Diversity in Writing and Publishing

Diversity is a word that is being looked at more and more closely in the writing and publishing world these days. And diversity doesn't always mean what people think it means. Diversity can have everything to do with skin color, and also nothing to do with skin color. Now, you may think that I get to say that, that because my skin is light, I can interpret diversity to mean something other than "non-white." But I would vehemently disagree. This is not me invoking my white privilege, honest. 

I wrote an essay back in college that was published in an introductory text to be read by all incoming freshman for years to come after I graduated, and it was an essay that I was uniquely qualified to write, because of my history. It was an essay on which the premise, there is no such thing as race, was based. Culture exists, culture is a brilliant, amazing diverse thing, but race is a social construct. It's something humanity created to make an "us and them" dichotomy. I know this, because I lived it. I'll give you a bit of a history lesson: my grandmother only dated black men after her third divorce. I had the immense fortune to grow up with six grandparents, three grandmothers, and three grandfathers, though my gram never married Sam, he was my grandfather. At every birthday, at every Thanksgiving and Christmas, etc. It was the most normal, natural thing in the world to me growing up that I had a grandfather who just happened to be a few shades darker than me. 

Now, diversity in writing and publishing does absolutely include voices from other cultures and backgrounds, 100%, but it also means so many other things. I've had the chance through teaching the past few months to do some research into diversity in publishing, both within the romance genre, and from outside of it, and I couldn't be prouder to be in the publishing world than I am right now. 

Looking at the awards, and the accolades, finally being doled out to women who write horror, and self-published authors who write romance, and yes, writers from different ethnicities and backgrounds - all I can think is FINALLY! Finally this industry I love, this industry I want to dedicate my life to is finally taking notice that women can write science fiction and horror, that men can write romance, that readers and publishers alike want diverse voices, authors from all walks of life and backgrounds, all ethnicities and cultures. 

4 out of 16 Bram Stoker winners this year were women, and there were several more women in the running to win in multiple categories. Now, you may say that 1/4 is a piss poor statistic for women in the horror genre, and yes, this is true, but 10 years ago, there was nary a woman even on the docket, and yet, one of the most famous horror authors of all time was a woman. One of the most-used texts that has been made into countless movies and inspired millions of authors, Frankenstein, was written by a woman, a hundred plus years before women writers were really allowed to be a thing. 

Now, when you look at this year's RITA award winners, it's true that they are all women, and that most of them are from "white" backgrounds, but some are not. Moreover, several of the books on the list were self-published. This is a form of diversity in publishing that we don't necessarily talk about all that often - the stigma still associated with self-publishing, as if that was the only option left when the book was deemed undesirable by everyone else - that's just not true. 

Now, I am not saying that we do not need more, many many more, other voices in writing, particularly in genre fiction, because we so do. But I am saying that diversity means a lot of different things, and I for one, see that we are finally moving in the right direction. So, readers, get to demanding more diversity in your reading. Writers, get to writing diversely. Write something unique and unusual for a genre, jump into a genre you "have no business writing in" because we need you to! 

As you may know, I work a lot of diverse characters from different backgrounds into my books. I write about people who are light-skinned and dark, some who have Asian or American Indian backgrounds. I write about straight people and lesbians, and gay or bi-sexual men. Because just because I have light skin and a college education doesn't mean that is the only perspective I can, should, or want to write from. I love writing about different characters from all over the place, and I hope you enjoy reading about them too. 

~ Rach

#New: Marry Me for Money @authormiakayla #NewAdult #giveaway

Marry Me for Money by Mia Kayla 

Publication Date: May 4, 2014 

Genres: New Adult, Romance

 

Amazon • Nook

Leaving her small town behind, Bethany Casse moves to Chicago in search of a new life. Working at a top financial bank brings her into contact with two men who are as different as night and day. Kent Plack, heir to Plack Industries, has no interest in being with a woman for longer than one night. A spoiled and lazy man-whore, he is completely content with his playboy lifestyle, and Beth is surprised when they form an unlikely friendship.

Brian Burcham, a finance banker, is gorgeous and respectful. A man plucked from Beth’s dreams, he is definite husband material. Unfortunately, Beth has a hard rule against dating coworkers, but Brian is determined to change her mind. When a deadbeat mother and money problems follow her to Chicago, Beth is offered a solution that could fix everything. Marrying for money seems simple enough, but when lines become blurred, Beth faces difficult choices, making her realize that the easy way out just made her life even harder than before.

