Cover Reveal: Pleasure Prints (Divergent Ink Book Two)

 

Hello and welcome!

Today, the All Authors Publishing House family is offering up a big treat. Please sit back, relax and enjoy this unique Cover Reveal for the upcoming anthology collection called, "Pleasure Prints: Divergent Ink Book 2".

Before giving you a glimpse at the cover, we here at All Authors decided to interview the cover. No one knows the cover concept than the cover itself.

Without further ado ... We present you with the first ever "All Authors Ask the Cover Interview".

1) Why the rainbow colors as part of the design?

I do worry about the rainbow colors for two reasons. First one is because those kind of colors are your signature Lady Desire and I would hate to look like I am a copycat. Second is because some people may mistake me as an erotica or LGBTQIA classification instead of a short story anthology. Other than that it's fine.

2) How do you feel about your backdrop always being black?

It is my favorite part. It makes me versatile. A number of colors can work on me.

3) Do you like your dimensions being smaller than the typical 6 x 9 size? Elaborate on the answer.

Well, the truth is that I don’t mind either size. It isn’t the size of the boat, but the motion in the ocean. Right? Right … I think.

But honestly though, I like to think that the 5 X 8 is fun sized, and Divergent Ink is nothing if not fun to read.

4) Why both foot and finger prints?

This collection’s main title is Pleasure Prints. So, I thought that it would be important to show a variation in prints because it would speak to the versatility in the content as well as the theme of the book. Also, different prints leave different impressions. At the end of the day, that is what Divergent Ink is all about, giving the audience a variation of interpretations for a single question.

5) If you had a choice about what order to put the stories in inside of you, how would you organize them?

Well, either by length or by emotion.

Length, from shortest to longest, because it builds up reading endurance. If one has the longest story first, the reader may mistake the rest of the works as being just as long as the first one. Humans don't have the greatest attention spans.

Emotion, from solemn to sunny. Most like the happily ever after in the end. Plus, with a title like Pleasure Prints, shouldn't the end result be a pleasant one?

6) You seem to like abstract art as opposed to realistic art, why is that?

I do a prefer abstract over realistic. The reason is because perception is reality. The Divergent Ink collection gives us a myriad of theories based on one fundamental question. Since perception is reality, there is no black and white, meaning the clarity of the answer may not be so straightforward. The reason that abstract art fits Divergent Ink so well is because it “sits in grey”. This means, that everyone can come up with their own hypothesis of what and why.

Blurb:

Divergent Ink is the mesh of different frames of thoughts, various interpretations of one core question that yearns for universal expansion. Although the subject matter may change every year, the purpose of the Divergent Ink series will remain the same.The second book in the Divergent Ink anthology series, “Pleasure Prints”, revolves around the following question:

Where is paradise?

Six Divergent Inks exploring "Pleasure Prints". Will the destination cause one to sip a tropical cocktail or cock an eyebrow in amazement?

Featuring:

Adonis Mann: Desperation and delusion are a marriage of emotions. Sentiments collide when three lives tell their tales. Hypnotizing and melancholic are the days of the souls who pursue the "Odyssey of Rhapsody".

C. Desert Rose: Helena can be cumbersome and crude, while her life is at a standstill, she likes it that way. Amidst the orange glow of office lights and a steaming cup of hot chocolate, Helena learns that life is a series of "Fleeting Moments".

Da'Kharta Rising: For Masato, there's no time like the present. Is no limit too great to accomplish “Masato's Zion”?

Synful Desire: Cecilia Teflon knows she doesn't have much time left. Before she leaves this earth, she must make a confession. Will this revelation grant her entrance into spiritual paradise? Explore the twists and turns of “Onus”.

Queen of Spades: Axana has always lived a very careful life but a lucrative advertisement shreds her comfort zone. Paradise is where one least expects in “Axana … Unscripted”.

Y. Correa: Myth or memory, which can it be? A life so scripted can be less than desirable. To go or to stay, it is that question that leaves, "Nalani at Heaven's Gates".

Terror Times Two: Peter Blade and R.I.P.(E). Joint Release

Hello, everyone! Ova View here!

