New Bliss/Hunter Short Story in January. Neruda Love. New Book for 2013

Greetings!

Last month was so hectic that I completely forgot to send out (or write) a newsletter for November. So I'm making sure that - even though I'm still crazy busy - I make time to send my greetings far and wide.

My first fall/winter in Miami has been uneventful so far. Days of work and simple pleasures, nights of deep rest. My new neighbor thinks I work too hard and never leave the house, so he's always trying to get me to go out and "enjoy life." On this quest for enjoyment, I'm heading to an AquaGirl meet and greet this Sunday afternoon at The News. Anyone in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area feel like a little company after church, come on down and join me. I'll be the one drinking the fuzzy navel and looking at everybody else like they're aliens.

If I don't see you this Sunday, enjoy the last month of 2012. Chat at you in 2013!

- Fiona

To read the rest of the newsletter and subscribe, follow the link HERE.

Love and Lust in Miami!

Greetings from Miami!

It's been an interesting and hectic transition from small city to metropolis over the last few weeks but, little by little, things seem to be settling down into a working rhythm. Writing, unpacking, planning my first trip to the beach, and writing some more.

I've been swamped with projects this month - a short story and two novels in progress - that threaten my sanity even as the characters surprise and delight me on their journey to what I hope will be a perfect ending for all three. The short story, "Return to Me," is available now on the Kindle and Nook and the first of the novels, Broken in Soft Places will be in stores May 2013.

With all this writing, I'll be missing out on Atlanta Black Pride this year. For all those who will be there and enjoying the festivities, have at least one hair-whipping, sweat-dripping, hip-gyrating dance for me. I'll be at home imagining the glory of the streets and clubs of Atlanta packed with my beautiful people.

Happy September!

- Fiona

To read the rest of September's newsletter, click HERE.

Queering Film

Another bad lez-ploitation film created by a straight man and starring straight women? We'll get the chance to see soon.

Broken in Soft Places - A New Novel (Coming May 2013)

I know it's way too soon. But I wanted to share the cover of my new book coming out many, many months from now because it's so lovely. Over the next few months, I'll share more and more about the book - what it's about, the characters, where to purchase. For now, with Bold Strokes Books, here's Broken in Soft Places.

Neighborhood Musings

Yesterday, as I sat on my rented front porch watching the neighborhood past by, the woman came twaddling down the street - butt rocking, arms swinging, looking ready for an animated conversation with somebody, dammit! Luckily, a friend came walking from the other direction in that moment and the twaddler jumps right into this animated conversation about how somebody she dealt with thought she was DEAD.

Quickly enough, she leaps from this to cussing somebody out. Calls this woman a storm-load of muthaf's and that kind of bitch and the other, then she says, "I can't stand that bulldagga (haven't heard that since high school). That under-cover bulldagga bitch." She says this in a matter-of-fact way, but very serious.

At first I think, "Bitch! Don't no-body want you!" But that might not be true. There's somebody out there for everybody.

Once I stop reacting to her homophobia, I begin to wonder if the real "sin" of this foe of hers was to be "under-cover" versus "up-front with her shit"? I wonder this, because nearly every day, I see this young butch girl - always rapping ghetto-romance lyrics out loud, sometimes sexually explicit lyrics about women. I'm not sure if these are her lyrics or she's just imitating what she's heard. I'm not current enough to know the difference. My point is, no one seems to give her any shit for being OUT (except for her high voice and titty bumps, my visiting friend thought she could pass for a boy), and she's very visible in the community.

Would the twaddler, and perhaps other members of the community, respect or deal better with this "bulldagga" if she was out?

Deadline like a hammer.

My new self-imposed deadline is a beast. 50,000 - 60,000 total within about a month (16K already done!). I know if I keep off Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Tumblr/Etc. I could get a lot more done than what I did today (5,516) but I'm still pleased to have hit that mark. These thousands of words are not polished by any means but I just need to keep pushing forward to get the project done and in the proper hands.

Changes and New Writing Coming Soon.

Miami is a beautiful, electric city. I don't know why I'd forgotten that in the last few years since I've really been here. I'm getting used to being a resident versus being a visitor and it IS quite an adjustment. The traffic is ridiculous and I need to get my Spanish up to par.

On the work front, I have a short story coming out in Best Lesbian Erotica 2013. Helen Sandler, Tenille Brown, and Sally Bellerose, who I've had the pleasure of working with and/or meeting before, are in the collection along with some other writers of juicy erotica. Check out the cover below.

Pre-order HERE.

Welcome to August!

Dearest Ones,

I took a break from writing for inspiration and soul replenishment in late June through July. Because of this long "road trip," I was too caught up to do my July newsletter but now I'm back on track!

