S. L. Danielson and Nephylim's Steamy Young Adult Romantic Novel-- Upstaged: Opening Act

S. L. (Stephanie) Danielson is an author of m/m romantic fiction. Her newest work is Upstaged: Opening Act which will be coming November 16th. My co-author is Nephylim, a splendid storyteller in how own right.

What is the name of your latest book? 

Upstaged: Opening Act.  

And how did you come up with the title? 

I thought of it. It is about a band, and the main couple is always fighting and trying to outdo the other; it fit perfectly.

What is this book about? 

Generally about a group of friends in a band together, and also about a couple of couples (two main ones). Mostly is it about Erik and Asher, who are world apart, but find a way to make beautiful music together.

And what genre is this book in? 

It is young adult gay romantic fiction. Any erotic scenes fade when it gets too hot.

Who is/are the main characters? 

The main people are Erik Von Nordgren and Asher Berkley. 

And why did you choose them? 

I chose Erik because he’s like a lot of the bad boys I write; but wanted to do a musical guy. Asher Nephy chose because he is gothic and an emo, very much her style.

What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc…)

I’d say the best part about this book is the buildup of this relationship. It’s on and off a lot, and we also see a lot of interaction with their friends too (Billy and Vince notably).

Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why? 

Beyond my Erik, I’d say it’s a tie between Billy and Vince… but Billy will capture my heart, always. He’s wise, funny, cute, and the best friend anyone could ask for. He’s been through a lot, but would give you the shirt off his back. So would Vince, for that matter. I love them both.

Is this book part of a series? If so, what can we expect in future books? 

Yes, it is part of a series, and you can expect loads and loads of both drama and new characters introduced in each book (at least one each). We are on book #9 right now and we look back to see how far they’ve grown and changed and are amazed!

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

Not a thing. We love it.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

I learned that Nephy and I write incredibly fast for one, and that we have a wonderful rapport with each other. We rarely argued about anything, except time or we were too tired to continue that night (lol)! But the best thing is that we had no holds barred. If we had an idea, we just did it, and even traded characters at times just to fill in what we felt they should say or do. It was truly glorious! We’d go off on tangents and whims and just did as our hearts desired.

Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?  

No, we are doing this independently by choice.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor? 

William Maltese.

What books are you reading now? 

None at the moment, as my pleasure reading has ground to a temporary halt.

What are the current writing projects that you are working on? 

Beyond Upstaged, we are (Nephy and I) are working on another book about the dark fae, and plan to make that a series as well. We are also independently entered in the November Novel in a month contest. She has hers outlined, I have an idea, but have yet to start.

Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day? 

No, though on the weekends is it over 8 hours/day.  I would love to, but have many hobbies I wish to pursue as well, so maybe not full time just yet.

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

As soon as I could write I was writing stories and drawing as young as 5. I’ve always been writing.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Sometimes the title eludes me or how to end it.

Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time?

First, make sure your story follows a decent outline, and that you have ways to fill in the gaps or cut back if too wordy…but never give up on your story. I’ve had to rewrite books multiple times to get them how I want them.

Thanks Steph for Dropping By!

You can find out more about her work at: 

http://ladyauthorsld.blogspot.com/?zx=bc370098161c1fc

Romance Author Julie Lynn Hayes discusses her new Male/Male book 'Sweet Dreams, My Love'

Scribal Love Welcomes Julie Lynn Hayes!


Julie Lynn Hayes is an author of romance, among other genres.  Her newest work 'Sweet Dreams, My Love' is available from Dreamspinner Press available  now!
 
What is the name of your latest book?  And how did you come up with the title?


My latest book is Sweet Dreams, My Love.  It is one of the Fairy Tale titles at Dreamspinner, and it's my take on Sleeping Beauty.  The m/m slant, if you will. 


What is this book about?  And what genre is this book in? 


