A Warrior's Woman excerpt

It's been a while since I posted anything writing related so I thought it would be fun to entertain you with an excerpt from one of my favorite stories. Here's an excerpt from a Warrior's Woman.


A Warrior's Woman
by Missy Lyons
Whispers Publishing
Price $2.95

Blurb:

Kivra was bound by her honor to live as Kona's woman for one month. For one month she was to please him in every way, become one of the lowest class of women, but finding herself under the Barbarian's masterful body, she knew she would be begging to be used. She wanted nothing more than to seduce him and have him beg for more. Even though she surrendered her body, it was something altogether different to surrender her heart. Kona was the second son of the King, and as second son, he had no inheritance, no lands, and no title. When he hears that the ruling Shirkan of Kanaha has died, leaving an only child, a daughter, he decides it's an opportunity to find his own fortune. He knows he isn't welcome in Kanaha. He knows and yet, he goes anyway. He meant to kidnap Kivra and run away as his brother had done with her sister, but the moment he laid eyes on her warrior spirit, he knew she would have to be conquered to be won over, and he wasn't about to accept anything less than compete surrender.


Excerpt:

"Well if you feel so badly about it, you can fight me now." Kona's arrogant smile nearly incapacitated her.

Surely he was jesting?

"Fight you? I think not. I am not giving you that kind of satisfaction." She looked over his strong male body. Too male for her, she would appreciate him from afar, but she knew better than to play with men like him--men who played with women and then tossed them aside. Kivra knew his type, the biggest warriors who were the most handsome could have any woman eating out of their hand, and they often had several women.

"Well if you won't issue the challenge then I will." He moved towards her. He stopped when he was only a breath from her. "I challenge you to a battle, Princess."

"How dare you challenge me?" Kivra curled up her lips, a nervous energy invading her body. The words still hung in the air, stinging her ears. Kivra sounded a little childish even to her own ears. The man was just goading her into making a stupid mistake, something she could not afford to do, if she were to accept such a rash offer.

She looked nervously to his waiting men. All of them warriors. All of them there to support their leader, who came here to challenge her, a woman. What kind of man would do such a thing?

Only a man with no honor.

Only a barbarian who did not care anything for treating women any different from men. She answered her own question.

In her country, women may not have the same rights as men, but they were protected. Women were known as the weaker sex, yet they were respected. Women were treated with honor and always with respect as mothers and as wives. They could never physically equal a man's physical power, and so they were never allowed any real power. Even the right to own land was not allowed to a woman.

She was still flummoxed that Kona would even consider fighting her. Even the barbarians of Kapomo had ethics, or so she had thought. This personal challenge made her question those morals. It was not like she had any males left in her family to fight for her honor or her cause.

Kapomo must be a land full of thieves and kidnappers.

"Do you accept?" He grinned down at her. They were standing on even ground, but the man towered over her by a good foot. All the warrior men of Kapomo were large men, but he seemed exceptionally large and exceptionally powerful. A muscle pulsed in his neck as he awaited her decision.

Kivra looked at him for a moment, letting her gaze trail over his well-muscled warrior body. It would be no contest. She let her fingers feel the reassurance of her sword at her hip, feeling the engraving well worn on the handle. His was a body that would soon overpower hers within minutes. But with her skill and experience, she could give him at least a little challenge. If he'd miscalculated her skills before offering the challenge, that might give her an edge against his strength. Perhaps if the fight were short, she could end it as the winner.

"Why would you challenge me?" Of course she already knew why in her heart. He wanted to usurp her power. Her father had been the Shirkan, the unquestioned leader by strength. He retired, because of age, and had not accepted a fight for years. When he died three months ago, he left her the sole survivor of the clan. No other man had dared to fight her for her leadership in her own clan. With no brothers or any other men in the family to fight for her, Kivra would have to fight for her own honor.

"Perhaps, because you have something I want..." his words may have been innocent but his eyes were insinuating something wicked. The way he let his words trail off, Kivra had guessed he had bed play on his mind, like most men. But unlike most men, he figured out she would only give herself to the strongest of the lot. She needed a man who was stronger than she; a man who had something to offer her, like himself.

"I am just trying to say that there is nothing I have to offer you." She wanted nothing more than to put an arrogant man like him in his place.

"Oh but I disagree, you have much to offer me. You will have to let me be the judge of that, Princess..." There was no doubt what he was alluding to when he stared her down with that hungry gaze. His eyes stayed far too long on her chest for her liking.


