bookmark design

Are you an author in need of top notch promotional items like bookmarks (see the design sample to your left), pens, postcards and more?

Do you know of an author who does?

Or are you a reader who likes to collect them?

If so, then you’ll enjoy my interview with Su Kopil the founder of Earthly Charms, a company that specializes in graphic designs for authors. From bookmarks to eBook covers they can help your vision become a reality!

Comment on her interview and you’re eligible to win a free design of your choice.

SMOOTH PLAY

A passion for the game is what it takes to win. But off the court, it takes a different kind of savvy to heat things up. . .

He’s part problem-solver and dream-maker. There’s not a crisis he can’t avert. And handling the NBA’s most explosive team has put PR ace Troy Marshall at the top of his game. It also gives him a chance to give back to the community. But one determined reporter is messing with his flow. And he’ll need way more than skill and charm to win this tempting one-on-one. . .

Andrea Benson’s instincts tell her that something major is going on behind-the-scenes with this franchise. And a headline story is the only way she can regain the career and good name she let slip away. But Troy’s sincerity is throwing her for an unexpected–and very seductive–loop. Can they trust each other enough to uncover the truth. . .or will too many secrets be their breaking point?

The Questions

1. What inspired you to create the Brooklyn Monarchs series?

Dara, thank you very much for asking this question. I love basketball – college and pros. I love the athleticism, the grace, the power, the strategy – the mental and physical sides of the game. It’s like watching poetry. I also love the behind-the-scenes stuff, getting into the mind of a champion. Reading or listening to player interviews to learn how they mentally and physically prepare not just for a game but for the season. I set the team in Brooklyn because I’m from Brooklyn. I may live in Ohio, but my heart’s in the BK. (Brooklyn’s in the house!!! – Love doing that. LOL!)

2. What do you enjoy most about your new series?

Oooh! Tough one. There are so many things I enjoy about my Brooklyn Monarchs series. I always enjoy giving characters inner demons to conquer. In FAST BREAK, DeMarcus and Jaclyn feel the weight of protecting their legacy. In SMOOTH PLAY, Troy and Andrea have to find the strength to forgive themselves and others. In KEEPING SCORE, Warrick and Marilyn question whether their love is enough to keep them together under the stress, strain and media spotlight of the NBA playoffs.

I also enjoy addressing myths and stereotypes. The media loves to discuss ad nauseum negatives stories about athletes – their vices, “greed,” petty squabbles. They rarely report on athletes’ positive contributions – their charitable donations, the time they spend with community organizations, the voices they lend to those in need. I’m glad I have a platform on which I can do that. And of course I love writing the game scenes. Fun!

3. What’s your alter ego, Patricia Sargeant, doing?

Dara, thank you for asking about Patricia. Patricia’s writing proposals for romantic suspense projects. I enjoy writing the Regina Hart contemporaries. I define those as stories in which people are forced to confront their inner demons. However, I also want to write romantic suspense. I really enjoy the element of danger in romantic suspense that heightens the stakes. I love putting ordinary people in extraordinary situations and giving them the character arc that gives them the power to face their fears. And I enjoy the added puzzle. In contemporary romance, the question is how will the hero and heroine resolve their differences. In romantic suspense, readers ask that question as well as who’s killing people and why? So many questions. LOL!

Bonus -

4. Do you have any writing rituals you’d like to share?

You know, Dara, with each new project, I’m amazed again at how obsessive compulsive I am with my plotting. I’ve decided plotting is my crutch. I do quite a bit of preparation before I start each story. I’m anxious to just write the story. But I’ve learned the hard way that, if I don’t do my prep work, I’ll end up with a big mess. Before each story, I have to identify the story’s theme and logline.

These two things keep me focused on where the story is and where it’s going. I’m a character-driven writer so I need to “interview” my hero, heroine and villain to help detail my plot and understand what’s driving my characters. These are some of the writing rituals that work for me, although I know they don’t work for everyone. Everyone’s writing style is different. However, I’m looking forward to presenting a plotting workshop during the 2012 Romance Slam Jam where I get to talk about my obsessive compulsive eccentricities.

Find out more about Regina and her work on her website.

