tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30430565142379577682023-11-16T04:43:13.823-08:00Maia's Blog - Just add coffeeMaia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-43816620849410557572016-06-14T16:36:00.003-07:002016-06-14T16:36:37.087-07:00Orlando :'(Beauty follows pain.<br />
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It's time to get shit done.<br />
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Love must win in the end. Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-38238855881236187602016-05-21T10:20:00.000-07:002016-05-21T10:20:00.988-07:00Cosplay and my inspiration for "All 'Ships May Sail" - Part II<br />
My main characters in <i>All 'Ships May Sail</i> (title taken from my many years spent on the <a href="http://houseoftucker.com/bboard/index.php" target="_blank">House of Tucker Bulletin Board</a>, in case you were wondering) bond over their fellow fandom, <i>Xena: Warrior Princess</i>, and their love of cosplay. In case you're curious about my own costuming street cred, I offer the following true story.<br />
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I'm a geek. In fact, I am a whole lot of kinds of geek. My friends and I started going to conventions in costume more than a decade before the term "cosplay" was coined. One of my many geekdoms over the years was, is <i>Xena: Warrior Princess</i>. "In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings" -- also known as the 1990s and early 2000s -- my friends and I went to several <i>Xena</i> conventions, usually in costume. Sometimes we participated in the fan costume competition. One year, at the big convention in Pasadena, we won. <br />
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Picture if you will, a hall full of some 3000 fans of the show. They're seated in chairs and standing along the back and sides of the room. There's a raised stage up front where we've watched the show's actors talk, tell stories, and answer questions over the past few days.<br />
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Now, it's Sunday. Things are winding down, and it's time for the costume competition. Three friends and I entered as a group. <a href="http://io9.gizmodo.com/meet-the-creators-who-are-masterminding-the-return-of-x-1760590323">Xena, Warrior Princess</a>, <a href="http://www.whoosh.org/issue71/graphics/sha2.gif">Amazon Queen Gabrielle</a>, <a href="http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/evilbabes/images/2/29/Bild_2016_02_29_19_53_44_875.png/revision/latest?cb=20160229194022">Amazon Wanna-be-Queen Velasca</a>, and <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/fe/a8/6c/fea86cf99aabc12098d16f69aac66187.jpg">Amazon Queen-to-be Ephiny</a>.<br />
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We lined up backstage with everyone else who wanted to compete their costumes and waited for our turn. Eventually, <i>finally</i> we were called up to the stage. <br />
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We didn't have a plan. We didn't even have a pose. I guess we figured we'd let our costumes speak for themselves. We'd worked hard and knew they were good. So we stood on stage letting the costumes do the talking. And after a few moments, we realized it wasn't just the costumes you could hear.<br />
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Somewhere out in the crowd, people had begun singing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ag40t-ngk">the Amazon theme music from the show</a>. <br />
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Whoa. ... <i>We need to respond</i>. <br />
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We straightened up our line, raised our masks, and gave the <a href="http://xenarenaissancewarrior.blogspot.com/2013/09/hooves-and-harlots.html">Amazon salute</a>. <br />
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The crowd went nuts. People were standing and saluting back. They're still singing. They're cheering. We were rock stars.<br />
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<i>Now what? This is going to get awkward in a second. What do we do? We should go. Leave them wanting more. Yeah! Leave them wanting more.</i><br />
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So we lowered our arms, and with our heads held high like the fictional royalty we were pretending to be, we proudly left the stage.<br />
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I feel a little sorry for whoever had to follow that. Someone must have; I don't believe we were last to present. We were, however, the last ones called for the awards because they always announce the grand prize winners last.<br />
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The prize itself was a $100 merchandise credit. I don't even know what we spent it on. It doesn't matter. That wasn't why we did it. We did it because we're geeks and geeks love what they love unabashedly, unashamedly, unapologetically with everything they have to give. The best prize we got was that crowd, 3000 of our fellow geeks strong, spontaneously bursting into song. For us.<br />
<br />Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-13806879954689097182016-05-20T09:00:00.000-07:002016-05-20T09:00:05.909-07:00Welcome Guest Blogger Asta Idonea!I'm thrilled to introduce you to my fellow <i>Theory of Love</i> author Asta Idonea! <br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Captive</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Asta Idonea</span></i><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">18 May 2016</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Torquere Press</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Short Story/MM/Sci-Fi</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Heat Level: 1</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">When the Teludazi attack Captain Evander Starr’s squadron, he is the only survivor. Taken prisoner, he refuses to answer their questions. Nonetheless, he finds himself drawn to their leader, Kaname. What secrets lie behind Kaname’s strange lilac eyes, and will Evander soon find it’s not only his body held captive, but also his heart?</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://soundcloud.com/nickijmarkus/captive-mm-short-story-excerpt-by-asta-idonea" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Audio Excerpt</span></b></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200&products_id=4669" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Torquere Press Buy Link</span></b></a><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Asta-Idonea-ebook/dp/B01FTJMJBE" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> <span id="goog_205153647"></span><span id="goog_205153648"></span>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Captive-Asta-Idonea-ebook/dp/B01FTJMJBE" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> /<a href="https://www.amazon.de/Captive-Asta-Idonea-ebook/dp/B01FTJMJBE" target="_blank">Amazon DE</a> /<a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Captive-Asta-Idonea-ebook/dp/B01FTJMJBE" target="_blank">Amazon AU</a></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Excerpt</span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">He wasn’t certain how much time passed. He drifted into a fitful slumber, and upon waking, a small light in the corner of the room illuminated a jug of water and a bowl. The latter contained a porridge-like substance—tasteless but not unpleasant. He didn’t hesitate to eat and drink this time. The water had been safe, and Kaname’s speech about not saving him just to poison him had rung true. So, he wolfed the meal down. The moment he finished eating and set the bowl aside, the light turned off.<br />
