Ari McKay's Blog, page 12

In a world…

So, today I wanted to talk about finishing what you start.

I think, in the world of writing, this is one of the hardest things to do. I can’t tell you how many stories McKay and I have that we started and either the idea just wouldn’t gel, or the characters wouldn’t speak up — and even, on rare occasions, the characters just wouldn’t get interested in one another no matter how much we tried. I think every writer must have a folder of things that didn’t pan out, and that’s fine. But what do you do when you’re two books into a series of three and the last one refuses to let itself be written?

Fortunately, we didn’t have that happen with Blood Bathory, although I think writing that third book was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. We KNEW how it had to end, of course, because that was obvious, but just because you know where you’re going doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy to get there, or how long it will take. Or what unexpected things you might discover along the way.

McKay can correct me, but I think we made something like three or four starts on BB: Be Not Proud before one finally worked. Mostly, it was the characters not coming together properly, which is probably, in my book, the absolute worst thing that can happen. We knew these guys well, but they kept wanting to show unexpected quirks that would cause us to have to go back and rethink where the story was going. And it wasn’t one character, but both of them who did this to us. In the end, we finally did get the dynamic worked out, and I believe the story is actually stronger for all the time we put into writing things that DIDN’T work. But while the act of discovery was working itself out, there was more than one grim moment when I wondered if we might be in danger of committing the cardinal sin of not finishing a series. Thankfully, our sins –thus far — remain only venial.

New release: A Taste of Honey!

A Taste of Honey is now available from Torquere Press! We took a break from writing about big, badass mercs to write something a little lighter. A Taste of Honey is more of a romantic comedy set during a Southern family reunion, and we had fun putting a different spin on the “fake girlfriend” trope.

Boone is just trying to avoid his mama’s matchmaking by bringing his crossdressing friend to the reunion, but a glimpse of Rob’s white lace panties makes him question whether he’s as straight as he thought.

This is one of our shorter, lighter works, but it was a fun little palate cleanser after the heavy adventure-and-angst of the Herc’s Mercs series and the third Blood Bathory novel. ;)

As Ari posted a few days ago, we’ve got another Herc’s Mercs book in the pipeline. We don’t have a release date for it yet, but we’ll update here when we get it.

Currently, we’re writing an epilogue for The Quality of Mercy, which is a sequel to Finding Forgiveness that focuses on Carlos Hernandez. In Finding Forgiveness, Carlos mentions his regrets over losing a former lover because his eyes and his feet wandered too much, so we’re giving him a chance to try to win back the man he loves. Once we finish the epilogue, that manuscript will be in my editing queue.

Next up, we’re working on a second book for Dreamspinner’s Dreamspun Line with a goal of getting it finished and submitted by June.

After that, we’ve got a holiday story to write, and then it’ll be on to the next book in the Herc’s Mercs series! So many plot bunnies, so little time.

Another Herc’s Mercs, Coming Soon!

Torquere Press has just accepted the latest in the Herc’s Mercs series: Where Angels Fear to Tread!

Lee Albright is a photojournalist who loves traveling and the challenge of his job, but when he’s asked to shoot a calendar for charity, he can’t resist — especially since the photos are of the men of Hercules Security, some of the sexiest hunks he’s ever seen. Things get even better when he meets Mr. July, Geo Kensei, and the instant spark of attraction between them quickly bursts into an all-consuming flame.

Too soon their careers force them to part ways, though they’re both anxious for a quick reunion. Then in the midst of a war-torn city they meet again, and now Geo must use every tool and skill he possesses to get both Lee and his client out of danger. His intense focus on the mission is all that’s keeping the three of them alive, but will seeing the side of Geo that’s a cold, professional killer drive Lee away forever?

Keep an eye on torquerepress.com for all our latest stories!

On Plagiarism

When most people hear the word “plagiarism”, they think of verbatim lifting of sentences, paragraphs, or even entire documents. That kind of copy/pasting is the most common type of plagiarism, and it’s the type that plagiarism checkers are built to catch. But it’s not the only type of plagiarism.

