Missed a class? Get the textbook and skeds

I've put the lessons from #romanceclass and #steamyreads on Gumroad. Consider these PDF handouts, as if you attended the workshops. Best if you're a self-paced learner. If you feel you need to be writing with a community, do reach out to me and the other authors. We're still doing online discussions about this! (Or we can talk about stuff again if you really really need us to.)

#steamyreads textbook

#romanceclass textbook

Wedding Night Stand #buqosteamyreads blog tour!

It's the final week of the #buqosteamyreads blog tour, and it's my own bundle that's going around the book blogs!

I ran a romance-writing class earlier this year and its goal was to produce steamy romances for Filipino readers. buqo sponsored the class, and for one year, my story Wedding Night Stand will only be available on their ebook store.

Get the bundle (P90)

Get Wedding Night Stand (P45)

Wedding Night Stand is one of the shortest stories (under 10,000 words) in the #buqosteamyreads bunch, which surprised me! I thought with the mere five weeks that we had, the other writers would only be able to produce short stories. BUT NO. So I decided to pair up Wedding Night Stand with a previously published story, Young and Scambitious. You can buy them both as a bundle for P90, or individually for P45.

Here are the posts from the tour!

Book Junkie Blog Tours: Blog Tour Schedule

The Lost Girl Reads: Cover Reveal and Giveaway

The Book Pile: Review 

My Book Musings: Excerpt and Giveaway
Cinderella Stories: Excerpt and Giveaway
A Little Bit of Everything: Cover Reveal and Giveaway
Book Junkie Joint: Excerpt and Giveaway

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Kate Sebastian: Sex is easy, love is hard

Taking over the blog today is author Kate Sebastian!

My #buqosteamyreads experience can be summed up in two words: "frustration" and "procrastination."

I'm a pretty notorious crammer—indeed, it seems like my best work is written at the 11th hour. I wrote and discarded two and a half fully formed plots (half because I had the description but hadn't even bothered to do a full outline) before settling on the barebones of the one I eventually chose the day before the first draft was due. And even though I had weeks to do my revisions after that, I started them the day they were actually due and ended up just about doubling the length of my story so it became a short novella.

It's a problem that has plagued me my entire writing career—if I don't have a deadline, most things just don't get written. If you could see my notebooks and the writing folders on my computer, you'd find about six or seven novels started and never finished (that includes around three or four that passed the 50,000-word mark and one that passed the 100,000-word mark) and perhaps a dozen fully outlined plots. None of them finished.

Having joined and failed Mina's first #romanceclass session, I jumped at the chance to join #buqosteamyreads because of its required output (5,000 words in a day didn't sound too hard [Mina's comment: In five weeks! 5,000 words in 5 weeks!]) and its reportedly strict deadlines (not militant, but there was a launch date to follow, after all!). Most of the stories I write aren't romantic, and if they are, they aren't in the contemporary romance genre (what can I say? I like my paranormals), but I was at the point where I didn't care what I wrote as long as I wrote it. And, I reasoned to myself, I'd written steamy scenes before and had even been paid for them. At worst, I could come up with a 5,000-word story with a 2,500-word sex scene and a rudimentary plot. That's what I told myself.

And for my first draft, I may have done a little better than that, but honestly, it wasn't by much. In fact, elements of three other stories or novels I had recently read had somehow stained my plot. I recruited four beta readers to help me out, three of whom said I needed to develop my plot and characters better. The fourth hit the nail on the head. She looked me in the eye and said, "You just hate Christy (the main character), don't you?"

And while hate might have been a strong word, I had to admit that I didn't like her very much. She nodded sagely and waited for the light bulb to go off in my head (or I imagine that's what she was doing when she stared at me). It did, eventually. And I realized that for my character to be believable as the star of her own romantic story, she had to be someone I—not to mention my readers—could imagine men (and one man in particular) falling for.

Which brings me to my other word. Frustration. And by that I mean romantic frustration, not the sexual kind. I had no idea how to bring my story (and characters) to life. I do read romance, but, with a few exceptions, I categorically hate rom-coms, which so many people told me would be a great source for inspiration. My husband is the great romantic in our marriage. Failed attempts at coming up with a battle plan for my final drafts almost invariably involved substituting plot and characterization with mindless sex scenes.

Because let's face it. In writing, as in life, sex is easy—love is hard.

