Tush's Ten with Azalea Moone & The Last Road Home

I am very pleased to welcome Azalea Moone to play Tush's Ten Questions! 

Azalea has a brand new release out, 'The Last Road Home', which I absolutely loved and, quite frankly, wanted to know more! If you love carnivals and handsome bad boys, step right up! 

Five Q's about the author

1. Who are you, and where do you come from?

Let’s see. I’m a 30 – something year old from Nebraska. It’s kind of boring here so I fill my time with writing hot M/M erotic romance. Oh, I guess it’s not all that boring, we do have a Carhenge. 

 

I don’t live anywhere near it, but I’ve been on a vacation just to see it. No, I live on the opposite side of the state, closer to Lincoln. It’s still boring here. I also have a couple of kids, a cat, and a boyfriend, so when I’m not writing, I’m usually pulling up the pants of the family and running the house.

2. What inspires you?

Fellow authors. Seriously, I have met some wonderful M/M romance authors online that really inspire me. I could name names, but the list would go on, and on, and on…

Music also inspires me. No matter the genre, the beat, or the meaning, a single song can inspire a complete story, or my life in general. It’s really been something I turn to for everything since I was little.

3. Describe your writing style in three words:

Sensual, slow, and hawt.

4. What's next in store for you?

A lot. Right now I’m pounding away at edits and working to sub a few manuscripts. I’ve really been interested in urban fantasy and you should see more of that genre in the future from me.

5. Read any good book(s) lately?

The book I just finished reading, Power Play: Resistance by Cat Grant and Rachel Haimowitz. The entire book is one great big mind fuck for both the readers and characters. It’s one of those that you have to know what’s going to happen next, though, and I’m anxious to read the next book.

Five Q's about the book

'The Last Road Home' 

 

1. What inspired the idea for your story?

It’s simple really. I spent about nine months on the travelling carnival and decided to write something involving the carnival.

2. The cover is gorgeous. Who are your two main characters?

The main character is Brett, who’s just left home to escape his parent’s conservative ways. So when his car breaks down several thousand miles away from home, he meets Ryan, a sexy bad boy type. Ryan is on his way to go to work at a carnival and offers Brett a job and a chance to make some cash. And… a lot more.

3. The story is set in a travelling fun-fayre. What made you choose this setting?

Again, I wanted something I was familiar with. Since a small scale like the one Brett and Ryan are on is like a little community, there’s tons of drama that I can tap into. Also, the lights, the sky wheel, the sounds, I think Brett is just as amazed by it as I was. 

 

4. Running away with the fayre; what's the appeal?

To get away. From what? Everything. I ran off because I was sick and tired of the crappy little town I was living in… oh, and I had my eyes on a certain guy. But after getting out there, I learned it’s not a vacation since you have to set up, tear down, be out all day in the heat, then deal with drama if you’re on a smaller show. But it’s awesome travelling, going to different towns, and seeing all sorts of different people.

5. If your book was a movie, what would your budget be, and who would play your characters?

It’d probably be one of those low budget, college elective movies. Seriously, though, some of those are the cutest and best gay flicks I’ve seen. I don’t really have anyone I’d desired to play Brett and Ryan so gimme a couple of hot college guys any day.

* * *

Thanks for playing Tush's Ten!

Excerpt:

I blinked in shock as the bright red Honda pulled up beside me. “Hey, buddy, need a ride?” the driver called as he leaned out of the window.

The roaring engine awoke me from my daze. I hoisted my tired body from the ground, and grabbed my suitcase. “Sure.”

This was completely unbelievable. A dream come true. In all these hours, I’d never thought there would actually be someone out here, travelling in this God-awful heat.

“Throw your stuff in and come on.” A smile spread on the man’s lips as he motioned to the back seat.

I threw my case next to his luggage and hurried to sit in the front passenger seat. “You’re a lifesaver, man,” I said, the words muffled as I slipped my shirt over my head.

He pulled out onto the road and a warm breeze from the open vents blew across my sweat covered face. I inhaled a breath of the musky air, wishing it was cooler than the outside air, before I hung my arm out of the open window.

“Sorry, no air. You look like you can use a drink, though.” The man waved a bottle of water out to me and I accepted. “What are you doing sitting beside the road, anyway?”

The water was lukewarm as I chugged on the bottle. “Car. Broke. Down,” I said between gulps.

“Oh, damn that sucks.” He shook his head. “So where ya going?”

“Don’t know.” I wiped at the remains of water left on my lips.

God, I needed that drink. Now that the world didn’t appear foggy, I saw, in close range the man who had saved me from heat exhaustion.

His short, dusty blond hair ruffled in the wind. A cigarette hung from slightly parted lips—the breeze threatened to stifle it. He wore a sleeveless shirt, the sides torn down from the armpits, exposing his muscular arms and a peep of his slender stomach.

The man looked at me briefly before turning his eyes back on the road. “Are you a loner, then?”

“Sort of.” I choked out, exhilarated by the thoughts of him running through my head.

Maybe it’s just the heat getting to me.

* * *

Check out more on Azalea here....

TheLast Road Home on TEB

AzaleaMoone

How To Market Yourself in Social Media

How To Market Yourself in Social Media:

Tips for Using Facebook & Twitter

A quick how-not-to promote online:

Barge in without introducing yourself, slap your promo up without engaging with anybody, slink off quietly without a backward glance.

A quick how-to promote online:

Introduce yourself, say hello, engage in conversation, find common interests, be polite. Have fun!

Facebook

Watch the 'Facebook' episode of Southpark for amusing satirical comedy: the concept of Facebook as a dinner party, with people standing around chatting. It's a good analogy to remember, as your Facebook profile is NOT your property. As with any free to use site, you are sitting at someone else's table, at THEIR dinner party.

