A New Year On The Horizon

Dear Reader,

Around Christmas, and with the New Year on the near horizon, one looks around them to see what they've accomplished in the past year. Did they achieve their goals and resolutions they'd set out for themselves? Or was there something they'd wished was done differently, changed somehow?

When I think about my last New Year's Resolution, I can't help but look at how far I've come since a small wish that came true. It can all be summed up in one simple and complex word; publication. Sure, before that I had repeatedly gone through the rounds of submission and rejection, but the key determination hadn't set in for some time, but when it did, that goal became clearer and clearer. My efforts doubled, if not more so.

But through it all, the word was easy to say, not as easy to do. There is so much to learn in this business, and one never does really stop, especially in any type of entertainment industry such as publishing in any format. And that one word has come to mean something entirely different than when I first set this goal. I sit here day on Christmas Day between gatherings with loved ones, wondering at my naivety of back then, for I had no real concept of what being published meant.

It has only been a few short weeks that have passed since my first published book Jezebel's Article was released in e-book, and then a week ago in print. Not only that, but I've had The Bruja Ligera, and both books in Sara's Story come out this past year. I've just finished two more for publication in January and February. This absolutely stuns me to no end, but having said that, I keep going, moving in directions I'd never before considered.

My goals have changed, what used to be of utmost importance to me, now fades into the background. I'm beginning to see a bigger picture for myself, and where I want my writing to go. I've chosen Paranormal as my broad spectrum, and I have many plans for this, and every day that passes it morphs into something more finely detailed. I also want to grow as a writer, and try things I haven't yet, in both published and unpublished works.

Some of the things I will be trying this year may include any number of things, but the first project is a PG Gothic Romance, one not placed in my world as the rest are, though it is has a thread of Paranormal. This one is set in nineteenth century Ireland, with ghosts running around striving for their own justice. The second will be Paranormal Erotica, and much like JA it will be vampire menage, however a little different, with elements of GLBT (Fem on Fem, MMFF).

My other projects will include two full-length books that tack on after Deadly Fetishes, revealing more and more of the Cornwall Vampire's trials and tribulations. As well, the Jericho Coven will be back as well...and Sara's Story will continue on with book three later in the New Year.

In hindsight, I know my journey is still just beginning, but now I better know my path than I did. I'm thrilled with where I am, and my prospects for the future. For all of the many New Years Resolutions I've failed to deliver on, one of the most challenging of my life so far was filled with success.

What is your last NYR, and did you succeed? What is this year's? Or what did you accomplish in the past year that stands out from the rest? Leave a comment with an answer to one of these questions, WITH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, for a chance to win my newest release, Jezebel's Article.

Or e-mail your answer to: kaydenmcleod@yahoo.ca

Contest closed January 2nd 2010 :)

Good Luck...

Kayden McLeod

Jezebel's Article Is Now In Print!!!!!!

To Buy E-Book Click Here

To Buy Print Click Here

For Excerpt, Blurb Etc Click Here,

Hi Readers,

I haven't been able to sit still nor work since I saw JA on Amazon.com this morning!!!! I just had to share....

Cheers,

Kayden

The End Of Anthony And Gina

Hey Readers,

Because of new laws trying to come through for the Internet filters in Australia, The Erogenous Zone will be likely blacklisted soon, along with all of it's content.

Check-Raise will be the last instalment for Anthony and Gina, even though Joel and I planned for it to go farther.

I'm incredibly saddened by this, for Joel has put in so much effort and money this site, building it from the ground up, and to see it get snuffed out like a candle breaks my heart.

This is just a short list of what will be affected by this:

- Sites that debate euthanasia

- Sites that provide safe places for young gay and lesbians to meet and discuss their sexuality

- Any Gay and Lesbian Sites

- Sites that include dialogues or excerpts from literary classics such as lolita

- Sites that include discussions on the sociological effects of sex and sexuality

- Discussions of Geopolitcal causes of terrorism

- Sites that include footage of war, or war attroctities such as the holocaust

- Youtube and other tube sites

- Dating sites

This is a very small list that the filter will be encompassing, so if you have a site or like a site that encompasses any of these topics or anything relating to these topics, that site will be blacklisted by the Australian government.


The Erogenous Zone:

http://theerogenouszone.net/

Thank you all, it was fun, and I sincerely hope that in the end, everything works out.

Kayden McLeod

The Erogenous Zone, The Tales of Anthony And Gina

Hey Readers,

As some of you may already know, I’ve accepted a job writing bi-monthly free-short-stories for the Erogenous Zone, a website designed to meet your every lustful desire. We have reviews, advice, stories and so much more! And you know it has to be hot, after you read some of the stuff the staff puts out, tehe. Amelia and Joel will knock your socks off!

Rolling the Dice is my first entry, about an uptight woman named Gina, who decides for once in her life to do something naughty, something no one would ever expect her to do. She tries her luck at cyber-sex, and meets an erotically satisfying man, leading to an encounter that she would never forget.

