Nine for the Weekend. Welcomes Justyn Perry

A new fortnightly light hearted investigation into other peoples lives.


so for our first ever, nine for the weekend,


Raven's Ramblings welcomes Justyn Perry, publisher of Breathless Press

OK, Today we are going to ask Justyn the naughty nine. Nine questions we JUST have to know the answers to...
    
Q    Hi Justyn, how's life?

A    Good. Very busy! This summer we saw unprecedented growth in Breathless Press so we did some research into what readers want. We found out that the Young Adult market is another quickly growing area and so we decided to start another press! Lycaon Press came into existence shortly after. Running two publishing houses is hard, but I couldn’t do it without the help and support of all of our great staff members.

Q     That was the easy one. Now the nitty gritty- sorry a very British expression, Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A    Well, there’s not much to tell yet. I’m still quite young (turning 25 in a month) so I have most of my life to live. I graduated University with a degree in English. One of my areas that I loved to write on and study was Paleography (study of old books) and feminism and how it encompasses literature and every day life. I plan on going back to school one day for something else. I know that I’m not done learning yet - perhaps an Art History degree...

Q    So of course the next question has to be:-what made you decide to set up Breathless Press? Even although you are only a couple of years old, BP is already a force to be reckoned with.

A    Breathless Press was started after I saw author after author go through hardships with their manuscripts. I saw a rapid decline in quality eBooks out there and knew that if print books could have great editing and covers, why can’t eBooks. Sure there are a few large eBook publishers who boast great art and great editing, but what are they like with their authors? How are they treated? Breathless Press isn’t a publisher. We are a family. If an author has problems or concerns, we encourage them to speak up and let us know. We treat all of our authors with the utmost respect; afterall, if they weren’t writing then what kind of world would we be in?


Q    Where do you see BP going? Will we get books in print?

A    Funny you ask. October 21st is our first print book launch. Persuading Prudence by Liz Cole did so well as an eBook that we decided to bring it out in Print. November is our second print book with Lee Brazil’s series. We will be releasing three ebooks into one Print Book so the first book (Truth or Dare) will be the first three books in the series. The next three books will come out in 2012. In 2012, we plan on releasing 4 print books and somewhere between 104 and 156 eBook titles. 


Q     And I believe we now have a new publishing house on the market? Which is very exciting.

A    We do. As I mentioned earlier, we started up a Young Adult press called Lycaon Press. We will do everything Young Adult especially Gay and Lesbian titles. Now more than ever we need to stand up and show the world that we are all equal and no one should be ashamed or discriminated against. Submissions open October 1st and our launch will be slotted for 2012 (details to come). 

Q      Where do you see the genre's for either publishers going? Are we changing our ideas on what we want to read?

A    I have noticed a big shift in what genres are selling now days. When we began Breathless Press, Vampires were the top pick for most readers. Now, Shifter stories seem to be the top pick. Another hot genre is Interracial. Our Mocha line has become one of our best selling lines with titles selling thousands of copies. I hope that with Lycaon Press, we can see similar trends and offer books readers are wanting to devour.

Q     So as a noted Publisher, do you write yourself? And, if you do are you willing to share any of it with us?

A    I don’t write anymore. My life has become too busy to actually sit down and write anything. I did write a guide to self promotion, but it is no longer on the market. I am hopefully going to get enough time to rewrite it and expand on areas that authors seem to have some issues in.

Q     Now the silly bits three things you love?

A    I love cooking. Recently, I bought 40lbs of tomatoes and decided to make salsa. That took me 3 days (and I still have tomatoes left). So, as if I didn’t have anything else better to do, I went back to the farmers market and bought some cukes to make Dill Pickles. Making home-made pasta is one of my favorite things to do; so all-in-all, I love to cook. I also love movies. I will watch pretty much anything and find something positive about it (sometimes the only positive thing in a few movies is that it didn’t rain in the movie or that it looked warm). The last thing I love is working. Oddly enough I do love to work. Maybe that’s why I own two publishing houses and have a full time day job...


Q    And three things you don't?

A    I don’t like complainers. For me, if you are complaining then chances are, you put yourself in that position. Everyone has the opportunity and chance to do or make something of themselves; for them to better or further themselves. If you can’t help yourself, then how can you help others? (It’s a popular saying that rings true to a lot of situations). Something else I don’t like is stereotypes. I’ve come across a lot of stereotypical situations that leave me dumbfounded. Like the other day, I was talking to some people online and everyone thought I was at least in my Thirties or Forties. When I told them my real age, they were in disbelief. Most of them thought because I was running my own company that I had to be older. Another famous stereotype is the gender issue which I won’t touch on here :). The third thing that I dislike is laundry. I hate doing laundry because it takes so long to do and I don’t trust my dryer or washer to not catch fire so I have to stay at home and wait for it to finish. It sucks...