I whined about it. A lot. I took a break from my whining to watch the Oscars, and that's where I found some inspiration, my key to Kyle, my main character's love interest (I wonder if anyone will make the connection. I'll just plant an easter egg and say it has to do with the movie Frozen). Christy was a lot tougher. So I procrastinated. But with the deadline drawing closer, I grew increasingly desperate. I took a piece of myself that I liked, a piece of this friend, a piece of this cousin, and so on, and I added it to the character I (slightly) detested. And the mosaic turned out to be something I could work with.

The night before the draft was due (or maybe it was the morning), I had a plan. But I also had tons of work. Fortunately, it was a Friday. So I begged for and was granted an extension. I ended up almost completely rewriting my novel (I kept a few paragraphs unchanged here and there, but all that you'd see in my novel, were you to compare it to my first draft, would be a total of perhaps three or four pages worth of writing). That entire weekend was a blur of sleeplessness, keyboard pounding, caffeine, and desperate Tweeting (and by the way, I want to thank my classmates and other writer friends for their encouragements). Very early on Monday morning, I submitted my draft. I'd finished it—it was the first longish work of fiction I'd ever completed.

And, for the most part, that was that for this story. But more importantly, I had proved to myself that I could actually finish something. And the fact that it's since been released on Buqo and even topped a list or two? That's a very sweet bit of icing on the cake.

Meet Christy and Kyle (and search for that Oscars connection if you can!) in Old Enemies Make the Best Lovers from Buqo.ph. I'd love to learn if you think I was successful in making Christy less detestable!


Kate Sebastian has been a writer most of her life. She's enjoying being blissfully attached by way of marriage to a guy who likes love stories even more than she does. Follow her on Twitter @ImKateSebastian (http://www.twitter.com/ImKateSebastian) and like her page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/katesebastianauthor) for updates on her story and on new projects. Feel free to drop her a note at katesebastianauthor[at]gmail.com.

Old Enemies Make The Best Lovers is part of the Sizzling #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Scarlett Fox: My Adventure into the Steamies

Taking over the blog today is Scarlett Fox!

The Age of Experience

Considering my age and experience, it was not really hard for me to imagine what mature individuals do in their spare time. I had my share of unmentionables in my time. But I had qualms because I have an image, wholesome I suppose, that I wanted to maintain not for me but for my kids who are actually adults. Sheesh.Writing the steamy story had opened the whatever phase in me. I can write anything now. Once I had done “Sizzle”, it was like opening Pandora’s box. All inhibitions flew away.

Meeting the Dreaded Deadline

It helped a lot to have a deadline. I am getting used to writing longer pieces. Practice really is the key. My characters already had a mold, all I needed was to pour the words in. So right off my lead female character was set. Bitchy and arrogant. I had not encountered those characters in say, Mills and Boon romances. Back then the characters were mild and pliant, with just a hint of defiance.

Boracay: A Place of Endless Possibilities

My setting was Boracay . I took some liberties on the setting. Most of the places were fictitious. Maybe some of the readers would be lost. My characters were not inexperienced, they had gone through pain and were truly just like other people who loved.

I really fought hard against my tendency to use words that were outdated and to make my style more contemporary.

How to write the steamy sex scene

1.  Prep your sexy cover as it will be one of your inspirations.
2. Put some jazzy music or whatever turns you on.
3. Spritz some heady perfume, not too much and think romantic.
4. Write the scene in  slow motion, taking care to note the details. Don’t be in a hurry to jump to the next position if you don’t have to.
5. Make sure there’s nobody there to see the effects of what you are writing on your face. Because if you’re any good at it, it will surely show.

I have enjoyed it immensely. The process was exhilarating, emancipating and empowering.

Just like what writer Delilah Dawson said, if you can write a sex scene, you can turn people on with nothing but words. 

Long live the steamies!

Sizzle is part of the Sizzling #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Kali Ragilles: A story, an island, and serendipity

Author Kali Ragilles is taking over the blog today!

Having been brought up by forward-thinking parents, I've never been skittish about writing anything sexy --- or even anything that pushes the boundaries of normal. Except werewolves. I draw the line when it involves someone, or something, remotely resembles my pet dog. Anyway, my parents have always encouraged me to write, and simply avoided reading the steamy stuff, more for their own sake than mine.

