'Tis Nyte! by Elizabeth Watasin

( this post contains a bonus: female prison pulp fiction covers. You're welcome. :D )

Well, 16 lbs of RISEN, BONES, and CHARM SCHOOL are going to the new Youth Library put together by Outreach Minnesota. Check out the call for book donations from author Rory Coileáin and see if you've something to send:

http://rorynicoileain.com/2015/09/09/lets-help-make-a-library/

THE HEAVY.

While I was at it, I decided to send 70+ lbs of RISEN, BONES, and SUNDARK tae the Women's Prison Book Project, who've been at it since 1994:

"....These facts mean that women in prison have specific needs for particular kinds of information: material on families, children, women's self-help, women's health, and legal aid pertaining to women who fight back against their abusers. Many lesbian, bisexual, and transgender prisoners often have trouble obtaining information that is relevant to their lives. As new prisons are built to warehouse the growing number of incarcerated people in the U.S., the meager resources previously available to prisoners are being cut or limited. WPBP is one place where women/transgender persons in prison can obtain information that is often unavailable from any other source. WPBP works to support prisoners; and through that solidarity works to empower prisoners themselves and build connections through prison walls."

And so forth! NOW, maybe steampunk/neo-victorian books with mystery and some horror and Victorian lesbian protagonists may not be Very Helpful, but I hope they give respite and entertain. Check out the link on how you can help out.

http://www.wpbp.org/book-donations

HOW many here thought this was a post about 50's lesbian pulp fiction? *raises hand*

This Female Convict cover, 1958, is by my most favorite pulp fiction illustrator and cover artist ever, Robert Maguire.

Also this:

You'll have to find the others yourself.

~~~dashes away

Like so:

http://www.a-girlstudio.com/wp1/wordpress/

The Darquepunk site

And so:

The Charm School site

MOBILE FRIENDLY. huzzaaah. Lost my domain names, however, and need to do more website shenanigans to activate the 'Darquepunk' domain name.

The problematic newsletter is next, I suppose. :-/

MONSTER STALKER is releasing Sept 21st. I will also be raising the price thereafter. It's a full-length novel at 90K+ words, and I feel I made a mistake undervaluing the book by pricing it at 2.99. So take advantage of my gaff. I'm particularly proud of the story because it was hard to do. At least for me. Trafficking is not an easy subject, even in a science fiction setting. And I do it with a vampire girl, with a switchblade and her teddy bear. :D

~onward!

And the first book is THE WRECKING FAERIE.

I did the cover, and yes, I kinda adore it. Bunny as a 'real girl'. *hearts*

The Twilight World: where monsters and magical people meet. Teen witch Bunny has a perfectly wicked girlfriend in vampire biker Dean, until a dark faerie comes along. Can Bunny resist Fairer Than's charms? And when she does, what will Fairer Than do about it? Paranormal romance, fantasy, comedy. LGBT YA.

PRE-ORDER yours today! Will release October 4th as part of the WITCHING HOUR COLLECTION, by the Blazing Indie Collective. 

The second in the series is HOT RODDIN' TO HELL (cover is done, rather prematurely Revealed over at the Charm School site and at my FB group, Elizabeth Watasin's Club Hecate, but oh well), and the third----not seen in comic book form----is BODY CHASE, which is already written (and the cover revealed). These will all come out this winter 2015.

I should do that thing here at Booklikes, the 'new release' thing. ( I don't know how yet :-/ ).

I hope this update finds everyone well! I must catch up.

~~eee, scattered everywhere

~the graphic I made, with the opening words from Monster Stalker: A Darquepunk Novel.

I noticed this is the month(? or was it last month) for LGBT reads? Well, I hope you'll add this one to that curiosity pile. As it's sci-fi, I can finally try my hand at portraying several gender aspects and sexualities. :D Frankly, I wrote the planet I want to live on. ^v^

More, later. I see some great BookLikes posts and as usual, love all the book blogging. #Amwriting the next Darquepunk book, Bloody Nike, plus addressing final notes on Monster Stalker. I don't think I ever got around to sharing *why* I'm 'suddenly' writing queer science fiction---with a noir and paranormal bent---and have hurtled myself through space/time from the paranormal Victorian period I was immersed in.

Back in March, *right* when Wondercon happened, I had a big lightning strike. I have no idea where it came from, but a sci-fi concept I'd been sitting on for years (probably since '98), suddenly came together. Well, it made sense to me. A planet called Darqueworld with preternatural beings and celestials and leviathans finally *worked*, right then (again, it made sense in my head). And I could have a vampire girl from the '90's drop right into it, with her switchblade and teddy bear.

IT BECAME NECESSARY TO WRITE IT. The idea of sitting on the idea more whilst I try to get the third Dark Victorian, the third DV penny dread, and the third Elle Black done was kind of painful (PS, my poor POISON GARDEN has hit a big snag due to my needing a new editor. I just need to find a editor with strong Victorian and UK understanding to tackle it. :-/).

So I'm planning to get all three books done by October. Am writing like a bat outta space/time Hell. ^v^

. . . promote Monster Stalker:

Woo!

I am 16K+ words into the manuscript of the second book in the Darquepunk series, BLOODY NIKE. I will blah-blah more, later. ^v^

http://amzn.to/1SajjEg

Monster Stalker, a Darquepunk Novel
By Elizabeth Watasin

Horror follows vampire Nico to a new world, and an old horror within her responds; kill it before it kills her. Nico jeopardises everything on a lone, redemptive path rescuing victims of the underworld and hunting the nightmare that created her—a monster only Nico knows is there.
A paranormal sci-fi noir. Darquepunk science fiction for the gothic, different, and queer. Time travel, Gen X, gender fluidity. Polyaphroditic. Cyberpunk.
Some sexual content; Mild language; Violence; sexual violence.

( heh heh! booklikes emoticons )

Whoosh! Ran my main site, http://a-girlstudio.com through Google's mobile-friendly test. The site is finally mobile-friendly! Not the prettiest template, but it's responsive, so that's a win. My tackling the redesigns for Charm School and the just launched Darquepunk are next. ^v^

The redesign I had before (during and after the big "my site's hosting is screwed" fiasco), was really striking, but just because I'm impressed by aesthetics doesn't mean it drives well on people's devises. Frankly, it stank on phones. Having to find a Wordpress template that works well for authors/creative people is hard; what I chose is probably not the best solution. I am *not* a web designer, I cannot code (except for wee html knowledge), so the site lacks those kinds of design final touches. Other than that, it's like MAGIC seeing it rearrange itself seamlessly for tiny screens and 'big' laptop ones. :D

More to Do. I've not been promoting Monster Stalker: A Darquepunk Novel like I should, because now I'm engrossed in writing BLOODY NIKE, the second book.

Will get to Everything, soon.

WHAT I've been working on for the last 3 months (and boy am I tired! ha ha) :D

Monster Stalker: A Darquepunk Novel is now available for pre-order. I'll let the synopsis speak for me (because at the moment, I'm just a hand-puppet!):

Horror follows vampire Nico to a new world, and an old horror within her responds; kill it before it kills her. Nico jeopardises everything on a lone, redemptive path rescuing victims of the underworld and hunting the nightmare that created her—a monster only Nico knows is there.