Spam

To reduce chances of spam, adjust your settings. Go to Home, and drop down menu on top right, then Account Settings. Adjust accordingly, but be aware you will still receive promo here and there (not to mention Facebook advertising!) because – much like any dinner party – you can't stop people in a free speech environment telling you about their stuff. One man's meat is another man's poison, and vice versa.

Angry? Chill out. Getting angry with spammers is like road rage; ultimately, you only serve to wind yourself up. Just calmly delete the spam, or block the person if needs be, then adjust your settings where you can, and carry on.

Keep calm and carry on, as they say.

Remember, you are on a social networking site. Facebook was built for networking, and now is primarily used for advertising. If you want total control of your own content, build your own website.

Facebook has user profiles, fan pages, groups, and events. You can create any of these yourself, and run them yourself. Look at your peers; who has what? Which do you think is most effective? Is it really worth having a user profile and a fan page? If you want to keep your user profile reasonably private, then make a fan page and have that as public content for your fans. There are lots of combinations, and you have to find what works for you.

Photos

Be aware that anything you upload to Facebook may be used by them and their dubious copyright / data selling rules, which change as often as the wind. Keep it in mind. Copyright your own content, and make sure the first place you upload is to sites that allow you to keep your copyright. In other words: artist friendly.

Always read the small print for each site to see who owns the copyright once you've uploaded content.

Like it? Then say so!

Facebook is a social networking site. The clue is in the title. SOCIAL. So chat, make friends. You don't have to comment on everything, but instead of just clicking the LIKE button, why not make a comment, too? Engage in conversation as you would at a dinner party. Meeting someone new, striking up questions and chat, can lead to new contacts.

Friends

The concept of FRIENDS and online friendship isn't quite the same as in real life. For instance, say I've just added someone to my friend's list that I've never met outside of the internet. Are we friends? No! Because we've never met! We're barely acquainted. Anyone can pose as anyone else on the internet, so it does pay to be careful.

Just because you are e-friends doesn't mean that person is ACTUALLY your friend, or you can trust them. Don't get caught saying something you may regret later. Unlike in real life, your conversations online can be screen captured, printed, linked to, and made viral in the blink of an eye. It's up to YOU what you choose to share. If you're embarrassed by something, then don't post about it. Simple as that.

Manners

It may not be real life, but manners still apply! Would you barge into someone else's conversation to shout “BUY MY BOOK!” in their faces, then promptly turn around and 'leave the conversation'? Hopefully not! Treat online life like a dinner party, and remember your manners.

Sharing

What you share is up to you. You're probably here to promote your book, and that's all well and good, but it doesn't have to be all work and no play. Those who get the most out of social networking are those who can happily balance chat with, “Oh and by the way, you might find this of interest...”

Think about your content. Are you going to be a dedicated 'promo pitcher' with an ultra professional approach to branding? Or are you going to chat, have a giggle, and engage with your fellow writers and readers?

It can be both.

And your online chat time doesn't have to be every day, you could even set aside a specific slot for 'social time' like real life coffee mornings. Or hook up to an 'app' like Hootsuite that will connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts, and post scheduled tweets for you, allowing you the time to go off and write.

What to share?

What are you sharing? Your views and religious beliefs? Do you need to get political? Think about it. What are you essentially here to do? Gain new readers and fans for your stories, perhaps? What are the chances of ALL your fans having the same personal, private views as you? Remember, you don't have to share everything. And you don't have to get really personal in order to show your personality.

In other words, don't over share, then later regret it. Think before you post!

Twitter

The over sharing instigator! Again, think before you post. What are you posting about? Aim for 50% promo, and 50% content.

What is promo? Telling people about yourself. Links to your book, your blog, etc.

What is content? Something of interest, that would interest/benefit others more than you.

What's the point of Twitter?

Another social networking site, Twitter allows posts in 140 characters (unless you apply for TwitLonger). Depending on how many people (or 'tweeps') you follow, the stream of posts you look at can be very fast paced. You could think of it as like an Instant Message/Text stream. Shorter, faster, snappier.

Twitter is for chat. So, join a conversation! Again, dinner party etiquette applies. You don't have to say, “Good afternoon, mind if I join your conversation?” as that's too formal for fast-paced Twitterers, but a polite, “Hi, nice to meet you!” won't hurt.

Hashtags

You can join in chats by looking up hashtags. For instance, #writing

Why not read the #writing topic, and check down the stream of tweets from people? This is how you find people of interest (apart from stalking celebs!) and people to follow, and how new followers can find YOU.

Followers

Someone is following you. No, don't panic, it's only on Twitter! A follower is the Twitter version of 'friend'. You cannot send a DM (direct message) to someone unless you're following each other.

Don't assume that because someone is following you, they automatically pour over every single tweet you make like it's the gospel. You still have to work at keeping people's interest, maintaining your relationships, and basically keep chatting.

Ever been stuck next to someone you didn't want to be? You're not going to hang around, are you? It's the same for social networking. Now, no one is expecting you to be a court jester, so don't feel pressured to be funny/witty/amazing every hour of the day, but just be aware. It's like having your 'party head' on when you go out with friends. You're not going to sit there and whinge at them about your tax bills or house work, are you? (Are you???) Hopefully not! Treat it like a tea party, a chat room, a place to build your contacts and followers, while also having fun.

Spam-bots

Mind the spam! Spam-bots are like other spam online; basically, an automated profile that adds random 'friends' on sites, then bombards you with BUY THIS NOW crap. Again, getting angry won't stop this from happening (welcome to the Internet!) just delete, block, and adjust your settings if necessary.

You have the option of making your tweets private. This does mean that no one can retweet you to their own followers, however.

What's your name, again?

Assuming you have more than one online profile, it would make sense to keep the same name. Your name is your brand, and having a simple username makes it easier for people to remember you. How can I recommend a writer for people to follow if I can't remember their complicated username?