Buy now at Whispers

http://www.whispershome.com/book_pages/a_warriors_woman.html

Buy now at All Romance Ebooks

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-awarriorswoman-8561-144.html

Buy now at Fictionwise

https://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b64669/A-Warriors-Woman/Missy-Lyons/?si=0

Thanks for reading!

Lots of love,
Missy Lyons
www.misslyons.com

P.S. email me if you want to recieve my latest giveaway! I have a few leftover bars of soap scented with Berry Wine.

Dragon Con Parade

Saturday I took the family down for a day of Dragon Con. We arrived early, quickly managed to get lost and then found ourselves on a street lined with people. As luck would have it, we were just in time for the annual Dragon Con parade.



There were things that would appeal to children and adults. My oldest daughter admitted later that this was her favorite part of the day.




My hubby enjoyed the muscle cars and custom vehichles. Someone had even built a land speed cruiser.




Dragon Con is pretty intense and it's hard to reay all of what is happening by just sharing pictures. What really impressed me was the energy. Colors and class were meaningless. People were exceedingly kind and friendly. People brave enough to dress up in costume were celebrities of the hour.

And I loved every minute of it.

Harlequin contest

Halequin presents announces the opening of a new contest. You can enter by writing a first chapter and synopsis. Details here:

http://www.iheartpresents.com/2009/07/the-harlequin-presents-writing-competition-2009-is-now-open/

Are you a visionary?

Are you a visionary? This is the type of person I want to be. Why?-- you ask.

When you look up the word in a dictionary it defines visionary as:

1.A person whose ideas, plans, etc. are impractical, too idealistic, or fantastic; dreamer.
2.A person of strong and creative imaginative power and, often, the ability to inspire others.

So who wants to be impractical, to have unrealistic ideas? It makes no sense to ser unachievable goals, to have such high and lofty dreams that it's unrealistic. Or is it? This type of person often has such a positive influence that others find them inspirational. They follow their lead and they too begin to dream.

Visionaries see the world as beautiful and try to make it even more beautiful during their lifetime. I think what helps to seperate them from the rest of the pack is that they don't merely react to what life throws at them. They envision a future for themselves, they ask themselves where they want to be in one-five years down the raod and set goals for themselves. Visionaries see what needs done to get from here to there and they make changes in theor lives to make their tomorrow happen.

I remember reading articles aboout CEO's and other high power executives who managed to seperate themselves from everybody else. One of the things these people did regularly was to keep a long list of lifetime goals an read it often.

So in parting, what I see as the most important characteristics to being a visionary are:

1.Thinking outside the box and being creative
2.Setting Goals and working towards them.
3.Giving back to those around us or making the world a better place.
4.Understanding that it won't be an easy road to follow, but there really is no such thing as being too idealistic, or too fantastic a dreamer.

May all your dreams come true.

Two new releases and a brand new contest!!!

I had two new releases this month at Phaze and am soo excited, I can't stand it. I have to share. French Kiss has finally gone to print and a brand new release like nothing I ever wrote before. It's fun, sexy and not exactly a traditional romance but still hot.

Straight Up



The ladies of Vegas share their dirty little secrets in this short but hot
collection. This "oral" history explores the intimacies of sex behind closed
doors...and on stage.

Now available at Phaze Books:

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Missy+Lyons/exact_match=exact

Metropolitan Passions Volume II



Want to escape the dogdays of summer, but can't afford a real vacation? Why not escape with your fantasies to London, Paris, and Chicago? This collection includes Missy's French Kiss. An erotic thriller that's not just about rmance, but folows a young woman's journey as she rediscovers herself and her inner strengths after betrayal and heart brake.

*CONTEST--Check out the excerpt and answer the following questions. You could
win a copy of my book and a sweet bathtime treat. Bath fizzies and energizing
honey and oatmeal soap. Just email me the answers at lyons_missy@....

**FREEBIES--Already bought the book? Email me a copy of the purchase receipt to
lyons_missy@... and you will get a pdf copy of Skinnydipping and a two
ounce bar of soap scented with Berry Wine.

***Contest Questions:

1. What is Sarah's stage name?
2. What is the new girl's name?
3. What item of clothing do the erotic dancers usually splurge on?

Hurry and enter now! This contest ends August 31, 2009.