A paranormal sci-fi noir. Darquepunk science fiction for the gothic, different, and queer. Gen X, gender fluidity. Polyaphroditic. Cyberpunk.
Some sexual content; Mild language; Violence; sexual violence.

“Kill first.”
Vampire Nico popped from the year 1998 into a New NewYork airfield, a sudden chrono-immigrant with Mr Bear strapped to her, her switchblade in hand, and no idea how or why she got there. She’s on Darqueworld: an intragalactic society 400 light years from Old Earth, where Other-beings and humans co-exist and vampires are no big deal. Nico can have a normal student life at last and even date a diner waitress she likes. But there’s a darkened spot in her mind, one blanking out her immediate past, and the spectre of Nico's maker haunts her. Only in New NewYork’s underworld can Nico find what pursues her—and kill it again.

“Way to go, Super Nico!”
“I am not super,” Nico snapped.
“Got it. Stupid nickname. You are Lone Nico and Bear.”

**

And there's more than that, as it is a complex noir story. I'm very happy about this work. I'd been sitting on this science fiction idea since 1997-98 (no joke). It never worked. Then in March (during the Wondercon weekend, of all things), I had a thunder strike. I figured it all out and wrote it down. I then decided I should brain-dump it---which meant dropping Dark Victorian for the moment, but it *needed* doing. Two more novels will follow after this one, all set to release in fall. So when I disappear again, that's why. :) I hope you'll join me in this launch, it's a noir with one of the most relentless heroines I've the privilege to write.

Despite the face that Disney won't make a female superhero movie, Marvel itself is doing wonderfully right things with women.   The female love interest/secondary character in Silver Surfer was wonderful.   Considering that the Surfer has the potential to be a solo sausage fest, so there was no need for a secondary character, much less a female, it's wonderful that they included one who has about as much time and attention devoted to her.   The fact that I think she's an amazing character is even better.   

Then there's Captain Marvel.   A book written by a woman, that stars, yes a female superhero.   One who is considered the best pilot out there, and whom Iron Man - and the Avengers - trust to go out and do Avenging-type-stuff in space for about a year.   (They said they needed someone who could stand the solitude.)   And while she has some guest stars like the Guardians of the Galaxy, she pretty much stands on her own.   Even when the others are in her book, it's hard to forget that it is, in fact, her book.   The storylines assimilate the other characters without a hitch, but the main storyline revolves around her. It's up to her to deal with the problems she faces, and while, yes, she gets helps, again, the focus is on her.   It's nice to see a lady superhero take center stage, and keep that spotlight on her.   

Again, this would be enough.   But it's really not for Marvel.  Why would it be when they can give you a lady superhero who takes center stage, written by a wonderfully talented lady, and then illustrated gorgeously?   (By a man, yes, but he does her justice, and doesn't super sexualize her.   In that she keeps her clothes on, and her poses seem more natural than 'jutting hip out until it's dislocated while pushing out boobs until spine breaks' poses.)

This would also be enough, but I guess Marvel, and the writer, decided to give us more.   It's a fun, action packed story, there's a lot to be said about refugees, relocation, and finding a home once your home is gone.   There's a lot to be said about family and how you deicide if you leave people behind.   There are, in fact, other strong women, like the one who's the matriarch of the alien refugees, and there's the menacing J'son, the menacing patriarch.   It would seem very feminist and contrived, except that there's a long history of J'son being a dick to everyone, including his son, the Prince of Spartax, and also Star-Lord of the Guardians of the Galaxy.   And maybe, yes, there is something to be said for the matriarch, but it's also not quite original.   I haven't read the story arc yet, but when Odin takes a sabbatical, an Allmother takes his place.   There have been matriarchs in the Marvel universe before.   It's not so much contrived, but more that this has been convention in the Marvel universe, especially when dealing with alien species.  

Looking forward to continuing.   Haven't decided if I'll buy the next three issues with my band-spanking new Marvel digital comics discount once I run out of the issues on the Unlimited, or wait to see if more come into the Unlimited service in the next couple of months...

Really enjoy this short piece on Flavorwire, for being frank about her sexuality, the observation her son makes of Rebecca, and for reminding me of why I adore the gothic novel, all over again.

http://flavorwire.com/518560/daphne-du-maurier-updated-the-brontes-inspired-hitchcock-was-a-gender-fluid-iconoclast

IF I could get away with doing the gothic house, crazy wife, and tormented husband story---with strange heroine---one more time, I would. Writing Sundark just wasn't enough. I'd love to do variations of Jane Eyre, twenty times.

• My copy of Virginia Woolf’s A WRITER'S DIARY seems to be a first edition of 1953 from The Hogarth Press. It has that smell of an old book about it – a mix of tobacco, spores and midnight oil. The original owner of the book has written her name in on the first page in slanting black ink...Marjory Todd...and dated it 1/1/54,suggesting that this was a Christmas present. Dipping into it on occasion, as I do, reminds me of  something Virginia wrote...What a vast fertility of pleasure books hold for me! I went in and found the table laden with books. I looked in and sniffed them all. I could not resist carrying this one off and broaching it. I think I could happily live here and read forever...Virginia Woolf’s diaries were kept over a period of twenty-seven years and after her death, her husband, Leonard, gathered extracts from them together. He went through 30 handwritten volumes and selected passages that related only to her writing life. They take us from 1919, when she was 36, to 1941. The last entry, just 20 days before she walked into the River Ouse with an overcoat filled with stones, finishes...I think it is true that one gains a certain hold on sausage and haddock by writing them down. 

