Aspen Mountain Press is kicking off its anniversary with several days of chats, blogs, contests and more at a variety of places. Check out our list of dates and events planned and mark the calendars in order to win some cool prizes as well.

July 23^rd: kicks off our Anniversary parties with a sneak peek into the first three books to be released in our new imprint line at Aspen Mountain Press. Where-AMP Community Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community) and you can even win more prizes this day as well.

July 24^th is where we celebrate our Del Fantasma line and its authors. Love Cody, the vampire bartender matchmaker? Then this day is the one for you at our AMP Facebook Fan Page (Fan Page is http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?oid=124393464270181&view=all#!/pages/Aspen-Mountain-Press-Fan-Page/132855360081991?ref=mf) 

July 25^th is where we celebrate with our Horror, thriller and mystery writers from Aspen Mountain Press at The Romance Studio - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theromancestudio/ from 10 am-6 pm ET.

And from 9-10 pm EST, join AMP authors for a live chat at Romance Junkies :  http://www.romancejunkies.com/chat.html !

July 26^th: meet our M/M Authors and their fabulous books are at Raine Delight’s Reader Loop (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Author_Raine_Delight) from noon-8 PM ET.

July 27^th: we celebrate our Cougar Club line with its authors and read some yummy Cougar Club excerpts from the books of this line are at TRS_Blue Yahoo loop from 12 pm-8 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trsblue)

July 28^th: we are celebrating all our shifters, Space pirates and other paranormal/Science Fiction stories. Meet the authors and read some yummy excerpts this day at Romance Excerpts Only Yahoo Loop 8 am-8 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romanceexcerptsonly)

July 29^th: if you like hot erotica then this day is for you. Here we celebrate our Erotica stories and their authors are at Lizzie’s Tea Room from 8 AM-noon ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LizziesTeaRoom/)

And from noon until 9 pm, you can catch more erotica authors at FARChatters! (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FallenAngelReviewChatters/ )

So it’s erotica all day long, all over the web with AMP authors!

July 30^th: love vampires or a good fantasy story? Then this day is for you where we celebrate all our vampires and fantasy stories and their authors are at LR Café from 8 am-5 pm ET (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loveromancescafe)

July 31^st: meet our new Aspen Mountain Press authors. These authors are brand new to the stable here at AMP and we would love for you to get to know them and check out their upcoming books at AMP & are at the AMP Community Loop all day.

August 1^st: this is our HUGE party on our community yahoo loop. Come on over and party with all the AMP authors this day at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/ 

Prizes galore are to be given away and if you haven’t joined our newsletter, friended us on Facebook, twitter, My Space then please do so. Extra chances to win just by doing those items above as well as joining in on the chats, blogs and other fun stuff planned next week. So keep an eye out on our blog and community loop as we celebrate Aspen Mountain Press’s anniversary.

Ready to get started?  Okay–here’s how it works.

From July 23-August 1, Aspen Mountain Press is conducting its big fourth anniversary bash and if you want the presents, here’s what you have to do.

1. Post a comment to this blog post.

2. Post a comment to the twin blog post at the Aurora Regency blog.

3. Sign up for the AMP newsletter at https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1400893/acctId:1400720

4. Participate in the AMP Anniversary bash partyon Sunday August 1 at the AMP Community Loop from 7 to 11 pm EST at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/?yguid=323193151.  We’ll have a thread specifically for entries there where you’ll have to shout out.

And that’s all you have to do to win a Nook e-reader from Aspen Mountain Press.  Other prizes like downloads and gift baskets will be given away at specific chat events.

Tomorrow, at LR&M E-cafe, the Aurora authors are chatting from 10 am to 5 pm.  Your first chance to win is at the Aurora launch party–we’ll be giving away a “Good Night With a Historical Romance” basket with downloads, a hot chocolate set and a FIRST EDITION Georgette Heyer!  Gift basket is worth $100! So show up at the Love Romances and More E-Cafe for your chance to win.

Next week, you can chat with AMP authors including Cynnarra Trenarth, Maura Anderson, Lena Austin, Lizzie T. Leaf, Celina Summers, Marguerite Butler, Kimberly Nee, Arabella Sheraton, Colleen Stormer, Dominique Eastwick, V. Mark Covington, Raine Delight, Kara Griffin, Viki Lyn, Cynthia Vespia, Jade Buchanan, Barbara Custer, Sloane Taylor and Chris Morrow.  We’re giving away downloads from most and many other prizes as well. You can find them at chats–TRS Blue on July 27  from 12 to 8, Romance Excerpts Only all day on July 28 and Love Romances and More on July 30 from 8 to 5.

