First Real Sighting!!

Sommer Marsden says: "Yay for you... but boo on me. i have no picture sending (or texting) on my phone. i did that on purpose but today i would have loved it. so we improvised.

it's in our store and me and boy child spread it four wide. so there was a shelf that was you, you, you, you and then two lucky folks on the end we let stay there
because we are nice
it is beautiouis (but no beast)!

Oh, I'm so very excited! I do not have author copies yet, but I'm thrilled to know that other people have seen the book in stores! Note, in this case, "thrilled" equals "jealous beyond possible measure." But you already knew that, right?

XXX,
Alison

An Interview with Portia Da Costa

Portia da Costa is one of those writers whose work seems effortless. And then you go on her blog and realize that she's human—just like the rest of us. I adore her little asides about "himself" ("18:14 Stomach is better today. Himself suggests fish & chips. Am I ready to get back on the high fat horse?"), and her descriptions of the types of sweets she's eating ("Choc/Yummy: banana, but those Dairy Box are calling"), and the telly she's watching. Aside from several publishers, she and I also share a mutual crush: Vincent d'Onofrio.

Portia's stand-out story in Alison's Wonderland is "Unveiling His Muse." Here, she gives us a little insight into her world:

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

You mean do as in 'do'? ;) I don't know, really. Maybe one of the sidekicks of the various princes. The right hand guys are often more interesting and have a better sense of humour than the actual heroes, and yet they still have good prospects if they're the closest buddies of benevolent royalty.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

Some black ensemble with trousers and a sharp jacket that's expensive but not flash and which makes me look much younger and a lot less podgy.

3) What would you wish for?

World peace. Seriously. And to be a lot less podgy. And younger, but knowing what I know now. And to have real blonde hair. That's four, isn't it? Oh, and to be a lot cleverer than I am. And less greedy! LOL

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

None of those, but I do have an enchanted miniature vacuum cleaner that Saskia Walker once gave me as a gift.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

Elspeth Potter, how the devil do you manage to write so well, so short?

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

My story UNVEILING HIS MUSE is a home made fairy tale, rather than a reworking or reinterpretation of an existing one. I'd rather write a tale of my own, mainly because it's easier than having to reinvent a classic.

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

I probably wouldn't tackle one. I'd just make up another of my own special concoctions. :)


A long time devotee of the ‘happily ever after’ and an unashamed romantic, Portia Da Costa is finally writing for her dream publisher, Harlequin. And it’s only taken her 20 years to get there.

She’s the author of six Spice Briefs to date, the latest being a duo of naughty, light hearted Victorian romps called A GENTLEWOMAN’S PREDICAMENT and A GENTLEWOMAN’S RAVISHMENT. Her big ‘work in progress’ is IN THE FLESH, a bizarre, super-sexy Victorian take on ‘Indecent Proposal’ with a dash of ‘Jane Eyre’ on the side, which will be published in early 2012.

In the meantime she has more Spice Briefs and assorted goodies in the pipeline, including a sweeter romance for Samhain Publishing and a bunch of short stories.

You can read excerpts from her titles at http://www.portiadacosta.com and follow her rather sporadic blog at http://wendyportia.blogspot.com, although you’ll mostly find her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/portiadacosta

Comment for a chance to win a fairy muse of your own!

XXX,
Alison

An Interview with Thomas Roche

I don't really know where to start with Thomas. I have known him for nearly 15 years, and I simply flat-out, no-holds-barred adore the hell out of him. First off, he's fucking awesome. And second off, well, he's just fucking awesome. And that's as a person. As a writer, he manages to push my buttons, rotate my tires, trim my hedges, and light my fires. All at once. I've been lucky enough to collaborate one one one with him on two collections: His and Hers. Here he is talking about his story, Cupid Has Signed Off, in Alison’s Wonderland:

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

Snow White is very hot, but I have to vote for Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, because I like her attitude.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

Probably what I usually wear -- jeans, combat boots and a black T-shirt, and I'm not proud to say I'd probably ask her to "wait a minute, I need to finish this chapter first."

3) What would you wish for?