Missy Lyons
Unleash your passion
www.missylyons.com

Blog: http://missylyons.blogspot.com
Twitter: @missylyons
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Missy_Lyons_Newsletter/

Soap 101

This is my latest obsession! I discovered handmade soap at the Renaissance Faire this year. I never expecte to go ga-ga over it, but once I tried it, I was hooked! I had two failed experiences, but this is my first success. So what's in it you ask? An exra virgin olive oil with a little bit of coconut oil for added hardness. Its considered a castile soap and will be very mild on the skin. I did add half an ounce of a masculine fragrance oil so my hubby would try it, but that's it. There's no additives or detergents, besides the Sodium Hydroxide that kickstarts the chemical reaction turning the oils into soap. After the oils have saponified, there is only soap, no lye. (Which I doublechecked using a lye calculator)


There were air bubbles in this batch, but that's probably because I stirred too long. I am new at recognizing the stages. It was the consistency of thick pudding when I put it in the mold. Each time I make soap, I learn a little more and perfect the skills.



From reading on the internet, I built my own mold. This makes a loaf that made about ten bars. The ends come off to aid in removing the loaf from the mold. It cost less than $3 to build, and I borrowed the tools from my hubby's garage. Oh yeah, it's also lined with wax paper to ease the release.



The first step is to liquify the oils, so I heat them up the allow it to cool to a little more than room temperature. Close to the same temperature of the lye solution.Which may have cooled by now. The pan I bought specifically for my soap making project so I wouldn't contaminate my food cooking utensils. Cost less than $6 at a thrift store.



This is today's project, and look how simple it is! Most of these ingredients you can get locally, at your grocery store and hardware store. I picked up the lye crystals (Sodium Hydroxide) at Ace Hardware for $3.99.

This baar will be 100% vegetable bar of soap, with no animal fats or byproducts. Now tell me that's not fun?

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to everyone, but especially my man. DH works hard to be a good Dad, so he deserves some recognition and it's just one of the reasons I love him.

Life has been made even better when we remember to laugh along the way. Which is why I could laugh at this picture. Enjoy!

Sometimes we need to laugh and let loose a litte, and it was my father who first taught me this lesson. It's tough being a parent, but every child needs that father figure, or a male mentor in their life. I don't think it's impossible to grow up right without a Dad, but it sure makes life go smoother. It's easier to believe in yourself when someone else does first.

I grew up in a family with four sisters. We had our bumps and bruises in life, and I know there were times that I tested my father's patience, but I never once doubted he loved me. He supported my endeavors and encouraged my dreams. It was my father that planted that seed in my brain that I should grow up to be a writer. He was the one to see my love of words and I don't know where I'd be in life without him.

Thank you Dad, for all you do, and all those Dads out there that make time to play such an important role in their kids lives.

Happy Father's Day!


--In the mood to read something spicy? Go to www.missylyons.com

All about my side job as a cover artist

Well writing is fun, but I don't make enough to pay the bills just yet. I got to work since hubby lost his job this spring. So writing is really just a side job to my other part time jobs. I think I told you about my job at the restaraunt, that I occasionaly secret shop at various businesses, but not everyone knows that I also work as a cover artist for a few publishers. For fun, I am sharing my latest cover for a book titled Maxwell's Mansion by Donna McClaire.

So, in between the deadlines, I work on graphic designs for artists, authors, and publishers. Often at very odd hours of the night since I am also a full time mommy. It's convenient to have the ability to work from home, but it also means you never get away from your work

Yeah, this is one job you really can call moonllighting.

Do you work? I think being a housewife an a mother is a full time job that not many women get creit for, but the reward is well worth it.

Favorite excerpt from Straight Up

I am drowning in edits right now, but I hit a really good spot in the manuscript that made me want to share. It totally made me crack up, but what would you do when you were suddenly propositioned with a foursome? With three very hot men heating up the room? Read on to find out what Sarah does:

*******

“So,” Jake pressed a full drink back into my hands, while Tim held a basket out for me, “it wasn’t you who left this gift basket filled with naughty surprises?”
“Umm.” Holy cow. Naughty wasn’t the word. Kinky maybe. This welcome basket went well beyond naughty. There was two bottles of champagne just to warm you up, lotions, bottles of aphrodisiacs, handcuffs, and WAY too many dildos for one girl to enjoy. A mountain of condoms filled the base of the basket. Not in my wildest fantasies could I dream something like this up, but someone had an idea that I could be talked into it. “No.”
“Then who did?”
Rob’s grin was wide as a high school boy discovering his first hard-on. “Someone who wanted us to have lots of fun.”
“Here’s a clue. There’s a card.” I opened the card to read what was inside. “It’s from my boss! This has to be some kind of mistake. Unless he thought we were going to have an orgy in here.”
“Is that a proposition?” Tim’s wide smile shared his enthusiasm.
“I’m up for the idea if you are.” Coming from Rob, that was surprising. Working as a stripper usually caused problems in a relationship. Jealous boyfriends were a common cause of breakups, and most guys didn’t like their girls to continue working even if they knew nothing sexual happened at work. Rob didn’t seem jealous in the slightest. He even sounded like he was looking forward to sharing.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” I tried to control my breathing, focusing on slow even breaths. The air was thick with tension—and testosterone. All I could think of was sex and talking about it was not helping.
Rob rubbed my leg affectionately. “I know something that could warm you up to the idea.”
I evaded his gaze, downing my second drink of the day. I wasn’t immune to the alcohol. I was feeling a buzz and slightly lightheaded. Part of me wanted to tell him to do it. Hell yeah, I was up for an afternoon round with him and his boys. Another part of me—the part that wasn’t drunk enough—was saying no way. They would think I was a slut. They would never respect me after this. They would expect sexual favors at the drop of a hat, and for me to put out every time I saw them.
Apparently, I was beginning to really feel the effects of the alcohol, because I couldn’t see the downside of having three lovers.
“Mmm, what exactly did you have in mind?”

Straight Up--coming to Phaze Publishing in August 2009

CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From the Cat
101 Stories about Life, Love, and Lessons

Cats have always been wonderful companions and playmates that brighten and enrich our lives but they are also amazing teachers. We want cat lovers, both lifelong and reluctant, to share the lessons they have learned about life from their furry companions. The stories in this book will delight readers with the often humorous, heartwarming, poignant and always inspiring lessons taught to us by our feline friends and family members.

We are looking for true stories and poems written in the first person of no more than 1,200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. Remember, these stories should be about lessons learned from your cat rather than general stories about your cat.

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO
http://chickensoupf orthesoul. com/form. asp?cid=submit_ story.

The deadline for submissions is March 31, for publication in September 2009.

CONTACT US

Please do not reply or send questions to this address. For any further questions or correspondence, contact webmaster@chickenso upforthesoul. com or visit our website at
http://www.chickens oup.com.

Samhain wants a space opera

Call for Submissions: Samhain Publishing Space Opera anthology

Get your outer space on! Intergalactic wars, space battles, alien cultures, and love (and lust) across the cosmos.

I’m very pleased to announce an open call for submissions for a new, yet-to-be titled spring 2010 space opera anthology. I’m looking for fast-paced, action-adventure space opera romances. Don’t know what space opera is? Think Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica or my personal favorite, Firefly/Serenity. For more information on space opera, you can check out the entry on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Opera

I’m open to M/F, M/M, or multiples thereof, and any sexual heat level. The only rule is the story should be set mainly or entirely in space and the romance must end happily ever after or happy for now.

The anthology will include novellas from 25,000 to 30,000 words in length and will be released individually as ebooks in April 2010.

Submissions are open to all authors, published with Samhain or aspiring to be published with Samhain. All submissions must be new material—previously published submissions will not be considered. Additionally, manuscripts previously submitted, whether individually or for past anthologies, will not be considered either. Please be aware that manuscripts submitted to this anthology cannot be resubmitted at a later date unless by invitation from an editor.

To submit a manuscript for consideration, please include:

The full manuscript (of 25,000 to 30,000 words) with a comprehensive 2-5 page synopsis. Please include a letter of introduction/query letter. Full manuscripts are required for this as it’s a special project.

As well, when you send your manuscript, please be sure to use the naming convention SpaceOpera_Title_MS and SpaceOpera_Title_Synopsis. This will ensure that your submission doesn’t get missed in the many submissions we receive, and makes it easy for me to find in my ebook reader.

Submissions are open until August 10, 2009 and final decision will be made by August 31, 2009. Please send your submission to editor@samhainpublishing.com and include Space Opera Anthology in the subject line.

Questions can be addressed to Sasha Knight sasha@samhainpublishing.com

ETA: Copied from the Samhain submissions page. The "I" in here is not Sela!