From there, Upping the Ante was born, where Anthony takes his new project of sexual corruption to a very public restaurant, and demands Gina break out of her shell, and be the little siren only he knows she can be.

And coming up in a couple of weeks is CheckRaise. In this one, Gina will find that maybe her relationship with Anthony isn’t quite what she thought it was. The plot and story thicken…especially when Anthony demands to bring their bedroom life into the office.

And look forward to more!

http://theerogenouszone.net/

Cheers,

Kayden

Kayden McLeod Presents: Jezebel's Article

Erotic Paranormal

By: Kayden McLeod

Cover Art: Dawné Dominique

http://dawnedominique.com/

Genre: MMF Erotica, Vampire ménage a trois, Heat Level 5

Length (word count): 15K

PUBLICATION DATE: DECEMBER 7th 2009

To Buy: Jezebel's Article

Tag Line:

When one decision can unlock your deepest, darkest fantasies

Synopsis:

Jezebel has a new job, writing a sex column article for a small specialty interest paper in Vancouver British Columbia, and has decided to join her best friend Jade in attending a very specialized party…a sex party in fact, where she meets two of the most tempting men she could’ve ever imagined. And too make it that much more tempting for her, they were vampires, Jezebel’s one weakness. Adrian and Doros watch with igniting desire, craving to take a knowing human, who they didn’t have to cut themselves off from. One they could play with to their heart’s content, and the moment they met Jezebel, it was already over. There was no contest, and now only one question remains. Will she want them, as much as they want her?

Excerpt:(Rated-R)

“You won’t even feel it…if you don’t want to. I can make it pleasurable or painful, or even make you forget it had ever happened. However, I know you want to remember it, experience it, and like it.”

“Okay.”

I groaned when Doros peeled the wet panties away from my body, waiting anxiously to feel his mouth against me without the obstacle of any cloth in his way.

His mouth returned to my body, efforts renewed tenfold now with purpose or an unspoken challenge I hadn’t been let in on. Never could I’ve imagined this right, even if I had expected it when I had come here.

Adrian smiled, but the flames never left his eyes, “I can’t believe you’re letting me do this,” he mumbled against the side of my face.

“You said you weren’t going to hurt me.”

“And you believe a mythical monster?” Doros asked from between my legs and I swore in my head. Damn telepathy.

“Apparently so.”

Adrian groaned and nuzzled my neck. He laid his lips against my pulse, and I felt his chest swell when he inhaled deeply.

“So nice,” he muttered, “willing, perfect and sweet.”

The moment Doros sucked my clit back into his wicked heat,Adrian raked his slowly returning fangs over the thin flesh at my throat to send deep helpless shudders through me. He raised his head up slightly to adjust the angle, and struck too quickly for me to properly follow.

Controversy in E-books, The Ramblings Of An Erotica Writer

Dear Reader,

I don’t use my blog to whine often, and I know that’s what I’m doing…but I need to say my piece before I snap, lol. I am incredibly tired of seeing my TALENTED, FABULOUS peers treated differently than the ‘Published Author’…we’ll use that term, all right? I DO NOT mean to offend anyone, but this has become my BIGGEST pet-peeve since coming into this business.

The Question for the Day: What makes an e-book author differ from a ‘Published Author’?

The Answer for the Day: A whole lot more money and recognition, and NOTHING ELSE

I’m still a baby in this industry, but now that Jezebel’s Article is ready for publishing in a few weeks, I know the ENTIRE PROCESS. I cannot speak for any other than myself, so I won’t for the sake of this whine-fest I have going.

This is how Jezebel’s Article got to where it is today:
1) Bare-min of 10-14 CAREFUL Drafts
2) Submission and acceptance
3) First Round RIGOROUS edits by editor
4) First Round Edits done by me
5) Second Round edits by editor
6) Second Round edits done by me
7) Copy-edits
8) Editor
9) Me
10) Errata edits
11) FINAL EDITS

Now what I want to know…what did ‘Published Author’ do we didn’t????? We bust our butts writing, then promoting, then some more promoting. We invest our time and money!!!!!! We stress out, we attend chats, social-nets, blogs and a multitude of other things….

So tell me…why aren’t we considered ‘real authors’ ????

We should be judged on merit alone, our books speaking for themselves. They are our real resumes :)

Leave a comment with YOUR opinion. ‘Cuz honestly I really don’t understand what makes us any different than anyone else. At the end of the day, it’s just pens, paper, books and PDF’s.

Cheers,

Kayden

Sex In Writing, Ramblings of an Erotica Writer

Dear Readers,


Sex is a big thing in any world, but especially in mine. It is a necessity any of us need to write either romance or erotica, even elements used in a variety of other genres. It can be found anywhere, everywhere, welcomed by some, and pressured by others. And as the years move on, the taboo-quality of reading, talking, seeing sex has fallen through time.

The restrictions of what can be said, and how it’s said progresses, just like everything else in life. We shape our scenes, fantasies, almost any way we see fit. There are a vast range of levels to be found when dealing with sex in writing.