So the first step is to post a comment to the blog posts. Then sign up for the newsletter. Then the Aurora Regency/ Aurora Regency Historicals authors tomorrow at the Love Romances and More E-cafe! And good luck!

Yesterday, I learned about the evils of clutter when I purchased an outdoor trashcan and attempted to load it into my Honda Fit. It looked so easy. Folding down the back seats would give plenty of room for my purchase…except so much stuff had congregated in the back seats and floor. Bending the trashcan wasn’t an option; I had to move all my stuff into the front seat. A Christopher Columbus expedition followed where I discovered books, throw rugs, pillows, magazines, tools, bags of old clothes, and more. All up, it took ½ hour to clear enough space for the trashcan.

Then I got to thinking about the clutter in my stories and the way I try to jam my characters so that they’ll fit into the clutter, and then wonder why the story doesn’t make sense. In any novel, you have your central plot, with the subplots revolving around it. Let’s say a vampire flees his land and attempts to live among humans until his enemy catches up with him. Then you add subplots – perhaps the vampire falls in love with his neighbor, then he gets a night job, perhaps his enemy tries to steal his girlfriend. The clutter starts if you throw in werewolves, aliens, and a plethora of “walk-on” characters without duly preparing the reader for them. And whatever goes down, your character has to act true to his role. You can’t have someone with a phobia of heights climb the side of a building unless you’ve motivated and prepared him to do this way in advance. If your character prays in a monastery on one page, and then on the next, he commits a mass murder, you’ll lose your reader unless you’ve set up the story in a way that your reader might expect this.

At the last writer’s conference, a workshop leader gave me wise advice. Don’t just write a resume for your character. Take your character out to dinner. Watch TV with him at home. Bring him to work and family functions. Observe in your mind how he might interact with family members, what foods he might like, etc. Then let him tell you the story. This will help you avoid extraneous scenes that clutter your story, and the reader will keep turning the pages.

With the lessons at the conference and shopping trip in mind, I’m cleaning out the clutter from my present work in progress, and scolding myself in the process. That is my biggest challenge – the mess! It will take longer than ½ hour to clear it, but clear it I will.

What do you find most challenging about rewrites? Does clutter creep into your tales? How do you address it?

–Barbara Custer

Well, it’s time to start getting ready for our fantastic fourth anniversary–especially for all of you, our readers.  The great thing about our birthday is that you get all the presents. In order to be eligible for our big prizes, the gift baskets or the Nook e-reader, you’ll need to keep track of the contest here on our blog, on our Facebook fan page or group page and our newsletter.  You can join the newsletter at  https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:Join/signupId:1400893/acctId:1400720

 The celebration kicks off on July 23, with the sneak peek into AMP’s new imprint, Aurora Regency.  Aside from the three books we’re releasing that day, we’ll be hosting a chat event that evening at the AMP Community Yahoo loop–http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AMP_Community/  with our authors and editors.  You’ll have a chance to meet the authors, read some excerpts and win some prizes.

July 24th we’ll be focusing on our Del Fantasma line. On the 25th, we’ll be spending time with our horror, mystery and thriller writers.  On the 26th, we’ll spend the entire day with our m/m books.  The 27th will be devoted to the Cougar Club line and authors, while on the 28th we’ll take a look at our paranormal and sci fi stories.  The 29th will be centered around our erotica genres.  The 30th will be devoted to Vamps, shapeshifters and fantasy while the 31st will showcase our new authors, the up and coming writers of Aspen Mountain Press.

Stay tuned to the blog–we’ll be announcing different locations and sites for each day’s events.  Take the opportunity now to join the AMP Community loop or friend us on Facebook, so you’ll know where to be every day to meet your favorite AMP authors and have a chance to win some of our fabulous prize packages!

Finally, on the first of August, we’ll have our final big birthday bash.  That evening on the AMP Community loop, you can chat with AMP authors, win lots of wonderful prizes, find out what’s in the future for Aspen Mountain Press and just have a lot of fun.  We’ll be announcing our grand prize winners that evening as well.

We really hope you all enjoy the special events we’re planning as you help us celebrate four years of Aspen Mountain Press!

Hey everyone!

Aspen Mountain Press’ fourth anniversary is coming up in July and we’ve got lots of presents for you, the AMP loyal reader.

