Twenty months ago, when my best friends Chris and Tracy realized their most cherished dream of becoming a married couple, it was an incredible day. Hundreds of other gay and lesbian couples across California got to realize their dream too, on a bright, crisp October morning in West Hollywood Park.

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Daniel is an elegant chair…

He’s a handsome Englishman. A successful writer living in Paris, writing guidebooks that help people discover the secret delights of the city and country he loves. As for discovering the secrets to navigating the treacherous Paris social scene, Daniel himself relies on a book, which imparts some unusual advice—be an elegant chair, seen and not heard.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and find their partners on the internet are more likely to take sexual risks than are MSM who do not seek partners on the internet.

When your life comes difficult to handle, when it feels like you’re being pulled in a number of directions and you need another 10 hours in the day, remember the jar and the glasses of wine…

A teacher stood before his class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he picked up an empty mason jar and proceeded to fill it with stones.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They said that it was.

The teacher then scooped up handfuls of pebbles and poured them into the jar. As he shook the jar, the pebbles dropped into the open areas between the stones. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The teacher next poured sand into the jar, and the sand filled up everything available space. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The teacher then produced two glasses of wine and poured the contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

‘Now,’ said the teacher, as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The stones are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the stones. The same goes for life: If you spend all your time and energy on the small Stuff.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the stones first; set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’

One of the students raised his hand and inquired what the wine represented.

The teacher smiled. ‘I’m glad you asked. It goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.’

Alan Chin

I retired from Information Technology in 1999 to devote my time to writing. My first novel, Island Song, was published in September, 2008 by Zumaya Publications. My second novel, The Lonely War, was published in November 2009, also by Zumaya Publications. I have a third manuscript, Match Maker, currently searching for a publisher.

I began studying the art of writing screenplays in 2008, and am currently polishing two original screenplays while writing a fourth novel.

In addition to writing novels and screenplays, I am making a name for myself by writing book reviews and author interview for several online publications which include: a Examiner.com GLBT Literature column, the Lambda Literature website, Queer Magazine Online, and QBliss Magazine.

Website: AlanChin.net

Blog: AlanChinWriter.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlanHChin

The Solstice Mistletoe Effect by Serena Yates is released today and is now available in eBook on Dreamspinner Press

I’m  looking for guest bloggers who would like to write on a regular basis or if you would like to do just one blog post is fine also.

Guest blogging is great way to reach more visitors and a new audience. There are only a few requirements in order to write a guest blog. The article must be unique and not a cut and paste already posted somewhere else.  I am open to most subjects.  To submit your guest blog post for submission please send it to blog@swedeboysplace.se with a picture either of yourself or one that fit with the article. Your post will be live usually within 24 hours.

At the bottom of your blog post I’m going to add a short bio and a link back to your site/blog and Twitter/Facebook page.

Happy writing.

In the midst of the turbulent French Revolution, Max Driscoll turned his stable-hand Galien into a vampire mate to save him from the guillotine. Max later came to regret that rash act, however, when he realized Galien was not a good man, nor the right man for him. Since then, no matter how many miles, how many centuries Max puts between them, he just can’t shake the rogue vampire.

Lured from his French castle to New York City to “clean up” Galien’s series of abductions and murders in the city’s gay district, Max is forced into a long-awaited confrontation, and vows to eliminate his nemesis permanently. What he doesn’t know, however, is that it’s not Galien who’s on the killing spree, but a young man Galien turned. Now, Blue is a sweet, sensitive, beautiful, tragic vampire…and a homicidal maniac.
Can Max tame Blue enough to make him his partner in the afterlife and a worthy member of the vampire community in the House of Driscoll?

NOTE: Don’t miss the sequel, The House Of Driscoll, Book II, available soon from Amber Allure!

Genres: Gay / Dark Fantasy / Vampire / Ménage (M/M/M) / Group Sex / Voyeurism / Series
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novel (44k words / TBD paperback pages)

ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-696-3 (Electronic)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-786-1 (Paperback)

For Purchase and for a HOT excerpt please click this link: http://bit.ly/cFzuSy

All proceeds will go to help fight illegal e-Book downloading.