Over the past few months many have asked how or why I do what I do. I find this a difficult question to answer, and adequately explain to satisfy anyone’s interest. I find it a challenge, something that is dramatic and complex…and something in the beginning I had a lot of troubling writing about.

Sure, I could ‘write’ about it, but was it any good? Looking back on some of the novels I haven’t touched in a while, I would have to say no. Something about it was off; it was the fact that I wasn’t comfortable; and this affected the ‘character’s voice’. When I started my venture into erotica, I took one particular book, and kept redrafting and rereading until the scenes had the right feel and flow. The sentences and paragraphs began to smooth over. Over this journey it has became easier, allowing my imagination to flow in previously unattainable avenues.

For the first few drafts of an erotica novel, it’s sort of like a bizarre adventure trying to envision something fresh and unique, weeding out what I’ve already used to see what lies beneath. These leftover ideas grow, and take the story to places I never anticipate, creating relationships with new characters I didn’t know existed until the moment I write the scene.

I’m still uncomfortable writing about a lot of things, like anal-sex. Couldn’t say why, but for some reason it irks me. So balancing my writing when it comes to group-sex might not be as kinky as some, but maybe one day I’ll get there, lol. To date, I’ve only had two particular instances that really got to me, and both were interesting to say the least.

Yet once I’ve drafted the book a few times the story-line is set, and the editing, sometimes rewriting sets in. At this stage, I tend not to see the sex so much as the words themselves. It is only in the last few drafts that I begin to see the sex again at all, when my attention isn’t so focused on the flow between paragraphs and replacing certain words that would be more effective slightly tweaked.

Cheers,

Kayden

Writing At The Erogenous Zone

Hey Readers,

I’ve starting writing short erotica for The Erogenous Zone. This site is a feed-your-addiction Erotica site with reviews, stories and a lot more.

http://theerogenouszone.net/

Check out: ‘Rolling The Dice’, a flash-fiction about a couple who decide to live out a fantasy they imagined over the internet.

Cheers!

Kayden

Pending Release of Deep Water Legends, by Moongypsy Press

Dear Readers,

I’m pleased to announce that I recently contracted my third book, with Moongypsy Press. I love writing erotica and romance, and have full intentions of continuing onward with these sinfully delectable tales. But I’ve always said I wrote Science Fiction, and I’m proud to introduce a new side to my realm.

This is a chance to show the darker part of the world. But no worries, I still have many more erotic/romantic stories still in the works.

Deep Water Legends is a Paranormal Science Fiction, and still sits in the same world as all of my erotica, but shows a different facet. We get deeper into the Council’s intrigue, and just how corrupt they really are. The establishment is a complex network of vampires who have the power to produce destruction at a moment’s notice when angered. Some abuse it terribly, but some don’t…

This will be coming January 15th, from Moongypsy Press.

Cheers!

Kayden McLeod

Summary for Deep Water Legends:

The ruling body of vampires have let loose their top Hunters to get back an artefact. Their mission: retrieve the Dragon Stone, exterminate the Rogue and rescue the innocent human witch. Once a mission has been sanctioned, there isn’t a way to go back. Fernando is a Council employee and researcher, who stumbled upon a document suggesting a whole other race existed out there somewhere. He was tired of getting laughed at for what he sincerely believed in. No matter what risk lay ahead of him, he would prove his findings real. For his time on earth was ticking. Daphne is a human witch, kidnapped by an eccentric vampire. She is scared, trapped in the wilds of Mount Robson, knowing there is danger afoot, and she was at centre of it.

Excerpt:

“You’re really scared, aren’t you?” He spoke for the first time…ever.

Daphne blinked. Was that supposed to be a trick question?

“I can't survive on animal blood, not that I would ever want to. I’m sorry for feeding on you, and being unprepared for this journey. They took me by surprise. Sorry if I hurt you in my carelessness…”

He stopped, quickly shutting his mouth. Broken sentences spoke of his worries, the downcast eyes flickering with red flame.

As a human witch, Daphne knew a lot about real magic, but vampires and teleportation was so far from her realm of expertise. The weirdest part, the moment they had entered this forest, her abilities had left her high and dry.

Fernando stopped too suddenly for Daphne to avoid tumbling into him. He winced when she rebounded off a tree. Great, another bruise he’d inflicted. When would this madness stop? He had to finish, it was paramount he reach his goal, or all would be lost.

The Hunters were so close, and they’d spared no expense for his account. He just wished he had more time to think it through, never counting on them finding him this fast.

He jerked her around to push her against a tree, careful not to hurt her, no matter what she thought. And he could read every petrified thought tumbling around in her too human brain. This singular fact among many upset his certainty.

Was there a mistake? No, it couldn’t be that. She had the birthmark, the one in the old Native drawings and legends Fernando had found among the fairytales his fellow councilmen kept in the underground chambers where he worked continuously.





January 15th 2010, By:

The Perfect Man/Woman Contest

Dear Readers,

What’s your perfect man? Is he tall, dark and brooding, or a dangerous combination of lethal and gorgeous? In your mind, what does he look like? Attributes?