My fortune cookie today

You are a lover of words. You should write a book someday.

Loose Id Submission guidelines

SubmissionsLoose Id is actively acquiring stories from both aspiring and established authors. Before submitting a query or proposal, please read the guidelines below. Please don't hesitate to contact us at submissions at loose-id dot com for any information you don't see here.

What is Loose Id?
Loose \'lüs\, adjective - 1. not rigidly fastened or securely attached; having relative freedom of movement. 2. free from a state of confinement, restraint, or obligation. 3. lacking in restraint or power of restraint; lacking in moral restraint. Synonyms: unleashed, unfettered, unbound, unfree.

Id \'id\, noun - the one of the three divisions of the psyche in psychoanalytic theory that is completely unconscious and is the source of psychic energy derived from instinctual needs and drives — compare ego, superego. Synonyms: subconscious mind, lizard brain.

Loose Id \'lüs id\, noun - 1. an unfettered unconscious mind; 2. a publisher of electronic and print romances that unleash your fantasies by striding to the edge of the abyss and taking the plunge. Synonyms: There are no known equivalents, only imitations.


About Our Books
Loose Id takes romance to the edge: the edge of the genre, the edge of convention, the edge of the abyss. And then we throw it right on in. A Loose Id romance is deliberately, specifically, and insistently erotic. It ought to make you blush and squirm in your seat, while keeping you turning pages because you have to find out what happens next.

We're looking for stories that unleash the power of fantasy and the id. New twists on old favorites, both erotic and romantic. Whether it's that hotass cop and the speeder he pulled over, a threesome with your two best gay friends, anonymous sex with the guy you saw pumping gas, capture fantasy, sex slavery, cowboy and city slicker, secret babies, secretary and sheikh, we want stories that tap specific reader fantasies and make them as erotic as the plotline will support.

Your story should have a clear romance hook, even though we encourage plots that have a broader external conflict. Readers love sprawling stories, but they want to know from the outset who is going to fall in love, what's going to get in their way, and why it's important that they resolve it. Remember, the idea is to indulge the id by fulfilling familiar reader fantasies in a new and unique way, so those fantasies need to be recognizable and powerful.




Accepted Genres
Contemporary
Historical
Paranormal
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Mystery & Suspense
Gay, Lesbian & Transgendered
Menage & Polyamory
BDSM & Fetish

About the contemporaries and historicals
Because we're sharpening our focus on reader fantasy, we're reopening submissions to contemporaries and historicals that are sufficiently erotic to meet our desire to have readers squirming in their seats. No inspirationals, no sweet romances, no category romance. But, feel free to take those standard romance tropes and plotlines and make them as erotic as the story will support. We'd prefer historicals and contemporaries to include multicultural elements, interracial elements, full-figured heroines, menage, bdsm, alternate lifestyle, lgbt themes or polyamory, but we will happily look at your hot heterosexual Alpha heroes in single-partner relationships, so long as they're hunky and HOT.

About paranormal, sff, mystery & suspense
While we encourage broad, inventive plots, please remember that we publish erotic ROMANCE. No cozy mysteries, no urban fantasy with sex for titillation, no sprawling space epics with the occasional love story. We expect every story to have a fully realized romance with conflict and resolution, even if you're not taking them all the way to happily ever after. Stories with a large external conflict must have a romance hook - one that is specifically erotic. As with contemporaries and historicals, we'd prefer these to include multicultural elements, interracial elements, full-figured heroines, menage, bdsm, alternate lifestyle, lgbt themes or polyamory,but we're perfectly happy to look at your sky pirates and outlaw heroes who find the girl of their dreams, so long as the story makes us squirm.

About LGBT, menage & poly, bdsm & fetish
Everything we've said about romances, hooks, and fantasies still applies when dealing with LGBT, menage & poly, bdsm & fetish themes. While some of our books in these categories cater specifically to the relevant community, we still expect them to be accessible to and enjoyable for the bulk of our female readers. Romance is the key. At Loose Id, we believe love is love is love is love. The heart wants who it wants and the id wants what it wants. Tell us a story about someone or someones getting their heart and id's desire. It's not enough that it's two guys, two girls, a drag queen and a pre-op transexual, three or more lovers, or there are whips, chains, clamps, pony play. Turn it inside out and show us the hearts that make it work. Show us the rainbow and make us believe - and squirm, don't forget the squirming.

