eXcessica new releases

LORD MELCHIOR

By Varian Krylov

www.excessica.com

Length: Short Story

Category: Menage, Historical

Heat Level: eXcess 4

Price: $2.99

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Long ago and far away, Lord Melchior ruled over his lands and his serfs with an iron hand. Taken from their homes at the cusp of adolescence and brought up in strict segregation, the boys and girls of his realm learned total obedience and rigid chastity. But when naïve Zaccheus and Rasha were chosen to serve their master in his castle, they soon discovered that one of Lord Melchior’s greatest pleasures was forcing his innocent young servants to violate the very laws he himself has imposed on them all their lives.

ACROSS THE THRESHOLD

By habu

www.excessica.com

Length: Super-Novel

Category: Anthology

Heat Level: eXcess 3

Price: 5.99

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What gay male can ever forget his first full-blown sexual experience—a particularly memorable first time, given the conventions of society? The first time can be the culmination of long-held frustration, or completely casual and come as a complete surprise. It can be traumatic or sought; imprisoning or releasing, disappointing or far beyond the wildest dream. First times can be prearranged or ritualistic; spontaneous or unexpected by both parties. The first time could have been instigated by a predator, a new lover, or a savior, or even by the first timer himself. The situation and venue can be sordid or off-the-cuff convenient, or might involve silken sheets, candles, champagne, prolonged seduction and foreplay.

But for most men, the one thing it cannot be is forgotten.

This anthology provides a treasure trove of thirty-five short stories of separate, varied “first time” gay male experiences, from the stalked to long anticipated, from the romantic to the brutal, for the young or not so young. The one central theme of all of these stories, however, is the experiences depicted all result in the beginning of a new lifestyle, not the ending of a world.

A TWISTED BARD’S TALE

By Selena Kitt

www.excessica.com

Length: Short Short

Category: Lesbian, Historical

Heat Level: eXcess 2

Price: 0.99

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Did you ever wonder what started the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues? Check out this naughty version of Romeo and Juliet - you’ll be surprised and delighted by this twisted Bard’s tale!

photo credit: verybigjen

Sex sells.

That’s what all advertising teaches, right? And we see it, we’re inundated with it, we know it.

So you would think that sex would be primarily what would sell in something written specifically about sex… like romance novels, for example. In fact, sex has become such the perceived focus in romance, a whole new genre has sprung up in recent years– “erotic” romance novels, where we’ve upped the ante considerably. Men no longer sport manhoods and women don’t have “sheaths” to house them. Cock and pussy are right out there in the open.

It’s obvious. Sex is what sells.

Right?

No, contrary to popular opinion, it’s not the sex that gets the reader to turn those pages.

It’s the pain.

Copyblogger says so. It must be true!

Romance readers don’t keep picking up hundreds of titles a year because they want to read about sex. They come back, again and again, to read about the pain. Happy is boring. Pain is interesting. The more pain, the better. Authors just keep turning and turning and turning the screws, and readers writhe in painful ecstasy like a hot BDSM submissive slut on her way to orgasmic heaven.

And that’s just where the reader is headed, of course. And so are the characters.

Because a good Dom writer knows when to stop with the pain and start with the pleasure. To weave them together in a tapestry of delightfully terrible bliss.

To quote one of my husband’s favorite movies: (and if you name it first in the comments, I’ll give you a copy of my newest Phaze release: Sacred Spots. I’d give you an eXcessica book, but none of them currently released really have romance-y satisfying sorts of happily ever afters, and that doesn’t seem quite fair in a post about romance!

Life is pain, Princess. Anyone who tells you anything different is selling something.

Ah there’s the paradox. Because the romance novel requires, in almost all cases, a happily ever after, even if real life doesn’t always end that way. The pain has to end some time. Pain is interesting, and it works as both a marketing tool (as Copyblogger points out) and a plot vehicle, because the absence of pain feels so good. Believe me, the world looks like a tremendously more beautiful place the day after I have a migraine - much more so than on days I don’t.

