Fantasy and Paranormal Erotic Romance Author Brenda Cothern Interview

I'm so stoked to release this interview into the wild. The fantastical Brenda Cothern has graced us with her presence.  I asked my friend and fellow author Adelaide Cooper to describe our friend and here's what she said, "...definitely humorous, warm, friendly, bit saucy and sassy." I totally agree. Without further ado fantasy, paranormal and erotic fiction author, Brenda Cothern!

How did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?

Hummm… that is an interesting question! I never really planned to become an erotic writer. Or a writer at all, actually. Romance? Maybe a bit but actually setting out and planning to write erotica? Nah. it all sort of started by accident when Zarkina… she is my main character in Fates…fell for Indearn.

The story just flowed and I had not even realized what I had written until after the chapter was finished and I re-read it. Sometimes the erotic nature of a scene is just as surprising to me as it may be to a first time fan!


*Why must she share our bedchamber details?* Indearn grumbles.
*Shhh, let her talk, love,* Zarkina places a calming hand on Indearn's arm.


From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories?
*Oh boy, this could be a loaded question!* 


Brenda looks for the source of the comment before bringing her attention back to Evan.


Sorry, they sometimes can't keep their comments to themselves. Anyway, I do not get inspired to write stories but instead my characters inspire me to write their tales. What I mean by this is that I don't see a building or hear a line in a song and become inspired to write a story.

It works almost the opposite for me. My characters come to me, sometimes in dreams or in stray thoughts, and show me scenes from their story. It can be a one time visit, like a fly-by 'hey look at me,' or the character can show me different scenes. It is
usually these characters… the persistent ones

*she's talking about us, you know*


… who end up with a book. The only way I can get them to shut up is to write their story and get it out of my head!

*tsk, she still hasn't learned*


I know, I know… they probably make meds for this type of thing but, hey, at least I am never lonely and fans get some great stories!

*how can you be lonely with us around?*

How did you choose the genre you write in?
I have always been a huge fantasy fan. I knew I wanted to write fantasy and put the last 30 years of gaming experience to use!

Yeah, I am an old school D&D gamer-geek-girl. Then came along the recent craze with paranormal books and I was itching for something to write about while Fates was being edited. Kira showed up in my head one night and at first I thought she was a vampire...

*Really? A vampire?* Kira grins and shakes her head in disbelief.... of course that wasn't the case though.


*Of course not. How could confuse my love with one of us?* Alec wraps his arm around Kira.


Brenda stares at the couple. Guys, please. I am trying to do an interview here!


Sorry about that. Where was I? Oh yes, She kicked off the Shadows series and the second book, When Beasts Bite…

*hey Jord, that's our story* Nick gives his best friend a playful punch.


*shhh* Jordy replies.

…added male/male to my male/female erotica list. Book three, Barely Restrained, took things to another level by introducing ménage & BDSM.

Brenda glances over at Zac and gives a silent nod of thanks that he has Roni & Hunter too preoccupied to interrupt the interview.

I don't think I so much as chose the genre fantasy or paranormal erotica as it chose me.

What are you working on at the moment?
I am currently writing the sequel and finale to Fates.

*and t'is bout time!*

Dwitt fought not to say anything more under Indearn's hard stare. Fans have been asking for the rest of Zarkina's story since last April and I have set the deadline for it to be available in print, and e-pub too, by June 1st.

Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?
*He doesn't know her well at all, Jord.*
The soft warning growl of a panther is heard coming from Jordy as he looks at Nick.
*Quiet Nick, or we are leaving.*


No, not at all. I think that there are a zillion ways to be creative in the bedroom…

*Or the garage.* Zac bows his head to Brenda.


… and a zillion ways to write just one of those creative acts.

*Garage? What's he got in his garage, Jord? What's Roni not telling us?*


*I warned you Nick* Jordy takes one grinning step closer to Nick and Nick shifts to his wolf form. *Better run* Jordy leaps forward, in mid-air changes to his panther form, and chases Nick from the room.

