Victoria Fox's Blog, page 279
February 14, 2013
The winner is announced!
It’s an extra special Valentine’s Day for one budding author, as this morning on Lorraine we crowned Anouska Knight the WINNER of Racy Reads. Anouska was over the moon – and so she should be. As well as bagging a publishing contract with the world number one in romance and erotica, the legendary Mills & Boon, Anouska will jet out to Hollywood to meet the mighty Jackie Collins. We chose Anouska’s book ‘Cake’ because of its addictive mix of steamy sex and hard-hitting emotion. The full novel will be unleashed this summer, and I predict she’s one to watch…
Here we are with Lorraine after the happy news 
If this competiton has inspired you to write, I’ve got one piece of advice… GO FOR IT!
Victoria x
The post The winner is announced! appeared first on Victoria Fox.
The winner is announced!
It's an extra special Valentine's Day for one budding author, as this morning on Lorraine we crowned Anouska Knight the WINNER of Racy Reads. Anouska was over the moon - and so she should be. As well as bagging a publishing contract with the world number one in romance and erotica, the legendary Mills & Boon, Anouska will jet out to Hollywood to meet the mighty Jackie Collins. We chose Anouska's book 'Cake' because of its addictive mix of steamy sex and hard-hitting emotion. The full novel will be unleashed this summer, and I predict she's one to watch...
Here we are with Lorraine after the happy news :-)
If this competiton has inspired you to write, I've got one piece of advice... GO FOR IT!
Victoria x
January 15, 2013
Racy Reads
Are you the next big romance writer? Have you got a steamy story to tell? Fancy yourself as the new Jackie Collins? Well, here’s your chance. ITV’s Lorraine together with Mills & Boon are launching a nationwide search to find racy literature’s hidden diamond . . . and it could be you!
All you have to do is submit the first 1000 words of your novel by the 28th January, and the judges will take it from there. The prize? A publishing contract with the legendary institution that is M&B, meaning you’ll see your book on the shelves this summer – AND, wait for it, you’ll be flown out to Hollywood for lunch and literary liaisons with the one and only Jackie Collins. Yes – Jackie! It doesn’t get much better than that.
I’ll be judging the comp alongside Jackie. Here’s what I’m looking for . . .
1. A really strong, compelling, addictive opening. Remember you’ve only got 1000 words to impress us. This might sound daunting if you’ve never written a word in your life, but believe me, you’ll be surprised at how quickly that word count climbs. You could set up a mystery, or a secret, and we just have to keep reading to see it unravel; it could be an electric writing style, sharp and sassy and on the money; or it could be a character we instantly fall in love with. Either way, by the time we reach the end of that 1000 words, we have to be desperate to read the rest.
2. Focus on your characters. Think about what attracts you to your favourite protagonists – not just in books, but on TV, in film, even people you know, and try to isolate what it is that draws you in. You might bring in a sexy hero who immediately casts us under his spell, or a feisty, gutsy heroine we just have to see succeed, or perhaps it’s a villain who we love to hate. Remember: it’s all about the characters. Get them right and you’ve got us hooked.
3. Let your imagination run wild. This is fiction, so, yes, while you might feel more comfortable writing what you know, don’t be afraid to conjure the seemingly ridiculous, the overblown, the exaggerated. Have fun! If we invest in your characters then we’ll believe your story, whatever you tell us. One thing I think of when I’m writing bonkbusters is: This is big, but how do I make it bigger? We want to escape into your book. Take us there.
Here’s how to enter – good luck! http://www.itv.com/lorraine/hottopics/enter-racy-reads/
Victoria x
The post Racy Reads appeared first on Victoria Fox.
January 14, 2013
RACY READS
Are you the next big romance writer? Have you got a steamy story to tell? Fancy yourself as the new Jackie Collins? Well, here's your chance. ITV's Lorraine together with Mills & Boon are launching a nationwide search to find racy literature's hidden diamond . . . and it could be you!
All you have to do is submit the first 1000 words of your novel by the 28th January, and the judges will take it from there. The prize? A publishing contract with the legendary institution that is M&B, meaning you'll see your book on the shelves this summer - AND, wait for it, you'll be flown out to Hollywood for lunch and literary liaisons with the one and only Jackie Collins. Yes - Jackie! It doesn't get much better than that.
I'll be judging the comp alongside Jackie. Here's what I'm looking for . . .
1. A really strong, compelling, addictive opening. Remember you've only got 1000 words to impress us. This might sound daunting if you've never written a word in your life, but believe me, you'll be surprised at how quickly that word count climbs. You could set up a mystery, or a secret, and we just have to keep reading to see it unravel; it could be an electric writing style, sharp and sassy and on the money; or it could be a character we instantly fall in love with. Either way, by the time we reach the end of that 1000 words, we have to be desperate to read the rest.
2. Focus on your characters. Think about what attracts you to your favourite protagonists - not just in books, but on TV, in film, even people you know, and try to isolate what it is that draws you in. You might bring in a sexy hero who immediately casts us under his spell, or a feisty, gutsy heroine we just have to see succeed, or perhaps it's a villain who we love to hate. Remember: it's all about the characters. Get them right and you've got us hooked.
