New Romance by Ray Sostre

Synopsis:

Sadie's love life was doomed. She'd had her share of bad men in her life, until she met a friend from a long time ago-- Andrew. She was intrigued. He passed the qualities of a man she wanted, except one thing-- his age. Andrew was younger, but better than the men Sadie had been seeing, and especially better than Dustin Ellerton. When Sadie makes the decision to get rid of the zero and go with the hero, things get complicated.

GET THE BOOK HERE

Interview with author Ray Sostre:

Q: What inspired you to write "Love Type Situation" ?

A: When I wrote the story, it was titled differently. The original tile was "If Loving You Was Wrong"  but the title and direction of the story were two different things. I revised it numerous times until I finally got it right. The story was originally written in 2014, but I'm glad I took the story into a more hip direction.

Q: What do you love most about your characters?

A: I created characters the way I wanted to create them--funny, light-hearted, and interesting. I wanted to make these characters easy to understand without exaggerated explanation.

Q: What was your favorite scene to write and why?

A: There was the kiss scene between Sadie and Andrew during a slow song. It was a simple moment, but I found it to be one of my favorites because I created a build up that led there, and all the other good stuff happened afterward.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect of your book?

A: The most challenging part of writing "Love Type Situation" was making sure the story remained interesting with constant build up. I'm an erotic romance author, and I wanted to include as many sex scenes as possible. You have to have build up to make the scenes work. I think this is how all good books progress.

Q: How does your story compare to other things you've written in the past?

A: While my current series "Love Out of Lust" is on the grittier side, I wanted "Love Type Situation" to have a more light-hearted appeal, along with steamy erotic scenes, fight scenes, comedy, and good drama.

Q: Where will your writing take you in the future?

A: I'm excited to announce another release on September 21st -- "Love Out of Lust Part Five" This book will step up the game in the series, making it more dramatic. I'm also working on a dark erotic series inspired by a porn star from the 2000's, but that story reflects a parallel life she had, and aims toward a happily ever after. As far as the name of the story, I haven't officially decided, but for now it's a series called "The Chronicles of Meriesa Lopez"

Excerpt from "Love Type Situation" by Ray Sostre:

Andrew took a bite and chewed his food. He then asked, “So how was the job hunting? Any luck?”

“No, I didn’t get any offers, only them telling me they’ll call me back. I had one interviewer at a bank who I wanted to punch. I have never felt so belittled. I wanted to tell her that I wanted her job.”

Andrew chuckled. “Don’t let her get to you.” He paused as he swallowed his food. “If you’re interested, I have a good friend who is looking for a librarian at the Richmond Library. I could give you a recommendation, if you like.”

Sadie asked humbly, “Really, you’d do that?”

“Yeah, she needs the position filled and so far, no one she’s interviewed has been qualified.” 

“I would appreciate it if you could do that for me.” Sadie smiled.

“I’ll let her know tonight. Hey, Sadie, if you don’t mind me asking, have you ever thought about being a teacher? You know, you’re good with tutoring, and I know you would make a good teacher.”

“I have, but I only finished two years of college. I was pursuing my bachelor’s degree, but when my ex-boyfriend got locked up I was left to support myself.”

Andrew frowned, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Sadie chided, “I was with the wrong kind of men. I thought I could change them, but I soon realized that they were changing me and not themselves.”

“Yeah, it’s usually like that. I’ve known several men who treat their girlfriends like that. In my case, the girls I meet are a bunch of princesses who want to play head games, expecting me to pamper them all the time.”

“So what kind of girls are you into?” 

“I’m not into girls, Sadie. I’m into women – women who are serious about a relationship. I’m not really picky about what woman, just someone who I can be serious with.”

Good answer! I really like him.

“Does it matter about how old they are?”

“Not really, but—” 

Before he could finish his sentence, Sadie’s phone went off. Her ringtone sounded an electronica beat. She reached in her handbag sitting on the table and pulled out her phone. She knew who was probably calling her. She looked, and Dustin’s name appeared. She was in no mood to talk to him. She was having dinner and didn’t want to be bothered. She had been avoiding him all day. She decided to press ignore and send his call straight to her voicemail. Not wanting to deal with him calling again while she was with Andrew, she silenced her phone.” I’m sorry. That call was no one important.” She tucked her phone back in her purse. “Go on … you were saying?”

