Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi. My name’s Evie and I’ve been writing and publishing hot erotica for several years under a slightly different pen-name, but this is my first contemporary erotic romance novel, and I’m very excited about it! Something about me? Well, I live in a sleepy seaside community in coastal Australia in an old house where I can walk to the beach. I write (hopefully) scorching-hot ‘intelligent’ erotic romance which I term ‘smut for smarties’. It’s hot enough to melt the pants off a popsicle and brimming with sumptuous freshly-angled descriptions of the oldest past-time in the world. I like bright, kickass (though sometimes flawed) cinderellas and handsome princes, all of whom ultimately find their Happily Ever Afters.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The S’expert”. I was sick in bed with the flu one day, and I’d been writing an erotic short story to pass the time and feel productive. I was just reading over it before publishing when I decided it needed three short paragraphs at the start to describe how the couple in the story met. 72 hours later I discarded the original short story, because those “3 short paragraphs” I’d added had metamorphosed into 26,000 words that were way hotter than the original story I’d written. I LOVED these two characters, and really they dictated the story to me. They took me on their journey with them, and it was all I could do to get the words down quick enough!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Even though I LOVE technology, I often find myself ‘rockin it old-school’ with pen and paper. Also, when I’m on a roll, I HATE having to stop to do other things (you know, when real life gets in the way and you have to stop writing to eat or sleep or answer a question or be somewhere). Writing can push the demands of reality aside as the ‘inner life’ in my head takes over! I know at those times I often seem quite vague to other people around me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
When I was younger I tended to read a lot of older books – nothing contemporary. Authors I love include D.H. Lawrence, Hermann Hesse, Anais Nin, Somerset Maugham, Simone de Beauvoir, Emily Bronte, Oscar Wilde, Dostoyevski, Thomas Hardy, William Thackeray, Mary Shelley, Pauline Reage, Richard Bach, de Laclos and if I’m after just something fun, I’m a sucker for Raymond Chandler or Agatha Christie. And lately I’ve really been enjoying Christopher Brookmyre (my other half thought I should read something written within the last 30 years for a change!)
What are you working on now?
I’m putting the final touches on a BDSM romance novel called “The Dirty Submissive”. It should be out soon. And I’ve been working on a romantic comedy series set around a movie set. I’ve got the first book almost finished, with another three or four planned.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Review and blogger sites like Pretty-Hot.com are fantastic for authors. I’ve also had luck with facebook and twitter, but I think the best, most-honest and organic method is word of mouth, however that can be difficult with books that have a heavy erotic content because people can be reluctant to pass these books on to everyone in their circle of friends or family. REVIEWS ARE GOLD for authors! Never forget that any review on Amazon or goodreads – NO MATTER HOW SHORT – is such a boon for any author. It’s not just feedback to make the author a better writer, it’s also SO encouraging and improves an author’s visibility in the marketplace.
Take the time to write me even just a 3-word review, and I’ll be your friend for life!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write! Keep at it. Read as much as you can – both books in your genre and advice online from other authors. Kboards, AbsoluteWrite – these are great forums to pour over. Then just get your stuff out there and learn the ropes as you go.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Two Shakespeares and one from that ‘good book that I no longer read’: “Seize the day!” “To thine own self be true” and “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
What are you reading now?
I want to be reading REVIEWS of my work! Hearing what readers think of what I write will let me know what works and what doesn’t, encourage me no end (writing can be a lonely and financially unrewarding endeavour) and ultimately make me a better writer. I LOVE hearing what you think. Please, readers, leave me a review – no matter how short. Thank you.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Within the next month, I’d like to publish two books I’m currently putting the finishing touches to. Then I’d love to sink my teeth into the other books in my series set on a movie set.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence
The Razor’s Edge by Somerset Maugham
And a very large book detailing how to survive and be self-sufficient on a dessert island!
Author Websites and Profiles
Evie Bliss Website
Evie Bliss Amazon Profile
Evie Bliss’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account