3. Let your imagination run wild. This is fiction, so, yes, while you might feel more comfortable writing what you know, don't be afraid to conjure the seemingly ridiculous, the overblown, the exaggerated. Have fun! If we invest in your characters then we'll believe your story, whatever you tell us. One thing I think of when I'm writing bonkbusters is: This is big, but how do I make it bigger? We want to escape into your book. Take us there.
Here's how to enter - good luck! http://www.itv.com/lorraine/hottopics/enter-racy-reads/
Victoria x
January 1, 2013
Hollywood Happy New Year!
If you're after a naughty New Year then look no further. HOLLYWOOD SINNERS is a feast of sex, celebrity and sizzling scandal, and is in the Kindle 12 Days of Christmas promotion, meaning that for a short time it's selling for just £1.09 - BARGAIN!
Have a wonderful 2013.
Lots of love, Victoria x
December 21, 2012
Best of 2012
Check out TEMPTATION ISLAND in the iBookstore's Best of 2012! http://bit.ly/XOOFij
I'm in super company with some of my favourite authors and books of the year. What are your top reads of 2012?
Victoria x
December 10, 2012
Ultimate Reads
This week I was asked to think about my top 10 favourite reads of all time. This was HARD. It got me considering what makes A Great Book. This is one that moves beyond being just a story: it becomes an experience, an adventure, a learning curve, and comes to define some point in the reader's life, able to conjure that particular stage of development and all the feelings that went with it. For me these novels also shaped, in some capacity, my own bonkbuster ambition, and for that I owe them a great deal. Here is my Power 10 . . .
Lovers & Gamblers by Jackie Collins - sizzling with sex, scandal and shocking secrets, for me this is the best of Jackie's novels
Octavia by Jilly Cooper - Jilly's romances are less known than her Rutshire Chronicles, but these shorter books are a masterclass in fun and frolics by one of the best writers in the genre
Lace by Shirley Conran - the definitive 80s classic that boasts one of the greatest lines in literature: 'Which one of you bitches is my mother?'
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann: arguably the bonkbuster that paved the way for all others, this seminal novel follows the fates and fortunes of three women in 1960s America
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough - described as the Australian Gone With The Wind, this sweeping family saga spans five decades and is brimming with intrigue, romance and adventure
Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer - proof that sexy, epic blockbusters can just as easily star men, this was one of the first doorstop dramas that made me want to write big, ambitious novels of my own
River God by Wilbur Smith - gutsy and magnificent, this explosive tale is set in Ancient Egypt and is one of the most atmospheric, transporting and thrilling novels I've read
Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews - a heady brew of horror, fairy tale and teenage sensuality, this one was passed dog-eared between us at school, a literary rites of passage that had us all reading furiously after lights-out
Deenie by Judy Blume - from the queen of YA, this is a beautifully realised novel about coming of age, alienation and friendship from a truly wise and brilliant author
An Absolute Scandal by Penny Vincenzi - glossy and addictive, Penny's bonkbusters are sheer indulgence from start to finish, and this is my all-time favourite.
... What are yours?
Love V x
November 13, 2012
The Next Big Thing
Last week the lovely Abby Clements, author of Christmassy treat MEET ME UNDER THE MISTLETOE, tagged me as one of her Next Big Things. This is where an author recommends a handful of their fellow favourites and we all answer some questions about our forthcoming books. So, here's mine . . .
What is the working title of your next book?
WICKED AMBITION. It’s not official yet but I love it. Two great words, and they look fab on a cover.
Where did the idea come from for the book?
I’ve wanted to write a novel set in the music industry for a while. A glance at today’s charts provides so much juice for characters and storylines: the squeaky-clean boy band, the pop princess, the fearless diva, the talent show sensation . . . The characters in this one came to life for me straight away and I think that’s part of the reason why: each one has this shocking tale to tell and I loved following them on their journeys!
What genre does your book fall under?
It’s a bonkbuster, dahling. That’s a glitzy, sex-filled, high-octane romp through the hidden lives of the rich and famous – you’ll encounter romance, heroes, villains, studs, bitches, naughtiness, betrayal and revenge. Bonkbusters are the leopard-print cat suits of literature.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Brave ones! They’d have to be up for anything. My characters are no holds barred. They’ve always got wicked histories and get involved in the most outrageous situations. An actor who’d be happy to take his clothes off, too. I’d be very strict at the auditions. I’m thinking Ryan Gosling might have what it takes.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
Hard Rock meets Hollywood in a glamorous, sexy revenge thriller set between the studios and stadiums of London and LA.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m represented by the superb Madeleine Milburn of the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. My publishers are MIRA Books. I have an awesome team!
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Four months. Then I spent five weeks editing. It’s important to keep momentum with the first draft, even if you unpick and juggle a lot of it around during the editing stage. My books have loads happening simultaneously and several threads to follow and tie up, so if I let the trail go cold I lose not just the rhythm but where everyone is supposed to be and when. After I’ve delivered I feel weird, because I’ve been living it so intensely and then suddenly it’s gone. I think that’s how it should be, though. I can’t dip in and out of writing a book.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I’m a huge fan of bonkbusters. My novels cover a wide canvas and I learnt that from the best: Jackie Collins. She’s a legend. I love her. My favourite of her books is Lovers & Gamblers. Some of the content is very much of its time, but as a master class in sass, style and how to tell a superb story, it’s the ultimate.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
A morbid fascination with people like Justin Bieber.
