Frequently Asked Questions
Some elements of your stories [within your series] remain unanswered. Will you let us know what happens? The whats, wheres, hows and whys?
Yes. I do have a plan.
Is all of your writing in British English?
Most of it is, yes. My characters are mostly British, and my stories almost always take place in the British Isles.
Why is that?
I know the UK very well and I'm in love with it. Its countryside is ancient, its pagan roots only just beneath the surface for all to feel. As a land, Albion is still alive, magical and mystical. This is why I write about it.
Will I like your books?
I have no friggin' idea! I find it impossible to know who will like my books and who will not. My books tend to be a lot lighter in tone than people expect, and they can find that weird because I touch on very dark, sometimes taboo, subjects. From what little I can gather, those that like my work most tend to be those that love fast-paced stories that "feel a bit YA" in writing style, although please don't take that as read - you may still not like it, and the guy down the road with a Masters in Biochemistry may love it. Who knows. Reading is subjective.
Avid romance readers should take note of this: I don't write to a formula. There are no rules. My books contain multiple characters and each book is not just dedicated to one hero and heroine, and the "happy" may not happen until the very end of the series. The romance may also not be seen as "traditional". Please consider yourselves forewarned ;)
Also, see my note to my readers. Oh, and my books are not recommended for those under 18.
Why do authors feel they have to put sex and violence in their books to sell them?
Do they feel that? I can't speak for other authors, but I write sex and violence because I like to write sex and violence. It comes naturally to me, it's a part of me, I enjoy writing it, and it's the way I want to write. I don't write it to shock anyone or to "sell books" (I'm sure many people will choose not read my books for the same reason) - I write it because it fits my characters and the story.
What are your favourite genres to read?
I fell in love with romance and passion from the age of twelve, and I've also always had an equal love of horror and scary things. In the past, I have loved horror, splatterpunk, paranormal romance, anything paranormal actually, thrillers, edgy erotica and some cutting edge contemporary fiction.
Who are Erika Sorin and Elysa Summers?
They were my erotica writing pen names, but writing erotica didn't completely suit me, and since the fabulous feedback I started to receive about my paranormal romances, I made the hard decision to say goodbye to my pen names back in December 2011 - they have "retired" from writing.
Is what you write now, Erotica?
No, it is not. It has erotic elements because I like to write sex scenes, but it is not erotica.
Will you be writing any full-length novels?
I'm planning on two in 2013: The Last Dragon will be full novel length, and Cry Of The Wolf is the length of a short novel at just under 60,000 words. The Demon Bride (book three of The Witching Pen Novellas) is also novel length. But I don't word-count in my head - a story is as long or as short as it takes to complete it. I tend to like my scenes quite fast-paced. I don't want to forfeit in-depth characters or world building, but my stories at the moment (and most of those in the pipeline) do tend to be shorter, most of them novella length. If they end up longer, so be it.
Will you be writing any books suitable for teenagers / young adults (from age 14)?
No, probably not. Wilted is suitable for a YA audience, but only by default because the characters are 15 and 17 years of age. I've thought about writing for a younger audience, and I never say never, but certainly not now.
(From reviewers) Can I sign up to request ARCs of your upcoming books?
Please email me if you are a book blogger interested in an ARC.
(From authors) Will you review my book?
Time-wise, I've had to stop taking requests for review. It was something I used to do, but I can, sadly, no longer commit to it. Sorry. I suggest researching book blogging sites for you to send your book to for possible review. I wish you the best of luck with your writing :)
Will you give me feedback on the story I'm writing?
Again, time-wise, I can't. And it's also best that I don't from a legal perspective. Any emails sent to me with your work to comment on will be automatically deleted. Sorry. I suggest researching local and online critique groups for this. It can take time to find the right one, but once you do, you'll find people you click with, and can then form alliances with beta-readers and critique partners. I wish you the best of luck with your writing :)
Do you think it's better to be self-published, or commercially published?
I have never been commercially published, so I don't know if my answer is valid. My answer at the moment is this: they are two completely different beasts, and I don't believe that one way is better than another. There are pros and cons to both. You have to go your own way, and trust that you make the right decision for you. Always stay flexible and open to opportunities. And never, ever give up.