“I was saying it didn’t matter how old they are. As long as she and I get along that would be fine. I’m not looking for Miss Right; they only exist in fairytales.”

Sadie giggled at his answer. “I like that; I’ve never heard of that before.”

“I’m just saying what I want in a woman. I mean, what do you want in a man?”

What do I want in a man? That should be an easy answer for her to give, but Sadie had to pause and think about it. She had been through enough in her past relationships. She had been with a player; in fact, several of them. She had also been with a verbally abusive man, a convict, a thug, and currently was with a wealthy married man who made her feel very lonely. The answer was pretty clear. She wanted him,  but she didn’t want to be so forward about it.

“I want a man who’s got his shit together. I want a man who makes me feel alive and wanted. I’ve had too many relationships with boys pretending to be men. I’m tired of the high school drama. I’m a little surprised that a man your age feels the same way and is ready for a serious relationship.”

Andrew grinned “Well, we are out there. You just have to give us a chance.”

“I know.” She then smiled. “You know, Andrew, I really like you. You’re not like the other guys I talk to; you’re something else.”

He returned her smile. “I like you too. It’s nice to talk to someone who I have things in common with.”

Sadie grinned at him, feeling hopeful.

Preparing to Write

Writing is a process that's different for every author. Some people write best during the early morning hours, others in the middle of the night. Some writers use a desk and their laptop, where others dictate their story onto a recorder while they're commuting to their day job. Everyone's preparation--what they do, what they need in order to write--is an individual as a snowflake. It's fascinating! There's no right formula; there's only the method that produces results.

Below are the personal preparations of seven different authors: (Don't forget to scroll down for their links!)

What time of day do you write and why?

• I know many authors (artists, comedians, etc.) say that you need to engage the process every day. I can't do it. I like to write on the weekends, beginning in the late morning, when I can go 5-6 hours uninterrupted. Trying to write at home at night when I am brain-dead from my daily slog doesn't work for me -- J Thomas Ganzer

• With two small children it's usually a question of when I 'can' write! My preferred time is always to write in the mornings - for some reason this is when I have my best ideas... But I am learning to turn my hand to writing whenever I have the opportunity and I think that has to be my 'plan' in the short term -- Felicity Brandon

• I pretty much write whenever I can. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I try to write. First thing in the morning, I try to write. Right before bed, I try to right. I wrote at least one full chapter of "Letting Go" during the middle of the day on my cell phone. It's not so much about a specific time as it's about having a certain level of inspiration and energy, and that can come at pretty much any moment -- Richard Bacula

• At this phase in my life, my time to write is pretty much dictated to me. I have two young children and a wife, so once I get home from work, I start job #2--getting the kids fed and to sleep! So, my typical writing period is on my lunch breaks. I supplement that with occasional bursts of writing in the early morning or on weekend afternoons -- Eric Keys 

• After recently going part time at my day job, I typically write from Fridays to Mondays. Lately I've been falling into the routine of connecting with friends on Goodreads in the mornings; I've been able to meet a lot of really great readers and other authors there as well as Facebook. I'm not much good on an empty stomach, so I usually eat some lunch while watching Jerry Springer-- then it's off to my laptop! -- Sarah Brenner

• I write in the morning to the afternoon. I find I'm most productive in the morning. The longer the day goes, the more likely I am to become lazy. By the time evening comes around, I just want to relax -- Reed James

• I tend to write in the morning or later at night. During the middle of the day I seem to have more distraction. If I hand write it's typically earlier and then I settle in with my Dragon in the evening and get things done from there -- BB Blaque

What space/atmosphere do you need to write?

