Finn’s Feisty Felines are now recruiting!
If you have the enthusiasm to get involved and are interested in joining the team supporting Scarlett Finn and her novels, then check out our street team. All are welcome!
Click on the picture above to come on over 🙂
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
It’s out! Yes, that’s right, Explicit Detail is now officially available in all Amazon territories.
It turns out that release day is actually a bit of an anti-climax. With the introduction of pre-orders most people who wanted their copy early ordered ahead of time. Pre-order sales, as it turns out, don’t actually translate into a bump in Amazon rankings so from my POV everything is the same today as it was yesterday. There was no anxious waiting to see who would be interested in picking up their copy because I already had the pre-sales figures.
Hmm.
But pre-orders are a great thing. They mean that readers can ensure to get their copy of the novels that they want and they won’t forget or miss out. I’ve already set up the pre-order function for my next release and it’s currently working its way through Amazon’s system.
Getting a book out is always a relief. I don’t have to worry about walking out in front of a bus now, the book is out, no stopping it now. Well, I should say that I have to worry less about walking out in front of a bus, but should also note that I do still intend to look both ways before crossing the street.
The apprehension I feel this time is lessened by the fact that Explicit Instruction is already out there, so I hope that more people will be aware of Rushe’s ways. But that doesn’t ease the worry altogether. Rushe doesn’t become a different character over night and so he’s still abrupt and crude, and rough, and foul-mouthed… need I go on? Flick has her work cut out. But it’s the reaction of the readers that makes me nervous. If you’re not expecting Rushe then he can be quite a surprise. The sex is full-on and dirty, and pretty constant at the start so buckle up if you plan to read it :p
With the pre-order promotion done and the majority of initial sales now over, my work is sort of already done. All I can do now is hope that people will read and respond positively. I turn my faith over to the readers with the dream that you will enjoy Rushe and Flick and then tell your friends. It’s your word of mouth that we authors rely on. You are all-powerful as far as we’re concerned. So please read Explicit Detail, if you can, and spread the word. Tell your friends to tell their friends, and we can make sure that Rushe is experienced by any and all who enjoy a good dose of drama and passion. He believes himself so unloveable, maybe we can prove him wrong.
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
We now have a Facebook group to discuss all of my novels. Today the complete first chapter of Explicit Detail was uploaded to the group. Yes, the complete first chapter! So head on over and check it out. Tonight there will be a special announcement, intrigued?
Click on the image above to come on over 🙂
Success is a relative term that we all have to define for ourselves. When I started my publishing journey I had to learn about a lot of new things that I hadn’t considered before. Ironically, the easiest part of this whole process is the writing! Yes, that’s the part I find myself retreating to when the rest of this experience becomes too much.
Has my writing style and process changed since I released my first novel? Yes. You have to let it be organic. Every new experience adjusts our perspective, so our writing will always adjust to compensate.
But what I didn’t do was make a concrete assertion of what “success” would look like. I suppose we all have a vague idea of what it would look like to achieve our dreams. But when you start on the path to try and realise your ambition the whole thing takes on a new configuration.
I’m not actually here to talk about writing, but as I previously stated, writing is my go to place when I’m struggling elsewhere. So why am I here? I’m not really sure, to be honest. I sat staring at the empty post for a while… and that’s not like me. I’m one of these strange people who love the white, blank page. It doesn’t intimidate me, it excites me, because it lies there ready to absorb the adventure, to record the comedy and drama woven in the words.
But I sat and I stared… I could write about writing. I could write about publishing. I could write about process. I could talk about opinion. Today, I’m vexed by a challenge that I can’t overcome. I can’t think my way out of it. I can’t write my way out of it. With those two avenues exhausted I sit and I stare.
I can write full-length romantic fiction. I can publish novels in various digital formats and in paperback. I can create and maintain websites. I can blog. I can interact on social media. Other than the first, these are all things that I’ve had to learn since I started this publishing journey. What can’t I do? Find a way to encourage readers to engage with me as a writer.
I don’t know if it’s me. I don’t know if it’s my novels. But no matter how much I talk to and question people, and generally try to encourage dialogue, readers are reluctant. Why is that?
