Newsletter ~ March 2008

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Welcome to spring! I'm a little bit behind this month, but I wanted to wait 'til a couple of dates passed so I could share the potential news. Unfortunately, I didn't make the finals of the Lambda Literary Awards--but I failed in extraordinarily good company. That salves my ego somewhat. Congratulations to all the finalists AND the nominees. I firmly believe fine flickering hungers just had a bit too much heterosexual content for that particular venue. Live and learn. There are still a few more awards for which I'm still in the running, but the results won't be announced for months. (I'm SO not a patient person, either.)

I made my online radio debut this month on Stella Price's Blog Talk Radio show, Books Beyond the Boundaries. The show is archived and available for download from the site. It's a venue I'll be exploring further, I'm sure!

For the next few weeks, I'll be focusing on edits for Coming Together: With Pride and preparations for the Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention. I'm also trying to set up an early June book signing in DC at Lambda Rising since I'll be in town to attend Cyndi Lauper's True Colors concert. (Can't wait!!!) I had some kick-ass promo buttons made for the event.

My newsletter will be late again next month due to the convention. In fact, I'll be combining the April & May issues into one. Watch for it in early May. Until next time ...

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

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New Releases & Coming Soon [TOP]

Making their debut at ROMANTIC TIMES:
Artistically Bound
ISBN 978-1-59426-889-2
Phaze (trade paperback)

BLURB:
Together in one volume, Brio & Belegon's most successful novellas. This print compilation brings together ebooks Artistically Inclined and Bound for Success. Also included is a chunk of Erotique to whet the readers' appetite for another of their popular couples, Mandy & Bruce.

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Spring Training
ISBN 978-1-59426-889-2
Phaze, April 2008 (ebook)

Last season, Andrea Spring had the ride--or, rather, rides--of her life with a pair of pitchers in Double Header. As the new season rolls around, Andi's focus has shifted from players to coach. Does Mark Hamilton have what it takes to earn Andi's trust and complete Spring Training?

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COMING in JUNE 2008 from PHAZE:
Coming Together: With Pride
ISBN 978-1-59426-891-5 (ebook) / 978-1-59426-892-2 (print)

CONTENTS:
Introduction (Rachel Kramer Bussel) | Today (Kally Jo Surbeck) | Raven (James Buchanan) | A Girl's Best and Earthy Things (Heather Fowler)| Don't Look Down (Mari Freeman) | Echoes of the Past (Mychael Black ) | A Brief Discourse... (P.S. Haven) | When the Angels Fall (Helen Madden) | Customer Service (Eon de Beaumont) | Nuit Blanche (Giselle Renarde) | Western Pleasure (Shanna Germain) | Chemistry (Lisabet Sarai) | Fire and Ice (Cassie Exline) | An Early Winter Train (C. Sanchez-Garcia) | Selling Foxx (I.M. Cupnjava) | Be Prepared (Storm Grant) | Freedom to Serve (Nicole Gestalt) | The Personal Is Political (Jean Roberta) | Past Perfect (Alessia Brio) | About Coming Together (Alessia Brio)

Proceeds from the sale of this volume benefit AVERT.
 

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Interviews & Appearances [TOP]

EPICon is over, and even though I didn't bring home an EPPIE this year, it was still a lot of fun. I met some great folks, saw some wonderful author-friends who I seldom get to see, and got to play dress-up for the banquet/ceremony. My gown was vintage beaded silk (Thank you, eBay!), indulging my inner femme. Will & I presented the EPPIE for Best Erotic Romance Fantasy/Paranormal to Jet Mykles. (Doesn't he look dashing in that tux? ROWR!) As usual, Jeff Strand was incredible as M.C. It's hard to stay nervous when you're laughing!

I did pick up my ARIANA (trophy) and Dirk A. Wolf (plaque) cover art awards plus finalist certificates for Coming Together: For the Cure and Phaze in Verse -- and I was totally honored to be nominated for EPIC's Friend of ePublishing award, especially given the company!

Next on the agenda is Romantic Times in Pittsburgh from April 16th through the 20th. I am working on my promo and costumes now. The main promo event for epublished and small press authors will be the eBook Expo on Wednesday evening from 5:00-7:00 PM. Will & I have two books that will debut at that event. (See above for details.)

Blogging, Contests, Free Reads, etc. [TOP]

On the promo blog, the Mensa Bulletin review of ArtiFactual, a few of craft-related posts (three-act fiction, character motivation, nudging the muse), a couple Phaze sale notices, a clip of Jeff Strand's EPPIE show, an article about the e-volution of publishing, and pre/post promo for the Blog Talk Radio show.

At MySpace, my typical gushing about Obama, a couple of fluffy blog memes, an article about digital publishing, and (again) the Blog Talk Radio show announcement.

Poetry [TOP]

On the poetry blog this month, nothing new. Too busy to emote, I guess. *wink*

Featured Backlist Title [TOP]

Double Header
ISBN 978-1-59426-772-7
Phaze, October 2007 ($5 ebook)

BLURB:
Andrea Spring doesn't love baseball, but she sure loves baseball players. When her carefully-crafted casual sex life gets rocked by unexpected forces, she meets the challenge with her unique style. There's nothing conventional about this woman. When Andi plays, everybody wins.

The sequel, Spring Training, will debut at the Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention in Pittsburgh!