Excerpt:

    My head was pounding, and the light was shining too brightly in the room. I flipped over, placed the pillow over my eyes, and inhaled the scent of freshly laundered sheets. The smell of the detergent was one I was not familiar with. I opened one eye and took a peek from under the pillow to take in my surroundings.

    Immediately, I jumped up to a sitting position, causing my head to spin from the abrupt movement. Glancing under the thick duvet, I saw I was only wearing my underwear and a man’s T-shirt. My heart pounded in my chest as I remembered the last person I had seen was Luke.

    In a king-sized bed, fluffy down pillows surrounded me. In front of me was a massive flat screen TV, and at the foot of the bed was a low white couch. One wall was floor-to-ceiling windows while the other was painted a neutral beige. I deciphered that I was in a hotel room.

     I could feel the heat building up behind my eyes, tears threatening to spill over. I placed my hands over my face. I was on the verge of crying. I was not this kind of girl. I never drank myself to the point of oblivion where I couldn’t remember what had happened the night before. I cocked my head up as I heard the door open, and when I peered up from my hands, I gave the look of death.

    I was surprised to see Kent.

    He studied me and scanned the room. Raising one eyebrow, he paced around and stopped in front of me. “Is something wrong? Is someone here?” he asked, his face concerned as he peered over the side of the bed.

    I could feel the color draining from my face, and I pulled the covers up to my chin. “No,” I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him. “How did I get here? Why am I only in a T-shirt? What happened last night? Why am I here in this hotel room with you?”

    His eyes filled with confusion. “I brought you here. I changed you last night because your clothes were covered in vomit. I have no idea what happened. I found you passed out in my car. This is not a hotel room. This is my condo,” he said in one breath.

    He walked toward me, his arms cautious and careful at his sides. “Why are you so mad? Actually, I think a thank-you is in order. Also, I’d like to thank you for leaving vomit that has now hardened on the exterior of my brand-new car.”

    “Did we sleep together?” I asked, barely audible. I couldn’t even hear my own voice. I was afraid of his answer, but I needed to know. Panic began to rise within me, and I held my breath.

Buy Marry Me for Money by Mia Kayla!

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1QW5atP

Nook: http://bit.ly/1NnazED

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KpIn5N

iBooks: http://apple.co/1R08PXA

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1RN3FsZ

About Mia Kayla

Mia Kayla is a New Adult and Contemporary Romance writer who lives in Illinois. She is wifey to the husband of the year and mommy to three unbelievable cute little girls who have multiplied her grey hairs. In her free time she loves reading romance novels, jamming to boy bands, catching up on celebrity gossip and designing flowers for weddings. Most of the time, she can be caught on the train with her nose in a book, sporting a cheeky grin because the main characters finally get their happily-ever-after at the end. She loves reading about happy endings but has more fun writing them.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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#New! The Lady Mentor by G.E. Taylor #multicultural #romance

The Lady Mentor

When beautiful Joanna Huntington left the law firm of Petersberg, Ryan and Cole, she never dreamed the storm would force her into the path of the car driven by Vaughn Gordon, the man whom she thought she would never see again. Coming face –to- face with Vaughn at the hospital brought back memories of their first encounter when she‘d lived in Chester. How she’d boldly asked Vaughn to kiss her after she’d sensed the attraction between them was mutual. His touch made her forget any cautious teachings she’d heard and his kisses had sent so much heat flowing through her that every cell in her body clamored for his full possession. But now she wanted to hide.

Vaughn had everything he wanted, except the woman of his dreams. Joanna had been marked off limits, not because she was biracial and he was white but because that was demanded of him. He agreed to back off…for a time. But then she disappeared. Now here she was lying before him possibly hurt.

Fate would not be so cruel to take her from him again just when he found her.

Excerpt:

    “At last,” said Vaughn’s deep voice.

    Joanna was so shocked she flopped down into the nearest chair.

    “Are you there, Joanna?”

    She cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m here. What can I do for you?” she asked, politely while her heart raced away like an unstoppable train.

    “I take it you have fully recovered from the accident?”

    “Yes. And it’s not necessary for you to continue to call.”

    “It’s not necessary?”

    “No. As a matter of fact, I wish you wouldn’t. I think you should forget you ran into me. Forget you saw me.”

    “But I can’t do that,” came the husky reply. “We’ve been over this already, Joanna. Please have dinner with me this evening.”