Be it in another time, another dimension, or another world, the authors of the Stealing My Heart Anthology will take you away to a world where male/male love and passion reign. Stephani Hecht, Jambrea Jo Jones, A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly, Carol Lynne, Jaime Samms, and Serena Yates, have all contributed their talents and their time to make this exciting contribution to male/male erotic romance.

Stolen Memories by Carol Lynne

On the eve of his mother’s funeral, Aden Brousseau met Victor DePasse for the first time. For years his mother had warned him to stay away from the dark-haired neighbour, but on that particular evening, Aden hadn’t listened. He’d been fascinated with the handsome man since the day he’d overheard his mother and grandfather refer to Victor as a vampire. Now, twenty years later, Aden once again is in the presence of Victor DePasse. Only this time he’s older and knows exactly what he wants. After years of visiting his charge in his dreams, Victor suddenly has the man he’s fallen in love with in front of him. Does he defy his orders and make Aden his, or does he obey and give Aden up to his destiny?

Stealing Rain by A.J. Llewellyn and D.J. Manly

In the not too distant future, water becomes so scarce the hunt is on for any drop on other planets. Drew and Trace, former lovers find that love, not just rain, is high at any price. Drew Lecour was once the pride of the military, until he’d decided to leave the federation and became a rogue, selling water to the highest bidder. Trace had a history with Drew, one that involved some hot sex and broken promises. And now, after not seeing him for years, Drew and his crew suddenly show up on a planet Trace has been contracted to protect, a planet where Drew is set to drill for water. Trace doesn’t have a choice. He has to defend the water supply. His men are waiting for their leader to give the order to kill, but he can’t bring himself to do that. So he confiscates Drew’s equipment and takes him prisoner; but having Drew naked and at his mercy proves far more challenging than he’d anticipated, and then, there are others forces at play.

Hotwired Heart by Jaime Samms

A good car thief needs sixty seconds, but grand theft heart might take even less time than that. Freedom and trust; opposite sides of the same coin that could give expert car thief, Marky, the win he’s looking for. Little does he know escaping his gang ties will lead him through heartbreak and into cuffs he hadn’t even thought to watch out for. Now he can trust the powerful man who wants to help, or he can keep running. It all depends on how much he values his freedom, and whether or not Roland has managed the impossible; hijacking Marky’s carefully guarded heart.

The Magic Thieves by Serena Yates

Elryk Muyd’omir is the most powerful lightning wizard born on Tah’Nut in two hundred years and a pacifist. When he refuses to co-operate with the illegally ruling Xoh’kas family they torture and kill his lover. Rather than risking the death of thousands by losing control over his lightning magic in his rage, he flees to Earth—a place without magic. When the gateway that connects Tah’Nut to other worlds opens Elryk knows that the Law Forces have found him. It is time to either face cruel punishment or fight. Kaythan Vs’urr is a Law Force Commander who is sent to retrieve the criminal wizard Elryk. He is expected to return him to Tah’Nut for ‘reprogramming’. Secretly disgusted with the Xoh’kas’ lack of determination to stop the magic thieves, he has decided to win Elryk for his plan of defeating them. All they need to do is find the fabled Magic Shield to prevent further thievery. Can Elryk trust the gorgeous Law Commander who wants his help? Will the two men be able to work together to defeat the Xoh’kas and eliminate the magic thieves?

Stealing Michael by Jambrea Jo Jones

Can one wrong make it right? Robert’s mother pushes him into stealing a painting. He is in over his head when the homeowner catches him in the act. It leaves him wondering what to do now? Michael’s life turns in a new direction when a stranger enters his home and the urge to protect the thief overcomes his common sense. He knows he should be angry but who can resist a thief that looks like an angel?

Dragon’s Eye by Stephani Hecht

After a decade of living under the iron rule of a sorcerer, dragon shifter, Duncan Moore finally has his chance for freedom. With his former master dead, all Duncan has to do is steal the very thing that has been holding him captive all these years, his dragon’s eye. The stone holds his magic and his dragon self and without it, he can never go home again. What should be an easy theft turns complicated when he finds that someone has beat him to the eye and he has no idea where it could be. To add to things he suddenly finds himself teamed up with the dead sorcerers’ son, Trent. For years Duncan has longed for Trent, but had never dared act on his desires. Then one night of passion between the men changes everything and Duncan realises that he could lose something far more valuable than his dragon’s eye, he could lose Trent. Will Duncan be able to save them both? Or will he have to make the ultimate sacrifice?

published: March 1st 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing (first published 2010)
The book is published by Total-E-Bound on behalf of the AACT (Authors Against Copyright Theft)

details: ebook, 292 pages

url: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=719

isbn13: 9780857150486

price: $ 11.36

This has become a very touchy subject over recent months. People on both sides of the ‘piracy divide’ have become increasingly emotional about why they think they’re right and the others are – quite frankly – idiots.

