October 30, 2208

I have a title for Noah and Charlie's story, Pulling Away. I'm having a great time writing their story although it is not without its angst. Anyway, if all goes well I should be able to send it to AQ next week and then hopefully I will have an idea of a release date for it.

Received my edits for At Long Last and they were extremely minor. Got a very nice compliment from my editor regarding the story. I really think At Long Last is some of my best work to date and I am excited to see what Trace comes up with for the cover.

Still no release date for The Prisoner. Turns out the email from my WRP editor was final line edits. They should be taken care of now so hopefully within the next month I'll have the date for release.

October 29, 2008

So the release date for At Long Last has been bumped up. The new release date is January 11, 2009. I'm pretty happy about that because I like my stuff being released earlier in the month.

I think I may also have a release date for The Prisoner. I had an email from my WRP editor but AOL was giving me fits this morning and the email wouldn't open. Since that is what I am waiting for from Pam I am guessing that was what the email was about. I'll update this evening on that.

And finally, I am toying with squeezing in a short story in the next week or so. I've written a story in three days and one in about a week. I even finished a novel in a week once. I don't recommend it but it can be done. I've got the premise and even the names Noah Riggin and Charlie Banks. Stay tuned.

October 28, 2008

So I got another really great review for a Shawn Lane book, so that was really cool to see. Reviews are funny things, I have discovered. While I have been mostly lucky with them so far, I have seen one on a blog that simply skewered one of my books. A book other reviewers liked. Oh, well, it really is true that not everyone is going to like your books. Something every writer must learn.

Speaking of, though, I've come to the sad conclusion that no one really cares whether I change my Regency Ghost story into a m/m erotic or not. Other than my friend, Ava March, no one has bothered to voice an opinion. I even asked on my website. Now, because I have a traffic tracker I know I have had visitors on the site, but still no opinions. Alas, I am left to make up my own mind on Michael's lover. I guess readers will find out in 2009 when the story, hopefully, comes to a publisher near you.

The blog is almost a year old. I believe my first entry was October 30, 2007

October 27, 2008

So I got my laptop finally and on Saturday even managed to get it up and running with the internet and all that. I love the laptop. Very cool.

What I am not so sure I love is Word 2007 for Vista. The laptop comes with Vista and the latest version of Home Office and Student which has Word, Excel, etc. Cool.

Unfortunately I'm not used to Word 2007 and am already not sure how to use it. I'll figure it out, I know. But in the meantime I'm left going, um, how the hell do I do this?

Consequently I got zilch done in the writing department over the weekend.

It's Only Make-Believe is released

It's Only Make-Believe has been released from Amber Quill Press!

October 23, 2008

I actually worked on Beyond the Norm today. It was good to get back to Kyle and Dave. I'm working toward the 7,000 word mark on that story right now, but it's not close to finish. I suspect this will end up as a novella length rather than a quickie or kiss length.

Tomorrow I will be blogging at Amber Quill's blog for this weekend's release of It's Only Make-Believe.

October 22, 2008

I decided to start and complete Sorcerer’s Lover 2 because I don’t want to wait too long and leave the series dangling. I know that I have lots of releases coming and I didn’t want the second part of Warin and Benedict’s story to have to wait for months on end. I am anticipating there will be a Sorcerer’s Lover 3, though, so that will probably be in the later part of 2009.

Ray and Nick from The Other Side are also begging to be completed. Poor guys haven’t even had sex yet. I was going to have them go at it during their first date, but lately Nick has pushed back about that, so I think I will delay it perhaps a little for them. Not for too long, though. I think the conflict for these two is really going to work well. They are on such opposite sides of thinking about a particular issue that it’s really going to play havoc with them.

Then, I need to get to Jake and Damian for Jake’s Regret. I really have only a couple of pages written and it needs to be completed by the end of the year. I work well under pressures and deadlines, though, so I am honestly not too worried I won’t finish them in time.