What’s your perfect woman?

Now that the juices are flowing (the creative ones at least, tehe), in 500 words or less, tell me about him or her.

The Perfect Man/Woman Contest:

Begins: November 1st 2009

I will accept entries all month long, and the draws will be on November 15th and 30th, with several winners.

Prize: An E-Book copy of Sara’s Story, Book Two: Unknown Worlds. An Erotic Paranormal, Vampire ménage.

How To Enter:

1) Leave A Comment, WITH your e-mail address, please.
2) E-mail me your entry to: kaydenmcleod@yahoo.ca

Good Luck, and happy writing….

Kayden McLeod

The Writing World of Dawné Dominique

Paranormal and Erotica

Par⋅a⋅nor⋅mal: Pronunciation [par-uh-nawr-muh l]Use paranormal in a Sentence adjective: of or pertaining to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psycho-kinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena.

E·rot·i·ca: Pronounciation [ĭ-rŏt'ĭ-kə]: literature or art intended to arouse sexual desire.


http://dictionary.reference.com/

Welcome to Kayden McLeod’s blog. My name is Dawné Dominique, and I’m a multi-published author, a managing editor, and cover artist. Let’s just say I manage to juggle all these careers rather precariously.

In creating my newest vampire release, Eden’s Hell (the first novel to The First series), one important facet remained constant: my characters needed to be different, vampiric in nature, yes, but with their own unique traits and idiosyncrasies. And although Diary of Daniella Rolfe had initially started this series almost four years ago, and I had already completed Kindred Blood and Crimson Cries (books II and III), I was about halfway finished writing Eden’s Hell when the epiphany struck. Eden’s Hell answers the questions of how, why and who created the vampire race. This novel had to begin my The First series. I make no apologies to the religious undertones used in the novel, as my intention was to make a reader pause and think, “OMG! This could be true.”

Diary of Daniella Rolfe began as a short story contest entry in my writing forum. It was merely chapter sized and written in diary format in first person from a seven centuries old female vampire. I did win the writing contest, but it was the reviews from other writers who had read the short story that made me take it a step further. The many comments I received back all suggested one thing: Make this into a novel.” Thus, The First was born. (N.B. only the first and last chapters of that particular novel are written in first person).

I knew there would be sexual undertones to these novels. For me, vampires are very sensual, dark and extremely sexy. From the hype that this genre has raised through recent movies and television shows, my view is not singular. By introducing “erotica” into the creation of my novels, I had initially panicked, thinking that perhaps it would take away from the main premise of the story. However, this didn’t happen. I had never written in the erotica genre before. I was a straight-up fantasy author (Lord of Rings type of stuff) but as I continued writing, it was inevitable that the “sex” needed to be inserted in order to add further dimensions to my characters.

So, how does one create a novel with a gripping plot, mixed with hinting subplots, where the sex doesn’t become the main focus? You need to write strong characters, create underlying questions for your readers to ask themselves, and include scenery and events that places readers right into the action and, of course, exemplary writing skills. But more importantly, I needed to create complex characters that you know should not be together, but even in real life, love and lust is sometimes more powerful than logic.

Many erotica novels have crossed my desk in the last two and a half years as a managing editor. There is always the distinction made of what is considered “porn” as opposed to “erotica”. For me, the two are quite simple to differentiate. Erotica is based on the premise of romance between complex characters that when you read them, they are not destined to be together, which inevitably creates a compelling plot. As well, there must be sexual tension, and not the act. “Porn” centralizes on characters where the sex is the main premise of the novel. It is a fine line to some, and a huge crater to others. For me, I write who I am, and as I don’t sugarcoat my life, my writing is also a reflection of my personality. The romance/love aspects in my novels are strong, the sex straightforward (no purple prose for this gal), but it’s the intricate plot(s) and sexual tension leading up to the main act(s) that I hope make my stories truly come alive.

Eden’s Hell delves into the beginning of time with Adam and Lillith, his first wife. My main characters, Satrina Vacher, despises the way Addison Eden, her ex-husband, has lived alone, brooding and unhappy over what had happened to them on the shores of the Blood Seas. Addison loathes everything about his ex-wife. It puts a whole new spin on ugly divorces that DO last for an eternity. Addison has failed at love not once, but twice, and he is more than content to live out his days sequestered from the world, and doomed and shackled by his penance of blood and guilt; that is until a mortal woman turns both his and Satrina’s, not to mention the entire Vampire Creed, worlds upside down.

Without giving anything away, I’m told the ending of this novel has rendered a few readers to tears, but I promise that it doesn’t end on an unhappy note.

Dark Diary (II: The First) is scheduled for release next July. This particular novel, and the three that follow, centralizes on Daniella Rolfe and Aiden Blackmore, a Kirkland City detective. Through this entire series, I take the readers to America, England, Russia, Egypt and Spain.

