Recap of the Dreamspinner meetup in Portland, or the Why are you here trip

Spent Friday through Monday in Portland, Oregon, for the DSP author meetup.

First off, I have to say that while Portland is lovely, it's wet. Really wet. I think my girl and I might the only folks on earth who got to the Pacific Northwest and went ahhhh, too green. Too many trees!

Still, we managed to get out and tourist a bit, which I'll revisit in a bit.

Anyhoodles, Friday morning we went to the opening talk with the owner and head editor of DSP. I'd never met either of them, and they're a hoot. Everyone knew who BA was, thanks to Terms of Release coming out a month or so ago. Me, though, no one could quite place. I have a short out with DSP, and a long novella in with their submissions, so I wanted to see what was what with their authors and staff. It was kinda funny, how people would look at my badge and frown, trying to place me.

Despite that, everyone was dear. Truly kind. The opening talks saw us sitting with Andrew Grey and Amy Lane, who I love to see, and who I missed meeting up with at Coastal Magic in Florida thanks to the big ice storm in Dallas. We got to hear about the ins and outs of the business side, which was fascinating, and then disaster struck in the form of a migraine for BA. It was off to the room for sleep and meds, so we missed the YA talk and such, but you can't predict a migraine, right?

The cocktail party was a total blast that night, though. Everyone but us dressed to the nines, though comfort was paramount it seemed. None of the corsets popped up that you see at big cons. Therefore, no boobs popped up. Ha!

The next day, Ariel Tachna and JP Barnaby talked social media and marketing. I got some great tips on how not to be a jerk, which I know I sometimes can be when I'm grumpy. Grins. Not kidding. The do not engage rule is a good one. I also learned a lot about blog hops.

That afternoon we skipped out and went on walking tour. Found chocolate and coffee and Mama Mia's trattoria. Yum. BA tried cioppino for the first time. I had scampi.

Spent a good bit of Sunday chatting with Devon Rhodes and Charley Descoteaux, which was fun! They went on to the Gay NW group meeting, while BA and I went back to Karam, a Lebanese place that had GF falafel and pita. Uhn.

Monday was spent at Powells. Y'all. A city block long bookstore. We bought so much we had to ship it home.

All in all, while I'm not sure it helped utz my book up any farther in the submissions queue (grins) I am pretty happy I got to hang with KC Wells, Andrew, Amy, Devon, Ariel, Charley, the awesome Serena Yates and many others. It was a good time, and I will definitely be thinking of Orlando in February!

XXOO

Julia

Snippet Sunday

started a new story for an anthology I'm super excited about. More on it later, but here's a teaser.

“Aleksy, I need you over at table four.”

Aleks glanced at his boss, who looked cool as a cucumber even though the damned air conditioning had gone out the day before and no one had been around to fix it. He supposed the heat made them all gleam a little more, made them look oiled and sexy.

He just hoped to hell he didn’t stink.

“Why’s that?” he asked. He had a gaggle of ladies at table six who wanted him to hang around for bottle service and musical grinding. They looked to be a huge tip, so he hated to abandon them.

“Special request.” Katia curled her lip at him, a hint of happy revenge in her expression. He had turned her down after she hired him, and while she’d taken it gracefully, she liked to put him in the most uncomfortable situations she could.

Hence taking him away from a great guaranteed tip and giving him to a private table that could only seat two, at best.

Sergy sighed, but nodded. He liked his job at Faster Bobcat, and he had no to lose it by being petulant. The place was classy and the ladies rarely got grabby hands. He made some of the best money in Vegas off the strip. His boss wasn’t bitchy, but she could be a little grumpy once in a while.

He dropped off the bottle and introduced Carlo, who would take his place at the table. “Sorry, ladies,” he replied to the good-natured chorus of negatives. “Duty calls. Carlo will take good care of you.”

Then he squared his shoulders, made sure his tiny shorts covered his junk, and headed for table four.

The shadowy form sitting in the deeply recessed booth resolved itself into a strikingly handsome man with shaggy black hair and bright green eyes. Dressed in an impeccable silk shirt and gabardine trousers, the long, well-made body made Aleksy’s belly tighten. Pretty.