Q     And finally three things you would like to happen in the next three years?  I won't ask the three you don't.

A    I would like to cut down on the amount of work I am doing. While I love to work, I am starting to feel run down. Three jobs is hard to do for any length of time. Another thing I would like to see happen in the next three years is both Breathless Press and Lycaon Press grow to become one of the top ePublishers out there.  I can’t think of a third thing right now either... Sorry!


Thanks Justyn, glad you could drop by. Any links you want to give us, will be great.

Thanks for having me! 
Breathless Press: http://www.breathlesspress.com
Lycaon Press: http://www.lycaonpress.com

don't forget....

Nine for The Weekend.....

starts this Friday

in which I tease.......

Because, starting next week on FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER, Do I have a fortnightly treat for you?

I'll answer my own question, Yes I do.

From that friday once a fortnight, my blog will be:-

NINE FOR THE WEEKEND The (nearly) naughty nine questions put to, and answered by, one of you!

So who will my first guest be ???

I'm not telling yet... you'll have to wait to find out. Anticipation is good for you!

Make a note in your diaries, circle the date, set a reminder on your phone- and watch out for Nine For The weekend. not long to wait.

in which I am ashamed.....

A friend said to me today she felt a blog coming on! To which I replied, I feel I aught to feel a blog coming on! Let's face it, I am not the most prolific blogger in the world. OH I have plenty to say. You pic a topic and I will say something about it. But the actual sit down, come away from my WIP and blog... Hmmm

 I am ashamed, I procrastinate.

Why? Difficult to say. Does anyone really want to read my ramblings? Let's face it, I do go off track a lot.  I sometimes think a demented gnat has been at my blog spot and rearranged the words. I have a mind that is full of trivia and meandering thoughts. the darn things will intrude at the most inopportune moments.

Actually like now, because this blog was going to be about how on earth do we find time to actually write? We tweet, FB blog, guest blog and LOVE them all, so much fun, meets lots of people, brag about what we are doing, get the chance to congratulate others and ...... take a breath! (have I missed out anything?)

A lot of of us have to work both outwith and within the home, have kids, partners pets, a social life (what's that?)

So when on earth do we fit this compulsion called got to write into our lives.

That is when the I've GOT to write slots in. Anywhere, anytime, anyhow... (Cue dreamy ad music) You have notebooks everywhere, even in the loo, for when a great phrase hits you. You creep out of bed to jot it down, so as not to forget it. Stop the car, get out your mobile and dictate into the home answerphone. Upset a white van man, and wonder why you get strange looks until you realise you are in a sports car, with the top down, and talking about a man's... well you get the gist. Buy a distaphone.

Most of all TYPE. in short sharp bursts. In long don't dare interrupt me except with coffee sessions. In the garden with an umbrella over the lap top so you can see the screen. By candlelight when the electricity goes down. In bed. On the Loo, heck if there was a way of making sure you could keep the lap top dry, in the bath.

And so, dear readers, (if thee are any, if not doesn't matter what I say) I apologise for not slotting more blogs into my schedule. I have no excuse. Except I am deep in the throes of writing something very different for me, and loving it. But it is taking over my life (Except for the odd FB stalk, tweet, coffee, drool over grandkids etc.)

My first book Wallflowers Don't Wilt, comes out in 3 weeks, on October 7th from Breathless Press. I mention this just in case you are not one of the hundreds I have bragged about it to.

Now, in case you are looking at that pic and thinking Uh? ok it's not wallflowers, but I can't upload the darn thing ...... so this is just to get you thinking... and I don't mean duh, what a techno-phone eiterh.

 BTW there will be a blog about my road road to publication coming soon!

Getting there......

GOT THERE IN THE END ... Lovely aren't they, and oohh his EYES!

off to write xxx R 

cluttered blog, cluttered web, cluttered mind.

All I can say is watch this space. I made a list of things I need to do. Some were pretty basic, like empty dishwasher, hoover lounge, bring the bin up. Others were more like a self imposed deadline. Finish chapter. Re edit, 4k. And a big one... De-Clutter.

I admit it, I am a hoarder! My children's first shoe/lock of hair/teddy/drawing of mum. Old mags I never got round to reading. First paragraphs of books never completed. A notebook per room, in case I need to jot the perfect sentence, one line answer, witty repartee down so I don't forget it. (Then I can never remember which notebook it is in- see, clutter!) That skirt/dress/trousers I might get into/like/find somewhere to wear.

My mind is equally as cluttered, hence the lists. There are some times when a cluttered mind is a blessing. You are never alone! There is always something you can extract from its murky depths to mull over, and ponder about. (The downside to this is actually finding that elusive something you absolutely needed to remember!)

And shamefully, I realised, a cluttered web page and blog!