• Silly as it sounds, I can't write at home--too many distractions. So I go to Starbucks (cliche I know). I listen to my music (80's and early 90's) and bang away until I've nailed few chapters. Something about the energy of the place keeps me going. A library is too quiet. I need productive people around me to power through -- J Thomas Ganzer

• I have a small study which I have always used to write - It's a lovely spot overlooking the garden and I adore it. Just recently I have moved my writing space to the over side of the house; there's more natural light there and I am liking the change... So we'll see what turns out to be the most productive once the children go back to school and I can ratchet up my writing agenda again! As for the atmosphere I write in, I absolutely have to write to music. I'm a rock chick at heart, but have also written some of my sordid work to the awesome compositions of Hans Zimmer! -- Felicity Brandon

• I have an office in my house that I use to write. I keep it as quiet and as soundproof as possible. I don't like to be disturbed or distracted when I'm in the zone -- Richard Bacula

• Since I do so much of my writing at work, I have had to adapt to the space rather than adapting the space to my temperament. But I do try to write when most of the team has gone to lunch, so it's fairly quiet. I rarely write to music, but when I do, I haven't noticed a pattern of the of music. It can range anywhere from traditional folk to death metal or punk -- Eric Keys

• As passionate as I am about music, I've found that I work best in total silence and darkness, although sometimes I will light a candle to set a romantic or spooky mood -- Sarah Brenner

• I write in my living room sitting on a comfy recliner with my laptop on my lap. For editing, I sit at a desk. I have music playing, generally instrumental from movie and video game soundtracks. I don't like being around people. They make me feel self-conscious, particularly if they're behind me. I just feel like they're looking at my screen -- Reed James

• I can write almost anywhere. I have a peculiar process that encompasses hand writing, speaking things into my phone, and fleshing things out from there. My space could be in the middle of the yard in the country, listening to the sounds and absorbing the atmosphere. It can be in my bed, which is where most of the layers are assembled into what they'll eventually become. My bed is covered in warm colors with cats lazying around and dogs nearby. I have some floggers, cuffs and motorcycle helmets on the shelf along with my paperback books. The TV is usually on but the volume is turned down. I will listen to music if I need to kick myself into gear, otherwise I'll become lost in the abyss of youtube and accomplish next to nothing. I listen to music that is the soundtrack of whatever I'm writing. I write best when there is music pushing me along. I always write alone (save for the animals). I put a sign on the door to signal family members "The Masters M.C.-Church is in Session" so they know when I'm working-- BB Blaque

Do you have rituals of things you do before you write?

• I whiteboard the story before I begin a book, add in little vignettes here and there. But if I just write with no direction as to how long the arch should be, I end up all over the place. So I map it out beforehand -- J Thomas Ganzer

• I have no real rituals. All I need to do is clear any outstanding issues in my inbox and then I have a free head-space to write. -- Felicity Brandon

• It's not really a ritual as much as a habit. I go to my computer because I spend a lot of time on it. I open up Scrivener, and whatever file I'm working on. Then I open up my web browser and I check Twitter, Goodreads, and so forth. I play with that stuff for a while, then I tell myself, "Okay, you bastard. You've fucked around long enough. Go write one word. Just one word." Then I get back to Scrivener and I write the one word. That's the hardest part for me, getting that first word out. Once it's out, the rest of the sentence tends to flow easily. Then the rest of the paragraph, and so forth. I always tell myself to write just one word because that's a nice, incredibly simple goal... But I've never stopped writing at just one word, even on my slowest days -- Richard Bacula 

• Typically I go for a walk before I begin writing. I just let the stress fall away for a few minutes and think about what my characters are doing and why. Then I get back to my desk and let them do their thing -- Eric Keys

• A lot of my preparation actually starts the day before. Every night, I like to sit outside and listen to music thinking about the scenes I plan on working on the next day. When I'm finally ready to get started, I like to make sure that all of my chores are done so my mind is free to wander. I also like to have plenty of candy at my desk and my e-cig handy for a few inspirational puffs -- Sarah Brenner

• I start my morning with a long shower. I think about what I'm going to write today, putting the framework for scenes, conversations, action pieces, etc. This sort of prewriting helps me get into the flow easier. I also do this on walks -- Reed James

• Definitely music, music and more music. Nothing is accomplished for me without it. Also, coffee is very important--I drink it by the pot while writing. My ritual usually comes after I've written. I read everything out loud and into my phone and then listen. I look for flow, redundant word use, continuity, and that dialogue remains true to the characters. I'll listen to everything new and then with the previous parts to make sure it goes well together. In my latest work this has been a lot of fun. The girl in Louisiana Cajan/southern and the guys are Brooklyn and California bikers--so there is a ton of color in the dialogue -- BB Blaque

What disrupts your preparation/concentration? 