He must have fallen asleep again, because the next time he came to, he sensed a presence in the room. He turned toward it and heard a soft chuckle.<br />
“Hello again, Captain Starr. How are you feeling?”<br />
“Okay,” Evander muttered. His aches and pains were gone and he felt more rested than he had in a long time. But he wasn’t about to share that with Kaname. “Don’t you wanna turn the light on?”<br />
“Why bother when I can see you perfectly well already?”<br />
“It’s true then? About your eyes?”<br />
Evander had heard the tales ever since he was a boy. The Teludazi were the monsters parents used to discipline wayward children. They were the creatures talked about at night around the campfire. It was said all their eyes were that odd lilac color because they could see equally well in light and dark. It was pointless hiding from them beneath your bed or in the closet—they would still see you.<br />
When he made captain and joined the fleet, Evander’s superiors had striven to suppress such rumors. It was bad for morale, Evander supposed, if you believed your enemy had superhuman abilities. In all other respects, the Teludazi were like them—humanoid, with a similar life span—and that was what the generals expounded. But on the ships, out in deep space, the crew talked. And it seemed the stories had been true all along.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Author Bio & Links</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Asta Idonea (aka Nicki J Markus) was born in England, but now lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She has loved both reading and writing from a young age and is also a keen linguist, having studied several foreign languages. <br />
Asta launched her writing career in 2011 and divides her efforts not only between MM and mainstream works but also between traditional and indie publishing. Her works span the genres, from paranormal to historical and from contemporary to fantasy. It just depends what story and which characters spring into her mind!<br />
As a day job, Asta works as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in her spare time she enjoys music, theatre, cinema, photography, and sketching. She also loves history, folklore and mythology, pen-palling, and travel; all of which have provided plenty of inspiration for her writing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nickijmarkus.com/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Blog </span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> /</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/NickiJMarkus" target="_blank"> Facebook </a></span></b><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> /</span><a href="https://twitter.com/NickiJMarkus" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Twitter </span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> /</span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nickijmarkus/" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Instagram </span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">/</span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4567057.Nicki_J_Markus" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> Goodreads</span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> /</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolamarkus" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> LinkedIn </span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">/ </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Asta-Idonea/e/B00RMGGVYO" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Amazon Author US</span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> /</span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asta-Idonea/e/B00RMGGVYO" target="_blank"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Amazon Author UK</span></b></a><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span></div>
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-36381011310464579192016-05-19T09:34:00.000-07:002016-05-19T09:39:49.515-07:00Cosplay and my inspiration for "All 'Ships May Sail" - Part I<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>All ’Ships May Sail</i> was, in part, inspired by a real
incident. Years ago, while the show <i>Xena:
Warrior Princess</i> was still in production, I attended a convention with my friends
and fellow <i>Xena</i> fans. I was dressed
as Gabrielle, complete with dyed strawberry-blonde hair and green contact
lenses to complete the image. On the bulletin board in the con’s registration
area was the message that Lori finds at the beginning of the story. I replied
to it just as she does, but I never met that Xena so that was as far as things
went. I still sometimes wonder who wrote that note and if they ever found the
Gabrielle they were looking fo<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">r.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span> </span></span>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-69059133712048495362016-05-18T12:00:00.001-07:002016-05-18T12:58:58.106-07:00We are go for launch!<i>All 'Ships May Sail</i>, is now available for immediate download!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4665" target="_blank">Torquere Books</a> /<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/All-Ships-Sail-Maia-Strong-ebook/dp/B01FUMOLT8?ie=UTF8&keywords=maia%20strong&qid=1463597270&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/All-%E2%80%99Ships-Sail-Maia-Strong-ebook/dp/B01FUMOLT8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463597637&sr=1-1&keywords=maia+strong" target="_blank">Amazon CA</a><br />
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<b><i>All 'Ships May Sail</i> by Maia Strong</b><br />
<br />