The same goes for websites. Look at corporate branding, and how they use one name, one main logo, colour scheme, and it's the same across the board.

Conversation

You're still at a dinner party. So, LISTEN! No one likes to see a glazed look in their audience's eyes. Listen, respond, ask questions, and before you know it, you're having a conversation.

Unfollow

To acquire followers, you do need to start following people yourself. There needs to be a reason for them not to unfollow you. A lack of activity & constant self-promotion are two big ways to lose followers, or have people not follow you back. Show a little personality!

Hashtag For Writers To Use

From the website Daily Writing Tips, they list all the important hashtags required for joining in writer related conversation. The list will change, as new hashtags are invented and used all the time.

The great thing about hashtags is that Twitter didn't invent them, they were started up by Twitter users, and are now a main basis for search engines. So, use them! Make your own, too.

Good hashtags are:

#writing

#writetip

#wip

#reading

#SampleSunday

#selfpublishing

#MentionMonday (This is pretty much populated by Indie Authors mentioning each other.)

#fictionFriday or #fridayFlash

#KindleUK

You can also promote other Tweeps by using #FollowFriday

Imposters

When engaging in conversation, be wary of people claiming to be who they're not! It's happened using hashtags like these:

#AskAgent #AskEditor

Because there are some people out there who feel the need to pose as someone important, either to make themselves feel better, or to take your money. Again, it's back to the fact that anyone out there on the 'net can pose to be anyone else. So have your wits about you, and don't automatically trust everyone.

It pays to be cautious.

If you want to engage with agents and editors, why not research online certain ones you're interested in? Target your search, find out their websites and official Twitter accounts. Do they chat online? If so, then join in! Many publishing houses host online talks in varying forms, and it's up to you to find out where, and join them.

How are you doing?

So, now you're a prolific Tweeter, how do you check your promo radius? Use Tweetreach.com.

There are other sites or 'apps' you can use to check your combined promo radius online, especially for linked accounts, or networked blogs. Apps need to be approved by you before they're allowed access to your profile.

Above all, it really is important to have fun while you're networking online. It's still a dinner party; you have to flit around like a social butterfly, and engage people. If you enjoy chatting, this shouldn't be a problem for you.

What the internet and social media has allowed us – promoters – to do now is tell people about our stuff without standing in the freezing cold handing out flyers, or walking all over cities plastering posters to walls.

Yes, I used to do that. No, I don't miss it! Be thankful for your social media, because I know I am.

* * *

www.melanietushmore.co.uk

Review of the UK Meet 2012

Review of the UK Meet 2012

Arrive

So, to Brighton! It was wonderful to catch up with the people I normally only get to chat to online, and a real treat to meet new acquaintances, too. I arrived with Lavinia Lewis, where we met reader Amanda, and writers Anna Martin and Tia Fielding. We joined in the informal meet in the hotel bar Friday evening, where there was lots of fun chat, then onto dinner. We chose The Lion & Lobster pub, just around the corner.

Back in the hotel bar, it was another fab chance to chat to those who fancied a late night drink, and it was a pleasure to chat with everyone. I only wish we'd had longer! Lavinia and I went back to our hotel, which was just around the corner. This hotel has what I called the Austin Powers bathroom. Bet you're jealous!

(Note: no, I'm not actually sitting on the loo, as one of my --male-- friends asked. *rolls eyes*  )

Saturday

An early start – and lots of coffee! – saw us all registering our names, then piling into the main room, a grand meeting hall in the hotel. We arranged ourselves around white clothed tables, which almost had me in mind of a wedding, all eyes to the front as the charismatic Charlie Cochrane took the reins, and welcomed us to the Meet. I have to say, the entire atmosphere felt very warm, accepting, and fun. A little banter in between the important messages was also very sweet, and smiles were never far from people's faces.

We started off with 'Novel Openings', a panel of writers sharing the first couple of paragraphs of a story. It was interesting to see how different people expressed their writing differently. A cool little snapshot of how writers start off, and draw readers in. Reviewer Jen also gave us her insight on what would interest her, as a reader. Great start to the Meet.

After a break for coffee and tea – and a sneaky biscuit for me – it was onto the next panels, and time to choose which ones to go to. This, for me, was a total surprise, as I hadn't realised there would be two separate rooms to visit, with dual panels going on simultaneously. I had a Crystal Maze style panic about which to choose, as I always want to absorb as much information as I can when the opportunity is there. Alas, I had to pick a panel, as walking out during a talk was frowned upon, and rightly so.

For me, I had to miss the 'Fanfiction' talk in favour of the 'Where do you get your ideas?' panel, mostly because I knew my writer chum Blaine D'Arden was on it, and I wanted to hear her speak. Listening to the panel was a lot of fun, and no one was doing any condescending lecturing; each writer was simply explaining how they got the idea for a specific story, which was like a 'behind the scenes' look. Doubly interesting if you knew the writer, and the story they had chosen, like Blaine D'Arden's The Fifth Son, which for me is one of my favourites, so it was a treat to hear more about it. (Incidentally, I was chuffed to bits to get my print copy of this book on the day, signed as well!)

Now, join me in damning my crap memory, and me for not taking notes as it happened, because when I try to think about each panel right now, I've kind of forgotten who was on which one... Suffice to say I was terribly excited – like a kid at Disneyland! – at seeing so many friendly faces/exciting new faces, and it didn't help my memory whatsoever. I will say that I did enjoy each panel enormously, and everyone who spoke had something interesting to say. I'm only sorry that I can't for the life of me write feedback or review individual speakers. Next time, I'm making notes! Live and learn.

