Interview about Writing and Self-Publishing a Book

In Las Vegas for my book signing, December 2015

You win some, you lose some, but in the end you can post it on your blog.


I was contacted by a women's blog for an interview about writing a book and self-publishing. That was a few months ago and it's safe to say that they won't be running the piece so I'm sharing it here:

The Darker Side of Lust A-Dollar-A-Day Holiday Sale

Between now and December 31, 2015, The Darker Side of Lust will be on sale. The price has been dropped to $10 ($9.95 to be exact)!


Each day after that, the price will increase by one dollar until it is back to its original cover price - $19.95 -which will coincide with December 31!


All copies of The Darker Side of Lust purchased through my website will be sold at that day's sale price. Multiple copies of the book can be ordered. No promo code necessary. Price is also valid on International orders.

#AskELJames, Erotica, BDSM and Twitter - My 2 Cents

What Erotica Writers Thought of The #AskELJames Twitter Q&A

On June 29, the author of Fifty Shades of Grey, EL James held a Twitter chat fresh off the heels of the release of her latest book.

Yes, she wrote another one. And revealed during the #AskELJames chat that she was working on two more books.

Two more.

Needless to say, the Twitter chat went to shit. Insults were hurled at her, sarcastic and mean tweets abound and the questions about abusive relationships and plagiarism that have been posed to her since her first book was published remained unanswered.

Rachel Kramer Bussel, author and editor, wrote an article for The Frisky in which she asked fellow erotica writers what they thought about the #AskELJames Twitter Q&A. 

Independent Bookstores Where You Can Buy The Darker Side of Lust - 5th Anniversary Edition

Since publishing the 2nd edition of my book, The Darker Side of Lust - 5th Anniversary Edition, I've been working on a series of events to promote the book. I've also been a little anal about tweaking my stories. I've been talked off the ledge a few times by friends who've done everything short of ripping the pen outta my hands.


This time around, I didn't want to have one launch event. That felt too "one and done" for me. With a series of events centered around The Darker Side of Lust, I'm able to reach different people and include things that I like including music, live art, food, and of course, reading, writing and erotica.


I've also been working on getting my book on the shelves at various independent bookstores. The first edition was available at 2 bookstores - including Shakespeare and Company in Paris! - and SHAG, a sex-positive boutique in Brooklyn.

The Darker Side of Lust - 5th Anniversary Edition is currently available in four (4) independent bookstores and a major retailer.

The Darker Side of Lust - 5th Anniversary Edition

The 5th Anniversary Edition is here! Thank you! It was fall of last year when it hit me --- December 2014 would mark 5 years since I wrote The Darker Side of Lust.

Back in 2009 and the following months and years, it was a joyful learning experience --- the formatting, and proofreading, publishing, literary events, book signings, calls and emails from new and old admirers of my work. 

I thank you all for the support. 

So then I figured why not commemorate 5 years with a new edition of that book. I posted a poll on this blog and Facebook because I needed your help in deciding which of my ideas to settle on.

The Winner:

Stories with alternate endings AND a new 5th Anniversary Cover -- it's been 5 years, go big!


Full disclosure, the "alternate endings" don't happen in all the stories. But there are completely new stories (24 stories and vignettes total), and the characters you may remember are there with more "oomph". I've also included the stories from my mini ebook, Exhaust Pipes, so if you didn't read them before, you can now!

The Darker Side of Lust 5th Anniversary Poll

Could this be the last time you see The Legs?

This year in particular I've really noticed how time flies -- Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day -- all a blur. Any one in the Northern Hemisphere remember spring? Whoa.


I saw candy corn on display last week and refused to buy any. It's too soon!


That being said, it hit me that December is right around the corner. December 2014 is not far behind that. 12/14 marks 5 years since I published my erotic short story collection, The Darker Side of Lust.


I will release a 5th Anniversary Edition but what about it will say "Fabulous Five" Years? I have a few ideas but I also need your help deciding! Please take a few seconds to vote in my poll -- one question, four choices!


It will be 2014 before we know it...

The Darker Side of Lust: The Lost Interview

In August 2010, I was contacted by XI Magazine for an interview and book review for their Se-XI section. A few months after the piece went live, XI Magazine had server issues and lost tons of data, the interview and review included. Although the full piece is somewhere out there in cyberspace, I do have the interview portion.


In an email blast I sent to my mailing list, I included this quote from Managing Editor, Okema T. Moore:

Exploring various taboos like mulitiple partners, homosexuality and religion with regard to sex…the book has something for everyone! It’s well written, intriguing and a page turner. It explores lust and passion and even a little love, all while drawing you in deeper and deeper with the vivid language and very detailed descriptions of characters, positions and possibilities. I felt like a voyeur as I read it, because I could clearly see each scenario play out in my mind’s eye.

It takes a talented writer and an expansive amount of liberation and imagination to come up with something that is more sexy and passionate than raunchy and overtly extra. Abigail Ekue is all of that and more in my opinion.

