The Guttersnipe Challenge

About nine months ago I went off into a rant on my Bingo thread: why were there so many master/slave books where the slave was mentally and emotionally a child in a man's body? Why were there so many that painted Stockholm Syndrome as a valid HEA? Or told rape victims to be thankful that they had been raped by good and decent people? (seriously wtf?) So many where the master did horrible, abusive things only to whine "WHY?? WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?!?!?" and guilt trip the slave into submission?

You know what I want? I want a master/slave book where the slave is a snarky antihero. I want one where you like both the master and the slave, but you like their plots against one another more. Something with twists and turns. Something that gives me my dark fantasy but doesn't feel the need to shame me for having it by pretending that rape is some kind of accelerated track to true love.

When the dust had settled and my Bingo team was done staring at me like I had lost my mind, someone said "Actually that sounds kind of awesome. Why don't you write it?"

So I did, it's called Guttersnipe.

What I didn't anticipate is that no one in m/m romance would want to publish it. Nobody. You didn't do this, they said, readers will want that, they insisted.

Trust us, we know.

Maybe they do. Let's find out!

The nice thing about bringing Guttersnipe out as an indie is that I get to do something no publisher would ever let me do: give it away.

What is The Guttersnipe Challenge?
I put myself out on a limb for a story I believe in. You guys know that I like to break the mold, to write things no one else is writing and push the boundaries of what romance novels can and should do. My publisher was ready to accept Guttersnipe on the condition that I change one of the most important elements of it and I said no.

I passed up the opportunity to have people I consider to be the best in the business guide this book because I think they're wrong about what romance readers want. I think you will love this story.

Was that a mistake? Should I have trusted the experience of my editors? I can't bear not knowing, so here's the deal: I'm looking to put this book in the hands of as many fiercely opinionated people as possible. To do that I'm giving away twenty free copies and giving everyone who signs up to take The Guttersnipe Challenge 60% off. When the dust has settled and everyone has had their say, we'll know who was right.

The Challenge Schedule
June 19th - June 29th: The Signup Period
June 30th - The Challenge Begins, discount/freebie codes are emailed to participants
June 30th - July 15th - Read Guttersnipe and post your most blisteringly honest reviews (don't worry I'll bring the S'mores!)
July 15th - July 21th - Blog Tour!

What's In This For Me?
Other than a free book? Think of all the things you've read that have made you say "Man, this industry will publish ANYTHING" I'm telling you now they won't; there is something they won't publish. Doesn't that make you curious?

Yes, But It Sounds Scary
Guttersnipe was not rejected for its content, but for its plot. So rest assured there is no gratuitous violence, torture, or graphic abuse. There is no pedophilia, bestiality, incest, water sports, necrophilia, fisting, etc, etc, etc, etc. There *is* however a lot of dubcon and some off-scene rape (I mean the book is about sex slavery, come on) so if that freaks you out you may want to take a pass.

How Do I Sign Up?
Submit your email on the Challenge's Signup Page. You can also read an excerpt there ^_~. RSVPing to the event through Goodreads or shelving the book will not constitute a 'sign up' because I will have no email to send the coupon code to. So remember to use the Signup Page, your information will be kept private and you won't receive any spam from me ^_^

I Really Want a Free Book, How Do I Improve My Odds of Winning One?
Use the referral code to direct more people to sign up to take the Challenge. For each person you bring in, I will give you an extra entry :) I won't insult your intelligence, obvious this is all a ploy to get the book in front of as many people as possible, but then ... all contests are. I'm just slightly more creative about it ;)