The thing is, I never really considered publishing anything. I was contented showing my husband (and occasionally, my mom) the stuff I wrote. Even with all these platforms making self-publishing easy, I couldn't find any reason to show everyone my work. Then Mina made this announcement for #BuqoSteamyReads.

I just had to give it a shot.

I did, and I ended up with a steamy romance novella. Unfortunately, I only found out about the deadline for the final draft two weeks before it was due. I didn't think it was enough time to clean up the mess I called a manuscript. People would be paying to read my story, and I wanted to make sure it was worth their money.

My solution? Write another story. But this time, shorter. I targeted a word count that the workshop originally called for --- 5,000 words of steamy romance. I pushed myself to finish it, and thankfully, I completed a 10,000-word short story. My editor, Chris Mariano, helped pull off what could have been an otherwise impossible writing feat for me.

From my manuscript's storyline, I came up with a prelude, “Passion Within The Stone Walls.” It told the story of Paige de Guia, the childhood friend of the novella's heroine. I needed a PR agent in the series, and Paige was perfect for the part. But the hardest was the setting. Where could I put Paige and Sean's group together without finding out they both knew my novella's heroine?

I didn't have to ponder long. My husband had been bugging me to organize the photo archive in my hard drive, and it just so happened the first photo album I opened gave me the answer to my setting problem.

Batanes.

In my past life, I was a travel blogger (and no, I will not tell you what my blog name was). Batanes, particularly its island of Sabtang, was one of the places I swore I would return to. But, life happened. I figured I could at least revisit the island through my fictional characters, and somehow relive the experience when a place actually made me want to retire at the tender age of twenty-five.

Since the story is fiction, I took the liberty of “ignoring” a few updates on real-life details (last I heard, electricity in Sabtang now goes out earlier instead of at midnight). But the island remains the same – peaceful and enchanting. I tried my best to capture in words the awe I felt during my own visit to the island, but I don't think I could ever do justice to the beautiful province that is Batanes. You need to go there to see for yourself.

Still need convincing? Perhaps Paige can persuade you. Get Passion Within The Stone Walls from Buqo.ph :)

Kali Ragilles is a twenty-something writer living in Manila, Philippines with her husband and their pet dog. She loves watching romantic comedies and eating french fries. Follow her on Twitter @AuthorKali (http://www.twitter.com/AuthorKali), like her page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kali-Ragilles/676478679071528), or visit kaliragilles.com to contact Kali and sign up for her mailing list.

Passion Within the Stone Walls is part of the Passion #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Suzette de Borja: Steamy Romance 101

Today author Suzette de Borja takes over the blog!

I have devoured hundreds of contemporary, adult romances since I got my first taste of them courtesy of Mills and Boon way back in high school. They were and still are my guilty pleasure. Nothing compares to curling up with a romance novel and falling in love with gorgeous, sexy, alpha male heroes to keep you company on a rainy day, heck, even on a sunny day! I absolutely loved how they would all be tough and confident at the beginning and then become undone by the clueless, quirky, unaffected, virginal (most often) heroine in the story. And the groveling, by the hero, towards the end when he realizes there is no other woman in the world for him? That gets me everytime.

Writing a romance was another thing altogether. My fledgling attempts started in adolescence when my best friend and I would together in longhand write a story about our biggest crush in the planet at that time (he was a member of an all male pop group−I refuse to name said pop group for fear of revealing my age) and just realized recently that what we were doing years ago was writing fan fiction!

Fast forward to the present and the demands of a career and family have put creative pursuits on hold. But the thing is, like a romance story heroine, I have never forgotten my first love−writing.  It is the happiest of reunions, indeed.