I am hoping to get really far in Beyond the Norm as well by the end of the year. It doesn’t have to be completed by then, but I’d like to see it well on its way so that when I choose the publisher I’d like to send it to, it will be ready. Right now, I haven’t seriously made up my mind.

I hope to begin serious work on Undeniable right after the start of the New Year. All of my contracted work should be completed by then.

I also need to devote some time to a couple of projects under my other writing name.

I’m getting a few whisperings from Preston and Scott from my as yet unreleased story, At Long Last, that they might like a sequel. Stay tuned.

And finally there is my plan to turn my Regency ghost story into an erotic romance. The only question being do I want to keep it as a heterosexual erotic with Michael and Haley or do I want to turn Haley into Harry and make it a paranormal gay erotic romance? If any readers have opinions on that they’d like to share, do let me know.

October 21, 2008

I'm working on the second chapter of Sorcerer's Lover 2. I think I should have SL2 finished by mid-November and then I will submit it to AQ and hopefully get a release date for it.

Likewise, the other story I simply must get finished in November is The Other Side. Anything else is just gravy.

I need to work on Beyond the Norm again, I think. I had considered starting Undeniable this year, but now I am thinking I should push that to 2009 and finish the books I have already begun.

ETA: Well, the wait is over for Trust from one publisher. Though they felt it had potential they thought I rushed the ending and decided to pass on it. This is a good publisher so I will probably try them again. In the meantime, I have already sent Trust on to another publisher for consideration. And so the wait begins again!

I'm okay with the rejection. It was a long shot in the first place and I think I was fairly close. Ah, well, next time!

October 20,2008

I broke down and contacted the publisher reviewing the full of Trust. The editor confirmed she had it, so I am guessing that means it is still under consideration. At least I know it isn't a definite "no".

Over the last few days I've found some bad reviews of some of my works. I also found a good review of one. What does that say? You really, really need to take reviews with a grain of salt and not let them get to you too much. Whether they are good or bad. And believe me, you will get both. No one satisfies everyone.

I expected to get my laptop today, but it didn't come.

October 17, 2008

Got my final line edits for Stone of Wrath, my next release from Ellora's Cave. This one comes out November 14, 2008.

Here is the new and improved blurb:

After Jedidiah Mason finds a dirty, battered stone in the rubble of a burned building, he takes it home and is surprised when it becomes a gorgeous naked man. Topaz, turned to stone by the wrath of the gods, knows he and Jed were lovers in the long ago past and hopes Jed’s love can break the curse before the end of November. If only Jed would remember in time.
Jed is immediately drawn to Topaz and though sex with someone who just appeared out of thin air is probably not wise, he cannot seem to resist the intense attraction. Before he knows it he’s having great sex with the all too alluring Topaz. Will he remember their love in time to save it?

October 16, 2008

So I'm getting a bit depressed on my submission of Trust. It's now been six weeks since I initially submitted the partial. I thought I was going to get a quick response when after only a week and a half I got a request for the full. Now nothing. This coming weekend they will have had the full for four weeks. The story isn't that long, especially if you have already read the first three chapters.

I feel, too, that it will all be for naught. I have this nagging thought at the back of my head that it will be rejected and I will have wasted all these weeks. Then, I will have to wait more time for another publisher to get back to me.

I haven't heard back from Resplendence either but I have pretty much written that off as a no. It's already been eight weeks and I know they say it can take twelve, but really the partial isn't that long and if they haven't gotten to it yet than they are pretty slow there. I know a lot of slush pile authors complain about how slow Ellora's Cave is. I know they are even slower than when I first submitted to them and I had to wait like three-four months from my initial submission. I am no longer part of the slush and don't have to wait so long for them. Anyway, I suppose it is still better than the slush piles of the print NY publishers.

But the point is I am discouraged at the moment. Probably a little neurotic.

