Rediscovering the Joy of Writing and Two New Reader Giveaways

Posted on October 13, 2016 by SloanParker

Today I’m a guest over at On Top Down Under Book Reviews, helping them celebrate their blog’s 4th anniversary. I’m sharing more about my experience writing The Haven #2 and also offering up a giveaway. Check out the post at this link: Creativity, Disappointment, and Rediscovering the Joy of Writing. Be sure to comment there to enter the giveaway before October 18th.

Here’s a full list of their other anniversary events and giveaways.

This week I’m also taking part in the massive Halloween Giveaway hosted by Diverse Reader. There are more than 40 prizes up for grabs and some fun posts by an amazing list of authors who are answering questions such as:

What’s your favorite thing about Halloween?
Tell us the best costume you ever wore for Halloween?
What’s your best Halloween memory?
What’s your favorite Halloween or scary story and why?

Stop by and check out all the fun, and be sure to enter the giveaway. The authors’ posts are divided into two sections: Part one & Part two (check out mine in part two).

The contest ends on October 20th.

Good luck!

Freebie Offer: MORE, a gay erotic suspense, is free for a limited time!

Posted on October 6, 2016 by SloanParker

To introduce new readers to my More series, I’m currently offering my book MORE for free at various online retailers. Spread the word. Let your friends know they can pick up a copy at their favorite bookstore now.

Writing Life: The Rewards of Patience

Posted on September 29, 2016 by SloanParker

Photo License: CC0 Public Domain

“That’s the magic of revisions – every cut is necessary, and every cut hurts, but something new always grows.” ― Kelly Barnhill

“The writer must have a good imagination to begin with, but the imagination has to be muscular, which means it must be exercised in a disciplined way, day in and day out, by writing, failing, succeeding and revising.” ― Stephen King

“The best advice I can give on this is, once it’s done, to put it away until you can read it with new eyes. When you’re ready, pick it up and read it, as if you’ve never read it before. If there are things you aren’t satisfied with as a reader, go in and fix them as a writer: that’s revision.” ― Neil Gaiman

I recently hit the point in revising HOW TO HEAL A LIFE where I’m even more connected to the story and the characters. I’m adding those extra little touches that allow for deeper meaning and emotional impact. I’m learning far more than I knew I was missing about who these characters are. At the same time, I’ve been strengthening their interactions, tweaking the overall story arc, and filling in any plot holes.

It feels really good to be at this point. I wanted to wrap this book up MONTHS ago, but I’m so very glad I stuck it out and kept on plugging away at the revision phase instead of calling it “quits” too early. I would’ve been seriously disappointed in myself. Especially when it came to this book. Seth’s journey is a difficult one, but I always hoped that would make the book all the more emotional and powerful for the reader. I wanted to give his story the attention it deserved.

Now it’s coming together to be what I’d always envisioned for his story, and I couldn’t be happier.

I have a bit more to go with the revisions, but for me, this is one of the most rewarding parts of the writing process. I can’t wait to do my next read-through and see the full effect.

For Love and Forever Out Now & My Monthly Blog Giveaway

Posted on August 30, 2016 by SloanParker

For Love and Forever is out now! This collection features six gay love stories, including my most recent titles: HIS ROOMMATE’S SECRET and COPS AND LOVERS. All of the stories in this collection were previously released as individual ebooks.

You can pick up a copy of FOR LOVE AND FOREVER at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Google Play, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords. The ebook should be showing up at other retailers in the next few days, and the trade paperback will be available soon too. This will be the first time any of these stories are available in print. (Edited to Add: The trade paperback is now live at CreateSpace. It should be out at other online bookstores soon)

This Month’s Giveaway: Winner’s Choice of…

A $15 All Romance eBooks gift card or…
Your pick of up to 3 specific titles at All Romance eBooks (totaling no more than $18). The titles will be gifted to you at All Romance so they must be ebooks currently on the ARe website.

How to Enter the Giveaway (a new way to enter):

To enter the drawing for this month’s Reader Giveaway, fill out this simple form.

Rules and Terms:

The giveaway runs until the end of the day tomorrow. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on August 31st. One random winner will be selected and then contacted directly about his/her prize. Chances of winning depends on the total number of entries. No purchase necessary. The giveaway is open internationally as All Romance eBooks does work with customers from outside the United States. To redeem the prize, the winner must have, or be willing to create, an account at All Romance eBooks.

Thanks for entering and good luck! Be sure to check back next month for another reader giveaway. If you’d like, you can sign-up to receive my blog posts via email. I post about twice a week.

Cover Reveal: FOR LOVE AND FOREVER (A Collection of Short Stories)

Posted on August 16, 2016 by SloanParker

SP_ForLoveAndForever_coverLg

I’m thrilled to share this amazing cover from artist L.C. Chase for my short story collection FOR LOVE AND FOREVER, which will be released this month in both ebook and trade paperback formats. I’ll post links here and in my newsletter once it’s on sale at bookstores. Here’s the full description:

Six gay love stories from Sloan Parker, award-winning author of M/M Romances.

Cops and Lovers: SWAT teammates Sawyer and Finn have been secretly sleeping together for two years. Sawyer couldn’t be happier with the arrangement. Until Finn gives him an ultimatum.

His Roommate’s Secret: Brady harbors a secret crush on his straight college roommate, but he doesn’t think he’ll ever get the chance to climb into Rex’s bed. Until Rex shares a revelation of his own.

Swept Away: Eddie just wants to spend a quiet night celebrating with his partner on their fifteenth anniversary. Only this year, Mike has a surprise in mind. A surprise that may be more than Eddie imagined possible.

The Break-In: Billy’s been breaking into his ex-lover’s apartment every Friday night for a little solo sex in the bed they used to share. One night he almost gets caught. Now he has only seconds to decide if he should stay or run from the most erotic encounter of his life.

A Lesson in Truth: After two years of longing, David can no longer deny what he feels for Michael, his professor and graduate school advisor.

Something to Believe In: Sean and Gavin meet on the streets and fall in love. Now they must search for a way to find a home and build a life together.

All of the stories in this collection were previously released as individual ebooks. This collection contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and one all-male menage relationship. 55,412 words.