   “Now, why would I do that when I just told you−−−?”

   “Joanna, I’m picking you up this evening. I’m not playing the waiting game anymore. If you’re not ready when I get there, it will be my pleasure to personally dress you.”

Arrogant bastard! “Why don’t you go harass someone else? I’m sure that banker’s daughter wouldn’t mind. Both of you look like a nice little couple in the papers.”

    “I don’t mess around with married women, which she is now. At the time, I was asked to escort her to the function. Besides, I want to be with you, no one else.”

Well, he’d told her he would not waste time, and apparently he’d meant it. He was moving forward with the relationship. Truthfully, she wanted to see him again. They had a lot of unfinished business. Some she couldn’t make go away. Having dinner with him should give her some answers.

    “Joanna, is eight okay?”

    “Yes, that will be fine. Where are we going?”

    “Downtown Newark, to the Neck, to one of the Spanish restaurants. You liked Spanish food, as I recall.”

    “You remembered,” she stated quietly, blown away that he would remember such a small thing about her after all this time.

    “There’s very little I don’t remember about you, Joanna. Give my regard to your lovely mother, and I’ll see you at eight.”

    She replaced the phone in its cradle thoughtfully, a deep frown creasing her brows. There was no going back now. Truth be told, she was excited and was actually looking forward to being with him. There was no denying the fact that nobody else made her heart race with such speed or sing with such joy. The time spent away from him made her body even more responsive to him. She craved his touch and felt so alive when she was with him. She didn’t want to look too deeply into why. She only knew that from the first day they’d met, something special, magical was between them. Apparently that had not changed.

    As Katherine entered the apartment, she sensed a change, and she looked at Joanna seated on the chair. “Is everything all right, Joanna?” she asked anxiously.

    “Yes. I’m going to dinner with Vaughn tonight.”

    “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

    Joanna understood this was no ordinary question.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JJDILc

Nook: http://bit.ly/1FI9shG

About G.E. Taylor

I became hooked on reading romance novels during my teen years and my attempt at writing began in high school. All of my manuscripts were mailed under my bed. Eventually, I threw out most of them. That was painful especially since I’d hand written them first, then typed them on my old typewriter.

In college I majored in English but ended up with a Master in Social Work and a Master in Education.

Though I had these different career paths, I never gave up my passion for writing. Now I’m much more committed to it and writing full time. I’ve drawn on my years of practicing social work to give my work authenticity and realism.

I live in New Jersey with my family.

Website: http://bit.ly/1E6pNal

Aloha Man, Danica St. Como's #Newrelease! #gay #romance #LGBT

Hurray! I'm thrilled to announce that my pal and fellow Diva Danica St. Como's long awaited romance Aloha Man (from the Men of Sanctuary series) has finally released! Danica's fans have been chomping at the bit for this one, and they won't be disappointed by this sexy and moving story. More good news--the rest of Danica's Sanctuary tales have been contracted by Loose Id, and will be made available in the future. But for now, enjoy a snippet from the book!


Blurb:

Hawaiian demolitions expert Kamaka decides to take charge of his life, and spends a long winter at Sanctuary paramilitary training camp revamping himself from soft and mellow to hard bodied and focused. When Kamaka is introduced to exquisite Navajo silversmith Zachariah Black Crow, his heart damn near stops and his libido kicks into overdrive. Kamaka is convinced the Island gods have bestowed upon him the greatest gift the earth has to offer—all Kamaka needs to do is convince the younger, over-the-top handsome man to come to his bed. Freely. Willingly. Naked.

Zach, shy and withdrawn, avoids entanglements with people he doesn't know. After a brutal rape and beating in his college days, he focuses on his art to help deal with the nightmares. He's never had a relationship, male or female, so his newly awakened sexual interest in Kamaka confuses him. Should a man want to submit to another man, the way he wants to submit to Kamaka? Can he be the responsive, giving lover Kamaka needs, the man Kamaka desires?


Excerpt:


NEVER HAS THERE been such a magnificent man. Zachariah did his best to breathe evenly. The Hawaiian had to be well over six feet tall, looking very much like the WWE wrestler-cum-actor who played the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns , but with long warrior braids, perfect teeth showing in a wide, beautiful smile, and the thing his right eyebrow did. His print shirt, fully unbuttoned, exposed a heavy chest with abs like slabs of granite. Low-slung jeans barely hung on sculpted hips. His bronzed skin appeared smooth and hairless. A tattoo covered each breast. 