October 15, 2008

So I reviewed my galleys for The Prisoner, my medieval story about Brian Fitzroy. Everything looked fine so I okayed them with my editor at The Wild Rose Press. Hopefully I will know a release date in the next few weeks.I know I've said it before, but I really love Brian. Sure he starts out as a somewhat depressing, tortured character, but I think he makes great strides by the end of the book. I am also proud of my villain, Loutrant. I had a friend comment that he was simply too evil, but I disagree. I think I made him very human with his own tortured past.

Anyway, readers can judge for themselves.I know I vowed or at least stated that I wasn't sure I would have another Fitzroy story for The Wild Rose Press, but lately I have thought of doing a short story for them related to Stephen Fitzroy. I wouldn't do a full novel, I think, but they do have short stories there and I think I could work one for Stephen into my 2009 schedule. My biggest problem is that my editor, Pam, no longer works for the English Tearose line. She was promoted to senior editor of the American Rose line. I don't think I want to work with anyone other than Pam. So I would have to ask her if she would still work with me on any Fitzroy stories in the future to give it serious consideration.

I sent At Long Last and all its forms to Amber Quill yesterday. I'm really happy with Scott and Preston's story.

I got my cover for A Knight For All which can be viewed at either Amber Quill's coming soon pages or my website, www.authorshawnlane.com.

I don't have anything else due to them until December 01, so I can breathe quite easy now. I did start Sorcerer's Lover 2. I only have about 500 words so far and I'm plotting a lot of it as I go. That's what keeps me on my toes!

October 14, 2008

Later this month my newest release comes out from Amber Heat. It is an interracial contemporary romance. The release date is October 25/26.

October 13, 2008

At Long Last is at long last finished. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Anyway, it's done and I couldn't be more pleased with it. It made it to about 21,500 words. I'm going to give it a read from start to finish before I send it to my publisher, but since it's not due until the end of the month there is plenty of time.

Next up, I am going to start Sorcerer's Lover 2.

October 11, 2008

Edits are done on A Knight For All so now it is off to the managing editor for final approval.

Got the galley for The Prisoner and need to review that and return within ten days.

On last chapter of At Long Last.

That's it. That's all I have for news. Not much, is it?

October 08, 2008

With the real job having a major system break-down today I was able to finish another chapter of At Long Last. I have one to go.

I really feel this is some of my best work yet. While writing a scene today I actually felt the emotion in myself of the scene.

Anyway, as I may or may not have mentioned, this is a themed book from Amber Allure where the theme is supposed to be the first gay experience or realization of being gay for at least one of the characters. I wanted it to be filled with angst for bother men and I hope I have accomplished that. I want them to really earn their happily ever after.

So it should be completed within a few days, I think. It isn't due until the end of the month, but I love being ahead of schedule when I can be. This should release the end of January 2009 barring any serious issues.

Once At Long Last is finished then I have to make a tough decision. Do I turn to something new (Undeniable) or do I take up the task of my next themed story for Amber Allure, The Other Side. I already have just over 5,000 words done on that one. Then there is still Beyond the Norm, Kyle's story which is unfinished and uncontracted. Then, too, I wonder if I shouldn't begin Sorcerer's Lover 2.

October 07, 2008

So, I write romances. That doesn’t have the greatest reputation even among fellow writers. Funny because most of us have romance in our every day lives. We married or live with someone because we wanted to be with that person but some people shudder at the idea of reading a romance or even mock and scorn them. Nothing new as this has been going on for years.

I write would I like to read myself. I write interracial erotic romances because I love to read them. I write male/male erotic romances because I love to read them. I write historical romances because I love to read them.

I try to put a little bit of myself and those around me even in my male/male romances. For instance in my latest work, At Long Last, my character, Scotty, loves Morro Bay and hopes to live there some day. Just like me. In Wanting Sam, Sam dislikes French Toast, just like me. It’s no accident that most of my contemporaries happen in Southern Californian either. I guess it’s my version of “write what you know”.

