Guest Author Blogger: Seleste deLaney
August 6, 2010 in Author Interviews
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Publication
When I started pursuing publication, it was for a fantasy romance. Well, I called it a romance until a romance author said it wasn’t. After that confusion, I left the genre behind and started writing young adult urban fantasy, but every once in a while, I threw in a more romancey piece just to break things up.
Imagine my surprise then, when the first things I sold were a pair of romances. When I got the news, I jumped up and down, even screamed a bit. Then I did what any smart girl would do. Since I wanted the YA under my real name and the romance under a pseudonym, I built a new website, ordered new business cards, and even ordered some bookmarks once I received my cover art. Then I planned out how to tell my family about the sales.
During vacation, I made my big announcement and gave my parents and siblings bookmarks for the short story that would be debuting the day we all got home. It went fabulously. Everyone congratulated me, and my mom asked for extra bookmarks to give away. See, when I was a teenager, she ran a day care center and still goes out for dinners with the moms whose kids she used to babysit — including my second grade teacher.
In my giddiness, I said sure and handed them over. A few days later, something hit me. Decadent Publishing had put up their website, and one of the categories they listed my story, “Of Course I Try”, under was erotica. Now, I knew parts of it were steamy, but I’d never thought of it that way.
Normally, I wouldn’t worry about such a thing. I like erotica. In fact, my first thought when I saw the story categorized that way was “Cool, I write erotica.” But I’d just given out the purchasing information to everyone in my family, including my very Catholic mother.
And she, in turn, was giving it to my second grade teacher.
Now, here’s the thing, I’m proud of that story. Hell, I love that story (and from what I’ve been told, it’s selling pretty well). But I’m not entirely sure I’m going to be able to look Mrs. Cook in the eyes ever again.
I can hear the conversation now. “Well, your grammar and sentence structure are great. Your plot was interesting. But the sex. Did you really need to go into such detail with the sex?” *sigh* At least she won’t be able to get on me about my handwriting though, right?
As for my mother? I haven’t been able to look her in the eyes since I was in high school. And I’m pretty sure she likes to think my kids were conceived through immaculate conception.
So, next time you pick up a story, especially a racy one, spare a thought for the author. Like me, they may have made some “mistakes” on their way to publication, like sharing their love of sex (or violence or whatever) with people who might not appreciate it.
I’m hoping you, on the other hand, are all big fans 
Seleste deLaney writes speculative romance (and erotica), and she’d love for you to visit her website: www.SelestedeLaney.com. Her paranormal romance short story, “Of Course I Try” is available for purchase at www.decadentpublishing.com
I was a teenage gamer in the 80′s. I have long since cured myself of any embarrassment I would ever face. I once said to a TSA agent, “Sir, I am a gamer, I could put all my items in that bin and carry it over to the xray machine above my head singing Zipadeedooda and not be embarrassed.” True story.
LOL every time I think I’ve done so much I can’t embarrass myself anymore, I find a new way to do it. I think I was cursed at a young age or something.
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I didn’t and haven’t told any of my family members about my publications. I do not want that awkward silence to fall whenever I enter a room. But I’m a coward!
The one friend I told about The Temptress, bought it, read it and then the next time I saw him, looked at me with the oddest expression and when I asked him what was up he told me that I was a pervert…of course he was joking but still, lesson learned…I will not be sharing that bit of success with my family any time soon!
LOL well it’s a little late for me now. That cat is totally out of the bag. Oh well, at least now when someone calls me a pervert I can pretend it’s because of what I write
HOORAY FOR EROTICA, woot woot!!
Loved this story, it made me LOL, your second grade teacher, *snort* At first when I really began to love Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Erotica I admit I was somewhat embarrassed that I was reading the stuff. Would hide the covers, whistling and looking around innocently – but then I got over it. At the book store I stand there with pride “Yeah I’m in the Romance aisle, SO WHAT.”
Thanks for the post, I’ll definitely check out your site!
One thing I have always wondered as I am reading the more racey books is “what do the authors do if people they grew up with get their hands on this?!” Well, your story gave me one idea
Thanks
Honestly, I don’t mind MOST of the people I grew up with knowing. In fact, my facebook page has a bunch of people I went to school with. It’s just the teacher thing, that one kind of messed with my head.
Trust me, Seleste. Moderate disapproval is only slightly more uncomfortable than hearing your (‘when were you last in church, dear?’) mom yelling ‘woo!’ like a drunk frat boy at his first visit to a strip club. Or your (morbidly obese fundie) father saying ‘where’d they get a picture of me for the cover?’ and attempting to copy the cover model’s pose.
Still, heck with it. If they keep telling their friends and (extensive networks) of relatives to buy my books, it’s a teeny, tiny price to pay.
Since I became a published author I’ve found there are quite a few folks out there who are one way on the outside but what they read can be totally different. Hey a good story is a good story. Great post.
LaVerne
Thanks, LaVerne
Here’s hoping the lady who taught me to write cursive is different on the inside LOL.
Coming from a religious family, I feel your pain. Congrats on the sale!
Thanks. You and I have had a few conversations about the religious families. There are some things that will never quite be comfortable dinner conversation.
I write multiple genres. When I started writing erotica, my husband and I would joke around, “What if the first thing that sold to a publishing house was erotica.” Then it – gulp – happened. I’m very proud of Untouched Places. It’s a fine story. So proud, in fact, was I that I couldn’t wait to tell my trusted friends. Well, it turned out that my friends were proud of me as well. At a party, one of my friends told her friend — a person I’d never met before. I was introduced as an erotic author. It was a lot for me to wrap my head around. I imagined being branded and kicked off my small island home. How did I cope? I spoke with my minister. What did she say? “Cool, I’d like to read some.” You’re right LaVerne you can’t always tell who reads erotica. Now I’m contemplating getting a t-shirt with ‘Grace Meadows writes oh so hot erotica’ printed on the front. Joke — or is it?
Haha. I need a shirt like that too. Your minister though? That’s awesome
Yeah, it blew me away.
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Your post made me smile. I remember writing my first love scene and how difficult it was. I kept looking over my shoulder, hoping no one was watching. Now writing a love scene is no trouble. Like you, I shuddered a little (this week actually) when my MIL announced she was reading one of my books. LOL I could kick my sister-in-law for giving it to her.
Haha, I still squirm if I’m writing love scenes in public (especially if I happen to take my kids to the playroom at the library). Mother-in-law? She knows I sold but didn’t ask for details, so I think I’m safe there.
For a fella writing contemporary romance/interracial/comedy, I’m way out of my depth here. So I’ll just say, good luck with the wonderful titles you’re adding to the Decadent Publishing portfolio.
Well, this post here is about as close as I get to writing comedy, so we’re just on different ends of the spectrum LOL. Thanks
Congrats Seleste! Glad to be with you as a part of the Decadent family
Thank you!
Ha! You’ve hit on one of my publication fears. I’m working on something semi-steamy (which may get steamier as I brave up & rewrite), and I think it would be hilarious – and terrifying – letting my also very Catholic, very conservative mother read it.
Yeah. There is one good thing about my mom reading mine: at least it will prepare her for me to write “anything” (in case my rather irreverent YA gets picked up at some point).
I want to thank Natasha for letting me pop in here and share my silly little story with all of you. And thanks to all of you for the comments
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