Kindred Blood (III: The First) introduces Spencer Dalton, an American private investigator living in England, and Sanehet, an Egyptian demigod, who is also Daniella’s father. There’s a torrid past involved with Sanehet and Daniella. You also meet some rather demented vampires, who kidnap Aiden in order to ensnare Daniella;

Crimson Cries (IX: The First) introduces Palladin Sandalio, a 1600 year old vilkacis (Latvian for “werewolf”), and The Nuasiar Nine, a fanatical group created during the Crusades, who hunt and destroy all creatures of the night, including the vilkacis race;

Nightstalker (X: The First) introduces Zane Black, a Vietnam vet, and a rather young vamp with extraordinarily strong powers, but he’s reduced to a mere mortal in comparison to Darian Duncan, a pediatric cardiac surgeon, who doesn’t know she's dead. Zane is a very successful erotic author, writing under a woman’s penname. I had a lot of fun with his character.

Along The First journey, you will meet Damien Ranier, an insane vampire, Connor Talbot and certain members his family, who have helped Daniella move from century to century. There is also Kon, Teanna and Kiernan, evil vampires at their finest, and a host of humans. The final novel, Nightstalker, brings all my First vampire characters into a catalytic finale.

If you’re looking for a unique take on the vampire lore that includes historical annotations, erotic interludes, sexual tension, love lost and gained, blood and adventure, I urge you to pick up a copy of Eden’s Hell and begin the journey into The First’s world. Available through Amazon and Purple Sword Publications:


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/tags-on-product/1936165244/ref=tag_dpp_cust_edpp_sa
http://www.purplesword.com

Thank you, Kayden. It’s been an absolute pleasure and honor to be invited here today.


Dawne, thank you so much! It was such a pleasure to have you with us today. I loved reading about your world, and look forward to more. *Hugz*

Cheers,

Kayden

The Release of Unknown Worlds

Dear Reader,

I’m pleased to announce the release of Sara’s Story, Book Two: Unknown Worlds. It was an awesome book to write, and I loved doing the research into the Marquesan culture, blending what I’d learned into the story I’d created.
Sara travels to an unknown world, to a place most of us can only fantasize about. And she can’t resist the pleasure and wonder it holds. Can you?

Summary:

Sara finds herself in a new world, an all-vampire community that at first seems like a picturesque scene of self-indulgent paradise, but soon she learns there’s an underbelly to this place of sun and sex. Having been a captive of a vampire’s insanity, she finds herself drawn towards two very compelling slaves who reside on the island, raising many buried memories for her, and igniting a mental agony she can’t ignore for long. There is ancient magic is afoot, presenting to her a whole new set of problems she’d never signed up for. Sara doesn’t know it quite yet, but fate has interceded and changed has her destiny from being just another Hunter, into so much more.

Where to find it:

Sara's Story, Book Two: Unknown Worlds

Happy Reading...

Kayden McLeod

First Expirence at Voting....

Hey Readers!!!!

Cold Epipihanies is up for at vote at Mistress Bella's Halloween Writing Contest. There are soo many wicked enteries, give them a read. If you like mine, then please vote:

http://www.mistressbellashortstories.blogspot.com/?zx=ff2903313aeb4f20

This is a Flash Fiction about Marcus and Kelly, from Deadly Fetishes

Cheers!

Kayden

Ginger Simpson, and the E-Publishing World

Hey Readers,


Please welcome Ginger Simpson to my blog today, to discuss our world. No, not the Paranormal one. Come on, I know that’s what you were thinking, lol. There are many parts to the world of E-publishing; setbacks, goals and relationships we cultivate over our chosen paths into the literary realm. Ginger will be getting into some of them, and after reading it, I know she is at least speaking my mind as well as her own.

Ginger:

I’d like to thank Kayden for raising an interesting question about the pros/cons of the e-book industry. I’ve been published with internet companies since 2003, and although that seems like a long time in dog years, the industry is still in its infancy. Why? I would like to preface the following conclusions by owning them. These are strictly my own opinions and experiences:

The number of techno-smart people are very young. Ipods, Iphones, new and improved video games and machines all reach out to this generation, and sales soar for the things they enjoy. Let’s face it…when you were a teenager or in your early twenties, did it occur to you how wonderful it would be to own something that allowed you to download a book? I don’t think so.

Secondly, for those who do enjoy reading, books are a comfort item. People have gotten used to holding something in their hands and actually turning pages. Garnering enthusiasm for something that obliterates what someone has grown to love is never easy. Add in the stigma attached to e-book: the bad press caused by companies that weren’t serious about making their mark in the publishing world, and you have a big reason why e-books have been slow on the uptake.

Face it, tons of Americans sit in front of their computer all day long, so the last thing they want to do is plant themselves there at night and read a book. Hand held readers are still very expensive, and old dogs don’t like new tricks. Of course, in the example I used above for Ipods, etc, young pups are always eager to explore. *smile*

I wonder if one day, schools might not realize the value in doing away with all the textbooks and putting everything on a handheld reader. Doing that would save millions used for purchasing books, do away with the need for lockers, and certainly improve the posture of all those back-pack toting teens. But then you’re messing with history, again, and people tend to growl when you do that.