 How To Write A Steamy Romance 101

1. Take the plunge and sign up for a writing workshop helmed by the inspirational and ever supportive Mina V. Esguerra 

2. Tap some words on the keyboard, stare blankly into space and decide you need some inspiration by perusing all those gorgeous, drool inducing abs posted on co-authors’ Twitter accounts

3. Munch some chips and drink soda in between writing (you do need those extra calories as writing fuel) 

4. Ponder on deep topics brought up in the workshop like  the anatomical feasibility, desirability and likelihood of having sex with a T. Rex (yes, as in dinosaur)

5. Panic as deadline looms and word count has stalled

6. Spend days coming up with a pen name for assuming your secret identity

7. Obsess over fictional characters who are taking over your waking state and refusing to follow directions  from you (who have complete control of the delete key, by the way) 

8. Flex atrophied writing muscles and write, write, write

9. Buckle up for labor pains of birthing a story

10. Overcome shame

Suzette de Borja has not recovered from the childhood trauma of not qualifying  for a spelling bee contest during her elementary days. When not engaged in an internal debate over the merits of a vegan vs. Paleolithic diet, she is often found in front of a hand held gadget or laptop trying not to be socially (media) awkward on the internet. She lives in an urban jungle with her husband and child  who is convinced she is half−girl, half−unicorn.   

Please visit her online at:

Facebook.com/SuzettedeBorja

Twitter.com/SuzettedeBorja

suzettedeborja@gmail.com

The Best Friend Hookup is part of the Sizzling #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

Q&A with #buqosteamyreads author Adelaide Penne

Taking over the blog today is Adelaide Penne, author of Finding Mr. Write. Here's a Q&A!

1) How did you come up with the story?

I did a bit of an informal 'interview' with a friend who got back with an ex after a year (and who are still together after four years!) and in talking to her, I finally realized that there are some instances when getting back together with an ex was okay.

But Finding Mr. Write is not based on their story. It's purely fictional. :)

2) Who was your inspiration/peg for Clark and Marcia?

I actually based Clark's physique off Henry Cavill. I have always seen Superman as manly and that chest is just amazing. As for their personalities and his, ehem, job, that was just something I thought of and made me laugh. Hopefully it will make you laugh, too.

As for Marcia, I have always enjoyed strong, independent characters, but I don't have one specific person on whom I based her on.

3) How was it like writing something this steamy?

This was my first time to write something this steamy, so there was a lot of squirming and blushing involved. Thankfully, our #buqosteamyreads on Twitter was very active, and the other authors were very helpful in providing inspiration!

4) What was the hardest part in writing Finding Mr. Write?

I met with several challenges! First, I had to figure out a good reason any former couple could overcome to get back together again. Second, I had to get out of my comfort zone to amp up the steam. Third, I wanted to set my story apart and make sure Finding Mr. Write actually had a tangible story, and that their love scene had a reason for happening. Fourth, I had to find beta readers and revise my story. I had to be critical during revisions to make sure I could spot the weak points that others might not have noticed.

5) As an indie and new author, what challenges did you have or foresee, publishing-wise?

Since 'steamy' reads by Filipino authors is a new category for Filipino readers, that's already one challenge our class had. Thankfully, Mina V. Esguerra, along with Buqo, paved the way for several smut-minded, I mean eager [ ;) ] aspiring/current authors to be motivated to finish and publish a book.

Aside from that, publishing-wise, I don't have the support of experts in the publishing industry and I don't know how well-received my story, or this category, will be. Furthermore, marketing is something that's out of my purview, and as a new author, that is always a bit hard. However, this whole experience is a welcome challenge, and so far it has been an enjoyable ride.

6) Do you have any other upcoming steamy works?

In creating a story, I don't force the plot. Instead, I collect ideas, and when I have something concrete, I write it down. I have a planned sequel - I'm not yet sure how long it will be - but I haven't started it yet. And yes, it will be about Ensyang :)

7) Would you ever date an ex?

That is debatable, and it would probably need - oh look there's a rainbow!

8) Say something about yourself.

I'm a 20-something aspiring author who loves to read, sing, and work (gasp, yes). I love earning my own money to fund my travels, retirement (haha), and chocolate and book addiction. On an ordinary day, I can be found in my personal library/office, working, blogging, or watching movies. On weekends, I am either learning something new, eating, drinking mocha frappucino, out with friends, shopping, or traipsing around in an entirely different city.

Like Marcia, I love technology and I have awesome friends. Unlike Marcia, I don't turn heads, I don't have a Clark in my life, and I can only dream to be that rich.

-------------------------------------

Social media links:

Blog: http://adelaidepenne.blogspot.com

Twitter: @adelaidepenne

Finding Mr. Write is part of the Sizzling #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Mia del Socorro: What It Was Like to Write Steamy Scenes

Taking over the blog for today: Mia del Socorro, author of Love Under Cover, a #buqosteamyreads story

Sumali ako sa steamyreads seminar quite by accident (o destiny ba?) because I was quite eager to join other writers who I hoped would get me back on stream after I found myself experiencing dryness as I approached what I thought were the closing chapters of a novel I began to write more than a year ago.

