Winner announced: Fuse give-away

We have a winner! Congratulations to Pierre du Plessis, who has won a copy of SA Partridge’s novel Fuse. Please email me at nerinedorman@gmail.com and send me your postal address.

Ask for Fuse at a bookshop near you, or order it online at http://www.kalahari.net/books/Fuse/632/34589816.aspx

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Book one and two of my Khepera series are now available IN PRINT, in South Africa. No excuses about not reading on screen. Support a starving author so she can create more mayhem as a full-time occupation. http://www.kalahari.net/page_templates/searchresults.aspx?searchText=Nerine+Dorman&navigationid=632&displayShop=books

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Call for submissions

I’m currently on the prowl for fiction across all genres for a Titanic-inspired line of novellas and novels. See the link below for further information. http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-for-submissions-titanic-inspired.html

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Bloody Parchment short fiction competition

And, if you reckon you’ve got what it takes to write a good horror or dark fantasy short story, we’d like to hear about it for the SA HORRORFEST’s Bloody Parchment short fiction competition. Details here: http://bloodyparchment.blogspot.com/

The good, the bad... and the story

So... I'm starting to get excited about Tainted Love now that the admin is happily puttering along, which means I'll be setting up a profile for my "dark half" Therése von Willegen. If someone had suggested two years ago that I'd be writing contemporary erotic romance, I'd have laughed myself sick but, to be quite honest, I'm enjoying it. Alternating between my "serious" writing and the stuff that (I hope) will sell, it's a nice break to write some fluff...or as my lovely husband so succinctly puts it: porn with a pink border.

Dunno about the pink border. Probably more like black leather-and-studs, since I'm definitely not writing sweet stuff. Okay, okay... I'm providing the required HEA but the characters in my stories aren't squeaky clean. I tend to focus on folk who belong to a far more bohemian crowd than the ones I've encountered elsewhere, and I aim to write with some authenticity.

Nothing annoys me more than reading about alternative types via some vanilla person's perception of what is Goth, or is not. Invariably, these characters are stereotyped Hollywood templates and are so...inauthentic. Like oh, so suicidal... Oh, life is sorrow... blah blah blah. Sure, I've got a black dog nipping at my heels from time to time, but I can't imagine anything more miserable than having to wear pastel, read chicklit and hang out with my girlfriends in shopping malls while sipping smoothies.

Bats, black lace, velvet, red wine and cemetries make me happy. Addams family ON! Deal with it. **strains of Type O Negative's Black No. 1 in the background**

I've been what my mom refers to as "rebellious" since I was 15. Almost two decades later, I'm still there. I've played in grunge, Goth and black metal bands, I've stage-dived, I've done a spot of alternative modelling, I've watched the sunrise more times than I care to remember, I've woken in hospital with alcohol poisoning, kissed girls, interrupted an orgy by mistake, been stabbed, helped out behind the scenes for fetish photo shoots, almost been arrested, been involved in indie filmmaking, got tattooed, pierced...

Some good, some bad, I wouldn't trade any of these experiences over the past 17 or so years for the world. They're little markers along the way. I'm not always proud of some of the stuff I've done but always, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

And it makes for a good story. These incidents and some of the people I've encountered are where I draw much of the inpiration for my tales, be they gritty dark fantasy or erotic romance. I like heroes who aren't wholly good. My ladies may well have a shady past (or present). But the point is, not everyone's going to be the wholesome girl or boy next door, 'cos face it, if we didn't break the rules, things would be really boring. In my books, at least.

And I may well be on the wrong side of 30, but I'm not done yet.

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Book one and two of my Khepera series are now available IN PRINT, in South Africa. No excuses about not reading on screen. Support a starving author so she can create more mayhem as a full-time occupation.
http://www.kalahari.net/page_templates/searchresults.aspx?searchText=Nerine+Dorman&navigationid=632&displayShop=books

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Call for submissions. I'm currently on the prowl for fiction across all genres for a Titanic-inspired line of novellas and novels. See the link below for further information.
http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-for-submissions-titanic-inspired.html

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And, if you reckon you've got what it takes to write a good horror or dark fantasy short story, we'd like to hear about it for the SA HORRORFEST's Bloody Parchment short fiction competition. Details here: http://bloodyparchment.blogspot.com/

Blowing a Fuse with SA Partridge

I'd like to introduce South African YA author SA Partridge, whose novel Fuse has been available for a while locally. I first encountered her writing when The Goblet Club was released, and have enjoyed her stories, which are told with great honesty and authenticity. She is never condescending toward younger people, and perhaps this is what is so appealing about her novels.

This month I'm giving away a copy of Fuse to the first person who can email me at nerinedorman@gmail.com and tell me what the names of the two brothers in Fuse are. Please write "Fuse giveaway" in the subject of your email. I don't mind mailing overseas, but please allow some time for delivery, as it will be surface mail.

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You make mention of the Columbine school killings in Fuse. Since the tragedy in Columbine, South Africa has also had a widely publicised school murder. Did this incident with the "ninja killer" influence your writing of Fuse at all? And, if so, how?

Morne Harmse was the sole reason I started writing Fuse in the first place. I was so angered by the way the media were carrying on about the incident, making all these false connections to Satanism, heavy metal music, mental illness etc.

No one seemed to give much thought to the real issues behind the scenes, like bullying, child abuse, depression. I wanted to write a story about how someone becomes a “child killer”, focusing on the characters as real people whose actions are driven by what has happened to them.