Unnerved, Zach felt warm blood suffuse his face as the sight of the huge man’s inked skin heated up his blood, kicked up his pulse. The unfamiliar attraction made his palms sweat as his breathing quickened. He stepped back. He needed to put some space between the newcomer and his own uncomfortable responses to the man’s larger-than-life presence.What’s this all about? Hot and bothered over a man? Can’t be right. 

It took a moment before he noticed the wide, flat necklace around Kamaka’s heavy neck, the necklace’s finger-length danglers resting against his broad chest. 

Zach found his voice. “Ivory?” 

“No, man, ivory has bad juju. These are puka shells. Puka shells, cowrie shells, Island woods.” Kamaka unfastened the necklace, offered it without hesitation. 

Zach brought the necklace to his worktable, sat, examined the piece under a powerful magnifier for several minutes. He turned to Kamaka. “Every wooden bead is incised with the image of a tiny sea creature. This is magnificent. Who did the work?” 

Kamaka shrugged. “Aolina. She’s an artist in Maui.” 

Zach fumbled, almost dropped the necklace. He leaned back in his folding chair. “Aolina Hualami? You can’t be serious.” 

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Keko shifting her posture. It appeared she wanted to say something but changed her mind. 

Feeling as if he held an offering to the gods, Zach presented the necklace to Kamaka. 

“Yep, the one and only. I know how I know her—how do you know her?” 

Zach shook his head, not believing his luck. “This is unreal. I majored in art history through archaeology, primarily prehistoric art and primitive cultures. Hualami is at the top of the short list of contemporary artists in those genres. I actually met her once, after a seminar at which she spoke. She really knows her stuff. I didn’t know she dabbled in jewelry.” 

Keko jumped in. “She’s doing a bit more than dabbling. The breakout showing of her new jewelry line happened just last week. In Maui.” 

Zach felt as overwhelmed as a total neophyte in the presence of greatness, one level removed—in the company of the art, not even the artist. “The woman is like a force of nature.” 

Keko snorted, but Kamaka chuckled. “Yeah, that’s one way to describe her.” 

Lorelei ran her fingertips over the owl. “Zach, this is the best piece you’ve done so far. The bursts of color in the opals are spectacular, and the etching on the silver looks like tiny, perfect feathers.” 

In a sudden rush of impulsiveness, Zachariah carefully lifted the owl necklace from its nest, then handed it to Kamaka, who still held the shell collar. 

“Try it. The chain is extralong, should fit around your neck.” Your hot, sexy neck, with the thick, corded tendons. Usually a very private person, Zach fought the urge to touch the other man. Touch him? What’s wrong with me? This is crazy. Maybe too much sun. 

Lorelei took the necklace so Kamaka could collect his hair in his free hand and lift the mass. She fastened the clasp at the back of his neck, patted his shoulder. “There ya go, big guy.” 

Both women spoke at the same time. “Perfect.” 

Zach held up a hand mirror so Kamaka could check out his reflection. Perfect, indeed, as if Zach had fashioned it with Kamaka in mind. The hammered silver conchas lay flat against his dark, golden skin. The silver-and-opal owl rested between the big man’s tattooed pecs, highlighting the sepia-inked owl and frangipani flowers, picking up the blues and greens and golds of the other tattoo. 

“Outstanding! That’s it. Gotta have it.” Kamaka reached into the back pocket of his jeans, made a face, tried the other pocket. “Damn, you gals rushed me. I left my wallet and everything back at the cabin.” 

Zach cleared his throat. “You didn’t ask about the price.” 

“Doesn’t matter. Whatever the price, the owl is worth the cost. This is way too cool to let escape.” 

Lorelei spoke up, dug into her shoulder bag. “Look, Kamaka, let me pay for the necklace. You can settle with me later.” 

Kamaka laid a hand on Lorelei’s arm to stop her. “Thanks, but I’ll take care of this. If someone has a card or something, I’ll write down my number for Mr. Black Crow.” 

“Call me Zachariah, please.” Zack’s cheeks heated up again as he handed Kamaka two business cards—one to keep, one to write down his number. 

“Okay, Zachariah. If you’ll put the necklace aside for me, I’ll be back for it in the morning. Just promise you won’t let the thing leave with anyone else.” 

With his second impulsive reaction of the day, Zachariah found the words leaving his mouth without his brain gears meshing. “Take the piece with you. Come back in the morning to settle the bill.” 

