What Sweet Music They Make release day!

With the glut of vampires, angels, wolf shifters, demons and ghosts doing the rounds in paranormal and urban fantasy offerings at present, as an author I’ve often asked myself, “What can I do to make sure my writing is different and fresh?” Love triangles, sparkly vampires and soul mates... Why do I even consider looking into supernatural beings?

My overwhelming answer is “Because I want to.” Most of the stories I enjoy reading feature these creatures, and when I write, I put out the kinds of stories I would like to read, with my own spin on the usual themes.

And at the end of the day, it’s all about that: personal preference. Certain authors have unique styles/voices that appeal to readers. This doesn’t necessarily mean that one author is better than another. You’ll always have those who prefer JR Ward to Anne Rice, or Stephanie Meyer to Charlaine Harris.

What Sweet Music They Make was written as an indulgence. I enjoy the vampire mythos very much, but like to explore the lives of characters who might not necessarily be the power mongers or Alphas in supernatural terms. In many cases they are ordinary folks, sometimes with special talents, who are at the mercy of those who are in leadership positions. I ask myself this: How do they come into their own? What are the problems they face and how do they overcome them?

Central to What Sweet Music They Make is also my love of music. Both protagonists are musicians who have very different approaches to their skills. Severin was a young adult at the height of early 1980s pop. Think David Bowie, Peter Murphy and Siouxsie Sioux, and you won’t be far off when you consider Severin, my vampire. He takes to the stage armed only with his 12-string acoustic guitar and a powerful, mesmerising voice. Mortal Tersia is his counterpoint, a gifted violinist who plays fiddle in an Irish band. I’ve always marvelled at how even a small Irish group can create magic in a gathering.

Another element of the tale is the fact that the two main characters are pawns in the political schemes of older, powerful vampires. Both face difficult decisions, as well as sacrifices they have to make. Also, of interest to my readers, is the story’s setting, which is in Cape Town, South Africa. It might sound like an exotic destination to many, but in truth there’s a first-world city to explore.

Without further ado, I invite you to give What Sweet Music They Make a try. It’s available in a variety of non-DRM electronic formats directly from Lyrical Press. It offers readers a little bit of romance, a healthy dose of mystery and magic. Go check it out here, and read an excerpt while you're at it.

And if you're not following me on Twitter @nerinedorman yet, shame on you.

It's all about image

I'm very fortunate to be part of a burgeoning creative scene here in Cape Town, and was honoured to work with the very talented Leon Visser on the cover art for my upcoming Lyrical Press release, What Sweet Music They Make. We had a fun-filled day shooting with our two lovely models, Lohan and Anika then chose the two images we'd work with. It's good to have options. And it was a difficult decision at the end of the day, because both images had their charms.

What Sweet Music They Make blurb love

Well, dear friends, I'm pleased to announce that the blurb for my early 2012 release, What Sweet Music They Make, has been finalised. So, without further ado...

Music brought them together, but can it set them free?

Betrayed by those closest to her, musical prodigy Tersia is heartbroken. She immerses herself in her music, turning her back on love. However, when she notices Severin at one of her performances, the serious, pale young man makes her want to risk her heart again.

Severin’s future as a lackey to the vampire Lord Murray has him chafing at his bonds. That is, until he encounters Tersia, whose rare musical talent captivates him. But Severin is not the only one to notice her. Other, darker forces have taken a sinister interest in her potential.

Tersia and Severin can't deny the spark that has ignited between them, but can they overcome the shadows that threaten to smother their trust?

Coming soon from www.lyricalpress.com

What Sweet Music They Make uncovered.

It's always lovely when I can uncover a project that's been sitting backstage for a while. It's reached the stage of "Oh my, yes, I rather did write this one, didn't I?"

Granted, we still have to do the content editing etc, but it's with great pleasure that I'm revealing the cover for What Sweet Music They Make, an urban fantasy novella releasing early 2012 through Lyrical Press.

It's set in Cape Town, South Africa, and features two of my favourite subjects: music and vampires. Oh, yes, and a dash of wangst.

