Author Kayla Perrin talks about sex, writing, and OBSESSION

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), we end September with one final juicy taste of our SEX & WRITING discussion as best-selling author Kayla Perrin offers us a glimpse into her latest novel, OBSESSION!




When Sophie Gibson's husband confesses to an affair, she is enraged and devastated. And when her husband suggests that she settle the score by having an affair of her own, Sophie isn't interested. But soon the idea of sex as payback intrigues her, and out on the town she meets Peter. She soon begins an affair with him, but Peter's love turns obsessive. And when Sophie ends their affair, Peter won't take no for an answer. Because if he can't have her, no one can.



So, what does Kayla think about sex and writing? Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read her take, and check out the OBSESSION excerpt!

Also, make sure to check out authors Will Belegon, Rachelle Chase, Lauren Dane, and Zetta Brown on AtBaP, too, as they both offer their thoughts on sex & writing!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing:
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

ChickLitGurrl Talks CELEBRITY SKIN with Author Liane Bonin!

ChickLitGurrl Talks CELEBRITY SKIN with Author Liane Bonin!




Liane Bonin has written thousands of articles for publications such as People, Teen, Mademoiselle, and Entertainment Weekly, and today @ ChickLitGurrl: High on LATTES & WRITING, she talks to CLG about her debut novel, CELEBRITY SKIN.






Nowadays, Taylor Christensen is gorgeous, rich, and one of the biggest stars around, but the day Erin Kim met her, Taylor was on the middle school D-list, with the headgear to prove it. Erin, under her own stress from her traditional Koreanborn parents who don't want her to change, was there for Taylor when she needed a friend way back when, and she was there for her when the braces came off and the whole world noticed.



Sure, Taylor had the "it" Hollywood was looking for, but someone had to help her deal with the ups and downs of superstardom. Erin didn't mind-especially since it helped her get her mind off some tough problems at home. Through it all, Erin was Taylor's one true friend. But as Erin watches her best friend self-destruct, she knows that telling Taylor the truth about what she's become could end their friendship once and for all.



Interview Excerpt


CLG: Since the release of CELEBRITY SKIN, have you had any celebrities wonder if you're writing about them within the pages of your fiction?


LB: No one’s asked me directly , but when I do interview celebrities, I don’t mention the book, and they don’t, either. I think we’re all operating on a don’t ask-don’t tell policy! I think it could be pretty awkward for all involved.



CLG: What is one of the overall goals you have in developing this series?


LB: Everyone who reads Us Weekly or TMZ thinks they know all the dirt on Hollywood, but that’s really just the surface. I wanted to show people why celebrities go spinning out of control, and shine a spotlight on not just the glam our, but the challenges, too.




To learn more about Liane and CELEBRITY SKIN, head over to CHICKLITGURRL: high on LATTES & WRITING!




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Author Rachelle Chase holds CLASS on how to make writing SEXY!

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), Rachelle Chase, author of SIN CLUB, holds class as she talks about sex and writing...and offers a little contest to those who can pen some sexy stuff, too!






For the month of September, AtBaP authors are talking about SEX; here's the question that was posed: Is sex an important component to develop in your writing? How are you able to weave it into a work AND also have a strong plot development?

Rachelle begins her discussion by stating, "I write erotic romance, so sex is VERY important. The way I weave it into the story and have strong plot development is by making sex a part of the story.

When my characters are doing nonsexual things or are talking about nonsexual things, there are sexual undertones. When my characters are having sex, the sex is moving the story forward – meaning, the hero and heroine are bringing their baggage, fears, dreams, etc. into the bedroom – and after sex, both are changed in some way. This change sends them down a new path, until their new beliefs about themselves are challenged up to and during the next sex scene, which then starts another change-and-down-a-new page chain of events, and so on. Until all the necessary change has occurred and my characters have become “new” people at the end."

What ELSE does Rachelle have to say about sex, writing, and her novel? Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read the rest of her response...and see how YOU can win a copy of SIN CLUB...and another gift, :-)

Also, make sure to check out authors Lauren Dane and Zetta Brown on AtBaP, too, as they both offer up their thoughts on sex & writing!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing: [http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Epistolary Writing & Character Building

How can epistolary writing help build character? Check out my latest commentary, "Dear John: Revealing Character in Epistolary Writing" @ http://www.blogginginblack.com. Leave comments!

