COMING FULL CIRCLE - I GET TO MEET THE GREEK GOD and other stories

Grigoris Drakakis

Just got back yesterday afternoon from Las Vegas, where I got to meet Grigoris  the handsome cover model I interviewed last year. Here is a link to that RB4U post that got nearly 1000 views!!

At the time, he said he was coming to RT, and at the very end of the book signing, on Saturday, I finally got to meet him. Oh my!

Elle James and Susan Stoker were fun to hang out with!

We live in a wonderful community of writers. There is a "lemming" type thing that happens at these events, and I don't mean in any way to downplay the importance of getting together. But, like a little wine is good and the whole bottle by yourself yields results we may not want to have, sometimes chasing rainbows and every "secret" other writers pass on makes me tired. I keep seeing this scene I once watched: a basketball player was all over the court, following the ball that was being passed around, over and in some cases, under him, as he ran, waived his arms, and never got the ball. Seems like we chase so many things that work for others, we forget where our True North lies.

Again, let me stress, the beauty of going to these events is to learn something new. Not drop everything and do everything new. Except in my case. LOL. Let me explain.

I've done 10 boxed sets and been involved in 3 Kindle Worlds. I've been involved in joint promotional activities, attended conferences as keynote speaker and panelist, and bench warmer. I've attended book signings and sold one book, and others where I sold 80 or more. I've listened, and tried to pick out events that others say are "good", but like everything else, this is elusive and inconsistent from year to year.

The costs, however, are the same. Everyone complains about RT and RWA for their expenses. In my recent history I've spent more money at some small cons, and triple that at my own book signing. Bigger isn't always more expensive. Smaller isn't always better, just like big isn't either.

This year, I kind of liked the screamig fandom of RT. I have to admit, I don't care that I don't have the long, long lines that wrap around the hallways. Some day I will. And those were mostly for parties. I didn't go in on any parties, except for the Military Tribute (thank you Kim Lowe SOS Aloha for starting this tradition and Elle James this year for doing such an outstanding job of running it), and for that I went all out. Now I have regular table-goers. I even saw a couple of other authors who have nothing to do with military romance attend. It was nice to hear the Star Spangled Banner, and O Canada, plus songs from every branch of service. I sold raffle tickets for my Aloha Shirt Quilt project. I'm getting used aloha shirts mailed to me from all over the U.S. I have enough for several quilts. One will be auctioned off (this one, lovingly made by Sandie Grise), and others donated to military families. The proceeds of the raffle are going to benefit the Navy SEAL/UDT Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida.

Lovingly made by
Sandie Grise from old Aloha shirts. See more info on how
you can get involved or donate/buy a raffle ticket or send material at
Operation Aloha Shirt Quilt Project.

I loved talking about this project to a room full of believers. How refreshing while we screamed and sought out free books and SWAG from other authors, to take time out to thank the veterans who sacrificed for us all. Who made it possible for us to have this crazy life we have.

Oh, and yes, the occasional cover model squeeze didn't dampen my spirits one bit!

I hope that you will join me at RWA, and other conventions. I want to get to know you as readers and other authors I've known on the internet but not had the pleasure to meet in person. I'm limiting my convention going to just a few, and, sadly, I've had to cancel a bunch of commitments I just couldn't meet. I've been putting my writing last, and that's never a good idea. There won't be any boxed sets, anthologies, Kindle Worlds or other things for the next year. They just aren't on my program. Not saying they aren't good, just not part of my program.

I'm dedicating my next 12 months to big reader events and some valuable craft events like NINC. I'm devoting my next few months of writing to get more books out there. I looked long and hard for better promoters, better advertisers, better PAs and VAs. The bottom line is I have everything in place. All I need is more content.

So I walk away inspired and fresh, believe it or not, after a big convention, and yes schlepping books around up and down the hallways (that was the sum total of my exercise). I gave away over 60 books, and sold about 20, then gave away countless more - I think in all about 100 books.

Why did I ever think I needed to give them anything else but a sample of my writing, my talent. In the end, that's all I really have to share with anyone...

Come with me on this journey! What's your plan for the next 12 months?

The incredible Sylvia Day

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

Interview of Cover Model, Grigoris Drakakis: Greek Gods To Drool Over

Grigoris Drakakis

What a treat to be able to interview such an interesting and handsome man, who is also one of the most successful cover models in history. When I hear the term "Greek God" I shall forever think of Grigoris. I know I'd completely lose it if I met him in person.

Oh this is tough work, but someone's got to do it!

We did this interview through an interpreter friend of Grigoris'. I have left some of his translated idioms in place on purpose, because I think it gives us more of a color and feel of the man inside the statue.

1. How did you get started modeling? What was your first paying gig?
At the beginning I did it for the money but in the process I loved it.  I have worked in many areas of modeling such as photography, advertising, television, shows and on stage as well…. The first photograph I did was with a site modelwin that helped me decide to go professionally. The first portfolio that I remember I did was with Katie Machalister Much Ado about Vampires in New York. This made me feel wonderful because I took part and gave me the opportunity to be part of a book of a very significant author from the US.