What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?
My process for writing is usually the same. Get away from my PC, get out of my house, and turn off my damn cell phone. I write all my books on legal pads. Yeah, it's old school but there are just too many distractions for me to write from scratch at my PC. Even transcribing what I have already written on paper is a challenge.

*She isn't kidding there. How long have we been stuck on that notepad in chapter five?*
Zarkina asks Indearn & Dwitt.

If I am at my favorite writing haunt, The Body Shop, then I usually have my i-Pod on just to drown out the bar noises but most of the time I don't even realize what I am listening to. Other times, I need to listen to a certain type of music to understand the character more.

Take Jordy for instance… okay, well you can't take him now because he's out chasing Nick… but anyway, he listens to classic rock. AC/DC. Billy Squire. But when he is working at Shadows, he is stuck listening to club hip-hop. So, for me the character or the scene sometimes dictates what, if anything, I listen to.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? 
The toughest criticism has to be that I need better editing. Commas always trip me up and some grammar rules that I don't even remember learning tend to be totally forgotten. I was always strong in college English… straight A's and all that but acing research papers is a totally different writing style than novels.

Editing is one of the biggest hurdles for anyone going the self publish route. One of the best compliments has to be that I write like Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake,Vampire Hunter series). I had no idea who this was when I was given the compliment but I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to be compared to her once I read her stories.


What has been the best compliment?

Overall, the absolute best compliments for me are when readers want to know more about my characters or when fans stalk me for information on when the next book(s) will be out.

*They only think they know how to stalk* Crucia sneers.

Do family and friends know you write erotica if so, how have they reacted?
Yes. My family knows and my dad is actually one of my beta readers. Which, truth be told, is a little weird but I don't mind if he doesn't. All of my friends know what I write. They have to know because I never stop promoting.

Everyone that knows me is not surprised that I write erotica. New people that I meet are sometimes surprised and I think that is kind of funny since I know I don't look like an innocent goodie two shoes.

Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?
I read three to four novels a week and it really depends on my mood or if I am waiting for a release. For example, I am always waiting for the next Black Dagger Brotherhood (J.R.Ward), Night Keepers (Jessica Andersen), or Dark Soul (Aleksandr Voinov) novel.

Well, when it comes to Aleks, I am usually waiting for his next novel period, regardless of the series. Since I read so much, the only way to really see what I am currently reading is to check my Goodreads page.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best?
I market is all sorts of ways. Through the internet by blog appearances such as this and also by posting comments to other's blogs. I use my "book name," Brenda Cothern Books or BCothern Books for every thing I do online. Every profile I make has my website URL attached.

I market on Facebook, goggle+, & twitter. I am on Smashwords and Amazon, though I do not really care for Amazon from an author's perspective.I do online radio and pod cast interviews as well as attend conventions where I sit on writer panels. I am in forums groups at Goodreads & Fetlife and I get involved with charity and fundraisers that put out calls for local artists. Personal appearances work best for me. I have attended sci-fi events/conventions and still sold books.

*That is because you are beautiful, my dear* Brice smiles.


Brenda barely glances at the Lord of Sapphire Tower.

People will buy something from someone they feel they have connected with and since I am a 'people person' I tend to connect a lot.

*I know that feeling* Lady Sapphire grins. *You do too, Zek*

What’s your favorite food?
You just had to ask a hard question, didn't you? I love just about anything! It is easier just to tell you what I don't like. No raw clams, oysters, muscles etc. but conch is okay and so is sushi. No turtle or snake but gator is good. Oh, and Thai is out. I love it but it doesn't love me! Not a big fan of olives, peas, or oranges. That about covers it I think.

If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?
I am not really sure. There are several places I would like to visit (London, Edinburgh, Russia, New Zealand) but I already live where most want to retire. Sunny Florida. I suppose it really wouldn't matter since my characters will go with me regardless of where I end up.

If you have a sexual bucket list, share with us one or two things on your list.
My bucket list for sex is practically nonexistent. I crossed off most of the things I wanted to try years ago. I think the only one left is f/m/m ménage where they guys aren't actually scared to be intimate.

