We are still going at it gang! The month of July continues to heat up!
Let me introduce my next guest! Meet Leigh Ellwood!
Let me introduce my next guest! Meet Leigh Ellwood!
Welcome to My
Twisted & Kinky World!
Thanks for having me!
Let's start off by
telling everyone a little bit about you!
Sure! My name is Leigh Ellwood and I write erotica and
erotic romance. I write a variety of sub-genres including GLBT, contemporary,
and some paranormal. I also write mystery under another name. I'm from the East
Coast, married with a little one, and am always at the computer writing.
So, I know when I sit
on writer panels I am always asked this question. When did you start writing?
Well, the long answer is since the first grade. For much of
my life, I have written in one form or another. I didn't start writing
professionally until after college. I sold my first story at 19, published my
first book at 29, and haven't looked back.
What inspired your
first book? What was the title? Was it published?
I wrote my first erotic romance, Truth or Dare, in early
2004. The idea to write the genre came from two events: 1) the rise of erotic
romance in eBook format, specifically when Ellora's Cave launched, and 2)
pregnancy. I had all these hormones raging inside me, and I had to find a
release! When my mystery published announced they were launching an erotic
imprint I outlined the story and submitted the completed work. Truth or Dare
was one of the first books published by Phaze Books.
Have you always
written erotica? If not, what else do you write/have you written?
As I mentioned, I started out in mystery. I still write it,
and I've also written sweet romance, non-fiction, and poetry.
What made you decide
to write erotica?
Well, there was the hormone rage I described earlier. After
I finished Truth or Dare, I realized I enjoyed writing the book. I simply enjoy
telling stories, and if the ideas I have are a bit kinky I'll get them down in
a book. I do admit the fact that my kink far outsells my mystery is another
factor, but it's not the deciding one.
How would you
classify your erotic writing?
I'm on different points of the map. My Dareville series is
primarily M/F but there are ménages and some M/M stories. I've written M/M,
F/F, shapeshifters, some rom-com, and the occasional BDSM.
Do you have a
specific writing style?
I have one or two 1st person stories, but I prefer 3rd. I
think readers do as well.
What is the process
you use for writing?
It depends on the story. Some stories I'll completely
outline, and with others I'm a total pantser. With series books, like
Dareville, I do outline to avoid continuity errors between books. I find, too,
I have to read older books of mine to get facts straight.
Is there anything you
find particularly challenging in your writing?
Finding time. I work full-time, edit on the side, and I have
a family. Sometimes I sleep.
How do you come up
with your book titles?
Some are song titles, others are plays on phrases. With the
Dareville series, each title has "Dare" in there somewhere.
If you had to name
one character you have written that was the most like you, which character in
which book would that be?
I have a series of cozy mysteries featuring a snappy heroine
named Ronnie Lord. I feel she is the most like me of anybody I've written.
She's quick with a comment and likes to over-analyze things.
What other types of
jobs have you held before becoming an author?
I have worked in call centers, bookstores, and fast food
restaurants. For the last decade, though, I've worked in Web marketing and
social media, helping clients with their Facebook and Twitter.
Do you travel much
concerning your books?
I did over the last three years, but this year I have only
two gigs. As we move more into digital publishing I find myself looking for way
to promote online. I will still attend major events like RT and AAD when I can
afford it.
What current projects
are you working on?
My next novel, Act Daring, is due from Ravenous Romance this
summer. I am also writing the sequel to a shapeshifter romance in my Bliss
series. That will be called Pure Bliss.
What is your latest
release and where can readers find it?
Odd is an exclusive release with All Romance. It is a funny
M/M erotic romance and can be bought here.
Most authors offer
some sort of e-pub of their work. Do you offer traditional paper versions as
well?
I do, mainly to reach readers who do not read e.
What is the toughest
criticism you have ever received? How did you handle it?
I once read a review that started "I hated this
book." It seems a bit harsh at the time, but I realized I inspired an
emotion in a reader. Next time I hope to inspire a more positive one.
Do you have any
advice for aspiring authors?
Revise, and repeat!
Thanks for stopping
by, Leigh! *waves*
To find out more
about Leigh, visit these links!
Also check
out these other Sizzling July Interviews!
Amara - July 1-3
Evan J. Xaiver - July
4-6
S.L. Armstrong - July
7-9
Brita Addams - July
10-12
Leigh Ellwood - July
13-15
Blaine Arden - July
16-18
Leigh Jarrett- July
19-24
A.D. Cooper - July
22-24
Giselle London - July
25-27
Rachel Haimowitz -
July 28-30
Aleksandr Voinov - July 31-Aug. 3
Don't forget to stop by my Smashwords for the Summer/Winter Sale! Selected Titles are up to 50% Off!
Aleksandr Voinov - July 31-Aug. 3
Don't forget to stop by my Smashwords for the Summer/Winter Sale! Selected Titles are up to 50% Off!
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