Bryl R. Tyne’s LGBT “Top 10 Sexual Fantasies” Poll

Posted her for Bryl R. Tyne, who wants to get inside your head.

Top-10 Sexual Fantasies: Your turn to fess up!

Sex is as old as… All right, sex never gets old, only we do (please, don’t remind me). Sex, as a concept, though, has been alive longer than most species, hence, the “which came first” argument. Sexual fantasy surely sprung to life shortly thereafter. The truth is, since time began, men and women have fantasized their respective ways into many a satisfying orgasm. One can find page after online page of Top-10 sexual fantasies for both men and women. Obviously, we all do it–fantasize, that is.

Even us LGBT… folk.

But, I’ve yet to come across a Top-10 online list for any of us. Maybe I’m not perusing the correct venues. If so, someone point the way! I am curious, however, since I’m considered in both, the sexual AND gender minorities, are my fantasies “abnormal” according to head docs and/or societal norms?

I mean, hasn’t everyone fantasized, for example, surprising your straight neighbor in his laundry room only to coax him over his washing machine while on the heavy-duty spin cycle? (Okay, maybe that’s just me). But, maybe, you’ve pined for your UPS guy to invite you into his truck to personally help your with your package? Or maybe, you’ve fantasized about a night out with your BFF, only to have her take you in a dark corner? (Maybe, not)

Time to share. What are your sexual fantasies?

Email your fantasies to Top10SexualFantasy@gmail.com (Anonymous emails accepted–preferred. Please only specify – sexuality & gender of person leaving poll data)

Your privacy will be respected. All information – name, age, sex, email, location, etc. – will be kept confidential.

At the start of the new year, Top-10 lists will be posted on my site for all eternity to drool over.

Bryl R. Tyne

Top10SexualFantasy@gmail.com

Noble Romance Publishing Pre-edits Worksheet

All newly contracted NRP authors receive this worksheet, but some of these tips are really useful so I decided to post the document here. I hope you find something here to help polish your manuscript.

NRP “Pre-Edits” Worksheet.

1. Fonts = Book Antiqua, 12 pt.
2. First line indent = .5. Using Word. Align all text to the left. Click Edit, Select All. Using the sliding ruler toolbar at the top of the page, slide the TOP arrow-slide over to the first “larger” marking (halfway between the left end and the number 1). This should create the appropriate paragraph 1st line indent.
3. One space after end punctuation, not two. You can use Word’s Find/Replace function to fix this. Example: Type . (period with 2 spaces after it in the find box) and then type . (period with 1 space after it in the replace box).
4. Do a search for the word “that.” Read the sentence aloud. If the sentence makes sense without the word “that,” please delete this word.
5. Do a search for the word “it.” If at all possible, replace the word “it” with a more concrete noun or phrase. Example: It didn’t matter. = The crappy weather didn’t matter.
6. Do a search for the word “was.” In instances where you’re using it in a sentence such as: He was tall. He was sad. She was pretty. She was tired. – please attempt to re-write to “show” the reader rather than tell. Example: He was tall. = When Jake walked into a room, his head nearly brushed the top of the door frame. She was tired. = She struggled to keep her eyes open and bit back a yawn. (Telling is usually a sign of “lazy writing.” Put some effort into these sentences and try to draw the reader a picture with your words.
7. If you use an action tag (He laughed. She chuckled. Bobby rolled his eyes.) make sure you separate the dialogue with a period (or question mark, if applicable), not a comma, and capitalize the first word in the action tag.
8. Use action tags a lot. These create a more vivid picture for the reader. They help show the character’s personality, and also bring a setting to life. If you use something other than an action tag, please try to stick with the word “said.” Anything else draws the reader’s attention and reminds them they are reading a story . . . rather than living the fictional dream.
9. Read through your manuscript and look for overused words or phrases. If your character is rolling his eyes three times on one page, change two of them to something else. If you use the word “hand” six times in 2 paragraphs, find another way to describe what’s happening using other words.
10. Read through your manuscript and look for redundancy – He shrugged his shoulders. He nodded his head. A person ONLY shrugs their shoulders or nods their head, so “his shoulders” and “his head” are not needed. He shrugged. He nodded. A few more – stood up (delete up – where else would you stand?), and his/her heart beat/pounded/raced in his/her chest (delete “in his/her chest” – everyone knows that’s where a heart is located.
11. Read through your manuscript and look for floating body parts. Connect them to the person, or rewrite for clarity. Examples: His hand touched her face. = He touched her face. Her head lifted. = She lifted her head.
12. Read through your manuscript and look for hanging modifiers. Fix these sentences so they make sense. Examples: Looking over his shoulder, the man followed closely on his heels. = Looking over his shoulder, Jake caught sight of the man following closely on his heels. In the first sentence, the way it’s written, it means “the man” looked over his shoulders and the entire sentence doesn’t make sense. ALSO, remember, in sentences like this, the action has to be able to be done simultaneously. Here’s an example: Tying his shoes, he walked out the door. The way this sentence is constructed, it means the man tied his shoes and walked out the door at the same time – a physical impossibility. Be careful, and make sure your sentences make sense.
13. Ellipses – NRP house style is . . . (space after last word, a space between each period, a space between the last period and the next word) when they occur mid-sentence. And . . . . when they come at the end.
14. Read through your manuscript and look for the words “he/she knew” and “he/she felt.” Delete them and rewrite the sentences for clarity. You’re in a character’s POV (point of view), so it’s understood that they “knew” or “felt.” Examples: He knew she hated him with a passion. = She hated him with a passion. She felt her face grow hot. = Her face grew hot.