• Writer's block! And it is all mental, and all my fault. I faced a dilemma deciding whether a laptop, thrown into a lake, sinks or float. The internet was no help and I was paralyzed for two days trying to solve the goddamn laptop paradox. A smarter author told me to skip the problem if it is shutting me down. So I did. Character threw the laptop in a dumpster. Problem solved! -- J Thomas Ganzer

• Is it too obvious to say that my children can do that? :) Beyond the obvious though, it's not having a clear mind to write with... If my head is clouded with any issues then I have to deal with those, and the first port of call for me to do that is the gym! After a decent work-out I can typically get back my creative muse with little delay -- Felicity Brandon

• Any number of things can distract me, which is why I prefer to write in undisturbed isolation. Ideally I'd like to work full time, but the biggest distraction for me currently is that I have a day job. I've done my best writing in periods where I had a break from work, so I only had the one thing to worry about: working on my writing project. The best, most productive times of my life have been when my life consisted solely of writing, with periodic breaks for eating, sleeping, drinking, fucking, and other essential fuels to keep me going -- Richard Bacula 

• People, blogs, Twitter; the usual stuff -- Eric Keys  

• There are always plenty of distractions throughout the day, but the biggest has to be my little dog. She's almost 16 and needs constant attention. She's a happy distraction though; I love spending as much time with her as I can -- Sarah Brenner

• I find my concentration is very easy to break when I first start writing before I've really gotten into the zone. By the time I've written a few hundred words, I'm a lot harder to distract, but if I just sat down and barely gotten into the first paragraph, a distraction can really throw me off -- Reed James

• Life. I also have some ADHD and distractions online can really get in the way. This is when I tend to do more hand written parts. I can sit outside, unplugged, and handwrite to get going in the right direction with less chance of distraction -- BB Blaque

Find these authors online:

J Thomas Ganzer

Twitter: @J_Thomas_Ganzer

http://www.amazon.com/J.-Thomas-Ganzer/e/B00IPZPSFO/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

Richard Bacula

Twitter: @RichardBacula

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Richard-Bacula/e/B00IMLVIHS/

Felicity Brandon

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Felicity-Brandon/e/B00CV873JK/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/felicity- brandon

Website: http://fbrandonfiction.wix.com/felicity-brandon-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felicitybrandonerotica

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/FelicityBrandon

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/FelicityBrandon

Eric Keys

Mstislav is available on Amazon and Smashwords: 

Mstislav-Vengeance-Glory-Eric-Keys-ebook/dp/B00RDPENHG

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/558481

Sarah Brenner

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z7KWNDK

BB Blaque

www.bbblaque.com

https://www.facebook.com/bbblaque

www.facebook.com/BBBlaqueBDSMauthor

http://www.amazon.com/B.B.-Blaque/e/B00ML2FBMC

Twitter: @BBBlaque

Reed James

Twitter: @NLPublications

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Reed-James/e/B00J9JHBGY

Website: blog.naughtyladiespublications.com/wp

It's a Cover Reveal!

Author: Ray Sostre

Edited by: Elicia S. Stoll

Release Date: August 24th, 2015

Published by: Bitten Press, LLC

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance, May/December

Synopsis

Sadie’s love life was doomed. She has had her share of bad men in her life, until she met a friend from a long time ago – Andrew. She was intrigued. He has many good qualities of a man she wanted, except one thing – his age. Andrew is younger than her, but better than the man Sadie’s been seeing for the last few months – Dustin Ellerton. When she makes her decision to get rid of the zero and get with the real hero, things get pretty complicated.

Trailer to Love Type Situation, credited by Cindy Callender.

Teasers:

About Ray Sostre

New York born, East Coast raised, and West Coast bound.

Writing erotica happened by accident in the summer of 2010.  That same year, he established a story submission site – AfterDark Online, a place for erotic authors.