Please note that this series is written in fun. If you don’t like hints of sarcasm and hyperbole don’t read this series. If you find the title offensive, don’t read this series. However, if you understand that this is a great time to be a writer of fiction and feel like a lone happy person in a tsunami of fear, read on.

Two words I despise, especially in publishing, are ‘Everybody’ and ‘Nobody’.

Everybody is on Facebook.

Everybody has an iPhone (ipod, iPad etc…)

Everybody drives a car.

Nobody knows about eating a banana wrapped in rice.

Nobody knows what a dumpling is.

Nobody listens to (watches, reads, enjoys) that anymore.

Crazy Lesson #6

Artists believe in breaking rules, Writers believe in keeping rules.

Most artists don’t paint by numbers or worry about staying in the lines. They don’t mind focusing on a niche audience, if a larger group doesn’t understand what they’re doing that’s not their problem. They don’t explain themselves; they create to their own standards. Writers on the other hand are constantly looking for validation from the largest audience possible and they will twist their creative muse into a pretzel (kill it if necessary) to get to that supposed elevated place. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that authors who reach a large audience have ‘sold out’ far from it. There are master storytellers who can enchant millions. Good for them. Just like there are artists who do the same. That’s great. However, I think of the quote by Henry Van Dyke:

“Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

As a writer you may not reach millions, or hundreds of thousands, but that doesn’t mean your art has no value. And who knows, as your craft grows, your productivity grows your audience may grow too. But even if it doesn’t, the joy you bring to the few is just as important as to the many. Artists understand this. Many writers don’t.

Personally, I really hate writing for Everybody—this bastard always gets in the way of telling a good story. I decided to indie publish before the present boom because I wanted to write for Somebody. Somebody may not be as well known as Everybody, but she’s always been interesting to me.

Sometimes she shops at a discount or thrift store. Sometimes she speaks a different language or dialect. I certainly prefer her to Nobody. To me, Nobody is boring, stupid and fearful.

It’s not all the writer’s fault that they believe in catering to Everybody and try to avoid Nobody. We’ve been brainwashed into believing that creating blockbusters is all that matters and serving the masses is paramount. We have been told that the masses (i.e. Everybody) like things simple, watered down and easily digestible. Because publishing is an industry about the bottom line all that matters is creating products (not art) that reaches as many people as fast as possible.

Which is fine if you’re a factory worker, not an artist. Especially, not if you’re a content creator. It’s dangerous for a writer to sweep a group of individuals  with one brush and put them into stereotypical cages. It kills their individuality. Not all gays are liberals. Not everyone in the South is one step away from being a redneck or likes country music. Not all Asians are brilliant mathematicians (a friend of mine failed trigonometry with spectacular results). Not every Black person has great rhythm (trust me!).

While growing up, I didn’t realize how useful it was going to be to be an ‘outsider’ (i.e. the child of immigrants: In school instead of “The Star Spangled Banner” I knew the lyrics to “God Save the Queen.”) until I stepped out as a storyteller. New York and Los Angeles kept telling me that my stories weren’t real. Nobody talks like that. Nobody acts like that. Everybody does this (fill in the blank). But I knew they were wrong because Nobody and Everybody kept ignoring Somebody—me!

How to Regain Your Sanity

“Listen carefully to first criticisms of your work. Note just what it is about your work that critics don’t like—then cultivate it. That’s the part of your work that’s individual and worth keeping.” Jean Cocteau

Protect your stories. Forget about trying to reach Everybody and avoiding Nobody. Unless you’re a teenager (Everybody’s going to be at the dance! Nobody would wear something like that!) that kind of thinking is nonsense and juvenile. As humans we’re a varied and unique group. Remember that lousy clothing label ‘one size fits all’? Thankfully most manufactures got a clue and replaced it with ‘one size fits most’.

Get your freak on. Your audience is waiting for your stories. They can’t find you until you reveal yourself. It doesn’t help them if you sound like Everybody else.

