So, my ebook's on sale.

[Rowan]

Hey, as some of you know, I have an ebook published on Twisted Shift. It goes on sale 12:01am est, March 1st, 2006. It's called Warm Rush, and it's a muscle growth story. You can check it out here:

http://twistedshift.com/twistedshopp...products_id=12

And there's a free excerpt there that you can read; see if it might be your thing. There's also an option to leave reviews, so if you like it, please do. If you DON'T like it, then email me privately.

Much gratitude to this site and to all the members who have given me such amazing encouragement over the past year. Really couldn't have done it without you.

Everyone have a good week, and please forgive my shameless self-promotion.
-- Rowan

ps-- The artist who did my cover, Fabiano Fabris, swung things so that 10% of every story sold will go to the Ali Forney Center for Homeless LGBT youth, in New York City. Very, very cool guy.

[redkage]

Where's the excerpt?

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by redkage

Where's the excerpt?

on Twisted Shift.

[Xyggurat]

Definitely buying a copy of it, mate. Best of luck on the writing career, and I hope you'll keep writing open-access stuff as well as the pay-for-play novels.

Congratulations!

-X-

[Absman420]

If you don't mind my asking, what's the best way to approach e-publishers? Same as with "regular" ones? Manuscript, outline, sample chap, etc? Been thinking of doing this myself....
Thanks!
Tom

[xythan_shadow]

Don't worry bout the self promotion man, if you didn't make this thread, I would've.

I'm off to purchase my copy.

[bobman]

In reading this I became late for work.

Very well done, clean execution, suspense, drama, all that you want in a story.

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Xyggurat

Definitely buying a copy of it, mate. Best of luck on the writing career, and I hope you'll keep writing open-access stuff as well as the pay-for-play novels.

Congratulations!

-X-

Thanks X! Don't worry, I definitely intend to keep writing for this site. It's like home!

Originally Posted by Absman420

If you don't mind my asking, what's the best way to approach e-publishers? Same as with "regular" ones? Manuscript, outline, sample chap, etc? Been thinking of doing this myself....
Thanks!
Tom

I think it's about the same. The guidelines on Twisted Shift were pretty straightfoward-- query letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters. Loose-id is about the same, I think. And Ellora's Cave is now actively seeking stories with gay/lesbian themes. I haven't worked with either of those, yet. Twisted Shift was cool to work with (although I guess I have no comparisons). They let me work directly with the artist for my cover, the contract seemed fair, and they let me ask all kinds of questions. They made me a banner and they sent my story off to get reviewed. It was cool.

Originally Posted by xythan_shadow

Don't worry bout the self promotion man, if you didn't make this thread, I would've.

I'm off to purchase my copy.

LoL. Thanks for your support, xythan.

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by bobman

In reading this I became late for work.

Very well done, clean execution, suspense, drama, all that you want in a story.

You've read it already?

Sorry I made you late for work.

[Braun1]

I've read it already too. It is impossible to put down

A great triumph for you and a great bargain for us.

Thanks for making my day.

JB

aka
Braun1

[ARCHEON]

I purchased your novella at approximately 11:30 PST last night and I finished it this morning at around 2am. I was engrossed. And I might add the following:

<stands up, puts hand on chest> My name is ARCHEON. And I am a sap. (For those who haven't read Warm Rush yet, you'll get this reference when you do.)

Yes Rowan, I'm embarrassed to say that I actually welled-up during the part when Keith admitted his selfishness. Whatever "it" is that you have when you write...you have in spades! Oh..and BTW, I loved the phrase, "The command in his voice brooked no argument..." How very "Jane Austen" of you.

Brokeback Mountain gots nuthin' on you!

Congratulations.

[jsmith2300]

I woke up early to purchase the book and was still late to work.

Happy reading,

--jsmith

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Braun1

I've read it already too. It is impossible to put down

That's just about the best thing a writer can hear!

Originally Posted by ARCHEON

<stands up, puts hand on chest> My name is ARCHEON. And I am a sap. (For those who haven't read Warm Rush yet, you'll get this reference when you do.)

hahaha. {ahem} My name's Rowan, and I'm one too.

Originally Posted by jsmith2300

I woke up early to purchase the book and was still late to work.

All these people bein late for work is kinda cool. Well, for me. Not so much for you. GO!

I didn't expect to get comments on Warm Rush so soon. You guys read WICKED fast!