<i>Lori is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. Hoping to meet people who share her interest in cosplay, she attends a local sci-fi/fantasy convention. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek girl. They connect in their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their relationship into real life?</i><br />
<br />
<b>Excerpt:</b><br />
<i> </i><br />
They strolled through the corridors of artwork, but Kara noticed very
little of it. She was far more interested in her companion than in the
semi-pornographic fairy paintings that seemed to be the focus of the
current section they were in.<br />
Lori stopped in front of a particularly evocative image. “Oh
my. That’s...bendy.” She tipped her head to one side, leaning almost
past horizontal.<br />
Kara examined the picture in question. “Yeah it is.” She turned
her head the opposite direction. It was like the artist had channeled
Wendy Pini’s art and applied it to the Kama Sutra. “Is that physically
possible?”<br />
“Maybe if one actually had wings? I think we’d have to try it to find out for sure.”<br />
***<br />
What had she done? Lori scrambled to find other words. Correct her faux pas and quickly. “I mean, not <i>we</i>, per se. I meant, <i>one</i>. You know. Generic. I mean-- Unless you <i>wanted</i>-- We could-- Shit. Sorry. I’ll stop talking.”<br />
To her astonishment, Kara laughed. “Let me help with that.”<br />
Suddenly Kara’s lips were on hers in a kiss that swiftly grew
more passionate than was strictly appropriate for the public setting.<br />
Lori brought her hands up to Kara’s shoulders and pushed her
off. Not far. She didn’t want to be misunderstood. She just wanted not
to be caught snogging next to a bunch of erotic fairy art. Just in time,
too, as a trio of tweens in steampunky <i>Girl Genius</i> outfits
came around the corner at that moment. The three girls stopped in front
of the display and immediately began to point at the artwork, giggling
and whispering.<br />
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist,” said Kara in a low voice, and Lori
couldn’t help noticing the flush in her cheeks and desire in her eyes.<br />
She pulled Kara around the next corner and then another. “It’s all
right. I’m glad you did it. I just think...we should maybe find a
quieter spot?”<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<b>Want the whole <i>Theory of Love</i> anthology? Of course you do! Here are places to find it!</b><br />
<i><b><a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76&products_id=4659" target="_blank">Torquere Books</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Love-Anthology-Kayla-Bashe-ebook/dp/B01FUMOM38?ie=UTF8&keywords=theory%20of%20love%20anthology&qid=1463601389&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon US</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Theory-Love-Anthology-Kayla-Bashe-ebook/dp/B01FUMOM38/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463601268&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=Theory+of+Love+antholgy" target="_blank">Amazon UK</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Theory-Love-Anthology-Kayla-Bashe-ebook/dp/B01FUMOM38/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463601438&sr=1-1&keywords=theory+of+love+anthology" target="_blank">Amazon CA</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.de/Theory-Anthology-English-Kayla-Bashe-ebook/dp/B01FUMOM38?ie=UTF8&keywords=theory%20of%20love%20anthology&qid=1463601471&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon DE</a></b></i><br />
<i><b> </b> </i>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-47470455689808023822016-05-16T09:24:00.001-07:002016-05-16T09:25:14.631-07:00The Countdown Continues...<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Title</b>: Theory of Love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Authors</b>: Kayla Bashe, Alain Bell, M.D. Grimm, Asta Idonea, D. C. Juris, Dale Cameron Lowry, Lila Mathews, Charles Payseur, Jessica Payseur, Maia Strong, Lynn Townsend, K.S. Trenten.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Edited by Deelylah Mullin</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Publisher</b>:<b> </b>Torquere Press</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cover Artist: </b>Kris Norris</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Release Date</b>: May 18, 2016</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Heat Level</b>: 5</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pairing</b>: both M/M and F/F stories</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Length</b>: 80,000 words</span></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Genre/Tags</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Romance</b> - Contemporary, Erotic Romance, F/F Romance, M/M Romance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Science Fiction</b> – Hard Science, Romantic, Futuristic</div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/theoryoflove1400.jpg"><img alt="theoryoflove1400" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3018" src="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/theoryoflove1400-200x300.jpg" height="300" width="200" /></a></h2>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Synopsis</b></h1>
In <i>Theory of Love</i>, we wave our geek flag high! Tales from deep space, sci-fi realities, technology, academia, and cosplay are brought together in this collection. In Dale Cameron Lowry’s <i>Far From Home</i>, long-distance spouses fan the flames of passion while fighting to save humanity.<i> Meat Space</i> by Lynn Townsend, brings virtual space and the real world crashing into a new reality. Asta Idonea’s <i>Captive</i> shows us that love can form in any manner of situations. <i>Beta Tester</i> by Charles Payseur immerses the reader—and the characters—in a virtual reality that brings a friendship to a whole new level. K.S. Trenten’s <i>A Symposium in Space</i>, love is a different meal to every guest. <i>Unexpected Dilemmas</i> by Jessica Payseur long-distance lovers face hijacking and natural disaster to be together. Kayla Bashe’s <i>Medic to the Hivemind</i> a stranded student is saved by a mysterious voice with secrets. <i>Being Jake</i> by Lila Mathews shows readers that smart is sexy. In D.C. Juris’ <i>Torn Apart</i>, love provides the will to survive. <i>Shattered Space</i> by Alain Bell shows how love can grow from destruction. Maia Strong’s <i>All ‘Ships May Sail</i> connects cosplay, fandoms, and something more. <i>Trash and Treasures</i> by M.D. Grimm gives us a deal made in interstellar space that could be more than either party bargained for.<br />
<br />
In theory, love is easy.<br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Purchase</b></h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76&products_id=4659" target="_blank">Torquere Press</a></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Theory-of-Love.jpg"><img alt="Theory of Love" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-3017" src="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Theory-of-Love-300x300.jpg" height="300" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Giveaway </b></h1>
<b>Rafflecopter Prize:</b> One winner will be selected to win an eBook copy of Theory of Love<br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="555033ec74" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/555033ec74/" id="rcwidget_2jvjvyd4" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a href="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Blog-Button-2.jpg"><img alt="Blog Button 2" class="size-medium wp-image-1679 aligncenter" src="http://indigomarketingdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Blog-Button-2-300x210.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-27154777653436967342016-05-12T09:40:00.001-07:002016-05-12T09:40:19.322-07:00Enter to win!Torquere is hosting a Book Blitz! <a href="http://glbtromance.blogspot.com/2016/05/theory-of-love-anthology-book-blitz.html" target="_blank">Enter at this link </a>to for a chance to win a copy of <i>Theory of Love</i>! Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-34885115365001064622016-05-10T08:16:00.001-07:002016-05-10T08:16:12.163-07:00Count down to new release!The countdown is on to the release of the new anthology from Torquere Books <i>Theory of Love</i>, in which my f/f story <i>All 'Ships May Sail</i> is included. Here's what the TQ site has to say: "In <em>Theory of Love</em>, we wave our geek flag high! Tales from deep
space, sci-fi realities, technology, academia, and cosplay are brought
together in this collection."<br />
<br />
I'm excited to be in this collection with such a great and diverse group of authors! <a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76&products_id=4659" target="_blank">Head on over to check out the list and read a little more about the stories.</a> You might even want to pre-order your copy while you're there so you'll have it in your hot little hard drive come release day, 18 May. ;-D<br />
<br />
I'll be posting more as the countdown continues, and next week I'll be hosting the lovely and talented Asta Idonea, author of the m/m sci-fi story <i>Captive</i>. I've read her excerpt and her teaser, and it looks excellent! I look forward to sharing it with you!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlxn0k6HUPlCodJt7gYxLxsnCXbz1_u7MCzFHu3Gyraq5LO7SOQRC7d2nemFOzrxEfU7eoMYlAEVeZFHYD3sC22PvIdhYcrx6VGXgL6HDhklG6HJCRQRPgd4tntN6OIe5oaPrgoWMIJq8/s1600/theoryoflove185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlxn0k6HUPlCodJt7gYxLxsnCXbz1_u7MCzFHu3Gyraq5LO7SOQRC7d2nemFOzrxEfU7eoMYlAEVeZFHYD3sC22PvIdhYcrx6VGXgL6HDhklG6HJCRQRPgd4tntN6OIe5oaPrgoWMIJq8/s1600/theoryoflove185.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-44031484399939765442016-03-17T10:38:00.001-07:002016-03-17T10:38:46.363-07:00New contract!Wow. It's been quite a while since I posted here, hasn't it? I've been <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Maia-Strong-Author-129814580435703/" target="_blank">over on Facebook</a>, in case you didn't know.<br />
<br />
That aside, I have exciting news!<br />
<br />
I recently signed a contract with Torquere Press for a short story titled <i>All 'Ships May Sail</i> to be included in their upcoming anthology <i>Theory of Love</i>. It's due for release in mid-May, so it's going to be a quick turn-around!<br />
<br />
Here's a little bit about the story.<br />
<br />
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lori
is new in town and looking to make friends, and maybe more. She attends a local
sci-fi/fantasy convention in the hopes of meeting new people who share her interest
in cosplay. Kara is a cosplayer who enjoys moderating costuming panels and
hooking up for a con-weekend fling with a sexy fellow geek. They connect in
their fandoms and in bed, but do the two share enough chemistry to take their
relationship into real life?</span> <br />
<br />
You read that right: Lori and Kara. Yes, my friends, this is one for the girls! I hope you'll check it out. I'll keep you posted as I work toward the release date.Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-22514178444946231522015-06-30T13:03:00.001-07:002015-06-30T13:03:25.203-07:00Love Wins!I hope everyone has had a wonderful time this Pride Month!
Festivities here were extensive. Even the crosswalks got into the
celebration.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/colorful-crosswalks-celebrate-gay-pride-in-seattle/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/colorful-crosswalks-celebrate-gay-pride-in-seattle/" class="" data-src-large="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-1560x1202.jpg" data-src-medium="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-1020x786.jpg" data-src-small="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-780x601.jpg" data-src-x-large="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-2040x1572.jpg" data-src-x-small="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-300x231.jpg" src="http://static.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/a7ed2b08-19b9-11e5-baef-872a04af9dd8-780x601.jpg" /></a> <br />And then there was this:<br />
<h1>
<a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/26/417717613/supreme-court-rules-all-states-must-allow-same-sex-marriages" target="_blank">Supreme Court Declares Same-Sex Marriage Legal In All 50 States</a></h1>
There's
still work to do and battles to fight, but for now we celebrate, we
dance, we cheer. Love is love! Love wins! Happy Pride, everyone! <br />
<br />Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-1100162460504661272015-06-02T09:20:00.003-07:002015-06-02T09:20:44.900-07:00*taps mic* Am I on? <h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
OMG, it's been so long. I'd
like to say I've spent my lengthy absence in a frenzy of writing and
publishing, but I would be lying. There has been some little writing.
There has not been publishing. I am aiming to improve the former and
change the latter. To that end, I'm finally going to release a paperback
edition of my m/m fantasy novel <i>Client Privileges</i>. I'm also working on getting <i>Rose & Thorn</i>
(m/m/f) re-released in both print and ebook formats. While I'm chipping
away at those granite blocks, I've also submitted a contemporary
paranormal story to a publisher. That one's not a romance, per se,
although it does have m/m romantic elements to it. It's the first in a
series--or will be once it's published. I'll let you know when there's
anything to update on that. Here's hoping it will be good news.
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-31767014232719527862014-12-16T09:45:00.002-08:002014-12-16T09:45:42.333-08:00Happy December!I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season so far. Yes, I know.
The official holidays aren't all month long, but there are several of
them in December, so why confine oneself to a single day of celebration
this month, amiright? In that vein, here is my December playlist. What's
yours?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od1-rGxp_Io" target="_blank">Sleigh Ride - Glenn Miller</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2v2NmWHC8k" target="_blank">Trad: So Treiben Wir Den Winter Aus - The Mediaeval Baebes</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTx_ykF9fS4" target="_blank">Through Your Eyes On Christmas Eve - Abney Park</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44mbm9chWp8" target="_blank">My Song for You (From "Good Luck Charlie") - Bridgit Mendler & Shane Harper</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8" target="_blank">Fairytale of New York - The Pogues</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8fPvODASoI" target="_blank">St. Stephen's Day Murders - The Chieftains feat. Elvis Costello</a> <br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npaG55vfe9c" target="_blank">On Grafton Street - Nanci Griffith</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY" target="_blank">Winter Winds - Mumford & Sons</a><br />
<a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Doug+Wood/_/Winter%27s+Solace" target="_blank">Winter's Solace - Doug Wood</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVKLo9YepUg" target="_blank">Trad: Salva Nos - The Mediaeval Baebes</a><br />
<a href="http://music.paulwinter.com/track/golden-apples-of-the-sun" target="_blank">Golden Apples Of The Sun - Paul Winter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6U1AFGDVHE" target="_blank">I'll Be Home For Christmas - Glenn Miller</a><br />
'zat You, Santa Claus? - Abney Park<br />
On Christmas Time - The Coats<br />
<a href="http://music.paulwinter.com/track/dawnwalker-2" target="_blank">Dawnwalker - Paul Winter</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q" target="_blank">White Wine In the Sun - Tim Minchin</a>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-47966190009519861032014-11-04T14:49:00.003-08:002014-11-04T14:49:47.836-08:00 Steam(punk)ing Right Along<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
</h3>
<div class="post-header">
</div>
I literally <i>just finished</i> my first edit pass through my steampunk
novel. I finished the manuscript about two months or so ago and I've
been letting it sit, getting some distance from it be before doing my
own beta-read. As far as the last 25K words or so go, it was the first
time I'd read them at all. I can't tell you how excited I am to find
that I really like this book! I honestly didn't know if the story would
hold up, if it made sense, if it was loaded with contradictions and
inconsistencies that would have to be corrected, etc., etc. I can
confidently say it does, it does, and it wasn't. Yay! I haven't felt
this good about a project in a long time. I still have to go through all
my tracked changes before sending it to my beta readers, of course, but
wheeeeeee! That clearly hasn't dampened my enthusiasm. ;-)<br />
<br />
I hope everyone who has chosen to participate in NaNoWriMo this year is
steaming merrily along on their own works! I might have to start a new
novel this month myself just because I can. Hee-hee!
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-70860990113980782982014-10-07T10:57:00.001-07:002014-10-07T10:57:14.187-07:00Long and ShortLong:<br />
After nine months of on-again, off-again writing, I finished my
steampunk m/m novel a week ago today! A couple of author buddies came
over for a write-in and I knew I was in the homestretch, and... It's
done! Now it sits and gels for a little while before I read it start to
finish and tweak/edit it a bit before sending it to my beta readers.
Whee! Oh, and it topped 100K words. WTF? That makes it the longest book
I've ever written, beating my menage, <i>Rose & Thorn</i>, by about 10K. <br />
<br />
Short:<br />
I wrote a smutty f/m short story yesterday. Just under 5K words once I'd
trimmed, tidied, and tightened it. I think that calls for another WTF?,
don't you? I sent it to my critique partner (who actually writes het
erotic romance) for a beta. I'm almost scared to see what she has to say
since neither het nor short story is my usual format. Cross your
fingers for me.
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-84807440598218721332014-08-12T12:16:00.004-07:002014-08-12T12:16:49.816-07:00RIP Robin WilliamsI'm sad today and felt the need to find some Robin Williams moments to make me laugh.<br />
<br />
Here's a short one:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2FeudWNnMe4" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And vintage 1991 with Johnny Carson:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iqdSagycCWc" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just last fall with Craig Ferguson:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dVCxjRCBK80" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Finally, a classic that I think we all need today:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jfDyTUiL8xs" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go have a little keen and then watch <i>The Birdcage</i>.Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-33694649222102733422014-05-06T09:32:00.002-07:002014-05-06T09:32:13.604-07:00Steampunk + KismetRandom things keep entering my sphere of reality lately that are
peripherally steampunky. I think the universe is telling me it likes
what I'm writing at the moment. ;-) Here are a couple of links that
connect to the early 1900s as examples.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023532245_restoredlocomotivexml.html" target="_blank">85-year-old steam engine ready to roll again in Lewis County</a><br />
<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/hilarywardle/16-edwardian-colour-photos-that-will-make-you-feel-aplm" target="_blank">16 Edwardian Colour Photos That Will Make You Feel Like A Time Traveller</a><br />
<br />
There
are links to more photos off that second one that I could spend hours
happily perusing. But, alas, my m/m steampunk novel isn't going to write
itself. Although every now and then I hit a scene that seems to do just
that. If only it were always so easy. <i>::sigh::</i>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-58650004363551161762014-04-17T15:02:00.001-07:002014-04-17T15:02:32.881-07:00Writers Write About Writing (Blog Hop)Greetings! If you’re here reading this, you probably found your way from the blog of the lovely and talented <a href="http://rainajamesromance.blogspot.ca/?zx=a6d2eea672696325" target="_blank">Raina James</a>. Or if you arrived here along another path, well, that means you still have the fun of reading her post on the topic of the Writing Process ahead of you. This is a cool blog hop that I’m delighted to take part in. I’m also finding other authors’ posts on the subject fascinating. Seeing what’s similar and different between their processes and mine, and also seeing what they’re all working on right now so that I can make up my To-Read List.<br />
<br />
That said, here is my hop along the blogosphere.<br />
<br />
<b>1) What are you working on?</b><br />
I have three things in various stages right now. I’ll start with the one closest to finished. That one is an f/f erotic fantasy romance that is in the final stages of polishing before submission to publishers. This is a novel set in the same world as my other fantasy works, but this time I’ve moved to a tropical archipelago with a matriarchal society where family and business are deeply entwined. I love world-building, and this one world has given me many opportunities to invent different cultures. I love it!<br />
<br />
Second is a YA novel that I would classify as light urban fantasy. It’s in the present day, in our world, and in first person. Three things I never write. LOL! This one is close to ready and I will probably self-publish it since it’s not anything like what I’ve released through my publishers, and they wouldn’t want it anyway.<br />
<br />
Third is a North American steampunk m/m novel that is currently under construction. There’s a bit of mystery, a bit of romance, and a bit of I-haven’t-a-clue-what’s-coming-next. Ah, the joys of being a pantser! <br />
<br />
<b>2) How does your work differ from others in the genre? </b><br />
This is a tricky question. I know that my choices of sub-genres put my work in a niche within a niche within a niche (Is that enough niches? *counts* Yes, I think that’s right.), but I don’t think that’s what we’re talking about here. I like to think my stories are a little less predictable than most. Yes, they still have to fall into the designated “acceptable endings” (HEA or HFN), but within that framework, I want to believe that there are moments in my stories where readers say, “Oh! I didn’t expect that!” or even, “Really? That was an odd choice.” Because, honestly, I’m okay with readers thinking my brain is a little odd.<br />
<br />
<b>3) Why do you write what you write?</b><br />
World-building! For me, the most important part of my long list of sub-genres is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy label. You can take the girl out of Middle Earth but... You know the rest. SF/Fan gives me the perfect medium to create new worlds and new cultures. I’ve read science-fiction and fantasy my whole life. From Madeline L'Engle's <i>A Wrinkle in Time</i>, which my mom first read to us before I could read chapter books on my own; to Asimov’s <i>Foundation Trilogy</i>, which I seriously ought to re-read because, let’s face it, I did not really understand it when I read it in middle school; to Tolkien’s <i>Lord of the Rings</i>, which I re-read yearly through high school (at least) after first reading them in the fourth grade. Each of these is a unique example of world-building at its best. I might layer all sorts of other genres into my stories, but for me they are all secondary to this one.<br />
<br />
<b>4) How does your writing process work?</b><br />
In fits and starts. ;-) At its simplest, I work character => world => story. Characters make themselves known in my head before anything else comes along. When they’re ready, they start talking to me, giving me an idea of where they belong, in what universe or country or culture. That gives me context so that I can construct the right world around them. Once I have that established, they start telling me their stories--if I’m lucky. Sometimes I have to drag it out of them. Sometimes they lie to me and I have to go back and dig out the truth. Sometimes I have to get them drunk so they will reveal all their secrets.<br />
<br />
Also, I am a dedicated pantser. I’m the kid who used to write her school report first and then write the outline. I actively dislike plotting out a story. If I know how it ends, I find no joy in the journey. This is why the urban fantasy crime novel I started will likely never be completed: I know how it has to end, and where’s the fun in that? Although I’m a little sad about it because I really like the characters.<br />
<br />
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this peek into my writing process. Hopefully I'll find someone to tag so you can continue the blog hopping. In the meantime, there are already many out there. Just follow the link back to Raina, and she'll take you on a branch of your journey. :) Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-34791229976547687062014-04-08T10:21:00.000-07:002014-04-08T10:21:02.889-07:00Opening Night!Not the theatrical kind, which is more common in my life, but the
baseball kind! My team opened the season on the road this year, so we've
had to wait an extra week for them to come home to play. (Boo! *pout*) I
won't be at the sold-out game, alas, to watch those tight-panted young
men run the bases, but I shall be watching from home. It's a bit of a
springtime ritual for me to make a dinner in keeping with the day
(baseball-geek-meets-foody), whether it's the classic hot dogs and apple
pie or a homemade version of Ivar-dogs and slaw. I believe last year I
bought sushi for the occasion. (Yes, at our ballpark, sushi is an
option.) <a href="http://www.seattlemet.com/slideshows/what-to-eat-at-mariners-games-this-season-april-2014#slide=7" target="_blank">This post about some of the new menu items</a> is making me hungry already!Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-34546536955368051382014-02-25T17:04:00.003-08:002014-02-25T17:04:47.631-08:00That moment when...That moment when your characters first meet and sparks fly.<br />
That moment when they begin to reveal secrets that you, even as the author, didn't know they had.<br />
That moment when you discover a third voice is necessary to tell the story.<br />
That moment when your "short story" passes 31K with no signs of slowing down.<br />
<br />
I love that moment. :-D
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-16028220582006851642014-02-11T10:19:00.000-08:002014-02-11T10:19:44.694-08:00Building a Steampunk WorldIt feels like ages since I've done any proper world building. I did so much of it for several years running, and then <i>poof!</i>
Nadda. Just last month, that began to change. I love to read steampunk
stories. I attended Steamcon V last October. These days, it is my
favourite costuming genre to peruse online and find excuses to build.