Specific Guidelines
Length
20,000-120,000 words. Flings of less than 20,000 words and shorter stories are by invitation only to authors currently publishing with us. Stories of 55,000 - 70,000 words will receive an advance and be automatically considered for print.

Re-releases
In very rare circumstances we will accept previously published manuscripts that meet our guidelines, however they will only be considered in conjunction with a complete, unpublished manuscript meeting our guidelines by the same author.

Series and Serials
We're not generally interested in serials or series beyond three books at this time. While we'll still look at manuscripts intended to be part of a much longer series, each story must stand alone and subsequent books will be judged on their own merit as well as the sales for previous books in the series.

Anthologies/group projects
Loose Id no longer accepts anthology or group project proposals from authors. Loose Id authors may inquire of their editor but should be advised that even if the proposal is approved, individual books in series will be judged on their own merit and author invitations will be made by Loose Id.

Absolutely no:

Short stories, see above.
Pedophilia. That is, sex between adults and underage characters.
Necrophilia. Undead doesn't count.
Bestiality. Sentient shifters, aliens and paranormal creatures are OK.
Scat or golden showers. Territorial marking may be acceptable in extraordinary cases. Inquire before submitting.
Rape or incest (as defined by the culture in which the story occurs) calculated to arouse the reader. Villains may commit rape or incest to demonstrate malicious intent, but it should occur in a manner that is not arousing, or offstage. Rape or incest can have occurred in a character's past, but the hero or heroine should never perpetrate rape or incest during the scope of the story. Forced seduction, capture, or dubious consent are acceptable.
Snuff.
At this time we are specifically looking for:


m/m, specifically contemporary, cowboy, and paranormal, but we'll look at any genre, including mystery and suspense.
multicultural, where one or multiple partners are non-Caucasian and the story has strong elements of cultural immersion. Whether the book is set in Korea Town for example or the heroine is a brilliant young Arab emigree, we want the culture of the characters to be more than window dressing. This should not be taken as an invitation to exotify other cultures and make them sexy and alluring through cliche, generalization, and stereotype. Rather it should reflect a deeper understanding of the culture. Obviously, fantasies about the foreign prince or princess, the sheikh or the visiting dignitary does trade to some extent on the mystique and allure of the exotic. That's fine, provided that by the end, the "local" partner gets to know their "alien" partner and their culture better.
menage, specifically m/m/f. If you are creating a menage out of an established pairing, be very careful that it doesn't feel like cheating to either partner or that it's not a "concession menage" ie something one partner does to save a failing romance. Fidelity is important to our readers. If you have two men in a committed relationship looking for Ms. Right or the feisty third to bottom for them both, that's fine. But bringing in an old ex-lover can cause hurt and jealousy that make it emotionally yucky to read about. Be sensitive to how you would feel and try to make sure that you're establishing a menage that (assuming you were comfortable with them in the first place) you would want to be a part of.
screamingly hot contemporaries and historicals, where the premise plays to specific tropes and well-known fantasies. In particular, hot Alpha heroes, capture fantasy, rescue fantasy, submission, but also old favorites like secret babies, boss and secretary, marriage of convenience, and so on.

Sending a Proposal
Please submit exactly and only the following:

A Query Letter with:

Your name and contact e-mail.
The name of the manuscript you are submitting and the name of the series it is a part of, if any.
The completion status and expected length of your manuscript.
The genre, the premise, and the degree of sensuality present in your manuscript.
A short but complete Synopsis focusing on the characters' goals and motivations, the major story events, climax and ending.

A Partial which includes the first Three Chapters of your manuscript. A short prologue should not be counted. If all of the major characters are not represented in the first three chapters or the love story has not yet begun, please send through those points to the nearest chapter break.

Authors with multiple previous publications may submit a proposal which includes a Query Letter and an expanded Synopsis. Please note that acceptance on proposal, while it does occur, is not the norm.

Formatting Your Submission
Please follow these simple formatting guidelines precisely.

