Print Editions

In the age of e readers, I know that not everyone has one or has the desire to get one. I prefer print myself, but I do on occasion choose to read books on my Kindle. This post is basically a reminder to readers out there that I do have some works available in print.

All books currently in print are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and The Book Depository.

Buy

Blurb: Bestselling novella combo: Beyond Friends, Under the Boss, and Apples to Oranges.

Buy

Blurb: A collection of seven hot and sexy man-on-man stories by author Xondra Day. - My Gay Zombie - The Best Gift - Just Upstairs - Cutter - Kissing Michael - Summer Surprise - Trick All stories are available separately in Ebook format.

Buy

Blurb: Twice in a lifetime? 

Craig isn't one for having friends. In fact, he's content being a loner until he meets new guy, Jason one summer's day. Jason is everything Craig isn't. Jason is handsome, athletic, and charismatic. But Jason also harbors a deep secret. Soon they form a fast friendship that changes into something much more. 

After an impromptu trip to visit Jason's estranged gay brother, Craig reveals Jason's dark secret and Jason vows to never see Craig again before he sends him away. Years pass and Craig moves on with his life. After a couple of bad relationships, he's done with dating and finding Mr. Right. 

But when an older and more mature Jason steps back into his life looking to hookup again, he can't help but wonder if there's still a spark waiting to be relit between them.

Buy

Blurb: Best friends make the best lovers? Indeed they do. 

There’s nothing more exciting than discovering that the person you already share everything with is the one you want sharing your bed. Join us for ten tales of sexy and decadent discoveries as these gloriously hot men find all the love, lust and orgasmic delight they could ever want—closer than they expected. 

10 Author Anthology: Squeezable by Penelope Rivers A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf Being Stupid by Sean Michael Quench by Xondra Day Coming Home by K. Williams Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu Getting Wade by Shawn Lane Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman

Buy

Blurb: Print Combo(MMF)! Contains Eden's Garden and The Last Temptation of Eve.

Buy

Blurb: Print Combo(MMF)! Contains Menage on the Prairie and Our Dirty Little Secret.

Note: I'm hoping to see the Executive Assistant: Manlove Edition antho in print soon along with a soon to be self-published historical m/m that I am still working on. Also, the next installment in my Opposites series with Siren Publishing has been accepted for publication and will be out January 1, 2015. You can read about Ben's story then. 

XD

Sweet Romance and E Presses

This week after finishing a m/m novella, I decided to switch gears and return back to a WIP that I had started last year. It's a sweet romance. This made me wonder about the market for this type of story in the e publishing world.

Heat sells. I think most of us would agree with that without a doubt. I have started to look around at submission guidelines for various e presses. Most do lean towards the erotic or the more steamier side of things.

Is there much of a e market for sweet romance? What are your thoughts and opinions?

The debate to self-publish



Most recently, Amanda Hocking posted a wonderful blog post on her rise to success through self-publishing. She mentioned that at this time she is doing more marketing for her books than she is actual writing, though her site shows that she does have books coming out this year and in 2012.

I have to admit, self-publishing has crossed my mind. It's not because I think I am going to be the next Hocking, nor do I expect the money to suddenly come flowing in.

Outside of romance and erotica, I write some stuff that I don't think would fit with a print or e press. That is, it doesn't quite fit into their guidelines on what they are actively seeking. So, where does that leave me with these works? I ask myself that question almost daily.

The one thing that does hold me back is the stigma that I find still attached to self-publishing. Some tend to make a person considering it, feel like that their stuff isn't worthy of a more traditional means of publication. Of course, in some cases that's true without a doubt. I have read some pretty shitty self-published stuff. Then again, I have also read some bad books that have been published by some big publishing houses. In the end that's all subjective, as my best book ever could be your most hated book.

Back on topic. Have you considered self-publishing? What are your thoughts when something doesn't fit the mold set forth by most publishers?

Self publishing is a heck of a lot of work for anyone who would like to do it right. Some things to consider are:

-Cover art. A good cover is a must in my opinion.
-Editing. Can you sufficently edit your own work? Can you afford to have someone else do it? Do you know someone who can help, free of charge? These questions are just a few things to consider.
-Formatting. This one scares the hell out of me. I am a tech-turd and clueless to such things. Bad formatting can cause a reader to not want to come back to you ever again. This applies to both electronic and print formats.
-Promotion. It's a lot of work to get your name out there, especially if you are an unknown. Do you have the time and energy? Do you have what it takes?

So, this is the stuff that runs through my head. I'd be interesting in hearing your thoughts on the subject.

Is this a sign of things to come?

A lot of writers are finding moderate success with self publishing, mainly e books through such venues as CreateSpace, LuLu and a couple others.

Recently on Absolutewrite(the best writers forum), low sales have been discussed in regards to e books with smaller e book publishers. And when I mean low, I mean low. One author openenly cited sixty-nine books in a year, which is rather bad in my opinion. This was with a press who while not at the top of the list, is also not at the bottom.

Novellas in particular can be a hard sell. But my question is, why not publish them on your own? Especially if sales are only reaching double digits in a lengthy period of time.

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that it's a heck of a lot of work. As you can imagine you are responsible for everything including the cover art, editing, formatting etc...

What are your thoughts? Opinion? I'm interested to know.