Happy writing!

My Interview on Moonlight, Lace and Mayem

My interview w/Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem was posted this morning. Please drop by and take a look. Comment for a chance to receive a free ebook!

Noble Romance Seeking Submissions for New Erotic Romance Line

Noble Romance Publishing is currently seeking submissions for Foreign Affairs, a new line of erotic romance novels.

Specifics:

*Foreign Affairs stories are all set in foreign (non-US) lands. *Foreign Affairs must contain at least one primary character from the foreign territory in which the story takes place.
*Foreign Affairs may contain some non-English words and phrases, but because we primarily target English-speaking readers at this time, these stories must be written in English.
*Various heat levels – from steamy to erotic.
*All sub-genres and sub-genre mixes.
*All story lengths – shorts, novellas, novels.

Standard submission guidelines apply.

Please submit specific questions or concerns to jill@nobleromance.com.

Happy Writing, and Think Kink!

Forbidden Love – Coming Soon!

Available for purchase on Monday, September 14, 2009.

Forbidden Love

A four-story anthology featuring Stormy Glenn, H.C. Brown, Anna O’Neill and Aleksandr Voinov.

My Outlaw, by Stormy Glenn

After getting injured and losing his horse during a cattle drive, Daniel Branson is ordered to ride the stagecoach back home. Little does he realize that it will put him in the hands of the notorious outlaw, Black Bart. And the handsome outlaw has plans for Daniel that don’t involve holding him for ransom!

Forbidden, by H.C. Brown

England 1075—Sir Renoir Danier finds himself in an intolerable situation when he is ordered by King William to marry an elderly Spanish countess. Five years earlier, he met the great love of his life, Sir Sebastian. This deeply sensual dark angel taught him all that a man could give to another. Renoir became a slave to his erotic punishment.  After a month of bliss, Sebastian sailed to Spain. Will he return or leave Renoir with a shattered heart?

Poisoned Heart, by Anna O’Neill

The ultimate betrayal . . . .

In Edo-period Japan, a prominent family might choose to foster a son from another clan in order to encourage peaceful political relations. When Raiden’s family invites twenty-three year old Masashi into their lives, their gesture has the opposite effect: Masashi kills Raiden’s parents. Now years later Raiden is studying with a master of magic who allows Raiden the chance to go back in time to kill Masashi before Masashi can lift a finger against his family.

But when Raiden is faced with his guest-brother once again, much to his horror he finds that his old feelings for Masashi return. With the weight of the future bearing down on Raiden’s shoulders, can he overcome these troublesome emotions, or will his new weakness destroy everything?

Deliverance, by Aleksandr Voinov

William Raven of Kent joined the Knights Templar to do penance for his sins. Formerly a professional tournament fighter and mercenary, William is brought face-to-face with a past he’d thought he had escaped.

Read an excerpt!

25% Off Sale – This Weekend Only

Here are the details:

Good toward the purchase of any books on our Web site.

Simply visit Noble Romance Publishing, LLC, choose the book or books you’d like to purchase, and then enter promo code TXMQGF when you check out.

Offer valid this weekend only – Expires 12:00 midnight EDT Sunday, September 13, 2009.

My purchase recommendations? Why not try something a bit different?

Good Guys Deserve Bad Girls by AP Miller. Why? Because it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and features characters you won’t find in other books. (This book is being made into a movie, and it’s up for Best Book at Whipped Cream Reviews).

Damn Gorgeous by Jaye Valentine. Why? Because it’s a steamy M/M erotic romance with a paranormal/shifter element I’d be willing to bet you’ve never seen before!