His boss thought he’d turned her down because she wasn’t pretty enough or something, so she was punishing him with a male client. Thing was, Aleksy had turned her down because he was queer, so this wasn’t punishment at all.

XXOO

Julia

copyright 2014 Julia Talbot

Long week

Sorry for the radio silence. Been a long, if amazing, week. So excited to be at the DSP meet in Portland

XXOO

Julia

Happy Easter!

XXOO

Julia

TGIF

The Bloodrose World

Hey, y'all,

I'm very excited to have a bunch of my Bloodrose shorts re-release. They came out Wednesday last at Torquere, and I'm tickled pink to have them all in one neat volume.

When club Bloodrose first came to me, it was only a secondary character. Y'all who know me know I love to start a story in the middle. Whomp. Welcome to Oz, we left Kansas a whole tornado ago. I did that with the Werewolf Code. (Dude, y'all need to suggest a new cover for that one). I put in a little bit during TWC about how Deke and Kasey met at the Bloodrose, and about how it was during an auction.

Then Elisa Rolle told me I had to write the auction. So I did. That was An Itch to Scratch.

Now Jonny has a story and a spinoff that Sean Michael and BA Tortuga help with called Cereus.

I love this world, y'all.

The reprint book has all new content, too, an encounter between Jonah and Cady, who have been at the Rose for years.

Woo.

Buy it here!

XXOO

Julia

snippet sunday

Just a wee bit from a short I'm writing for a call that shall remain nameless as of yet:

(copyright 2014 Julia Talbot)

“Your Highness, Mistress Serena is here to measure you for your robes of state.” Martha bustled over to her, fluttering slightly.

“Most excellent.” She had not seen Serena since the lady had moved into the palace, and while she loved her one new gown, the softness of the cloth left her even more unwilling to assume regular attire. She spent all of her time alone in the nude, waiting for Serena to make her another dress.

“Are you certain she isn’t a charlatan?” Martha fussed with this pleat and that ruffle of Althea’s gown, her face creased in a frown.

Althea slapped her hands away as gently as she could. “You see the quality of her cloth. See her in and leave us.”

“Yes, Highness.” Martha gave her a mutinous glare, but left her, leaving the door open just enough for Serena to slip through, a tailor’s bag in her hands.

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.” Serena dipped into a low curtsey.

Althea all but growled at her. “You know, up until a few moons ago, no one called me that. I was Princess Althea, which at least meant I knew someone knew my name.”

Serena stared at her for a long moment. “If her Highness gave permission, then in private, I might call her by name.”

“Yes.” Althea lit up with happiness at the idea. “My name is Althea.”

“Althea. Take your dress off, Althea, so I can measure you.”

“I—“ She faltered. “Latch the door first?”

Serena raised a brow. “Surely any number of courtiers have seen you in your shift. I did, the first time I came here.”

Her cheeks heated, the flush traveling all the way to her breasts, heat prickling under Serena’s fabric. “I am not wearing one. They feel rough and awful after the touch of your cloth.”

“Ah.” Serena’s lashes lowered, but her lips curved into a smile she could not hide. “I often feel the same.” Moving quickly, Serena went to latch the door. “Your guards will not try to break in, I hope.”

“Not unless I call for them.”

“Then I will give you no reason to. Here, let me help you.” Swift, sure hands lifted the dress away from Althea’s body, and she shivered, her bare nipples drawing up from the cold draft in the room.

Althea fought crossing her arms over her body. She had no reason to feel shame; she was well-made, with womanly breasts and hips, her thighs round and strong.

Serena stepped back to stare at her, lips pursed, arms crossed under her breasts. “Mmm. Lovely. I have a new weaving almost completed, and I cannot wait to tailor it to you.”

“Will it appear purple, like the robes of state?”

“It will.” From her bag Serena pulled a roll of twine with markings placed in ink along its length. “Raise your arms.”

Spreading her feet a touch for balance, Althea lifted her arms over her head, feeling brazen.

“You have a wonderful form, lady. Far fairer than my last patron, God rest her soul.”

“She died?”

“Oh, she was nearly eighty. Now, let me just—“ Serena leaned close to wrap the twine around her back, cheek brushing hers a moment.