ChickLitGurrl Spotlights YA Author Debbie Reed Fischer

ChickLitGurrl Spotlights YA Author Debbie Reed Fischer!

This month, Fischer celebrates the release of her second novel, SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS!


"Blubber for the 21st century. Debbie Reed Fischer's sizzling take on girl hazing and cheer pressure mixes the perfect ratio of humor to anger for a compelling, un-put-downable read." - Alex Flinn, award winning author of Beastly

Meet Peyton Grady: self-declared president of The Neverhadaboyfriend Club, six feet tall, “freckled and flat as a skateboard,” on financial aid, with only her best friend Maya to rely on. Until now, she hasn’t exactly been the poster child for popularity at her posh private high school, Beachwood Prep. But everything is about to change, because this year, Peyton has a coveted spot on the varsity cheerleading squad. Now she’ll finally have a shot at the life she’s always wanted, complete with membership in the Alpha Clique, the boyfriend of her dreams, and “no more standing on the social sidelines.” But treasured goals never come easy. When the principal, Dr. Johnson, appoints new student Ellika Grosset, a “squatty stump of a girl” with zero athletic ability as the squad’s newest member, things get complicated. Peyton and the rest of the squad are outraged that this girl has been forced upon them, simply because her parents donated millions for a new athletic facility.

None are more furious than the queen fly girl herself, charismatic and powerful squad captain, Lexie Court. Ordering Peyton and her team mates to “take initiation rituals to the next level,” Lexie hatches Operation Smellika, a bullying campaign to drive Ellika out. “Do whatever it takes,” she tells them. “It’s for the good of the squad.”

Peyton knows it’s wrong. Horrible, even. She feels sorry for Ellika. But in the end, Peyton participates along with the others. Torn by her conscience, yet seduced by the chance to have everything she wants, she gets further and further involved in Lexie’s sick hazing plan.

Until it goes too far.

Peyton knows she has to stop Lexie.

But how?

Interview Excerpt

Fill in the blank: "I wrote SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS BECAUSE a few years ago, I was watching this news story about a powder puff football incident in a wealthy suburb of Chicago. Privileged girls ganged up on each other in a brutal melee, while 200 high school spectators cheered them on. They strangled each other with pig intestines, threw buckets of animal waste on each other and wound up in the hospital with broken bones. I thought to myself, ‘Why are these young women so angry that they have to inflict that kind of humiliation and brutality on each other? These are wealthy kids from beautiful homes; what is bubbling under the surface?” The next thought that occurred to me after watching the footage was, “Which one is the ring leader? And why did the others go along with it? There must have been kids that knew it was wrong but went along with it anyway.” And that’s how my character Peyton was born. I started researching other hazing incidents and I was shocked by how widespread it is, and how private schools often manage to keep it under wraps. The whole idea of someone being a hateful bully has always baffled me. Mob mentality has always baffled me."



To learn more about Debbie, her books, writing, and inspiration, head over to CHICKLITGURRL: high on LATTES & WRITING!


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Sex & Writing with Author Lauren Dane

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), Lauren Dane, author of FATED, talks about sex and writing!







For the month of September, AtBaP authors are talking about SEX; here's the question that was posed: Is sex an important component to develop in your writing? How are you able to weave it into a work AND also have a strong plot development?

Among other things - all of them juicy and frank, Lauren replied: "In truth, sex is wonderful material for a story. It’s rife with possibilities. Not just love and joy but anger, loss, connection, guilt, grief – it’s not only a great vehicle for emotion but physical action as well. An author can really show you things about her characters through a really well done, well placed sex scene."

What ELSE does Lauren have to say about sex, writing, and her novel? Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read the rest of her response...and also be sure to see what author Zetta Brown (Messalina - Devourer of Men) has to say about sex & writing, too!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing: [http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

YA Author Jennifer Banash Talks to CLG!

Today @ ChickLitGurrl, I talk with Jennifer Banash, author of THE ELITE SERIES!


Enter the world of "The Elite"

It’s the most exclusive luxury apartment building on New York’s Upper East Side. If you don’t live there—you don’t know how to live…When Casey McCloy steps into The Bramford, she’s overwhelmed by the sophistication and elegance of it all. Fresh from the Midwest, she’s moved to NYC to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark Academy. Here all that matters is who you know.