The next panel was another choice; I could have gone back upstairs to the main room for a panel on LBTQ themes, but I chose to stay downstairs for 'Taking the plunge, the new author's guide to getting published', mostly because another writer chum, Becky Black, was on this panel, and I wanted to listen to her. The panel was great, a very good idea, and one I hope will continue to make an appearance at the Meet in various forms. Anne Brooke also gave some great advice, and people in the audience also had tips to share, and it was lovely to see the support offered and taken from all sides.

Break for lunch! Incredibly important, and I must say the hotel's buffet was fantastic. I love finger food anyway – vegetarian – and was pleased to see a lot on offer. Nice, relaxing lunch; I sat at a sunny table with Anna Martin, Tia Fielding, and Tia's sister.

After lunch, downstairs was the panel 'Tropes, keeping the genre honeymoon fresh', but I was due upstairs in the 'Online marketing' panel, as I'd offered to help give tips on how to use the dreaded Facebook and Twitter. Lucy Felthouse and Jordan Castillo Price led the panel, and did a fantastic job of introducing the concept of social media; important points like blogs, newsletters, and just generally keeping in touch with your readers in an easy, accessible way, without being pushy.

The underlying message was exactly the same as my own points for using Twitter or Facebook, and that is not to push your 'buy my book' slogan on everyone you meet without even saying hello, because a rude message won't reach readers. Manners and common sense are the only tools you need to get ahead online, the rest you can pick up. For those who are interested, I'll be posting my guide to using social media – Facebook, Twitter – in my next post.

Next, it was time to choose which panel to attend. I was sad to miss lovely Clare London speaking on 'The two edged sword: pitfalls of getting published', downstairs. I wanted to stay upstairs for the talk on 'Publishing, the way forward', as Ariel Tachna from Dreamspinner Press was leading the panel. Being published with Dreamspinner myself, meeting the DSP team and listening to what they had to say was important for me.

Really interesting points from Ariel, and the rest of the panel – DSP editor Anne Regan, and DSP writer Sue Brown – on e-publishing in general, and some of the different ways people are predicting the market will grow. I liked the optimistic approach to e-publishing, and the good points raised.

Then we had the bubbly and sharp Cameron Lawton (my new best friend!) who herself said she was on the panel to offer a different point of view, which was: be wary about rushing into self publishing. Cameron went on to give examples of her own self publishing steps – very generous of her to share this – and what she perhaps would have done differently if she'd known a bit more about the industry at the time, or hadn't been impatient. At least, that's the message which came across to me. All very good tips for budding authors, too.

This panel was very interesting, and I did enjoy it, especially Cameron's talk. I think, personally, this panel could have benefited from another angle to add to the self publishing topic; i.e. self publishing can be good, too. As ever, with panels, when people in the audience ask questions, the topic can stray a little, like any normal conversation, and go off in different directions. Mostly the chat galloped toward e-book publishing in general, and of course everyone was asking Ariel and Anne their views on the market and how DSP has developed since its start. (For me, I didn't realise DSP had launched a YA line recently. Now I know!)

Perhaps, in future, because the topic of self publishing is so vast – there were many self published authors in attendance, too – 'self publishing' could benefit from its own focussed panel, to give everyone more time to discuss this very important topic. Because self publishing is growing along with ebooks, and it would be great to see the whole topic represented; self publishing certainly isn't for everyone, but there's no harm in everyone knowing all the facts, is there?

That's my two cents!

So, tea break!

After tea, there were some one to ones for budding authors downstairs. A nice idea, I thought; possibly something to expand on in the future? Or even as an aside event? Upstairs was 'Buffet or Banter', which I didn't really understand, I must admit, but was basically different themed tables where you could join in the different discussions. By the time I'd worked out that each individual table was supposed to discuss one topic only, I'd already spotted Becky Black and Stevie Carroll, and wanted to chat with them. Also on the table, I'm pleased to have met Elin Gregory at last. As a table, we pretty much just chatted about what we fancied, which I really enjoyed. So, thank you everyone, for a good chat!

After the banter finished, key note speaker Jordan Castillo Price took the floor, and gave a wonderful talk on how she started out writing; her first forays into e-book publishing, sharing so many amazing stories and insights. Lots of food for thought, really enjoyable, and a very optimistic outlook.

Actually, all in all, there was optimism firing from all the panels and talks I saw, which I'm so happy about. It was a really good, buzzing atmosphere throughout the day, largely in part to the moving around and mixing things up. Really enjoyable. And the writers who were so willing to offer advice -- Jordan Castillo Price, Aleks Voinov from Riptide, and many more -- was very generous.

Meet captain Charlie took the helm again, and wrapped things up, highlighting the key points raised. Especially when discussing how the UK Meet had grown in only three short years, from a small meeting in a local library, to around sixty-ish people last year – my first Meet – to over a hundred this year, in a swanky hotel, with sponsors and prizes galore.

Almost a little scary, when you think about it, but a lot exciting.

A well deserved round of applause for the Meet organisers: Charlie Cochrane, Jamie Merrow, Clare London, Josephine Myles, Alex Beecroft; beautifully organised, jolly well done. Also everyone who spoke on panels, you all did such fabulous jobs, and I loved listening to what I heard. The people who donated to the swag bag, and raffle prizes. Dreamspinner Press, who offered and shared so much, which was a wonderful experience for me and the other Dreamspinner authors, I'm sure.

Another highlight for me, and I feel they deserve a special mention, was meeting the Polish writer duo, K.A. Merrikan, and Agnes Merrikan, who both looked super cool in their matching skull print dresses. Writers to watch, for sure.

All in all, I had the chance to speak with amazing and interesting people, you were all wonderful. I had an utterly brilliant time, and could have happily listened on and nattered with you all for the entire following week! Those that I didn't have a chance to chat with, or even chat longer with, I'm gutted about that, and really hope we can catch up next time, or at another event.