I would want to make the world a better place in more than 3 ways, but if I had to make selfish wishes I'd be very cautious, because I know these things always come to bite you in the ass. I'd be most inclined to wish for permanent artistic inspiration and clarity, but I can imagine lots of ways Stephen King could make that gruesome. Wishing for everyone I know to be happy makes me think of Joss Whedon's "Serenity." Wishing for world peace brings to mind the concept out of Michael Moorcock that life is strife, and total order represents a world of concrete statues.

So I guess I'd wish for a permanently solvent pulp publishing empire where I could pay Donald E. Westlake, Lawrence Block and Robert E. Howard to write me huge numbers of stories for the newsstand pulps with Margaret Brundage doing all the covers, while a shady subterranean crew of Marcus Van Hellers and Alexander Trocchis write me naughty paperbacks on the side sold in back alleys and under-the-counter at souvenir shops by guys named things like "Shifty" and "Lenny." How could that wish possibly backfire?

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

Not really, but I am guilty of occasionally wearing a poet's shirt when induced to attend a Renaissance Faire.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

I'd like to ask Portia Da Costa if she's ever had Charlie's experience described at the beginning of "Unveiling His Muse" -- trying desperately to create a work of art for commercial consumption, and -- damn it! -- it just keeps turning DIRTY. 'Cause I know I sure have!

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

I think the ongoing allure of the "Cupid and Psyche" myth is the idea of wanting being better than having. That's also about the essential element of a happy life being an acceptance of its mystery, and its limitations. If that's not about sexuality, and particularly about D/s, then I don't know what is.

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

I have an ongoing character based on The Ugly Duckling, named The Fugly Ducky, who has become an enduring character for me. She is a punk nerd dominatrix with the worst fashion sense ever and stick-and-ball molecule tattoos on her back of caffeine and Substance P. I don't know if she will ever see the light of day but she keeps cropping up in my dreams.

Or is that "nightmares"?

Thomas Roche's hundreds of published short stories have appeared in more than 200 anthologies. His books include the Noirotica series of erotic crime noir, four books of fantasy/horror, a short story collection, Dark Matter, and two books with Alison Tyler, His and Hers. You can find him at http://www.thomasroche.com

Comment for a chance to win this killer rock-a-billy cupid tie!

XXX,
Alison

An interview with Nikki Magennis

I met Nikki Magennis (if memory serves, and memory doesn't always serve, sometimes it dominates), through Lust Bites. I know her to be a generous, friendly (if virtual) host with a wicked work ethic. But more important, I know her to be one of those writers you want to follow down back alleys and force to make speak to you. Ooops. Did I say that out loud? Nikki is the one I go to for the pieces of art that start many of my collections. Her 100 word flashes last—like the echoes of fireworks flickering in a night sky. (Except if she said that, she'd say it so much more poetically!)

For Alison's Wonderland, Nikki literally kicked off the book with The Red Shoes (Redux). You can read a piece of the story up on the Alison's Wonderland page on Amazon (scroll down a bit). Here she answers my randy queries:

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

By 'do', I presume you mean ravage licentiously? Okay. The little mermaid. She may be half fish, but she is wholly hot.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I'm an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

A dusty pink silk dress torn at the hem, wellington boots, and ropes and ropes of pearls.

3) What would you wish for?

A clever tongue.

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

Everybody has at least one pair of red shoes, surely? Here are my latest most favourites – shiny, cherry red glossy patent leather. Lickable. Like lollipops.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

Elspeth Potter .... where can I read more of your 100 word stories?

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison's Wonderland?

This is my revenge on Hans Christian Anderson, who took a fabulous old folk story and made it into a miserable morality tale. (The best bit about growing up is that you get to write your own fairy-tale endings.)

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

The one about swans and the nettle shirts. I'm thinking eleven men that aren't the seamstresses brothers, and perhaps a little light nettle flogging.

Once upon a time, there was a writer who lived in Scotland and dreamed her way through the world. She called herself Nikki Magennis, and she wrote lots of stories and painted some pictures and lived in an ivory tower, although only a metaphorical one. You can peek into her world at htp://www.nikkimagennis.blogspot.com, and find her books at Amazon.

Comment for a chance to win a killer pair of shoes!

XXX,
Alison

"Only one left in stock..."

I do like the sound of that!

XXX,
Alison

An Interview with Saskia Walker

I "met" Saskia Walker several years ago—in fact, a few years more than several. I'm thinking about six, now. Right from the start, her stories drew me in. The characters linger—the descriptions pull the reader right smack into the scene. A few short strokes of her pen on paper (or her fingers on the keys), and you are there with the characters, on a deserted beach, about to fuck with total, kinky abandon.