For a couple of years now, I've wanted to write my own steampunk story
in my own steampunk world. My first attempts were with potential
co-authors, but for varying reasons we simply couldn't get on the same
page. (No pun intended.) Then I tried for months to work on an idea of
my own, but the damned thing wants to come out as a movie script and
that is just not something I can deal with right now. Plus, it has too
many ambiguities even for me, and I am a classic example of a pantser.
Now, at last, I'm in a groove. A writing groove, a world-building
groove, a steampunky groove.<br />
<br />
I've built the framework of the world and the general mores of two
societies. I've done research that was more than just a string of
increasingly unrelated distractions. I've presented a number of hurdles
to my characters, and they are working hard to leap each of them in
their arduous journey towards their HEA.<br />
<br />
Now, if you'll excuse me, the two fine gentlemen talking at me inside my
head would really appreciate having their story written down. I
oughtn't keep them waiting.
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-46698339304311860582013-12-31T10:34:00.003-08:002013-12-31T10:34:57.276-08:00Year-end Sale!<span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/" target="_blank">Torquere Books</a> is having a year-end sale! Just
use the code "hello2014" to get 20% off EVERYTHING. But hurry! It's
only good through WEDNESDAY! I don't have many titles left there, but you can get <a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=97&products_id=3482" target="_blank"><i>Rose & Thorn</i></a> for a little while longer. (I believe it's about to go out of print, and after that you'll have to wait to pick up it whenever I can make the time to re-release it.) And there's also the anthology <a href="http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_106&products_id=2576" target="_blank"><i>I Put a Spell on You</i></a> where you'll find a short-story of mine that you won't find anywhere else. So go shopping and have a sexy New Year!</span>Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-33043927584417574412013-12-17T17:09:00.001-08:002013-12-17T17:10:00.954-08:00Print Release and Excerpt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG_UTjaD6CASY02YuQegP3jQhIpQdMqAyaaVhbV36KVKYc5gvqo5Cfzm3RhMvyBgljL3YoXp8Itehe92w4J8xtkh9mCkaalWYSxIO65aKeVmEvFhl9kqcNRU_RjQeClPrginOxGL-AL-N/s1600/CH_cover_final35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG_UTjaD6CASY02YuQegP3jQhIpQdMqAyaaVhbV36KVKYc5gvqo5Cfzm3RhMvyBgljL3YoXp8Itehe92w4J8xtkh9mCkaalWYSxIO65aKeVmEvFhl9kqcNRU_RjQeClPrginOxGL-AL-N/s320/CH_cover_final35.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
It feels like it's taken all year (and maybe it has, but I sincerely do
not want look and find out that I'm right), but at long last <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Compass-Hearts-Maia-Strong/dp/1492237906/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387323711&sr=1-3&keywords=maia+strong" target="_blank"><i>Compass Hearts</i> is available in print form</a>. Bring home this sexy winter romance to keep you toasty this December. Here's an excerpt to get you warmed up.<br />
<br />
<i>Compass Hearts</i> by Maia Strong<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">He barely recognized his own voice as he went
on. “The human body is...fascinating.” There was a question, an invitation,
underlying his statement. He hoped Ash would hear it and understand. Despite
this sudden swell of bravery, he knew he couldn’t say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> out loud.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A slow smile spread across Ash’s face. Matthew
grinned back, guessing his message had gotten through. His guess was confirmed
when Ash asked, “Have you ever had a live model?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“No.” Matthew’s cock strained at his breeches.
He yearned to draw Ash, see him stripped and posed. He couldn’t remember ever
wanting anything so much or so urgently in his life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Then reality crashed down on him. His face fell.