When I started writing the novel, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself writing again after a long, long period of absolute aridity insofar as fiction writing is concerned.  And I felt so happy and fulfilled.  Until I found myself stalled again.  Was I going to stop short of completion?  Was I going to bail out somehow?  So I signed up to join the group, despite the intimidating name it had given to itself, “steamyreads seminar.” 

Why should I be afraid, I told myself.  I’m a mature, married woman, quite advanced in years, with four grown children to boot.

The seminar was quite an eye opener for me.  Quite obviously, I was the oldest.  Many of the participants were younger than my youngest son.  And I saw a glimpse of the world my children live in today. 

To start with, I am not a romance novel reader.  In fact, the last complete novel I read was probably “The Joy Luck Club”, several decades ago, and I don’t think you’d classify that as a romance novel.

When I was a teenager myself, I wrote romantic short stories, quite advanced and intensely disturbing for that time.  Now, in the steamyreads seminar, I found myself almost infantile and ignorant, out of my depth it seemed, in terms not only of knowledgeability and inner poise not only about sexual matters but also of an even more basic view of life and of the world.  This world.  The world of the here and now. The world of the so-called millenials.

Thankfully, I did not have a problem thinking of a storyline for the trope I was assigned to do.  In less than two weeks, I was able to come up with my first draft, which included what I thought was a satisfying sex scene which I gave a heat level rating of 3.

I wanted to get editorial assistance but found myself having to deal with several pressing domestic emergencies so I didn’t have time to explore options.  So I showed my story to a seventy-nine year old aunt, a published writer herself, but not of fiction works.  I also enclosed Mina’s description of the heat levels we were supposed to incorporate in our stories.

My aunt shocked me when she said I had an interesting story line but that my heat level was definitely ZERO.  I was in a quandary.  Do I raise the ante, and by that I meant the heat level of my story, or do I just bail out?

Ultimately, I decided to take on the challenge.  I am a professional, I told myself, and I should regard this as a commissioned work.  I have to meet my “client’s” expectations.  I have to fulfil my TOR. BUT – I will never do it again.  Hindi na ako uulit.

With that resolve, I was able to come up with an expanded sex scene that I think anybody would say should pass for a heat level 3.  And I do like it.  I am proud of what I came up with.  In fact, I’m beginning to rethink my novel and wondering if I shouldn’t add more spice to my almost finished novel. 

I’m still thinking.

Love Under Cover is part of the Passion #buqosteamyreads bundle. Get it on buqo for iOS and Android, or at buqo.ph.

#buqosteamyreads! Get them for your Apple or Android device

They're here! Steamy adult romances, in English, by Filipino authors. Each story will be available exclusively on the buqo ebook store for one year, at $0.99 or P45 each. Get the buqo app on iOS or the Google Play Store, and then buy from the app, or through the buqo.ph site.

For a limited time though, you'll be able to get all of the stories (including a bonus one from me) for just P225 (less than $5)  if you get the bundles. Stock up on your steamy reads for the summer! 

I just tested this out by buying all the bundles, and while the Android and buqo.ph credit card payment gateway seems to be down right now, the bank deposit options seem available. And iTunes in-app purchases definitely work. 

If you've purchased and read a #buqosteamyreads story, let me know! Let's make some authors happy!

Guest post by #buqosteamyreads author Halina Cabrera: On the steamy side of things

Taking over the blog for today is #buqosteamyreads author Halina Cabrera!

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I would never have finished writing a steamy story if it weren’t for Mina Esguerra’s workshop. I think the discipline of having to write using a specific trope, a literary device (for more info, join Mina’s writing workshops), learning all the background on romance heat levels and alpha males, and having to finish on a specific deadline really helped. So there, a big  thank you to Mina and all my classmates. For all writers who are looking for a push (to finish writing a story): attend a writing workshop now!

Inner Bitch

I liked writing strong female characters. I was challenged when Mina said the main character should NOT be simple/ ordinary. The female character should have an X-Factor that will make the alpha male fall for her.  It was challenging but it was also fun. It was like finally getting permission to let my inner bitch come out. Haha! It was actually quite liberating. But according to one of my beta readers…my bitchy character wasn’t bitchy enough! More practice is in order.