So there we have it, my thoughts on the UK Meet 2012.

Questions for you:

If you attended the UK Meet this year, what was your favourite panel? And how do you think it differed from last year?

Even if you didn't attend, have you been to writer meetings or conventions before? What do you like and/or dislike about them? Have you never been to one, but really want to go? If so, what puts you off going?

Thanks!

Tush's Ten - Anna Martin - Tattoos & Teacups giveaway

I'm thrilled to welcome author Anna Martin to my blog, to play Tush's Ten Questions!

I will admit, I hadn't come across Anna Martin's work yet, but the cover for her new release 'Tattoos & Teacups' caught my eye, and I read it straight away! Check out its gorgeousness below, plus an excerpt from the book and a chance to WIN WIN WIN!!!

Five Q's about the author

1. Who are you, and where do you come from?

I’m Anna! I’m 26; I grew up in a little seaside town on the south-west coast and I live in Bristol now, I’m a writer (and I just love saying that.) During the week I work in Marketing for a financial services company which is far less exciting than it sounds. I’m aware of the fact that it doesn’t sound very exciting in the first place. My favourite colour is red. 

2. What inspires you?

Oh, gosh, all sorts of things. I suppose music and places are my biggest inspiration. After visiting Seattle I felt much closer to the setting for Another Way, even though the city itself wasn’t a big part of the storyline. And Tattoos & Teacups is sort of my love story dedicated to Edinburgh.

3. Describe your writing style in three words:

Sexy, funny, sweet.

4. What's next in store for you?

Writing wise? I have the sequel to Another Way coming out in September, it’s called Of Being Yours and it’ll be published by Dreamspinner Press. After that… I’m not sure. I’m working on the beginning of two new novels but I don’t really know which one will become my full focus yet. One is a M/M/M story, the other is set in rural Somerset (where I’m from).

In my personal life I’m about to head up to Edinburgh for the FringeFestival in the next few weeks. It’s one of the biggest theatre festivals in the world and I’ve worked there for the past five years as a theatre technician and venue manager. I absolutely love it, it’s the highlight of my year!

5. Read any good books lately?

Good new books? Not really… To be honest I’ve been too busy to sit down and get stuck into something new! I re-read the Jurassic Park books (again) recently because I love them an unhealthy amount. It’s the one book I will recommend everyone read because it’s just so beautifully rich in character and plot and setting. That, and I love dinosaurs.

Five Q's about the book

'Tattoos & Teacups' 

 

1. What inspired the idea for your story?

I sort of had an idea about an older, stuffy professor character falling in love with a “wild child” younger man but wasn’t sure where I wanted to take it. Then when I was working in Edinburgh last year I decided I wanted to write something that was influenced by my love of the city.

Then NaNoWriMo came along and I managed to churn out 50,000 words in the 30 days (well, 29, but who’s counting?!) and eight months later here it is!

2. The basis for the character of Robert is traditional & perhaps a bit 'prim', while his love interest, Chris, is a vibrant, tattooed musician. Who would you say you identify with more?

Oh, Robert, for sure. He’s very secure in his intellect but very insecure in his outward appearance and how people see him, and that’s definitely something I drew on my own experience of. I never went about consciously echoing my own personality when I was writing him, but because he’s British I felt like I could use my own ‘voice’ as his rather than trying to adapt my voice for an American character. It was very liberating.

My biggest worry when the book was published was that people wouldn’t find it funny because even when I was editing it I was laughing out loud at some of the things Robert says. But from the feedback people have given me I think the humour came across!

[ Trust me, Anna, it's funny in all the right places! -- Tush ]

3. There's focus on tattoos in the story; did you do a lot of research, or are you into tattoos yourself?

I have quite a few tattoos myself and they’re all in the same Sailor Jerry, traditional Americana style that Chris has. Tattooing is an art form and I think society is starting to accept this. My tattoos all have very specific meanings as well as being aesthetically interesting – I like being able to document things with art on my body.

Flash for a trademark Sailor Jerry swallow.

4. What do you think draws people to tattoos?

Well, you do see a lot of stupid tattoos out there as well as some really amazing ones, so there has to be a range of reasons! Really, though, isn’t it a declaration of individualism? We all want to be seen as unique and tattoos physically mark us as completely one of a kind.

5. If your book was a movie, what would your budget be, and who would play your characters?

Ooh, good question! My initial reaction is to say Gerard Butler for Robert, of course, since Chris mistakes Robert for him when they first meet. But that would mean the joke was lost… you know, if they could find someone with a good Scottish accent who looked vaguely like Butler then that’d work for me!

And I think Jackson Rathbone could make a good Chris. He already has a few tattoos and the Southern charm thing going on. And he’s cute! Abigail Breslin would make a great Chloe (Robert’s teenage daughter) and Lena Heady would have to play Luisa (Chloe’s mother).

* * *

Tattoos & Teacups EXCERPT: 

 

ONCE, when I was on a trip to New York City, I stopped to watch a group of hip-hop dancers who were performing in the street. I was fascinated by the brash colors and thumping beat of the music, and the tricks and flips they performed with apparent ease. Although I stood back in the crowd—there were two or three people in front of me—I couldn’t help but be both impressed and intimidated as one of the dancers walked right up to the person in the front row, throwing his arms wide out to his sides and pushed his chest almost right up to the other man’s, shouting, “Boom!” Right in his face!

The sheer gall of the dancer made me smile, even as my stomach flipped at the idea of such confrontation. Much to my surprise, the other man, not the dancer, just laughed and made some funny noise in the back of his mouth, like he was rolling his Rs, and the dancer seemed to take this as encouragement to perform a backflip from standing, to the raucous approval of the assembled crowd.