RTF files only. Submissions in DOC or in the body of the e-mail will not be accepted.
Double-spaced. Standard 12 pt serif font. Times New Roman or Courier preferred.
Emphasis and foreign words may be underlined or italicized.
Place the Query Letter only in the body of the e-mail; you may address it to the Editor-in-Chief, Treva Harte, or to a specific editor of your acquaintance. Attach the Synopsis and Partial to the e-mail (RTF files only).
Include your name, pen-name and contact e-mail in the Query Letter, Synopsis and Partial.
Send the submissions package to submissions@loose-id.com.
You will receive confirmation of receipt within one week. If you have not received confirmation at the end of one week, please e-mail Editor-in-Chief Treva Harte at alterego@loose-id.com.
Our current submissions' read time is three to four weeks. If you have not heard from an editor at the end of one month, inquire by e-mail to submissions@loose-id.com as to the status of your submission.

Virtual Tales is looking for submissions

Virtual Tales is looking for Romances, Westerns, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Action Adventure and many others.

Please take a moment to visit our web site at www.virtualtales.com and if you would like to submit please follow the following guidelines.

To submit your manuscript to Virtual Tales Publications, please go to the following web address: http://www.virtualtales.com/Apply-to-Join-...aff/Author.html for complete submission guidelines. Please take the effort to follow our submission guidelines as it makes it easier for our editors to review your work in the same light as other submissions.

Not following the submission guidelines may cause us to reject your manuscript.

We look forward to hearing from you reviewing your manuscript.


Jake George
Acquisition Director
Virtual Tales Publications
www.virtualtales.com

Feeling left out?

Me too. RT 2009 is underway and lots of authors are doing great things for moving their careers forward. They are meeting editors, authors, and agents.

This year I have to forego anything too far from home. Velcro-baby can't go too long without her mommy and there was no way she could go a full week. So...here I am, feeling a little jealous and simply left out.

Two smaller conferences that I am considering going to are Killer Nashville for mystery writers and Moonlight and Magnolias. Both are really close to home, so getting there wouldn't be as much trouble.

Moonlight and Magnolias is Oct 2-4, 2009 in Georgia
Killer Nashville is August 14-16, 2009 in Nashville, TN

Still thinking of what is most important to me and if I should try to go.

Just submitted Blood Slave

So that makes me feel like I accomplished someting. I saw a call for submissions to a Torquere anthology that wanted f/f vampire stories. I don't usually write that sexual orientation, but figured I'd give it a try and made up a 13 page story about a captive 'straight' slave to a lesbian vampire.

It will be something to look forward to and see if they are interested. It's funny that I have such strong self-doubt but I don't expect them to pick it up. I think self doubt is my worst enemy. It will stop you from writing and from ever succeeding.

Florida sign

Phaze Heatsheets--call for submissions

2009 HeatSheet Themes

2009 will be the last year for themed HeatSheets, so we can concentrate on other great romance lines.

RAVEN - Nevermore? We don't think so! We'll never get tired of spooky, sexy Halloween erotica. Trick and treat us to a thrilling, beguiling romance. We'll spend the night in a haunted house, if it comes with a few amorous demons. Deadline, June 1, 2009

REBEL - Bad boys, bad girls, what'cha gonna do? Tell us your story, our rebels always have cause - incredibly hot sex! Forbidden love, sneaky sex in public places, indulged pleasures...being bad was never so good. Deadline, September 1, 2009

Submission guidelines: All Phaze themed HeatSheets are 5,000 - 18,000 in length. We will consider all subgenres of erotic romance provided the story meets the theme of the respective HeatSheets. The standard content "no-no's" (no minors, incest, beastiality, positive rape, bodily waste) apply. Please see below for formatting guidelines. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, all we ask is that you let us know. Further questions may be addressed to submissions (at) phaze (dot) com.

Special Calls for anthologies etc...

Publisher/editors who would like their project to be listed here should send their special project calls to veinglory[at]gmail.com.

Deadline: Open

Lyrical Press, Inc. is now accepting submissions for three new imprints: Allure, Elements and Vintage. Imprinted title payouts: $100 advance (50% upon receipt of signed contract, 50% upon remittance of approved final) + 40% of earned digital royalties.

We will not review queries, partials or proposals. Only completed manuscripts will be considered. Required length for all three imprints is 60-80k ONLY. We will not consider works of less than 60k, or longer than 80k for elite imprints. (full submission details to follow imprint guidelines)

Questions regarding guidelines or other specifics should be directed to submissions@lyricalpress.com.

