Across the B-E-E-R Bar with Summer Daniels

welcome to my beer bar Summer! What can I pour for you to start?

Hmm.  Can I step outside the conventional beer bar wisdom and have a Jack and Coke? 
Hmmm...Nope. *points to the door* See the sign? "B-R-E-W-E-R-Y"  Yeah. That's we we have here.  So....guess you are drinking water while we chat.

I am fascinated by the concept of your series.  Is it autobiographical?

My series IS indeed autobiographical in nature.  Ironically I had one reviewer recently give Volume One of the series a 3 star review - in part because she was unsure if what she was reading was truth or fiction.  She indicated that I have been claiming this is based on true circumstances, but the standard "this is a work of fiction" disclaimer is present in the beginning of the book.  The mixture probably lies somewhere around 90% "just how it happened" and 10% "protect the guilty".  At the very least until my series hits worldwide acclaim and the movie deals start rolling in, I have to maintain a full time corporate job that would probably frown upon my being an author of erotica in my spare time.  ;-)   (And yes - make sure that worldwide acclaim bit is read with the "gentle sarcasm" font installed.)

so the $64,000 question, have you Read the 50 Shades books? If no, why not? If so, what did you think?

I have indeed read the 50 Shades books.  I have mixed feelings honestly.  As a reader, I thought the story was good, but could have been great.  The story line was strong enough to carry my interest, but the sex got repetitive and the writing was a bit disjointed in spots.  I found myself skipping past the sex to see where the plot was going, so as a story - I thought it worked.

As a fellow author of erotica, I welcome the attention that the whole 50 Shades phenomenon is bringing to the genre.  On a recent blog entry I likened it to the Tiger Woods effect in golf.  At the height of his popularity - Tiger brought a ton of new fans to the sport - many of which then grew to appreciate the skill and talent of other golfers on the PGA Tour.

As you already know I am sure - erotica is a hard (pun intended) genre to market.  A lot of people seem to enjoy reading it, but most are hesitant to "spread" the word about the fact they have enjoyed it.  That seems to be changing a little with the viral nature of the 50 Shades series.  Embracing the spillover from the flood of new fans seemed a natural thing to do.

There is a lot to be said for having "connections". I like using my own connections with fellow success, dues-paying authors like yourself.  Tell me how your new FB page: What to read After 50 Shades has worked out for you.

I'll be honest, like a lot of my fellow authors - all I felt towards the 50 Shades series at first was a bit of envy.  Why did this "lightning bolt of success" strike this particular work, by this particular author.  Then I honestly began to see the flood of new readers and new fans of the genre as a good opportunity to expose them (yep - pun intended once again) to other quality erotica - including my own.
I'm a big believer in the indie author community and helping one another to succeed.  In that vein, I started the new Facebook page called "What to read after Fifty (50) Shades of Grey".  I had the idea one afternoon after stumbling across a Fifty Shades Facebook fan page that had over 14,000 fans.  Now - less than two weeks later - it has over 25,000 fans.  I thought if I could show even a fraction of those readers what other quality erotica was out there, it would benefit my fellow authors and even my own work.

The new page has been a big success so far.  Wednesday, May 9th will mark two weeks since the new page started.  So - in less than two weeks - we have gathered over 700 fans (currently 733) and I have posted dozens of book recommendations from readers as well as straight author promotion from links the authors have posted as well.  
It has worked to the tune of over 180 sales in the past two weeks directly attributable to the links posted on the Facebook page.  Not a bad start.  Now imagine if the authors and readers that are fans simply share the page with their friends, readers, and fans.  One ebook recommendation site on Facebook has over 40,000 fans.  If we can get the new page anywhere near that number - eventually - it would be a ton of wonderful exposure for our featured authors.
In that vein, I ask anyone who has an interest to please come join us at https://www.facebook.com/WhatToReadAfter50ShadesOfGrey.
Please SHARE the page with anyone and everyone, and let's help grow our exposure for our indie author community.  

whoops empty glass! what can I pour next for you?

Pina Colada - please.

*wipes tears after laughing fit*  here: more water.

Do you have any other writing projects in you future?

As much fun as I AM having promoting my fellow authors, my own writing has been a little blocked lately.  I am currently working on Volume Four of my Summer's Journey series - which I hope to release in the next few weeks.
After Volume Four - I have a "special surprise" in the works.  I am planning on going back and re-writing Volume One of the Summer's Journey series from my male character's point of view.  I am tentatively calling it Mark's Journey: Volume One - Taking Control.  The intent will be to continue the series from both points of view, to give some insight into what both Mark and I were feeling and experiencing during this unusual dalliance.
 what advice would you give frustrated authors about the huge success of what many consider to be a mediocre story?
The advice I would give is simply to embrace your own writing with even more fervor.  Hone your own craft to a fine point so when (notice I did not say "if" - but "when") - so when those readers come looking for another story to fall in love with - you are there to embrace them with open legs (oops - I mean arms.)

Ok, nightcap time, what's your poison?

I think we'll end the evening with an extra tall Margarita please ... and thank you for listening to me ramble!!*shakes head* God help me....here, enjoy the tap water.

Time for me to go change into my writing clothes.  (A beat up old Orioles t-shirt and a smile - that always gets me in the proper writing mood!)

Buy Links:
Summer's Journey: Volume One - Losing Control - http://amzn.to/u7fNy5
Summer's Journey: Volume Two - Alphabetical Assignation - http://amzn.to/vqdA57
Summer's Journey: Volume Three - Bondage Ballet - http://amzn.to/AnUTTH
Summer's Journey: Collection One - (this is Volumes One through Three together) - http://amzn.to/wn9QKW
Thank you Liz for the opportunity to share a few drinks with you!!