Monday, April 29, 2013

Author Spotlight: Interview with Sarah Daltry

1. Quickly, give us the title and genre of your book and a 30-word or less tagline:

My book is The Quiver of a Kiss and it is an erotic/romantic retelling of the story of Helen of Troy and the fall of Troy, from Helen’s point of view.

2. Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?
 
I suppose my intended audience is anyone who is interested in classical literature and history/mythology, but who is also open to interpretations of these things. I would also say the audience is going to be women and men who are interested in erotic romance. They should read my book because it is a retelling of the story but it is written through a contemporary and female-oriented lens.

3. How did you come up with the title of your book or series?
 
The title comes from a line from a poem by Sara Teasdale, which is also in the beginning of the book.

4. Tell us a little bit about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?
 
I designed the cover. I went with this photo as it showed lovers, who appeared to be on a beach, and the woman looks like I imagine Helen would have looked. The couple also has a bit of forbidden desire about them which I thought worked.

5. Who is your favorite character from your book and why?
 
Helen, although Odysseus was interesting to write. I am not a big fan of Homer and I always found Odysseus arrogant. I liked giving him a more heroic slant.

6. How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
 
Agamemnon. In mythology, he is just so unlikable. He is arrogant and misogynistic.

7. If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be? Why?
 
I would have made it longer. I figured most readers of the genre don’t want overly long novels, but I am starting to question that.

8. Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
 
All of the stories, terms, and concepts are found in various forms of the Helen myth. In addition, I would like to tell Clytemnestra’s story because in learning about Helen, I learned a good deal about her as well.

9. What other books are similar to your own? What makes them alike?
 
I really don’t know any like this. There may be some, but most historical erotica seems to be set in the 17-19thcenturies.

10. Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?
 
Not really. I am a nerdy gamer, which is surprising to a lot of people. I tend to enjoy some MMORPG action on a regular basis!

11. How can we contact you or find out more about your books?
 
Email me at sarah.daltry@gmail.com, find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads, or check out my blog at http://sarahdaltry.wordpress.com/. All of my work is available via Amazon and some of it is at B&N and the other major channels. The Amazon exclusive work will likely be made available elsewhere by July.

12. What can we expect from you in the future?
 
I have been working on a NA novel about Lily and Derek from my short story “Her Brother’s Best Friend,” but recently I started something new. It is a paranormal erotic romance about vampire brothers, but there is a Biblical/mythological slant.

13. What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
 
Spread the word. Review it, tell friends and family, encourage others to check it out!

14. Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
 
Tips, not really. I do everything myself so I am not the best person to ask! As for advice, I would say that it is important not to let things bother you. I have a hard time taking a lot of the negativity I face and I am trying to get used to it.
 

15. Is there anything else you’d like to say?


Sadly, no. Although now I am thinking of writing an MMORPG erotica story!

16. And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue and tantalize us:
 
My brothers are regaling Father with tales of their conquests. Castor, at eighteen, has bedded more women in Sparta than I knew lived within the city walls. They flock to him, fools for his looks and charm. I am sometimes led to blush when they talk of him as if they do not know I am around; I have heard intimate details of my brother that I would be happier not knowing. Pollux has not been lazy in the act of lovemaking, but his mind is always on battle. He is forever scheming, strategizing; he sees a future Sparta that is famed through the continent and he sees himself leading it. I am amazed at the way the two speak of their adventures in the same manner, as if women and warriors are one and the same, to be treated with the same pride or indifference depending on how well they have fulfilled their roles. My brothers forget my presence, as they always do. Father enjoys living vicariously through his sons, as age has limited his virility both in the bedroom and on the field. Although they are my twins, my brothers have been granted immeasurable freedoms of which I can only dream.
 