Absinthe Eyes and Other Lies by G.R. Bretz. Why? Although this book is very dark, it has one of the most creative plots I’ve ever seen.

Of course, all our books are terrific, so I hope you’ll stop by and take advantage of our post Labor Day sale.

My Thoughts on Quartet Press and New Epublishing Ventures in General

How’s that for a super-duper long blog title? Expect the following post to ramble just as much.

Well, as many of you in this industry know, Quartet Press closed their cyber-doors before they even opened. To me, that’s sad news. Those of you who know me realize I think we need more successful e-publishers, not less. By helping establish this industry as a whole, I’ll be helping my own business. I wish more e-editors, e-authors and e-publishers understood this concept.

Over on the Karen Knows Best blog, Karen brought up the fact that a lot of people are saying, “See, this is why you never submit to a new publisher.” Karen asks how any new e-publisher is ever supposed to have anything to sell, if no one ever submits to them when they’re new. I posted the following answer:

To answer Karen’s question regarding how the new company will ever have something to sell if *no one* ever submits — well, that just doesn’t happen. There are a lot of hungry authors out there looking for places to publish. But what does happen? When bigger-named authors refuse to submit anything to a new(er) company, said new(er) company doesn’t grow as fast. They won’t bring in as much money as they might otherwise, which affects a lot of different aspects of the business, and which may mean they need to re-work their initial business plan. If there’s not a lot (or any) capital backing, things may start to crumble pretty quickly. This is why many of the e-publisher start-ups are run by people who still hold full-time jobs. They still have to eat while they wait for their new business venture to generate enough income.

So what’s an author to do? Take a risk, or stick with the old tried and true? Here’s my thoughts on that.

First, do your research. Find out who is behind the new start up, what kind of experience they have in the industry. In my opinion, one should have more to offer than “I’m a former author myself.” While that’s a plus, it certainly doesn’t qualify you, in and of itself, to run an e-publishing business. Find out what kind of financial backing the new company has. Talk to them about their business plan, if you like, but understand — a plan is just that…a plan. And plans are often revised. When circumstances change, or things don’t go exactly as planned, a business needs to be willing and able to shift gears and re-group.

Second, if you like what you discovered after you’ve done your research, maybe submit something small to the new company. Submit for an anthology, or submit a novella or short story. Then wait and see how things go. What’s their editing process like? IS there an editing process? Are you treated in a respectful, professional manner? Are you paid on time? Understand, if you’re working with a new or newer publisher, your royalty checks might be smaller than they would be if you were with one of the bigger, more established companies. That’s the downside.

The upside? Less time from submission to publication, more one-on-one attention (great for newer authors who might need more help throughout the whole process), and the excitement of being part of a growing business (great for established authors who might be tired of being “just one of the masses.”)

But back to my original, and perhaps most important point — whatever you choose to do as an e-author or e-publisher, try to remember this industry is in its infancy. “Outsiders” are watching us, waiting for us to fail. Be professional, be supportive of your colleagues (when they deserve your support, of course), even if they happen to write for another publisher or are one of your competitors. The more reputable e-publishers we have putting out quality products, the more successful e-authors we have, the more readers we attract, the more we all benefit.

Just my thoughts, for what they’re worth.

Beautiful C*cksucker II – Such a Good Boy

I’m buried so deep in edits I barely have time to breathe, but I had to post something about this book. The following review snippet provided me with just the opening I needed:

>>I was blown away by Barbara’s portrayal of Miki, now 54 years old. I was afraid I would struggle to recapture the aura, sexiness and downright beauty that characterized Miki in Beautiful C*ocksucker. Boy was I wrong. Barbara skillfully paints a picture of a more mature Miki whose physical beauty has only changed not diminished, whose magnetic appeal has only gotten stronger, and whose personality has been polished by diverse (sometimes undesirable) life experiences from brash abandon to carefully restrained control. My heart hurt for Miki’s past and soared on the possibilities for his future. This character will stay with me for a long, long time. Read the full review here.

I could close this blog post with a simple, “Yeah, me too,” but let me elaborate just a little. Barbara Sheridan’s ability to create three-dimensional characters I actually care about is what draws me to her stories. BC II was no exception, and while I was editing, this was the one thing that stood out for me — Miki and David became real to me, and watching their developing relationship was pure pleasure. And that feeling never diminished, even after three rounds of edits.

If you like M/M erotic romance, pick up a copy of Beautiful C*cksucker II – Such a Good Boy. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Absinthe Eyes and Other Lies

Coming Monday, September 7, 2009.