He lives in Nevada with his long-time girlfriend, is an avid listener of electronica, and enjoys writing and publishing articles. He jokes: “I’m always looking for writing material.”

Links

Blog – Facebook – Twitter – TSU

Perfection Never Dies

As a writer, I admit that some characters and their stories remain with me long after they've been created. Unlike the sweet-easy stories that are solid and content on their own, these other stories take root, blossom, and morph into a life of their own. They refuse to end, to remain quiet, and they make a big stink inside my brain until I do something more with them.

This happened recently.

My first erotic story Adventures In Plastic Wrap was an attempt to write something unlike I had never written, and to express the deeper emotions related to sex that I had always felt forced to suppress. It was fun to write, and began my career as an erotic fiction writer. My story was a success, with over a thousand free downloads in the first six months of publication.

Despite great reviews from other authors and readers alike, I noticed that my story wasn't finished. It wasn't quite right. Oh, and it sucked.

After going on to self publish several other titles and traditionally publish another, I realized that my first story--my baby--was poorly written. The content was there, but the execution was sloppy compared to my newest works. And it wasn't done. I had to write the sequel Cat & Mouse. But when my sequel was finished, I felt that it needed more. I felt inspired to change things up, add more detail, and combine Adventures In Plastic Wrap to Cat & Mouse. What I ended up with was a story I was really proud of. I titled it Cat Games.

I've heard other writers argue that when you finish a story... the story is finished. After you publish, you don't go back and change things. You leave things as they are as a testament to your writing journey or progress.

I think this is bullshit. Why not make each and every story as best as you can? Why not improve your stories if they refuse to leave you alone? You might argue that if a writer has to go back and update their work that their work wasn't done to begin with, but I think this is bullshit too. I think a writer does the best that they can at the time they're working. In my case, my story Adventures In Plastic Wrap was perfect the moment I hit "publish" on Smashwords and Amazon. It was only later, that going back, I felt I could do a whole lot better and that my characters wanted me to. They had so much more to say!

And why not? Why shouldn't my work be my best? My readers deserve it.

So now it is my best. My rewrite and combining of my two stories was a success, and I'm happy to say that Cat Games will be coming soon to a publisher near you.

But you know what? It doesn't end here. My characters won't shut up. My muse is a fickle, pestering bitch. There's a sequel.

Long live my former covers. I wonder what my new one will look like.

 

New Release!

Ryan, a geeky technology apprentice student, is on his way to losing his virginity. Shy by nature, his lack of experience with women has left him unfamiliar with ideas other than vanilla sex. In his search for his ideal girl, he seeks out those he deems normal, only to be faced with and turned off by various sexual kinks. Ryan comes to learn that normal is relative, and that he and his ideal girl are anything but vanilla. 

In this story you can expect to read about characters practicing specific kinks and fetishes. All kinds are worthy of understanding and respect, and this story encourages the reader to rethink their beliefs on what they consider normal. Everything, including "vanilla" is a kink (Read my thoughts about it here). Some specifics from this story include: voyeurism, cum play, orgasm denial, orgasm humiliation, spanking, plushies, and water sports.  

Excerpt: 

Ryan swallows the bite without taking his eyes from hers. Smiling at him, she reaches behind her head with her free hand and undoes the knot of her apron from around her neck. It falls to her waist where it’s tied in a bow behind her lower back, revealing a white cotton shirt with a low dipping v-line. Beth takes a bite of the creampuff, and then squishes it flat against her exposed cleavage.

“Oops,” she says innocently, raising her eyebrows and drawing her lips together like a pouty child. “I’m dirty.”

She watches Ryan gulp. He’s so nervous that the air in the room has become electric with anticipation, almost supercharged with explosive energy. He stands stiff and immobile as she feels his erection push softly into her torso. In order to help ease his shyness, she takes charge again, reaching with both her hands up to his face, removing his glasses and setting them onto the tabletop. His eyes wander with her movements, but come back to her face as she pulls and guides his head with both her hands down to the sticky mess on her chest.

“Clean me up,” Beth commands.

Ryan’s eyes dance from her face to her chest as he slowly bends his neck, still wet and glassy from the power of her smack. Beth wishes she could hear him thinking—hopefully something naughty, dirty, or negative about her aggressive actions—if only to have a reason to smack him again.