During my time on the road, I taught a great writing workshop in Atlanta, enjoyed some absolutely delicious frozen yogurt (and other snacks) in downtown Decatur, and then went off for a three-week jaunt to Greece.

After such completely invigorating experiences, I'm completely draining myself in a rushed move to Miami. But I hope once I get settled into my new city, I'll feel nothing but love and creativity.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and may the rest of your month be blessed by cool breezes.

- Fiona

To read the rest of my August newsletter, click the link HERE.

Welcome to June, the gayest month of the year!

Pride month kicks off for me with a trip to Orlando, Florida for Orlando Black Pride which has always been a good time. There's nothing quite like prancing around in rainbow-colored clothes with fairies and other magical creatures.

For this month of June, I'll also be teaching a 2-day writing workshop in Atlanta - one of my favorite cities. Email me for details if you're interested in taking part in either day one or both days.

Have a terrific June. Celebrate safe and celebrate well!

- Fiona


*Photo by Nicole Miller

To see June's newsletter, go here: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411324059

I love Paris in the Fall (2011)

Last year, I spent a beautiful hot autumn week in Paris with a friend. We walked everywhere, drank wine in the avenues, were serenaded by street vendors, ate too much French pastry, and generally just had a fabulous time. Over six months later, I'm finally pasting the photos from that trip.

Garden just outside the Louvre

    

Sculpture garden just outside the Louvre. Beauty everywhere. 

Hey! I'm posing here...

Bridge with a zillion locks latched to the railing
& the names or words of lovers inscribed on them. 

A couple taking wedding photographs on the romantic bridge,
hoping their romance will last, just like the hundreds of others
who latched their inscribed locks to the bridge.

A small view of the city of light from the Louvre courtyard at sunset. 

The city of Paris at dusk.

Writing from my temporary balcony overlooking Rue Blondel. 

Below my writer's aerie, ladies of the early morning ply their trade. 

Outdoor art.

One of many couples kissing all over the city.

Waiting on my friend, Annette, to finish admiring the Arc de Triomphe .

Catching sight of the Eiffel Tower as I cross the bridge. 

My first croissant, but definitely not my last.

Fiona Zedde Merchandise!

Just for fun, I started a cafe press merchandise page. It's still in its infant stages but take a look, browse around. If there's anything you want me to carry in the store but you don't see here, let me know. So without further ado, the Fiona Zedde buy stuff store: http://www.cafepress.com/fionazeddestore

May 2012 Newsletter

Welcome to May!

Not only is it graduation season - congratulations to all the soon-to-be-graduates out there! - but it's also National Masturbation Month. With so much to celebrate, things are looking up and up.

In this month of celebration, we walk toward summer with hopeful hearts. George Zimmerman was finally arrested (now on bail) for killing Trayvon Martin and a large portion of this country is now taking part in the conversation on race like never before. Let's keep the conversation going and let it lead to action, community participation, and social change.

On the personal front, I've been doing a lot more reading than writing lately, which is great for me learning fabulous new words (like postprandial) but bad for the productivity. So, once more into the breach.

Until next time!

- Fiona

To read the rest of the newsletter, go here: http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411312015

April 2012 Newsletter

It's been an insane last few weeks-the injustice in the Trayvon Martin case, the unarmed young woman--Rekia Boyd--killed in Chicago by an off-duty cop, movie "fans" revealing their racist colors in the wake of The Hunger Games casting black characters in major roles. These and so many other things make it clear how far from equal and un-biased things are in this country. Still, we carry on. We attend rallies, we show support, we counter hate with love.

May your April be beautiful and your hearts be strong in the face of injustice.

- Fiona

**To read the rest of the newsletter, click here

New Novella - Nightshade!

Available online now, Nightshade: a Novella...

Assassin, Bronwynne St. Just has a knack for finding trouble, usually in the form of a beautiful woman. After fulfilling a haunting contract on her sister’s childhood friend and former employee, she takes off for the Caribbean and business as usual; but danger waits for her in the most unexpected places. 

With an endless appetite for luscious variety, Wynne courts danger and pleasure from all corners of the globe. But she must wrestle with her own demons as she trades kisses and blows with some of the deadliest women in the business. She’s been lucky in all her years in the game but will a young woman bent on revenge become her Achilles heel?

March 2012 Newsletter

I love cherries! I also love carbs. For part of January and most of February, I followed through on a 30-day no carb challenge. It was particularly rough at the Super Bowl party - chips, chocolate cake, rice and peas. The agony! But I lived through it, hopefully wiser about my carb intake. I don't HAVE to eat an entire bowl of white rice with melted butter and a side of hot coco bread. Delicious, but not necessary.