ARGH!

So what to do?

Well the basic stuff is not too hard. Just do it and cross it off the list. (Note I don't include the finish chapter etc in this bit of the crossing off list!) The rest? not so easy (especially the mind bit. like Topsy it just grows.) The Web and blog.... Ah. Enter *drum roll*...El Guru! AKA Cherie.

Everyone should have a Cherie. She is a marvel. Regular readers ( if there are any) will have noticed me singing the praises of Up and Coming Writers, my crit group. El Guru Cherie, is one of us, and a techno-geek (as she herself puts it.) I couldn't put it any better. If any of us ( and I'm sort of off laying the blame here a bit) are stuck, you get CHERIEEEEE on our page.  there are a lot of CHERIEEEEE's attached to  'posted by Raven", I can tell you. She sorts out all our  computer problems.

So the call has gone out, and El Guru is in the process of de-cluttering for me. Soon, I will be sleek svelte and sophisticated! (cut the hysterical laughter, a woman can dream.) Well my web and blog page will be. My mind? Doubtful. Dishwasher? Mmmmm, well if I want to use it, got to be. Rest of the list? Easy, dump that list. Instant de-clutter. Ah! Um, now I need a list to remind me of things that were on my last list, so I don't forget what I need to do. (Delves into murky mind.)

What am I supposed to be doing?

here it is ... my VERY FIRST book cover

.......and oh how do I love it ... what do you think?

This is SUCH an exciting time, but no resting on my laurels (love that phrase) ... am busy editing my next book to be published in January. To Please A Lady, will also be published by Breathless Press on January 6th.

but meanwhile *DRUM ROLL*   The cover:-

let me know what you think/ don't you just love his eyes?

Oh do I ever like a hot hero!

Things are moving apace. Today, I got my first look at the cover artwork for 'Wallflowers Don't Wilt'. And Ivo is even hotter than I thought possible, wow, I have fallen in love with him all over again. His ladies are very intriguing, wait until you see them. Not too long to wait now, before I let all of you see them as well.

How do you imagine your hero's? Do the covers live up to expectation, or do you ignore them and keep your own ideas? Do you prefer a deep and detailed description of your heros and heroines, or do you prefer, a rough outline so you can fill in the details out of your own imagination?

 I'd love to hear your views.

As for other news, I've just finished my latest M/S. Yes another regency erotica, but only two protagonists this time! But they more than make up for the lack of others. Boy does the fur fly when their ideas don't mesh.

Here's a teaser...

“For why am I to be blackened as a cheat and a liar?”..........................

..................................“Because you are one? Any man who stated he is no longer harboring a mistress and is then found bollocks deep inside said mistress only days before his wedding is not to be believed. Therefore I do not believe you. Lud she is treated better than me. Have you ever touched me with such desire?” She laughed bitterly.

 “Perchance I should phrase that, have you ever touched me? We both know the answer? Yet I have seen the way you look at me, when you think you are unobserved. Indeed on one occasion, My Lord, I was the observer, as you took yourself in hand and fisted yourself until you spilled your seed as you shouted my name. So I know you are not indifferent to me. But touch me? Make me come? Pah. Do I not deserve this?”

 “You are to be my wife.” Ash said stiffly, his face reddened, by anger or shame she knew not. “Not my whore. I respect you.”

“I would be as well to be your mistress and get the body and the fucking I desire. Lud Ash. I want your love, your body, and to be fucked. If that is not to be my culmination, then let me be your whore. For twelvemonth I have spied and regarded you in secret, stroking myself after peering at you without your knowledge. Lud I ache for your touch. If as your wife, I do not receive all which I desire, I do not desire to be your wife. If as your mistress I would, then make me her. However, not your wife. I have too much esteem to settle for less than I deserve.’

 He was incredulous. “And you feel you deserve to be my Mistress?”

 “Well,” She said frankly, “I deserve more than a ten minute fumble, once the lamps are dimmed.”

As Promised. A teaser from Neither Gone, nor Forgotten

The man silently studied the plaque before gently clearing the earth from it, the mist and drizzle, making it clump and stick to his fingers. The weather was as dreary as his soul. Reverently he traced the letters.

Leroy Delvers. 1920-1943. 

R.I.P.

‘He was my life. My hope, my dreams.’

How could such simple statement bring tears to his eyes? So very easily. For after so many years, one person believed in this man. It was a statement of intent. And love. But more than that, of belief.

Silently he let the tears flow, as he placed his flowers and a hat badge in front of the simple words. Bending his head, he did something he rarely did. He prayed for the poor soul the plaque commemorated, before standing tall and straight and saluting. Swiftly he turned and walked away, neither looking to left or right, unheeding of his tears, his steps long and purposeful, every precise stride shouting out ‘military,’

What do you think ????