Absinthe Eyes and Other Lies

Book Blurb

When a legend lingers for centuries there’s usually a bit of truth to it. For two hundred years people have whispered about the green fairy that lives in bottles of absinthe. Drink up. If you’re lucky you may see her. If you’re very lucky you may catch her. No one should ever be that lucky. Ask David, Vincent and Richard; three men with a few things in common. They have found inspiration. They have met the Muse. They have taken Dahlia to their hearts and to their beds. It cost them their sanity and their lives. If Stephen isn’t very careful he’s going to be number four.

Author’s Note:

Absinthe

Absinthe is a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content, (thirty to eighty percent). It’s made from anise and a blend of herbs which gives it a distinctive licorice taste. It is also a mild hallucinogen. The psychoactive ingredient in absinthe is thujone (wormwood extract). Thujone is a mild toxin which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. The first symptom of thujone poisoning is the appearance of yellow blotches floating in front of the eyes.

Absinthe originated in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. In 1805 Pernod Fils began distilling absinthe in eastern France. It quickly gained popularity and was affectionately dubbed “la fée verte” (the Green Fairy).

In the late 19^th and early 20^th century the Green Fairy became the darling of Paris’ bohemian artists and writers. It was praised for its ability to free the mind and overcome artistic inhibitions. Famous absinthe drinkers include Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Monet and, most notably, Vincent van Gogh.

In 1915 absinthe was banned in the US and most of Europe; though the drink continued to be available on the black market. In the 1990’s the EU lifted the ban, with strict controls of thujone levels. In 2007 the ban was lifted in the US.

The Green Fairy has returned.

* * *

Vincent

Vincent van Gogh suffered from bouts of mental illness for his entire life. He drifted in and out of sanity, and from job to job. Eventually, he became too mad to employ and subsisted on an allowance from his older brother.

Vincent began painting in 1882. Four years later he moved to Paris where he met the Impressionist painters, and the Green Fairy. In the next two years he painted 200 masterpieces. He left us brief glimpses of the world seen through the eyes of a madman.

Many art historians and medical researchers believe that thujone poisoning explains the predominance of yellow in his Impressionist era paintings. He gave us yellow stars, yellow flowers, yellow wheat fields. He saw the world through a yellow fog and he painted what he saw.

In July, 1890, at the age of 37, Vincent van Gogh died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. There would be no more starry nights.

Strap yourself in. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime. Welcome to Vincent’s world. Come kiss the Green Fairy; if you dare.

Coming Monday, September 7, 2009.

Barbara Sheridan says: Writing that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Deftly written, decadent and intoxicating. Absinthe Eyes and Other Lies by G.R. Bretz is the kind of book I’d wish I’d written.

Ericka Gilbert says: This story drew me in from the first word. The lyrical rhythm of the prose seduced me, but it was the mystery behind the words that captivated. For me, it was like solving a crime, trying to find out the truth about Dahlia, and just as riviting as any murder mystery I have read. Three men gave up their sanity and their lives to give Dahlia what she wanted. I was afraid of what would happen if the last, Stephen, failed, and I was even more afraid of what would happen if he succeeded. The truth about Dahlia may surprise you.

Upcoming Release – Need to Share

So I’m working on edits for one of our upcoming releases and I wanted to share a snippet with you. Why? Because I think this is an amazing story. It’s definitely not your average, run-of-the-mill erotic romance. This tale is dark, edgy, but so creative, so fine . . . well, just read this and let me know what you think. From Absinthe Eyes and Other Lies, by G.R. Bretz:

Part 1: Absinthe Eyes

The sun burned out this morning. Did it think that I would care? I have lost so much more. I lose it over and over again with every tortured moment of my pointless existence.

Let a billion stars flare up and fade to black. Let galaxies collide and wreak havoc across the cosmos. It’s nothing to me. My course is charted, my destiny is fixed. I’ll lie here forever, holding her lifeless body next to mine. I will spend eternity lost in her absinthe eyes.

I have no cause to complain; the punishment fits the crime. For I killed her; as surely as if I had taken a blade and driven it deep between those breasts I so loved to fondle. No, that would have been kinder, quicker. What I did was so much worse. I sucked the life from her, one heartache at a time. I took and took until there was nothing left but an empty shell and milky-green tears floating in absinthe eyes.

We lived a lie, and the lie was that it could ever have ended differently. I knew from the first moment that her frail spirit could never withstand the torments I would pour upon it. She needed me to need her, but she could never be all that I needed her to be.

I had no right to ask.

She had no right to offer.

****

And it only gets much, much better from there.