The Steamy Parts

Writing the steamy scenes took a bit of work. Not because I don’t get any practice! That’s a different story. It was challenging because I was writing so fast, my initial readers (beta readers and editor) felt like I wanted to get it over with. (Side note: beta reader and editor feedback are invaluable). The point of writing steamy reads is to get the reader to enjoy the steamy scenes: linger a bit and really make the reader feel (smell, taste, and see!) the action. Maybe that was my way of dealing with the discomfort of stepping out of my comfort zone: by doing it fast. But that’s no way to enjoy anything. The editing process was really a good way to address this.

What helped? It helped to have a picture of my love interest in front of me when I was writing. It’s easy to describe my main characters. But looking at actual pictures helped me be more graphic with the descriptions of my love interests.  I needed to put myself in the reader’s shoes. Who is this guy? Why is he so hot? Why should the reader pay attention to him? Details make a character very interesting. And there’s nothing like having a picture to add more details to the page.

Another thing that made a difference when writing the steamy scenes was having a romantic perspective. What makes a love scene romantic? It’s the…romance. That sounds easy to follow, right? But it’s not. Getting dirty is not the same as getting romantic. This distinction takes some balance. Mina was very emphatic during the workshop that there should be no mistake about what was going: consensual romance. No rape (subtle or otherwise) and no intoxicated sex. I’m glad Mina made this clear to all the writers in the workshop.

Community

Lastly, I liked being part of a community of writers. I felt like I was in this with a lot of other people and it was okay to be in certain spaces: unsure, embarrassed, awkward, not getting enough word count, etc. I got to meet a lot of great people while working on this project. I am eternally grateful to them for the help they gave me.

Shameless Plug

On this note, I’d like to introduce my short stories: Boyfriend-Stealing Bitch and Crashing Into Him, both going up on buqo (www.buqo.ph) as part of the #buqosteamyreads bundles by April 1, 2014.

Boyfriend-Stealing Bitch: Jess Rodriguez always gets what she wants. That's why no one in her office has difficulty believing she tried to steal the gorgeous Martin de Guzman from his perfect girlfriend, Eliza. Now, the label "boyfriend-stealing bitch" has been slapped on her. Plus, Martin has to leave for the U.S. and Jess is left all alone to pick up the pieces.

Two years later, Martin shows up in the most unlikely of places: at Jess’s weekend getaway with her boyfriend, Joey. Will it be his turn to steal her away on a hot summer night? Is she finally going to claim the title she was so unfairly given back then?

Crashing Into Him: Hazel Fernandez, certified workaholic and finance manager, and Luis Cortez, fitness buff and gym owner, meet when he crashes his truck into her car. In the first five minutes, she notices that he is one hot guy. But he immediately starts acting like a jerk. She decides she can’t stand him. And she guesses he can’t stand her either. Except that she catches him checking her out.

Then Luis wants to meet about car insurance issues. Will all discussions end with what will be done with their cars or will there be more crashing into each other? Hazel is about to find out one rainy night.

Email me: Cabrera.Halina@gmail.com

Follow me on FB: https://www.facebook.com/HalinaCabrera

Follow me on Twitter: @CabreraHalina

Set your readers to steamy

Do we have enough English-language adult romance by Filipino authors? I thought we didn't, and that it's such a shame. Some people agreed with me.

So for five weeks in 2014, we did something about it. I offered a class in adult-romance writing. 60 people signed up. Buqo agreed to sponsor it, and offer ebook distribution to anyone who finished their "steamy read" in time. 23 stories were in draft form at the end of the class.

On Friday, the final final manuscripts of the #buqosteamyreads stories are due, and there may be some last-minute panicking. I hope everyone who reads this sends happy vibes and good cheer to these authors, who shared their energy, ideas, pics of shirtless guys... everyone was such a good sport, and I want to see them all published. (YOU CAN DO IT YOU CAN DO IT!)

Fortunately I was able to finish a story too (almost didn't!). It's called "Wedding Night Stand" (it's not about furniture) and it'll be sold exclusively on buqo for a year. For mature readers only though.

Authors, buqo, and casual observers of the #buqosteamyreads hashtag, thank you and YOU CAN DO IT!