Have you been looking for historical fiction and traditional Regency romances? Well, Aurora Regency and Aurora Regency Historicals is the e-publisher for you.  We’re bringing high quality historical novels and novellas to you in the convenience of electronic formats! And on July 23, we’re offering you a sneak peek into the line and the fabulous books we are offering there.

The first Aurora Regency release is Compromising Prudence, by Marguerite Butler. A wonderful madcap Regency in the grand traditions of Georgette Heyer, Compromising Prudence is the first book of her Regency series.

Prudence Wemberly is desperate. Her reputation has been damaged by a cowardly suitor and her overbearing father will disown her when he finds out about it.  She musters her courage and flees to the house of the most notorious courtesan in London.  If she’s ruined, why not become a courtesan herself and have a little fun for a change?  It sounds like a reasonable idea—after she has her third glass of sherry.

Charles Hatterly only wants to pursue his passion for ornithology, but his family expects him to marry and manage the family estates.  He needs to find a well-behaved girl who will be content to marry him—and then leave him alone. 

For a gentleman scientist in need of a wife and a ruined miss in need of a future, there is an obvious solution.  If Prudence and Charles can make it to the altar despite their meddling families, unscrupulous rakes and the brewing scandal that has the ton talking, they just might find more than they bargained for.  Can true love bloom amid the catastrophes that arise from compromising Prudence?

The second Aurora Regency release is The Dangerous Duke, by Arabella Sheraton. If you love the lovely, delicate heroines of Barbara Cartland and the Byronic hero, you’ll really enjoy this amazing return to the emotional oceans of serious Regency romance.

When the beautiful but impoverished Fenella Hawke takes up the position of Companion to the elderly Dowager Duchess of Wyndlesham, she is unprepared for the hostile attitude of the current Duke. The handsome and arrogant Devlin Deverel suspects Fenella has secrets to hide. From the moment they meet, Devlin and Fenella experience an overpowering and frightening attraction.

They try to fight their growing arousal, but find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. However, when Lady Penelope Vane, Devlin’s extremely jealous mistress, discovers that Devlin’s attentions are wandering, she sets in motion a ruthless plot to discredit Fenella, with the help of her ally, the rakish Sir Marcus Solesby.

The first Aurora Regency Historicals release is The Pursuit by Kimberly Nee. A sweeping story set as the first book of a grand family saga in early America, The Pursuit takes the reader into the involved and sensual realms of historical fictions–reminiscent of both Stephanie Laurens and John Jakes in scope.

Born into privilege, Katherine Bainbridge never thought the day would come when she would be happy to find work as a maid. But having fled London to avoid being tried, convicted and hanged for murder, she will take whatever work she can get, even if the offer comes from the most beautiful man she has ever seen.

Garrett McKenzie needs to staff his new home, but when he sees Katherine, the position that comes to mind does not involve mops and buckets. Determined to woo his lovely new maid into his bed, he will do whatever necessary to keep her there.

But when Katherine’s past comes back to haunt her, Garrett will do whatever he has to in order to prove to her that she can trust him with her life, as well as with her love.

I’ve been very excited working with these three talented authors–and even more excited about other authors who will be coming on board the Aurora imprints as the year progresses. Our grand launch is slated for October 15, 2010–with another traditional Regency romance from Marguerite Butler–Becoming Mr. Brooking–and an incredible surprise for our readers as well.

I am delighted and thrilled to announce Author Jennifer Horsman, the popular and beloved writer of Crimson Rapture and A Kiss In The Night, has signed with Aurora Regency and will reissue her popular and beloved novels from the 1980s and 1990s in e-publishing formats. Ms. Horsman, who published with Kensington/Zebra and Avon, is not only a pleasure to work with but an absolute doll to know. Her first reissue, Magic Embrace, will be released upon our grand launch on October 15, followed by A Kiss In The Night in November. We will release one of Ms. Horsman’s novels every 4-6 weeks, bringing her fans the comfort of these familiar and revered books to meet the convenience and ease of the e-reader, the i-pad, and the computer.

So keep an eye on Aurora Regency and Aurora Regency Historicals! Now only are we bringing you the writers of the future in historical romance but we’re reacquainting you with the pillars of the genre–one book at a time! In the coming weeks, we’ll have introductory interviews with the new AR/ARH authors, guest blogs, blurbs, excerpts and all sorts of fun. On July 15th, the Aurora authors and I have taken over the Love Romances and More e-cafe all day, where we’ll be discussing the new imprint and giving away lots of great things.

