Fall In Love With Me

For a unknown indie author, I have many friends and colleagues to thank for a tremendous 2012. My debut novella, Fables of the Reconstruction, has been recognized by so many. Reviewers have called the book "A whole new genre." "Original"  "Hypnotic" "An allegory" and said "Move over vampires, zombies are the next big thing."

In December, Fables of the Reconstruction, moved into the Top 50 internationally on the Horror/Occult charts on Amazon.com. Sales remain steady and yes, I have so many of you to thank. Following are a few of the awards/nominations my little monsters garnered:

Goodreads Rankings & Awards:  
#1   Best Unknown but must be Known
#1   Not Your Normal Zombie Book
#1   Help Me Pick My Next Read
#1   Good Books and Good Book Covers
#1   Best Indie Books of 2012

Goodreads Nominee: 
Indie Books - Paranormal Fiction (Top 5)
Kindle Book Reviews Best Indie Books of 2012 (Top 10)
Best Female Writers of Zombie Fiction (Top 10)
Best Books of 2012 (Top 50)
Books That Should Be Made Into Movies

Not only did Fables of the Reconstruction exceed all expectations, my first short story The Legend, the first in a series of experimental vignettes called Tales from a New Amsterdam traveled to #15 internationally on Amazon.

Expats Post (ExpatsPost.com) Dean Walker and MZ, also gave me free rein over a music blog beginning in December 2012. The blog has allowed me to work with up and coming musical talent such as Dax Lion, Kismet Ryding and Celly Black. I have also been fortunate enough to connect with Athens GA legends, the powerhouse supergroup Supercluster featuring the legendary alternative rock icon Vanessa Briscoe Hay,  the English Chanteuse Barb Jungr and Nashville's Americana rocker Donna Frost and blog on their very well respected careers.Look for exciting future blogs on more amazing musical artists in the next few months.

My personal blog, Exile on Peachtree Street, has been a revelation to me. Not only do I release a few personal insights but I have hosted such exciting new authors as Miranda Stork, Livia Ellis, Elodie Parkes, Laura DeLuca, Jonathan Dunne, Steve Christie, Nic Taylor, ER Pierce, Kenneth Weene and GL Giles. Sommer Marsden and Lucy Felthouse, two powerhouses in the world of erotica have joined me in exile. There again, many talented authors and poets are scheduled to join me in upcoming blogs throughout 2013, so watch this space.

This year is shaping itself to bring more literary exposure. Looks for another release in Tales from a New Amsterdam soon. On March 1, no less than Oxford American Literary (oxfordamerican.org) will host the cover reveal for book 2 in the Fables series: Reconstruction of the Fables. Then, on March 21, 2013, look for the highly anticipated anthology from Moon Rose Publishing, A Celtic Tapestry, which will include my short story, Magic in Memphis.

So, I leave you today with many thanks to you all and many positive vibes for 2013. And, instead of a Stones song, I leave you an Iggy Pop song. Fall in Love with Me. Why not? Everyone else has.

Femmes of the Frisky Quill-Featuring-Sommer Marsden!

Today we welcome the winter season by hosting Sommer! Yes, the Dominatrix of Desire, the very talented erotica author Sommer Mardsen joins me in exile. I am so thrilled! Everyone knows that I adore Sommer and believes she greatly underrates herself as a writer and author. Personally, when I read 50 Shades of Grey, I thought if people like this, wait until they discover Sommer. Yes, the one and only Sommer Marsden is here and she is going to give us some insight into her art, and maybe even let us know what her neighbors are up to…let’s find out more!

Sommer, please introduce yourself in fifty words or less to our readers.

Professional dirty word writer, gluten free baker, sock addict, fat wiener dog walker, expert procrastinator. Sometimes NSFW but only when you least expect it.

Oh, interesting – we will all make a note of that. Now, tell us Sommer, why are you a writer?

I don’t know how to be anything else.

Have you always been a writer?

From the moment I could hold a crayon. But somewhere in there I was also a catering assistant, deli worker, cocktail waitress, grocery store cashier, lipstick tester, bookstore customer service rep and administrative assistant (that one lasted the longest).

Do you have any other artistic inclinations?

I love to craft. I don’t do it as much as I used to but I do my fair share when the mood strikes. I’m in the process of relearning how to crochet and trying my hand at the ukulele.

What lead you to be an erotica writer and author?

Complete accident. I was doing research for a mystery novel (thought I was going to be a mystery writer…surprise!) and I found a short story online. I read it and was impressed by how good it was. And I thought: I wonder if I could write this stuff…?

And, the rest is history, as they say. What is the most interesting proposal or proposition you have ever received from a fan? Did you do it?

Actually, most people are super nice and super sweet and very respectful. They just send nice notes. Sometimes they also send along thanks from spouses. But no one has ever propositioned me that I can recall. If they did, I’ve blocked it out. Sometimes I get a bit TMI from folks, but hey, it comes with the territory I guess. J

You’ve gotta love that – thank you notes from spouses! Your fans are very thoughtful.What inspires you?

Everything! My family, my friends, TV, movies, people watching, eavesdropping. I can find inspiration in almost any situation - which is a blessing.

What inspired your current work?

Hmm. Right now I am working on a love story that’s a bit more…um…tame than most of my work. I was asked to do it by an editor I respect immensely. I looked at it as a challenge (which I always find inspiring) because it’s a bit more toned down than my normal stuff. I have no idea if anything will come of it or not, but I’m enjoying the ride.

Please tell us about your latest work.

I don’t talk in great detail about works in progress. I’m very superstitious that way, I guess. I’ll say that I have a series in progress. The first book Lion Hearted (Divination Falls Trilogy) was out in October. The second book Beast in Me is imminent and the third book is rattling around in my brain as we speak. Can’t wait to write it! But first I have to write the one I mentioned in the question above. If only I had two more sets of hands and an extra 12 hours in the day!

Where can we purchase your book?

Lion Hearted is currently on Amazon and Amazon UK. It will be coming out in other venues (ARe, iTunes etc) in January 2013.

Can you tell us about any future releases or events?

Like I said, upcoming is Beast in Me, the second Divination Falls book from Xcite and a little ghost story I’ve very excited about, Under My Skin, will be releasing from Resplendence Publishing in January 2013. There’s some other stuff in the works but no firm dates yet.

Lightning Round:

Wine - red or white?

Red!

Favorite food?

French Fries

Favorite movie?

Gah! That’s impossible. I’ll give you a top 5. Lake Placid

Favorite person from history?

I’ll give you a nation. The Cherokee Nation.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs (but technically the answer would have to be both)

Connery or Craig in James Bond?

Connery but I’m really warming up to Craig. I mean…really.

Jack White, Jack Black or Jack Daniel?

Jack White

Satin or silk?

Silk

Heels or flats?

Flats. Unless we’re talking about the bedroom.

The readers and I would like to find out more about being a lipstick tester and exactly what that involves. Of course, we can’t wait to find out about the TMI from your fans either, so please plan on visiting again in the future Sommer Marsden! You are a fabulous author and a fun guest. Continued success and thank you for joining me today on Exile on Peachtree Street!