Many articles have been written, many a discussion has taken place. You’d think that everything that can be said, has been said. So why have I decided to go ahead and blog about it?

1. It’s rather obvious that I’m involved in the battle – I’m an author of (mainly) e-books. So it’s a topic very close to my heart, indeed, to my livelihood. Therefore this is not an objective piece of analysis. I’ll stick to the facts, but I can’t be impartial. If that’s what you’re looking for, stop reading right now.
2. The issue is still not recognized nor very well understood by many people. Showing ‘the other side of the coin’, the pain and frustration authors live with every day, might help more people understand the consequences. Education is a good solution for many problems, this one is no different.
3. There is actually something you can do to help authors fight for their right to be paid for their hard work (like any other craftsperson). More about that later.

1. Why I worry as an author

My ability to keep writing the stories that I need and want to write depends on my ability to earn a living from the sales of my books. Because I get very few $ per book, the more books are sold legally, the better my chances of putting food on the table. Also, the likelihood of my next book getting accepted depends on the sales of the previous book: if too few copies are sold (because everyone downloads them from a file-sharing site) my publisher will not give me another contract.

“Success” for 90% of authors means survival, pure and simple. We are not talking about being rich and famous! Like with most actors or musicians, only very few authors achieve celebrity status. The majority can barely make a living from writing.

1. Why readers might worry

Money is being invested in the production of e-books, they do not “pop into existence” for free. Think about the people who are involved in making an e-book happen after the author has written it: editors and proof readers, cover artists and photographers, advertising and marketing. Even e-book retailers need to pay for web design and shopping cart management. None of those people in the “production” line will work for free! Yes, the total cost of production is lower than for a hardback or a paperback, but prices of e-books are also much lower.

If you want e-books to grow beyond the 5% or so market share they have now, you’ll need to support that growth by buying them. That’s how market size and success is measured. If you like the convenience of having 1,000 books with you on your e-reader every time you travel – support the growth of e-books by buying them.

1. And yes, even e-pirates should worry

Legally, everyone who downloads a book without paying for it can be fined. You can find the warnings and amount involved on the first few pages of almost every –book. Granted, so far not much has been done in this area, but the newly established U.S. Justice Department intellectual property task force is sure to make a difference (see article by Diane Bartz of Reuters at http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1224904520100212).

Also, many e-publishers are no longer willing to stand by and see their income vanish into thin air. They’re installing tracking mechanisms into their e-books which will allow them to find (and punish) those who have bought their books and then put it onto a file-sharing site.

So, what can you do to help?

There are a few obvious things, which I am sure most sensible people already do. Think of e-books as just a different format of the same story (like audio books) – for which you’d expect to pay. Don’t share your e-books beyond family or close friends – just like you wouldn’t lend your paperback to just anyone. Get an account on goodreads.com and start a conversation with some of the authors on there – most of them will be happy to talk to you about how e-book piracy affects them.

You can also talk to friends about some of the things you may have learned by reading this or other blogs spread the word and make people think about the consequences of what they do.

And as of March 1 you can also help by buying a copy of Stealing My Heart (http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=719) at Total-E-Bound. All proceeds will go to help fight illegal e-book downloading. Just like the seven authors of the AACT (Authors Against Copyright Theft) have contributed their time for free, the publisher contributed editor time, artwork and advertisement production. The cover model, Adam Killian, gave his time as well and said:

“I said yes when AJ asked me to do the cover of Stealing My Heart, because like the book industry, mine is being affected by piracy. I said yes because if it’s good for AJ, it’s good for me. I said yes with pleasure and pride. I am proud to be the face for this groundbreaking book. From my heart to yours, Adam Killian.”

Serena Yates

www.serenayates.com