Chris made me feel like that. Intimidated, and a little impressed. He was the same as that dancer in so many ways: loud, colorful, swirling into my life with a loud “Boom!” and disappearing just as quickly. Like those hip-hop dancers, though, I was left with the simmering feeling that I’d experienced something completely new, and I was irrevocably changed for it.

* * *

*COMPETITION TIME!!*

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For a chance to win an ebook copy of Tattoos and Teacups by Anna Martin please visit the contact page on her website, and send your name, and the type of format you would like with the heading ‘Tush!’. 

Winners will be notified by 31^st July. Please note – the winner will need to have an account with Dreamspinner Press in order to receive their free ebook. 

It’s completely free to sign up! Visit dreamspinnerpress.com for more information.

Thanks for stopping by, Anna!

 

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Free Read - Tentacle Pool

Partly inspired by 'Hylas & The Nymphs' from Greek mythology, painting by JW Waterhouse.

Tentacle Pool

© Melanie Tushmore 2012

The following story is a work of fiction, any resemblance to any persons (or tentacled beings) living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this work may be copied or reproduced without the author's written permission.

Dedication

 

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

With special thanks to Evie, Piper & MJ

* * *

Ancient Greece, on the Sea of Marmara.

A little after lunch.

The boat splashed through shallow, clear water, its bottom dragging on the sand.

“Everybody out!” commanded Dmitri. “The quicker we get to shore, the quicker we can find food.”

The other sailors leapt over the boat's side, muttering under their breath as they tugged and pulled the boat to the beach.

Aire wasn't a sailor. He was a musician and a fool for letting his father push him into a voyage with his older brother, Dmitri. “Play for the crew,” Father had said. “Entertain them! Even Orpheus went on a voyage, and that was with Jason.” Aire shook his head. Father didn't understand. Aire wasn't built for heavy work; his slim body and delicate hands weren't any use on a ship.

Not for the sort of work Dmitri wanted him to do, anyway. “Who wants to hear music?” he'd scoffed. “Be quiet, and make our dinner!”

Some voyage, Aire thought to himself. So far, all they'd done was circle the mainland twice, thanks to Dmitri's appalling navigation skills, and now they'd drifted off course to Mysia, the deserted island that no one ever came to. Aire was positive that when they got back home Dmitri would have dreamt up some incredibly pompous stories of his imaginary adventures, bribing his crew to keep quiet.

“Aire!” Dmitri snapped, jolting Aire out of his thoughts. “Stop stalling and help us.”

Aire peered over the edge of the boat, into the water. He really didn't want to get his sandals wet.

“Doesn't matter, Dmitri,” Eli grunted, pulling on the boat's side. “We're almost on the shore anyway.”

“Yes, it does matter,” Dmitri muttered.

Eli rolled his eyes, as Aire ducked inside the boat. “Don't worry, lad,” Eli said. “Stay where you are. No sense us all getting wet.”

The small boat was pulled onto powdery white sand. Dry starfish and empty sea shells lay scattered on the beach. The other sailors grumbled and stretched before collecting their belongings from the boat: spears, knives, rope, and cloth. They were going hunting, though Aire seriously doubted their chances of finding anything alive on this island. It was overgrown, all hills and forest. Not only would they have to hike to get anywhere, they'd have to carry their quarry back to the beach.

“Aire, wake up.” Dmitri thrust the water-skins at him. “Go fetch water.”

Aire sighed quietly. It looked like he would be hiking too. He threaded the water-skins onto a smooth, wooden pole, and used it to steady himself as he clambered from the boat. One of the men stuck a foot out to trip him on purpose, and Aire stumbled into Eli.

“Steady, lad.” Eli chuckled, his hands catching a quick grope as he helped Aire up. “Don't want to fall, now.”

They laughed at him, their eyes roving over his ruffled tunic.

Aire smoothed his clothes down. “Thank you, Eli. I'm fine.” He picked up his pole, the water-skins dangling from each end, and laid it across his shoulders.

“Take care now!” they called after him.

Aire ignored them. At least being sent to fetch water, he'd have some peace at last.

Fresh water was more likely to come from higher up, so Aire left the beach and entered the forest, picking his way through trees and green brush. Songbirds called to each other in the branches overhead. The deeper Aire went into the forest, the more flowers he saw; wild blooms of exotic, varying colours, their scents sweet and fragrant. A strange insect landed on an open yellow flower, its wings sparkling in the dappled light from the trees. Aire paused, and leaned closer to look. The insect flew away, but not before Aire had seen that it looked more lizard than winged insect.

In the distance, he heard Dmitri's hunting horn. That was quick, he thought. Maybe there were wild creatures on the island, after all. And here Aire was, on his own in the forest.

He swallowed, hurrying on his way.

Aire was in luck. Having only just begun to climb to the raised ground, he happened to stumble through a tightly woven set of trees, into a small clearing. There was a pool there, settled underneath a bowing laurel tree.

Perfect.

Aire's shoulders simply couldn't have taken any more. The thought of the pole weighing even heavier on his return journey made Aire groan. He sank to his knees at the pool's edge, pushing the pole and water-skins away. He was parched, and the water looked clean.

There were unusual leafy pads sitting on the water's surface, each crowned with a small white bud. Were they lily pads? The largest, in the centre of the pool, would have been of a size to fit a human head. It had a full bloom of off-white, yellow petals on its pad, yet Aire didn't see any insects around. He gazed into the water. He couldn't see any fish either. It was clear, but all he saw were stems from the lily pads that led down through the water. They seemed so thick; dark green and tangled together. They would be a perfect hiding place for small fish, if there were any.

Aire leaned carefully over the edge. The pool was small but it seemed to go very deep. And yet, no life within? Curious. Maybe there were fish toward the bottom, where the water was darker? Aire bent lower still, scenting it with his nose. The water smelt fresh and faintly sweet. He cupped his hands in the water, crisp and cool against his skin, and dared to sip.