But I'm thankful you do. Had been a little nervous about my first novella, and you guys made it possible for me to breathe easier.

[Cai]

Good read, well worth the $5... I stopped half way through the book, and I found myself wanting to go back and read more... Very good, espcially if its your first novel.

Write More

[memorex414]

I can only use the words of others to describe WR. I could not contemplate words of my own.

See first that the design is wise and just; that ascertained, pursue it resolutely.

Your writing is seemless...never stop. Plus when you have a work bound I want a first edition signed copy . I don't think the masses today understand the real value of words and literature...a shame truly.

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing.

I imaging yours the scribing, mine the reading. When I was finished I wanted more. The end snuck up on me and I was bereft of joy.

I second ARCHEON. I saw the Jane Austen and aspects of my all time favourite author, F. Dostoyevsky a la C&P

[ARCHEON]

Hey Memorex...I see we have recognized a kindred spirit community in Rowan's works. It reminds me of another Latin phrase...from Dr. Johnson's epitaph on Oliver Goldsmith, A Poet, Naturalist, and Historian, who left scarcely any style of writing untouched, and touched none he did not adorn.

Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit

Indeed, this would certainly apply to Rowan.

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by Cai

Good read, well worth the $5... I stopped half way through the book, and I found myself wanting to go back and read more... Very good, espcially if its your first novel.

Write More

It is my first novel, and I do plan to write more.

Originally Posted by memorex414

Your writing is seemless...never stop. Plus when you have a work bound I want a first edition signed copy . I don't think the masses today understand the real value of words and literature...a shame truly.

Seeing my name in print... that would be SO cool!

Originally Posted by ARCHEON

Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit

There's a whole lotta latin flying around this site. Thanks for that. It makes me think the class I took in highschool was worth it, after all.

[memorex414]

ARCHEON said:

Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit

Indeed, this would certainly apply to Rowan.

I concur w/out reservation. The best measure of any work is if you can't get enough of it. An old comrade O.Wilde commented, "If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all."

Rowan, you passed the test with flying colours.

[divis24]

Originally Posted by redkage

Where's the excerpt?

It took me a couple of minutes to find it, too. Click on his link, then look at the bottom of the page, where it says something like, "for more information, visit this product's website". Click on "website", and you'll find the excerpt.

I haven't bought it yet, but the excerpt sure looks promising!

Cheers to all,
divis24

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by memorex414

ARCHEON said: I concur w/out reservation. The best measure of any work is if you can't get enough of it. An old comrade O.Wilde commented, "If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all."

Rowan, you passed the test with flying colours.

Thanks, ARCHEON. It really means a lot that you can read my stuff more than once. I always wanted to write something like that.

Originally Posted by divis24

It took me a couple of minutes to find it, too. Click on his link, then look at the bottom of the page, where it says something like, "for more information, visit this product's website". Click on "website", and you'll find the excerpt.

Is the exerpt that hard to find? Would it be better if I posted it on this thread?

[ARCHEON]

Sorry about the continued Latin expressions. I just couldn't help myself.

I believe your praise is intended for Memorex. If it's any consolation, I have read all of your stories more than once with exception to Warm Rush -- which I will savor for a rainy afternoon curled by a fire. I'm such a sap!

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by ARCHEON

Sorry about the continued Latin expressions. I just couldn't help myself.

I believe your praise is intended for Memorex. If it's any consolation, I have read all of your stories more than once with exception to Warm Rush -- which I will savor for a rainy afternoon curled by a fire. I'm such a sap!

Oops, sorry about that. But it's great consolation

[bobtimbob]

Bought it. Loved it.

Please, sir, I want some more.

[ts1976]

Congratulations on your first published novel, Rowan! I wish you lots and lots of continued success.

I think you just may have become one of my favourite must-buy authors. I wasn't able to turn the computer off once I started reading. And I just loved the supernatural d?nouement. So satisfying!

Once again, congratulations!

Mel

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by bobtimbob

Bought it. Loved it.

Please, sir, I want some more.

Hahaha. I'll try not to disappoint.

Originally Posted by ts1976

I think you just may have become one of my favourite must-buy authors. I wasn't able to turn the computer off once I started reading.

LOL! Thanks! Can't be easy, wading through 64,000 words while sitting at your computer. Hopefully, my next effort will be in print. Who knows, though. I have to finish it, first.

[onelocolobo]

Wow! What can I say other than that? I was bummed to see the story end. Thanks for the great book. If this is your first novel I hope there's many more to come.

