Winner: Thank you all for being so welcoming to Maree - and thanks Maree for being such a great guest. And now the part you've all been waiting for - the random numbers have spoken and the winner of the free Even Demons Get the Blues download is LouiseD. Congratulations! Please email Maree at maree AT mareeanderson DOT com, to claim your prize.
I've got a special interview and giveaway for you today - with fellow Kiwi and good friend Maree Anderson.
One person will win a free pdf download of Even Demons Get the Blues - just leave a comment to enter.
Now, onto the interview!
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Hi Nalini! Thanks heaps for letting me talk about my debut release. And as if June wasn’t exciting enough already for me, it’s my publishing company’s anniversary: Happy 15th Anniversary, Red Sage! (BTW, these ladies really know how to celebrate, so please check out their official anniversary statement at the end of this interview.)
1. Who is Maree Anderson?
I'm a wife, a mom, a soccer team supporter, a Ceroc dancer, a karate yellow-belt (just starting out), a gym regular (trying really hard to make that one true), and an avid reader.... Among other things. Like being a lover of chocolate—the darker the better—oh, and let’s not forget a glass of good wine. As far as writing goes, I’m heavily skewed toward fantasy and paranormal. I just can’t seem to resist the whole out-of-this-world aspect when I’m writing.
2. What's it like being a debut author? Any particular experiences you'd like to share?
The process so far has been exhilarating and fun and just plain scary as hell.
An actual editor who loved one of my stories enough to want to publish it? The best!
Having input into the design of my very first cover and then being emailed the final proof? Fan-freaking-tastic!
From my editor I learned about crafting stories. And from my copy-editor, I learned about crafting sentences. I’m a far better writer because of their input. And thanks to everyone’s input, when I received the final proof of my story I was confident it was the best it could be.... Unless someone else had a go at writing it. Someone like our Nalini, perhaps? *VBG*
The “scary as hell” part? That’s the thought of actual readers spending their hard-earned cash to buy my book. And waiting for reviews. It’s one thing to pour your soul out onto a page, quite another to send those pages out into the world for people to read.
3. I've known you personally for several years, and I've seen you submit, enter contests and work really hard toward publication. If you had one piece of advice to give to those seeking publication, what would it be?
Never, never, NEVER give up. If, like me, you can’t not write because frankly you’d go nuts, then you just have to believe in yourself and keep trying.
4. Tell us a bit about Even Demons Get The Blues.
This was such a fun story to write! I try to challenge myself with my writing so when you posted details of Red Sage’s Alpha Male Novella Contest to the RWNZ loop, I decided to try and write a novella. I wanted to write a really flawed heroine—Leisa was actually inspired by Holly Hunter’s portrayal of the lead character in Saving Grace. I’d never written for the erotic romance market before, either, so it was a real challenge!
Here’s what I came up with for Even Demons Get The Blues:
Rezon was the Demon King’s lieutenant for four thousand years but even the most badass Demon in Hell gets jaded, so Rez joined the Beguilers. Only trouble is now he’s been beguiled—by Leisa, a tormented human woman who’s captured his heart.
Leisa might look like an angel, but she sure doesn’t act like one. Her guilt is eating her alive. Alcohol and casual sex are her chosen methods of self-destruction, and she’s embracing both with a vengeance.
When Leisa picks up one loser too many, Rez is provoked into showing her what a real man—uh, make that Demon!—can do for her. But Leisa’s been tagged by a Destroyer and her soul is forfeit, so when she inadvertently shatters Rez’s defenses and bonds with him, there’s Hell to pay!
5. What're you working on right now?
I’m working on two manuscripts: a paranormal about Spartan soldiers and the dryad antagonist who steals their humanity, and just for something different, a novella-length “Space Opera”.
6. Who are your "keeper" authors?
Gosh, *glances at her cramped bookcases and overflowing desk* there’s too many to mention here! Angela Knight. Charlaine Harris. Janet Evanovich. Laurell K. Hamilton. Oh, and a really talented writer who goes by the name of Nalini Singh ;-)
7. Anything else you'd like to share?
I loved, loved, LOVED! Angels’ Blood. And I just have to say that if I could be any paranormal creature in the entire world, I’d be one of your angels, Nalini. They’re a truly awe-inspiring creation. *le grand sigh*
Maree Anderson
Even Demons Get The Blues, Red Sage Presents, June 1st
www.mareeanderson.com
www.writersgonewild.blogspot.com
www.eredsage.com
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Visionaries. Risk-takers. Just plain wild.
These are some of the words reviewers have used to describe Red Sage authors, the Secrets anthologies, and the Red Sage Presents line of e-books. Featuring best-selling paranormal authors such as Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Emma Holly, Larissa Ione, Cynthia Eden, and many more, Red Sage books have earned a place on many readers’ “keeper” shelves.
This month, Red Sage celebrates its 15th anniversary with a month-long sale and celebration.
15 Years.
15 E-Books.
$1.50 Each.
Visit the Red Sage website, www.eRedSage.com, and Red Sage Revealed (http://redsagerevealed.blogspot.com) throughout the month of June for the sale, special surprises, and maybe even a giveaway or two!
Red Sage. Read Dangerously!
and Fair Game by Jasmine Haynes.