I actually truly in flesh-and-blood met Saskia Walker a few years ago, at a party for Harlequin authors. She is as sexy and sensual in person as her words are on the page. To me, it's not a complete anthology without a story by Saskia. Here, she discusses her story in Alison's Wonderland: Kiss It.

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

I'd like to have a Big Bad Wolf at my sexual beck and call. I'd have to keep him chained up, of course. Mostly he'd be a regular loving bloke, but sometimes the sex would get really wild and out of hand.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I'm an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

I guess I'd be dressed for any situation that might follow, which for me means leather jeans and a biker jacket.

3) What would you wish for?

First, good health for my loved ones.
Second, good health for my friends.
Third, good health for me.
Because I honestly believe our health is the most valuable thing in the world.

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

No fairy wings, although I do like to dress up in fantasy style! My tastes have tended towards the darker paranormal-vampires, ghosts, and the like. The nearest I ever got to dressing as a fairy would be Xena the Warrior Princess. I was carrying a bullwhip though, not a magic wand. Hmm. Just call me the black sheep fairy!

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

I'd like to ask Janine Ashbless how the words "snow" and "white" unleashed such a dark, lush, and deviant tale! Actually, it's the least I'd expect of Janine's work. Ha! She's an amazing fantasy writer and I'm a huge fan.

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison's Wonderland?

My story, Kiss It, bubbled up from two of my long-time interests. First is the supernatural genie creature and the granting of wishes. I'm forever fascinated by exotic tales such as Scheherazade's Arabian Nights. The idea of having three wishes-but the third one being somewhat dangerous as it might grant the naughty genie it's freedom-is a compelling dilemma. I took that notion and ran it alongside Irish mythology. I'm half Irish and spent several of my childhood years there. Irish myth and legend was actually on my school curriculum when I was nine years old! On weekends my parents would drive off to various amazing places that have stuck with me including Blarney Castle, Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Giant's Causeway. In the story I took the naughty genie idea and mixed it up with the legend surrounding the Blarney Stone and the gift of the gab. I had a lot of fun with it!

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

Ooh, I don't know, but if bearskin or magic carpets are involved, I'm right there.


Award winning British author Saskia Walker first dreamed of writing her own stories when she discovered a handful of romance novels stashed away in her school library. An avid reader, she lapped up the fun, the adventures, and the life-affirming emotion of these stories, but always felt dismay when the bedroom door closed the reader out. She vowed that if she ever had the chance to pursue her dream, all the passion would be right there on the page.

Saskia finally began writing seriously in the late 1990s. By that time she'd traveled the world, got herself a BA in Art History, a Masters in Literature and the Visual Arts, and she'd worked in all manner of diverse careers-but the stories in her head simply had to be written.

Her first erotic short story was signed in '97 and since then she has had several single title novel and novella publications, and her work has appeared in over fifty anthologies including Best Women's Erotica, The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica, and the Black Lace Wicked Words series. She writes across genres, but always with the passion right there on the page! Her novel, DOUBLE DARE, received the Passionate Plume award for the Best Contemporary Erotic Romance of 2006.

Saskia lives in the north of England-close to the beautiful, windswept landscape of the Yorkshire moors-with her real life hero, Mark. Mark supports her work through all its ups and downs, and somehow manages to keep her sane and grounded when fiction threatens to take over.

Comment for a chance to win a special kiss brooch!

XXX,
Alison

An Interview with Shanna Germain

Shanna Germain first caught my eye way back in 2002 with a sweet little strawberry tale that had a fairy-tale feel in a modern day setting. Since then, I've lost count of the times we've worked together. Her writing resonates with readers, lingering long after the story has ended. In Alison's Wonderland, she is one of two authors who took on Rumpelstiltskin.

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

I've always had a thing for Little Red Riding Hood. It's all that sweet innocence hidden inside something that's so full of blatant power and sexuality: a blood-red cloak. She seems to me like the kind of girl you'd approach with the hopes of corrupting, and then she'd turn the tables on you, throw back her hood with a wicked, wolfish grin, and become a woman who'd take control.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

There are so many outfits designed for begging, it's hard to choose just one. Something that lets me go down on my knees, of course, and shows off my cleavage from that flight-height that fairy godmommas and poppas have. Black leather boots, I think, and a leather skirt, hem down to the ground and slit up to my thigh, plus a red silk corset, laced up the back. And some red-red lipstick in a shade called If Wishes Were Whores.