Let me start by saying HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I’m all dressed up and ready to go! Woot!

Welcome to the Joint Release of “Peter Blade” by Y. Correa and “R.I.P.(E).” by Queen of Spades.

It’s been a while since we’ve brought you a book release that we’ve been this excited about. So, without further ado, we’ll get right into it.

I have got to say that I am super stoked to bring your this one on one interview with the duo now known as “Hybrid Seductions”. That is to say, Queen of Spades, the Antiquated Hybrid and Y. Correa, the Literary Seductress. A round of applause is definitely in order!

It’s been a while since I’ve been out and on the hunt for a good read and some interaction with my fellow bookish folk, so I can’t tell you how excited I am to have come across this lovely Dual Release. Let’s hop right into it, shall we?

First, let’s talk a little bit about what prompted to writing of each book.

Y. Correa, what was it that incited the writing of “Peter Blade”?

Wow, great question!

“Peter Blade” came from both a song and a story that my dad told me when I was a kid.

When I was a kid there was a release of a salsa song called “Pedro Navajas” which translated to Peter Blade. The song talked about a true story of a serial killer that hunted prostitutes and eventually was killed by one. What the song does not talk about was the reasons or the intricate details of the events. So, one day out of curiosity I asked my dad about it. He went on to tell me the long story about a serial killer in Puerto Rico that was hell bent on ridding the world of prostitutes because he found them dirty.

One day, already an adult, while cleaning my kitchen I heard the song for the gazillionth time and immediately my mind started swirling with ideas of who Peter Blade was, why he killed, what the essence of his character was. And, before I knew it, I was in the midst of writing a story based on SOME “true events” but mostly a work of fiction.

At one point I’d asked a fellow author to help me with the story—make it a collaborative work, if you will. However, in time I came to realize that that would not pan out so I opted to go forward with the story by myself. What I did not know what that Peter was actually the force behind the wheel. It really was the character that narrated to the story. Every labyrinthine detail was dictated to me by the main character. In the end the story turned out to be a look into the psychopathy of a killer. Terror of the mind.

Amazing! Thank you, Y. Queen, could you please tell us a little bit about “R.I.P.(E).”? Perhaps, what the meaning of the acronym as well …?

Where to begin … where to begin? I have been on a bit of a hiatus. I haven’t done an individual project since Life-O-Suction and the last appearance I made in a collection was Concordant Vibrancy 3. Truth be told, I wasn’t even 100% betting on putting out anything this year.

I have gone through quite a few things since my last publication. Life was keeping me busy. Then I encountered someone whose presence made quite an impact and challenged some of my cautionary approaches towards certain topics. Just as I was reaching my level of comfort, a tragedy happened, putting me back at … square one.

One night, I had a dream, filled with visions I couldn’t shake. It also included phrases and numbers that lingered. Most of the phrases represent titles of the poems. The primary things in the visions developed the cover concept. The numbers link to a bit of perception and symbolism: mostly behind the number 13. These were indeed “Random Inspirations on Paper (R.I.P.)”.

The “E” was added as an afterthought but necessary. It represented my evolution after everything with this person had taken place. However, because of the work’s presentation as a modern day Adam and Eve, I morphed the “E” into (E)ve-olution.

Hence … R.I.P.(E).

Fantastic, Queen! You never cease to amaze me with the way your mind works!

But, here is the primary question … Why a double release? What was it that made you both decide to come together and not only bring these books to the public in conjunction, but also dub it a “Hybrid Seductions” collaborative? I am super intrigued. Y., would you like to go first?

Sure.

Well, you see … the thing is that Queen and I are very alike in a lot of ways. While I am known as the “Literary Seductress” I feel like that title can easily fit her as well. And, although she sees herself as the “Antiquated Hybrid”, I feel like I can also fit into that category. We both have a very similar approach to writing:

It must be worth reading, it must be a work of art and it must be captivating.

So, after lots of conversation we came up with a label that encompassed us both; “Hybrid Seductions”.

Now, I will let Queen elaborate on the dual release part. Queen, after you.

