Yes, I’m just like Alison Tyler. Okay, really, I’m not like her at all, although I wish I was in lots of ways. But I am like her in that I’m seriously superstitious. If someone says, “I’d love to accept your story for my book!” I never quite believe them. Sometimes I’ll have both check and contract in hand, and I still won’t believe that it’s true. This isn’t a lack of self-esteem (okay, maybe partly), but it’s also because I know that in the publishing industry things fall apart. And, it’s because I know–just know–that bragging and/or getting excited about something that’s not in the can is the most surefire way to make it all go haywire. Case in point: Tyler’s gorgeous Open For Business
There are a number of other things–some of them seriously big–that are “yesses” that I cant…won’t…speak about. Seriously, if those yesses were dollars, they’d be burning holes in my pockets. Still, I will not spend them. I won’t take the risk. I’ll just walk around with my Cheshire Grin so that people will think that I just had really, really hot sex. Which, in my book, is equal to a really, really big yes anyway.
However, here’s something I can brag about. Signed, sealed and delivered. My story, “And Serpent Became Rod,” has been accepted for Best Gay Bondage Erotica
Here’s the blurb from Cleis Press: Intricately secured by ropes, locked in handcuffs, or bound simply by a lover’s command, these dangerously explicit stories of restraint will grab you, tie you down, and never let you go. From professionals letting loose their inhibitions on an office retreat to a garden full of earthy ‘bound’ delights, this cornucopia of kink shows men put in their place and then held there firmly. Featuring some of the masters of gay bondage erotica including Jack Fritscher, Jeff Mann and Larry Townsend.
Yum. Now that’s something to brag about!
I’m very much the same. I think you only need be burnt once and you realise just how volatile the publishing world is. I guess it’s nice to know that someone liked your story enough to say yes even if things go screwy somewhere along the line.
Congrats on the Gay Bondage story. Great cover (I’m a total cover snob ..lol)
Congradulations on the second part. As for the first, I seem to be rejected more than accepted, but it is always nice to see your name in the table of contents, isn’t it?
I’m so sorry about that one, Shanna! My fault totally—didn’t realize I was putting together a solely Office Sex book until I saw the subhead on the cover. This is what happens when you work on too many projects at once, I suppose.
Had nothing to do with the quality of your work.
But I am so much the same way. I had to have Rachel tell me for a fact that I was in Sex for America—she was holding the book in her hands—before I believed it for real!
Thanks all! Yep, rejection and getting dropped is part of the game. I learned it as a freelancer–do not count any check until it’s in the bank. You just never know if/when payment will arrive
And, oh, shush AT. That’s silly. You’re not allowed to be sorry. If you didn’t put together such amazing books, people wouldn’t be sad when we weren’t in them!
Best, s.