Tribute to Mark Dawson

Hey Readers,

I’m often asked the key to becoming an indie writer, that is, an author who’s marketing and selling books independent from the traditional world of literary agents and publishing houses.

The answer is very simple: Mark Dawson. You may know Mark Dawson as the bestselling author of the John Milton mystery series. But, to indie writers everywhere, he is the pioneering founder of the Mark Dawson Self-Publishing Formula, the repository of online courses training indie writers how to write, market, and sell books directly.

Thanks to Mark Dawson, thousands of indie writers have made their way from unknown and unpublished to successful writers independent of the traditional publishing world. Self-publishing was originally inspired by Amazon but now multiple platforms are available to the indie writer.

As an indie writer, I’m committed to this brave new world that is opening for thousands of writers all over the world who are sitting at home pounding away on laptops, working to bring enjoyment to readers everywhere, and maybe earn a buck.

Thank you for supporting the indie writer movement.

And, here’s to Mark Dawson.

Cheers,

Kris

The Size Question

Hey Readers,

So, how big do I need to make it in my sexy stories?

I’ve studied the genre pretty extensively and it seems clear that the answer is BIG. Every guy in every romance I’ve encountered is BIG. Really, the only question is whether to make it BIG or HUGE.

In a humorous exchange with an editor questioning whether I needed to make it THAT big, I responded that I was just thinking of my audience and the genre. To make a long story short, pardon the pun, I accepted her challenge to write a sexy story about an underendowed man.

Well, that sent me into research where I stumbled upon a website set up by a team of psychologists specializing in men’s sexual issues. The website invited men to share experiences about being short-changed, and I read dozens of their accounts. I assume the psychologists thought this sharing would be helpful. I finished my research and wrote Jimmy.

In fact, Jimmy is a composite of these real-life accounts. I was shocked at the extent to which being underendowed destroyed the ability of many men to date, form relationships, and function in life. Who wants to be underendowed in a world where size is glorified at every turn? I discovered that many men would never date a woman for fear of the inevitable humiliation. Thus, Jimmy.

After writing Jimmy, I later revisited the website only to discover the psychologists had shut that discussion down, posting a note that the submissions by underendowed men were so numerous and disturbing that the professionals were concerned that posting these true-life accounts would be more damaging than helpful for that community. A profoundly sad result.

I’m not able to write a story without a happy ending and a positive message of hope, and I did that in Jimmy. But, I received a number of responses from men complimentary about the story and the accurate portrayal of the frustration, but critical of the happy ending. In their view, there is no happy ending for men in this situation.

I’ve debated taking Jimmy down, but decided it’s a story that needs to be told. If you have a view on the subject, I’d love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Kris

Romantic Adventures of Real People

Hey Readers,

Not all characters in my stories are perfectly formed muscular studs or shapely perfect women.

Well, some are, but many are not. Most are real people who stumble into a romantic adventure. Yes, real people making their way in this complicated world.

Miranda (Miranda) is a chronically underweight eighty eight pound virgin who washes dishes for a living.

Gemma (Gemma) was born into a life of abuse and teen prostitution who's now fighting to regain a respectful place in the world.

Remington (Wanton Woman) is a sex-crazed professional woman ready to pounce on any hunk who enters her sphere.

Mariana (The Caddie) comes from a humble Hispanic family, her father a golf course groundskeeper.

Maya (The Quiet Lady) was born deaf, has never heard a sound, and doesn't know what music is.

Jax (The Barista) was born in Warsaw, Poland, the result of a one night stand between a Polish welder and a French nightclub singer.

Rosa (Rosa) is an African American lawyer who represents disabled veterans.

Sabina (The Gypsy) is of Romani heritage, the Indo Aryan people known as Gypsies, who have roamed between India and Europe for thousands of years.

Yolanda (The Nanny) was born and raised in El Salvador, her parents migrant workers with ten children.

Duke (Duke's Program) is a retired lawyer who lost sexual function through prostate cancer.

Jimmy (Jimmy) was short-changed by the genetic Gods.

Bree (The Size Queen) is a petite Asian woman who likes her men plus sized.

Matisse (The Pool Boy) is descended from American slaves.

Yuliana (The Sudanese Hostess) was born and raised in Sudan, a member of the Dinka tribe.

Zooey (The Player) lives life in a wheelchair, the result of a childhood accident.

Real people have sex lives too. My stories celebrate their adventures.

If you have an idea of a real person with a romantic adventure, I'd love to hear about it.

Cheers,

Kris