Savvy Saturday: What is Fantasy?

This week on Savvy Saturday, we put out a call to all of our Fantasy authors on what they think of the ever-popular Fantasy genre. They were asked to respond to the question: What does Fantasy mean to you? We will get to see their opinions, and we would love to see yours. Comment below with what Fantasy means for you.

"What if" without the science. *slinks away*
     -KM Tolan, the Sci-Fi author who snuck in

What KM said.
     -Celia Breslin, Urban Fantasy author
Dragons and pixies.
     -Carol McPhee, Romance novelist

"Boundless creativity."
     -Jenna Greene, YA Fantasy author

I personally think of fantasy as anything with magic.
     -Colleen Myers, another (awesome of course) Sci-Fi author

Fantasy is an escape. When I read fantasy or when I write fantasy I immerse myself in the author’s imagination or in my own and forget all my problems. In fantasy, I can reinvent myself as a hero or a sorceress or a dragon. I can have magic. I can befriend an elf. Like dreams, fantasy allows me to be what I’m not, where I’m not, without complying with the rules of physics or biology or human politics, or my own dull personality. When I dive into fantasy, I don’t have to think about my health or age or finances. I can take outrageous risks, have extravagant adventures, and achieve marvelous victories. Moreover, I can say what I would never dare to say in real life. In fantasy I’m free.
     -Olga Godim, Fantasy author

Fantasy is the literary kaleidoscope which allows a new vision of our reality.

Often that vision is one in which the magical or supernatural is a key element of the created world’s primary existence. This is not the world as we know it (or believe it to be).

It may be an existence populated with brave knights, feisty damsels, and fiery dragons; with wizards, dwarves, and trolls; and perhaps with megalomaniacal supernatural entities bent on world domination [cue maniacal laughter]. Or it may be a world in which things that go bump in the night stalk the streets, or unicorns roam verdant forests.

Conversely it may be a world in which reality is altered only slightly, so that our perception of our own plane of existence grants us a vision of the mystery and magic behind and beyond our general conception of reality. Magical realism allows an extension of our sense of the world so that we perceive the ‘man behind the curtain’—that is, the workings of magic that are an integral part of the myth and mystery of the world we inhabit.

There are more subgenres of fantasy than a dragon has scales. But all of them are born of that desire to alter and expand our perceptions of reality, to show us the magic that inhabits either our world or a world that never was, but should be.
     -Keith Willis, Fantasy author and dragon enthusiast

Savvy Saturday: Brantwijn Serrah Discusses her Inspiration for Lesbian Erotica

Welcome back folks! Today on Savvy Saturday we have the privilege of hearing erotica romance writer Brantwijn Serrah's inspiration for her lesbian romances. She is going to talk about how different the genre is from public perception, and how she took this not oft-used subject and wrote some amazing novels. Without any further introduction: here's Brantwijn!

***

What do you think when you hear the words lesbian erotica? For too many, it seems the answer is, "Not for me."

There is an unfortunate prevailing idea out there that lesbian erotica is only for lesbians, or for men looking for a literary version of girl-on-girl videos. I've heard so many opinions boiling down to "Lesbian erotica just doesn't do anything for me."

This honestly breaks my heart a bit. Not because I'm an author of lesbian fiction...I write characters of all sorts of orientation and sexual personality, so if my lesbian stories don't catch the reader's eye, perhaps one of my other romances will. What saddens me about this idea, that lesbian fiction is only for lesbians, is that so many readers miss out on truly gorgeous works.

If you are one of these readers, and you feel it won't appeal to you because women aren't your particular pleasure preference, hear me out. Forget for a moment the gal-to-guy ratio and whose genitalia goes where. Let's talk about connection.