Plagiarism.org offers a fuller definition of plagiarism that includes stealing not only words but ideas, and it specifically references literary theft.

Identifying plagiarism that doesn’t involve word for word copying is tricky when it comes to fiction. After all, “there’s nothing new under the sun” is a cliche that gets bandied around quite often. “A restless and special young man longs for something more than he finds in his mundane life and jumps at the chance for adventure when an unexpected mentor arrives.” Am I talking about Luke Skywalker or Harry Potter?

Using such broad plot points isn’t considered plagiarism because it’s generic enough that you can tweak the details in any original direction you want. But when your details are similar to someone else’s work, well, then you’ve got a potential problem.

Especially when someone can go through your work and find about 20 plot and character related similarities while just skimming. I can’t imagine what might turn up if a close reading was involved, but I’m willing to find out if I have to.

Why yes! We’re dealing with a case of idea plagiarism. We’re not going to name and shame (yet) because we’re trying to reach a resolution through Amazon, which involves generating a lot of documentation to create a solid paper trail. Kristi at Torquere has been really helpful during this process, and we’re grateful for her assistance in this upsetting matter.

I think it’s important to remember that the gay romance novel writing world isn’t that big. We found this person because their work was reviewed, and the description jumped out at us as being similar enough to warrant further investigation. This author is self-published, so perhaps they thought they’d avoid detection because they aren’t affiliated with Torquere Press or Dreamspinner Press, where our work has been published. Or perhaps they weren’t aware that stealing details and specific concepts is considered plagiarism along with stealing words.

I don’t know. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt that they acted out of ignorance rather than malice, but either way, we aren’t going to let it pass unchallenged.

A Taste of Honey pre-order!

A Taste of Honey is now available for pre-order at a 15% discount! If you reserve your copy now, you’ll get it emailed to you a day before the official release date, which is March 9.

Boone Phillips needs a girlfriend and fast! His family reunion is approaching, and if he shows up alone, his mother will throw every woman in sight at him. But the only “woman” Boone trusts enough to ask is Honey, the alter ego of his gay, cross-dressing best friend Rob. Desperate, he begs for Rob’s help.

Rob has doubts about the wisdom of agreeing to help because he’s had a crush on his straight friend for years. After a practice date, however, he decides to go along with the charade, despite the chance that Boone might discover his secret infatuation.

Between nosey relatives, illegal moonshine, and the sight of Rob in white lace panties, Boone starts to wonder if he’s as straight as he’d thought. When an earth-shattering kiss sends Rob running to protect his heart, however, Boone learns some surprising things about both his family and himself. Now he needs to convince Rob to give him another chance, or else his first taste of Honey might also be his last.

A Taste of Honey is 32000 words and currently on sale for $3.39!

Torquere Press Valentine’s Day sale!

Ari and I haven’t written as much for Valentine’s Day as we have for Christmas and Halloween, but we do have Letters from Cupid and Dandy’s Little Girl, which both center around Valentine’s Day. :D

Blood Bathory!

Good news! We’ve got a release date for the third and final book in the Blood Bathory trilogy!

Blood Bathory: Be Not Proud will be released on August 31, 2016, by Torquere Press. The final installment of the trilogy will feature Fransisco Antonio Miguel Castillo de Barajas, who was introduced in the second Blood Bathory book as the head of the European division of Shaw-Mann Industries.

Antonio is the second oldest living theriomorph whose form is a black Andalusian stallion. He’s over a thousand years old, and he’s loved and lost twice. His human wife Ysabel died in childbirth, and his vampire lover, Raphael, was killed by Thrace.

Since his bond with Raphael was broken 500 years ago, Antonio has been alone, but he’ll get another chance at love in book 3. With whom? That remains to be seen. ;)

We’ll share blurbs and cover art in the months ahead, but since we just signed the contract, all we have right now is the release date. Hopefully our readers will enjoy the resolution of the trilogy!