3) What would you wish for?

More lipstick. A better way with words. And a life filled with sensuality, lust, incredible people and unconventional beauty.

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

I used to own wings (pink, shimmery, but I'm not sure if they came from a fairy or from my gay friend down the street). I also used to own a red riding hood costume, which definitely came from another friend, after a traumatic work situation (for her, not me). The outfit was one of her ways of saying thank you for being there, I think, and I treasured it for a long time.

I would break my head open if I had glass slippers. But I do have clear acrylic stripper shoes with high-high heels. I am dangerous in them. And also very tall.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

Janine Ashbless, where can I find seven men who will cloak me in amazing jewelry and then worship me? Also, how did you know that was already one of my dreams?

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

Most of my fairy tale-based stories are set in the times of the fairy tales themselves. For this one, which is loosely based on Rumplestiltskin, I wanted to go more contemporary, because I felt that there was a theme there that is still pertinent today. The ideas of power exchanges -- in terms of sharing our sexuality, our names, and our intimate desires with another person -- is something we all get tangled in regularly. I wanted to explore the sensuality of spinning and being spun, of catching and being caught, of giving and giving in.

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

So far, I've tackled Rumplestiltskin, Little Red Riding Hood (twice), Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Pea, The Woman in the Water and a couple of others. I'm currently working on one called The Rose Thief, about the father who comes to steal the prettiest rose from the Beast's garden. I love to combine fairy tales, to discover what happens when The Beast meets Sleeping Beauty, or Cinderella crosses wooded paths with the Big Bad Wolf.

Shanna Germain believes life CAN be like a fairy tale: Filled with big teeth and ripped dresses, colored by purpled skin and ruby-red lips, crowded with hairy beasts, mirrored movements and sadistic queens. Walk with her in the dark woods at www.shannagermain.com.

Comment for a chance to win this sexy lipstick! See, I can grant wishes, and I'm not even a fairy!

XXX,
Alison

P.S. Isn't this necklace very straw-into-gold?

An Interview with Lana Fox

In Lana Fox’s story for Alison's Wonderland, Always Break the Spines, a naughty coed learns that fairy tales can hurt. Literally. Her lover punishes her with a leather-bound book:

I will tame you,” he said, quietly, “exactly when I please. I won’t have you saying when and how. You will come back at ten and, if I deem it fitting, I’ll punish you more thoroughly.” Then he raised the leather book, which was damp from my sweat, and whispered, “Now it’s spoiled and you must pay. If you touch yourself, just once, before I see you next, I’ll know.”

Lana was sweet enough to answer my frivolous little queries:

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

Goldilocks because I love the sound of those golden tresses and I think she'd be great at afterplay cuddles.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

A pair of gorgeous high heels from Shelly's in London, please, paired with black, lacy panties. (This girl loves underwear).

3) What would you wish for?

I'd wish to become Susie Bright.

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

Yes, I have a pair of black, net fairy wings edged with bright pink, which I wear with my pink wig. If I did own a little red riding hood I'd wear her all the time. And as for glass slippers, I'd dance too hard and break 'em.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

Allison Wonderland, I LOVE your story. Have *you* ever owned panties decorated with the visage of Snow White (or any other fairy tale character)?

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

The leather-bound books always sting a little more, but naturally, they're worth it.

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

I'd love to have a go at the Little Mermaid. I think mermaids are gorgeous and they probably have fabulous sex.

Lana Fox's sexy stories have appeared in a variety of books and magazines including "Clean Sheets" and collections by Xcite Books. Other erotica is forthcoming in collections by Cleis, including "Orgasmic", edited by Rachel Kramer Bussell. For more information, visit Lana's blog. Lana's life ain't always a fairy tale, but she loves writing happy endings.

Comment for a chance to win a naughty notebook from subu!

XXX,
Alison

An Interview with Sommer Marsden

For Alison's Wonderland, the ever-clever Sommer Marsden penned an amazing story called The Three Billys, which is getting mentioned in almost every review!