Breath caught her chest, Althea froze in place, like a small animal caught by a predator’s gaze. Their breasts pressed together, and the tips of hers grew harder, pushing out, the skin puckering up.

“Your pardon, Althea.” Serena sounded breathless, as if she were exerting herself.

XXOO

Julia

Authors After Dark is coming QUICKLY and OMG this year is going to be INSANE!

As always AAD is about the readers, and the amount of awesome we have put together for you this year, you would be INSANE not to attend….

First, our amazing Master of Ceremonies is none other than Alexandra Ivy! She will be doing a cool little event to celebrate your favorite gargoyle, Levet on Friday! Wanna know more? Check out the FB group where Alex will be talking about the awesome that she has going on!

Torquere authors BA Tortuga and Julia Talbot and Kiernan Kelly will be Sponsoring our Welcome event, the Midnight Rodeo… And it looks like We will have some VERY COOL goodies and… Riding… happening… *SNICKER*

How about Parties? This year we have a special event called the Leather and Lace Ball! Curious? We thought so! Take a ride on the wild side and let your inhibitions fly with five New York Times Bestselling Authors of erotic romance. Cuffs and corsets encouraged.

With:

J. Kenner, Liliana Hart, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison, Jasinda Wilder and Lorelei James

The ladies will be talking more about this on the FB group starting soon!

New for 2014 is the Paranormal Party! Join over 20 Paranormal authors who will be giving away goodies, some books and hanging out with you to snack and chat! Wanna know what authors are involved? You will have to join the FB group to see!

And of course, we have the amazing Masquerade Ball! This year it’s the SINS AND VIRTUES BALL! Are you a sin or a virtue? Join us for a wild costumed event! Prizes for the best costumes, including a 200$ gift certificate to Lori Ann Costumes!

Your Sins and Virtues Sponsors:

Sin Lust
Boone Brux
Opal Carew

Sin Pride
BA Tortuga
Andrew Grey

Sin Envy
Stella Price
TJ Michaels

Sin Gluttony
Desiree Holt
Saranna DeWylde

Sin Greed
Ann Mayburn
Heather Long

Sin Sloth
Lizzie T. Leaf
Julie Morgan

Sin Wrath
Stacey Kennedy
Marianne Morea

Virtue Charity
Kerry Adrienne
Trista Ann

Virtue Chastity
Jenn LeBlanc
Annabel Jospeh

Virtue Humility
Milly Taiden
Donna McDonald

Virtue Kindness
CJ Ellisson
Alexandra Ivy

Virtue Temprance
J. Kenner
Sidney

Virtue Diligence
Denise Grover Swank
Jenna McCormick

Virtue Patience
Lousia Bacio
Kallypso masters

And if THAT isn’t enough awesome that will be going on… This year we have an amazing off site costumed event… the Ladies on the Green event sponsored by the AAD Anachronistic Society! This will be an hour and a Half on the famous GREEN in Charlotte (a half block from the hotel). It will be a Costumed event (though Costumes are not required they are encouraged!) to celebrate Gothic, Victorian, steampunk dark historical literature! Your hosts will be: Sahara Kelly, Amanda McIntyre, Leanna Renee Hieber, A.L. Davroe and S.A. Price. Prizes and readings will happen, as well as photo ops!

And NEVER forget the Amazing Open bar with Mel Schroeder and friends! They have SO MUCH awesome set up for you just before the Bookies… you do NOT wanna miss that!

Getting excited yet? How about some info on the AWESOME mini events we have going on? Ready?

On Wed. Night,  Join Sasha White and Joey W. Hill for a wild party and Q&A, Also, the Blind Date Book Party will be open to start your con right! (If you have never done a BDBP, you are MISSING out! You need to attend, Get your blind date book, find the author that wrote it, and hang out with them!)

Thursday?  Panels up the wazoo, and the Bookie Awards----- goodies and books to be given out! The hangout with The GNO girls lead by CJ Ellisson and Boone Brux for some crazy fun! And if that wasn’t enough?  Readings and a Blogger Sleepover party as well!

Friday? More panels, a games carnival with Nina Gooden and Pals, Name that Author with Cat Johnson, and some other fun surprises!