I'd like to thank some special people who helped with the artwork. First off, my publisher, Renee Rocco, who's the mastermind behind Lyrical Press. She puts up with me when I wear both my author and editor hats. Seriously, she gave me my toehold in the publishing industry and after three years I'm still hanging with the Lyrical crowd.

Next, I'd like to thank Leon Visser, who's a fucking amazing photographer, cinematographer and editor. He's part of BlackMilk Productions, and indie film-making initiative here in Cape Town, South Africa. But do go check out his blog while you're at it.

Lastly I'd like to thank my two models. While Anika doesn't have her Facebook profile up anymore, do go check out Lohan. He's a shit-hot photographer and I reckon the lad's going to to from strength to strength.

So, a big thank you to everyone involved in helping me put together the cover art for What Sweet Music They Make. There's still a lot that needs to happen behind the scenes before we can say "it is done" but ja... this is the kind of stuff that makes me realise a project is becoming real.

If you're on Facebook and want to keep up to speed with my doings there, do like my author page. Or share the love if you already do so that I may gather more minions. Muhahahahaha!

Link round-up, Friday, May 6

Well, some news from my side. What Sweet Music They Make got its arse submitted to my editor at Lyrical. Hold thumbs, cross horns or do whatever it is you do when you wish someone luck. In the meanwhile, here's the blurb:

Severin never exactly signed up willingly to number among the undead, and now he finds himself playing nursemaid to two younger vampires. Filled with a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction, he goes through the motions of pleasing his masters, and takes refuge in the music he makes.

Tersia has no idea how special she is to Cape Town’s shadowy undead lords. That is until a chance encounter at a gig with her Irish group leads her to cross paths with Severin, who fascinates her despite her initial misgivings. After all, she’s just had one disastrous relationship and she’s sure as hell not looking for another.

Severin finds himself a pawn, as always. And no one has shared the game's rules. Tersia offers him the opportunity to right decades-old wrongs and grab his destiny in both hands. Is he willing to take the chance or will he bow to his lord’s will? And will darkness extinguish Tersia’s bright flame for eternity?

Then, onto LINKAGES!!!

In which I apologise for the lack of communication... Kinda like Metrorail does for the inconvenience caused, only I didn't make you late for work.

http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2011/04/yeah-well-i-know-its-been-quiet.html

Then, in which I chat about the cover art for What Sweet Music They Make, and you get to see some of the fun, after-shoot visuals.

http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2011/04/sneak-peek.html

Toad's Corner features Singaporean urban fantasy author J Damask. Really, I well and truly fell in love with her wolves. If you want an Eastern adventure of mythic proportions, look no further than her tales.

http://houseoftoad.blogspot.com/2011/05/introducing-j-damask.html

This week also saw me featured at The Slaughterhouse. Do drop in for a bit of my views on the topics near and dear to my heart.

http://www.richardgodwin.net/interviews/chin-wag-at-the-slaughterhouse-interview-with-nerine-dorman

And last, but not least, I chat about the concept of the monomyth applied to plotting a novel. If you're an aspiring author, here's some advice I wish I was given when I first started out.

http://writeclubauthors.blogspot.com/2011/05/plotting-to-take-over-world.html

A sneak peek

And here we have some silliness in the aftermath of a shoot I planned with the BlackMilk crew and the rather fabulous Lohan and Anika, all of whom really came to the party. Please note: THIS IMAGE IS NOT the image we're going to use. Why all the hassle? I'm wrapping edits on What Sweet Music They Make which is essentially the second title in a series of vampire novellas set in Cape Town, South Africa. And no, I haven't sold the story yet, but I've shot what I hope will be the cover. Even if the image is not used as cover art, it will be printed as a limited edition print at my release date.

The hardest part: not being able to release the final result until we know whether the picture is acceptable to the publisher.

So, without further ado, credit where credit's due:

Photography, lighting and styling: Leon Visser

Technical support: Thomas Dorman

Models and make-up: Anika Molnar; Lohan Koegelenberg

Additional make-up and styling: Nerine Dorman

Thank you guys for a fantastic day and for putting in all the hard work.

Go check out the BlackMilk website here: http://www.blackmilkproductions.com/