Nothing ruins a good ménage if the same sex's are worried about the smallest touch. Aside from that, cupping looked interesting but I really haven't added it to my bucket list so I don't think it counts.

*** 

A big thanks to Brenda for taking the time to sit a spell and talk shop. And folks check our her books below. I'm in the middle of her Shadows series but jumping over to read Fates this week.

Stroke ya later...

Erotic Author Interview - LT Ville AKA Lustyville

She specializes in gay fiction with a twist and she's all lusty. LT Ville was kind enough to sit down and chit-chat. Here's what she had to say...

How did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?

I have loved erotica for as long as I can remember. In college, I would stay up half the night reading stories on Nifty. It was a terrible addiction for a few years. There were some horrible stories on the site but there were also some really good stories.

I discovered a female author and that kicked the door open for me. I was both surprised and comforted to find her. She took away all of the shame that I had associated with my secret obsession. After that, I started writing the type of stories I wanted to read.

From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories? 

This is going to sound horrible, but I derive most of my inspiration from the intimate details of my friends’ lives. I guess in some ways I live vicariously through them. I also derive a lot of inspiration from random observations that I’ve made about people.

There’s nothing sexier than seeing the intense chemistry between two men who are “just friends” then going home and writing a story based on them taking their relationship to the next level.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently working on editing Bump This. Bump This is an urban story set in Harlem. I have the perfect cover for the story, but I can’t seem to focus enough to finish editing it.

Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?

Yes! Sometimes I’ll read one of my old stories and see that I used a similar scene and I want to scream. I know that certain phrases and acts are unavoidable but I don’t want to say the same thing each time. I’m not a cut and paste type of author. I like my stories to be unique. In honesty though, I spend more time worrying about the authenticity of my sex scenes than I do with whether they are fresh or interesting. I have a few friends and a couple members of my group who provide feedback on scenes.

What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?

I don’t have a set process. Sometimes I sit in a quiet room and write, but most times I have the television on in the background and I camp out on the sofa and spend hours writing. Sometimes I listen to music, but I do that the least because I often find myself focusing on the song more than the words that I’m writing.

Do your family and friends know you write erotica if so, how have they reacted? 

I was scared to tell my family about what I wrote. I come across as a very wholesome, sweet person, so most people think that erotica is out of character for me. My friends knew that I was a man lover so they didn’t bat an eye, but my family wasn’t privy to that information, so it took a while for me to tell them. My mother and my sister know and they have reacted okay to it. My sister has been the most supportive. I guess all the gay themed books I read as a teenager kind of tipped her off.

Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?

Most of my favorite authors are no longer updating their stories, so I don’t read many stories in my spare time. In terms of reading for the sake of reading, I spend a lot of time reading articles on various topics. I love learning about new things. In case he happens to stumble across this interview, I would like to state for the record that I enjoy reading Savage Love.

What’s your favorite food? 

The teenager in me is still in love with pizza and French fries, but I’m trying to expand my taste. Thus far, I have made it to cheese quesadillas, but my adult favorite food is still a work in progress.

If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?

I haven’t seen enough of the world to answer that question.

If you have a sexual bucket list, share with us one or two things on your list.

I buried my sexual bucket list when I turned twenty-five for fear that I was too old to be caught doing some of the things on the list. Now I’m wondering if I should have burned the list for good measure.

Be sure to check out Take me to Bed: Saturday Morning on Amazon on sale right now for $.99.

Stroke ya later...

My Interview with Adelaide Cooper

Adelaide "The Siren" Cooper came over for a sleep over and we had a blast! We dished the gossip, I plaited her hair, did shots, practiced giving BJs on cucumbers, and did more shots. Later we watched reruns of Golden Girls + stuffed our faces with cheesecake. Yum.

Anywho, check out my interview with the fantastical Adelaide Cooper.

Oh and...

Do you know who I was? Nobody. Except on the day after, I was still alive. This nobody had a chance to be somebody. 

