October, already?

It seems that time truly waits for no one. Here I am flabbergasted that it's October and being hit with the realization that November isn't so far away. Do you realize that Macys already has Christmas decorations up? Ridiculous.

The last few months have been a giant blur of busy-ness. What else is new, right? So, before time gets away from me anymore, I am posting a new blog. Dammit.

The impetus behind all this? Three things. First, my friend, Fred Smith has a new book coming out - Right Side of the Wrong Bed - next month. The second novel from this fabulous Los Angeles resident. Check out his latest book when it hits the shelves as well as his first, Down for Whatever (remember that saucy song by PYT from the early 90's?). The second push, is that that San Diego is burning all over the place. As a result, classes have been cancelled for the week, so I now have a little bit of time to catch up on some things I've been neglecting the last few months. Myspace, beware: I might even have time to check my inbox and respond to some messages, gasp!

And last but not least, news of my latest signing:

Monday, November 5, 2007 @ 6 PM
Cal State LA
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3000

Thanks to everyone who already stopped by to hear about the newest book and to have their copies signed. Your presence is ALWAYS appreciated.

Wednesday Greetings!

Hello everyone,

I hope your summer was wonderful – yes, I am using the past tense since I see leaves changing color outside my window and it’s almost time for me to head back to school. My summer started off with high hopes of lazy lemonade-filled days and endless nights of writing and gazing deeply into my characters’ souls. But the reality of it is that I was often too busy with the business end of “being an author” to do more than give my growing e-mail and myspace inboxes passing glances of horror, while my fictional babies suffered from neglect. Ironically, with even more busy-ness looming with my journey back to San Diego and all things MFA less than a week away, I’m forced into making the time to cull through my mailboxes and attend to the neglected quarters of my writing life. (sigh) But enough with the tragedy.

DESIRE is a success! The two big readings that I gave in Atlanta (at Charis and Outwrite) were wonderfully well-attended and the feedback that I’ve gotten regarding the novel and its characters, plot, etc. has been great. Thanks to everyone who made the time to come to these events – sometimes driving large distances – and chatted with me afterward. And those who sent notes of luck and light in lieu of your physical presence, big thanks to you as well.

My last two events in the Atlanta area this year will be for Black Pride and the Decatur Book Festival. Both events are this Labor Day weekend. I’ll be in pretty great company with authors like Fred Smith and Lisa C. Moore (Literary Café on Saturday afternoon from 4 - 7) then L.A. Banks and Sherman Alexie (Decatur Book Festival on Sunday afternoon 2:30 at the Decatur Conference Center Stage). Check out the sites for more info if you’re interested. http://www.inthelifeatl.com/pride/schedule/ and http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2007/index.html .

Stay tuned for news about signings around the rest of the country. They are coming!

**By the way, those of you who read DESIRE and loved it, please drop by Amazon.com and post a review. Nothing too ornate required. Even a brief, “loved it and can’t get enough” will do. Thanks!**

Until next time, everyone. Be well!

DESIRE at Outwrite - Wednesday, August 22 @ 8 PM

If you missed the first reading or want to sate your thirst with a second helping of DESIRE,
come in….


Desire can be dangerous. No one knows better than Naomi McElroy who, during a moment of intense ecstasy, is transformed into Belle, a ruthless beast whose hungers know no bounds. Hungers that inevitably endanger the people she loves. Set in the lush landscapes of modern day Jamaica and Alaska, EVERY DARK DESIRE is a vampire's tale of passion, discovery, and survival under starlight.


Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
991 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30309
Tel: 404-607-0082

Monday, Monday

i have risen from the bowels of sleep with a purpose - to work. but as usual, got distracted by my inbox. one thing that stuck out from the rest of my mail was news of a new review of iridescence by the prolific and wonderful author, catherine lundoff. it's a fabulous one!

Review of "Iridescence"
"Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of Lesbian Erotica"Edited by Jolie Du Pré (Alyson, 2007)

"Iridescence" is a collection of lesbian erotica with characters from many cultural backgrounds. It is also probably one of the highest quality anthologies that I’ve read in the last few years.
There are interesting plots and settings, even some I haven’t run across before, and characters I’d like to spend more time with.

