Marketing with Mandy~Sahara Kelly

Marketing with Mandy ~ Author Sahara Kelly

Q: Tell us a little about your experience with Ellora’s Cave.
A: It’s hard to believe that my first novel came out with EC in 2001! Since then…well I’ve had an incredible journey, supported all the way through nearly four dozen books by my very patient editor! LOL

Q: What tips/tricks do you use for marketing or promoting your own titles?
A: I write the very best book I can. Before I even think about contests or promotions, I need to know that what I’m offering readers is accurate, interesting and hot!! If it doesn’t make my grade, I’ll work on it until it does!!!

Q: What is one thing you’d want to tell a newer author, just coming into the game?
A: Don’t take yourself too seriously. We’re writing romance novels, not working on a cure for cancer. So one book doesn’t do as well as you’d hoped? Don’t worry. Others will surprise you!

Q: Could you tell us a bit about your latest release?
A: That would be “Perfect Whore”! My first foray into erotica – full blown sexual intensity without the usual kind of ending. It was an enormous challenge for me, but I grew to really love my characters, especially Scarlet Angel, the title character. She was so fascinating to me. The kind of woman I’d like to sit next to on a plane!!!

Q: Can you tell us a little about your current WIP’s?
A: Currently I’m awaiting word on my latest submission – a novel in the new HUSSYTM series. Becoming a HUSSYTM, getting together with six wonderful authors and exchanging ideas – well, it’s been very revitalizing! I found a medieval story taking root in my mind and my own Hussy appeared – a Welsh woman with a quest into dangerous English territory. And of course there’s a Knight just made for her!

Q: What types of research do you do for your books?
A: Long, loooong hours of intense research. I have a somewhat eclectic library of resources next to my desk (everything from the history of lingerie to a book of seventeenth century swear words), spend hours on the ‘net, talk to people whenever I can, and draw on my own travels for settings when it works. I like to add that little “something” that you pick up from different places. The light, maybe, or the scent of the air. It adds an extra dimension that helps take readers along with me as I go to wherever my current novel is set.

Q: Why do you like writing romance/erotica?
A: My first novel (published over twenty years ago under another name) was a straight sweet Regency. It was fun, but once I discovered the erotic angle, I found I could really get into the characters. Er…no pun intended there. I found I could reveal so much more of their passions and their emotions by describing how they touched – how they loved. It eliminated pages of dialogue, drew readers into the romance and seemed so natural I wonder now how I ever managed to write an entire book without those sizzling sex scenes!!!

Links
http://www.saharakelly.com (Website)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PartnersInPerversion/ (Yahoo group shared with S.L. Carpenter)

There will be multiple winners! Enter to win EC Ebook (winner’s choice) — One from Ciana Stone, One from Sahara Kelly, One from Ann Wesley Hardin. All you have to do is comment on any of the Marketing with Mandy~Spotlight posts this week! Winner will be announced on Sunday!