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Sunday, May 15, 2016

Recycling and the Writer in the Digital Age by Suz deMello

One of the wonderful aspects of digital publishing is that our books never die.

When I started writing, most everything was in print. I sold a book to Zebra, and it was on the shelves for maybe two weeks. Ditto with the four Silhouette Romances I penned. Same with the four books I sold to Five Star, though because they were hardcovers directed toward the library market, they may still be on the shelves in libraries here and there.

Then ebooks and indie publishing exploded.

Not only are royalties from digital publishers greater--a by-product of the relative cheapness of epublishing--but the length of time a publisher has the rights is much smaller. I'm not sure why that evolved--perhaps to encourage writers to sell to digital publishers. Or perhaps canny epublishers know full well that most of the sales of a book occur within a few weeks of its release, and hanging onto a book for decades wasn't profitable.

So one of the joys of digital publishing is that I get my rights back, and I can market the books as I please. I can license them to other publishers or, as is my current inclination, publish them myself.

Another trend beneficial to authors and readers is the popularity of boxed sets or anthologies, often with several authors or with several works by one author. Multi-author sets give readers the opportunity to experience several new authors for a relatively low price. Authors have the opportunity to increase their reader base.

I write for a couple of groups and love the interaction and mutual support. While some authors regard their peers as competition for limited reader dollars and attention, I regard them as an opportunity to help and be helped.

One group, the Naughty Literati, is a short story group that's put out seven anthologies in a year and a half, and another's out in a couple weeks. We're on track to publish two more short story anthologies this year as well as a book of novellas. The NL have kickstarted my creativity, and I love writing shorties for them.

And better--the stories are exclusive to the NL for only three months. Then we're allowed to do what we want with them.

So I packaged up a bunch of stores plus one new one and offer it to you, loyal readers--I think you'll like it.  Six Steamy Shorties are short romances in a bunch of different subgenres, including historical, paranormal, contemporary, sports, New Adult and BDSM--I tend to write all over the map as it's more interesting that way.  Here's a little about the book:

Six Steamy Shorties: Sexy Short Romances by Suz deMello

in print and digital formats


Six sizzling short stories by award-winning, best-selling author Suz deMello, 
including contemporary, multicultural, New Adult, historical, shapeshifter,
medieval, Scottish, vampire and BDSM.

One Hot Havana Night

Setting: Pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba, 1958
On the eve of the revolution, journalist Ellie Wheeler dreams of the biggest story of her life. Two hot men make all her dreams come true—even ones she didn’t know she had. (M/F/M ménage)

Five stars! Sizzling hot!
--Kathy Heare Watts, Goodreads reviewer

...goes from sweet to super hot.
--L. S. Tucker, Amazon reviewer

Naughty Balls

Two college basketball players find themselves alone together on the night of Valentine’s Day (M/F).

A hot and steamy read!
--Tina Williams, Goodreads

4.5 out of 5
--Lisabet Tucker, Goodreads


Setting: northern California, USA
Marine biologist Sandi has never forgotten Blue, the baby dolphin with whom she bonded. Reunited with him years later, she discovers he’s a shapeshifter in the sexiest possible way.

An exquisite little story.
--Author Janice Irving

This is one of the cutest books I have read. Lots of fun.
--Dana Busenbark, Amazon

Spring Training

Setting: Arizona, USA
A hot pitcher finds his secret desires fulfilled by a striking new trainer, who disciplines him in ways he’s only dreamed about (F/m).

Five Stars! 
These two hit it out of the ballpark with chemistry that's sizzling hot. 
--Redrabbitt on Amazon.com

Viking in Tartan
First in the Highland Vampire series

Setting: Scotland, Yule Eve, 1260
A Viking raider with unusual powers brings change to little Clan Kilbirnie,
especially to the chieftain’s daughter Rhona.

Outstanding...Thank you for opening my eyes to a wonderful series...Woo-hoo! 
--Harliesbooks.com

Anna’s Adventures
Morocco

Setting: Marrakesh. Morocco, 1898
A virginal Englishwoman is ordered to spy for her country in a mysterious seraglio. She never dreams of the sacrifices her job would require.
Very intense scenes of BDSM dubious consent.

Buy links


And here's a little about me:

Best-selling, award-winning author Suz deMello, a.k.a Sue Swift, has written
nineteen books and has co-authored ten more. Her genres include nonfiction, romance, erotica, comedy, historical, paranormal, mystery and suspense. She has also written numerous short stories and articles on writing. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist, won a contest or two, attained the finals of the RITA and hit several bestseller lists.

A former trial attorney, her passion is world travel. She’s left the US over a dozen times, including lengthy stints working overseas. She’s now writing a vampire tale and planning her next trip.

--Find her books at http://www.suzdemello.com
--For editing services, email her at suzdemello@gmail.com
--Befriend her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SuzDeMello
--She tweets @suzdemello
--Her current blog is http://www.TheVelvetLair.com



5 comments:

Cara Marsi said...

You're right about what digital publishing has done for us authors. I've just gotten rights back on one of my short stories. Your set of steamy shorts sounds like terrific fun.

Melissa Keir said...

I love love that our stories can be put together in a variety of ways!! :)

I wish you all the best with your latest short stories set!

Tina Donahue said...

Congrats on the newest NL release! I'm thrilled to be a part of the group. :)

jean hart stewart said...

Sounds like a really fun read.. Way to go, girl.

Suz de said...

Thanks, everybody!

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