Have I mentioned that it’s hot? From C. B. Pott’s Akwesasne casino cop going home to her girlfriend after foiling a robbery to Fiona Zedde’s classical musician and her fan to the achingly poignant “Waiting” by Tenille Brown, this antho’s got range and, for that matter, legs. And it knows how to use them as well as a few other body parts. Jacqueline Applebee’s hot public sex in a British pub in “The Sound Inside,” the very sexy but doomed relationship between two First Nations sex workers in Jean Roberta’s “All My Relations” and Amanda Earl’s lovely “Daughter of Haiti” get you hot while making you question your assumptions about a lot of things.That’s not all. There are painters, mechanics, movies stars and women on the run – a whole spectrum of sex between women shows up in one form or another in this book. And it’s done well.

I’m impressed, especially since this is the first anthology Jolie has edited. I’m looking forward to her next anthology while I reread this one in the meantime.

good vibes all around. congrats on a great job, jolie!

Interview with Pmyner

Here is the interview that i did with the very warm and welcoming renair amin. as you will hear on the feed, she is doing A LOT of things. check her out at http://www.pmyner.com/.

http://www.pmyner.com/radio.html

The Morning After

The house was packed last night! Thanks to everyone for coming out to the reading and book party at Charis Books. By the time we left, all the drinks, fruit, and most of the cake was finished. Thanks for celebrating well so we didn’t have to take it home with us : ). It was great to see some of you all out at the club afterwards where lots of grooving was had and people took advantage of the $2 drinks.

Overall, the night was a success. The rain held off and people who I hadn’t see in ages – or who I only see once a year – came by and shared their hugs with me. One of the local radio stations came over to tape the reading and the Amazing Jennifer again recorded the event for posterity. The only fly in the ointment – Me. I don’t know if it was being in front of SO many people or just knowing the fact that I was being recorded for the radio, but the reading was certainly not all it could have been. I fumbled so many times and didn’t take the time to chat with the crowd like I normally do. Now I realize that more than anything the chatting helps both me and the people watching/listening to warm up and relax. So, there was no foreplay. No warm up. I just jumped straight into the session and boy oh boy…. Ah well. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.

Especially because of that, I want to thank folks for their patience and sweetness after - to Corticia, Joslyn, Mimi, Joelle, Kathi, Ronni, Dorothy, Brenda Joyce, Debra, Anne, Annie, Sara, Rhonda, Malika, Dionne, Akwe, Candace, Kia, Lacey, Jetta, West, Davone, Shirley, Yolo, Jenny, Asha, Red, Claudia, Keturah, Colette, Sarah, Michelle, Karen (times 2), Linda (times 3), Zenobia, and everyone else who helped to fill up the Charis space. I’m glad I have you all in my life.

And, as always, BIG BIG thanks to the newly Mini-Motoring Mckenzie for being there (and here). For being a shoulder, an ear, and a source of good feedback. I love me some you.

Happy rainy Sunday, all. I hope you’ll be able to stay in and enjoy the pretty precipitation from a warm and cozy place.

Four days and Counting...

so, the countdown to the book release party is going going. I've sent out invitations, picked out my outfit, and today will choose which sections i'll be reading on saturday. i have butterflies. the first signing is always the big one for me - usually because i have to read/talk in front of a crowd and those kind of things always make me nervous. maybe one day i'll work past that....

in the meantime, i just read a great new york times article by martha southgate (author of third girl from the left) that talks about the state of writing and writers in the black american community/american publishing industry. check it out here.

now, it's back to writing. i'm working now on the 4th novel due out next summer and am trying to balance the writing with promoting this new one. busy bee, i am.

Signing Season

ahhhh, the sweet smell of a tour season about to begin.... although all the arrangements haven't been made yet, i'll go ahead and put up the dates i have so far and will sinc that list with my website and myspace page shortly.

