O. M. Grey Guest Post and Giveaway
It took me years, really. I just wasn’t going to do it. No way, no how.
I had edited before when I made documentaries, and no one could convince me to spend hours upon hours editing sound. What a nightmare.
Or so I thought.
I didn’t podcast for years because I was already so busy between writing and marketing, there just wasn’t time to do yet another thing, especially if it meant hours of sound editing and special effects.
But after speaking with podcast guru Tee Morris and listening to several podcasts, I realized that it didn’t have to be a full-blown production. In fact, it could be bare-bones and simple and people would listen. It was part of my new marketing philosophy KISS – Keep It Simple, Seriously. So I dove in, starting with the Polyamory Podcast in the summer of 2011 on my blog Caught in the Cogs, which was an immediate hit. I saw an upswing in hit almost immediately. From there, I started podcasting fiction earlier this year. Now, I publish more podcasts than I do written posts, and my listening (and reading) audience just keeps growing.
Multimedia. That’s what it’s about.
So, for your listening pleasure, here is Chapter 1 of the bare-bones serialized podcast of my steamy Steampunk Paranormal Romance novel Avalon Revisited. My agent refers to this book as 50 Shades of Grey in Steampunk London. Once through Chapter 1, you can listen to the rest of the book for free from my blog, feedburner, or via iTunes. And after that, continue on with my short fiction and my second novel, The Zombies of Mesmer. All for free. Tell your friends.
Listen to Chapter 1 of AVALON REVISITED Now!
Can’t wait? Prefer to read your books rather than listen? (by the by, authors can’t survive on free podcasts alone) Pplease feel free to buy one of my titles from Amazon or directly from the publisher, author-signed. Most titles are also available wherever books are sold.
Be sure to enter to win an author-signed copy Avalon Revisited just by leaving a comment and a question for me to answer below. I’ll be stopping by all week long to talk with readers and answer questions. This contest runs until Friday, November 30th. I’ll announce the winner on my blog on Saturday as well as in the comments here.
About Avalon Revisited:
Arthur Tudor has made his existence as a vampire bearable for over three hundred years by immersing himself in blood and debauchery. Aboard an airship gala, he meets Avalon, an aspiring vampire slayer who sparks fire into Arthur’s shriveled heart. Together they try to solve the mystery of several horrendous murders on the dark streets of London. Cultures clash and pressures rise in this sexy Steampunk Romance. Contains Adult Content.
ABOUT O. M. GREY
Nestled in the mountains of Northern California, Olivia M. Grey lives in the cobwebbed corners of her mind writing paranormal romance with a Steampunk twist. She dreams of the dark streets of London and the decadent deeds that occur after sunset. As an author of Steamy Steampunk, as well as a poet, blogger, podcaster, and speaker, Olivia focuses both her poetry and prose on alternative relationship lifestyles and deliciously dark matters of the heart and soul. Her work has been published in various anthologies and magazines like Stories in the Ether, Steampunk Adventures, SNM Horror Magazine and How The West Was Wicked.
Her premiere Steampunk BDSM erotica novel, Avalon Revisited, is an Amazon.com Gothic Romance bestseller. She also currently has two other titles available: The Zombies of Mesmer, a YA Steampunk Romance, Caught in the Cogs: An Eclectic Collection of short stories, love poetry, and relationship essays.
November 26th, 2012 at 9:36 am
[...] November 30: Romance Junkies: Avalon Revisited [...]
November 26th, 2012 at 2:08 pm
Ms. Grey, I’m an avid reader of your blog, it’s comforting to know that other people have been able to process the experiences, and have been able to show the attacker/s that they didn’t win.
I’m curious as to how you’ve been able to transfer those experiences into your books in a way that is cathartic for your readers?
November 26th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Thank you, Robin!
It’s been a difficult road, to say the least. Even though he tried to silence me with intimidation and threats, I will not be silenced. Never again.
So far, I haven’t. The trauma over the past year has been so extensive that it’s affected my ability to create fiction, at least long fiction. I have written some rather dark short fiction and poetry from the experiences, but as I get further away from the assaults and heal, I know I’ll be able to incorporate it into fiction.