It goes a bit deeper than “Hybrid Seductions”. Y was going to release hers on October 31st anyway. Yet, when I was thinking of my release date, it was tied in to the skull and the “Day of the Dead” symbolism, which led to 10/31 as well. The idea was as random as R.I.P.(E). Y was the first to suggest doing it jointly but for me, there had to be a tie-in for us to do it together. Peter Blade rang to me as “terror of the mind” while my work depicted “terror of the heart” which is what the elements of heartbreak essentially are. Once all was connected, it made sense for both to be released together.

Y. here again. Also, when we looked further into the works one thing in Peter Blade stood out like a sore thumb … At the end of the day, Peter was “Peter Blade” because he first experienced “terror of the heart”. Then, boom! Just like that it all made sense to me. In my mind, heartbreak has repercussions that changes a person—some for the better and some for the worse. Peter was the prime example of how it changes you for the worse. Okay … I am done. Queen, the floor is yours. 😁

Well, after the meshing of “terror”, we thought it fitting to come out with advertising as well as a book trailer that featured both of our books. Who knows? Perhaps it will lead to one book with both of our writing styles in the future. 

Sounds like a dream come true to me! Of course, that’s just my humble opinion. You ladies never fail to leave me transfixed with how your minds work. Both independently and collectively. Here is a great question, and it’ll be my last before we go into the logistics of the books … If you would describe your books with one word, what would that be? Queen, you first.

Eve-olution. 😄

HA! Great one! 😃 Okay, Y., now you …

Psychopathy.

Well people, remember you heard it here first! From Ova to you … Hybrid Seductions. Now it is time for some actual release information. Ladies and gents, I present you with book covers, blurbs, links and trailers. Enjoy!

Available: Amazon & Smashwords

Blurb:

Autumn 1970, Manhattan, New York

“♫ Life gives you surprises but Surprises give you life, oh Lord ... ♪”

A single night can carry both contempt and horror.
The notorious Peter Blade is on the hunt … just like many nights before. Adhering to his father’s words, “You've got to get deep into the gut, that's how you'll be able to bleed the animal. It's the only way to get him clean ...” Peter ensures that every hooker he kills is bled to pristine flawlessness.
Dancing with the phantasms of a murky past and the reality of an ominous present, Peter Blade trades places with his victims for the foreboding remembrances which cometh after dark. This night is entrenched in the unexpected and Peter finds himself contending with life and death.
From dusk to dawn, Peter Blade is inescapably haunted but to what end? Which could be worse, living the terror or dying by its hands?

Available: Amazon

Blurb:

"The 'Eve'olution of a woman is not filters and Photoshop: it is the foundation of expectation's death, the mascara of cylindrical pain, the lining of various disappointment, and the lipstick of constant learning."

In Random Inspirations on Paper: (E)ve-olution, R.I.P.E. for short, Queen of Spades returns—sharing her rendition of the most powerful ethylene to foster personal ripening: the pursuit of love and happiness.

Cover Reveal: Continuous Drips (Speaking via Author Swag)

Hi everybody!  Normally, I tend to post my writing things separate from here but this time around, I'm just so excited that I have to share the news everywhere.

If I could turn back the clock, three years, even two years ago, I never would have imagined that I'd be actively publishing again, along with getting Smashwords and Amazon Best Seller distinction for my poetry.  Now, I'm taking the step from just doing poetry to writing short stories and I am proud to showcase the cover of the latest project of which I was a participant.

Before I reveal the cover, I'd like to share a small excerpt of one of three of my short stories that's featured in this anthology.  The story is entitled "Afro Shock".  In this particular scene, Pyruva the main character walks into her first period class and is shocked at what she encounters:

Afro Shock

(excerpt)

Pyruva quickly got to her feet and grasped her bag. As she went through the door, she swore the two cops were laughing. When she looked over her shoulder, their faces were solemn.

“Hmm, let’s see. What is my first class?” Pyruva said, looking at her schedule. “African-American History, room 208.”