Be it a story about deep, abiding love, one of lustful conquest, or one of sexual experimentation, what's loveliest about lesbian erotica is the power of connection. Stories of women loving women delve into deep, aesthetic eroticism of not just the body, but of psychology and emotion. Lesbian erotica provides a setting to reflect on femininity and female-ness: characters who are expressively feminine can be highlighted like illuminated works of art, mirrored in another woman’s eyes; “tom” and “butch” lesbians—less feminine women—are given a unique stage where their own brand of beauty and identity is examined and celebrated. I’m put in mind of Boo, a self-proclaimed butch from Orange is the New Black, who couldn’t be less “feminine” if she tried. Her story to be recognized and respected, despite her utter refusal to put on a feminine mien, brings out a true beauty in her in such a way that viewers can appreciate her as her own, wonderful creation. Pairing women together, whether both parties be femme or both be butch, or be they a combination of expression and identity, makes for a unique opportunity for women to reflect on women, and how our sexuality is articulated.

What I worry about, writing lesbian fiction, is that at the most accessible level—early budding erotic writers—it is so often fetishized, relying on a perceived 'kink' of girl-on-girl action. I find it funny: it seems much more acceptable for gay erotica, featuring two men, to focus on the emotional needs and complications of the characters, finding eroticism though the emotional as well as the physical interactions. Most authors who set out to write gay male fiction understand this as part of the genre. If not taken seriously, though, lesbian fiction can easily miss the mark and be reduced merely to pornographic renditions of two women screwing.

Now, I realize lesbian erotica is not the only sub-genre to delve into the deep emotion and psychology of femininity in love. It is, however, disproportionately visited by readers. Lots of straight women will seek out gay male romance, but are ambivalent about lesbian tales.

It’s such a shame. Lesbian erotica is beautiful. It can be moving and literary. It can be so deeply gripping: Affinity by Sarah Waters left me shaken for days after I finished it. It can be fun and funny. I've enjoyed stories about fem domme cupcake bakers and island visitors sharing a relaxing evening with a stranger who becomes a new friend.

Whatever lesbian erotica is, it isn't what many people seem to think: an exclusive members-only club. If you've never given lesbian romance a chance, seek out at least one good title. Make it one you'd readily pick up if it were a traditional male/female romance. Give yourself a chance to find a new pleasure in the plethora of attractive erotic sub-genres. I think most folks will find that there's more to it than meets the eye.

Author Bio:

When she isn't visiting the worlds of immortals, demons, dragons and goblins, Brantwijn fills her time with artistic endeavors: sketching, painting, customizing My Little Ponies and sewing plushies for friends. She can't handle coffee unless there's enough cream and sugar to make it a milkshake, but try and sweeten her tea and she will never forgive you. She moonlights as a futon for four lazy cats,
loves tabletop role-play games, and can spend hours penciling naughty, sexy illustrations in her secret notebooks.

Brantwijn has two romance series currently in-progress with Champagne Books. She's also had short stories published in several small press anthologies. She has author pages on GoodReads and Amazon, and loves to see reader comments on her work. Her short stories and audio readings occasionally pop up at Foreplay and Fangs, her blog at http://brantwijn.blogspot.com.

Savvy Saturday: Author Appearance Schedule for July

Hello everyone! This week on Savvy Saturday, we here at Champagne thought you might like to see where and when your favorite authors would be in town. Don't miss out on a chance to meet these amazing people!

Veronica Helen Hart

This lovely lady will be a featured speaker at "The Get Published Series," 9D Palm Harbor, Village Way, Palm Coast, Florida. Addressing the significance of writing groups on July 21st at 5:30 PM.

Check out Veronica's schedule on her website.

Keith Willis

Don't miss this great guy at Altamont Free Library, Altamont, NY on July 21st. He will be having a reading and an author ask-me-anything.

Want more? Take a peek here!

Colleen Myers

It may be the last day, but go see Colleen at the Romance Writers of America conference in San Diego, California at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina all day today.

Didn't want to miss her? Colleen has more events coming up, so check out her website for more info.

Savvy Saturday: KM Tolan Talks About His Time at Comicpalooza in Houston

Hi, I’m Kerry, one of the erstwhile Sci-Fi/Fantasy authors in the June 2016 Comicpalooza convention’s Artist Alley. This is my second Comicpalooza, having heard of the convention by way of one of those “You didn’t go to Comicpalooza?” questions of astonishment while at another comic con.

The first thing to strike me this year was that the event has grown in size, which means I’m even more of a small fish in a larger pond than I was last year (grin). Not to worry. More folks wandering by my table, eh?