 And happy fourth anniversary from Aspen Mountain Press!  Stay tuned to this blog for more details on other presents we’re giving out for our anniversary–presents for YOU. 

Mythos 1: Bride of Death has been released by Aspen Mountain Press!  This is the first book in my Mythos series, a collection of Greco-Roman myths retold with a modern narrative voice.  I remain true to the original classical sources, which means reinjecting these stories with the original sensual context of the stories.  Most mythologies are of a sexual nature, and despite centuries of vanilla-izing still have those erotic overtones.  The story behind Bride of Death is the myth of Hades, the god of the Underworld, and his wife, Persephone, the personification of the spring maiden.  The story of their relationship was meant to explain the changing of the seasons–while the spring maiden is on earth with her mother, the world thrives and bears fruit.  But, when she is in the Underworld with her husband, winter descends upon the planet as Demeter grieves for her daughter.  Persephone is an early personification of sexual power–in the end, her allure is intense enough to bring Death himself to his knees.

You can pick up a copy of Mythos 1: Bride of Death at http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/bride-of-death/prod_304.html.  You can read an excerpt of the story either on that page or on my website Shoot The Muse! 

Synopsis:When the mischievous god of love targets Hades, the god of death falls hopelessly in love with the spring maiden Persephone, the one immortal most ill-suited for his dark domain. Her mother Demeter will never allow the Lord of the Underworld to court her beloved daughter. The king of the gods proposes an unconventional solution: Hades may kidnap Persephone and take her to the Underworld to woo her. If Persephone agrees to marry Hades, Zeus will support the match.

But neither god has reckoned on Demeter’s inconsolable grief at the loss of her daughter.  If Persephone is not returned to her, the goddess has vowed to destroy all life. Can Hades win Persephone’s heart before her mother discovers who has taken her? Or will Persephone make her own wishes known as the intended bride of death? Even in the world of immortals, time is not on Hades’ side.

Aspen Mountain Press will launch its new Aurora Regency imprint on July 21, 2010!  Aurora Regency at Aspen Mountain Press is a line devoted to Regency romance. Traditional Regency romances, as exemplified by Georgette Heyer’s work, are first and foremost historical fiction about a very specific (and short) era.  So what are we looking for? Hopefully, this will answer any questions you might have about Aurora Regency’s guidelines.

1)      We expect historical accuracy. This includes language, clothing, customs, etiquette, events and places.  Your book should have rich detail, the appropriate language and slang and an understanding of life in Regency England or, if set outside of England, according to the customs of the country.  That includes behavior appropriate to a character’s life, position and social situation. (For example: divorce was notan option in Regency England so no new divorcées gallivanting at Almack’s in competition with the Season’s loveliest debutantes.)  Historical accuracy will be a consideration in the acceptance of manuscripts and an integral part of the editing process. If your manuscript has several historical errors, you may be asked to revise and resubmit.

2)      We hope for novel plotlines or exciting new twists on old themes. We are open to paranormal or Gothic themes as long as these elements do not compromise the Regency romance genre. So if your impoverished but well-born governess falls in love with the lord of the manor that’s fine. Just make it interesting.

3)      We expect romance—oh, loads of it!  Every kind of hero is fair game in a Regency romance and our heroines should be head over heels in love with them.  But remember—this is a Regency romance.  Spice is okay; jalapeno salsa is not.   In an era were even the smallest infractions would lead to social ruin, well brought up young heroines were virgins on the wedding night. {However, if your Regency is about a member of the demimonde (a courtesan) and is erotic in nature, please indicate this in your query letter.} And, naturally, a HEA is the conclusion of choice.

4)      Great dialogue. In the Regency romance, conversation is well-crafted and engaging. Half of the process of falling in love occurs when the hero and heroine engage in a battle of wits.  Repartee is an art form; conversation is seduction. Anachronistic sayings or language are strongly discouraged.

5)      Society.  Society rules these characters’ lives.  The Season is capitalized for a reason.  As Jane Austen said in Pride and Prejudice, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Society dictates that universal truth, and in a Regency romance Society is where the bridal hunt is carried out.  It can be London or Bath or Brighton or even a simple country parsonage involved in county society—but society (either capitalized or not) is as big a character as any human being.

6)      Fun.  Above all, Regency romances are fun—both to read and to write.  The more adventures your madcap heroine has, the better.  Paranormal Regencies are acceptable as are the more intricate Regency murder mysteries. Even the darker side of the Regency world is fun.

