Marcia James, Author of Hot, Humorous Romances

THE JAMES GANG

Each month I interview an author or publishing insider who has "James" in his/her name. My August James Gang interviewee is multi-published, bestselling author, Jamieson Wolf.

1. Let’s get the most important question asked first: Why James?

Well Jamieson is my real first name. I was named after my grandfather whose name is Jamie. Now, he’s British, so in British tradition, if a son or grandson is named after someone named Jamie, they get the name Jamieson. It does cause some confusion though. Everyone thinks I have a last name for a first name.

2. What fiction genre(s) and/or sub-genre(s) do you write?

I write primarily in the romance genre, writing gay, straight and paranormal romance. I also write young adult fiction, regular fiction and nonfiction. I tend to be all over the board. But all of my novels, even if they aren’t romances, have some sort of romantic element. Maybe I’m a romantic at heart?

3. Tell us about your latest release.

I’m thrilled about my newest release. It’s called The Black Bandit Book One: Pushing Boundaries. Here’s a bit about the book:

When Devon receives a note telling him to go to The Black Bandit, he gets nervous. He knows that The Black Bandit caters to a different crowd. There are even whispers that it is a fetish club, catering to those who are into the darker sides of sex.

However, having recently discovered his boyfriend enjoying the attentions of another man, Devon is alone and lonely. There is something broken inside of him. He hopes that a night of sex will clear his mind and heal his heart.

But there are lots of different ways to heal.

When he arrives at The Black Bandit, he is met by Chase, perhaps the most beautiful man Devon has ever met. Chase wants to introduce Devon to the world of bondage and S and M. Though nervous, Devon complies, not knowing how much his life will change in the course of one night.

There are lots of ways to heal and even more ways to push boundaries.

And this is just the beginning...

It’s the first time I’ve delved fully into a BDSM story, an area of romance that I find intriguing and just a little bit naughty. In my research for the book (seriously!) I learned that BDSM isn’t about giving up complete control; it’s about choosing to be submissive or dominant, something that I think speaks to the primal nature in us.

It’s available now from Cobblestone Press. You can get your copy here:
http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/pushingboundaries.htm

4. Is there a core story and/or a theme(s) in your books?

Well, when I was going through a rough period in my life, my novels tended to be quite dark and, usually, evil won over good. Thankfully, I’m in a better place and, no matter how dark my books get now, good will always triumph over evil.

A recurring theme also seems to be that you have to make peace with where you came from in order to get where you’re going. It’s something my characters seem to have trouble with as they are all flawed and imperfect in some way.

5. Do you have a favorite hero and/or heroine in your books and why?

It would have to be Owen. He’s in quite a few of my novels in varying different forms. In the beginning, when I started writing, Owen was actually myself. He was a way to say what I wanted behind the mirrors and smoke of fiction.

Over time, however, he’s become his own character, his own person. No longer is he speaking for me. Instead, he’s become a full and complete character with the depth that I carry inside of me, if that makes any sense.

6. What do you enjoy most about being an author?

I love the writing first and foremost. But what makes the writing more special is when someone, a complete stranger usually, writes and tells me how much they loved my work. I think there is no greater thing than that.

Writers write for themselves, that goes without saying. But when someone else gets your work, rather than just dismissing it, well, that’s a kind of Nirvana, isn’t it?

7. Do you have any awards, reviews or kudos you’d like to tell us about?

No awards to speak of, but I did want to mention something. My recent release, Hard, was the book that launched the Adonis line at Breathless Press. And it became a number one bestseller all over the place.

I’ve never had a number one bestseller before, so it’s quite the achievement. The next three books in the Hard Saga also went on to become bestsellers, and I’m just thrilled that everyone loves the books so much.

You can get your copy of Hard here: http://www.breathlesspress.com/erotic/hard.html

8. How do you promote your books and your author brand?

Well, as an author, I take promotion very seriously. Writing is 40% writing, 20% editing and 40% promotion. It’s sad but true.

I’ve experimented with different ways to promote my book and create my author brand. I’ve tried websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, book trailers, character blogs, teaching workshops on writing, contests and giveaways, podcasts and more. You name it and I’ve done it.

Recently, to celebrate the success with Hard, I’ve even designed my own signature fragrance. It’s called (wait for it) Hard. I worked with a perfume designer to create the perfect scent for men who work hard and play hard. It’s a combination of scents including amber, lavender and coffee (of all things) and is all natural with no chemicals.

You can get your very own bottle. There are details at my website here: http://www.jamiesonwolf.com

In the end, I update my website on a regular basis, blog almost every day, Tweet constantly, all in the name of promoting my author brand. I even taught a workshop about it! You can download a PDF copy of "How To Promote When You Don’t Know How" from my website at http://www.jamiesonwolf.com.

9. What is your next project?

Well, I’ve got a few. I have a few new releases coming up. In August, my new book of short stories is being released by Night Wolf Publications. Very shortly, Cobblestone Press will be releasing The Other Book Two: Invoking Darkness. Breathless Press will be releasing the last book in The Hard Saga titled Hardest. eTreasures Publishing will be releasing my new experimental horror novel titled Soylent Red and my memoir, One Step at a Time. All that is coming throughout 2010.

As for what I’m working on? I have a few things on the go. I’m writing a novel called Fruit on the Run, which will be published by Untreed Reads Publishing later this year. I’m also working on Feline Felinity, the first book in a scientific paranormal romance that I hope to pitch to a publisher or agent. I’m also working on (slowly but surely) The Silver Glass, a sequel to my bestselling young adult novel, The Ghost Mirror.

As if that wasn’t enough, I’m also working on finishing up a few series; I’m brainstorming Valentine’s Desire and Valentine’s Promise, the last two books in "The Valentine Chronicles", Keeping Beauty, the last book in "The Owen Diaries", and Necropolis, the last book in "The Written Word" series. Never a dull moment I guess.

10. Do you have a bit of wisdom you’d like to impart or a favorite quote?

Well as I don’t consider myself to be very wise, I’d like to leave you with a quote from Margaret Atwood. And here it is: "A word after a word is power."

Isn’t that the truth?

Thanks, Jamieson! Next month, I'll interview nonfiction author Jamie Lee Coulter!

Christina James Interview