September 26, 2014

Author Interview with Sydney St. Claire + GIVEAWAY!

Note: The following book is erotica. I normally don't host these, but there's no nudity on the cover or explicit content in this interview. Plus, she's my fellow Rose from The Wild Rose Press!


So please help me to welcome Sydney St. Clare to Write with Fey! She is sharing her inspiration behind her BDSM novella, wonderful advice for new writers, and a fabulous giveaway! 


Sydney, tell us about your current release.

Jaimie Newberry is jobless, her rent is due, and her cat just died. On top of that, she was accused of embezzling before she was fired. When her friend invites her for a weekend of kinky fairytale role-playing, she agrees to go as Cinderella. What has she got to lose when sex with a handsome prince is involved?

CEO Bryce Langston needs to know if Jamie is innocent of embezzlement or just very clever. He arranges for her to be his weekend sub but soon realizes the pretty scullery maid is naïve to the BDSM lifestyle. As her prince and her Dom, he intends to not only learn the truth but to make sure she has a fantasy come true.


TRAILER:

Genre: Erotica (BDSM)
Length: 84 pages
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: September 12th, 2014

BUY LINKS: 
NOOK / KOBO / IBOOKS

1.    Is Cinderella and Prince Dom part of a series?

Yes, this is book one of my Once Upon A Dom series. Red & The Big Bad Dom, book two will be out in November.

2.    What movies inspired your book?

There wasn’t really a movie that inspired my book but more of an idea. Writing in the BDSM market, the series title just popped into my head. Once Upon A Time became Once Upon A Dom. Then I really liked the idea of taking fairy tale characters and putting them into a BDSM setting. Fairytales you’re mother never read you became the series tag line. But I will say, with the ABC show Once Upon A Time, and the new Maleficent movie, the idea of taking fairytales and using them as my theme held a lot of appeal. Must be something in the air!

3.    I love the show Once Upon a Time! What would women find irresistible about your hero?

     Bryce is a Dominant male sexually and he takes his role seriously. When he learns Jaimie is about as vanilla as you can get, he decides to introduce her into some light BDSM and show her just what her body really craves. It doesn’t matter that he’s unsure of her innocence in an embezzling scheme or that he’ll prosecute her if she’s guilty.

     The two issues are separate. She’s there for fun, games, and sex and he’s the perfect Dom to see that she has the best weekend of her life.

     The other aspect of Bryce is his devotion to his deceased wife. He loved her and until he meets Jaimie, there’s been no other man. He’s also a kind, caring and honest man. Once he’s learned the truth about Jaimie, he goes out of his way to admit he was wrong.

     I think it boils down to his having that alpha personality with just enough beta thrown in so women get it all with Bryce.

4.  Bryce sounds steaming! If you have a pen name, can you explain how you came up with it?

I have a pen name: Sydney St. Claire. I’ve always loved the name Sydney, and a very long time ago, I had St. Claire as the last name of another “possible” pen name. When I was deciding on a pen name, I spent time searching for free domains, blogs, Facebook pages, twitter handles, etc. I wanted to get all of the social media names for whatever pen name I chose. So I ended up merging a couple of pen names on my list until I ended up on Sydney St. Claire. I like her. Think I’ll keep her!

5.     I like her, too! What are a few things we would find in or on your desk?

Lol’s on this question. I have a huge executive size desk and I have very LITTLE room on it. I have a rose quartz and an amethyst tea light candleholder, a monitor and a small paper sorter. Other than that, my desk is taken up with three cat beds and there are usually three cats in those beds (though in the summer not all the time). In winter, there are usually four cats at times, and a few times, all five have insisted that I can’t possible write without their support…


6.     Your desk looks a lot like mine! Share three random facts about you.

Obviously I love my cats and spoil them horribly, I love to garden and have a cool, 26 foot medicine wheel garden (the weeds are having a hay-day), my first grandchild is on the way—a little girl so am busy sewing cute little dresses.

7.    How long have you been writing?

Wow, have to think on this. My first book came out in 1996 and it was a 9-year road to being published so that means I started in 1987. Holy-Moly! 27 years. Now I feel very, very old!

8.     What lessons did you learn early on in your writing career? (Your advice to new writers.)

Determination:  Be determined in your quest. The road to being published is windy, twisted, and filled with potholes and often times, the bridges have been blown up by fate, and you have to travel the longer road. 