So I do what any sane person would do, I consult the plan for achieving my goal… hmm… What does success look like? Goals in writing can be severely narrowed… “I must edit this many chapters this week…” “I must reach this word count.” “I must write the blurb, description, design a cover…” “Come up with a character name…” the list is endless. But because it can be divided into so many segments it’s easy to focus on each task and ignore the big picture.
At first it’s just a wonder to see your book on Amazon! Then it’s amazing to see the red line on your sales dashboard graph move at all. All of these little feats become cause for celebration. Mastering the tasks in themselves can feel like climbing mountains and reaching summits. What do you do when you’re over the mound of learning, and comfortable enough in the process, then realise that you’re lacking?
You try to find a task to complete… but there isn’t one. You can’t achieve a task toward a goal when you don’t know what success looks like. I do wonder how other indies measure their success, is it in sales? Maybe its in monetary terms? Or maybe it’s the number of dedicated fans that they have?
Success is relative, but I still don’t know where it stands in relation to me… could it be hiding around the next corner? But if you’re standing on the road alone, when is it time to accept that you’ve taken a wrong turn?
Good luck on your adventures,
Scarlett
Every author knows, or should know, that word of mouth is crucial to book sales. It’s crucial in all areas of sales, for any product or service, but it’s not easy to encourage. You can’t make it happen.
Most readers would assess the activity as a hobby. Very few readers would consider reading a passion to the point of addiction. Each group is as important as the other. Getting people talking about your work is the only thing that will spread interest to the point of great success.
So how do we address it? In my experience, we don’t. Though, I do think it’s a shame that so many readers don’t understand the power they wield. If you tell one friend about a book that you enjoyed, and ask them to tell them a friend if they enjoy it, and so on, pretty soon a wildfire will grow and you alone will have started a trend. You will have picked out the next success. You, the readers, can give great reach to a once unknown novel or author.
But, and this is a big but, readers are just as influential the other way. So authors must always remember that the reader is always right. If you try too hard to make conversations happen then you’re only likely to upset your audience.
I do think that if casual readers took more time discussing the books that they enjoyed there would be a more varied traditional market. In this time of austerity few big publishers are taking risks on lesser known authors or novels.
I don’t claim for one second to hold all the answers. No one can. But I do have concerns, as many do, about the state of the publishing industry at the moment. Almost every author you speak to will concede that there needs to be reformation of the way the big publishers, and retailers, do business. The trouble is, and please bear in mind that we’re a creative bunch, no one has come up with the solution.
My concern isn’t with regards to my writing career. Oddly enough I feel relatively secure as an indie knowing that I can control my process and output. But for all this talk of what colossal Governmental debt we’re leaving for our children, what a polluted and empty planet we are passing on to our grandchildren, can’t we at least secure their recreational needs? How can parents educate children on the pleasure of reading when all anyone wants is the latest gadget and the most explosive video game?
I’ve heard a lot of talk, especially recently, of how we need to change our political process, of how we need to be more willing to pull together to fix the problem instead of spending so much time in opposition, blaming each other for the issues. There are times when I feel the same way about industry, and about the publishing industry specifically.
Is it just because they can shout the loudest? Or because their pulpit is the highest? So many aspire to be taken on, to be under the wing of this protective dragon, who is out there to take on the world for us while we cower quietly in the folds of its wing, igniting our passion, so they can let it flourish.
They’re not out to protect us. No one is out to protect you. We live in a world where if you want something you have to go and get it for yourself. Don’t ever expect your dream to come true by sitting back and staring into the clouds. The world is beautiful. We have so much as individuals and as a society to give. So why do we spend so much time in opposition to each other?
There is no black and white. There are only shades of grey. So why can’t we accept that not everything is a matter of right or wrong? Not everything is as clear as good or bad? That cool and uncool are relative terms?
Life is filled with big decisions. Life is filled with difficult decisions. One day you may wake up and regret one of them. One decision can change everything about your life. It can change who you are. It can change who you become.
I always try to be as honest as I can, I share my opinions, but I try not to get too personal. Every single person reading this has a story. It’s a story in your heart. A story of your ideals. A story that maps the course from where you were to where you are. I can almost guarantee that when you reflect upon that story it won’t be the one you thought you’d be telling.
Are we who we thought we would be? When you were a child, or an adolescent, full of hope and imagination, what did you dream of?
It’s important to know, when you think of your former self, that you’re still there. That fire never went away. Your life might not be what you thought it would be. But the passion doesn’t have to leave you. The only tragedy would be containing that fire and not sharing it with the world.
So tomorrow, or today, tell your story… ok, maybe not all at once, but share something. Look into the eyes of another person and share your fire, then ask them to share their fire with you. Together we are powerful, we can move the lives of others. We can influence the future through our children. Standing in opposition should not be our default stance. Reach out.
Don’t let the fire die out, let it burn. Smile at the sky and remember that tomorrow is another page of your story, ready, open to be written. You will fill that white, blank page, and it will remain with you forever. Don’t forget to share it.
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
Yes, you heard me right, I said sex.
I feel a bit like a pinball at the moment, bouncing about all over the place, only to hit one wall and fire off into another. I don’t know what to do. I’m completely torn.
As I’ve told you guys before I’ve had contradicting opinions on the volume of sex had by Rushe and Flick. Now lets leave aside for a second that the word “Explicit” is in the title. Let us also leave aside that fact that just about every review references the fact that there is a copious amount of sex. Oh, and that there’s a warning in the description. Somehow readers are still surprised that there is so much sex in the book.
My frustration comes from the fact that half of readers want implied sex and half want explicit sex. Some want it soft and slow, others want Rushe to take what he wants. Maybe the most confusing part is when people talk about how unbelievable it is that Flick suddenly wants lots of sex. They are in an intense situation and most relationships start out heavy on the sex. Rushe wants it too but no one has mentioned that.
Anyway, it sounds like I’m pouting but I’m not, I’m just frustrated. Having readers connect with my work, and enjoy it, is my highest goal. But somehow I just can’t seem to do it. All I want to do is write interesting characters in interesting situations and entertain the audience, to have you engage with those I create.
When people read sci-fi they expect spaceships and/or unfathomable technology because it’s par for the course. Romance novels have to feature some physical connection, whether it’s a kiss, or an implied sex scene, there has to be something, doesn’t there?
I’m feeling the sting because I’m editing Explicit Detail (the Explicit Instruction sequel) so if the sex has to be cut, now is the time to do it. I’m tempted to get out the red pen. I’ll put in the warning this time that there is no sex whatsoever. Will that warning work? I made a joke once about writing a “clean” version and an “author’s cut”, it would delay publication but I’m increasingly tempted to do just that.
Grr, I’m so indecisive. Does the sex matter? Should it make the final cut, or should readers be relied upon to use their imagination?
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
I’ve been at the computer for almost fourteen hours now, the room is starting to ripple, and I haven’t eaten since… yesterday. Needless to say I’ll keep this brief.
Explicit Instruction stormed through the charts at Amazon.ca I don’t think there are words for my surprise. It’s a funny little cloud to be sitting on. I know the position won’t hold forever, so although it’s amazing I’m already preparing for the crash. Weird, isn’t it? Writing isn’t instant. I can’t just release a new book tomorrow. But as flattered and humbled as I am it’s like… it doesn’t feel real. I thought actually charting anywhere was the equivalent to winning an Oscar, you know, completely out of the realm of possibility for anyone mortal.
I’ve been a writer all of my life. But it’s different now. In these last few months, since I started to publish the beast has taken on a new form. It’s a form I like. It’s utterly exhausting and exhilarating, and for the first time today I started to realise that this is real. People have actually read my work, some people like it, some people don’t, but it’s out there now. There’s no taking it back… not that I would if I could. But it’s just little me, sitting behind my computer, writing the worlds that exist in my mind.
I wish I could reach more people, and I wish more people could reach me. There have been times I’ve been exhausted through to my bones, and times I’ve been so happy I’ve wanted to jump and scream.
I don’t know what this is. I don’t know what I’ve started. But I do know I’m not going anywhere.
People I’ve thought would be happy for me, ignore me. People who I thought would be disappointed, are proud. But still, it’s just little me, behind my computer screen, tapping away.
I do this for me. I do it because I would be doing it anyway, whether I published or not. But it’s just me, all alone, sharing my secret with you.
I’m about to digress into my existential mutterings so I’ll stop there. I suppose what I want to say is, thank you for having faith, for joining me on this journey. Sorry, if I disappoint you, if I fail to live up to the faith you’ve put in me, and… please, I want to ask you to come with me, to stay with me, I can’t do this alone. I am us, I am we, and without we and us, there is no I…
See, I told you, I think I’m tripping out! Here’s to tomorrow, and may there be many more to come.
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
Series’ are all the rage.
When I first published I had an idea of what I would publish and when. I had several books completed and so envisaged preparing and releasing each of them as I went along. What I hadn’t factored in was that readers would care about my work.
I don’t sell very many books, I know that the world of indie publishing often leaves many authors languishing in obscurity because of the sheer volume of available books if nothing else. I always wrote the kind of books that I would want to read, I write as a reader.
Mistake Me Not drew varying feedback but there was always going to be a book two. I’d written it before I published the first. Explicit Instruction, I have to be honest, is my favourite. I relished writing every single word, and though my confidence in how it would be received flagged, I toned it down in the editing process and I’m proud of the end result – even if there are those out there who are not.
But I hadn’t thought anyone would want another Explicit novel. I’d written an outline for a second novel but that’s not unusual for me. Sometimes I write chapters and chapters after I’ve completed a novel because I’m not yet ready to give up the characters, and I’m interested in how they develop, in where they go. I hadn’t thought anyone else would care!
So how to decide? I have to admit that since I realised people were interested in further Rushe and Flick novels my mind has been jumping with ideas. I couldn’t sleep last night because of them. I actually got up in the middle of the night and started making notes.
So what’s the problem? Well the problem is that I promised this MMN sequel and I am doing it, I will get it out this year, but I don’t imagine there are many people anticipating it.
Both novels have been enjoyed by people who have read them, not by everyone who read them, but you’ll never please everyone. I suppose my dilemma comes from the fact that there isn’t a huge audience. I would be happy to write for the dozen or so folks who have expressed interest in a sequel but chances are they’ll have forgotten about it by the time I get it out.
The only thing to do is to keep writing. I’ll get the MMN sequel out, then see if the audience for more Explicit novels has grown. The nature of the characters mean that more Explicit novels would continue to be graphic. Rushe isn’t going to suddenly become a flurry bunny, and Flick’s confidence would skyrocket knowing she had Rushe at her back. The language and imagery will continue to offend some people, but I would have to stay true to the style of work that the original Explicit book follows.
I’d like to write more but it’s a big decision to make. My other novels are softer, safer, and if my readers expect that then I’ll have to deliver. But – and this is a big but – if it turns out that my readers actually prefer my raunchier work then way-hey! Let’s get to it!
I can’t put Explicit Instruction in front of too many people because it’s just not suitable for all. But without readers there is no point in a sequel.
Grr! See how frustrating it is to be in my head! Anyway, I’m procrastiwriting, I should be writing, and I’m not. My head is bouncing. It’s at times like these I wish I had an editor to help direct my creativity. I’ll write what people want, for the largest audience. But how do I know what that is?
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
So I was thinking about this in the shower this morning – it’s where I do all of my thinking, lol – all of us are living a double life, but how far does it go?
The concept isn’t new. People have spoken about cyber-lives for years. With the rise of social media it’s easy to communicate with any number of people who share our passions.
But when I read forums, and blogs, I find myself wondering, how far apart are we? I would imagine that the vast majority of folk have friends and family on their social media platforms. But when it comes to reading, and more specifically in my genre of romance, how many of us share our thoughts and passions with those closest to us? As readers, are people more inclined to share their ideas with those in their virtual lives than those in their real lives?
The idea then progressed to writers. Writing requires willpower and stamina, you have to have the ability to push through even when everything in you wants to go to bed, and forget the whole mess. Yet, in some circles certain genres have a stigma attached, preconceptions exist about what being a writer of those genre indicates. Certainly, romance and erotica writers have stigma attached to what they do. It seems amazing, because there is such an outpouring of love from readers on genre specific websites and discussion boards. But I’m sure every romance writer has seen the eye roll, or the heard snigger, that accompanies our confession to others of what we do, as if somehow your genre is sub-par.
On the internet, in the reader and writer zones, we can discuss freely and be proud of what we read, and of what we write. But that’s not always the case in the three-dimensional world, which to me only reinforces the belief that there is something of a divide. Are you living a double life? Am I? Just who are we? Are we who we are online? Where we can be honest and share with those who accept our views and passions? Or are we that person at the water cooler who states we had a “quiet weekend”? When in truth the book you’ve been waiting half a year for has just been released, and you’ve spent all weekend awake reading, and discussing, said novel with your virtual buddies. You didn’t get a wink of sleep, and are surviving on pure adrenaline. But who would understand?
So again, there is this divide.
But those who do the sniggering, or the judging, don’t understand. They don’t know the passion, the enjoyment, that we get from reading and from writing. I’m sure there are those in my three-dimensional world who would be shocked to read my work. But it’s tame compared to what else is on the market. But they don’t know the market.
I read a comment on a Goodreads message board a while ago about FSOG, about how big a success it was, and how impressed everyone was. This comment I read said something along the lines of, “it’s just that New York sat up and took notice.” It made me laugh because I said the same thing to bemused friends who ranted about the book. I’m not passing judgement on the work here, just to be clear. I’m simply saying that when people were so amazed by this “unique” book I thought, ‘there’s been stuff like that out for years!’ Those readers didn’t know the market. But you do.
Readers here in this virtual world have experience of the genre, they have a love for it, a passion, that in my view makes you the most educated and valued audience a writer could have.
Is there a divide between reality and virtuality? Yes, probably. But that doesn’t make one right and one wrong. It should make us value each other more. In short, no one understands me like you do, lol, you guys are the best!
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
A Goodreads discussion got me thinking about where writers right. The great thing about the craft is that there is little space, apparatus, or physical energy required. We don’t have to worry about the weather, or our health, or of bothering anyone. We don’t have drum kits to disturb the household, or require an immediate audience as players on the stage do.
In thinking about that I began to think about all of the places I’d written creatively, kind of like thinking about the most exotic places I’ve had sex. The thing I find about writing is that though I can do (and have done) it very publicly I still find myself self-conscious. It’s not like I write fantasy (we had a brief dalliance but I found it so unpredictable and I got tired of waiting for the phone calls) so I don’t think that people around about me can read my mind or anything. But the world in my head is real enough to me that when I start thinking about the sexy scenes I’m sure I have to blush.
Being conscious of writing a sex scene in a public place is one thing, at least I have the decency to keep it to myself. But how many times have I found myself laughing and smiling because of something a character in my head just said? Too many.
Writers think about their work constantly and that was one of the points raised on the Goodreads discussion. Tonight while observing my son’s swimming club I was thinking about Beck, he’s a new guy I just made up (he’s in the new RS I mentioned ). I’m trying to figure out the leap from the meet to the conflict. I know what both of them are, and I have enough glimmers that I should be able to join the dots. While I’m thinking about that someone crosses my path and I realise I’ve been musing quietly with a frown on my face for about ten minutes. With a smile and a thumbs up I reassure my son that yes, your mother is still here and is totally paying attention.
So while I struggle with this character and if he would really say that thing that I’ve been thinking about, my thoughts go back to Explicit Instruction. But ironically this afternoon I was reading a contemporary romance. All of these pots on the boil, so many characters, so little time.
In all of this you have to think that I’ve forgotten about Ryder and Lacie. I haven’t. I promise. The sequel is actually getting the best deal here. I’ll mess around in this limbo period while I make decisions about Explicit Instruction. Once I have the final decision I’ll edit. It will go out. Then it will be Ryder and Lacie’s turn.
I had planned to publish another contemporary romance after Explicit Instruction because I’ve done it turn about (CR then RS) with XY Factor then Mistake Me Not followed by Rivals ON AIR but I have a feeling you guys are more interested in my romantic suspense work.
Newsletter news: thanks to those who have signed up! I do have some subscribers (phew) but not enough. I plan to send out my first newsletter next week. If we have enough subscribers you’ll get the next part of Explicit Instruction. If not, we’ll all have to wait.
There’s a sneaky snippet on my website of the Mistake Me Not sequel so be sure to check that out. Also, connect with me on Facebook I work for you guys, my readers, so it’s good to keep in touch! Have a good weekend!
Good luck on your adventures,
xSx
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