° My favorites were: ”The Three Billy’s” by Sommer Marsden, where a cranky librarian with the unfortunate name of Ms. Troll goes head-to-head with three repairmen named Billy...—Dirty Sexy Books

° Marsden’s “The Three Billys” a steamy retelling of The Three Billy Goats Guff set in a library. Sex and books and cute construction workers, it was really good. I also like the novelty of it.—Anna Marie's Corner

° In Sommer Marsden's The Three Billys, slightly repressed librarian Philomena Troll is surrounded by a surplus of lovely men named Billy when a repair crew invades her domain. But "Big" Billy Benjamin tempts her to stray from her routine.—Romantic Times


I asked—and she answered—the following questions:

1. Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

Hmm. That’s a toughie as most of the ones I remember involve animals and that’s just wrong. I’d have to say I was rather taken with Benjamin Eliot’s Sisyphus-esque character in this very book! I think I’d do him. Is that fair or did I just cheat on question one?

p.s. I’d totally go all big bad she-wolf on little red, too.

2. If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

I would totally have on a pair of well worn faded Levi’s, my distressed suede ankle boots I bought this past year (photos on my blog!) and a cream colored fisherman’s cable knit sweater. With my wild crazy brown/blonde/silver wavy bed head and some killer chandelier earrings that an ex boyfriend gave me. And oh! My big turquoise ring. Tada!

3. What would you wish for?

I would wish to be the unflappable, unruffleable, unshakeable, calm person who simply does not care what others think who does her thing without worrying. Instead of…you know, the spaz that I am.

4. Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

I have offspring, I have all of those things in my house. But you mean in my own personal stash of dress-up? Nope. Not unless a nun or Wonder Woman fit in there anywhere. And I’m sorry, but I burned all the pictures.

5. What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

I’m going to totally cheat (again) and steal your example question because I’d love to ask Shanna Germain, how’d she come up with the idea for her fabulous Rumplestiltskin-themed story!

6. What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

It’s like nothing I’ve ever written as far as inspiration. And I was never one for fairy tales but this was my favorite, favorite, favorite story. Mostly because I am weird. I felt positive I’d have to elbow my way to the front of the pack to get The Billy Goats Gruff as my story. But nope. Hunh. Go figure.

7. What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

Gosh. Can I cheat again? Of course I can. I’d love to redo the mythology of Pandora’s Box. Again, not the answer I’m supposed to give. I think I need to be sent to detention.

Sommer Marsden is the author of Calendar Girl, Lucky 13, Base Nature and the upcoming anthology Coupling, among others. She writes for Ellora’s Cave, Excessica, Xcite and Pretty Things Press.

She also runs her own nearly invisible press Spastic Girl Press where she puts out small private releases and the recent Dirtyville Project. Visit her at SommerMarsdenl.blogspot.com or DirtyvilleCollection.blogspot.com. The admission fee to her blogs is the low, low price of three magic beans.

XXX,
Alison

P.S. The other image I wanted to use was this one!!!

And the Free Dwarf Goes to...

That is, the Dwarf Bedding Mix goes to Mary for her comment on the interview with Janine Ashbless. Mary, please send me a note with your snail mail address to msalisontyler at yahoo dot com. And stay tuned for a Q & A with Sommer Marsden!

XXX,
Alison

P.S. How'd I choose the winner? I rolled a die.

N.T. Morley Answers

In her Q & A, Elspeth Potter said: "I also would love to know how many pairs of boots N.T. Morley has."

N.T. Morley responds:

Oh wow! You know, it is funny to get that question this week, when I just finally carted the three pairs needing attention down to the shoe repair place to get resoled and conditioned. I had to go through the entire batch of them, and it added up to 10 pair. And I thought, "Seriously?"

An hour later my Zappo's wish list was disastrously overloaded.

For Alison's Wonderland, Morley wrote The Clean-Shaven Type, a version of Beauty and the Beast with quite unexpected results for The Beast.

XXX,
Alison

P.S. Speaking of boots, it's my birthday month. Don't you just want to buy me these? You could get together with, um, 159 of your friends. You'd only have to put in a buck each!

Win a Dwarf!

No, wait. That's not right. You might win a package of Dwarf Bedding Mix if you comment on Janine Ashbless' interview. Winner will be chosen tomorrow.