[Rowan]

I got my first professional review back today. The reviewer's opinion was mixed. I thought I'd share it with you guys.

I got a 3.5 stars out of 5.

They also have a 'heat level' rating system:

NR. Did not arouse our reviewer. No toys were needed.

S for Simmering. Our reviewer was definitely ready to play after reading this book

H for Hot. Our Reviewer was forced to find her toys while reading.

O for Orgasmic arousal level. Our reviewer found the ultimate satisfaction with this book.

I got an "S." lol.

Anyway, here's the review:

Title: Warm Rush
Author: Rowan McBride
Publisher: Twisted Shift
Publisher URL: www.twistedshift.com
ISBN: 0-9778628-0-1
Reviewer: Michelle Naumann
Rating: 3/4 Stars
Heat level: S

Jesse Winters is playing basketball with his neighbor. Keith is 15, with a serious case of hero worship. Unfortunately for Keith, Mr. Winter is about to leave on a European trip where he is planning to open more of his coffee shops. In an effort to cheer up Keith, Jesse promises to email Keith while he is in Europe.

Just under four years later, a broken, scarred man arrives back. Jesse has been in a car accident. To his amazement, Keith has not only grown up, but he has bulked out as well. Keith is now looking more and more appetizing.

When I first started reading and read 15, I was a bit apprehensive about this book. But all my fears turned out to be groundless. The first few pages were simply setting the scene for the rest of the book. Jesse goes from being a fun loving, carefree, healthy man to a broken, scarred person who believes that he should have died in the car accident. Apart from maturing mentally, Keith has grown up physically as well. He now has the physique of a body builder, which just makes him even more attractive to Jesse. I could accept the attraction and the changes in Keith’s body, but what struck me as quite unbelievable was how Keith could suddenly grow after sex. I could have believed this more if the story were set in a futuristic or fantasy world, or even if there were other paranormal overtones. However, everything else was set firmly in the ‘here and now’ so it just tainted my reading pleasure. And this was a pleasure to read. The relationship between Jesse and Keith grows despite Jesse’s reluctance. Keith refuses to let Jesse withdraw into himself and goes all out to prove that there is still a living person in the shell. When all else fails, Keith is not afraid to use sex and boy, does he use it well. Overall, I enjoyed my time with Keith and Jesse and look forward to reading more from Mr. McBride.

Michelle Naumann
Just Erotic Romance Reviews
[COLOR=#0000ff]www.JustEroticRomanceReviews.com[/COLOR]
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/juster...ewsletter/join

******
I tainted the poor girl's reading pleasure. lol.

[xythan_shadow]

I still think it's ludicrous that she gave it an average rating when she only had one small complaint about the whole thing. I mean there's only 2 parts where he grows after sex and it's not even that much growth.

[VladBath]

One of my favourite aspects to your stories is that they appear in the "hear and now": it makes them more approachable, more real, more...the way the world should work even if it doesn't.

The reviewer appears to have limited imagination I think. She did seem to appreciate what you do best: write stories about people who care deeply for one another.

[ARCHEON]

Originally Posted by Rowan

Michelle Naumann's review states...I could accept the attraction and the changes in Keith?s body, but what struck me as quite unbelievable was how Keith could suddenly grow after sex. I could have believed this more if the story were set in a futuristic or fantasy world, or even if there were other paranormal overtones.

What!?!

Ms. Naumann probably had a tough time with the movie, Field of Dreams. If you don't get the voice saying in the cornfield, "If you build it, he will come," then the whole movie collapses on the premise of a paranormal situation. BTW, that story was a huge commercial success and it still draws people from all over the world who come to see that ballpark to this very day.

You get a big 5 out of 5 from me, Rowan! Congratulations.

[ts1976]

Rowan,

All joking aside, having read the review myself, as well as a plethora of others over the years, I am of the opinion that Ms. Neumann did indeed enjoy your book and gave it a pretty good score. So, please don't worry too much about JERR's review of your book. They're so much more used to reviewing fiction written by women for women, such as what is available at http://www.ellorascave.com or http://www.looseid.com. Only recently have gay-themed novels become more popular with the female readership buying from these and similar e-book publishers. And more to the point, most women are probably not even aware of male muscle-growth fiction as a genre.

In my mind, muscle-growth isn't all that different from any "were" story out there, be it set in the present or not. And any transformation-themed story should de facto be placed in the "shapeshifters" and /or paranormal category. I'm surprised Ms. Neumann didn't get that.

