My First Story for Ravenous Romance

I just got word that my first story for Ravenous Romance will be published on December 1st, the day the site officially launches.  Needless to say (oh, okay, I DO need to say it!), I’m totally chuffed that my story Succubusted has been chosen to be part of the big day. I’m publishing under the pen name Inara LaVey (the first name is for all you Firefly fans and the second because it appeals to my inner Goth) – ‘Dana Fredsti’ doesn’t work for either romance or erotica.  Or erotic romance, for that matter.  At least I don’t think it does.

I have been learning a lot about the distinctions between romance, erotica and erotic romance from readers and writers of the various genres, some of whom have been kind enough to give their recommendations and also guide me to sites like Romance Wiki, specifically the sub-genre page. I’ve definitely learned that readers of romance, regardless of genre, have very definite expectations from these genres (how many times can I use the word ‘genre’ in one paragraph, you ask?).  If it’s labeled romance, be it paranormal, contemporary or erotic, it had better have a satisfactory emotional story arc between the two main characters.  Fair enough.  I’m going to be very careful when it comes to describing my various books so readers will know what they’re getting.  Trust me – you don’t wanna get romance readers or writers mad at you.  They can be scary.  🙂

I’ve downloaded a couple of books from Ellora’s Cave, specifically Dragon’s Warrior and The Hunters: Declan and Tori, by Shiloh Walker. The little I’ve had time to read of Walker’s work tells me I’m gonna enjoy both books.  Her writing style (in these two books) is terse, action packed and sexy, and she manages to create vivid and believable characters very quickly.  These are short books – one is 137 pages, the other 165 – so her ability to draw a reader into her worlds so quickly is definitely a plus.

The most frustrating thing is knowing I have limited time to read because of my writing deadlines and I do love to read…  So I’m not downloading anything else until I finish these two books, as well as the last few chapters of Jean Henry Mead’s Senior Sleuth mystery, A Village Shattered, which is so far a cracking good mystery!  Jean will be my guest December 2nd on the second stop of her upcoming blog tour and I’m delighted to host her.  And not just because her lead character’s name is Dana. 🙂

17 thoughts on “My First Story for Ravenous Romance

  1. Thanks, Helen! I’ll be even MORE excited when I finish the first book for ’em…and the non-fiction book for Fairwinds. And have time to read again. 🙂

  2. Lisa, I’m going to have my own author blog on the Ravenous Website. It’s supposed to be set up this week, actually.

    Aw, Mr. Bara, it’s a great name, but more suited to a porn starlet than an erotica/erotic romance author… 🙂

    Dave, I heartily concur with your suggestion!

    Thanks, MM! And yeah, I’m really enjoying Shattered!

  3. Good name. Ought to be a great story. Congratulatiions on breaking into a new market. Fly as high as you can. Beyond the sky as far as possible.

  4. Great name. Ought to be a great story. Congratulatiions on breaking into a new market. Fly as high as you can. Beyond the sky as far as possible. Open sky and a safe grounding! LOL.

  5. Thanks, Jack! I liked your comment so much I approved it twice! 🙂

    Thank you so much, Adele!

    Dave B… We don’t need to answer that question. This is YOU we’re talking about. 🙂

    Heh. Morgan, I always want to write a zombie romance when I see Ravenous Romance. But then I’ve got a sad, scary fixation with the zombie thing… so hopefully that’s just me!

  6. Congratulations! I’m excited that we’re both going to be published at the same time in the same e-pub. We’ve come a long ways from the days when we used to pen little romantic interludes as teenagers. (Or have we? LOL.)

    Of course, now I’m getting a little bit of stage fright, as I’m publishing my story under my actual name…well, the name under which I publish, which is also my previous married name. (Confused yet, readers? Imagine the excitement at the DMV.)

    Anyway, Ms. Dana, we need to schedule a writing date SOON to work on our next book!

  7. If it’s the story I’ve read, Cindi, you have nothing to be stage frighty about!
    I think our teenage scribblings must have somehow started clearing the path towards this joint e-Destination… And yes, we need to set the writing date asap!

  8. Congratulations on the romance publication, Dana. Inara is a pretty name but I much prefer Dana. Thanks for the kind words about my book, which features my protagonist Dana Logan. My first blog tour also kicks off on December first and I’m really looking forward to my stop here on the second. I’ll be giving away three of my signed books to those who comment at the blog stops along the way. I hope at least one of your visitors is a winner. The schedule is up at: http://myblogtour.blogspot.com/. I hope everyone will stop by and sign my virtual guestbook.

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