Saturday? A few panels, the Big ass booksigning with 100 authors,  the Cowboy Stampede party, the Readers Mad Tea Party with Hildie McQueen, An after the bookies event with a special publisher sponsor, And Jess Michaels’ Birthday extravaganza!

SEE? SO MUCH AWESOME! All the authors that are involved with parties will be talking about their involvement on the FB group, so join up and get ready to rock.

Oh? You say you’re not registered for AAD yet? You need to be! All registrants get put in the hat for the welcome party prizes, and these prizes are AMAZING! Breakfast with authors, Booze and Books, side trips to Carrowwinds…. We have a minimum of 90 special prizes…. So…

You need to rock this con! And as if this wasn’t enough…. AAD will be giving away something really awesome to registrants…. Wanna know what?

How about 5 VIP registrations for THE NOVEL EXPERIENCE 2015 in LAS VEGAS? YES… 5!

And…

How about this… If we hit 100 more registrations from TODAY April 10^th to June 10^th, we will give away 2 AAD registrations for 2015…  2!!!!! So get registered, get your room and get ready for one HELL of an amazing year with us!

 JOIN US! WE CANT WAIT TO HANGOUT WITH YOU!

AAD REGISTRATION

Crafting a sex scene, Julia Style

I have a confession to make.

I like to write sex. Sometimes editors tell me I didn't need a sex scene here or there because it doesn't move the story along. Sometimes reviewers say my book was all sex, no plot. The biggest blow recently was for an erotica editor to tell me that the sex was pleasant but not erotic. O.O

Ouch

So I've been doing a lot of looking lately at how I craft a sex scene. I'm actually very organic about it. I put the characters in question together, and they tell me if they're talking or fucking. Sometimes talking is fucking. I write a lot of men. Men communicate better physically. In a menage, my boys are often together and talking about their girl, which makes them horny enough to just go for it.

I do take into account how sex moves the story more in my sweeter romances. In my erotic ones, I know people are looking for sex, so I put a scene in when the characters are together and horny. I try hard to vary what happens, but characters have their own kinks, just as we do, right?

The time for craft in a sex scene, for me, is during re-writes. When the editors get involved, I start to tailor them to house style or to their reading audience's taste. This is where I get to see repetition, or if this scene allows them to learn about each other.

So what about you? Do you like lots or little? Do you want sex to be organic and fun or just move the plot forward?

I want to know! Tell me and win a copy of Literary Lover, my self-pubbed short.

XXOO

Julia

Sunday snippet

I needed to write this for the Changeling Flash Fiction challenge. Needed to. The prompt was your roommate is a werewolf, vamp or ghost.

“Damn it, who chewed up the newspaper?” The full moon brought out the worst in Elan, who chewed, scratched, and made a mess. At least he was house-trained.

“That was Tom.” Elan grinned from where he lay naked on the couch, a study in muscle and rough hair. He looked like something off a bear board at Pinterest. He made Sean’s fangs ache. “Got frustrated with only being able to watch these days.”

“Very funny.” Tom appeared through the wall, making them both start. “I’m figuring out this manifesting thing. The paper was an experiment. Though watching has always been my thing.”

“Yes, well, it’s not as if I can go get another while it’s sunny. Whatever will I do to pass the time? I hate to be bored.”

Both ghost and werewolf advanced on him. “We can think of something,” Elan said.

Sean grinned. Oh, he certainly hoped so.

M, the publisher at CP, now says I have to write her the whole story

XXOO

Julia

I messed up my schedule

I was supposed to do April Fool's day on Tuesday. Today the pictoral. Well, I don't like April Fool's day, so no wonder I blocked it out

This morning it snowed. O.O

If that's not an April joke, I don't know what is.

XXOO

Julia

How I react to reviews, a pictoral

I see a new review. If it's 3 or more stars, I'm all:

If it's less than that, I'm more:

Inevitably, even in a good review, someone says my obviously HEA was HFN, or that the book had too much sex, or not enough, or that it had too much plot or not enough or the sex wasn't erotic, and that leaves me

I start to feel like I'm the only one, even if I know better

In the end, my reaction always leaves me feeling like this

So, thia is why I try not to read even my good reviews too much ;)

XXOO

Julia

All images purchased from Shutterstock