2. What was the most difficult thing getting started? What was your most difficult shoot?
Every new beginning has difficulties, so I also faced some, which I overcame with time. Of course there are and will always be difficulties, besides if there weren't any, then it wouldn't be interesting and wouldn't motivate for more efforts in becoming better. The most difficult shoot was when I worked outside during the winter with very low temperatures and rain. It seemed simple but it was very difficult. In these situations I imagine my body warm…in some situations  though I have gotten sick and was in bed for days with a high fever.

3. Have you ever turned down a shoot or modeling job? If so what? Why?
I have turned down shoots that had inappropriate nudity.

(So glad he said inappropriate. We like him fairly skimpily clad, right?)

4. What do you like about being a romance novel icon?
Reading romance novels is entertaining, so I feel very nice to be a novel icon on these romantic novels because is like contributing in a way to the entertainment of the people.

(Great answer.)

5. What do you like about romance writers in general (or do you think we're all a bunch of oversexed crazies)?

Generally I admire people of intellect, so most writers, at least those whom I have met personally, are intellectual, educated, serious and cultivated. 

(I'm wondering now how many conventions he's been to.)

6. If you could live anywhere and money was no object, where would you live?
I would love to travel, live and meet cultures and traditions of different places as much as I can. Is a life dream. I would like to go to my favorite place like a Safari in Africa . At this point I live in Greece where I believe is one of the most beautiful countries and I feel blessed that I live so many years here. I have visited the US for work. I have lived in Los Angeles where I have friends which are like family to me. Los Angeles is very special. The people are friendly and the rhythm of life is without stress. The climate is warm in contrast to New York where it is a beautiful state, friendly but the people have a lot of stress, fast paced and the weather is very cold. So that is why I would like to move to Los Angeles because of professional proposals and opportunities that would help me with my career in modeling

7. If you have one, does your significant other ever get jealous of your work?
Generally I try not to provoke so I prevent these kinds of behaviors. Surly in the past has happened a few times.

8. What do you like least about what you do?
Nothing, I love my job and it fulfills me.

9. If you could do anything else and money was no object, what would you do?
 Of course I would like to buy a house with swimming pool and an expensive sport car but apart of what might all of us want, I would like to be able to help poor people and those who really need help.

10. What is one thing probably very few people know about you?
I don't think that there is any... Generally I open up and I have talked in previous interviews I think about everything that concerns me.

11. Who do you admire most in your field?
There are many models that I admire but I wouldn't like to name any as I might forget some and be unfair to them.

12. Do you have any favorite authors? Who?
Of course I have favorite authors, some of them are my friends so I wouldn't like to refer in details in order not to be unfair to others that they might deserve it too.

(I know, many of these answers are unfair. Sorry.)

13. What advice would you give authors about choosing a cover model or cover for their books? And what makes a good cover, in your opinion? The model? Photographer?
Definitely they should see their previous work that they have done for covers or professional shootings, as a model that has been chosen to do shootings for many book covers means that is good and this is a criteria to choose them. A good cover depends on many factors….certainly a good model or a good photographer on their own is not enough…the model should on its own  photograph in a picture with the camera and emanate experience by taking the right poses and the right expressions according to the concept of the photograph…the photographer should know how to utilize the proper lighting so as to be able to promote the best characteristics of the model with the highest dynamics and certainly there should be a person like the  cover artist  that knows very well how to process the image so that the final result of the cover is the best it can be.

14. Where have you lived? Name all the countries or cities you've lived in?
I was born in Greece, lived in Athens until I was 8 years old and then I moved to Lavrio which is a small city a bit further out from Athens. I have lived for small periods in America where I did jobs in New York and Los Angeles.

15. What was the sexiest, most exotic photo shoot you've done?
I have done many sexy shootings, I don't know which of them are considered sexier, but I have never done nude shootings. I have done photographs in beautiful places that look exotic but I have never been in a real exotic place. I would love the opportunity to do such a photograph on the islands of Fiji…I would think of many different concepts in such a magical enchanting place.

16. What else do you do well? Hobbies?
 Kick Boxing, weight training, boxing.

Well, it's been a pleasure having you here today. I can't wait until our paths cross next year at RT. Until then, keep those wonderful sexy covers coming. I'm sure millions of women are loving all the success you're having! Thanks for being so generous with your time.

Here's how you can get hold of Grigoris:

Here is my web site - eshop:   www.4modelactor.com

And here is my profile on Facebook :  https://www.facebook.com/grigoris.drakakis

Sharon Hamilton

Life is one fool thing after another.

Love is two fool things after each other.

Author Page ** Sharon's Blog ** Sharon's Website ** Facebook**Twitter

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