Vote for a new cover for MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK

Posted on August 21, 2013 by SloanParker

Since the full novel version of MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK is going to be published later this year (in both e-book and print formats), I thought it would be nice to have a new cover that would differentiate it from the original short story.

Below are four mock-ups. The first one is similar to both the original cover and the one I’ve been using for the serial story. The other three are new ideas. I’d love to have your vote on which one you’d like to see on the final version of Mark and Scott’s story. I’ll go with whatever mock-up receives the majority of reader votes.

Click on each image to view a larger preview.

Vote for your favorite here

10 things I’m loving about writing MORE THAN MOST (More #2)

Posted on August 7, 2013 by SloanParker

I’m learning more and more about Richard. I thought I had him all figured out in book one. Writing from his point of view in this sequel has definitely given me more to explore about him, including things that I hadn’t really considered before now.
Whenever the very-damaged Luke opens up without being prompted, I just smile and think… Now that’s progress!
I love when I reach that magic moment in the manuscript where a scene becomes so much more than what I’d planned in the outline. There’s more depth and meaning, and the dialogue sparks reactions and interactions that I hadn’t planned on.
It’s been such a relief (and a surprise) that the sex and emotional scenes are still the easiest for me to draft. I was afraid writing a sequel with an existing relationship would mean I’d end up forcing the sex into the story, or that it would lack any kind of emotional punch.
I’m really enjoying the moments where Matthew makes a comment that puts things into a new perspective for the other two.
I adore the moments when the three men just let go and laugh together. Especially when it comes after an intense interaction.
Richard, despite all of his strength and determination to succeed, can admit to his weaknesses and fears, and I find that very sexy.
Revising is still a highlight of the writing process for me. I’ve gone back over the first few chapters several times now. Reworking the plot points, the characters’ actions and reactions, the dialogue, and the writing itself always gives me such a rush as the scene becomes more finalized.
Hearing from readers who are excited to spend time with these characters again motivates me like nothing else.
I still love writing about love. That’s fundamentally what it’s all about for me. There’s power and beauty in the briefest conversations and the smallest touches between lovers.

Three-Word Scenario: My Roommate’s Surprise (A Coming Out Story)

Posted on July 12, 2013 by SloanParker

I wrote another one of my three-word scenarios. For these, I take three random words and write whatever comes to mind, using each word at least once.

The three random words this time are voracious, hallmark, illustrious, and the piece is called My Roommate’s Surprise (A Coming Out Story). You can read it on my website or check it out below.

My Roommate’s Surprise (A Coming Out Story)
by Sloan Parker

“I’m gay.”

Two words from my college roommate, and I couldn’t blink, much less speak, or even keep my mouth from hanging open like I had a spontaneous, uncontrollable drooling problem.

I had lived with him for the past two years, and I’d had no idea.

I forced down a swallow. “You’re…”

“Gay.” He spoke the word slowly as if I might not understand what it meant.

What a laugh. Everyone had suspected I was gay long before I’d been certain of it myself. When I’d worked up the courage to tell my parents during Thanksgiving dinner four years ago, my mom exhaled a long breath like she’d been waiting for some horrible news instead, then said, “That’s not news to us, honey, and we are very proud of you. Please pass the mashed potatoes.”

So that was that. I was gay, and I’d been the last person in my life to realize it.

But Rex? The illustrious twenty-eight-year-old tattoo artist who, on a dare from a customer in his shop, filled out an application for Harvard, and when he was accepted, had decided to sell his shop and move to a dorm on campus so he could have the full “college experience.”

Did that mean he wanted to do the curious-college-gay-experiment thing too? Or was he really telling me he already liked to fuck guys?

Rex had always had a voracious appetite for women. And they for him. What with the tribal tattoos covering his upper body and a physique that had the art students begging him to drop his pants for their Nude Drawings course. He was always dating women. And fucking them.

Or so I’d thought.