XXX,
Alison

"Quite a Bit of Bondage"

Oh, check out this fabulous four-star review of Alison's Wonderland @ Dirty Sexy Books:

Some of the stories played quite cleverly on a fairy tale. My favorites were: ”The Three Billy’s” by Sommer Marsden, where a cranky librarian with the unfortunate name of Ms. Troll goes head-to-head with three repairmen named Billy, “Wolff’s Tavern” by Bella Dean, where a red-head seeks help from a big bad man named Wolff when her car breaks down, and “Rings On My Fingers” by Alison Tyler, about an ‘un-inked’ bookshop clerk who lusts over tattoo artist. I believe this collection has something for everyone, and you won’t believe what the seven dwarves really do to Snow White.

The review is called "Brain Candy for a Lazy Afternoon." You can read the entire piece here! Stay tuned for another Q & A!

XXX,
Alison

P.S. Isn't this art to die for?

An interview with Janine Ashbless

As promised last night, here is the Q&A with Janine Ashbless. Just for fun, a commenter today will win a packet of Dwarf Bedding Mix!

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

You mean “Do” as in “Fuck”? Oh ... the beast, from “Beauty and the Beast.” Always has been. Handsome princes aren’t interesting enough.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

A horrible look of drooling anticipation.

3) What would you wish for?

Believe me: you don’t want to know. But let’s just say the world would be a quieter and less crowded place afterwards.
*twirls imaginary villainous moustache*

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

Sadly I put all that sort of thing into storage last year. I still have my moon-magic spell-book and a necromancy staff around somewhere, though. And some really horrible things in my attic...

5) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

My story is called “Gold, on Snow” and it’s a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Yes, exactly what you are thinking of. Yes, I did dare.

It’s my homage to the incomparable Angela Carter.

6) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

I think “Little Red Riding Hood.” Or “The Princess and the Pea.” But I’d need a strong and original angle before I started.

Janine Ashbless started writing erotica as a direct result of reading Angela Carter’s fairy story collection The Bloody Chamber, so writing for Alison’s Wonderland was a welcome return to her roots. She has written two collections of erotic fantasy/fairy/horror stories: Cruel Enchantment and Dark Enchantment, (both published by Black Lace), as well as three erotic fantasy novels. Folklore provides the source inspiration for many of her stories. She always asks permission from an elder tree before cutting it, just so the Elder Witch won’t get mad.

Thank you to Janine for giving us a behind-the-scenes peek.


XXX,
Alison

P.S. What a fabulous Poisoned Apple Button Bracelet! Aren't the colors divine?

Dwarf Bedding Mix

You can't make this stuff up. I was in a seed store today—don't ask—and landed upon so many different fairy-tale themed seeds, including this gorgeous packet of Dwarf Bedding Mix! I mean, how perfect is that as a way to tell you to tune in tomorrow, when I'll be posting a Q&A with Janine Ashbless, who wrote a story for Alison's Wonderland based on Snow White!

XXX,
Alison

Sommer says...

I've sent out interview requests to all of the contributors for Alison's Wonderland. I'll be posting the interviews throughout June (and maybe July) in celebration of the book's release. In each Q & A I asked the authors to Q each other! Elspeth Potter had a question for Sommer Marsden.

Elspeth Potter's Query:

Sommer Marsden – how long did it take you to come up with the name "Philomena Fitzpatrick Troll"? Because it is the most awesome name ever.

Sommer Marsden's Answer:

When I got the idea for "The Three Billys," I wanted to be sublty overt. Troll seemed a good name for the heroine. And the man (my husband) had a friend way back in the day with the last name of Troll. I've heard countless stories of his personal "troll" and also the repetition of that friend's three grande names. See my husband always has to say his friend's full name because it is so awesome and sounds so cool! He can't just call him by his first name. Being a thief--I mean a writer--I put my own spin on it and made Philomena's name as grande as I could (considering her last name is Troll).

Check out Sommer today over at Midnight Moon Cafe! Leave a comment on MMC for a chance to win one of her fab e-books!

XXX,
Alison

P.S. Oh, my god. I reached new highs (or lows) trying to find a "sexy goat picture" to go with this post!!