Kamaka and both women stared at him. “That’s really generous, dude, but no way do I want to be responsible for that. You don’t even know me.” 

Zach knew his hasty offer had been reckless. Definitely not very businesslike. He felt the need to justify his decision. “If you belong to Sanctuary, you’re trustworthy. However, if you’re not comfortable with that, I’ll lock the necklace safely away. Pick it up tomorrow. It’s yours, I promise.” 

They shook on it. Zach couldn’t prevent his hand from trembling as their skin touched again. Energy traveled over his flesh with no way to disconnect. What’s with the voltage running through my body? 

“Thanks, man, that works for me.” Kamaka turned toward Lorelei and Keko. “Now that I’ve probably spent my next six months’ wage allotment, I’ll allow you ladies to buy me lunch at the Hungry Bear Café.” He collected his companions with a giant hand on each woman’s shoulder, then marshaled them into the flow of foot traffic. He called over his shoulder. “See you in the morning, Z-man.” 

In a matter of seconds, they vanished into the throng of tourists. 

Weak-kneed, Zach took a step backward, collapsed into the folding chair. What the hell just happened?


Aloha Man is available at:


Loose Id (at a sale price!)

#MySexySaturday with @RachellNichole

Hey Y'all. Welcome back to the Divas blog. Today I'd like to share a bit more with you about Tyler Lachlan and Layla Morgan, the hero and heroine of An Affair Across Times Square. Now these two lovelies were the kickoff to my super sexy Marietta Hotels series, which will eventually have several books. Right now the books are An Affair Across Times Square, and An Engagement in Paris. Now book two centers around Mandy, Tyler's younger sister, and her French fiance, Julien.

This week's My Sexy Saturday is all about what happens to the characters after we write THE END. So here's a snippet from An Engagement in Paris about Tyler and Layla, who of course come to Paris for Mandy's wedding....

            As the boat slid sideways toward the dock, they finished their dessert and champagne. Slinging his arm around Layla’s waist, Tyler led her off the boat and toward the lines at the base of the Eiffel Tower. “No wonder Mandy loves it here so much,” he said as they waited. “I could imagine living here.”

           “But you love New York,” she said.

           “I do. And I love my job there. But there’s just something about this city that’s enthralling.”

            He swung her into his arms and spun with her. She tossed her head back and laughed, the deep, throaty sound coiling his body tight. He would never tire of making her laugh.

          “Oh, my God. Tyler! We’re engaged.”

          “Yes, Ms. Marietta, we are. I hope you won’t mind organizing another wedding?”

          “Not at all, Mr. Times Square. Not at all,” she said and kissed him.

See how Layla & Tyler started it all.... 

All Romance Ebooks -  http://bit.ly/T6Drrh

Amazon – http://amzn.to/ZURxhD

Barnes & Noble – http://bit.ly/SM3DFW

Loose Id  - http://bit.ly/OALcBV

Goodreads - http://bit.ly/12hr8ut 

Fictionwise  - http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/b134672/?si=0

Or read more of An Engagement in Paris 

Loose Id – http://bit.ly/18SdlOd

Amazon - http://amzn.to/10YIs92

All Romance Ebooks - http://bit.ly/jMFA4

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1qmRZza

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1tebcb5

Youtube: http://youtu.be/ZEx98WkvC2Q

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Be sure to check out these other sexy snippets about characters after THE END. 

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~Rach

Let the Games Begin - Taking the NaNo Plunge

Well, it's that time again. Halloween is over and November has just begun. 

That means it's time for all these crazy writers to get together and commit to writing 50,000 words in 30 days. That's 1,667 words every day. Because November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

I did start a little early (I like to break the rules that way). So I've already got 1,700 words of the wedding novella. 

Here's my plan: 

Use the first 3 weeks of NaNo to write the draft of A Marietta Wedding which will hopefully be the full story, since it'll be a novella (shorter than a novel, but longer than a short story). 

Use the last week to start another book and write 5-10K depending on how long the novella is. 


Yesterday was WIP it Wednesday and I talked about my wedding book here. I'm really excited to work on it for NaNo. It should be exciting. 

I NaNoed (yes I've made it a verb) An Affair Across Times Square last year, which was my first time participating in this crazy train and I won. I'm shooting for the stars again this year with the sequel to my first NaNo book. Wish me luck! 

Anyone else joining me in my NaNo quest? If so, what's your project about? 


~ Rach