Beware ‘good intentions’. Someone (who thinks they’re doing you a favor) is going to suggest you try to follow the latest trend. They will suggest you dummy down a plot line so you don’t alienate readers or they will suggest you rewrite yourself until your voice is ‘more marketable’ (i.e. an easy sell). Unless you adamantly agree (and I mean you don’t have an ounce of hesitation) then fine. But if you want your character to have a wife, a mistress and a girlfriend then go for it.  If your main character likes to shave her head and secretly loves a monk who owns a pet lizard, go for it.  Everybody is not going to like it, but your audience will. Remember, you’re not writing for Everybody. Author Kristine Kathryn Rusch addresses the audience issue in her post  The Business Rusch: Audience

Understand why. Why do you want to tell stories? Why do you want to write? Only you know the answer. If it’s just for fame and fortune, then what I’m saying won’t mean anything to you. But if you want to add your unique voice to a fascinating conversation, or start one of your own then do so.

Why do I write? Aside from the fact that I can’t help myself I want Somebody to know that they’re not alone. I want my stories to show that we’re all connected even if we live different lives. Sometimes vastly different lives and I’m here to say that’s okay. Unique is beautiful. I know that Everybody doesn’t agree, but I’m not writing for him.

In a wonderful post Writer vs. The World author Tracy Hickman states “It’s a big world out there–but you don’t need the whole world to succeed as a writer.”

Remember your job as a writer isn’t to write about or for Everybody or worry about Nobody. You’re to write about Somebody. Because Somebody matters. Everybody may not like what you’ve written, but Somebody will.

Just to give you a real life example I recently published a book some people told me Nobody would read. Well Somebody is buying the book and paying me quite well…

© 2012 Dara Girard

The Book

IF I HAD YOU

Harlequin Kimani
ISBN: 0373862512
ISBN/13: 9780373862511

There’s nothing like mixing business with pleasure…

Entertainment mogul Brent Thatcher is a star-maker who knows talent when he sees it. And one thing he knows is that dedicated PR agent Charisse Sanford is the real thing. The workaholic millionaire wants the sultry beauty sharing his glamorous life… even if an intimate relationship is strictly taboo.

Charisse is stunned when her start-up publicity firm wins the coveted bid for one of Brent’s overnight music sensations. She knows that Brent is the best in the business, and she’s not about to jeopardize her rising star. Until she gives in to her desire for the charismatic entrepreneur…. Will their forbidden passion launch their love to the top of the charts?

The Questions

1. What’s your favorite scene in “If I Had You”?

I always like the first meeting between the hero and heroine. It’s the match that ignites the story and sends the reader on the journey to their self-discovery and mutual love. Charisse Sanford is a hardworking publicist who needs work to keep a float. Brent Thatcher is an entertainment lawyer who has his own talent agency ready to manage the next upcoming artists. The perfect client, the perfect business partnership, the perfect chemistry are important for both. That initial meeting at a restaurant in New York City will set the expectations.

2. You’re the creator of the “Ladies of Distinction” series and are now
part of the “Kimani Hotties” series. What do you enjoy about writing
series?

Series isn’t as easy as it looks.  For authors who have wonderful series like Brenda Jackson, Celeste O. Norfleet, Maureen Smith, and many more, they make it seem effortless. I’m still a rookie at it. I do like thinking about my characters long after they have had their center stage. The key is to remember all those finer details about their lives. Under the Kimani imprint, I wrote the Masterson family series and the Ladies of Distinction sorority series. The Millionaire Men — two of which have been part of the Kimani Hotties — are my current favorite because they are individual stories with brief cameos of the next hero or heroine.

3. Are there any characters you want to revisit?

There are two series that I never finished under the BET Books imprint: Pemberton Brothers (Making Promises was the first book) and the Glenn Knolls series (Finders Keepers, Island Rendezvous). I do plan to finish those up as e-books.  There may be other wrap up of series, but those two are the ones that I particularly am obsessed with finishing up.

Bonus Questions

4. You started out writing contemporary single title romances. Do you have
any plans of returning to that in the future?

I definitely want to continue writing single titles.  Back in the day, most writers started through the category (shorter romance) style of romance fiction. The African American authors, for the most part, started as single title authors. I loved the full bodied stories with a full cast of primary and secondary characters, along with several plots interwoven for a richer book. The shorter romance took some discipline to bring the lens to focus just on those two characters and to cut the extraneous material. As a writer these days, you have to be flexible and be able to adapt to market conditions.