Lyrical Allure
Acquiring editor: Emma Wayne Porter
Genre: erotic contemporary romance
Length: 60-80k
Key Characteristic: willful hero, capable heroine
Key Characteristic: sexual tension and romantic conflict
Requirement: HEA
Sensuality Level: extremely hot

Editor's notes: Know your tropes. This line is focused on the buildup and resolution of sexual tension and romantic conflict. The thrill of anticipation is as key as the erotic payoff.
We want willful heroes, and capable heroines. We do not want "perfect" or cardboard characters, nor do we want helpless, shrinking-violet heroines. We want compelling, fully developed contemporary characters with GMC and sizzling conflict brought to fulfilling resolution.

Lyrical Elements
Acquiring editor(s): Renee Rocco a/o Emma Wayne Porter
Genre: paranormal romance
Length: 60-80k
Key Characteristic: gripping and dangerous paranormal conflict
Key Characteristic: romantic conflict
Sensuality Level: any
Requirement: HEA

Editor's notes: The paranormal conflict should be on an equal footing with the romantic conflict - there must be an imminent threat to the hero, heroine or both. We want to worry the will get them before the boy can get the girl. Know your lore. Know your characters. Make us believe the lore, make us care about the characters, and scare the crap out of us at will.

Lyrical Vintage
Acquiring editor: Renee Rocco
Genre: historical romance
Length: 60-80k
Key Characteristic: immersive historic setting
Key Characteristic: romantic conflict
Sensuality Level: any
Requirement: HEA

Editor's notes: For now, Old West/Western is lumped in with all other historic eras. We want fully immersive, rich settings positively rotten with conflict of the times. No contemporaries in historic disguises - we want driven characters caught in authentic, seemingly insurmountable conflict, and we want our heart-wrenching HEA fulfillment.

For full submission procedures and guidelines please visit http://www.lyricalpress.com/imprint_submissions

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Deadline: various

Ellora’s Cave 2010 Special Theme series: Amorous Arts
Story length 10K – 30K words. Erotic, the hotter the better. The story must incorporate the theme in a significant manner.

Dance of Desire – releases February 2010; subs deadline 7/31/09. Theme: Dance (anything from polka to pole)

Poetic Passion – releases May 2010; subs deadline 10/31/09. Theme: poetry/drama (no TV or movies)

Alluring Arts – releases August 2010; subs deadline 1/31/10. Theme: classical creative arts (painting, drawing, sculpting, etc)

Musical Magic – releases November 2010; subs deadline 4/30/10. Theme: music/song

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Deadline: Sept 1, 09

The Cougar Book
Editor: Jolie du Pre
Publisher: Logical-Lust
Deadline: June 30, 2009

Payment: $50 and one copy of the e-book, paid within two weeks after the book is published. If The Cougar Book goes to print, you will also receive one copy of the print book.

What is a Cougar? She's a woman 40 or over who dates younger men. She's intelligent, confident, attractive, enjoys sex, and knows what she wants. (Think Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.)

The Cougar Book is a new and exciting anthology that celebrates Cougar women and their relationships. Whether she is looking for a younger man, or a bunch of younger men, I want to read your hot, sexy, well written stories on Cougar relationships.

I am looking for original, unpublished erotic stories from 3,000 to 5,000 words. The sex can be Vanilla to BDSM. The Cougar women in The Cougar Book must be NO YOUNGER than 40. The men in The Cougar Book must be NO OLDER than 30.

To get an idea of the quality of erotica that I like, read Swing! Adventures in Swinging by Today's Top Erotica Writers.
How to submit to The Cougar Book:

Send stories attached as Microsoft Word plain text or RTF format, 12 point, Times New Roman font, double spaced to thecougarbook[at]gmail.com. Put COUGAR in the subject line. Failure to put COUGAR in the subject line may mean that your submission is mistaken for SPAM.

Include all of the following information with your submission:

1. Name
2. Pseudonym (if applicable)
3. Address
4. Phone Number
5. Email Address
6. Short Bio

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will receive an email within two weeks after your submission to let you know that I received your submission. However, you will not receive a response as to whether or not your submission has been accepted until after SEPTEMBER 1, 2009.

Get a sexy short read for only fifty cents!

Today only, Ravenous Romance is running a sale on all their short stories. You can pick up any of their Ravenous Rendezvous for only fifty cents. Including my BDSM story, Sex and the Single Shoe.

Check out more details here:

http://www.ravenousromance.com/ravenous-rendezvous/sex-and-the-single-shoe.php

Here's a list of all 57 books:

http://www.ravenousromance.com/ravenous-rendezvous.php?orderby=product_list