I don’t write everything I love to read. I love a great horror novel written by King or Koontz. I’ve widely read both. I don’t feel even remotely qualified to scare someone. I would love to be able to with my writing, I just don’t have that kind of ability. Incidentally both King and Koontz have romances in their writing. It may not be the focus of the story, but there is often a romance connection in the stories.

Before Ed McBain’s death, I used to read every single 87th Precinct Book. Loved them. I couldn’t write a police procedural either.

Same with True Crime books. I read them voraciously. Couldn’t write non-fiction.

I turn to what I think I can write, at least with some success. I’ve had enough readers enjoy my works to believe I am not a complete talentless hack.

I know I have said this before but I think it bears repeating. I believe in order to be a successful writer of any fiction one needs to read widely not only in their genre of choice, but in other genres and also in non-fiction. It never ceases to astonish me when a writer proclaims with such staggering arrogance that they don’t read books in the genre they write. Is this something to be proud of? To aspire to? I don’t think so. If not to learn something, yes even established writers can learn from others, or to escape into someone else’s world for a time, then to support the endeavors of your fellow writers.

October 06, 2008

I admit I did not one bit of writing over this just passed weekend. Not one word. I probably should have. Didn't feel like it.

I have nothing new to report. Still waiting.

So, yeah, boring, boring, boring.

I feel a little better about my writing progress as I wrote about 685 words at lunch. Not shabby for half an hour.

October 05, 2008

So I am getting a laptop. A shiny new blue Dell Notebook. Should have it at the end of the month. I've been looking to get one and had been pricing them. Finally PD talked into getting this one. It doesn't ship until later in the month but that is why I should have it at the end of the month. So I hope it is as cool as it looks.

Sad today because my San Diego Chargers lost. Total bummer. Let me say though I have the big time hots for the quarterback and he is quite the inspiration for me, LOL. I also have received my contract for A Knight For All.

October 03, 2008

Okay, so At Long Last, my latest m/m romance, is three-quarters of the way finished. I expect I will have it completed easily by the middle of October. This is great news because it isn’t even due to my publisher, Amber Quill, until the first of November. This is a longer length for me, my first novella for AQ.

Once I have completed At Long Last, I have a few options as far as what to work on next. I still have Kyle, my Goth on the run’s story, but since that one isn’t contracted yet nor do I know for sure which publisher I am targeting with it, I am thinking I am going to put off taking up Beyond the Norm until November.

Of course there is also The Other Side which needs to be completed by December. Now, I do have about one-quarter of that story finished and feel I could even delay working on it until the very beginning of November. I don’t want to put it off too long though because I like being ahead of deadlines. Lunacy, I know.

And I haven’t done anything really on Jake’s Regret which is due by January. I’ve written maybe three pages. But I have time.

I could start work on Sorcerer’s Lover 2. I even have vague notions where I want that story to go

I could start on my idea to turn my ghost story, Restless (which I would have to re-name), into a m/f erotic romance. I have plans to do that in 2009 anyway. Or I hope to.

But what I really want to work on is my next Regency-themed m/m romance, Undeniable. I’m really itching to work on that. So likely, when At Long Last is finished, I will be turning my brain to Undeniable.

October 01, 2008

It's October 01 today but you would think it was August here in Southern California. 100 degrees. Speaking of October, that means September is over and I didn't make the best-selling list for September for Amber Allure. My book didn't come out until very late Saturday night, September 27th when most people were probably asleep. Anyway, I hope the sales do well. I want people to want to read the sequel to Sorcerer's Lover when it comes out next year.

At Long Last is coming along very well. I'm really liking this book. I am planning on it being my first novella length work for Amber Allure. Not that happy it comes out at the end of the month when it is released for the reasons stated above, but hopefully it will do very well in spite of its release placement. It will be my next m/m release for Amber Allure and since it doesn't come out until January hopefully readers will be eager to read it.