Sweet Dreams is about finding one's love and believing in Fate and what is meant to be, and not being afraid of what - or who - you might find in your dreams.  It's a m/m fantasy/paranormal romance, set in Paris, France - past and present.
 
Who is/are the main characters?  And why did you choose them?


The main characters are Damien, who is the adopted son/protégé of a group of twelve French artists who call themselves the Dreammongers, habitués of the infamous Moulin Rouge, in turn-of-the-century Paris.  Jakob Kohl is a young German, studying music in Karlsruhe, whom Fate decrees that he become a paid companion for a distant cousin, and interrupt his studies to do so.  I don't think I chose them, rather they chose me.
 
What is the coolest or best part about your book?  (Any Favorite scenes, the world-building etc..) 


I think I'm partial to the setting, the Moulin Rouge, being an aficionado of the film.  It's such an exciting place, and so full of history, and fun, and was once frequented by some very famous people - it is simply full of life! I love the interactions between the people there, and the scene that is the climax of the first part of the book. 


Do you have a favorite character in the book?  If so, why?  


I love both my boys, but perhaps I identify with Jakob just a little more.  He's a bit more tightly wound, more literal in how he sees things, and how he reacts to them - very Germanic.  It's not that he doesn't dream, but he is a practical dreamer.  Yet he yearns for the same thing we all do - a perfect love of his own. 


Is this book part of a series?  If so? What can we expect in future books? 


No, this is a one-time story.  It's part of Dreamspinner's Fairy Tales series, but is not connected to any of the rest. 


If not?  Are you considering expanding it?


I think it's complete as it is, to be honest.  I'm not sure where I would go from there. 


If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?


Not a thing. 


Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?


I think that you should always be learning as you write. I think that from Sweet Dreams I learned more about plotting, and from my betas I learned how to tighten my writing, cut out the fat. 


Do you have a publisher?  And if so, why did you choose them?   


It's being released through Dreamspinner.  It wasn't a choice I made, so much as they chose me - the Fairy Tale covers are shown to the DSP authors, and the author makes a claim for one they would like to write.  One writer is given that cover, and the chance to write that story, although there is no guarantee of acceptance or publication.
 
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?


By mentor, do you mean influences?  If so, then I think two of my greatest mentors are William Faulkner and P.G. Wodehouse.  From Faulkner, I think I get my long windedness, and my desire to write about people that are perhaps overlooked by others.  From Wodehouse, I like to think comes my quirky sense of humor.  He never fails to make me laugh. 


What books are you reading now? 


Right now I am reading Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard, Abigail's Cottage by Margaret West and Black Butler 3 by Yana Toboso. 


What are the current writing projects that you are working on?


I have an ongoing series at Wicked Nights, called Captivations, that I am working on, as well as a prequel to the series.  I am also writing a YA series, and co-authoring a book set during the St. Louis World's Fair with a fellow St. Louisan. And I have sequels to work on for two series - To The Max and Dark Love. 


Do you write full time?  If not, do you hope to do so one day?


Not in the sense that it supports me, no, but in the sense that I'm unemployed and I'm home all day.  That is indeed my dream, to support myself with my writing some day.
 
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?


When I was a child, back when teachers read stories aloud to you in school, I remember hearing a story that fired my imagination - about children, danger, dinosaurs, and an island.  I think that is when I saw down and started to write one of my own, about the age of 9. 


Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


The challenge is to find time for all the ideas that live in my brain, especially when my plotbunnies are breeding like bunnies - and I never know when something will inspire me.  For right now, I write the ideas in a file and promise them to deal with them later.  My challenge is to get as much done in my lifetime as possible. 


Do you have any advice for other writers seeking to get published for the first time? 


Write and rewrite.  Find a critique group to have your work beta'd.  Study the markets, study the publishers. Before you sign anything, google the publisher, and talk to people, and check out Preditors and Editors. Never be afraid to ask questions. Most of all, keep writing and never give up on your dreams.