She quickly rushed upstairs and walked into the room. Twenty pairs of eyes stared at her. Then the room filled with laughter.

“Girl where did you get those jeans, from the Salvation Army?” a girl with platinum blonde hair jeered, pointing a long silver artificial fingernail in her direction.

Why her hair is dyed blond yet she is as black as me, Pyruva thought. And why does she have fake nails on top of her own?

“Yeah!” a honey toned girl with thick long braids chimed in. “That look is out! FUBU is in!

“What’s FUBU?”Pyruva asked, causing everyone to start laughing again.

“All right class! Cut that out and settle down!” the teacher chided.

Pyruva was utterly confused. What was this “FUBU”? Why was the teacher’s hair permed? He was a black man, and the black men she knew were against the “creamy crack”. Why was that girl’s hair blond? Black people weren’t born with blond hair. What kind of high school was this?

“What’s your name, young lady?”

“Pyruva. Pyruva Allen.”

He glanced at his roll book. “Pyruva… Pyruva. Oh yes! You’re here for my class, World Civilization.”

“There must be some mistake. I signed up for African-American history sir.”

“Let me see your schedule,” he answered.

Pyruva put the slightly crumpled paper in his hand. She noticed that it was smoother than hers, as if he didn’t know the definition of hard labor. “This has to be some type of mistake. African-American history is not taught here. Get a reprint of your schedule and then come back.”

My other two stories featured in Continuous Drips are "Misfortune" and "Útil".

All right, all right!  I won't make you wait any longer.  I'll even skip the whole "drum roll". (lol)

Continuous Drips by The Collective

(Da'Kharta Rising, Synful Desire, and Queen of Spades)

Pre Order NOW on AMAZON

Debuts November 12, 2014

Da'Kharta Rising of All Authors Publishing House

General Genre of stories: Dark Drama

Take a trip into darkness with Da'Kharta Rising with "Unrest", "Omitted" and "The Kutters".

Networking links:

Facebook

Amazon Author Page

Blog: Thoughts of a Slightly Social Anti-Socialite

Koobug

Synful Desire of All Authors Publishing House

Overall Genre of Stories: Erotica, Love/Romance

Love, loss, and erotic heat hypnotically swirl in the mind of Synful Desire when reading "Derailed Endurance", "Final Prep to Happiness" and "FAN-tasy Island".

Networking Links:

Facebook Author Page

Amazon Author Page

Twitter @synful_desire

Blog: Synful Interludes

Koobug

Don't miss out on checking out all nine stories from all different genres of ink in Continuous Drips.  Pre order your copy TODAY!

Special Event Hosted by A Queen's Ramblings

Hear ye!  Hear ye!

No Labels Unleashed is taking a break from our normally scheduled blogging to provide a special announcement regarding A Queen's Ramblings!

Queen, you have the floor!

Thanks, No Labels! (No, I'm not cracking up, just figured this would make this post a bit more interesting as well as for chuckling pleasure.)

This coming weekend, I have the opportunity to host Authoress (I like that word) Jill Sanders.  She is the author of The Pride Series.  Join me over at A Queen's Ramblings when we talk about her upcoming blog tour, show trailers of the books, and a special Q & A Session.

Another Hosting Opportunity: Jill Sanders

Have a great day!

Peace.

Separation: Possibly In The Works

Okay, before everyone starts getting too worked up, I am NOT talking about my recent Life Event.

Is everyone calmed down now?  Okay, good!

Gather around and let me tell you a story.

Around the age of eleven (going into twelve) a lot of things started happening.  Certain truths started coming out as it pertained to my mother and father.  I was subjected to a lot of bullying as well as the reality of how distrustful people could be.  I started becoming less extroverted and more introverted, and from all of that is where Queen of Spades originally emerged.

She was initially my catharsis only.

At that time, I didn't have any intention of sharing her thoughts with anyone else, yet as the years went on, my writings became very honest--some darker than others.  Then, some of my teachers stated that I had great talent and that I should share it with the world.

Even then, I wasn't one hundred percent certain but I still kept writing.