I think small press has done wonders in overcoming the stigma that they will publish anything submitted to them. Competition has grown very keen, and rejections are an everyday occurrence. There are still some publishing companies who will accept everything sent them, because they hope to make up in quantity what they lack in quality. The shame: they’ve tarnished the reputation of those houses that have a good editorial staff in place and want to present the best of the best for their readers. The reality: They don’t have a good reputation, and legitimate authors avoid them like the plague.

For years, New York has been the hub of the publishing world, but now, even they are beginning to see value in POD (print on demand) books. Small publishers choose this route because most are small-scale, even run out of private homes, and there is no room for stocking multiple copies of their authors’ works. Plus, small operating budgets don’t allow for large print runs. In fact, to save overhead costs, many don’t offer print at all, but hope that “downloads” will continue to grow in popularity. With the economy plummeting and paper costs rising, you’ll find more NY authors offered on Amazon.com along with e-published authors. The sad thing for our industry: as NY authors move into the forefront of our “turf,” we are also seeing a swing in promotion. With Barnes & Noble recent takeover of Fictionwise, you’ll note that most of the advertisement on their home page has shifted to the well-known names. Not fair!

Promotion continues to be the number one requirement for sales, and in internet publishing, all the expense and time falls on the shoulders of the author. People can’t buy what they don’t know about, and as e-pubbed writers who don’t enjoy the benefit of advances and promotional help, we often are stymied about what to do next. I blog, maintain a website, have my own pages on several author sites, belong to other mega-groups, loops, have author days, participate in interviews, have my books reviewed… I pretty much do whatever I think might help my sales climb, but unfortunately I’m still struggling to find the money to pay for my own promotional endeavors. In the first year alone, I spent over three thousand dollars to establish my website, attend a conference, purchase promotional items and copies of my own books. The return on my investment was disappointing, and it hasn’t gotten much better despite my continued great reviews and encouragement from my peers and fans.

But, I don’t know the answers. To me the big PRO is that internet publishing keeps you humble and you make awesome friends. The CON, in my opinion, continues to be the return on the time and effort I invest, the lack of recognition by those who don’t value our industry, and, despite all my accomplishments, feeling a need to achieve that one final goal that puts a print copy of my work in a REAL store. I feel guilt for wanting to be a print author in a download world. Despite feeling defeat at times, I remind myself that while I may not be raking in the bucks, if I count the many friends who struggle along with me, urge me onward and support what I do, then I really, really am a millionaire. And, as the old cigarette commercial geared for women used to say, “You’ve come a long way, baby.”


Thank you Ginger, a pleasure as always!

Cheers,

Kayden McLeod

To visit Ginger Simpson:

New way to get your copy of Sara's Story

Hey Readers!

Not liking reading Sara's Story on my website? Well, I thought of a new way to get it!
Get your own E-Book copy, from Lulu.com

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/saras-story-book-one-suspicious-circumstances/7821798

Keeping the prices low: $2.50 US currency per e-book

I'm debating on doing the print thing as well...but let's see how this one does first, tehe.

AS ALWAYS: you can read it FOR FREE:
http://kaydenmcleod.com/suspiciouscircumstances

But, I've been asked a few times now for access to an e-book they can purchase/download, and a friend recommended this great way to do just that. Also, I would love to know what you think of this new venture!

BTW!!!!! I finally have my first review on this book. Here's where you can find it:
http://theerogenouszone.net/
http://kaydenmcleod.com/reviews

Happy Reading...

Kayden McLeod

The Truth about Vampires, by Joel

Hey Readers!

Welcome Joel! He is a fellow Erotica writer, and I've asked him to give us his view on vampires. He has studied mythology from all over the world, and I assure you, nothing really is quite as it seems...

Kayden


The Truth about Vampires

When we think about Vampires we automatically think of charismatic, neck biting, seductive vampires who live in grand Gothic Mansions, who are pale and gaunt, although may have diamond like skin. Most of the modern Vampire mythology is however wrong, propagated largely by the famous novel by Bram Stoker.

The original view of vampires was vastly different than that of today's views. Vampires where merely people who rose from their graves at night to feed upon the blood of people and livestock in an effort to cling to life. Tales of the dead craving after blood can be found in almost every culture around the world, and interestingly there are many similarities between the stories, even between cultures that supposedly had no contact.

The tales of vampirism date back to ancient times, and can be found in early Babylonian demonology as Lilu (later adopted into Jewish mythology as Lilitu), and some say, arguably, that an even earlier reference to vampirism, may be found with the Akhkharu of Sumerian mythology. It was at a time believed that “vampires” were spirits or demons that possessed the corpses of the deceased and carried out their quest for blood in the dark of night. However after the advent of Christianity, the mythology began to evolve. Suddenly people who committed suicide, sorcerers, witches, even criminals were susceptible to becoming vampires after death.