The Fairy Tale Continues

Thank you to Sommer Marsden for scanning and sending me this 4-star review of Alison's Wonderland. You don't know how excited I am to see this book. Or maybe you do! The truth is that this book was a long time coming. I first did a fairy tale collection back in 2002 for Venus Book Club. The rights to the book went to Plume, which issued a new version in 03 (I hope I have my dates right). But I'd been jonesing to do a new take for years. The pitch for this collection was accepted at Harlequin in April, 2007 — so you can see that I've been on pins and needles (or mattresses and peas) for several years! In fact, this book does seem like a fairy tale come true to me.

I don't have author copies yet—but I do love knowing that the book is almost almost available. If you catch any sightings, please send them my way.

I'll have more contributor reviews up soon.

XXX,
Alison

An interview with Elspeth Potter

I am so excited to see Alison's Wonderland references popping up all over the internet! In honor of the book's release, I have sent out a Q&A to the contributors. I'll be posting the responses throughout June (and maybe July). There are some back and forth queries in the Q's—so hopefully we'll be hearing from the writers multiple times! (And multiple is always good in my opinion.)

Kicking us off is Elspeth Potter, who penned The Princess:

1) Which fairy tale character would you most like to do and why?

The Clever Little Tailor ("Vom klugen Schneiderlein," Grimm 114). I always go for brains over brawn, plus we wouldn't have any class issues between us. You can read it here.

Alternatively, I'd choose the one brother in "The Six Swans"/"The Wild Swans" who still had one wing after they were all changed back to humans. I think he'd cheer up if I took him to science fiction conventions with lots of people in costume, and we'd also go hiking so he could talk to birds.

2) If your fairy godmother or fairy godfather (I’m an equal opportunity fairy employer) waved a magic wand over your head and granted you three wishes, what would you be wearing during your wishing?

Tailored dark blue jeans, tall black riding boots, a pleated white shirt, and a brocaded silk frock coat in fabulous jewel tones. And a silk top hat. And black lace half-gloves.

3) What would you wish for?

More wishes! Everybody knows that.

4) Do you own fairy wings? A little red riding hood? Glass slippers? If yes, please describe. Or send photos!

I have a tasseled red hat with a turtle on it. I've also attached a photo of a house in my neighborhood that totally belongs in a fairy tale, or maybe a Gothic, and one in which I think Philadelphia looks like Fairyland.

5) What question would you most like to ask another author in the line-up?

Sommer Marsden – how long did it take you to come up with the name "Philomena Fitzpatrick Troll"? Because it is the most awesome name ever.

I also would love to know how many pairs of boots N.T. Morley has.

6) What would you like to tell readers about your story in Alison’s Wonderland?

Mine is the short one. Like, really short. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

I love the challenge of telling a whole story in one hundred words. It does wonders for my editing skills, too.

7) What fairy tale would you love to tackle in the future?

"Beauty and the Beast" is a classic that every romance and erotica writer should try out, and I am currently making notes for a possible project based on that theme. I'd also love to do a version of "The Tinderbox," but I haven't yet figured out how I could make it work for me.

Thanks so much to Elspeth Potter, who also writes under the name Victoria Janssen.

Victoria Janssen's novel The Moonlight Mistress was nominated for an RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award. She's also written The Duchess, Her Maid, The Groom and Their Lover and The Duke and the Pirate Queen, the latter out December 2010. Find out more at www.victoriajanssen.com. She blogs at http://victoriajanssen.blogspot.com/.

"an eclectic collection"

Thank you to Dayle Dermatis for sending me this huge news about a four-star review for Alison's Wonderland:

"An eclectic collection of stories loosely based on fables and fairy tales, this has something for everyone. In addition to the three stories summarized, there are also some intriguing offerings by Portia Da Costa, Lana Fox and Tyler herself."

They go on to summarize Sommer's, Erica's, and Bella's.

Wooh! Huzzah!

Wooh, indeed!

XXX,
Alison

Alison Kicks Ass

At least, my Wonderland does! Check out this link that Jo sent me. I have no idea how the book is already being reviewed — I don't have any copies yet — but I'm thrilled that the first review I've seen is one like this:

In almost every story I laughed, and others were so intense that I could only read and gasp. Some were more like my favorite stories, others less, but in general, I liked them all.

Recommended if you like to read erotic stories, and if you are familiar with fairy tales.

XXX,
Alison