While I was in college, I met up with people who liked writing as much as I did, and I soon got introduced to some of the writing communities on line.  Two of the major ones I was a part of Fireseek and International House of Poets.  I'm not going to delve into the history of everything, but that experience opened my eyes up to all different types of talents as well as various eccentricities and egos--all welcoming and intense at the same time.

After things occurred with the Internet writing communities, Queen was still writing, but she had gotten back into the mode of not sharing.  Yet I had hundreds, even thousands of writings, and trying to decide what to do with them.  Eventually, I decided to put one collection in print, which became Spaded Truths.  Queen was just happy to be published, and neither one of us was really thinking about the larger picture.

It was only after I did the second collection, Private Pain, that I wanted to go deeper.

Was Queen really just for catharsis or did Queen have a deeper purpose?  

I realize with the publication of Reflections of Soul that Queen of Spades has a lot more to say, but unlike before, she is willing to share.  If she can help one person with any of her writings, then it has done her soul a world of good.  That all of the pain and the lessons possess a purpose.

Queen's accomplishments have been meshed with No Labels Unleashed.  However, I do think the time is approaching for there to be a separation--for Queen of Spades to stand on her own.  She wants to branch into different projects--short story writing, even a bit of comedic fiction as well as some autobiographical stuff.  All of that writing deserves its' own spotlight.

In the coming months, you will begin to see a separation between Queen of Spades and No Labels Unleashed.  There's no need for sadness--only joy.

Just stay tuned.  

Peace!

Congestion, Creativity, and Current Events

Greetings, everyone!

My appearance has been a bit sporadic, and it has nothing to do with not having the will.  It's more so the fact that just when I'm starting to get back in the swing of things, something else comes along to knock the wind out of my sails.

Ebay would make tons of money if they offered new immune systems.  I'd get one of those in a minute!  It hasn't failed yet.  I am guaranteed to get at least four flu like colds (or cold-like flus) a year--one for each season.  Summer colds are definitely the worst!  Also, the grass and pollen in NJ aggravates my allergies.  At times, allergies and colds are jocking for position.

In this instance, I think I just have an extended cold.  It sucks because one side of my nostril is stuffy but the other one isn't really stuffy at all.  At this point, I would rather my nose be runny because at least the mucus would come out, and I could somewhat breathe.  Food I normally would eat just tastes strange.  I've been drinking mostly fluids because I'm noticing my appetite is decreasing again.

I haven't had a chance to post the Fitness Entries, but I have slowly started making my way back into the gym.  The workouts have left me feeling a bit exhausted rather than invigorated.  I have discovered that working out with a cold or any type of aggravation with my immune system spells disaster, so I've been trying not to push myself too hard.

However I have been doing some much needed reorganizing around the apartment, which includes moving around some furniture.  One of the wood shelves of my bookcase decided to go on the attack, so there's a bit of a bruise on the leg.  The initial peeling of skin is healed, but I'm definitely going to have to invest in some cocoa butter.

Wood=1; No Labels=0

As far as my current project, Reflections of Soul, there has been a tiny bit of hiccup with the original publisher I chose.  I'm not saying it still won't go through with them, but it's taking a bit of extended time to get everything to full specifications.  I may need a bit of outside expertise to see it until the end.  

I do have another publishing platform as a back up in case this falls through.  I was primarily going to use them for any hardcover copies, but I may have to rethink it.  If I do use them, I will use a different cover to designate between it and the one I'm trying to get published via the first venue.

I have opened myself to having this book available to those who are accustomed to using an ereader.  I do admit I still like the feel of a book in my hand, but the times have changed.  Even in the environment at my office, everyone has an ereader or a phone that is capable of reading books.  I have to adapt with the times.

For the past couple of days, I've been tinkering with making Reflections of Soul available in ebook form.  Quite a few people have been telling me about Smashwords, and I've gotten a chance to interact with some great writers on there so far.  I figure it is worth a try.  

So there is a possibility the ebook may be available before the printed copy.

Once everything is a go, I will spread the word.  Who knows?  I may throw in a coupon for you to check it out for free, just as a big "Thank You" for the support.

Peace.