Even with my no-carb suffering, I had hoped to finish up the novella, Nightshade, and have it ready by today. But I've been having some cover issues and hope they will be resolved soon so the book can go up on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. in the next couple of weeks. Look out for it!

Enjoy your March and the melting away of winter. May the spirit of Spring come to you early and often until we connect again.

- Fiona

To read the rest of the March 2012 Newsletter, including the hot short, click here.

February 2012 Newsletter

Welcome to February, the month of Black History and Love. There are many good things to look forward to -- chocolates, super bowl parties, sunsets on the beach -- even as we step away from a January filled with the unimaginable -- Atlanta's Outwrite Books closing, Susan G. Komen pulling funding from Planned Parenthood.

In writing news, my new book will hit the (digital) shelves at the end of the month. That book, Nightshade, is a novella and features my favorite assassin, Wynne.Nightshade will be available as an ebook first and then in hard copy editions from your favorite bookstores in persona and online. Keep an eye on my website (www.fionazedde.com) and future newsletters for more information.

Blessings and love!
- Fiona

To read more from the February newsletter, click HERE.

(art by James Loveless)

January 2012 Newsletter

Welcome to 2012! A new year and a chance to be an even better you or, at very least, to pursue your happiness more fiercely and taste all the honey this life has to offer.

I spent Christmas with a set of star-shaped lights I bought in Jamaica over seven years ago, happy to see them still working after all this time. I love Christmas lights! Watching the lights wink on and off in their own particular rhythm reminded me of spending evenings in my old Atlanta apartment sipping merlot while the yellow, blue, green, and red lights bathed my otherwise dark living room in color. It's the little things.

Have a beautiful 2012. May it be as wonderful as last year but filled with even more positive changes, more love, and more happiness.

- Fiona

To see the rest of the newsletter, click here.

December 2011 Newsletter

December Greetings!

First, I'd like to send out special holiday love to the soldiers serving abroad this holiday and away from their beloveds and friends. Stay safe, be strong, and come back to us soon.

Also, a big welcome to my new newsletter subscribers. Thank you for clicking that "subscribe" button or for reaching out to me with a personal email or message. I very much appreciate the time you take to read my notes and to respond.

During this season of giving and receiving, I find myself thankful for the things I already have. In the words of a tiny prayer I said as a child in Jamaica, I remain thankful for "health and strength and the food we are about to eat. Amen!" Also for the friends and family and other ships passing by in the night who have made this life more than bearable.

My body does most things I ask of it, I am thankful.
The sun is shining outside my window, I am thankful.
Strangers reach out to me in friendship and goodwill, I am thankful.

Have a beautiful December!

To read the rest of the newsletter, click here.

November 2011 Newsletter

The Fall has settled firmly around my shoulders here in London. Leaves are on the ground, coats and gloves are on, caps pulled firmly down over the ears. And with that, it's time for me to head back home to the States.

It's been a fabulous two months. The readings in Birmingham and London were amazing, attended by an interested, questioning, and lively audience that I was absolutely thrilled to have. Between the readings and writing, I was able to fly off to Paris, Brighton, and Oxford as well as see most of the touristy parts of London. All in all, a good visit.

Now, with November's arrival, it's time to get cozy with my well-missed beloveds and reconnect with all things home and hearth. Enjoy your own family reconnections this month as Thanksgiving arrives. Keep warm. Give thanks and always be open to receive them.

- Fiona

To see the rest of the newsletter, click here.

October 2011 Newsletter

I'm off and traveling! It's been a whirlwind of a time here in England. Seeing the sights. Writing. Meeting new people. Dancing until 4 a.m. Eating fish and chips. It continues with two official readings - one in Birmingham and another in London - within the next few weeks as well as a few unofficial visits to open mics around the city.

To continue the theme of travel, this month's "Hot Shorts" features my favorite assassin, Wynne (somewhat aged from her last appearance in my fiction) on holiday. Hope you enjoy that tiny peek into her life.

Hugs to you from across the seas!

- Fiona

For the complete newsletter, click here.

September 2011 Newsletter

As summer draws to a close, I find myself increasingly grateful for the deep Florida warmth that lingers with beach days and moonlit, picnic nights long after Autumn wraps us all in its particular colors.

I'd wanted to go to the beach and sip rum runners while my toes curl in the warm sand. But time is not on my side. Instead, I'll be heading to Atlanta for Labor Day Weekend Events then off to Europe for two months to do writing and book signing and research. Warm Florida beach days and nights will be here for me when I get back. I hope.

Happy reading and loving until next time!

See the complete newsletter here.