“My materials are at my apartment.” In the time it took to get there and back,
the moment would be beyond lost. And there was no way he was taking Ash back to
his flat. He didn’t want him to see it. It was so unbearably grim, lacking in
any charm or comfort, especially when compared to Ash’s quirky and inviting
room upstairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“What do you need?” Ash asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Charcoal pencils, largish paper.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I have that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“You do?” Matthew perked up at this spark of
hope. It was almost too good to believe. “How? Why?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Botany class. We do a lot of plant sketching. I
not only have charcoal pencils, I have pressed pigment pencils.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Matthew’s eyes lit up and Ash grinned and
grabbed his hand. “Come on.” Ash pulled him to his feet and toward the stairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Matthew’s practical side asserted itself and,
still clinging to sense, he asked, “What about our books?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“No one will bother them. Come on!” He
practically dragged Matthew from the parlor. By the time their feet hit the
stairs, though, Matthew was plenty willing to follow him up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Inside the cozy comfort of the little attic room,
Ash went immediately to the window seat. He opened it and fished around inside,
coming up a moment later with a large tablet and a tin box. “Here.” He handed
the box to Matthew, who opened it and looked in wonder at the myriad colored
pencils within.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Where did you get these?” he asked, awed and
envious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Some of them I bought in town. Some of them my
dad gave me before I came here.” Ash flipped through the tablet of his botany
drawings, Matthew looking over his shoulder. The plants were barely recognizable,
and then only because he’d labeled them. “They’re awful, I know,” said Ash. He
pulled a disgusted face. “It’s all right to say so.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I just have one question,” said Matthew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Yes?” Ash turned and looked up at him. “What?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Are you actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">passing</i> botany?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Ash burst out laughing. “All right, Master
Critical.” He flipped to a blank sheet and shoved the tablet at Matthew. “Let’s
see you do better.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“That much I can guarantee.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’ve never been an artist’s model.” Ash’s eyes
shone deep blue in the lantern light and his voice was husky. “Tell me what to
do.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-pagination: none; mso-prop-change: "Maia Strong" 20110205T1728; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Matthew swallowed hard once. The heat and
tightness in his groin were intense, and he was glad for the tablet he held in
front of him. What was he thinking? He’d never get through this! Panic began to
rise in him, quelling his arousal. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No. I </i>want<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> to do this, damn it!</i> Steeling himself
and taking control of his fear, he said with as much authority as he could
muster, “Strip.”</span></div>
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-56352813489502347302013-09-24T10:31:00.002-07:002013-09-24T10:32:07.972-07:00Book RecommendationAges ago (seriously, it was several years ago now) I posted about <a href="http://slash-and-burn.blogspot.com/2008/03/shakespeares-gay-boys.html" target="_blank">Shakespeare's Gay Boys</a>.
Technically, they're not Shakespeare's of course. They belong to
Ancient Greek mythology. I'm talking about Achilles and Patroclus, in
case you don't know. I just finished reading <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11250317-the-song-of-achilles?from_search=true" target="_blank"><i>The Song of Achilles</i> by Madeline Miller</a>
and WOW. There are books that come along once a decade or so that are
so profoundly beautiful that you, the reader, can't help but be
moved/impacted/bettered by reading them. This is one of those books. And
with its addition to my personal version of that list, I can still
count them on one hand. They are that rare.<br />
<br />
The story is told entirely from Patroclus' point of view in the present
tense (which if you know anything about this particular mythology will
cause you to wonder how the author made that work--but trust me, she
does). While the Trojan War is, of course, an inescapable part of the
story, Miller begins with the child Patroclus and builds her world
through him. Her prose is gorgeous. Everyone you meet in the story, from
the heroes of myth, to the most minor players, to the sea goddess
Thetis, reads as rich and real. I will be reading this book again and
again, when I need something to keep me company and pull me out of our
world for a while. When I need somewhere fantastical yet true to escape
to.<br />
<br />
Do yourself a favor and read <i>The Song of Achilles</i>. You'll only be sorry if you don't.
Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-54874493937943137702013-08-25T10:35:00.000-07:002013-08-27T09:05:28.853-07:00Print Release!At long last (and I admit to my share of the delay in this), <i>False Dawn</i> is now available for purchase in PAPERBACK! I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hold the real book in my hands. <i>::sigh::</i><br />
<br />
Relevant linkage:<br />
<a href="https://www.createspace.com/4368478" target="_blank">False Dawn from CreateSpace</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/False-Dawn-Maia-Strong/dp/1491038314/ref=sr_1_2_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377451686&sr=1-2&keywords=maia+strong" target="_blank">False Dawn from Amazon.com</a><br />
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It's the exact same book, whichever link you follow, so order from wherever you want.<br />
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Huge shout out to my volunteer FLE, Erin M! Amazing the things that brand new eyes can catch. I adore you for your help and I totally owe you an autographed copy!<br />
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On the way next to print is <i>Compass Hearts</i> followed by <i>Client Privileges</i>. And then... and then... something new, mayhaps? We shall see...<!--3--><!--3-->Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3043056514237957768.post-45134185127670226642013-07-30T16:02:00.002-07:002013-07-30T16:02:19.676-07:00Confession & AnnouncementI have a confession to make. <i>I still prefer to read print books.</i>
I know, I know. I've spent several years now in ebooks, and I just
cannot convert my preferences to the electronic. I love the feel of a
book in my hands. I love seeing my book mark sticking out of the top,
showing me how far I've come and how far I have to go. I love the smell
of a brand new book. I love the sound it makes when you flip the pages
really fast.<br />
<br />
Now with the confession out of the way, I have an announcement. <i>I'm working to release all my re-realsed (originally Torquere Press published) ebooks in print form.</i> I am so excited about this that it makes me squee. Just this past weekend I ordered a printer's proof of <i>False Dawn. </i>It should be here by Friday. <i>Friday!</i> *squee!* So keep watching here, or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maia-Strong-Author/129814580435703" target="_blank">my Facebook page</a>, or just pop over and search me on amazon.com every now and then to find out when my titles go to PRINT.Maia Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08352482028469213261noreply@blogger.com1