*****
Thank you Sarah for taking part in my Author Spotlight interview! I hope your writing continues to flourish and we hope to see more of you in the future.
*****
If you or an author/illustrator you know is interested in being interviewed, feel free to send me an email at
jejoescienne@yahoo.com

 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

L.A. Times Festival of Books Recap

     Last weekend I traveled down to Los Angeles with my two best friends in order to take part in the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  If you were to ask me to describe the experience in one word, I'd have to call it fabulous.  Hardly a minute went by where I didn't find myself standing at my table and talking to one festival goer after another.  In fact, my voice is still partially gone because of it ;).
     Some of those who visited my booth were readers, others were teachers, aspiring authors and bloggers who specialized in reviewing books.  One woman was a teacher visiting the festival for the day with her literature students, while another was one of my author friends from facebook.  And more than once someone would spot my booth and inform me that they had heard of my books or seen them on amazon and goodreads.
     I handed out dozens of buttons, bookmarks and signed posters, and even sold a good number of books.  And I'm still getting in touch with those who won raffle prizes.  All in all, I had a blast and I even got interviewed by KBEACH (a radio station associated with California State University at Long Beach)!  I'm already thinking about plans for next year's festival and am even researching other book festivals on the West Coast (the Tucson Festival of Books looks like it might be added to my list).
     I leave you with those thoughts for now and some of the pictures we took, but do check in again soon because I plan on posting more pictures later on.  Happy reading for now and I look forward to some R&R and perhaps a little free time to get some more writing done ;).

-J.E. Johnson

The rental van is all packed and ready to go!
 
Laura and Nino helping me set up the first day.
 
Ready to go!
 
A view from the author's seat.
 
The nice people over at KBEACH radio came over and asked if they could talk to
me about my books.  How could I resist? ;)
 
A small crowd at my booth.
 
Signing Otherworld Trilogy posters for fans.

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Book Festival Draws Near!

Hello Readers!  As you all know, I've been very busy lately with all that needs to be done for the upcoming Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.  Those of you who subscribe to the L.A. Times might have seen my add in this Sunday's paper with some of the other participants.  It is now less than a week away, and as the time draws nearer (and as I get all those little last minute details out of the way), I'm getting more and more excited.  I know that not everyone can make it, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get to meet some of my awesome readers next weekend and perhaps gain a few more ;).  I don't have much else to post this week, but I thought I'd share with you the image of my raffle schedule.  These are the raffle times and all the prizes that are up for grabs.  If you are planning on attending the festival be sure to enter for your chance to win (it's free to enter!).  Until next time, happy reading!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Readers: Help me Choose a Cover for Cade's Next Novella!

       The time is drawing near, once again, for a new perspective on the Otherworld to be released into the wide world . . .  Okay, okay, I guess the time isn't drawing TOO near, but I'm starting to get that urge to write again.  As some of you might already know, for the past few months I've been spending a large part of my free time getting ready for the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, so my Muse has been remaining scarce with regards to the Otherworld and Oescienne books (instead she's been sending me tons of material for a completely different series . . . but that is another story entirely).
       This week, however, I am lucky enough to have oodles of time on my hands, so I'm doing my darndest to make good use of that time by getting some writing done.  Now, as much as I'd like to finish the first draft of this next Otherworldly novella by the end of the week, I think that's a bit ambitious even for me.  I will, however, do my best to keep at it and get this story to you as soon as possible because I know there are many of you eager to hear more from Cade and he still has much to tell you (though he'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Meghan all of his secrets . . . ;)).  I'm about 15,000 words in and I'm aiming for 30,000-40,000 in the end, so please be patient and keep your eyes peeled for updates and possible tidbits on my facebook page.  Ah, and perhaps you'd like to know the title of this next Otherworldly installment?  The next novella told from Cade's POV will be called Ghalien, and you'll have to wait and read it to find out what exactly Ghalien means :).
       Now that I've shared the news, I'd like to ask you all a favor.  I've been playing around with cover designs for Ghalien and I've narrowed it down to two, but I like both of them and I can't choose.  So I was hoping that you guys might be able to lend me a hand.  Which of these covers do you prefer?  The RED cover on the left or the YELLOW cover on the right?  Since many of you wrote to me with suggestions for the scenes for this novella, I thought it only fitting that you help me out with the cover design as well.  All you have to do is decide which one you like best and tell me either by leaving a comment here, emailing me or making a comment on my facebook page.  When I'm ready to release Ghalien, I'll tally up the 'votes' and let you know which cover was most favored.  Again, be sure to look for updates on my facebook page and once again, thanks so much for reading!
-J.E. Johnson