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
WICKED AMBITION begins after the London Games, so there are a couple of sexy Olympians thrown into the mix. And you know what they say about athletes in the bedroom …
My fantastic friends for next week's Big Thing are #drumrollplease . . .
Rebecca Chance http://www.rebeccachance.net/ - fabulous bonkbuster mistress who's written not one but two superb bonkfests this year, KILLER HEELS and BAD ANGELS
Kate Furnivall http://www.katefurnivall.com/ - romance, passion and adventure in the most wonderful settings, Kate's books are stylish and sumptuous - I love them! I can't wait for her new novel SHADOWS ON THE NILE to hit the shelves
Chioma Okereke http://www.chiomaokereke.com/ - Chioma's excellent debut BITTERLEAF was published by Virago and she's got another on the way. Chioma writes beautifully and reading her is like stepping into another world
Juliet Ashton - I am really excited about Juliet's debut THE VALENTINE'S CARD. Check it out here http://tinyurl.com/coks6a9 - it's a gorgeous cover for what sounds like a gorgeous read to brighten up the New Year. Plus Juliet is hands-down one of the funniest, cleverest and best people I know.
Enjoy!
Love V x
November 6, 2012
Christmas came early
Yesterday I bought Christmas cards. It hurt. Half of me felt deep satisfaction at how organised I was going to be this year - maybe I'd home-craft all my presents with weeks to spare and save hundreds of pounds I might otherwise have spent on last-minute tat; maybe I'd become a baking goddess overnight and assemble a gingerbread house complete with candy cane chimney; maybe I'd organise my diary so efficiently this year that I don't spend all of December tearing my hair out - and half of me, the more realistic half, knew that the card purchase was just an obligatory glimpse-in at Christmas that would then keep me going until December 21st when suddenly I realise nothing has happened and it's now. It's NOW.
Ah, but I do kind of love November. The cold nights, the smell of bonfires, the guilt-free red wine evenings (fact: red wine is warming), and wrapping up in my favourite duffel coat which is like wearing a massive duvet with toggles. I've spent the past few months immersed in my third novel so have kept the approaching freeze at bay, inhabiting as I have a balmy Barbados movie set, a sizzle of star-studded premieres, a host of hot heroes and scorching sex galore, so that when I delivered the manuscript yesterday I suddenly looked up and thought, Oh. Let's put the heating on.
I'm really excited about Book 3 - it doesn't have an official title yet, which becomes more awkward the more you get to know it, like waiting to name a baby - and also about the fantastic new deal I've signed with my lovely publishers MIRA, thoughts of which will be keeping me aglow all through the Christmas season. You can read about it here: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/harlequin-signs-victoria-fox-five-titles.html?quicktabs_1=0
The contract is for five books and I'm mega happy about it because I have tons of ideas for stories and characters and now I have somewhere to put them. Next up I'm writing a Mills & Boon (SCREAM! - sorry, just had to get that out), a romance set in England but with all the staple glitz and glam you'd expect from a Foxy frolic, and then it'll be straight back into the world of Bonk. And that's a special world to be in.
Roll on 2013!
Keep warm,
Victoria x
September 6, 2012
Olympic summer
It's been a few weeks since I last checked in. The first reason for this is that I've been hard at work on my third book, which - woohoo! - has just been delivered. It's a bit like handing in your end-of-term assignment, or uni dissertation, but at the same time totally unlike either of those things because it has a ton of rude sex in it. (But then it depends what course you studied.) Book 3 is a sexy, high-glam revenge thriller set in the glitzy LA/London music industry, with a splash of post-Olympics fever.
Which brings me to the second reason for my tardiness. THE OLYMPICS. I don't know about you, but I've been totally hooked. From the opening ceremony to the very last race, I was glued to the Games, caught up in the passions and dramas and victories on the biggest stage on earth. Highlights were:
Tom Daley in the shower. And out of the shower. And everywhere. (I'm ten years older than him; I need to a get a grip on this.)
Usain Bolt. Sexy.
Male gymnastics. Men with upper body strength . . . Considerable upper body strength.
This makes it sound like I was watching it for all the wrong reasons. I wasn't (most of the time). London 2012 has showcased the hard work, dedication and sheer raw talent of some amazing women and men, and that was truly a magnificent thing to witness on home ground. These are the heroes we should be looking up to and taking inspiration from. To think so much training comes down to that sliver of a window between triumph and loss is kind of mind-blowing. Olympians and Paralympians, I salute you!
The 2012 legacy looks set to run and run, but if you're getting withdrawal symptoms come next year, keep an eye out for my next book. It hits the shelves next June.
So now the novel's handed in, and the sporting summer is nearly over, what am I going to do? Hmm, I think I'll write another one.
Lots of love, Victoria x
Victoria Fox's Blog
- Victoria Fox's profile
- 137 followers