Atlanta Area

Saturday – June 23, 2007 @ 2:15
Gay Pride Weekend
WaMu Stage with Rock, Rhythm, & Rhyme Café
Piedmont Park, Atlanta
http://www.atlantapride.org/

Sunday - June 24, 2007 @ 5
Southern Voice Booth
Gay Pride Weekend
Piedmont Park, Atlanta

Saturday - July 7, 2007 @ 8 PM
Charis Books and More
1189 Euclid Ave. NE
Atlanta, GA 30307

Sunday - July 8, 2007 @ 1 PM
Nubian Bookstore
2445 Southlake Mall
Morrow, GA 30260-2334
(678) 422-6120

Friday – July 13, 2007 @ 12 PM
Borders Express – CNN Center
CNN Center Ste 265
One CNN Center
Atlanta , GA 30303

Saturday - July 14, 2007 @ 6:00 PM
Borders Books and Music
8000 Mall Parkway
Lithonia , GA 30038
(678) 526.2550

Saturday – July 28, 2007 @ 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Cumberland Mall
US 41 AT I-285 NW
1228 Cumberland Mall
Atlanta, GA 30339

Saturday – August 11, 2007 @ 2 – 5:00 PM
Barnes and Noble – Edgewood Retail District
1217 Caroline St NE Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 522-0212

Saturday – August 18, 2007 @ 2 – 4 PM
Oasis Books Cart
South Dekalb Mall (Aisle)
2801 Candler Rd.
Atlanta, GA
404-381-0040

Wednesday – August 22, 2007 @ 8 PM
Outwrite Books and Coffee
991 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 607-0082

Saturday – August 25, 2007 @ 2 PM
African-American Discount Books
5143 Old National Highway
College Park, GA 30349
(404) 246-6496

Sunday – September 2, 2007
Decatur Book Fair
http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/

LA/San Diego Area

Thursday – September 13, 2007 @ 8: 00 PM
A Different Light – West Hollywood
8853 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-6601

Monday – September 17, 2007 @ 7:30 PM
A Different Light Bookstore – West Hollywood
Iridescence Anthology Reading with:
Jolie du Pre, Jolene Hui, Andrea Dale,
Nan Andrews, and Dylynn DeSaint
8853 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-6601

Sunday – September 23, 2007 @ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
6th Annual West Hollywood Book Fair
West Hollywood Park
647 N. San Vicente Blvd., CA

Monday - November 5, 2007 @ 6 p.m.
Cal State LA
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3000

Tampa Area

Saturday - August 4, 2007 @ 2 PM
Borders Books of South Tampa
909 N. Dale Mabry Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 874-5722

Sunday – August 5, 2007 @ 2 PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Brandon Town Center
122 Brandon Town Center Dr.
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 661-9883

Another review....

this time from ParaNormalRomance.org.


"a dark and passionate read"

To Naomi McElroy, family meant everything. Taking care of your family, the house; that is what was embedded in her. But inside Naomi dreamed and wanted more. So when they came and found Naomi she was ripe for the picking. She was seduced in a beautiful garden under the full moon. And on that night and under the full moon, she became someone else, someone that thrived on the hungers of blood, and the erotic nature of the taste of blood, the Undead. She now lives with the hungers for blood that will never go away. She is no longer known as Naomi McElroy, but as Belle. She now has a new family, a vampire family. They all share the ups and the downs of the struggle and need for blood.


In Belle's new life she craves and needs desire and passion to thrive. Belle is drawn to this new life, but she also hates the new way of life she is living. The joys of the way her body has changed and grown, the way she now has such strong senses, the strength of her new body, the way other sicknesses could have killed her, now they can't. Her new lover, Silvija, can give Belle what no other can; the feeling of what skin to skin connection with a lover that knows what you need and crave. The pains of betrayals from ones you thought you knew, the pain of losing ones you love; this all comes with Belle's new life. Can Belle, with the help of her new clan, come through these rough times, and deal with the loss the people and the life she had?


Oh "WOW", I want more by this author! The way she wrote this story was so passionate that I couldn't put it down. I will be reading the others before this story to get a chance to see where this all came from. I loved Belle. The way Fiona wrote the soft side of Belle but then also her "Kick Ass" side that will not allow you to hurt anyone she loves drew me like no book has in a long time. This author is going places, and straight to the number one spot.


- Nicole Harvey/ParaNormalRomance.org

Review of EVERY DARK DESIRE

i just got a review for the new book. a mixed bag, but overall positive. check it out...