Well, it tasted fine. Aire pulled up glistening handfuls of water to his mouth. When he had drank his fill, he gazed again into the pool. The ripples caused by his hands had stilled, and the surface was smooth once more. Aire saw himself staring back, as clearly as if he looked into a mirror. His hair was a mess. His dark curls had been picked and yanked free from the fastening by the forest branches. Aire undid the tie and brushed his hair back using his fingers. He retied the band, although he did consider it a pointless task; his hair would only become more dishevelled on the way back. This was why Dmitri kept his hair short, he supposed.

Aire pulled a lock of hair to his face and sniffed. He smelt of the sea now, like the sailors. Aire didn't mind the sea, not really, but how he missed playing his harp. Especially since Dmitri had tossed his travelling one overboard. And how Aire missed playing for an appreciative audience. He would definitely have a talk with his parents when they got home. Maybe he could convince them to send him to Athens, to study with the followers of Bacchus.

That would certainly be fun.

If only Aire had his harp, he would have sat here by this pool until sunset, playing songs. His fingers rose in his lap, holding the imaginary instrument, and moved against invisible strings. He hummed under his breath, finding a tune. He had been composing his own song before Dmitri had put a stop to it. As soon as Aire got his hands on another harp he'd have to finish the song. Aire remembered the soft, wistful notes and began to sing.

“I wish I'd say unto to my love

“All the words within my heart.

“Until that day, I'll play my harp

“And wait for –”

A ripple stirred the water, then the lily pads jerked, as if tugged sharply from below. Aire's song trailed off. He saw movement, something stirring in the water deep within in the pool. He was half afraid but, foolishly, he peered in. His eyes widened in alarm as he saw the unmistakable shape of coils writhing underwater, rushing to the surface.

Snakes!

He stumbled back, slipping on the moist bank as he tried to run. The lily pads rose up. Aire saw that they were not snakes, the lily stems themselves were the coils; each one an enormous, thick green tentacle, and they surged forward. Aire's scream never made it past his lips. The tentacles came for him, two snapping around his ankles in a fierce grip. He gasped as he was dragged into the pool. The water splashed in glistening shards as he broke the surface.

Aire screwed his eyes shut and held his breath, not daring to imagine the jaws on whatever terrible creature awaited him. Tentacles slipped around his wrists – smooth and strangely warm – while thicker tentacles cradled his body. Aire felt them coiling around him as he was pulled down through the water. He only hoped his death would not be painful. Perhaps he would drown before he was eaten? Water shot through his nose, and Aire swallowed it down. He willed himself not to take in any more, but he needed air. His chest was starting to burn, and his heart stuttered wildly.

He couldn't bear not seeing any longer; what creature had hold of him? Aire opened his eyes. The water bubbled. Dark green coils surrounded him, a forest of tentacles. He was still being dragged downward with alarming speed. He dared to look down, expecting a vicious creature....

As the coils moved and writhed, Aire caught sight of what was beneath him. At the bottom of the pool, the creature waited. It was half man, half...something. Several large tentacles were in place of two legs; as many as an octopus, perhaps more. The largest of the tentacles were dark green, with lighter undersides. Thinner, spindly tentacles spread out from the creature, like feelers. Aire recognised the lily pads along each length. Had those been the creatures tentacles resting on the water's surface? What deity had he offended by sitting at this pool?

Aire struggled in vain as he was dragged down. The tentacles brought him before the creature, bubbles obscuring his features. Aire thrashed and panicked, his lungs burning. Distinctly human hands cupped his face, and Aire felt very human lips press against his, covering his mouth. He stilled in surprise. Even in the water, those lips felt warm and soft. The creature sucked out the water he had swallowed, then breathed a lungful of hot, tingling air into him. Aire shivered, his chest relaxing. The creature pulled back carefully, and a voice spoke to him inside his head.

You won't drown, mortal. What is your name?

Aire blinked under the water. He was stunned, but his mind instantly brought up his name as he wondered how on earth he would say it underwater.

Aire, the creature spoke, still inside his mind. I am Sidian.

Aire ceased his struggles and the water calmed; the last of the bubbles dispersed. Through clear water, Aire stared at his captor, this deity, who in face and upper body looked nearly human. His chest was hairless, the skin there and on his arms was smooth, iridescent. He was slim yet defined, the perfect image of a youthful male. A small lily pad rested on each of his shoulders, white flowers waving in the water. Long, black hair drifted behind him, framing a face of startling beauty. Bright yellow eyes with slitted pupils stared back at him, and blue tinged lips curved in a smile.

What brings you to my pool?

Aire opened his mouth to speak, but a finger pressed across his lips.

You don't need to speak, Aire. I can read your thoughts.

Feeling slightly panicked, Aire thought about what had brought him here: Dmitri's misjudged voyage, their need for fresh water. Oh, how he wished he'd been more careful. He had only wanted to drink from the pool. What did this creature want from him?

Those blue lips smiled. The sunlight from above played over Sidian's face and chest; flashes of blue, violet and crystal white shining on his skin. Aire stared, distracted. The pretty, smooth insides of sea shells came to his mind as he looked at this creature's skin. Beautiful.

Sidian closed his eyes and laughed. Bubbles escaped his nose while slits of skin on his neck opened. His lips pulled back over his teeth and Aire caught a glimpse of two long, hooked fangs.

Oh, Gods, save me!

Sidian stopped laughing. I am a God, mortal. What is it you want saving from?

Aire blinked at him. You mean you won't devour me?

Sidian looked at Aire calmly, raising one elegant brow. No.

Flooded with relief, Aire relaxed in his bonds. The tentacles loosened their hold but still coiled around him. A shiver ran over Aire's skin as he thought, what do you want with me?