Five fake Internet bucks to the person who can tell me where that's from. =)



Stroke ya later...

Brien Michaels, Dark Erotic Fiction Writer Interview

The talented Brien Michaels invited me over for a sleepover a few nights ago. He didn't, buy check out what he had to say about his writing process, and who's on his sexual bucket list...

How did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?

I started writing it when I was in high school, I think. I’d started reading fan-fiction and thought “Hmm…I can write this.” And I did. Didn’t start doing it seriously though until a couple years ago when I read Str8te Boys by Evangeline Anderson. After that, I just couldn’t stop myself.

From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories? 

Music, I think. I’ll listen to a song and some part of it will resonate with me, and then a situation will bloom from that. Then characters, then backstories. Though emotions and my mental state play a huge part in the way any given story will turn out.

What are you working on at the moment?

A few things. I’m writing this kinky frat story called One of the Boys that should hopefully be done soon. I’m also attempting my first m/f piece, tentatively title Damn That Radio, all about what happens when wishes come true. And there’s the next book in my Stories of Us series from Etopia Press: Speak Now. That one’s about not waiting until it’s too late to tell someone you love them.

Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?

Honestly, no. I’m twenty-one so there’s always sex on my mind in one way or another. But it also depends on what kind of characters I’m working with. How they feel about each other and how horny they are usually dictate what kind of sex they’re having in any given scene.

What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?

I don’t think I really have a process. I usually try to do about a thousand words a day, but that doesn’t always work out the way I want it to. I do definitely listen to music though. I feel like I can’t function without it, it’s such an essential part of my life. That’s one reason why a lot of my stories share titles with songs, because while I’m writing there’s always one that will be the go-to song for that book and that usually becomes the title.

Do your family and friends know you write erotica if so, how have they reacted? 

Everyone around me knows what I write. My friends love it. My family doesn’t mind it, but they do wish I wouldn’t write so much m/m.

Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?

I love Stephen King and J.K. Rowling. But I do enjoy reading erotica most of the time.

What’s your favorite food? 

PIZZA! Bacon and Pineapple, to be more specific.

If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?

I have no idea. But wherever it is has to have hot people with sexy accents. So it could just be Texas, but yeah.

If you have a sexual bucket list, share with us one or two things on your list. 

One of them is most definitely to sleep with one of the boys from Supernatural. Jensen, Jared, doesn’t really matter which one. Also, maybe testing a few things I’ve read in books…


Thanks B! Y'all, check out Brien's, Last Friday Night, available on Amazon, BN, and ARe.

Stroke ya later...

Interview: Gay Erotic Romance Writer, Adelaide Cooper!

The multi-talented Adelaide Cooper virtually sat down with me and dished the dirt. She's a couple of things:

1. Gay erotic romance writer
2. Cover artist
3. Photographer
4. Caffeine addict
5. Photoshop guru (She made the kick-ass banner for this site!)

Last but not least she's number 1,000,349,931 in line for the British throne, that's a lie....maybe. =)

Meet my friend and fellow writer the fantastical Adelaide!



So, how did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?

I got my start in writing very early on as a child, but my career of writing erotica began when I got back into writing both original and fan fiction after a 3 year hiatus from writing. I wrote many different types of stories in one particular fandom, which introduced me to a number of published authors. They encouraged me to write more original smut and mentioned that self-publishing is the way to go. I was going through a very rough patch in my life because of my old job, which I ended up leaving late last year. After that, I did a bunch of research, thought about it and decided to go for it while I look for a new job. And the rest, as they said, was history.

From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories? 

Oh, if only I know. My brain is pretty chaotic, not quite ADD but close to it. My ideas mostly came from asking myself "what if...". Sometimes, it's a sentence, or a phrase, or something someone said on a forum or a tweet... It gets lodged in my head and grows into something. For example, my first two books "Killer Liaison" and "Lethal Attraction" came from a simple idea of wanting to do the gay version of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" but with lots of sex. I asked myself: what if they were both guys? they met, got into a relationship but didn't know they were spies/assassins?