One of the things I’d like to do is show readers how quickly psychopaths and sociopaths can turn, that Jeckyll/Hyde thing. Take Mr. Charming Love interest, and show everyone his true face.
I know one thing, I’m done romanticizing sociopaths, even as vampire. There is nothing romantic about a sociopath.
November 26th, 2012 at 7:03 pm
This sounds fascinating. What are your holiday plans?
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
November 26th, 2012 at 8:53 pm
My husband and I are going to see my parents in a few weeks, and we’ll celebrate early with them. Then we’ll have a quiet Solstice/Christmas here together along with our dog and cat. And some hot cocoa.
You?
November 27th, 2012 at 3:02 am
I’m putting Avalon Revisited on my TRL. It sounds fascinating. What are you hoping to find under your tree ?
Thanks for your post.
Carol L
November 27th, 2012 at 4:58 am
Your books sound really interesting and have made it to my tbr list! How do you come up with ideas for your books? luv2scrap22 at yahoo dot com
November 27th, 2012 at 8:24 am
Thanks, Carol! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it! Please connect with me on social networks so we can keep in touch.
I’m hoping to find Dexter, Season 6 on DVD and maybe a Tardis iPhone 4s case.
Oooooh!And some new tartan PJs.
What are you hoping to find?
-_Q
Thank you, Chris! So pleased they sound interesting to you. Ditto from what I said to Carol. Let me know what you think!
Wow. Good question! Depends on the book, I suppose. Ideas and inspiration can come from anywhere and anytime. The idea for Avalon Revisited came from a mixture of things: my love for the Tudors, my fascination with Arthur Tudor and feeling that he’s basically forgotten by history, and the glorious aesthetic of Steampunk. At the time of writing it, that’s what every agent was looking for: Steampunk. I had never heard of it, but when I looked it up I fell in love. Also, there was this Canadian vampire show called Blood Ties where Henry Fitzroy was the vampire. Henry Fitzroy is Henry VIII illegitimate son, something they downplayed in the series. It was like a little gem for those who knew British History, and I ate that up! Between those things and the huge popularity of paranormal romance, the idea to give the least-known Tudor a bit more time in the spotlight came to me.
The rest was an experiment. I broke every rule and wrote the book I wanted to write under a new pseudonym (before the creation of O. M. Grey, I only wrote as Christine Rose, YA fantasy Rowan of the Wood series).
November 28th, 2012 at 8:50 am
[...] Win a copy of Avalon Revisited at Romance Junkies. Listen to the STEAMY chapter one after reading about how I got started in podcasting. Then enter the giveaway simply by leaving a comment & asking a question. Last day to enter is Friday, November 30th. [...]
November 28th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Oh great googly moogly! Blood Ties! Those were the books that made me fall in love with Tanya Huff. And the TV series, while it took a very different path than the books, tickled me to no end. That’s my ‘go to’ series when I want a vampire fix. I love the character of Vicki, and her relationships with Henry and Mike. And also the first time I encountered a V triad where the paramours couldn’t stand one another.
November 28th, 2012 at 7:47 pm
How wonderful! They were a Vee Triad?! I didn’t get that far into the series. I write a lot about polyamory on my blog. In fact, my next book will have a poly theme, so I will have to watch that again!
Thank you for your comment, Robin!
November 28th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
It’s much more in the books than in the series. Vicki and Mike had been together before Vicki met Henry, and there’s lots of tension from Mike towards the relationship between Vicki and Henry. And then of course, after Vicki becomes a vampire it heightens. Tanya does a wonderful job of making the V seem like what most people expect, two quite dominant men sharing a lover. Only in this series, Vicki is certainly not nearly as meek as most women in a poly situation are thought to be.
I’ve really enjoyed your posts about poly, and have shared them with some people to dip their feet into some knowledge they didn’t have before. That way when it gets sprung on them that I am poly, they’re not quite as frightened/horrified/convinced I’m a slut, as they could have been. Your writing has paved the way for some interesting conversations, and opening the eyes of several people in my chosen family.