The designer to know is Zac Posen.

The girl to know is Madison Macallister: popular, pretty, platinum-blond. She’s not just Casey’s new classmate and neighbor; she’s an icon. So Casey aims to get in with Madison and her gorgeous gal-pals from the start. As the reigning queen of coolness, Madison is capable of destroying reputations with one well-timed whisper. Better to be on her good side. But after a city-haute makeover from her new frenemy Madison, Casey is wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, and meeting the right people—including Drew, the boy-about-town who Madison thinks belongs to her and her alone…

To learn more about Jennifer and The Elite, head over to CHICKLITGURRL: high on LATTES & WRITING!


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Writer Amanda Mahan on Twitter & Comedic Murder Mystery - UNCLAD

Today @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING, I talk to Amanda Mahan, a writer I met on Twitter.

If you don't know what Twitter is, it's a microblogging community where every post you submit must be 140 characters or less.

Amanda is doing something crazy, outrageous, and very cool in my book - she's showcasing her comedic murder mystery, UNCLAD: 140 characters (or less) at a time.

Join me at CLG as Amanda talks about Twitter, Unclad, and her writing aspirations!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
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Author Zetta Brown Talks about SEX & WRITING Today!

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), Zetta Brown, author of Messalina - Devourer of Men, talks about sex and writing!

Messalina - Devourer of Men received a GREAT Book Bytes review from ChickLitGurrl: I absolutely loved this book! Didn't want to put it down. It's unique, it has hot sex (with a purpose), and the characters are like some I've never seen in books before. The first chapter alone will get you in the mood...in more ways than one. Messalina: Devourer of Men has much HEAT and much HEART. It's worth the buy! I'm looking forward to seeing what Zetta Brown puts out next.

For the month of September, AtBaP authors are talking about SEX; here's the question that was posed: Is sex an important component to develop in your writing? How are you able to weave it into a work AND also have a strong plot development?

What does Zetta have to say about sex, writing, and her novel? Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read her response!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing: [http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

Tale It Like It Is: Interviews with a TWIST!

Click the image above to head to Blog Talk Radio and subscribe to the show!

Got Flow? Then Sound~N~Off is the Place for You!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE SHOWCASED ON SOUNDNOFF,

EMAIL SAMARA KING AT:

MS_SAMARA_KING@YAHOO.COM

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The Nubian Chronicles Magazine Seeks Submissions

**PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CIRCULATE THIS TO ANY GROUPS YOU MAY BELONG TO**



The Nubian Chronicles Magazine (http://www.tnc-magazine.net) is currently seeking submissions for its FALL 2008 issue, slated to be released on Monday, October 20, 2008. The deadline for submissions is Monday, October 6, 2008.


DO YOU HAVE gripping stories, thought-provoking essays, engaging articles and commentaries you want the public to read? If so, then you definitely want to consider submitting to TNC's column: NUBIAN belles-lettres.

N b-l is our column dedicated to short fiction, essays, articles, and commentaries written by African American writers.

ALSO - if you have a book that's due out and you'd like to get a little promo for it, you may submit excerpts to your book along with other information for TNC to publish!

If you are submitting short fiction, essays, articles, and/or commentaries, please submit the following:
1) work to be published, no longer than 2,500 words (within the e-mail)
2) contact information (e-mail, website, myspace)
3) picture of you (if you would like)
4) short bio
5) one- to two-sentence teaser of your work

If you are submitting an excerpt of a published work, please submit the following:
1) excerpt of your work, no longer than 2,500 words (within e-mail or as a WORD attachment)
2) contact information (e-mail, website, myspace)
3) picture of you (if you would like)
4) short bio
5) book cover image (in .jpg or .gif file)
6) purchase link


@ TNC, we know that writers have their own individual literary flows, and for that reason, we do not limit writers as to types of work they can submit to us; however, we do not do PORN- or HATE-related material. If you wish to submit erotica, that is fine.

Showcasing your work @ TNC is a great way to promote your writing to the literary community!


=====
Again, the deadline for TNC's FALL 2008 issue is slated to be released on Monday, October 4, 2008.


E-mail ALL WORK to either submit@tnc-magazine.net or sdb6812@hotmail.com, and in the subject line write NBL Submissions.



THANKS!


Da Management
http://www.tnc-magazine.net

Author Cynthia Polansky Discusses Faith & Writing @ AtBaP!