Friday was the typical mad rush of getting in at the last moment from Austin, Texas, courtesy of some dump truck who had come to grief on a very crowded Highway 290 just outside the loop. Houston traffic is such a pleasure. I found my spot quickly, and with the understanding help of more than one eager volunteer. Forgetting my registration papers is becoming a tradition, it seems. This year I had six novels to display and a seventh on the way, so we were loaded down with inventory and the usual props and displays. One thing we learned in our eight years of doing comic cons, is that simply tossing books on a table doesn’t cut it.

Friday’s being Fridays, I did as much chatting as selling. Not too many folks were dressed up, but then neither were the wife and I. That was for tomorrow. Instead it was more of a laid back meet and greet. I got to see our literary host Vijay Kale, who popped over, said “Hi!”, then was off in a flash. Pity too, since he was doing a great job beforehand with all the arrangements. The Literary program at Comicpalooza was far above what I’ve seen at other conventions, and this year Vijay outdid himself. I was scheduled for two panels, and looking forward to Saturday night’s get together with my fellow wizards at a local pub—all courtesy of Vijay.

Saturday arrived and it was laces and boots as the wife Vickie and I donned our steampunk finery, and joined in the cosplay while chatting up the books. This year folks seemed more interested in the paperbacks than our publisher’s e-books. I had an advert for my upcoming Sci-fi novel “Siren’s Song” and folks were really interested. Oh, and we were selling books, of course. More importantly, I was getting the much treasured exposure we small press authors crave. Business cards flew off the table. The day’s panel arrived, and I found myself among other writing professionals tackling the business of, well, business. We have a few dozen folks listening, and thankfully we didn’t have to delve into the mysteries of the Schedule C. Instead, it was all about promotion and how to do it. Things really picked up as we discussed the ways of getting yourself “out there” without being chased back again. And of course, the cosplayers were decidedly attending this Saturday, so the wife and I took turns running around checking out the more talented entries. It’s always the homemade stuff that I love to see—especially when the outfit is done up to Hollywood standards. Awesome. We closed the day with respectable sales (I do love the Square application for point-of-sale), and toddled off to meet other authors down at a delightful, if not a tad noisy, bar and grill a couple blocks away. Dodging rain showers, we made it unscathed and dry. Got to talk with several folks in the business, as well as a couple author hopefuls.

Sunday resumed with us in our laid-back gear, and enjoying more sales as folks remembered our display and came back to invest their remaining dollars. My fantasy novel “Tracks” ended up being the best seller, with “Blade Dancer” running up a close second. And then it was panel time again, with the subject being military weapons and Science Fiction. It rapidly became military Sci-fi in general, with a couple dozen eager listeners soaking in what myself and several other military-background authors advised when it comes to ye old pew-pew. And then, sigh, it was time to break down our table displays, head back to the confines of Austin, and plan for Comicpalooza 2017. Great fun was had by all. Next stop? Wizard World in Austin.

K.M. Tolan is a science fiction and fantasy author with six books published through Burst Books (Champagne Books SF/F imprint). His first two novels in the “Blade Dancer” series were both finalists in the EPIC E-book Awards for Science Fiction. “Blade Dancer” was accepted into the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives at Texas A&M. “Rogue Dancer” received his publisher’s award for best novel of the year. Mr. Tolan is a software engineer, a combat veteran, and lives near Austin, Texas.

Check out his website here.

Excerpt from Siren's Song

Siren’s Song
By K. M Tolan
Science Fiction

$4.99 eBook
$12.95 Print
Amazon: https://goo.gl/I6zLj0
Kobo: https://goo.gl/t6JuPL
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/WxBDnQ

He was of two minds about everything, and one of them wasn’t human.

EXCERPT

The mountain lion snarled, baring yellowed fangs. It should be running for the high country, not swishing its tail at him.

Swallowing back his growing dread, Scott eased two big knives from their holsters on his pant legs. “Get out while you can, kitty. I seriously don’t want to do this.”

Kitty didn’t understand the message. The animal’s shoulders bunched.

