Lyrical Press's "Advance Contest" Plus Dragonfairy Press Open For Submissions

Via Dear Author, I learned about Lyrical Press's Advance Contest:

Lyrical is ringing in the new year with a contest! Beginning January 15, Lyrical is accepting submissions (synopsis and full manuscript – following usual submissions criteria found on the website). The editorial department will review the entrants and choose the winners. Entries accepted until February 5 and winners announced around March 12.
Prizes are:

• 1st prize—a contract and $200 advance (100 payable on contract and 100 payable upon publication)
• 2nd prize—contract and $100 advance (50 payable on contract and 50 upon publication)
• 3rd prize – likely multiple – critiques of partial manuscript and synopsis by Lyrical editors.
• Categories: Contemporary Romance; Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Romance, Historical Romance, Steampunk with Romantic Elements and Erotica (all genres). They are looking for all heat levels and romance with the exception of Steampunk (romantic elements) and Erotica.
• Deadline: January 15 - March 12 2012
• Send all submissions to: contest@lyricalpress.com

There is no entry fee. It does mean that Lyrical can choose not to read/judge an entry based on whether it fits Lyrical’s lines and level of writing.

Isn't it cool that they'll consider all heat levels? Hurry, though, the deadline is fast approaching. Submission guidelines are here.

An Interview With "Celestial Seduction" Author Jessica E. Subject, Plus Giveaway

Decadent Publishing is currently hosting a Speculative Fiction Blog Tour. In light of the event, it was a great opportunity to interview Jessica E.Subject, an author who debuted with a sci-fi romance short story called “Celestial Seduction” in June 2011. Since then, she’s been on a cosmic roll, having since contracted three more stories in the subgenre. Woo-hoo!

To refresh your memory, here’s the story blurb:

Cover Reveal: THE WATCHMAKER'S LADY

I'm excited to share the cover for my forthcoming erotic clockpunk romance, THE WATCHMAKER'S LADY (Clockpunk Trilogy #1):

Cover design by Lyn Taylor

I do believe the stars were aligned as this cover was born! It truly was a case of synchronicity because cover designer Lyn Taylor included elements that foreshadow some of the story's content. I had the fortune of contributing input, but only did so in a broad way. Ms. Taylor pulled it all together and came up with a design that is a strong representation of the story.

Notice the cover's focus on the heroine. I know the trend is for hot man titty covers, so I especially appreciate Red Sage's support for a cover that spotlights this story's extraordinary heroine. (And the fact that she resembles Angelina Jolie has got to be a bonus, LOL!) The clockpunk elements are front and center and also help convey the sensuality of the romance.

Those are my thoughts. What do you think about this cover?

Release Day Fun: Yolanda Sfetsos's CLASH Giveaway

Yolanda Sfetsos has a new science fiction romance out today, and it's called CLASH (Samhain Publishing). To help celebrate the release, I have a double giveaway for you: The author has donated copies of her ebooks WITHER (Book 1) and CLASH (Book 2) for one lucky passenger!

Contest details are below. First, here's the story description for CLASH:

When revenge, secrets and lust collide, there can only be chaos.

Recast, Book 2

Jenks Maine is dead, but the devastating effects forcing Recast to fight in the arena goes on. Half-Recast Ace Abu is determined to put a stop to it. All he needs is to get to the planet Fray, locate the concealed Clash Arena, and destroy it. But first he has to cross half the galaxy before the sound and smell of his partners’ nonstop lovemaking drives him mad.

By the time he parks himself on a barstool in the town of Grit, he’s more than ready for a few beers. Except the sexy singer on stage is only making him—and his inner beast—burn hotter.

Ely’Shea longs for the freedom Jenks stole from her. She’s his right-hand woman, but when the boss is away she steps out of her enforcer role and ducks into a remote bar to indulge her passion: singing onstage. The night she catches a glimpse of an alluring cowboy in the audience, he ignites a spark inside her she never thought she’d feel again.

Unable to resist temptation, they’re consumed by passion…but once the fuses are set, their deepest personal secrets could blow any chance of forever all to hell.

***

If you'd like to be entered into the contest, Yolanda Sfetsos has a question for you:

Blogging At Heroes & Heartbreakers

I have a new post up at Heroes and Heartbreakers: Androids Have Delicious Despair Moments, Too: Alpha by Catherine Asaro.

The focus is on a pivotal moment in the book that yields delicious despair for the reader. I invite you to share it with me; however, if you haven't read ALPHA, but plan to, then please be aware that there are some spoilers. I didn't give away the ending or anything, but I did describe a key scene. If you have read it, then I hope you'll have fun re-experiencing that moment!

I knew I'd have to re-read ALPHA to research it for this post. Frankly, I had such a thrilling experience the first time that I was a bit worried the story wouldn't be as good the second time around. Fortunately, the opposite was true. I enjoyed the book as much as--if not more than--the first time I read it.

I recommend ALPHA if you're a fan of anti-heroines, androids, May-December romances, seasoned military heroes, fighter jets, nanotechnology, cyberpunk elements, high-tech weapons, and near-future suspense stories. It's all in there!

Joyfully yours,

Heather