Stubbornness:  Be stubborn. Believe in your work and don’t be defeated when an editor (or agent) says your baby is ugly and will never see the light of day. Stubbornly refuse to run and hide and keep working on the beautiful baby. Rewrite, edit, and resubmit. And in the meantime, take what you learn and keep writing. Be stubborn. “I will write. I will submit. I will do what it takes to achieve my goal.”

Willingness: Be willing to work your butt off. It takes a lot of work. Sometimes many years. My road was 9 years and I trust me, it took determination, stubbornness and willingness to get to where your entire writing career hinges on you being willing. If your publishing house goes out of business (mine did) then you have to be willing to start over. If your genre takes a dive (westerns did), then you have to be willing to try something new. Be willing to rebrand yourself, be willing to work hard, be willing to reap your rewards.

9.    Great advice, Sydney! If you could write anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

With except of Hawaii, which has got to be a very inspiring place to go, I’d choose something a little bit more generic. I love the Mendocino coast. It calls to me periodically. I love the sea. I also love mountains so a nice place in the woods (no chance of fire please) would also be an inviting and welcome place to write.

10.    That sounds lovely! Do you listen to music while you write?

Absolutely. Not every time but I often do put on music. I either choose from my computer my current favorite play list which has Blackmore’s Nights, David Lantz, Secret Garden and Gregorian Chanters and Enya. Very new aggy. I’m also known to play Neil Diamond, Walela, and Jaya Lakshmi. More often, I put on Pandora and select a new age channel.


About the Author:

Sydney St. Claire is the pseudonym of Susan Edwards, author of 14 Historical Native American/Western/Paranormal romances and the author of the popular “White” Series.

Sydney loves writing and sharing stories of love, happiness and dreams come true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success. Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre. Sydney takes her readers into the world of erotica romance where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.

Sydney’s office is quite crowded with three dogs at her feet and five cats to keep her company while she writes. Three cats always insist on beds on her desk, barely leaving enough room for her monitor and keyboard. Life gets fun when all five insist on supervising…

When not writing, she enjoys crafts of all sorts including quilting, sewing, cross-stitch, and knitting. She and her husband of 30 + years are avid gardeners. He takes care of the veggies, and Susan is in charge of the ‘pretties’. Her medicine wheel garden is in a contact state of war: flowers vs. weeds. Sadly, right now the weeds are wining…

While writing, she listens to a wide variety of music. Her current favorites are Blackmore’s Night and David Lanz.

AUTHOR LINKS:

GIVEAWAY: 


Prize includes:
Tote Bag
Mug
4GB Flash Drive
Lighted Key tag
Once Upon A Dom Pen
What Happens at the Castle Stays at the Castle Notepad
Assorted other goodies


Thank you for telling us about Cinderella and Prince Dom, Sydney! And for offering my readers a chance to enter your fabulous giveaway!

Please leave Sydney a comment and don't forget to enter the giveaway! Gentlemen, you can participate and give the prizes to your wife. ;)


45 comments:

  1. Most enjoyable post to read on this dreary Friday.

    Have a great week-end.

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview. :)

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    2. Thank you for your kind words. Have a great weekend and thanks again for stopping by and taking time to comment.

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  2. How does she get any writing done with all those cats in the way?

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    1. Speaking from experience...you work around them. haha

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    2. Lol's Alex. Easier to work around them than fight them! Of course I have to make Koko lie down. He's the one who tries to get the cursor moving on the monitor (smart cat looks behind for it as well!) thanks for taking the time to visit and comment.

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  3. haha the cats are sure there and ready to help

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    1. The story of my life, Pat. Missing one in that photo and I just rescued a sweet, black little girl. Not sure I can fit 6 of them there!! Thanks for visiting

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  4. This books sounds steamy! I've always wanted to get inside the head of an erotic writer. I don't think I would ever be able to come up with stories as such but it's nice to venture outside of our comfort zones while living vicariously through other authors=) Best of luck Sydney!
    I love the picture of the cats. Makes me think about the one my boyfriend and I are rescuing this weekend and what we can expect!

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    1. Getting inside a writer's head, no matter what genre, is always fascinating!

