By Cheryl Brooks
Maintaining interest in a series when there has been roughly a year and a half between releases isn't easy. Most people figure you're simply not writing anymore and forget about you--that is, if they spare any thoughts for you at all. The "What have you done for me lately?" rule is as valid in the publishing industry as it is in Hollywood. Although I did self-publish a four-book erotic contemporary series called Unlikely Lovers last summer, which has sold reasonably well, even those titles have been out for nearly a year.
With stats like that, you'd think I haven't been writing, but I have. I'm gearing up for a new erotic contemporary series with Sourcebooks called Cowboy Heaven to be launched next year. I've already written one book and one novella, and I'm a little over 20,000 words into book #2. I love the cowboys, but there was just something about those aliens...
So what does one say about the tenth book in the series that launched a writing career? Simply put, I believe it's the best book I've ever written, and that includes the cowboys and the Unlikely Lovers. What concerns me is that it will be overlooked and never reach its full potential. Granted, I still have some diehard fans who have been anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, but this game is all about numbers. Is there enough interest left? Quite honestly, I have no idea.
Early in my career, as a means of self-promotion I felt comfortable with, I started an erotic blog, complete with some seriously hot photos. I blogged every single day for a little over four years. I posted vacation pictures, recipes, thoughts on this and that, and a bajillion naked hunks. I didn't have a lot of followers, but I certainly got a lot of hits. Unfortunately, that blog wound up feeding into a XXX bookmark site, which was brought to my attention by a photographer/model who wanted me to either give him credit for his photo or take it down. I got that little gem of an email on July 4, 2012.
Rather unnerved at the idea of my family photos on a XXX site, I unpublished the entire blog, gave it a new name and a new url, and stopped posting the hunks. For fear of being sued for copyright infringement, I stopped using anything other than book cover pics and those photos I'd taken myself. Not surprisingly, interest has waned since then and has now reached the point that I hardly ever post anything. If it wasn't for Facebook, I would have dropped out of sight entirely.
And now, with a launch coming up in July, I feel out of touch with reviewers and bloggers. I haven't done a blog tour since February 2013. Our publicist recently sent me a NetGalley widget for the book. I was like: "That's nice. What do I do with it?"
But when I posted a giveaway of an advance copy of Rebel on Facebook last week, the readers, God bless them, came out in droves. They obviously haven't forgotten how hot my Zetithian heroes were, and now, in what will probably be the final book in the series, they get to read Onca's story.
And what a story it is! I've read through it a dozen times during the editing process, and I never got tired of it. I truly loved writing it, and now I get to share it with you.
Maintaining interest in a series when there has been roughly a year and a half between releases isn't easy. Most people figure you're simply not writing anymore and forget about you--that is, if they spare any thoughts for you at all. The "What have you done for me lately?" rule is as valid in the publishing industry as it is in Hollywood. Although I did self-publish a four-book erotic contemporary series called Unlikely Lovers last summer, which has sold reasonably well, even those titles have been out for nearly a year.
With stats like that, you'd think I haven't been writing, but I have. I'm gearing up for a new erotic contemporary series with Sourcebooks called Cowboy Heaven to be launched next year. I've already written one book and one novella, and I'm a little over 20,000 words into book #2. I love the cowboys, but there was just something about those aliens...
So what does one say about the tenth book in the series that launched a writing career? Simply put, I believe it's the best book I've ever written, and that includes the cowboys and the Unlikely Lovers. What concerns me is that it will be overlooked and never reach its full potential. Granted, I still have some diehard fans who have been anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, but this game is all about numbers. Is there enough interest left? Quite honestly, I have no idea.
Early in my career, as a means of self-promotion I felt comfortable with, I started an erotic blog, complete with some seriously hot photos. I blogged every single day for a little over four years. I posted vacation pictures, recipes, thoughts on this and that, and a bajillion naked hunks. I didn't have a lot of followers, but I certainly got a lot of hits. Unfortunately, that blog wound up feeding into a XXX bookmark site, which was brought to my attention by a photographer/model who wanted me to either give him credit for his photo or take it down. I got that little gem of an email on July 4, 2012.
Rather unnerved at the idea of my family photos on a XXX site, I unpublished the entire blog, gave it a new name and a new url, and stopped posting the hunks. For fear of being sued for copyright infringement, I stopped using anything other than book cover pics and those photos I'd taken myself. Not surprisingly, interest has waned since then and has now reached the point that I hardly ever post anything. If it wasn't for Facebook, I would have dropped out of sight entirely.
And now, with a launch coming up in July, I feel out of touch with reviewers and bloggers. I haven't done a blog tour since February 2013. Our publicist recently sent me a NetGalley widget for the book. I was like: "That's nice. What do I do with it?"