5. What’s next for you?

Well, it’s been a busy year and promises to get even busier. I have the rights to my first and second book, so I’m working on revising and getting them ready for an e-launch. If I Had You came out in March and I’ll have Racing Hearts about a race car driver in December 2012. I’m also currently working on my 2013 millionaire man book.  Proposals are out at the publishers. I have new stories lined up for the e-platform. Writing is in my blood and I hope to continue for many more years.

Find out more about Michelle and her work on her website.

The Book

WEDDED IN SCANDAL (Bridal Favors Book #1)

Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 0425245934
ISBN/13: 9780425245934

The dazzling wedding of fashions of A Lady’s Favor dress shop are guaranteed to make any girl the talk of the ton. But the brides aren’t the only ones falling in love….

Lady Helaine’s father was cast out of society as a liar and a thief—a scandal which renders her unfit for marriage. In order to provide for herself and her mother, she adopts an assumed name and runs a dressmaker’s shop that specializes in bridal wear for ladies of high society. Helaine is happiest immersed in silk and satin, but she lives in terror that someone will learn her true identity and she will lose everything…again.

Robert Percy, Viscount Redhill, is entranced with the mysterious Helaine and weaves a web of seduction sure to ensnare the delectable dress designer. Yet too late he learns the heartbreaking truth about who she used to be. Now he must find a way to overcome the past to claim Helaine as his own. But what chance has love when a secret mistress becomes a scandalous wife?

The Questions

1. What inspired your intriguing new Bridal Favors series?

Who wouldn’t want to hang out in the best girl heaven place of all: a bridal salon!  Okay, so that was a flip answer.  The truth is that I wanted to explore the difficulties of a working woman in the regency time period.  And the series has 4 books, each with a heroine who works in the bridal salon.  That’s quite the challenge even in this day and age.  But back then, working and still being respectable was a very difficult balancing act.  And of course, each woman is matched with a handsome, powerful man.  And yes, I confess, they’re each arrogant enough to require a dose of humility thanks to their lady loves!  Truthfully, these books are FUN.  A bit of a departure from my dark tortured heroes, but I loved, loved, loved writing them!

She’s got a book out this March as well.  Night After Night…   It’s about a woman who starts sharing erotic dreams with her next door neighbor.  (Don’t you hate it when that happens?)  Half the fun was waiting for them to find out.  After all, you don’t just confess to your hot neighbor what you two were doing in your dreams that night.  It takes about half the book before they say, wait, you were dreaming what?  So was I!

Conference, party, dance with cover models, dance with anyone, hang out and talk, talk, talk.  OMG, I can’t get enough of conferencing.  I’m always collapsing exhausted at the end of the day, but I’m up bright and early ready to do it some more!

I had a reader email me his picture and asked me to be his tantric mistress.  Actually, that’s happened more than once!  I have a fictional assistant named Butch who politely declines for me.

I suck at titles.  My titles are: Helaine’s story (Wedded in Scandal) or Pirate Comes Home (Wicked Seduction).  Then there was the very popular Sexy Chinese Book that Mom Cannot Read  (White Tigress).  So no, Wedded in Scandal was not my title, and that’s a good thing.  Kate Seaver (brilliant editor) is much better at titling things than I am.

Find out more about Jade and her work on her website or on Facebook.

Order at amazon
Order at barnes&noble.com

Paradise just got a lot hotter

Nikki Dupree feels like the luckiest designer in the world. She’s just been commissioned to reinvent the magnificent island home of wealthy recluse Lucian Kontos. From the moment the private plane he sends for Nikki touches down, she’s enchanted by the breathtaking sunsets over the shimmering blue waters of the Mediterranean. But all bets are off when Nikki meets her insufferably arrogant alpha employer….

After his world was scarred by fire, Lucian thought his life was over. But Nikki could be his second chance. With her sensual beauty and passion for life, she’s slowly healing his heart. In her arms, the smoldering secrets of the past are consumed by the desire burning between them. Can Nikki see beyond the past of a wounded man who wants to spend the rest of his days loving her?

I used “If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful” as a theme (i.e Nikki and Lucian’s song) for SECRET PARADISE.

In THE DAUGHTERS OF WINSTON BARNETT “When You Believe” was the theme for the eldest daughter, Beverly.

I always thought “One Moment In Time” was a great anthem for dreamers and doers.

Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>

“The Greatest Love of All” basically says it all. Love yourself.

Copyright (c) <a href='http://www.123rf.com'>123RF Stock Photos</a>

Ms. Houston, Thanks for the music. You Were Loved…

Please note that this series is written in fun. If you don’t like hints of sarcasm and hyperbole don’t read this series. If you find the title offensive, don’t read this series. However, if you understand that this is a great time to be a writer of fiction and feel like a lone happy person in a tsunami of fear, read on.

“Every time you think you’ve been screwed by publishers in every possible way, you meet one who has read the Kama Sutra.” Cathy Crimmins

Writers have opinions—especially about other writers.  Some like Michael Stackpole  in his various posts think of them as “house slaves”,  Sarah Hoyt compares them to abused wives as in the post “He Beats Me But He’s My Publisher”  while Dean Wesley Smith just think they’re stupid (but he’s doing his best to help).

You already know what I think. I think writers are crazy. And in this group, some seem to be confusing themselves with ladies of the night.

“Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for the love of it, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for the money.” Moliere

And obviously the publishing world agrees. Publishers seem to be in a race to create The Best Little Whore House—I mean Assisted Self-publishing House–in the city.

Companies like Penguin’s new ‘assisted self-publishing’ Book Country is nothing new. Like Harlequin Horizons–I mean Dellarte Press–you get to choose (i.e. pay for) different self-publishing packages and because they’re being so good to you, they’ll also take a percentage of your royalty. Now doesn’t that sound fair?  Sure…like bending over to get screwed then paying for that brief moment (pleasure?) for the rest of your life sounds fair.

Writer: “But Dara, they’re publishers and they could help me get my work out.”

Statements like this lead me to my next lesson for writers.

Crazy Lesson #5

Artists place value on their work. Writers place value on their publishers.

Okay, it’s like an artist getting her work professionally framed. Proper framing is important because showing ones art is about presentation. A good frame makes a piece of artwork more marketable. It’s essential and takes a special skill. So let’s look a little closer. Say an artist gets their work framed and then the framer says, “Now pay me $500 for the frame and each licensing right you sell.” Yes, that’s right. So what the ‘framer’ is saying to the artist is, “When I frame your work I now own it (the copyright). If you create a lithograph, use the image on a bookmark, on a poster, a wall hanging, floor tiles, or plates then I expect to see a check in the mail for every sale made because I framed that picture and helped make it marketable. You couldn’t do it without me.”

The artist would walk away.

The writer, however, in a similar situation says:

“Sign me up.”

“Sign me up to pay for a service I can do myself for free.”

“Charge me exorbitant fees because I’m too lazy…I mean tired/scared…to find out what different services really cost.”

“Take my rights away with a smile and a promise that you’ll hold my hand through the entire process because I know that my work means more to you than pleasing your shareholders.”

“I need you because I’m just a lowly writer and you’re a big powerful publisher who will look out for me and protect me from scam artists.”

***

When I recently told a friend of mine about ‘assisted self-publishing’ and some of the shady promises publishers are promoting he replied, “Oh yea. They’re like pimps, right?” I paused, a little stunned by the comparison, then had to think for a minute. He had a point.

Prostitutes make the same argument as some writers do for why they need pimps. They do all the work and pay the pimp for ‘protection’.

“At least I have a pimp. You don’t know how scary it is without one. He takes good care of me.”

“It’s hard being out there on your own. I’m not smart enough.”

“I can make more money with a pimp than without one.”

And of course the pimps love this loyalty because it’s not that hard to get. Once you get one prostitute you keep her pay low (and the drug addiction high) so that you keep her under control. And you remind her how she’ll never make it without you.

Pimps, excuse me, some publishers do the same. They keep the writer’s pay low (tying up as many rights that they can) and keep the fear level high so that they keep them under control.

How to Reclaim your Sanity

Do your homework.

First, with the internet available 24/7 there’s no excuse not to do your research. There are some GREAT services out there if you want to independently publish. Learn the difference. (Read Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s article to understand more.)

Second, please understand that you’re not in the book industry. You’re in the intellectual rights industry. Get a copy of The Copyright Handbook. Your story is more than just words—it’s an enterprise (think sub rights like audio, large print, dramatic, foreign). Understand that one story can mushroom into an industry. Don’t believe me then please tell me what Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or Twilight are all about.