      I am so thrilled that you'll be rescuing a cat this weekend. That's amazing! My cats approved. ;) I can't wait to see a picture. :D

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    2. Gina, it's no different than writing any other book or genre. It's just the level of sex and romance and how you say it. No "purple" allowed in erotica. What surprised me, was the switch in length. All my books as Susan Edwards, are full length historcials. This new series are novellas. Never thought I could go short yet I didn't find it that hard to switch gears. I love hearing people talk of rescuing cats. All but 2 of my cats were rescues and those 2 came from another author who was looking for homes. I just rescued an 8 wk kitten from a shopping center where someone dumped her. Couldn't leave the poor hungry thing there trying to find food (Wingstop folk were giving her chicken bones). Good luck and have fun with your rescue. And bless you for doing so! Thanks for visiting.

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  5. Oh my. That cover is... *blush*

    Great writing advice! Determination, stubbornness, and willingness are good traits to have.

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    1. Loni, yes, it is a ot cover! The next cover isn't quite so revealing. Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment.

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    2. The cover is hot but not as revealing as it could be. If it was anymore revealing I would've had to use an altered version. I like this cover! :)

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  6. Thank you, Chrys for having me. You have a wonderful site and I'll be checking it out. You're awesome!

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  7. This was a very good interview, Chrys! Welcome Sydney and thank you for giving me such enjoyable moments. The plot of your book seem to be very interesting. I am more into femdom, but I am sure I will love to read it.

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    1. Thank you, MC for your kind words and stopping by. Would love to hear if you read it and what you think!

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    2. Thank you, M.C.! I'm glad you liked this interview with Sydney. :)

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  8. Great storyline and I love the cover. Good luck with the book

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    1. Thank you, Marlow. Nice of you to stop and take the time to comment. I appreciate it.

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    2. Thanks for leaving Sydney a comment, Marlow!

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  9. Taking a unique twist to fairytales must be fun. Erotica for fairytale fans and beyond.

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  10. Thanks, Sheena-kay. I have to admit, I'm having a blast with this series. Red Riding Hood was a blast and I'm finishing Snow White now and that's been a lot of fun as well. Always nice to enjoy the writing process!

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  11. It's amazing how much the erotica genre has taken off in recent years. Congratulations to Sydney on her success!

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    1. It sure is! I've actually started a couple of erotica stories. Well, I'm not sure if they'll pass as erotica or just extra sexy. We will have to wait and see. ;)

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    2. Thank you, Stephanie. It's sure been a fun genre to jump into!

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    3. I sure hope you pursue your erotica stories, Chrys and fingers crossed!!

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    4. Thank you, Sydney. They are on the back burner for now, but I do plan on working on them.

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  12. Sydney,
    I know I'm late getting in here, but your interview was great! I write to music as well. When I wrote my WWII novel, I listened to a lot of big band music. That really inspired me!

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    1. Thanks for leaving Sydney a comment, Ilona! :)

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    2. Thank you Ilona! I was surprised to learn how many writers need music. I guess one creative genius needs another or something.

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  13. What a cute pic of the kitties.

    Hi, Chrys:)

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    1. Thanks, Sandra. I just added number 6. She's too small to jump up there. Be an interesting winter seeing if she also joins us.

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  14. Wonderful lessons and advice. That writing space looks cozy. The cats must agree.

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  15. The book looks interesting. Maybe I'll order it next time I log into my Amazon account (I plan to order some books by Peter Handke in the near future). I sometimes read erotica, not because I'm particularly interested in that genre, but to learn. Sexual scenes are sometimes natural to include in other types of fiction too. I think the sexual scenes are the most difficult to write well, without just repeating cliches and overused porn-language >:)

    Cold As Heaven

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    1. That would be great if you ordered it! Leave her a review if you do read it. :) And reading erotica is a great way to learn how to write sex scenes.

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    2. CA--Hope you enjoy it if you order it. Would love to know your thoughts and of course, reviews are always welcome and so appreciated. Reading sex does help in writing sex. surprisingly, I find the sex scenes fast as they are not as complicated. Unlike my historical romances, I don't have to weave in setting, outside descriptions, too much internal thought or conflict. During sex, its pretty much sex

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  16. I'll say again, Chrys, you have an awesome site with wonderful readers.

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