But when I posted a giveaway of an advance copy of Rebel on Facebook last week, the readers, God bless them, came out in droves. They obviously haven't forgotten how hot my Zetithian heroes were, and now, in what will probably be the final book in the series, they get to read Onca's story.
And what a story it is! I've read through it a dozen times during the editing process, and I never got tired of it. I truly loved writing it, and now I get to share it with you.
He’s had a galaxy of women
A refugee of the annihilated planet Zetith, Onca has
no family and no surname—only the fortune accrued
by selling his prime services in a high-class brothel.
When he comes to the rescue of a homeless Zetithian
woman, passions flare, but he dares not touch
someone who seems so young and innocent…
But none has touched his heart
Kimcasha has lived by her wits on the streets since the
age of ten. When her friends start to go missing,
Kim uses herself as bait to find them,
but her plan goes awry when Onca intervenes.
As they are led into a dangerous underworld,
As they are led into a dangerous underworld,
Onca offers to join her crusade
to liberate her friends, and Kim cannot refuse him…
Post a comment for your chance to win an advance copy of Rebel!
I'll be leaving for Florida tomorrow morning,
so post as many comments as you like.
I'll pick a winner at random on Easter Sunday,
and I don't care if you live in Mongolia, I'll mail it to you!
Be sure to include your email address in your comment.
Good luck!
Can't wait to read Rebel. I've been waiting on pins and needles for this book!
ReplyDeletebams1980@gmail.com
LOL! You should get extra points for being the early bird!
DeleteI've been looking forward to this one and I'm in serious mourning that this will end the series. Oh well, there's always re-reading - at least until the books wear out.
ReplyDeletevlettel @ cox. net
Ah...Cheryl Brooks and cowboys... that threw an extra giddy up into my heart! Congratulations on the new release and have fun in Florida...you know I'm jealous!
ReplyDeleteI am so bummed that is will be the last in the series! I have loved this series and waited for each to come out. Have fun in Florida. Carin
ReplyDeletemawmom at gmail dot com
I've loved every single book you've come out with in this series.. even gotten my mom to read them! We can hear each other giggling over the phone and in person when I get the chance to visit.
ReplyDeleteUgh Ok it took me a minute to figure out why it wasn't showing who I am! But I hopefully fixed it! LOL (not having a computer suave morning! Where's my coffee!?)
DeleteCongratulations on the book you're so proud of! It's wonderful when that happens. Especially with the 10th in a series! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteI have found many a new author by winning one of their books or at least hearing lots of buzz about their book. And what a cover! I'm still one of those old fashioned print readers and I really enjoy being surrounded by my books .
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, I'm so proud. You know I'm a diehard fan, and have enjoyed each and every drop of Joy that's erupted since the beginning , Still 10 books later. I've been waiting for Onca the Rebel to finally get to this planet. dmf747@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
10th book! I'm glad the series is still going, even with a little break. Readers have just had time to re-read.
ReplyDeleteYour wit and good humor is pretty much a daily happy pill, Cheryl and that's in addition to ALL your books. The time issue won't mean jack to your loyal fans and hopefully new fans will love Rebel and then have a wonderful back list to devour. :) Ohhhh...and I'll love me some cowboys! nbristow@verizon.net
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I would sooooo LOVE to win this~ I have been having withdraw for sooooo long!! uuummmmm..... Love me some Cat Man!!
ReplyDeletebettysunflower@hotmail.com
Congrats! :)
ReplyDeleteI have been eager for a new book in the series. Can't wait to read it. Have fun in Florida, it's hot as heck here right now, lol.
fsteph55(at)yahoo(dot)com
I DO NOT want this series to end!! I just love those Cat Men!!
ReplyDeletebettysunflower@hotmail.com
Can't wait for this book! Sad to hear the series is ending. Whatever will I do without new cat-men to keep me cozy??
ReplyDeleteExcited to read about your cowboys series, though. MMM love me some cowboys!!! And if Cheryl's writing about them, you know its going to be HOT!!
freakgrly (at) aol (dot) com
I think you underestimate your allure to readers. Many of us look forward to the next title, no matter how long it takes (of course, if you are going to be like a certain author who took several years between books...that might be different). I really enjoyed Unbridled as well, but haven't read the rest of the series although I am sure they are just as delightful as the rest of your books have been. Congrats on the new release and the new contract. I don't use FB but I do appreciate receiving your newsletter and hope that you authors remember that there are quite a few of us readers who are not on FB or Twitter or Pinterest because we'd rather spend that time reading, lol.
ReplyDeleteelewkf1 at yahoo dot com
OMG I cannot wait!! A hot zetithian and a seamy underworld -Sounds awesome :)
ReplyDeletecushie diva (at) gmail (dot) com
I have returned from Florida, safe and sound and my trusty Random.org randomizer has chosen ChushieDiva as the winner!. I'll be contacting you soon via email. Congratulations!
ReplyDelete