It took me four months to write the book. I just kept writing and writing, and eventually what turned out was a complete novel. It was quite crazy.

If you had a chance to speak with your protagonists, Kendall and Justin, while they were on the run, what would you say to them?

I have no idea what I’d say. They were in such a crazy situation by that point that I don’t think any advice would have helped.

What sort of feedback have you had from teens since Fuse's release?

A bunch of kids who acted in The Goblet Club play (Gif) were at the launch of Fuse and their consequent feedback was very favourable. I’ve had kids tell me they relate to the character of Kendall. I’ve had kids tell me that Kendall was too “girly”. Everyone seems to experience the book in their own way, but all seem to go back to their own school years while reading it, which I think is an indication that I did good.

What sort of influence does belonging to a subculture have on a teen? Can this ever be harmful?

I think as soon as someone has to behave in a certain way in order to belong to a certain group leaves room for danger.

Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to write novels, especially in South Africa?

Just write, and don’t pay attention to what anyone else says. If its good someone will pick it up. And finish what you started. So many people start writing a book but never finish.

Care to spill the beans on any future projects?

The first in a series of books about a strong female character is coming out next year. I like to think of it as the anti-Twilight series.

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Buy Fuse here: http://www.kalahari.net/books/Fuse/632/34589816.aspx

Bitten by Khepera

So, this author (speaking of herself in third person) is able to brag another four-star review, this time from Bitten by Books, whose reviewer says: "Jamie is the anti-hero: he’s rude, crude, obnoxious and yet the whole time I was reading this story I was cheering for this guy because for every nasty act he committed, he would demonstrate some kindly deed, sometimes for people he knew well but more often for others he either hardly knew or despised."

Go read the review here: http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=23785

The author is happy to have spread some "light horror". Heeeeeee.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Now, wearing the editor hat, I'm on the look-out for Titanic-inspired submissions, seeing as the ship would have sunk almost a hundred years ago and it's the kind of disaster that lends itself to all genres.

http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-for-submissions-titanic-inspired.html

LASTLY...

I'm tired of working for the newspapers. I'm also tired of hearing people complain they can't read my novel onscreen. Well, you don't have excuses. Go buy Khepera Rising in print so I can retired and bring you more where this novel came from. You know you want to.

http://www.amazon.com/Khepera-Rising-Nerine-Dorman/dp/1616501669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276114798&sr=1-1

Khepera Rising in print next month

Well, I suppose I'd better come clean 'cos I've been a tad bit distracted by deadlines. Khepera Rising releases in print next month. Understandably I'm very excited about this because it means I can import copies to sell to my friends who are technological dinosaurs and either can't or won't experience the joys of electronic books.

See:
http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=193
or
http://www.amazon.com/Khepera-Rising-Nerine-Dorman/dp/1616501669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274198041&sr=1-1

COMPETITION
You're not going to escape this easily. I'm running a competition this month to promote Khepera Rising's print release. Blog about Khepera Rising's print release or share it on some social networking site. Email me the link or screen shot to nerinedorman@gmail.com

The first entry received wins an electronic copy of the novel.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TITANIC-INSPIRED LINE, open to all genres
I'm actively seeking submissions for publication through Lyrical Press, Inc.
See: http://nerinedorman.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-for-submissions-titanic-inspired.html

Call for submissions: Titanic-inspired line

Please feel free to share this...

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Call For Submission: Titanic themed line

Genres: All

Sensuality level: All

Length: short (15 000 words) to novel-length (90 000 words)

Key characteristic: Must focus on the tragic maiden voyage of the Titanic

Deadline: November 30, 2010

Please follow Lyrical Press’ guidelines found here: http://www.lyricalpress.com/submissions when submitting. Send submissions to nerine@lyricalpress.com

Who among us hasn’t watched Titanic? Or at least heard about the ill-fated White Star Line passenger liner which sank four days into her maiden voyage on April 15, 1912? Harking back to the romance of a past age, the RMS Titanic was, at the time of her construction, the largest and one of the most luxurious passenger steamships in her time. More than 1 500 people perished when she struck an iceberg and sank—one of the greatest peace-time maritime disasters in history.

This event has been brought to life in film and fiction, a human drama that has captured the imagination of many. Each person aboard that ship had some story. Perhaps a down-at-heel Irish immigrant seeking a better life in America? A rich German countess enjoying a pleasure cruise with her lover? Or, what about an idealistic young steward proud of the start of his career aboard this Olympic-class liner? Whether they survived or perished, each person aboard that ship was part of a story, and we invite you to share your vision. Delight us with your tale of true love triumphing against all odds or share the despair of inescapable horror set against this dramatic backdrop playing out on the frigid Atlantic.

Call for Submission: BDSM

And now a word from my publisher:

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Call for submissions: BDSM

Lyrical Press is actively acquiring erotic tales with a strong focus on BDSM.

Let your imagination run wild. Explore the darker side of sexuality. Shed all inhabitations and give free reign to your secret fantasies. Entangle us in a world where sexual boundaries are pushed and readers can dance on a razor’s edge of sex and danger.

Sensuality level: Red hot

Length: 30,000 – 80,000 words

Key Characteristics: Strong sexual relationship between main characters. Elements of bondage and S&M that explore the dominant/submissive roles of a BDSM relationship. Multiple partners acceptable.

Deadline: None

Submission Guidelines: http://www.lyricalpress.com/submissions

Submissions eMail: submissions@lyricalpress.com

If you dare to write it, we dare to consider it.