Erastes

Reviews are slow in coming, but so far (and it’s a bit scary, this) they have been universally praising. I suppose that—it not being a Romance—people are hesitant about reading it, as most of my readers are in the Romance genre. And gay tragedy is rather a niche niche.

Never let it be said I wanted to make things easy for myself, eh?

Not that I don’t wish that my mother was around every day of my life, but I really really wish she was around right now because the story was her idea, and she always said to me “when are you going to stop writing this stuff and write something serious?”

Well, mum, I think I just did.

The review at Booked Up: and here’s an extract:

The acceleration of the story was slow but emotionally disturbing at the same time. Being in someone else’s head, feeling the same feelings and having the same thoughts felt like an intrusion that left me sad. Even their sexual encounters at the beginning were innocent in a way that left me breathless with anticipation. What next? How would the final act be? And at the end it was like poetry more than sex.

It’s hugely gratifying to have that reaction: that the reader felt like she was intruding into Edward’s head, because that’s exactly what I hoped would be, like they felt they were an eavesdropper, hearing and experiencing things that made them feel they shouldn’t be looking at—like seeing two lovers kiss when they think they are entirely alone, or something like that.

I lived in that man’s head for about 18 months, and the people who were around when I was writing it can attest that I found it very difficult—not to write, Edward’s voice came to me very easily—but riding in his mind – like the reviewer here, I felt uncomfortable and desperately sad that – even as his creator – I could do nothing to help him, and was just happy that he managed to squeeze a little joy in his love affair.

laptop back and powered up. hurrah!

A bit of a Proud Dog Owner moment. Sasha and I tend to go to the park at 4, after leaving Dad’s and we only have about 20 mins before it gets too dark, but she runs about 300 miles in that time, so she gets her exercise.

But yesterday I was so proud of her, there were many dog trainers in the park yesterday –must be a local obedience club or something and dogs were sitting and lying down all over the place and Sasha was just running around with her ball as usual having a whale of a time.  All in all, three dogs broke away from their trainers and WOULD NOT return, despite them screaming their names, to investigate the mad squeaking Staffie. A Jack Russell was first and he chased her and she chased him (a bit) but came back to me every time I called her.  Then a black Lab, then a greyhound, both of which stood and sniffed and said hello to her. I keep a strict eye on her when this happens, not for fear of what SHE would do, but I worry that they might bite, and then she would retaliate, and as her jaw is so huge and muscly, she’d be the one in trouble and Staffies have such a crap reputation.

But she was a darling, just stood, and was sniffed, ran around with them a bit but came back to me. (Which is more than the other dogs did for their screaming owners. hee hee)

There was a horrible programme on BBC Radio 2 today, discussing rogue Staffies. It pissed me off so much that they were perceived as Demon Dogs. It’s just that they are strong and powerful. People who allow Chihuahuas to snap and snarl at anyone – that pisses me off – because people just laugh at the funny little dog. My parents let Aslan (Yorkie) to get away with snapping over food because he was—frankly—amusing. But if he’d been the size of a Rottie it wouldn’t have been funny at all. There are No Bad Animals. Just bloody bad owners.

my laptop cable has died – someone’s been chewing it… so my access will be a bit limited until I can get a new adapter which is coming by post.

Back asap!

“He owns a Chocolate Lab with a pension for eating panties”

So his dog has its own hotel for pantie scoffing? Or perhaps he gets paid for doing it in his old age?

*Guffaws*

Or rather – a response to it.

If you are really a guy, show us your dick

safe for work

On one of my groups on yahoo there was a recent “We’ll critique your signature” event by a publisher. Nice of them to do, specially for nothing – but I found myself wondering a lot about email signatures.

Does anyone here actually pay them any attention?  I know I don’t – in fact I find anything over 3 lines as intrusive and irritating. Specially if there’s a (god forbid) banner or worse an ANIMATED banner on the end. I’m not going to read your signature at all, really, especially if it says “author of dark elf fantasy novel with a link” followed by a line for every one of your books together with links.

Surely to goodness, in this instance, less is more?

my email signature is this:

Erastes
www.erastes.com
Gay Historical Fiction

Does exactly what it says on the tin.

But seriously – do you take notice of signatures? Do you often click through and do you find them useful? Do tell, I’d really like to know.

“HAVE you news of my boy Jack? ”
Not this tide.
“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Has any one else had word of him?”
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.

“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind—
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.

Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide.

Rudyard Kipling – 1915

I had a draft up already, but this is the more polished version. Hope it conveys the mood of the book.

I’ve just noticed that the Green Carnation Prize has changed their rules this year and now allow all genders and persuasions of writers to enter, rather than just gay men which they did their first year.

However.

How can you have a prize that includes all books published UP TO DECEMBER 2011 and then have a submission deadline of August?  I mean the ACTUAL AWARD is in December—so if your book comes out after August you are actually stuffed.

Not that I’m eligible, because my books are not published in the UK despite living in the UK—but I would like to enter one day when I am eligible, I’ll just have to make sure it’s published mid-year! Not all publishers are able to provide copies four or five months in advance.

http://greencarnationprize.wordpress.com/about/

The prize is open to any novel, short story collection or memoir written by any LGBT author worldwide published in the UK in hardback or paperback between 1^st January 2011 and 31^st December 2011 are eligible.

The Green Carnation Prize is currently seeking submissions from all UK publishers for this award with a deadline of Friday 5^th August 2010. Followed by;

•       Longlist 2011 Announced – 1st September 2011
•       Shortlist 2011 Announced – 1st November 2011
•       Winner 2011 Announced – 1st December 2011 (to coincide with World Aids Day)

I’ve said this before but sheesh, it’s not rocket surgery. Or brain science.

Just seen on a large group. “If you want a chat date please email me on xxxxxxxx to book a date.” (the email given is NOT the chat group email address)

Consequently several people (including a publisher!!!) reply to the GROUP asking for a date.

I mean. Seriously.