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), Cynthia Polansky, author of REMOTE CONTROL, talks about faith and writing!






REMOTE CONTROL received a GREAT Book Bytes review from ChickLitGurrl: Even death can’t stop Judith McBride from controlling things like keeping her husband away from their sexy, yet dangerous accountant! Loved the humor, sensitivity, and enlightenment in Remote Control and how in the end, a simple truth remains: spiritual growth means relinquishing control and giving to a higher power.



Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read Polansky's response to this month's AtBaP question: How does your faith, your spirituality integrate itself into your writing?


Also, if you haven't yet, check out the wonderful responses by James A. Jimason ("Give Me Destiny"), Susan McGeown ("Recipe for Disaster"), Pamela S. Thibodeaux ("Tempered Joy"), Niambi Davis ("From Dusk to Dawn"), and Beth Fehlbaum ("Courage in Patience")!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing: (LINK)

Subscribe to ChickLitGurrl on Writing

What are hot sites for writers? What videos are available that discuss/illustrate the writing craft? What quickie tips could you use to help your writing?

These questions and more are answered at my new mini-blog - ChickLitGurrl on Writing.

Each tip - whether it's a writing tip, a video, a link, or other - is just a short tasty morsel, so you can grab it, use it, and GO.

Check out ChickLitGurrl on Writing @ http://chicklitgurrl.tumblr.com/ and subscribe by clicking the RSS feed on the right hand side!

Brenda Janowitz & Summer Book Giveaway

Summer Book Giveaway!


Enter to win signed copies of the hottest books of summer!


Summer may be coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop reading the hottest reads of the summer! And now you can enter to win a beach bag full of free books!





The winner will get signed copies of both of Brenda’s novels, JACK WITH A TWIST and SCOT ON THE ROCKS, as well as signed copies of these other fabulous reads:



ENGAGING MEN
by Lynda Curnyn



IT’S ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND
by Lauren Lipton



IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND
by Alison Pace



THE REINCARNATIONIST by
M.J. Rose

To enter, just email brenda@brendajanowitz.com. You must be a subscriber of the www.brendajanowitz.com mailing list to enter.

Winners will be announced on September 9. So what are you waiting for? Enter today!

ChickLitGurrl Interviews Author/Scriptorium Founder Sherry D. Ramsey

Today @ ChickLitGurrl, I talk with SHERRY D. RAMSEY, the founder of the awesome site THE SCRIPTORIUM and contributor to the anthology Speculative Realms.



Check out an excerpt of our interview:


CLG: What are some of the more popular sections of The Scriptorium?
SR: The “toolbox” section is a very popular one, where we feature a glossary of writing terms, a quick writing Q&A, and printable forms and worksheets for character building, scene and plot development, world-building, critiquing, and submission tracking. Sue Lick’s monthly Everything But Writing column is a favorite as well; as the title suggests, Sue deals with all the "non-writing" bits of the writing life. Our "on writing" section is also popular, where we strive to include articles every month that cover a wide range of writing interests. Beyond that, I think readers tend to surf around the site, check out the latest book reviews and features, downloads, try the freewriting exercises, delve into the archives...a little bit of everything. There really isn't an area of the site that doesn't get hit!


CLG: What genres are you interested in writing in? Why?
SR: I write mainly speculative fiction--science fiction and fantasy. Maybe I’m drawn to write in those genres because I grew up reading and enjoying them, but I don’t really think that’s it as I’ve always read in a wide variety of genres. I think perhaps it’s because I’m energized by the idea that speculative fiction allows us to push the boundaries of imagination, to ask the vital “what if” of fiction writing in so many ways. Speculative writing allows us to view ourselves, our cultures, our relationships, through a different lens, and to uncover truths about ourselves in a different way. It also allows us to start with an idea and take it beyond the limits of what’s currently possible, to stretch it, twist it, turn it inside out and see where it might lead. That’s always exciting.



To learn more about Sherry, The Scriptorium, and Sherry's writing, head over to CHICKLITGURRL: high on LATTES & WRITING -- http://chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com!

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Why Subscribe to All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP)?

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE - Where Everything Relates to Writing - is a monthly blogging series hosted by ChickLitGurrl™ in which writers and readers talk about writing and its relation to various topics!

