Introductions

[Elin]

Please post an introduction - though I'm sure a lot of you are very familiar.

[Susan]

Hi everyone. I think my novel, "Perfect Score" fits perfectly (oops) into this group. Hooray! I've got a home to come to :-)

[Adele]

Glad to find this group. I publish LGBT authors and just have a giveaway this weekend of one of the UK's top lesbian authors, V.G. Lee, who was shortlisted alongside Jeanette Winterson in the Stonewall Awards for writer of the year recently. Sorry to start with something promotional but at least it's a gift and does show you who I am in terms of what I do in the book world. I promise to join in with discussions and will put this link for those who would like this fantastic funny/sad read - Diary of a Provincial Lesbian by V.G. Lee http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Provinc...

[Elin]

Adele wrote: "Glad to find this group. I publish LGBT authors and just have a giveaway this weekend of one of the UK's top lesbian authors, V.G. Lee, who was shortlisted alongside Jeanette Winterson in the Stone..."

Excellent. Delighted to meet you Adele. I'm just flailing around trying to make the group more organised. :) I'll get there.

[[deleted user]]

Hi there - I like the title you chose, Elin! I've never quite understood why some people seem to think M/M fiction should be all about bedroom gymnastics; for most people sex actually occupies quite a small proportion of their time - and indeed it's probably better that way, because it makes it more special - and I'm interested in characters who have jobs, friends, pets, hobbies and problems to occupy their thoughts the rest of the time.

[Charlie]

Hi there. I think just about any of my books/stories fit into this category.

Thanks for setting this up, Elin. U R a *.

[Bruin]

Hi folks, old friends and new. I'm Bruin Fisher and most of my stories are for free and can be found here: http://www.bruinscave.org.uk
Two of my stories have been published in anthologies. I have an Amazon author page which lists them:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bruin-Fisher/...
Thanks Elin for setting this up. x

[Sandra]

Hello! - erm... not sure what to say in an intro. Some of you I know or have met at UK Meets, so hello to you. To everyone else: I look forward to getting yo know you here :-)

[BlackTulip]

Hello, I think that I'm the first reader here :)

I've always loved History. I began to read MM Historical novels more than two years ago.
When I choose a book, it's never because of the cover or the tittle but always because of the story. I'm never looking for sex in my books but if there is, it has to add something to the story otherwise it only becomes boring and uninteresting. I'm happy to be part of this new group !

^_^

[Jess]

Hi Everyone! I write LGBTQ historical suspense. My first novel, The Affair of the Porcelain Dog was shortlisted for a Lammy, and I have two new releases coming in March--The Left Hand of Justice (lesbian steampunk) and an anthology of mystery short stories (I'm the editor) entitled "Death and the Detective."

Nice to meet you and to be part of the discussion!

Jess Faraday
http://www.jessfaraday.com

[Erastes]

Hi, I'm Erastes - I started out writing books with a fair smattering of sex but that's basically what everyone said everyone wanted. As the genre has grown and the more books I write the less sex I do, or the more subtle it becomes.

My website is at www.erastes.com - and I'm currently (cough, sort of currentlyish) working on a spy-thriller type of thing set during the London Blitz which is a quarter done and hasn't even had a definite pair sorted out yet.

Glad to be here and look forward to meeting you all

[Mara]

Hi! I'm Mara and I'm a writer as well as a reader. I'm hoping for some good, plotty recs from this group.

There's a big sign coming up telling me to post details and links. Not sure this is the right place but...

I have a couple of sci-fi books with some sex scenes:
Smoke: A Dark Masters Story
Yarotanji, A Dark Masters Story

A contemporary shapeshifter novella with a couple of sex scenes:
Journey to Compromise

A short story which involves a visit to a sex shop and a kiss or two:
Nice: The Joy of Christmas Shopping

These are available from:
Torquere Books

I also have a couple of fairytales in an anthology from Less Than 3 Press, one with a sex scene and one with only kissing:
Fairytales Slashed: Volume 3

Less Than 3

[Rebecca]

Hi All,

I'm Rebecca, and while I've recently being enjoying a torrid affair with m/m historicals my true writing love is Sci-fi and fantasy. I'd like to think what I write would be covered by this group.

I'm currently working on a Earth based Sci-fi novel, the follow up to my fantasy novel, and doing edits on the sequel to my last release which was a historial... and trying to keep an eight week old fed and in dry nappies :)

[Laylah Hunter]

Hey all! I'm Laylah, and this sounds like a group definitely geared around the kind of stories I like to read -- I'm way more interested in adventure-with-a-side-of-romance than the other way around.

...So far the short fiction I've published hasn't really fit that pattern, but I have a novel on submission right now that definitely would, so hopefully I'll be able to announce it here eventually!

[Elin]

Well hello to all the new members. Thanks so much for coming here. I hope this group can help with matching up just the right book with just the right reader.