Third, know that nobody really cares. It’s not because they’re mean, but publishing is all about business. If someone can make money off of your ignorance they will. If I were heartless I could make a lucrative living fleecing writers of their good hard cash. Don’t believe me?  One assisted self publisher charges $204.00 for copyright registration, another closer to $400. If you do it yourself, you only pay $35 for online registration and $50 for offline. Your choice.

Stop seeking validation.

Readers don’t care about publishers. They care about good stories. I recently read a great book I enjoyed and I remember the author’s name, but not who published it. Why? Because I don’t care. As a reader do you only read books by one publisher?  Are you loyal to publishers or authors?  You don’t need permission to be a writer. You don’t need someone to anoint you. Yes, it’s good for the ego, but really not necessary. Your job is to write. Make your work available for readers whether traditionally and/or not and then write your next work. That’s it. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Respect yourself.

If you don’t respect yourself, why should anyone else? If you don’t realize you’re holding a golden nugget and sell it to someone for the price of brass, that’s your fault not theirs. Your stories matter. Your ability to make a living from your work matters. Recognizing your weakness and partnering with people who have your best interest in mind, matters. Not falling for the fairy tale that someone with a thousand potential clients will be your new best friend, matters. You matter.  Believe it.

© 2012 Dara Girard

The Book

A SEDUCTIVE KISS (Grayson Friends)

St. Martin’s Press, ISBN 13: 9780312536473

YOU CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON FRIENDS

Dianna Harrington is known throughout the world as “The Face”—the stunningly beautiful spokesmodel for her family’s fashion empire. She could probably have her pick of any man she wants. But Dianna would rather kick back and relax with a good friend—namely Alex Stewart, who she’s known, and harbored a crush on, her whole life…

BUT CAN YOU TRUST YOUR HEART?

Ever since they were kids, Alex has been Dianna’s protector and pal, a shoulder to cry on. But as the brother of her best friend, Alex always seemed untouchable. Now a handsome, successful New York lawyer, Alex never realized how lonely Dianna’s life has been—or how innocent she is in the ways of love. Alex wants more than anything to reach out to her, to heal her heart. But is his desire worth the risk? After a lifetime of longing building up between them, somethings gotta give. Maybe all it takes is just one kiss…

The Questions

1. What made you  decide to give your Grayson Friends series a twist?

The idea to give my Grayson Friends series a twist was due to a bit of brainstorming with my editor, Monique Patterson, at St. Martin’s Press. Thankfully, readers loved the Grayson Friends series and the strong connection between friends. We decided to delve deeper into male friendships. The next three books will be set in New York and revolve around three close male friends finding love when they least expect it. I lovingly refer to the three books as the Kiss trilogy because “kiss” is in each title. First up is Alex Stewart, older brother of Catherine Stewart Grayson, in A SEDUCTIVE KISS (01/31/12). Next is C.J. Callahan, a computer genius who happily runs Callahan’s Bar in WITH JUST ONE KISS (02/28/12). Rounding out the trio is Payton “Sin” Sinclair, a gorgeous sports consultant with a painful secret in A DANGEROUS KISS (07/12/12). We even came up with a new cover look which I’m hopeful readers will embrace.

2. Aside from romance you also have a mainstream title coming out. Can you tell us more?

Many of my readers asked me to write a sequel to I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW, a book that went into seven printings and was voted one of the 5 best books of the year by Black Expressions Book Club when it was released. I finally had the inspiration and the time to do just that. WHEN MORNING COMES (06/05/12) is the story of two people shaped by their birth, and the heart-wrenching decision each must make to find happiness.  A MAN OF HER OWN is the working title (11/12) of a woman looking in the wrong places for the right man, and her journey of self-discovery.

3. What’s next for Francis Ray in 2012?

2012 is shaping up to be an exciting and busy year with 5 books scheduled. I’m thrilled and so very thankful. I plan to do a bit of touring and of course, a lot of writing so, hopefully 2013 will be even more exciting and busy. Thanks for letting me stop by.

Find out more about Francis and her work on her newly designed  website or on Facebook.