How do I report any errors I've found in your books?
Please report it via the publisher website.
Yes. I do have a plan.
Is all of your writing in British English?
Most of it is, yes. My characters are mostly British, and my stories almost always take place in the British Isles.
Why is that?
I know the UK very well and I'm in love with it. Its countryside is ancient, its pagan roots only just beneath the surface for all to feel. As a land, Albion is still alive, magical and mystical. This is why I write about it.
Will I like your books?
I have no friggin' idea! I find it impossible to know who will like my books and who will not. My books tend to be a lot lighter in tone than people expect, and they can find that weird because I touch on very dark, sometimes taboo, subjects. From what little I can gather, those that like my work most tend to be those that love fast-paced stories that "feel a bit YA" in writing style, although please don't take that as read - you may still not like it, and the guy down the road with a Masters in Biochemistry may love it. Who knows. Reading is subjective.
Avid romance readers should take note of this: I don't write to a formula. There are no rules. My books contain multiple characters and each book is not just dedicated to one hero and heroine, and the "happy" may not happen until the very end of the series. The romance may also not be seen as "traditional". Please consider yourselves forewarned ;)
Also, see my note to my readers. Oh, and my books are not recommended for those under 18.
Why do authors feel they have to put sex and violence in their books to sell them?
Do they feel that? I can't speak for other authors, but I write sex and violence because I like to write sex and violence. It comes naturally to me, it's a part of me, I enjoy writing it, and it's the way I want to write. I don't write it to shock anyone or to "sell books" (I'm sure many people will choose not read my books for the same reason) - I write it because it fits my characters and the story.
What are your favourite genres to read?
I fell in love with romance and passion from the age of twelve, and I've also always had an equal love of horror and scary things. In the past, I have loved horror, splatterpunk, paranormal romance, anything paranormal actually, thrillers, edgy erotica and some cutting edge contemporary fiction.
Who are Erika Sorin and Elysa Summers?
They were my erotica writing pen names, but writing erotica didn't completely suit me, and since the fabulous feedback I started to receive about my paranormal romances, I made the hard decision to say goodbye to my pen names back in December 2011 - they have "retired" from writing.
Is what you write now, Erotica?
No, it is not. It has erotic elements because I like to write sex scenes, but it is not erotica.
Will you be writing any full-length novels?
I'm planning on two in 2013: The Last Dragon will be full novel length, and Cry Of The Wolf is the length of a short novel at just under 60,000 words. The Demon Bride (book three of The Witching Pen Novellas) is also novel length. But I don't word-count in my head - a story is as long or as short as it takes to complete it. I tend to like my scenes quite fast-paced. I don't want to forfeit in-depth characters or world building, but my stories at the moment (and most of those in the pipeline) do tend to be shorter, most of them novella length. If they end up longer, so be it.
Will you be writing any books suitable for teenagers / young adults (from age 14)?
No, probably not. Wilted is suitable for a YA audience, but only by default because the characters are 15 and 17 years of age. I've thought about writing for a younger audience, and I never say never, but certainly not now.
(From reviewers) Can I sign up to request ARCs of your upcoming books?
Please email me if you are a book blogger interested in an ARC.
(From authors) Will you review my book?
Time-wise, I've had to stop taking requests for review. It was something I used to do, but I can, sadly, no longer commit to it. Sorry. I suggest researching book blogging sites for you to send your book to for possible review. I wish you the best of luck with your writing :)
Will you give me feedback on the story I'm writing?
Again, time-wise, I can't. And it's also best that I don't from a legal perspective. Any emails sent to me with your work to comment on will be automatically deleted. Sorry. I suggest researching local and online critique groups for this. It can take time to find the right one, but once you do, you'll find people you click with, and can then form alliances with beta-readers and critique partners. I wish you the best of luck with your writing :)
Do you think it's better to be self-published, or commercially published?
I have never been commercially published, so I don't know if my answer is valid. My answer at the moment is this: they are two completely different beasts, and I don't believe that one way is better than another. There are pros and cons to both. You have to go your own way, and trust that you make the right decision for you. Always stay flexible and open to opportunities. And never, ever give up.
How do I report any errors I've found in your books?
Please report it via the publisher website.