But it's early days yet. If you know anyone, reader or author, who might enjoy the site please let them know about it, and I'll try to work out how to make the information more easily accessible.

cheers
Elin xxx

[Chris]

Hi, I'm Chris Quinton, and I write m/m in various genres. While my stories usually have one or two fairly explicit sex scenes in them, they are short, advance the plot, and the characters' development. Let's hope we can spread the word that there are alternatives - more than hardcore erotica - out there in the GLBTQ fiction shelves *g*.

[P.D.]

Hi, all! I write what I like to read, and I like plot. A lot. A sex scene has to drive the story, and I have no problem with sex turning to argument if that's what's needed.

[Rhys]

Hello. I am Rhys Ford. I'm stalking Lisa and do prefer a story with plot, although I've been told sometimes I leave it out myself. *grins*

I write a little bit. Sorta. But read a lot more.

[Eden]

I love a great story--sympathetic characters you wish you knew, a gripping plot, and, if the story warrants it, a bit of steam between the heroes. But for me, I love to see them sizzle outside the bedroom as much as between the sheets.

My plot heavy offerings can be found on my page:
Eden Winters

[Becky]

Hi, I'm Becky. My books are on the hot end of the heat level, but I enjoy reading a range of heat levels in m/m books and would love to see more genres explored, not only romance.

Even in romance I like books with lots of plot going on alongside the romance. Life doesn't just go on hold while two people sort out their romance. I love to read and write about people working out their relationship as well as dealing with everything else going on.

[Stevie]

Hi, I'm Stevie, and I like to think I just write about people of all varieties. Some of my stories have sex in them, but a lot don't, and I like reading and writing about people just getting on with their lives in whatever state of singledom or attachment suits them at the time.

[Lillian]

Hi, I'm Lillian. I write whatever takes my fancy--historical, contemporary, paranormal--as long as it comes with a big dollop of romance. My stories normal contain a few sex scenes, but they are rarely overly explicit and never gratuitous. Character development and plot driven sex only :D

[Idamus]

Hi, I go by Idamus on the interwebs, I'm a reader only, I prefer my books with lots of plot, character developement and if there's sex/UST that's fine too, I'm not so much into the romance part, but I don't actually mind it either
I prefer HEA/HFN over cliffhangers, but as long as the story feels complete, I'm good without the HEA/HFN

Thanks to Lillian for the invite, looks like a cool place to hang (even if I rarely comment)

[Alex]

Hi all, I'm Alex and I write m/m romance of many genres (specifically historical, fantasy, historical/fantasy, contemporary etc, but I keep wanting to write mysterys too. One day!) I write in a heat range from no sex at all to approximately one sex scene per hundred pages. I prefer long, plotty stories with plenty of action/adventure, and don't need a constant focus on the romance, let alone the sex.

You can find my stuff at my website, if you're interested :)

Thanks to BlackTulip for pointing out this group to me. It does indeed look ideal :)

[Cryselle]

Hi, I'm a reader who likes plot. I like sex too but I can't care about the sex if the plot doesn't make sense, it's distracting. And when it all works together, well, :-). I see some familiar names. *waves*

[Elin]

Melanie wrote: "Is there a horror fiction section too? Lately I've been taking a deep breath to describe my latest novel: a horror ..."

There can be if you want one. :) This is very much a work in progress, since I have no real idea what I'm doing, so if anyone want something just say and it will be done.

[Cari]

Hi! I'm Cari Z, an author and a reader, and my absolute favorite books in any genre, including erotic romance, are those that have intricate plots, well-rounded characters and detailed worlds. Sex isn't a requirement, but a decent plot absolutely is. I look forward to getting a lot of great recs here:)

[Charlene]

Hi all - I'm Char. I spotted information about this group on Alex's blog and knew I needed to be here. My current WIP is historical fiction set during & after the Third Crusade & told through the eyes of two knights serving Richard the Lionheart. My battle scenes will be more graphic than the sex.

[BlackTulip]

Charlene wrote: "Hi all - I'm Char. I spotted information about this group on Alex's blog and knew I needed to be here. My current WIP is historical fiction set during & after the Third Crusade & told through the e..."

Hello :) OMG I'm sure that I'm going to love this one - Medieval MM are SO rare !!!!

[Charlene]

BlackTulip wrote: OMG I'm sure that I'm going to love this one - Medieval MM are SO rare !!!!


Hi BlackTulip! I've just shipped the 1st draft to beta readers & my writers group has been offering feedback throughout the writing process. They've enjoyed it & I hope, when I finally get this published, that you will too. This tale of camaraderie, politics & intrigue, the horrors of war, and romance (of course), could have been set in almost any place & time, but I am captivated by the people and events of the late 12th century.

[BlackTulip]

Charlene wrote: "BlackTulip wrote: OMG I'm sure that I'm going to love this one - Medieval MM are SO rare !!!!


Hi BlackTulip! I've just shipped the 1st draft to beta readers & my writers group has been offering f..."

The Middle Ages is my favorite period ^_^

[Nicole]

I'm a longtime lover of LGBT novels. I've recently spent a lot time compiling a list if YA novels with LGBT content. I've came to this group through Erastes and I'm happy to be here!

I'm excited to say that I will soon be joining the ranks of you LGBT writers. My next novel Revelry features a lesbian couple in the fore. I am a reader/writer who loves plot over sex, but also can't give up a steamy chapter between characters I've grown to love ;)

Looking forward to meeting a lot of you and getting to explore this group!

[Susan]

Hi everyone and welcome. I think we're all going to find some excellent reading material on this group since we all seem to like the same things! Exciting :-)
Don't forget to recommend any books you've read.

[Elin]

Welcome ladies - and the gentlemen who haven't stepped up to introduce themselves yet.

So lovely to have the opportunity to meet such a creative bunch. Now, take the opportunity to add your books or the books you admire to the bookshelves. You can expand on your recommendations in the folders.

Please don't be shy. If you've written a book with great plot and sympathetic characters we really would like to know about it.

[Kazza]

Hi all! I don't write. I'm an avid reader. I also like reviewing - they're a tad lengthy :)
In LGBT writing I enjoy a mix - from steamy to no sex at all. I like intense, dark, light and breezy, satirical, historical, and YA.....
I don't like the fact that it is thought that M/M equals sexfest, not that I don't like that. I just don't like that stereotype or expectation.
Cheers!

[Jordan]

Hi everyone! Although I do write plotty books (IMHO anyway), I'm here strictly as a reader 'cause I also include the smexy details. ;) I'm always looking for great books to read, so I can't wait for my TBR pile to become even huger than it already is.

[Susan]

Hello everyone. Welcome - please tell us about the great books you've read and written so we can thoroughly enjoy ourselves!

[Ross]

Greetings all :)I'm Ross McCoubrey and I live in a very small community in Nova Scotia, Canada. My novel, takes place in a very similar location. It's a coming-of-age story told by its protagonist, Caleb MacKenzie, combining elements of the supernatural with a decades old mystery about a missing boy.

All my profits from the book's sales go to support The Youth Project, an LGBTQ resource centre and safe zone for teens in the city of Halifax.

Looking forward to learning more about all of your works. Thanks so much for including me :)

[Sara]

Hello :)

I followed a chain of tweets to find this group. Very exciting, as I'm just learning how to use twitter :P

I recently released my first novel, --a coming-of-age/college romance. There's *some* between-the-sheets stuff, but not very much.

As a reader, I pretty much only enjoy plotty books. Sex that is relevant to the plot is okay (like, say, in a coming-of-age book :P), but constant "interrupting" sex scenes are not for me. :)

[Lillian]

Already introduced myself here but just to let you know I pimped the group on my blog today.
http://lillianfrancis.blogspot.co.uk/...

[Kazza]

Sara wrote: "Hello :)

I followed a chain of tweets to find this group. Very exciting, as I'm just learning how to use twitter :P

I recently released my first novel, --a comin..."

My partner in reading crime has this book to read :)

[Elin]

Welcome Sara! I'm so glad you found us. Please tell any of your friends who might enjoy the group. Word of mouth, or Twitter :D is the best advertising.

Brilliant Lillian! Thanks so much.

[Sara]

Elin wrote: "Welcome Sara! I'm so glad you found us. Please tell any of your friends who might enjoy the group. Word of mouth, or Twitter :D is the best advertising."

Thanks, Elin! Looking forward to perusing these bookshelves for some good reads.

[Sara]

Kazza wrote: "Sara wrote: "Hello :)

I followed a chain of tweets to find this group. Very exciting, as I'm just learning how to use twitter :P

I recently released my first novel, [bookcover:Social Skills|12012..."


I still get this jittery oh-my-gosh feeling whenever someone mentions they're reading it :P

[Nicole]

(You're not alone. I have that, too!)

[Joann]

Hi!

I'm not a fan of excessive gratuitous sex scenes either. I tend to avoid buying certain authors because of that. I'm sure some will probably feel my book doesn't have enough.

I love a good plot with multiple layers. I also like plots that some consider unrealistic. It's fiction, so, fiction is what I want. I see enough reality in real life! :)

My debut novel is a f/f romance/suspense. I'm working on a sequel to it, too.

http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Star-ebo...

[Katherine]

Hi all!

Found this group because of Lillian Francis' post. I know my debut short story would fit perfectly for this group because there wasn't even a kiss!

Looking forward to getting to know some of the other members.

<333
Katherine Halle

[Elin]

Katherine wrote: "Hi all!

Found this group because of Lillian Francis' post. I know my debut short story would fit perfectly for this group because there wasn't even a kiss!

Looking forward to getting to know some..."

Hi Katherine. Welcome to the group. Looking forward to hearing about your short story. Please let me know if there's anything I can do when it comes out - do you want to post on my blog for instance?

[Anne]

Hi, I'm Anne. I write M/M romance which is very plot/character driven. I don't tend to have much sex in my stories unless it advances the plot/character development. Nice to be here.

[Elin]

Anne wrote: "Hi, I'm Anne. I write M/M romance which is very plot/character driven. I don't tend to have much sex in my stories unless it advances the plot/character development. Nice to be here."

Hi Anne, thanks for joining us.