So, do you think your Regency romance fits the bill? Then submit to us!  The Aurora Regency line is published by Aspen Mountain Press, a royalty-paying e-publishing company.  We do not charge fees for set up or charge for editing your story once it has been accepted for publication. Our contracts request rights to the contracted work, including digital and print formats as we will provide some of our titles in print later this year.

Aurora Regency is looking for well-researched Regency romances between 35,000 and 70,000 words, although we will bend on the upper word limit if the story merits it.  Please submit exactly and only the following if you wish your manuscript to receive serious consideration:A query letter in the body of an email with:

Your legal name, pseudonym if applicable and contact email.

Working Title

Manuscript Length

General story description in two paragraphs

Writing Credentials

Include the first chapter (or first twenty pages, whichever is shorter) embedded in the body of the email. We will not open attachments. If we like what we see, we will request the rest of the manuscript. 

If this is a simultaneous submission, please inform us of this in your query letter.  We will consider only COMPLETED manuscripts.  Aspen Mountain Press does not accept proposals from writers unknown to us. Aurora Regency at Aspen Mountain Press will open for submissions on February 15, 2010. Please send all questions and submissions to AuroraRegency@gmail.com.  We accept ONLY e-submissions.  Initial response times are anticipated to be no longer than 2 weeks. 

The Asphodel Cycle 4: Apostle of Asphodel

Author: Celina Summers

Artist: Renee George

BUY LINK: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/apostle-of-asphodel/prod_263.html

Tamsen Ka’antira has grown into a woman of incredible power as the Virgin Huntress’ player in the game of the gods. After discovering the Hippolytes, a fabled race of women devoted to the arts of combat, she must lead them back to the plains of Ilia to fight the greatest war of antiquity again. The pantheon of gods awaits her in their Hall of Judgment, where the ultimate fate of the Elven Realm will be determined. (more…)

I am pleased and honored to announce that the third book in my epic fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle 3:Tempation of Asphodel has been nominated for a Golden Rose Award for Best Sci Fi/Fantasy Novel of 2007 by Love Romances and More.  To say that I’m stunned is an understatement; to even be mentioned on the same nominee list as Christine Feehan is beyond anything I ever dreamed about when I first started to kill off Elves in The Reckoning of Asphodel.

The voting continues until April 15th. You can find the voting page here and can vote for your favorites in several categories under the Love Romances and More aegis. It’s a wonderful thing to see nominees from small presses like Aspen Mountain Press alongside well known authors from huge publishing companies. It says a lot about how e-presses and independent publishers are changing the face of the industry.

Thank you so much to all of the faithful readers of Aspen Mountain books and especially fans of Asphodel.  None of this would be possible without you. So you have my greatest love and appreciation for the support you’ve continuously shown to me and to my work. Now go vote!

Cheers and many hugs–

Celina Summers

Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis is a journey through the short stories of critically acclaimed author Celina Summers.  Every story deals with a transformation–from a world where the Church places the blame for original sin upon men to a New Orleans garden that brings a play to life. The collection culminates with a previously unpublished prequel to Summers’ best selling epic fantasy series The Asphodel Cycle. Sometimes funny, sometimes horrifying, Metamorphosis is a romp through the realms of speculative fiction–where anything can happen and nothing is quite as it seems.

Coming March 27, 2009 from Aspen Mountain Press

Edited by Lori Basiewicz

Cover art by Renee George

Metamorphosis is a collection of stories in the spirit of the original Metamorphoses, written by the Roman poet Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso 43 BC — 17 or 18 AD). His Metamorphoses  serves as the primary source material for many of the transformation myths in Greco-Roman mythology. He also wrote the scandalous Ars Amatoria, a treatise on love and seduction, that eventually led to his exile from Rome by the emperor Augustus. My Metamorphosis explores the transformations of speculative fiction–not necessarily literal transformations like Ovid’s, but changes that make modern speculative fiction the new and exciting genre-bending world that it is. 

Metamorphosis’ stories range from humorous to dark, from fantasy to horror and I had a lot of fun putting them all together.  Look for it on March 27.  Also, in honor of Read an Ebook Week, I’m giving away a set of my series The Asphodel Cycle!  Go to my blog Elf Killing and Other Hobbies and leave a comment in the thread and you’ll be eligible to win.  Enter by midnight on Sunday and I’ll announce a winner on Monday.  That way you can be ready for the final installment of the series Apostle of Asphodel when it’s released in May.