Thanks to Joanne Kenrick for putting this Hop together!
My journey as a Decadent author began in 2012, with the publication of Gigolo Seduction. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as every publisher is different. I’d been long-published in nonfiction, and had mostly good experiences with a range of publishers. My first foray into publishing erotica was 2010, and while the response to my work was great, I wasn’t very impressed with the publisher’s business model. Shortly after, Decadent came on my radar.
I’d heard nothing but good things about working with them, though their focus was largely romance. I don’t write romance, have no desire to, so I hesitated. I’m more of a hardcore erotica type, with a few splashes of eye candy, juicy interpersonal tangles, and a few jagged bits of psychology. I sat on my completed story for a few weeks, then decided to submit it to their 1Night Stand line. The heat rating for them had a broad range, and the series sits comfortably without HEA (my other bane), so I thought, “What the fuck. Let’s do it!”
That story is Gigolo Seduction. “But it’s not in the 1Night Stand line,” you say. Quite right. The Acquisitions Editor didn’t think the elements aligned for that series, though she liked the story and said they had nothing else like it in their catalog. It was released 1 May, and I was thrilled. Gigolo enabled me to test the waters with deep psychological BDSM, and to write first person from a perspective very different from my own.
As I said, I’d worked with a lot of publishers before that, mostly of the traditional old school, pre-digital variety, so I was completely surprised when Decadent not only remained in contact past the initial 6-week release, but fostered an open dialogue with its other authors (and the editors) through a private forum. They also provided basic initial promotion.
Pleased with my initial acceptance into the fold, I submitted a second story to The Edge series. First off, it’s called “The Edge.” Guitars play in my head every time I think the name. Second, this particular series is totally focused on erotica, romance be damned. I was in! Traveler Through Darkness splashed on the scene (literally, if you’ve read it) 14 August, and was my first published m/m erotica.
I’m pleased to say that The Fangirl’s Dream comes out later this year with Decadent, finally netting me a spot in the 1Night Stand limelight. Suffice it to say that if you’ve ever had a TV boyfriend or filled the memory on your Tivo with your favorite show, Fangirl enables your fix.
I’m thrilled to work with Decadent, and hope to do so for a long time to come. It’s great to be on this Hop in great company with other authors, and to show some love to a wonderful publisher. Don’t forget to get your Daily Does of Decadence and check out the rest of the amazing authors on this Hop!
Find them on Twitter at #DecadentAuthors #DecadentJourney
Yes, the after support from Decadent staff and other Decadent authors is wonderful! 🙂
Always good to see you, Jessica!
That’s great they found a spot for your first book even tho it didn’t fit the line you submitted to. The staff at Decadent is great. thanks for sharing your story.
=)
C.R.
It’s the truth. Other publishers would have just rejected it with no explanation.
Thanks for stopping by, C.R.!
It’s so heartening to hear that Decadent treats all their authors so well. I love their enthusiasm and warmth too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story!
Yep Yep love Decadent and man your covers are fabulous.
mmm no HEA is okay with me, chickie! can’t wait to read your work. Glad you are with DP. We need somebody *hot* on the team 🙂
😉
Yay! Glad to meet you!
I love the support from Decadent. I was once with a publisher where I had no idea an authors’ loop existed until after my book had been remaindered out. So glad we both found Decadent, Fierce!