Yellow slitted eyes lowered, looking him over. Your song called to me, Aire. Why so melancholy?

The image that instantly filled Aire's mind was that of the ship; of the toiling, the labour, of dull, endless days at sea and the bickering with his brother, Dmitri.

Sidian's smile became knowing. I can save you from that boredom, my pretty. At least, for a little while.

There was warmth in his voice. Aire vaguely thought he should feel worried, but there was something about the way that Sidian's tentacles held him, as if he were a precious object. Aire felt safe, protected. More than that; desired. A shiver of anticipation whipped through him as he looked into Sidian's eyes. There was only one thought in his mind.

Yes.

The tentacles swiftly slipped around his body and under his tunic as they pushed the fabric away. They caressed the sensitive skin of his thighs, urging his trembling legs to part. Aire lay back on his bed of coils as the tentacles touched him all over, like the kiss of a thousand lovers on his skin. The thinner, spindly tentacles wrapped around his hard length, enveloping him in delicious pressure. Aire moaned behind clenched teeth, the sound vibrating through the water. The tentacles clamped onto his length, sucking down tightly, then slowly peeling away, one sucker at a time. He whimpered at each sucker's release, then felt more tentacles curl round his legs, holding him steady. The tentacle's ends slid around his hips, parted his cheeks like nimble fingers, and probed within him, gentle and teasing.

Aire writhed in pleasure, but it wasn't enough. He ground himself against the tentacles, needing more. Sidian's arms circled his waist, pulling Aire against him. A shorter, but no less thick, length of tentacle jutted out from Sidian's body, brushing between Aire's legs. Aire whimpered in longing as he recognised what it was, and hooked his legs around Sidian's waist. He let the hands on his lower back slowly guide him into place, and the length pushed inside. Bubbles streamed from Aire's nose as he grunted. His insides burned, but he wanted more. He tilted his hips to slide further down the thick, slippery shaft. The tentacles around him shuddered, holding Aire in a firm, rippling embrace as Sidian began to thrust into him.

You feel divine, my pretty. So tight.

Aire pressed his lips together, and the noises in his throat echoed through the water. He reached forward, careful not to crush the lily flowers as he held onto Sidian's shoulders, and sank down to meet each powerful thrust. His eyes fluttered closed as pleasure overtook him. His cock bobbed between them in the water, hard and leaking. The tension in his muscles cried out for release. Impaled on Sidian's wonderfully thick cock, he shifted his hips and sought that perfect alignment. Pure molten pleasure burned through his body, and he threw his head back in the water, groaning his release. His body tensed, muscles clenching as his cock pulsed, shooting out streams of pearly white seed, dispersing through the water.

The gorgeous creature rammed into him one last time, arching his back as pleasure contorted his face. Aire felt Sidian's cock pulse inside him and, with it, he felt the most remarkable sensations; his limbs tingled, his eyesight sharpened, and he could hear a low, fluting noise coming from Sidian.

Aire moved his hands over the creature's chest, feeling the vibrations inside. Was it a song? It was beautiful. Aire stroked his hands all over that satiny smooth skin, mapping each muscle and curve. Sidian raised his eyes. The black slits had grown larger with desire, almost oval in their intensity. Aire gazed into them, utterly lost.

A smile curved the creature's lips. He pulled back, carefully so, removing himself from Aire's body. Aire was about to protest and opened his mouth, when hands cupped his face, pulling him down for a fierce kiss. Aire thought he could kiss Sidian forever, but then those soft lips left his own, gently pushing him away. You can visit my pool whenever you wish, my pretty.

Aire blinked in surprise, then Sidian let him go; his arms opened out as the tentacles surrounded Aire, and carried him through the water. Aire reached for Sidian, but all he saw was that perfect face smiling up at him, black hair and tentacles floating outwards.

“Wait!” Aire tried to speak through the water but it was garbled, choking him. He coughed as he broke the surface, propelled upward by the tentacles. He flipped his hair back and breathed in sweet air as the tentacles deposited him upon the bank. Aire tried to grasp onto their lengths, but they were too silky, too smooth. A shiver of desire ran over him as the tentacles slipped through his fingers, retreating into the water.

Aire breathed heavily, dazed, and stared at the now silent pool. The lily pads had gone, the surface was clear and still. Only one small ripple betrayed any tale of movement below. Aire stayed by the bank for long moments, almost wishing that Sidian and his wicked tentacles would come back. Aire had never had such an...intense experience in his life.

He adjusted his tunic, pulling it back into place over still trembling legs. His sandals squelched, thoroughly soaked, but he didn't mind. A slow smile spread over his lips. Dmitri would never believe this.

Aire gathered himself up, standing somewhat shakily. His behind burned, but pleasantly so. Walking carefully, he stumbled back through the forest, intent on returning to the beach. Perhaps voyaging wasn't so bad after all, he mused.

The smell of smoke and roasted meat greeted his nose as he neared the shore. Aire broke through the line of trees onto sand, stumbling across the beach to where the others had made a campfire. They were cooking what looked like a wild pig, turning it over the flames.

Dmitri looked up as Aire approached them. “You took your time,” he snapped. “Did you find water?”

Aire nodded dreamily. “Yes, I did.”

Dmitri looked him up and down. “Well, where are the water-skins?”

“Uh, um....” Aire looked around him, belatedly realising he had left the skins, unfilled, by the water's edge. Eli and the others chuckled.

Dmitri said, “You fool. Now you'll have to return to wherever you left them, and fetch our water.”

Aire opened his mouth to retort, then paused. He felt his lips twitch, and his eyes must have been twinkling. “Yes,” he agreed. “I will go right away.”

Dmitri raised an eyebrow in question.

Aire turned away, before the smile engulfed his face. He called over his shoulder, “I may be a while!”

Fin

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