November 28th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
[...] Win a copy of Avalon Revisited at Romance Junkies. Listen to the STEAMY chapter one after reading about how I got started in podcasting. Then enter the giveaway simply by leaving a comment & asking a question. Last day to enter is Friday, November 30th. (TOMORROW!!) [...]
November 29th, 2012 at 8:34 am
WOW, Robin! Thank you for saying so!!
So nice to start a day with a big smile and the knowledge that my writing touched someone.
I will have to read the books! They sound a lot better than the series. That’s what I want my next novel to be like — polyamory as the norm.
November 30th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Glad to see you are podcasting again and improving.
Do you think you will need someone to help you with Reading work?
November 30th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Thank you, James.
Yes. I always need help with reading work! I’m going to give myself a reading challenge next year, a rather challenging challenge, actually, and spend my time reading and writing and running…very little marketing and traveling, I think. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do, and I can do all that while I heal. I think it’s a good plan.
We’ll see how it goes.
November 30th, 2012 at 2:25 pm
[...] is the final day I’ll be appearing on a blog. Please join me over at Romance Junkies to read about how I got started in podcasting, to listen to the STEAMY chapter one of Avalon [...]
November 30th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Hello again Ms. Grey,
I know as we write, we grow, evolve, learn and chance. I have yet to read one of your books. My tastes are eclectic, so with no regard to specifics, which book of yours would you recommend as the best (in your personal opinion) when it comes to writing style?
November 30th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Hi Travis!
Wow. That’s a great question.
Avalon Revisited probably has the strongest voice, but it was the first one I wrote under this name. I’ve written other books under Christine Rose, YA fantasy Rowan of the Wood (http://www.rowanofthewood.com).
Avalon Revisited is the best known of my work, as it was an Amazon.com Gothic Romance Best Seller, and I’ve written a lot more since, mostly short fiction due to personal issues. But those who have read The Zombies of Mesmer really love it.
I would say to get a taste of my edgy voice, read Avalon Revisited, but it has some graphic sex scenes.
You can always start with a short story. I have several up on my blog and one is featured in this blog tour at STEAMED! (http://ageofsteam.wordpress.com)
Please tell me which one you choose!
November 30th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
What would you say is your single most influence and inspiration when writing?
November 30th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Whew! You all come up with great questions!
Love and desire are huge inspirations for me, as well as the darker side of them, as I’ve been blogging and podcasting about. I’ve always been a rather hopeless romantic, and I think that shows through in my writing. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience a very deep, intimate love and wonderful marriage, so I understand how powerful love and support from a partner can be.
I have been unfortunate enough to have suffered extreme violations, exploitation, and betrayal, followed by abandonment, so I understand just how very devastating those things are. People often make light of those things, but they are not to be scoffed at or belittled. The pain from that type of betrayal can be shattering beyond belief.
Since the worst of those betrayals earlier this year, I find that I’m turning away from erotica and romance, as sexuality is still linked with exploitation and violation in my mind since the rape, and focusing more on mystery and adventure. There will be a romantic element in my next book, no doubt, especially as I heal, but there will also be strong elements of mystery and adventure, which, I suppose, isn’t all that different from my novels thus far…come to think of it.
December 1st, 2012 at 8:19 am
Thank you all so much for participating!
The winner of the author-signed copy of Avalon Revisited is Robin Lynn, courtesy of Random.org.
I’ve also announced today’s winners on my blog, so please email me from there with your address and any dedication requests.
Please consider giving my work a try this holiday season!
December 1st, 2012 at 8:43 am
[...] I’m thrilled to announce the winners of an author-signed copy of Avalon Revisited from Romance Junkies as well as the Gothic Victorian Holiday Package from Straight from [...]
December 3rd, 2012 at 8:39 am
What are your favorite kinds of books to read?
blakesmomma@gmail.com
December 3rd, 2012 at 8:48 am
Hi Sherry!
I love to read fantasy books with vampires and dragons and magic, but I also like to read books about anti-heroes, mystery, horror, and even general fiction from time to time. Still, my interests lie mostly in genre fiction.
Pretty much if they are well-written and I can identify with/care about the characters, then I love the story.