Herc’s Mercs 5 available for pre-order!

The fifth book in the Herc’s Mercs series is now available for pre-order! Herc’s Mercs: The Harder They Fall will be released on January 6, 2016 from Torquere Press.

Chris Hardison never expected the simple consulting gig to put him on somebody’s hit list, but Hercules Security’s resident computer whiz never does anything by halves. Now he’s on the run, guarded by gorgeous Jason Hekili, the newest member of Herc’s crew. But Chris and Jason have a past, and holing up in a safe house together is as complicated as it is dangerous.

Jason still wants Chris even though his broken heart hasn’t healed. He isn’t sure he can trust Chris, but when a crime syndicate targets Chris for assassination, Jason has to put his life on the line to protect Chris or risk losing their second chance for happiness before it even begins.

 

Meanwhile, Torquere Press is having a sale! Use code “Santa2015” between now and January 1, 2016 to receive 35% off your entire cart.

And don’t forget to enter for a chance to win a copy of Herc’s Mercs 5 at pride-promotions.com!

Holiday Cheer!

Our creative output has been a little low in 2015 because of various Life Obstacles arising for both of us, but we’re already making progress toward increasing our publications in 2016!

The next book in the Herc’s Mercs series will be released on January 6 from Torquere Press! Herc’s Mercs: The Harder They Fall is the first story to feature two employees of Hercules Security. Jason Hekili is a former actor/model/EMT turned merc and Chris Hardison is the west coast branch’s IT specialist. Jason and Chris meet at the anniversary party of Alec “Red” Davis and Jon Baldwin and sparks fly, but Chris’ bad relationship experiences cause him not to trust that hot, hunky Jason will remain interested in a geeky guy like him. When Chris is targeted by corrupt men who want to stop him from testifying against them, Jason is assigned to Chris’ protection detail, and they are thrown together in a safe house where the proximity forces them both to face the doubts and fears that have kept them apart.

A Taste of Honey tells the story of two best friends who could find love with each other — if they can figure out they’re perfect for one another. Rob “Honey” Coombs is a successful graphic artist who performs as a drag queen in his off-time. Boone Phillips is his best friend who needs a big favor: a fake girlfriend to keep his well-meaning mother from matchmaking at the upcoming Phillips family reunion. Honey seems like the perfect choice until Boone’s attraction to Honey makes him realize his feelings for Rob aren’t as platonic as he thought. A Taste of Honey will be released on March 9 from Torquere Press!

And on December 15, we have Striking Sparks, #24 in Dreamspinner Press’ new Dreamspun line! Jake Parnell and Beau Walker have been rivals since high school, but their animosity covered a mutual attraction. The death of his brother brings Jake back to Buffalo Lick, Texas, to help take care of his sister-in-law and her kids, and he and Beau renew their old rivalry for a televised barbecue competition. But ratings and the success of their rival restaurants aren’t the only things at stake; their hearts are on the line as well.

We don’t have a new holiday story this year, alas, but we do have some older ones that are still available!

Santa’s Naughty Helper

On the Rocks

Knitting a Broken Heart Back Together

Holiday Hootenanny

Last Leap of the First Foot

Happy holidays to all our readers! :D

Haunted Hotties

When he learns that he has until Halloween to connect with his true love, Whimsy Hickes calls on the ghost of his playboy ancestor, Restraint, for help. Whimsy’s sexy werewolf neighbor, Harlan Edgewood, would be the perfect choice if he didn’t already have a girlfriend, but Restraint encourages Whimsy to fan the sparks and ignite a flame in Harlan. On Halloween, Harlan must choose between taking a chance on Whimsy or proposing to his girlfriend, and Whimsy can only wait and wonder if he’ll find true love or lose it forever.

Everything a Big Bad Wolf Could Want is now available from Torquere Press!