Maybe I’d never really known him.

Maybe these past two years had all been an act.

He threw me his hallmark grin. The one that showcased the dimples, even though the dark stubble on his face. The one that came with the pointed look in his eyes that said he was about to tease me about my love of cock—which had been happening more and more often as of late.

I was beginning to get that I might’ve missed something about him after all.

This time he didn’t tease. He came to me, grabbed me by the back of the neck, then kissed me.

Not a slow, soft brush of lips, but a passionate, wild kiss that ended with me panting, sprawled out on my back across his bed, his body pressing into mine in all the right places.

He pulled back and gave me that grin again as he rubbed my cock through my jeans.

He’d definitely done this before.

“Yeah,” I said. “You’re gay.”

And for the next hour and a half he showed me just how gay.

This short has now been revised and expanded into a longer story. It is now available in the e-book FRIENDS AND LOVERS.

Part 7 of More Than Just a Good Book now available

Posted on July 10, 2013 by SloanParker

The next installment of Mark and Scott’s story is now available.

If you check it out, I hope you enjoy the continuation of MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BOOK.

And remember, if you want don’t want to miss reading the rest of the story for free, you can sign up to follow this blog via email and/or to receive my newsletter. Once the final installment has been published, the entire e-book will be available as a free download for two weeks.

Story Blurb

Scott is a big book geek and Mark is a little controlling between the sheets. During one afternoon at the university library, they find they are the perfect match. Now they have to find out if they can keep on proving that some things are even more enjoyable than a good book.

Except from part 7

Mark awoke to the oddest sensation. He could feel the heat of Scott’s body beside him. He opened his eyes and found the bedroom still dark. The rain pounding against the window as the storm continued its onslaught added to his feeling of unease. His eyes adjusted to the darkness.

Scott was leaning over him, watching him. “Are you awake?”

Mark laughed. “I am now.”

A loud crack of thunder ripped through the room, startling him. So did the look of worry on Scott’s face that was visible as the flash of lightning lit up the room. Mark scrambled for the lamp on the bedside table. “What’s wrong?”

“I want to go with you when you confront Bruce.”

“What?” Mark moved to a sitting position. “No way.” He tried for a calmer tone. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Scott pulled his legs up under him so he sat on the bed facing Mark. The plaid flannel pajama pants and white long-sleeve cotton shirt he wore had him looking much younger than usual. They’d both been frozen when they got to Mark’s after their stroll through the rain. Mark had forgone his usual insistence that Scott strip down to nothing, and they’d dressed for bed. Although Mark had skipped a shirt with his sweatpants. He’d been glad about that as soon as Scott had settled into the bed with his head on Mark’s chest. That was the last thing he remembered before he drifted off to sleep.

What time was it? Had Scott gotten any sleep?

“I don’t think…” Scott breathed deep, as if summoning the courage to say more. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go alone. You don’t always keep your cool around Bruce.”

He was right about that, but… “Everything in me says I need to make sure you stay away from him.”

Scott said nothing. He folded and unfolded the tip of his right sock that hung off the ends of his toes.

Mark leaned back against the headboard and stared at the ceiling, drumming his fingers on his bent knees. “Don’t ask me to do this.”

read the rest of part 7

Print book giveaway going on at my Yahoo group this week

Posted on July 3, 2013 by SloanParker

A giveaway is going on at my Yahoo group until Friday, July 5th at 11:59 p.m. EST. One winner will receive signed print copies of MORE, BREATHE, and TAKE ME HOME. Anyone who joins the group before then is welcome to enter. Once you’ve joined, look for the post titled “Giveaway for signed copies of my print books” for instructions on how to enter.

My Q&A Yahoo group includes sneak peeks of works in progress, answers to common questions, and any other discussions of M/M romances members would like to bring up.

(You can also subscribe to the Yahoo Group by sending a blank email to SloanParkerDiscussions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from your email account.)