Thursday, June 11, 2009

Guest Author: Maree Anderson - Even Demons Get The Blues

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!
_________________________

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
_________________________________

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!

29 comments :

Una said...

Wow, I was really intrigued by Ms. Anderson's interview. I am really looking forward to reading your debut book when it comes out! Thank you Nalini for continuing to share new authors with us!

I love the 15th Anniversary special that Red Sage is having. Congratulations to them on this great achievement!

Gracie O'Neil said...

Ceroc dancing? I had to go and Google it because I'd never heard of it...but wow! Where on earth do you get your energy?!
Congratulations on the debut book, Maree. The Spartan/dryad mix for your current WIP looks spectacular too.

Maree Anderson said...

Hi Una, thanks for your lovely comments! It's very exciting to know my book is finally out there in the world -- not to mention scary, too. A couple of my friends have told me they've bought it but I'm too terrified to ask them if they've read it yet! I have had some feedback from a male friend who won a copy a few weeks back. He's reported to have said, "Phwoar! She's got some imagination!" I hope that's a good thing?

Hi Gracie - thanks for stopping by. And I don't know that I have much energy - Ceroc's more a chance to get out of the house once a weeks and socialise with adults other than my husband, LOL!

Chris said...

Mmm... dark, dark chocolate...

Congrats on your debut release - and good work on your cover input. :)

Maree Anderson said...

BTW, I have to say a huge "Thank You!" again to Nalini for letting me blather on about my debut release. We all know she's a fabulous author but those of us who know her personally also know she's a real sweetheart and incredibly generous with her advice.

Big hugs to you from me, Nalini!

Maree Anderson said...

Chris - do I detect a fellow dark chocoholic? Yay! Chocoholics of the world unite on Nalini's blog ;-)

Thanks for the feedback on my cover. I love it! But then, I'm terribly biased, LOL.

Anonymous said...

Wow Maree! Your story sounds very interesting. I look forward to reading it. I also appreciated your thoughts on writing. Thanks for sharing with us and good luck with everything! ~Nikki

Kyesha said...

I've never read any or Maree Anderson's books, but after reading that interview I must say I'm intrigued.

Lynnette said...

Congrats on the book debut. It sounds very intriguing.

Louise Delamore said...

Congrats again Maree :)
I've put off getting it until I'm through the next stage of my edits (which should be by the end of the week)because I know once I start it everything will get pushed to the side.

Erica Hayes said...

Yay Maree!! May this be the first of many Red Sage releases for you :)

Maree Anderson said...

Awww....you guys are so lovely! Thank you all for being so kind and supportive :-) As my husband says, I'll never have another "debut" release, so this one means a heckuva lot. Still trying to convince him to let me throw a party, though, LOL. I'll keep nagging....

jenyc said...

Congratulations on the debut of your book, I guess this makes you a literary débutante :)

I can't wait to read Even Demons Get the Blues, because who can resist a demon really?!

:Candice: said...

Ah sweet, I'm entering :) love the title and definitely wanna read :)

-Candice

Maree Anderson said...

Jenyc - Literary Debutante...I love it! Beats the heck out of being a complete newb, LOL.

Candice - thrilled you love the title. I had a lot of fun coming up with that! Next up is Let Sleeping Demons Lie, which is Naamah's story. And after that, Better The Demon You Know, when Asmodeus gets his comeuppance in a big way...mwah hah hah!

Good luck in the draw, both of you!

Danni T said...

Congratulations on the book debut!! It sounds really good and I can't wait to try it. Really like the cover.

Valerie S. said...

Congrats Maree for your first book! I hope it's only the first of a long series...
I was very attracted by the cover and your interview with Nalini. It gave me the desire to read it, and the hints of new demon books to come? Totally wicked!

Unknown said...

Sounds interesting, I'm going to have to give it a try!

Marnie said...

This story had gotten me very interested. I love it when a the heroine has a not so angelic past... it makes her real. NO need to enter me in the contest... I bought it -- I couldn't wait. Hehehe!

Darcy Jo said...

Ooo I'm excited to read your debut story, Maree! Congratulations! And I'm going to be checking up on that space opera; those are my favorite! :-)

Dino Rubio said...

Maree your novella sounds so interesting and I can't wait to pick it up!

Lise said...

Fun interview from both sides and I adore the blurb! Demons - IMHO - are great characters for heroes (and heroines) for so many of the reasons that vampires are, but primarily - bad boys needed redemption. It doesn't get much "badder" than demonic, right? Ratchets up the available conflict and provides those mad, bad and dangerous to know Alpha qualities we all love so much! Great luck with this debut and all good things to come!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Maree, your book sounds amazing. I can't wait until I go searching for it the next time I go to the bookstore!

Also, chocoholoics unite! Whoo! Some really great dark chocolates I found are AlterEco's Dark Velvet (although it sounds like the Dark Blackout is more to your taste, lol).

Maree Anderson said...

Oh, Marnie - you and me are too alike, LOL. We want it and we want it NOW! And I'm humbled it was my book you wanted - that's so freaking awesome! *squee!*

Chichaihana - I wish you could pick up my book in a bookstore. Alas, it's an eBook and unless Red Sage changes their business model, it won't go to print. One of these days I hope to be able to hold *my* book in my hands, rather than just looking at it on a screen. One day.... In the meantime, I'll be searching for Dark Blackout chocolate. Nom nom nom....

Lise - I have a liking for demons, too, both reading about them and writing about them!

Everyone, thanks so much for taking time to read Nalini's interview and to leave a comment. I wish I could give you all a copy of Even Demons Get The Blues but I don't think my editor would love me anymore if I did that, LOL.

Heather B. said...

I am definitely going to have to check out Redsage's sale. thanks for sharing.

I loved the interview and will have to add her to my list of authors to check out.

BTW Nalini, is it time for Branded by Fire yet? I dying here.

Heather

Pamk said...

wow this sounds like a great read.

HockeyVampiress said...

I love getting ahold of a new authors works early on and telling the world about how great they are... pick me and I can add you to the list.

Cecelia said...

Congrats to the debut authoress! Book sounds interesting, and I look forward to checking it out.

azteclady said...

Congratulations, Louise!

I'm sorry I missed this one, though... :wink: