In Which I Mourn Amber Quill

I was so sorry to hear that at the end of March, Amber Quill Press will be closing it’s metaphorical doors. I’m sorry for the readers, because Amber Quill and Amber Allure published consistently quality stories. I’m devastated for the authors, because from everything I’ve heard, Ingrid Arbaiza, J. Kathe, Karin Story, and Trace Edward Zaber were a pleasure to work with and for. It’s a rare publisher who can make the artists feel personally important and valued while still keeping a *professional*, *trustworthy* operation. (Something many of us have been learning the hard way… 28 days and counting down…)

As sad as I am to see it happen, I want to give massive kudos to the Amber Administration for recognizing when it was time to close on a high note – too many e-publishers over the last few years have waited it out, juggled resources and staff, and in the end the losers are the readers who end up with substandard stories/editing/cover art (and GUILT, bc you love an author and want to read ALL THE BOOKS, but you aren’t sure s/he is getting paid, so you hesitate…*), and authors and artists who end up with missing royalties, indecipherable statements, and a situation where they can’t win whether they sit back and hope for the best, or vocally take it to the readers… Seeing Noble and Silver go down was like watching two impressive pleasure yachts succumb to the kraken. So, I’m so very pleased that it appears (at least from my place on the outside) that Amber is being fair with its authors. That’s huge.

So, for the next week or so, I want to highlight a few of my favorite Amber authors. I know a lot of their stuff’s been on sale at ARe, and it looks like it’s on sale on the Amber site as well.

Today I’m highlighting my dear friend K-Lee Klein. I love this woman SO MUCH. And she’s a pretty kick ass author. She’s got tons of books out there, but my favorite of her series’ starts with Unbreak My Heart (which I admit I originally bought for the cover, and cuz it was K-Lee, but ended up loving everything about the story!).

You can find K-Lee’s Amber back list at ARe, on Amazon, and HERE, on the Amber site. I hope you’ll check it out soon!

*I wouldn’t encourage people *not* to buy my books. I’ll either get paid or not, and I honestly don’t think actual sales will have anything to do with the check I get. That said, you could wait a bit on my solo stuff (28 days & counting!), and check out my stories at eXtasy Books, and the fabulous  (they’re being *very* patient w my neurosis and screwed up family right now) Changeling Press . There’s some good stuff – both solo and co-authored.

And It’s Not Even a Monday!

Me. Today.

And in apology…

(Thigh highs: Ain’t Just for the Wimmens!)

This is for Porno –

– who totally made my day!

Heart: Shattered

So, I began 2016 with a rather ambivalent post. 2015 ended on a low note, 2016 started the same…

Then David Bowie died. My heart broke a little.

I’ve been playing Bowie pretty much constantly since.

I was at the day job, so today was a late news check in day for me. The FIRST thing I see?

Alan Rickman has died.

Also at age 69, also of cancer, and I am weeping at the loss.

I’ll give vague credit for this stunning illustration to Laura Aleman Striplin’s tattoo artist (whose name I forgot 😕).

We live in a world of “junk food” entertainment. And, yeah. Junk food has its place. I’m a fan of Micky D’s fries. But in all the chaos and noise, I think we often lose sight of true artistry and sheer, knock-you-on-your-ass talent.

This week we’ve lost two unique, fierce and fearless artists. And the thinking, literate world mourns…

 

Heart: Broken

I’m without words. Godspeed to a fiercely groundbreaking talent.

 

Off the Face of the Earth

Yep. I vanished. Those who know me well know that generally means *something* is up. I didn’t wrap up 2015 because it ended on more than one somber note at Casa Summerland. I didn’t “rah-rah” 2016 in because I was pretty much an exhausted overcooked noodle.

No one died. No one’s bleeding. I have my car back, and the concussion was very mild 😩… And I’ll have happy stuff to post soon. New writing strategies. New-ish day job. New opportunities. New year, new plans.

In the meantime, forgive me this blah, whiny post. It’s after midnight and I didn’t get my nap today. I don’t usually indulge in public self-disclosure.

Also in the meantime, love, peace and Happy New Year to you all! Have some belated champagne. I promise it’s not… flat. 😉