And now, the interview where I discuss my loves, my lusts and my writing (September 2010):

The Darker Side of Lust In Paris

If you haven't heard it, it's news to you...

    

My art is holding a place for me in Paris.


Copies of my book, The Darker Side of Lust, are available at Shakespeare and Company in Paris, France! This was a moment of I wanted something, asked for it and received. I originally contacted the bookstore about hosting a book reading during my (then) planned trip to Paris last November. All their readings were full but they invited me to participate in the open mic they were starting at the time and told me I could drop off copies of my book for sale at their shop...

I Can Take No For An Answer

It hit me the other day that I don't pitch articles nearly as much as I used. Actually, I think it's been almost a year. This is not because I don't want any more of my articles published, it's due to the lack of response. As a writer, I get rejections all the time. That's not an issue. It's the silence that makes the whole process seem pointless and somewhat discouraging. I live by, "You won't know until you ask" and "Ask and ye shall receive" as played out in my life on numerous occasions.


Just say 'no.' Seriously, I can take it.

I'm Giving It Up

We're facing the last few weeks of summer and quite possibly hot, torrid summer affairs. For my readers in the Southern Hemisphere, I'm sure you're enjoying the canoodling on cold winter nights...


Now believe it or not, I don't have any new stories to share about summer love, romance or lust. But I'd love to hear yours! Did you meet someone new? Spice up a long-term relationship? Platonic friendship evolve into something more? Have a cyber relationship? Experience a great one-night stand? Break any furniture?


Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of my book, The Darker Side of Lust and your choice of a 4x6 print from my Man. Toy. photo series.


Share as much or as little as you'd like but include the following fun details: city and state (US only), country, astrological sign (Western, Vedic or Chinese) of you and your partner(s).


If you're entering the giveaway and already have a copy -- tell us your favorite story from The Darker Side of Lust.

The winner will be chosen on September 6, 2010 (Labor/Labour Day in US & Canada).

    

Protected Sex

I live in America where there’s freedom of speech unless your words are considered "defamation", "fighting words" or "obscene". What do you consider obscene? I’m exposed to so much nowadays, I’ve become desensitized and the shock value of said obscene material has to be raised a few notches before I consider it obscene—in other words, “I know it when I see it.”

This coming from a woman who writes erotica; are you surprised?

Kitty Makes Me A Girl

I was exchanging texts with my friend, StarPower, about Monday Night Raw before the conversation shifted to UrbanErotika™, an event I co-produced and StarPower performed in about 2 weeks ago. He told me that I looked really nice that night. I had received a few compliments the night of the show and accepted his gracefully as well. I told him I should “dress like a girl more often”, or maybe I just needed reasons to.

The next morning, I had an “aha” moment of sorts and decided to wear a skirt. I was making a few stops that day and I figured I would be comfortable enough. I clearly made the right decision when I walked into the APART showroom for Kitty Bradshaw’s 2 Year Blogiversary event. Normally, I’d rock a pair of jeans & a simple top or t-shirt. I didn’t stray from the t-shirt but wore it with my “dangerous curves ahead” skirt. I even wore slight heels and I even threw on some beads. All the attendees that night proved that writers and bloggers aren’t homely creatures with no fashion sense.

Write Stuff

I haven't been writing much on this blog, but I have been writing. It's been a little slow on the freelance non-fiction front, but my erotic short story collection is moving right along. I'm at the point where I can decide which stories not to include. So that's a good thing. I've been asked a few times what's the theme of the collection. I made a list of the commonalities--food, music, minor Pop culture references, Black/African characters (at least 1 in each story) and of course, sex. I'd like to have a little more "love" in my stories, but I've realized that when someone else reads it, they pick up on the "love" or emotion, even if I don't think I included any. That's my energy coming through on the page. I'm an emotional person. I feel everything and I have the ability to feel what you feel and make you feel what I feel (I know that's empathy, but I felt like being long-winded).

In mid-July, I went to the Harlem Book Fair (HBF), primarily because there were certain talks and workshops I wanted to attend. It was my first time at the event and I did enjoy myself. But I was turned off by all the booths and the folks manning the booths shoving "Urban Fiction" at me. When I see people reading those books on the train, my initial thought is, "Oh, they reading one of those ghetto books." Then I quickly rationalize, "Well, at least they're reading." I can only recall TWO (book) booths that weren't selling that genre of fiction (There were tons of other vendors). Two? In the panel discussion on making a living off your art the topic came up and what it boiled down to is that's what sells. And at some point your art/show becomes a business. By no means were the attendees of the workshop encouraged to write Urban Fiction but it was just an example of the obvious--what sells is what makes money and there will always be someone who will relate to (and buy) your art, so continue to create what works for you (special thanks to Mo Beasley, Mahogany Browne, Brad "Blue" Bathgate and Ebony Washington).