Of the screenshots I've been taking of my ICE DEMON: A Dark Victorian Penny Dread free kindle push, this one makes me happy. :D Because Artifice happens to be a lesbian---AND she's presently topping in free Victorian romance with all the straight romance books.

TAKE THAT, marginalisation. Who says people can't enjoy the romantic adventures of a Victorian Quaker, lesbian, artificial ghost, and strong woman? ;)

It'll fall off the list soon enough, and then there may be backlash, but that's what happens when you walk out the door and just be you. I hope people who can enjoy the book, will.

I also want to thank the person who gave me the 10th Amazon review. With that in hand, I could go beg at more promo doors. Thanks to everyone for this push!

And just because I don't say it enough: thank you BookLikes itself, for the staff's incredible support through all my cover changes and indie hijinks. They've been hands on, the best, and have made me feel welcome from the get-go. I am very happy to be here.

AS free as the wind blows! Gittit, NAO!

I've been so busy, and 3 weeks is the longest I've been away from Booklikes. :( I bet you've all grown up, had children, gotten married (in that order), and had a few Life Changing Events since I've been away. Plus, read lots of books! That's the important thing! :D

Law'! I am trying to do this free book promo thing and everyone wants *10* beautiful reviews for me to qualify (for promotion). I just need one more. So this is an open plea that if anyone would like review ICE DEMON over at Amazon (I just need one more), that would be very cool. And I hope you enjoy. 

IN more news:

POISON GARDEN: An Elle Black Penny Dread Vol 2 is with the editor. I still have to make the finals of the new covers (with the original digital artist of Sundark 'retiring', I ought to make the covers more like a series). The book has been a real experience---'twill be as sensual as MEDUSA but in a different way, because plants and conservatories have their own kind of sensuality. PLUS: Entheogens. YEAH, BABY. I really do a number on poor Elle. The synopsis:

Psychic detective Elle Black and her wife Faedra escape London’s unrest for Peaseflower’s fabled gardens and to aid a wealthy friend, troubled by things she cannot name. But once there, Peasy Bunkley assures them nothing is amiss, with herself or her perfect, eerie staff. In the marvellous glass conservatories with its exotic, deadly specimens, Elle knows something is very wrong. Even her telekinetic abilities can’t prevent danger to her wife and Elle succumbing to an insidious attack, rendering her hallucinatory and mad. What her assailants don’t know is that insanity won’t prevent Elle from returning to get Faedra back.

Like I said, this has been a real pleasure to write, though the research was INTENSE. I'm not a scientist, and I mostly kill plants out of ignorance rather than successfully nurture them. :-p So I had to get into that world, of botany, propagation, conservation, ecosystems, of exotic plants, flowers, fruits, of poisonous plants, hallucinogens, the effects of hallucinogenic experience, the effects of poisoning, plant mimicry, plant awareness (consciousness---if one wants to stretch that), and so on. Plus, vegetarian attitudes, Victorian style. And then do horrible things to Elle.

NEW THINGS: Whilst *not* going to Wondercon 2015, I suddenly figured out something I've had on the back burner for uh, (math)---since 1998, I bet. IT will be Gothic Sci-Fi, and I am very pleased with it and decided to work on it asap just to pour my brains out. So it's about 21K words on 'NEW THING' (to be announced), at least for one book, because I'm working on 3 books of the NEW THING at the same time. 6 covers have been mocked up by me as I visualise this beautiful thing. And 6 book synopses have been written. And Elizabeth has to actually write those books and hurry up and make final covers. I could fire that woman, she's so freekin' lazy. ;) We wanted it YESTERDAY, Elizabeth, because this is going to be COOL! More later!!

~*sound of whip lash*

"Sundark" is a little bit steampunk, a little bit horror novel, a little bit Victorian penny-dreadful ... and a whole lot of entertainment!

Paranormal investigator Elle Black is asked to visit Sundark, a hotel/boarding house whose guests are disappearing with incredible regularity. Is there a murderer in the house? Are there dark, occult goings-on? And why does the house literally get up and turn around a few times a day?

These questions and more are answered within the pages of this entertaining novella.

Elizabeth Watasin is writing historical/paranormal fiction for the underserved lesbian audience ... but that keeps any reader entertained. Her books are ripping good yarns, and I highly recommend them.

Nice drop, it was 9$+ last I look! 

#amwriting; still 5-6K words away from finishing POISON GARDEN and started a new thing, very excited about it. It has 4 cover mock-ups already, 4 synopses and 5K+ words in one manuscript and 1K in another. We be rollin'!

I created this new cover for Indulge and I think it's fabulous -- dissenting opinions will be ignored! So, to celebrate, I've made Indulge free for five days. Grab it on Amazon.

I also have a free story at Sydney's hottest (fictional) restaurant, Cafe Nix. You can read all the free romances on Wattpad -- mine is "Kissing Time" -- or you can wait for the free book from Smashwords in a week or so. Cafe Nix is a great place! You'll want to click on "Table of Contents" to find the stories. 

Gosh, 2015 is busy! 

And yes, I'm sneaking in time to read Shelly Laurenston's The Unleashing which released today :)