What are you working on at the moment?

I have half a dozen projects going concurrently at any given time. I write whatever my brain feels like writing today. I am actively trying to finish the third installment of the Danger Games series (to follow "Killer Liaison" and "Lethal Attraction"), a couple of stories that I want to submit to anthologies, as well as a new werewolf series.

Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?

I had thought that I'd have problems with that. However, perhaps because my stories are more plot driven, the plot affects the progression of sex scenes, so I haven't had problems with it. I hope I never have problems writing a sex scene lol!

What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?

I'm a very visual person. I sometimes would have the models for my cover images all picked out before writing in any of the details. When I write, I form something akin to scenes from movies/TV shows that I then describe/transcribe onto paper. Sometimes music forms part of that process, but often times when I am focused on writing I'd ignore the external sounds.

Do you family and friends know you write erotica if so, how have they reacted? 

Oh god no! lol... Aside from a few online friends whom I trust, I don't think anyone I know knows about my smut career. Most friends in real life know that I write, just not what. I do plan on writing something that's longer and in a different genre, so hopefully one day I will be able to tell them, yes, I'm a writer and this is my work, without having to show them naughty pictures.

Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?

I read... a lot of different things. I don't have as much time to read now, but I read a lot of Sci-fi (and all of the sub-genres), fan fiction (the well written ones--i'm very picky) and m/m romance and erotic romance novels.

What’s your favorite food? 

Oh dear... hm... this is harder than the other questions, you know!? I'm very diverse in my food habits, but creamy pasta, fruits and the occasional steak are absolutely necessary. That, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?

Somewhere warm? Spain sounds nice. Southern UK? Honestly, if I were to retire, especially if I retire early, I'd probably do lots of traveling to lots of different places.

If you have a sexual bucket list share with us one or two things on that list. 

Errr... One of them is definitely: Have sex with one (or more) celebrities that I like (not necessarily at the same time...). Another one is probably to peg a guy. Can't find a guy who's willing to let me peg him that isn't gay. *le sigh*

Thanks Adelaide! Be sure to check out books 1 and 2 of  her Dangerous Games series on Amazon.

Interview with Gay Erotic Author Nathan J. Morissey

I had the pleasure of interviewing the talented Nathan J. Morissey, one of the first erotica authors that graced my precious Kindle before I decided to jump feet first in the wet, sticky world of erotica.

Check out what he had to say...

How did you get your start/what made you decide to become a writer of erotica?
I first started writing gay erotica as a present for a friend. I couldn't sell it to magazines, so I decided to publish it myself. I found out that I really enjoyed the process. After writing one, I knew that I couldn't stop. That was a year and a half ago.

From what or where do you derive the most inspiration for your stories? 
Life...haha! Inspiration is everywhere, especially when I see a hot guy on the street, or on the bus, or in the grocery store. My mind starts to wander and then soon, wham! I got a sexy story.

What are you working on at the moment?
A story called Moan for Daddy. Will be published soon. It's about this intern who recounts his adventures pleasing his boss at this investment banking firm.

Do you find it difficult to keep sex scenes fresh and interesting?
No, because every story is different and each sex scene is relevant only to its particular story.

What's your process? Do you enjoy listening to music or do you need quiet?
Sometimes I listen to music, but most of the time, I need quiet to think.

Who/what do you enjoy reading in your spare time?
I read everything, from romance to horror to general fiction.

What’s your favorite food? 
I love it all! I'm quite a foodie, it turns out. Among my favorites are Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Spanish. I'd have to say sushi, pasta and paella.

If you could pick one place in the world to retire to, where would it be?
So many places to choose from! I'd say either Paris, France or sunny Hawaii.

Thanks Nathan for agreeing to the interview and for all you smut reader, check out my man Nathan's Seducing My Stepdad on Amazon.

Probed by Nathan J Morissey

Hi smut lovers. I have some tasty cherry popping news. My interview with the uber-talented gay erotic author Nathan J. Morissey is up on his site. Head over and give it a read.

Evan X.