Disappointments & A New Kid on the Block

 Have you ever had such high hopes for something and anticipated wonderful things, only to have reality snatch those pipe dreams from your grabby little hands? Yeah, me too. 


I must say, that for the most part, life has treated me kindly but, yeah, I'm greedy and want everything to go well, for me and everyone else. 


This past week I had some writerly unpleasantness, stemming from some writerly unpleasantness a few weeks ago, and it made me realize that sometimes there is a glittery package and not much substance in the box. 


This is all very cryptic and it will remain so, but suffice it to say that there is pettiness in the world that unbecoming the positions that some people hold. A writer has the right, nay, obligation, to fight for something they believe in, and they shouldn't face retribution because of their stance. It's all business and should never get personal.


That said, a lesson has been learned this week and no one has to teach this gal twice. I'm moving on.


A couple of months ago, I had the great honor to be invited to submit a story to Riptide Publishing, a new gay fiction press set to open this fall. The major enticement is that it's owned by Aleksandr Voinov and Rachel Haimowitz, along with their partner Chris Hawkins. 


Aleks has been a friend since I signed my first writing contract, was actually the first person to welcome me into the writing world, so he's not someone I could easily forget. Couple that with the fact that he's my favorite writer, and well, when you get the invite, you accept, no?


Aleks and Rachel are savvy. They understand the publishing world, in many, many ways, much better than many up and running publishers. They also understand writers, as they are first and foremost just that. Their contract is author friendly - no Right of First Refusal clause, which basically ties an author to a publisher if that author writes a series. They can't take their characters and go elsewhere, without the publisher having the first right to accept or reject the continuing stories. I shudder to think how many wonderful stories haven't been written because of that dastardly clause.


The royalty percentage is more than fair and the editing is Manhattan-style, which is a breath of fresh air. There is no holds barred when it comes to making the story the best it can be and I have the bruises to prove it. At first I was angry and defensive, but Aleks talked me off the roof and through it all, I learned new things, always a plus in my book. 


And so, the Romeo Club was born. The first of a series of shorts. They are contemporary m/m erotica shorts and a great deal of fun to write. 


I have two contracted and almost finished with the third. I'm also working on an historical for Riptide, though it is subject to acceptance. One of the best things about Riptide is that just because you have one story accepted doesn't mean they will all be accepted. Quality for the reading public is paramount in Riptide's business model. 


It's an honor to be writing at Riptide and join authors like Damon Suede, Cat Grant, Storm Grant, Bryl R. Tyne, Gileonnen, Rhianon Etzweiler, Andrea Speed, Kari Gregg, L.A. Witt, Aleks and Rachel, as part of the first wave of authors at Riptide. Long live the Wave.


Now I'm off to write blurbs. Someone pull my teeth now please - as that is preferable to the dreaded blurb, which is only slightly more preferable to the hated synopsis. 


Hugs till next time,
Brita