited to do my first co-written project and to have it with Bryl Tyne is more than I could have ever hoped would happen.

Like most of the country, even the deep south has been experiencing cold temperatures, which I personally like as long as I have a raging fire and my favorite sweatshirt. Summer here comes around much too quickly, when the temperatures are hovering at 100 degrees and the humidity is at 100% for more months than I like to think about.

After my current WIP is completed, I will be Brita-izing a manuscript that was recently contracted with Noble Romance. I wrote it before the Sapphire Club series and actually before Brita, so it needs work. The story is solid, the characters have depth, but as my editor likes to tell me, "It needs the Brita touch." Very well, my dear, and so it shall.

A new Sapphire Club book is humming in my head. I've already committed to paper, or the virtual paper, the first three chapters and I like the way it's going. I'm not going to tell you who the stars of this are, but will say that one is someone known to the readers of the series and the other is new. I've itched to tell this story and I am finally going to do it. If all goes well, there will be two more Sapphire Club books this year.

I continue to be inspired by Aleks Voinov, as I am with Bryl Tyne, who each write what moves them. Both are very generous with their time and are willing to answer questions from other authors. I learn something new every day.

Stay tuned for a wonderful event, happening on February 5th, right here and simultaneously at Romance with SASS Margie Church's wonderful website. We will be interviewing the hot romance cover model, Jimmy Thomas.  I will have half the questions and Margie will have the other half.

Jimmy has very generously consented to sign cover flats, which Margie and I will sign and they will be available as prizes for contests. If you need a refresher course in Mr. Thomas' hunkiness, take a look at my last two covers - Love Immortal and Splendid Captivity. Mmmm.

Off to write. 
Till next time,
Luv,
Brita

I'm Visiting Rachel Haimowitz today

Rachel Haimowitz is cordially hosting an interview with me today at her very pretty blog. 

She asked some great questions! What do I like to do that most people don't? Gotta read the interview to find out. 

Leave me a comment and you could win a copy of Splendid Captivity. 

What would you take to a desert island? Find out what I absolutely can't live without. 

Click on Rachel's name and check it out.