Every Dark Desire, by Fiona Zedde. Kensington Books, 336 pages, $14 paper.

Brutal. Unrelenting. Lusty. Savage. This isn't a book for the queasy reader. Zedde takes the standard fare of vampirism - sucking blood, superhuman strength, eternal life, shunning the sun - and intensifies it multifold. Naomi is a loving Jamaican mother of an adorable child, until one night she surrenders to dark desire in a jasmine-scented garden. Oops. She's been bitten by the wrong love bug, and wakes up as Belle, under the compelling sway of Silvija, who for centuries has led her own pack of vampires. For most of the year the women (and some men) dwell in isolation in Alaska,where the sun hardly shines; that's where Belle learns how to live as an undead, controlling her urge to drain victims dry and indulging in an excess of carnal sensuality. There isn't a lot of plot to the book, but the intensely horrific imagery carries the story right along to a climactic last battle between the forces of light and the demons of darkness. It's a "yecch" of a read - and bloody hard to put down.


--Richard Labonte/Boook Marks

Commercial Break while still being on topic

since i promised myself that i'd stay on topic instead of diving off into dangerous tangents, let me just say that i'm really enjoying the countdown of weeks until EVERY DARK DESIRE comes out. i've been trolling bookstores around atlanta to see if some have gotten surprise copies in yet. so far, no sightings. (sigh)

a few days ago i had a wonderful interview with renair amin of pymner(http://www.pmyner.com/) out of new york city. we chatted about the new book and the whole idea of following dreams and living the life that you see for yourself. soon i'll have the podcast and will hopefully figure out a way to share it with you.

and now, about my latest obsession.... since october, i've been car-less and elected to remain (at times painfully) so until after graduation. in june 2008, i will invest in one of two cars. they are both so gorgeous that it's difficult for me to decide.

Or some version of

by the time i'm ready to buy, both cars will probably have significant changes to them, but for now i'm having a lovely time drooling over both and compulsively comparing insurance and gas costs.

Iridescence has arrived in time for Summer

Iridescence has arrived.... I am very pleased and fortunate to be a part of this fantastic collection of erotica in stores now. Come follow the authors featured in this anthology on our tour around the blog-verse.

Five Questions from Jolie du Pre, editor of Iridescence, for Fiona Zedde, author of "Night Music".

1. Why do you write erotica?

Because I love it. The sensual is not celebrated nearly as much as it should be. Too often people, especially women, are made to feel ashamed of sex. Either for wanting it or not. So I celebrate sexy in my writing and in my life as often as I can.

2. What do you like best about lesbian erotica?

That it can encompass so much. Aside from the obvious women having sex with each other, there are so very many delicious combinations and permutations within that genre. One is only limited by the imagination. Not to mention lesbian erotica is just plain HOT!

3. What is the theme of your story "Night Music" in Iridescence: Sensuous Shades of
Lesbian Erotica?

In my story, a violinist and an admirer from the past get reacquainted over strawberries and leather in a concert hall's private chamber. This piece combines three of my favorite things – music, food, and sex.

4. Name some other books where we can find your work.

I've written three novels so far: Bliss, A Taste of Sin, and coming at the end of this month, Every Dark Desire. My novella "Pure Pleasure" appears in the collection Satisfy Me and another called "Fever" will be in Satisfy Me, Again. That second collection is due for a December 2007 release. And last but certainly not least, my short stories can also be found in Necrologue: DIVA Book of the Dead and the Undead, Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers, Best Lesbian Erotica 2004 & 2007, Va-Va-Voom: Hot Lesbian Erotica, Best Lesbian Romance, Hot Lesbian Erotica, and Bed: New Lesbian Erotica.

5. Just for fun! Gym Shoes or Stilettos?

Flip flops. Leather flip flops with high heels when I need to step up to sexy.

***The next delightful stop on this tour is Tenille Brown on June 5th. Enjoy!

DESIRE in my hands

yesterday i finally got my hands on a hard copy of the new book. it's much thicker than i thought and absolutely gorgeous. i turned it over and was instantly seduced by the flecks of sun-dotted sand on the model's shoulder (shivers down my spine).

duo-chrome photographs are now on my list of favorite things.