“Clean me up,” she says again, more force behind her words.

She feels his hands tremble as he takes her waist. As his face contacts her chest, she feels his tongue sliding through bits of crumbling bun and fluff of cream. He licks wide and flat, and then trails the tip of his tongue in a wiggly line. The sensations are divine, and dirty; just how she always fantasized sex at her workplace should be. It’s not something the owner would allow, but she was in control; he wouldn’t know. The rules are her own when it’s just her in the bakery.

Ryan’s body is so close she can feel the heat from his skin through his shirt, the hurried puffs of his breath on her front, and smell the musky scent of his long day mixed with his sweet aftershave. Beth drowns in him, dragging one hand through his hair, and the other grasping for his aroused cock.

“Lick me clean,” she encourages, moaning as he shoves his face deeper into her breasts, pulling aside her cotton shirt.

His hand enters inside her bra, smearing sugar over her swelling nipple. He brings his mouth over the bud, and sucks her skin into his mouth.

"Tortured" Poem of the Day

"Tortured" by Angora Shade

Caught in your gaze
You search me like a maze
until you find my quaking soul
So warm and tender
force me to surrender
to your touch that makes me whole

I just can’t win
Can’t tune out the din
Your voice—the call I can’t ignore
Then held in your hands
you destroy all my plans
like each time you have before

Melting before you
I think that my heart flew
with that kiss that brought me down
Surrounded by your touch
I try not to think much
where I willingly will drown

You set me on fire
I burn with desire
freeing me—the phoenix now reborn
You cradle me still
my heart fulfilled
The calm after the storm

But I just can’t win
You’re no more than sin
a trick to keep me pacified
You’re gone in the morning
without giving warning
like you’re never really satisfied

I just can’t win

I just can’t forget
there’s only regret
I give and you take my greedy heart
Then you throw me away
I can’t make you stay
Least not until I fall apart

And that’s when you return
come back only to burn
to feed me your easy line
You dish me all your lies
and say never love dies
A story for once upon a time

See, I just can’t win

I just can’t win the hold of you.

I just can’t win
and can not begin
Can’t find love with someone new
I’m yours for the taking
I’m yours for the breaking
No one leaves a mark quite like you do

But I’ll never win

I’ll never win.

What's In A Pen Name?

What's in a name? A lot actually. 

Writers choose to use a pseudonym for multiple reasons. Here are few:

1. Privacy: Having a pen name allows writers to go incognito. They avoid being tackled or stalked by fans and being recognized at the grocery. Sometimes authors change gender or chose pseudonyms that are gender neutral (especially in erotic fiction) to further their anonymity.
2. Content: When you're writing controversial material, it's easier to absorb the backlash from angry readers when they can't attack you personally. Controversial content can't be linked to any other activities an author personally takes part in.
3. Multiple Genres: Some authors use different names to associate with writing in more than one area. For example: writing erotica and children's fiction. These don't necessarily go together. A mother discovering her child's favorite book was written by someone who writes extreme sex scenes might spread negativity. 
4. Say What?: My favorite book from childhood is called "Caps for Sale" written by Esphyr Slobokina. Enough said? This name is not a pseudonym.
5. Multiple Authors: When one or more authors create a work together, it's sometimes easier to use one made up name rather than fight over whose name is listed first on the cover.
6. Take Two: If an author hasn't been successful under their name, creating a new one can give them a fresh start
7. Real Name Issues: Some authors may choose to write under a pen name because they find their real name too boring or common. 
8. Legality: Some publishing contracts have an author sign over the right to their name or future works written under their name to their publisher. Creating a new name allows an author to explore other publishers with new works if they decide they wish to shop around.

But authors also choose a pseudonym that means something to them. People ask me all the time how "Angora Shade" came into creation.

My pen name comes from a  literal interpretation of the types of stories I like to create. "Angora" is soft, seductive, expensive, and quality. "Shade" is halfway to dark, a place of mysterious happenings, and sometimes dangerous to step into. It's also where you can cool off when you're too warm. The translation of "Shade" from German literally means "harm" or something like "too bad". Put all these things together and you've got either a soft, seductive mistress, or a pain-weilding dominatrix. Best of both words if you ask me!