In August, we're tackling FAITH & WRITING. In September, we'll be looking at SEX & WRITING, and in the upcoming months, we will be talking about such topics as gender, homosexuality, memoir, culture, death, and TV and movies.

Take the time to head to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE and read our wonderful works by the following authors: James A. Jimason, Susan McGeown, Pamela S. Thibodeaux, Niambi Davis, and Beth Fehlbaum. Our last FAITH & WRITING author for August will be Cynthia Polansky, who will go LIVE @ AtBaP Friday, August 29, 2008.

While you're there, take the time to SUBSCRIBE to ATBAP, too, so that you can kept in the loop to new updates and author features!

[Subscribe to AtBaP]

Check out interview with everywoman, APOOO Books Founder Yasmin Coleman

Today @ ChickLitGurrl, I talk with YASMIN COLEMAN, another everywoman, who is literary publicist and promoter, book reviewer, and founder of APOOO Books and BookClub.



When asked, "What are three things that EVERY author must have in his/her promotion arsenal," Coleman stated that one of those things was "a local presence. Many authors want to travel the country to promote their book and that's fine; however, when I ask them have they explored their local options they look at me as thought I just grew another head. LOL. Does your local newspaper know that you've written a book and have they done a feature article on you? Have you done book signings/appearances at your local bookstores? Are the local book clubs aware that you have a book and have you asked them to host you at an upcoming meeting? What about local organizations? Does anyone know your name? What about in your state? Before an author spends hundreds/thousands of dollars travelling to promote their book, they should make sure they've covered most of the bases in their home location.


To learn more about Yasmin, APOOO, and how SHE can help authors promote their literary works, head over to CHICKLITGURRL: high on LATTES & WRITING -- http://chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com!

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Writing a Memoir? Check Out My Latest Article for TIPS!

Well, it's the 17th of the month, and that means my latest Blogging in Black column is LIVE!

This month, I'm talking about memoir writing. I've met so many people who not only feel that their life story is important to write, but it's also important to publish for others to read.

This got me thinking about memoirs, about the difference between memoirs and autobiography, and about some of the problems that might occur when a novice starts out trying to write his/her innermost feelings.

Come check out my article - The Story of Me: Tips on Memoir Writing - and leave comments!!

Blogging in Black - (LINK)

Author/Publisher Susan McGeown talks about Faith & Writing @ AtBaP!

Today at All the Blog's a Page (AtBaP), Susan McGeown, author and owner of Faith Inspired Books, talks about faith and writing...

...two things that go GREAT together in her novel, RECIPE FOR DISASTER...

Nothing could be worse than being a bride abandoned on her wedding day, right? Wrong. Try factoring in an unplanned pregnancy that shatters what is left of Karly Martin's dreams to be a missionary. But Karly is a survivor, stronger and braver than she ever thought possible. Giving up her son for adoption and accepting a missionary position with a Navajo mission school gives her the chance to build on the dreams she thought she had had to abandon. Slowly, she begins to heal. Earl Nezbegay sees to all of his responsibilities: caring for his quadriplegic sister, and her eleven year old daughter, and helping out at the Navajo mission school. Keeping busy enough not to think, keeping numb enough not to feel, and keeping distant enough not to interact. It's not exactly living, but it's surviving. Recipe for Disaster brings together two very broken people. Neither is looking for love, but then life isn't always what we plan or expect, is it?


The question asked this month @ AtBaP is How does your faith, your spirituality integrate itself into your writing and Susan, in discussing her relationship with faith states: Through my successes and my failures I am determined to be a woman of faith no matter what anyone says or thinks. (Picture me with my hands on my hips, my chin raised in defiance.) I want it to be my defining feature, the glue that holds all my pieces together. No matter what hat I'm wearing: mother, sister, daughter, author, aunt, teacher, friend, classroom helper, annoyed customer, neighbor, or stranger – I want it to be the first distinctive quality anyone notices. It's a noble goal but requires constant work.


Head over to ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE today to read the rest of Susan's response and to share your OWN thoughts on faith and writing!


Also, if you haven't yet, check out the wonderful responses by Pamela S. Thibodeaux ("Tempered Joy"), Niambi Davis ("From Dusk to Dawn"), and Beth Fehlbaum ("Courage in Patience")!

ALL THE BLOG'S A PAGE (AtBaP) - Where everything relates to writing: (LINK)