Vampire lore varied from culture to culture, however there were some consistencies with the mythologies. For example, contrary to popular belief, vampires are neither gaunt nor pale, their victims became so however, the vampires themselves looked fit and healthy and no different to any other person. (this was once how grave diggers identified vampires, especially amongst children, after three years they would exhume the remains and see if the corpse still looked healthy, if it was, it got a stake to the heart). That is one thing that modern mythology has not changed much, and that is how to kill a vampire. Either a decapitation, stake through the heart, or burning the body completely was said to work.

One thing about vampires that has been left out by modern mythology that can be found in all vampire lore globally, is the fact that vampires actually seemed to have a touch of obsessive compulsive disorder, one way to stop a vampire, or escape rather, was to leave a broom of bag of rice in it's path, it would have to stop and count the bristles or grains. Other common ways to fend of vampires, excluding crucifixes, holy water and garlic (which only came about with christianity) is sunlight, an aloe-vera plant, or sacred plants such as the Hawthorn plant or wild rose. Another commonality between vampire lore is the fact that vampires fed upon blood, either through the neck, or through the stomach, they also sometimes ate the flesh, something that modern mythology seems to have forgotten.

It is easy to see the evolution of vampire mythology from demon-like spirits possessing corpses and feeding upon flesh and blood, to seductive, charming, erotic, immortal beings. But the truth about vampires is much more dark than the current Hollywood fantasy, and the question of whether or not vampires actually exist can not be answered until we actually know what it is that we are looking for, obviously the evidence left behind by a Gothic vampire would be much different to the evidence left behind by a more ancient type of vampire.


To find out more about Joel, check out his website. Free Short Stories, Erotic Reviews, and more
http://theerogenouszone.net/

New Ideas

Hey Readers,

I’ve been finding myself busier and busier as it gets closer to the release of Jezebel’s article. I get more and more ideas, until I’m not able to keep up with them all. But, it’s so much fun. I hope you all enjoyed the Halloween Contests (which are still going on by the way, until October 31). I’m thinking either next month, or possibly December I will be making a new one.
The ‘Perfect Man’ Contest. In 500 words or less, could you tell me your perfect man? But that will be coming soon.
On to what I have for you today! I re-did my book video, so have a look and I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers

Kayden McLeod

A Short Halloween Story...

Dear Readers,

I wrote a quick Halloween Flash Fiction, hope you enjoy!

Kayden


Cold Epiphanies

The darkness of this night was eternal, always everlasting on Halloween. The veil between the worlds is lowered, and ghosts have free rein in our world to create chaos and mischief where they pleased.

It was a time when all kinds of things could happen.

But our concern wasn’t what caused havoc from the other world, but our own. What already lived here, year-round.

A small group of humans had been having a party, never knowing they’d invited a Rogue vampire in, one who’d been on the run from us. He was hungry from the chase, only seeing dinner, and laid perimeter spells at every door and window, locking them inside with no chance of escape.

He’d broken almost every conciliate law when he revealed himself to them for what he was. Chaos had burst forth, their flight or fight reflex kicking in, with no chance of survival.

By the time we’d arrived, four out of seven humans were already dead. It wasn’t in our power to bring them back, not like we could with our own. If we’d been minutes later- well you get the drift.

Because of that fact alone, we rushed in headstrong in an attempt to save what little we could.
Holly had broken the spells without preamble, instantly alerting the criminal to our arrival, and giving him time to escape through the backdoor.

And the chase was on.

For whatever insane reasons that were in my head at the time, I’d gone along on my first real hunting trip, even though my mate had begged me not to.

I could handle it. Couldn’t I?

But those were my thoughts then, and certainly not now.

Thankfully the pounding rain had finally bled into a bare trickle of frigid liquid, spilling into the perfidious water that had been calm only moments before.

“Marcus!” I shrieked loudly.

“I’m trying, Kelly.” Marcus stressed, again. His unusual turquoise eyes were lit with fierce perseverance.

He pulled uselessly at the rope, but it was unresponsive to both of us.

I’ll never ask to go on a hunt again. What the hell had I been thinking.

I had thought I could do this, tending to forget that while Sara and I were practically sisters, we were nothing alike. Our pasts were on two separate sides of the scale, and there was a very good reason why she could track Rogues so proficiently, and deal with the repercussions of such a job.
Sara would’ve found a way out of this predicament. Me? I was terrified, near tears, which tore Marcus up in ways I never would’ve willingly done otherwise.

The others had gone after the Rogue, and Marcus had taken me towards the river in an attempt to cut him off. He’d bid me stay while he materialized across to the other side.

Being alone, with the heavy rain and concealing night had creeped me out. Of course with me being me, I’d decided to create a dingy to cross the river, not feeling safe at all. At any moment the Rogue could’ve showed right behind me-I wouldn’t have stood a chance.

I’d manifested a tiny rubber craft, and Marcus hadn’t been paying enough attention to stop me.

At least until I screamed.

At some point during the hunt, the outlaw had bewitched the rain-swollen river, making it boil in a very unstable expanse of H20. The spell was far past my abilities to unravel, and considering it wasn’t triggered until I was about halfway, it was already too late.