In any case, I'd be surprised if you didn't get many (new) female fans once the review is published. You should also know that, as a writer, you surpass many, many of the most popular e-published authors out there. Believe me, I've read quite a few... You wouldn't believe the bad editing, grammar and spelling I've had to suffer through!

Cheers,
Melanie

[Ender]

Expectation...

We expect Rowan's stuff to include muscle growth and if it were absent we would be unhappy... the reviewer expected "straight" (ie plain, typical) erotica and the muscle suprised her and didn't fit into what was expected. She needed a rule in the world that allowed the growth... whereas we just asume it will happen. May she needed a disclaimer warning of body transformations or something up front

The reviewer admits at first she was "a bit apprehensive" about the book but she was positive overall once she got into it.

Ender

[Brahma]

Originally Posted by Rowan

Hopefully, my next effort will be in print. Who knows, though. I have to finish it, first.

That's the problem I have. Finishing my work.

[nvb2]

I got my first professional review back today. The reviewer's opinion was mixed. I thought I'd share it with you guys.

I got a 3.5 stars out of 5.


Title: Warm Rush
Author: Rowan McBride
Publisher: Twisted Shift
Publisher URL: www.twistedshift.com
ISBN: 0-9778628-0-1
Reviewer: Michelle Naumann
Rating: 3/4 Stars
Heat level: S

I have a question. You stated it was a five star system, yet the review says 3.5/4. Which is correct?

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by nvb2

I have a question. You stated it was a five star system, yet the review says 3.5/4. Which is correct?

I was confused, too. I actually had to ask about it. my score is

3/4 out of 5

The slash, apparently, means halfway between 3 and 4. Hence, 3.5. Crazy, ya?

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by xythan_shadow

I still think it's ludicrous that she gave it an average rating when she only had one small complaint about the whole thing. I mean there's only 2 parts where he grows after sex and it's not even that much growth.

I thought it was strange, too. But a reviewer is just a person, and if that's her opinion, then that's her opinion.

Originally Posted by ARCHEON

Ms. Naumann probably had a tough time with the movie, Field of Dreams. If you don't get the voice saying in the cornfield, "If you build it, he will come," then the whole movie collapses on the premise of a paranormal situation. BTW, that story was a huge commercial success and it still draws people from all over the world who come to see that ballpark to this very day.

Ha! I liked that movie a lot.

Originally Posted by ts1976

You want me to go beat her up for you?

LOL! Thanks for the offer. If you want, you can do the next best thing. Go to Twisted Shift and write a customer review for me.

Originally Posted by Ender

We expect Rowan's stuff to include muscle growth and if it were absent we would be unhappy... the reviewer expected "straight" (ie plain, typical) erotica and the muscle suprised her and didn't fit into what was expected.

Yeah, muscle growth is definitely not a mainstream genre. Hopefully, someday it'll be as popular as werewolves or vampires.

Originally Posted by Brahma

That's the problem I have. Finishing my work.

It's tough. But finishing is definitely worth it.

Thanks for everyone's support, and have a great weekend.
-- Rowan

[rextorres]

Hey Rowan: I know how much work it must have been, to write your novel. I wrote a fanfiction novel in November, last year, and it was over 61,000 words long. Your novel is just a little longer than mine!

Keep up the good work, and make sure you're having FUN while you're writing your stories. I'm looking forward to reading some more, especially "Davey's Destiny".

Rex

[Rowan]

Originally Posted by rextorres

Hey Rowan: I know how much work it must have been, to write your novel. I wrote a fanfiction novel in November, last year, and it was over 61,000 words long. Your novel is just a little longer than mine!

Keep up the good work, and make sure you're having FUN while you're writing your stories. I'm looking forward to reading some more, especially "Davey's Destiny".

Rex

Thanks, Rex. I've been all over the place lately, and hopefully soon I'll find my groove and settle into a story.

[Rowan]

Okay, okay. I know everyone is probably sick of this thread by now, but I just got another book review in, and I DIDN'T taint the reviewer's reading experience, so I wanted to share it with you guys. You can read it here:

http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/20...a-WarmRush.htm

I'm not 100% sure, but I think I got 4 angels out of 5.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

-- Rowan

[ts1976]

Huzzah! I'm so freakin' happy for you right now, Rowan! She read it, she "got" it and she liked it! You can't ask for much better than that!

*doing the happy dance in my head*

Mel