Fear rose in Scott’s throat. He edged closer to a red fir next to the cabin, knowing how nature intended these issues to resolve. Nature, however, didn’t figure on his particular madness. The source of his twisting guts had nothing to do with the cougar. It was already dead. He reached into a part of himself a legion of psychologists had failed to lock down. The imaginary fishbowl in his head. Scott shoved the lid back with a shudder. He saw her clearly, coiled up in a crystalline ball. He always saw her, thanks to those damn crystals stuck in his skull.

Water.

His personal demon stirred much like a snake rising from a lethargic torpor. Snakes didn’t sing, though. Nor did they look like a murderous sea angel rendered in crystal, fins rippling with bioluminescent menace.

Why do you wake me, thief? Her reply was a melodic vibration through his skull, serrated with venomous undertones.

“Something for you to kill.”

Excerpt from Howling Hearts

Howling Hearts

By Aspen deLainey
Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/SQyrbe
Kobo: https://goo.gl/WAqy8l
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/l3yKFP

Twice bitten by love's fickle ways, is the third time the charm? Not quite rescued, but definitely intrigued, Rand starts to believe in love again.

EXCERPT

Frost cracked off his ice-rimed mustache as his lips curved in the sweetest smile Rand had ever seen. “So you’re Calgary bound?”

“Yeah.” Rand watched those blue eyes assess her winter-clad figure. “My friend Leticia invited me to stay with her. Told me there’s jobs galore down there.”

“Ah. Friends in the big bad city. Good thing to have.” He cleared his throat several times, shoving his hands into his parka’s oversized patch pockets. “Look. I get into Calgary every now and then. Would it be okay to call? Maybe we could take in a movie or something?”

Rand watched his sweet smile turn hesitant and a frown pull his eyebrows together, almost as if he expected to be turned down. “Sure. That’d be great.”

He thrust the cell phone from his pocket at her. “Can you put your number in here?”

Rand had to remove her mittens in order to input her number. She noticed his eyes strayed to her left hand several times, as if assuring himself that she’d not worn a ring on that finger recently. She handed the phone back, dragging on her mittens and sighing with relief as they blocked the cold air.

“Thanks. I will be in touch,” he promised. “But if I see you here tomorrow, you are going back to Evermore, regardless of any other plans you’ve made. Keep your radio tuned to the local station. We do get frequent storms out here, as you know. Weather updates’ll keep you informed. See ya, Rand. Drive safely.” He waved before taking off into the wild yonder.

New Book Releases!

This month we have two wonderful releases. Another great science fiction from author KM Tolan, who we will hear from this Savvy Saturday about Comicpalooza, and a paranormal romance from Aspen deLainey. Check them out!

Howling Hearts
By Aspen deLainey
Paranormal Romance
$4.99
Amazon: https://goo.gl/SQyrbe
Kobo: https://goo.gl/WAqy8l
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/l3yKFP

Betrayed and heart bruised, Rand hightails it out of the Keep hours before a blizzard hits the mountain. After being forced to overnight on the seldom used road, she awakens to RCMP Constable Colby Dunn offering assistance.

Settling into her own home, working in a job she loves, and learning to harmonize not only with the sexy cop who rescued her on that cold winter morning, but a magical wind harp? Rand believes her life's dream is coming together.

When a spring snowstorm drops Rand's ex-lover, man-eating, runaway wife Fern on Rand's doorstop, the happy dream turns into a nightmare.

Siren’s Song
By K. M Tolan
Science Fiction
$4.99 eBook
$12.95 Print
Amazon: https://goo.gl/I6zLj0
Kobo: https://goo.gl/t6JuPL
Champagne Books: http://goo.gl/WxBDnQ

Humans call the crystalline creatures Sirens. They can kill with a scream. Decapitate with a single slash of their cutting fins. The aliens are the most vicious life form Earth has ever encountered, and Scott has one trapped in his mind. Her name is Water, and her hatred for Scott’s species is only matched by her desire to be free of him.

Scott couldn’t agree more, but neither of them understand the cost of letting her out.
In order to save their sanity, Scott and Water have to save her people.