Now, my previously nice, safe boat tossed and turned violently, twenty feet from shore, and my only salvation.

He’d tossed me a manifested rope, but at the water’s first touch, it began to fray like it was bathed in acid. The rope threatened to give at any moment, which would send me on a horrifying journey with no way to save myself.

I should’ve listened to Marcus when he’d begged me to stay home tonight, but like he normally did when I was insistent; he’d caved, thinking it would be a manageable Rogue to hunt.
Wrong.

“Well, try harder!” I screamed when a geyser-like wave exploded to my right, upsetting the frail rubber craft, until I was almost sideways.

With every passing moment, the water around me frothed and swelled more. The spell was working towards a peak, and we both knew I had to be out of the water before it was reached.

“I thought you said this was a nice river? You told me this was safe.” I requisitioned in a small voice, my normally steel-strong trust in Marcus waning under the pressure.

In my head, I knew this was my fault. But aloud? It was all on Marcus. I never claimed to have rationale when in such situations.

“You wanted adventure, love. I live only to serve you, and give you what you ask,” he said between clenched teeth.

The rope was wrapped around his thick forearms that bulged when he tried to yank it towards him with no avail. His frustration and panic just scared me more.

Which meant; going down river was entirely too possible, and that wasn’t an option I cared to consider right now.

“Oh, you’re in so much trouble when we get home, if you even get me to land first!” I yelled, holding on for dear life. “Can vampires drown?”

“No, love. I’ve told you that.” He reminded me.

“Then why are you freaking out?” I demanded.

Marcus ignored me, beginning to frantically whisper under his breath in some last ditch effort. He knew so much more about spell work than I did.

We knew from the briefing, the vampire was older and more powerful everyone but Holly and Ryder, who were in charge of this mission, and weren’t anywhere near enough to help us.

But the possibility of victory was ever-present, though very unlikely.

Our only hope was for him to re-set the trigger before the rope’s last leg was up, and the lone prevention of my own demise would be gone. Totally breaking the spell wasn’t an option for either of us.

“I’m getting close cher. Stay calm, please.” Marcus assured in a thickly sweetened voice I would cherish in almost any other situation.

In other words; stay calm, because you’re driving me to insanity.

He switched to yet another language, the words slow and deliberate as he sought to find the key.

Please don’t let me die for this stupidity. If my life has to end, couldn’t it be for a good reason?

While Marcus worked, the tension on the rope solidified, and the dingy began to move towards land. Success!

And then another geyser exploded just in front of me.

My dingy tipped so unexpectedly, I hadn’t retained a good enough grip. My lungs filled with the icy-coldness of the river, the shock paralysing me.

Water whooshed around me, the swift unforgiving movements of the treacherous currents stealing my energy while I was tossed helplessly left and right.

After a long dire moment of not knowing how to get to the surface, a body jumped into the water with me. Strong, comforting arms closed around me.

And my anger immediately flared.

What’d you jump in for? Now we can’t get out of the water. You will…

Die? Love, you know if you go on to the next life, there’s no choice but to go with you. He chastised softly, never regretting any of the harsh decisions he’d made to get us to this time and place. Plus, give me a little credit. I found the trigger to the spell on the rope. Just let me think about the water spell for a moment.

Even with the tense wait, he was with me in this horrible mess. And true to his word, and after several more tries, the rapids calmed minutely. I had no idea what had worked in the end, but honestly I didn’t care.

We broke the surface, and he began to drag me to shore. Even as a vampire, my body was sore from fighting the strong current.

If I had the energy, I would’ve kissed the beautiful, welcome shore. As it was, we collapsed on the grass.

I waited for Marcus to yell at me for not listening, at least some reprimand, but it never came. No matter how badly I screwed up, he never did.

Staring up at the overcast sky, the raindrops ironically began to fall from above once more. Lightening flashed in the distance, illuminating the tips of the trees on all sides.

The river eventually settled, the spell moving into a stationary status, until Holly had time to remove it completely.

“Never again.” Marcus murmured. His white-blond hair was a soaked mess when he turned his enchanting timeless face to meet mine. “You will not hunt anymore, love. There’ll won’t any talking me into it next time.”

“Yea, I agree.”

I might argue my case more often than not, but now there was more than enough proof to know I didn’t belong on these particular adventures. All of my brothers, my Leaders had bade me to stay away from this particular duty for the Council, and none of it had affected me.

But this had, in a way none of them could’ve ever dreamed. Reality really was a bitch.

“It isn’t often you give in this easily.” Marcus mused, shaking his head in exasperation. “Maybe I should allow you to be scared more often.”

Holly filled our minds, and I ground my teeth at his amused laughter when he read the situation. He had one weird sense of humour.

The Rogue is now in the Council’s possession. Everyone can come back in. Holly instructed. I knew you wouldn’t care for this, little sister. You’re as stubborn as Sara, but you don’t have her strength. And Marcus is right, this was a first, and a last for you.

Yea, yea. I huffed indignantly. It won’t happen again. I get it.

The lesson was thoroughly learned.