As Copyblogger points out:

If the problem is bad enough, any solution feels miraculous.

As with my migraines… just the absence of pain can feel like a resolution! If you’ve put your two main characters through enough misery, all you have to do is bring them back together to satisfy the reader. Sex is a great way to do that… and of course, it’s no accident that the literal orgasm serves as a symbolic redemption for all those pages of horrible pain and misunderstanding and despair.

And once you’ve reached your climax–and in erotic romance, it’s usually simultaneous, or pretty darned close, plot-climax and characters’-climax–it’s time to go. A little cuddling afterward is fine, but not too much.

We all know what happens when a book or series or movie jumps the shark when it comes to the “too much cuddling” phase.

Anyone else remember Moonlighting? Hot and riveting… until they got together

Then… pbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbt.

Where’s the remote?

So in all this talk about sex and porn these past few weeks, it’s good to remember what really “sells” (in Copyblogger language) or appeals (in authorly language) might look like sex, and sound like sex, and feel like sex… but it isn’t really sex. Sex only serves as a symbol - it’s the closest we can come (every pun intended) as humans to one another, to redemption, to wholeness.

And we all know the journey toward that climax is what makes the ending so damned good.

Doesn’t that go for everything?

And if there’s an obstacle or two in the way? A lot of twists and turns and dead ends and fears you might not make it… and even, oh yes, even a lot of little pain involved in the process?

Oh yes.

That’s right. All romance readers are pain sluts. And the most experienced Doms writers can take them on a twisting, aching ride to Nirvana - again and again and again.

And hey…we writers don’t even need any Viagra!

~*~*~Selena Kitt~*~*~

I’ll admit that I’m not an experienced writer. The past year has been one filled with learning. Most of what I put on paper in the beginning was junk. Words ran through my head until I started to write them down. Today I feel like I have accomplished something. I took the first steps of a journey into an unknown future in late 2006.

Many people I talk to now started to write back in school already. They learned everything from the technical aspects of a sentence to proper grammar and correct punctuation. Often years of classes preceded any submissions for them. It’s not difficult to find authors with ten, fifteen, or even twenty years experience.

That makes me wonder this. Can one way make it easier to spin a good story over the other? Does it still take natural ability and imagination no matter how much is learned in school? Will a discerning reader pick out the differences between the two?

I don’t know if there is a correct answer. Each person has their own idea of what they want when they read a story. I’m no expert. There are more questions than answers in my head. I just know that learning from books, teachers, or other authors should never stop. In my opinion, if I personally don’t improve, I stagnate, and that isn’t acceptable.

Alexys Quinn

Welcome to eXcessica publishing’s spiffy new digs!

Like ‘em?

So far, eXcessica has over twenty writers (since we opened our doors a mere week and a half ago!) and they span the spectrum from award-winning, bestselling authors who are published elsewhere with some of the largest e-and-print publishers in the business to hot, brand new, fledgling talent!

eXcessica is currently offering fourteen titles by six different authors, with fifteen more on the “Coming Soon!” list (and more going up every day!)

We have created a myspace page (please feel free to “friend” us!)

We also have a Yahoo Group, so you can keep up with what’s new and hot at eXcessica and talk with all of our authors! (We’re a fun and rowdy bunch!)

Just by joining, you’re automatically entered for a chance to WIN some fabulous gift certificates (Barnes & Noble), print books, and even more!

Winners will be announced May 15, 2008, so JOIN NOW!

All of our authors will be taking turns on the blog, so you can look forward to getting to know each of us. Should be fun!

And don’t forget - if you’re an erotic writer interested in submitting to eXcessica, please check out our submissions page!

We’re off to a great start…

*raising champagne glass*

Here’s to an eXcessively pleasureable future! *wink*

xoxo

Selena Kitt

Erotic Fiction You Won’t Forget

Wanna Purrrrrrr With Pleasure?