What Other Erotic Authors Say About Their Names: 

Scarlett Knight:
The first part of my pen name, Scarlett, has a dual meaning: one, it represents the fact that I am a redhead, and two, it brings to mind the color of deep red, which is associated with passion. I put two t's on it just to be different.

Knight, the second half of my pen name, also has two meanings: it sounds, of course, like the word night, which is a time of day many associate with sexy rendezvous, and also brings to mind the sort of Arthurian Knight, which I associate with tales of romance and adventure.

Find Scarlett Knight on Twitter @knighterotica
Frank Noir:
I've been writing porn stories for several years under my real name. But when I started putting ebooks up for sale I felt I needed a bit of anonymity.
I'm a self-employed web developer and make my living that way. And I was worried that many of my clients would not feel comfortable working with a hardcore BDSM pornographer. So I preferred to keep that hidden to spare all of us the embarassment.

Instead of pretending to be a different real life character, I wanted the pen name that sounded like a pen name - even to the point of being slightly corny.

My stories are pretty graphic and rather dark (dealing mainly with dominance/submission themes) and I wanted the name to reflect that. "Frank" (as in "candid") was an obvious choice. And "Noir" plays on the dark themes - and refers to the elegance and menace of classic "film noir". Using a French surname plays on the cliché of the French being more sexy than other nationalities - and is also a tribute to one of my heroes, the French author/philosopher Marquis de Sade.

And of course, before choosing the name, I did quick searches on Google and Amazon to make sure there were no high-profile authors of the same name. There didn't seem to be.

Find Frank Noir on Twitter @TalesofLustXXX 

Cori Vidae:

I've used a lot of pen names over the years but when I started writing erotica again in 2012 I wanted a fresh start which meant choosing a name unconnected to any I'd used in the past. Tricky. Especially when you consider that I struggle with choosing names for my characters, picking one for myself was a nightmare.

But I love birds, magpies especially. I couldn't very well call myself Mag Pie (that's the opposite of the feeling I wanted to evoke), and so I added an i to the word corvidae and Cori Vidae was born. Corvidae, like Cori Vidae, are mischievous, clever, and constantly on the lookout for shiny things. Most importantly though, it's been said that corvids fly between two worlds, and what is a pen name if not a way to do that as well?

Find Cori on Twitter @CoriVidae

Blue Spectrum:
For me, the blue spectrum represents my emotional spectrum - from the silly to the intense, everything my apathetic up bringing tried to destroy in me.

The creative writing is just a side effect of unlocking all my emotions.

As to why the colour blue - to extends into ultra-violet where as red regresses into infra-red. :)

Verity Rayne:
I selected my pen name so it would match the theme of my library - erotic romance involving physical transformations. I liked to imagine that, if such a thing were possible, who would be the kind of person in charge of causing those changes. I imagined the stories I'd produce would be ways for people to imagine their bodies going through these impossible and sensual changes. I then imagined a female scientist, possibly with a charming southern accent who would seduce applicants into giving her wares a try. A buxom beauty who would lure people into her laboratory, then masturbate while she watched the changes happened. And, if she ever thought one of them were going through any pain, she would soothe them with a kiss or a massage of their tortured bodies. I liked the name "Verity" for its refined feel to it, capturing the scientist angle of this character. Somehow, "Rayne" fit the name perfectly as a surname - I'm not entirely sure where it came from. But when that name came together, it just felt right. It felt fitting, and I liked how it tied-in with my transformation romances. At that point, it was the name I settled on, and I've used it ever since.

Find Verity Rayne on Twitter @VerityRayne

Helen Atreya:

I've always been fascinated with Helen of Troy. A woman whose beauty was so great that she started one of the most famous wars in history! It seemed only natural that if I were to try and use my texty wiles to inspire the imaginations and libidos of the world, that I'd pay homage to a woman who set that world on fire. I write about a lot of people who do wild things with imaginary creatures, so it also made sense to pick something that came from a world of myths and legends, a person who might be real or might be a child of the Gods.

Find Helen Atreya on Twitter  @OfAtreya