Writing update

Well! It happened again as I knew it would at some stage. Life reared its head and dragged me away from the computer and writing pads so for the past couple of weeks I've done next to no writing.

However! It hasn't been all negatives, I've been able to get away and explore places I've never been to which of course has sparked more ideas for stories (why do we only have 24 hours in the day?). I've also managed to get lots of other work done as well as still managing to keep relatively organised.

In somewhat more exciting news a manuscript has also been handed in and there will be news on that coming soon. Here is a sneak peek:

So what next? Well I've got a lot more writing to get done and I've got some outstanding submissions I've got to get work done on but I'm also fleshing out an idea for a book staring the totally dashing and over the top Captain Barnabas (you can read a little about him in Valves & Vixens Book 1).

Then there is the blogs, I've got a few in planning and will be getting them up regularly all being well.

In other news I rarely make really serious posts however the devastation in Nepal from the recent earthquakes can't really be ignored.

Coming Together: Through the Storm was put together to raise money for people in the Philippines the proceeds of the sales all go toward Mercy Corps. 

When I put the anthology together I wanted the anthology to benefit not just the Philippines but also many other places that Mercy Corps work in. They have been in Nepal since the first earthquake and will be for a long time.

All proceeds from the sale of Coming Together: Through the Storm go to Mercy Corps so buying it will help Mercy Corps and Nepal as well as the continued help in the Philippines. So why not donate some money and get some great stories to read at the same time!

Wait....what?

It's 2015 and I'm sure I say this at the start of every year but where did last year go? I think I blinked and missed quite a bit of it!

So as usual here is my yearly recap (I may have to start doing one in the middle of the year also to make sure I realise so much time has gone!).

2014 saw many different projects coming to the end and some exciting ones getting started. It was the year my anthologies started to hit the shelves and if anyone had told me that by the end of 2014 I'd have had two anthologies that I'd edited published and three more in the pipeline I'd have never believed it!

The year started with the publication of Three's Company an anthology about threesomes (or sometimes more) it contains my story Taking a Chance. Then it was closely followed by my first anthology Coming Together: Through the Storm, all proceeds of that anthology goes to Mercy Corps and was created to raise money for the typhoon stricken Philippines. After that came Valves & Vixens the first in my series of Steampunk Anthologies. Inspired by one of the stories submitted in Coming Together: Through the Storm the anthology brings together steampunk and erotica what could be better?

As well as those there was: XOXO (containing SO Oft Beguiled), Be My Valentine-XOXO (the print release), Girl Play 2, More Smut for Chocoholics (containing The Competition), Valves & Vixens (my second anthology of the year), The Big Book of Submission: 69 Kinky Tales (containing Lost in the Feeling), The House of Erotica (containing The First Flight), Perfect Proportions (containing Perfect Proportions).

This year also brought new covers for: Wandering Lust, Sun Sea & Seduction and Reigning in Sarah.

Phew! So what does 2015 bring?

Well Cosmic Encounters my science fiction anthology will be out soon, Valves & Vixens 2 is currently in the editing process. I've got a story in an anthology coming out in March time and there will be an announcement about further anthology calls coming soon so watch this space!

Coming Together: Through the Storm review

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Blink and you'll miss it

So things became a little complicated after my emergency hospital visit and even though I've been home things had to more or less come to a total halt. Which means I've more or less blinked and missed all of February!

However I have been reading through all the great submissions for my steampunk anthology Valves & Vixens and I've been getting really excited about this anthology. If you haven't yet submitted to it yet don't worry you still have a few days left my submission guidelines can be found here: http://nicolegestalt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/submissions-wanted-corsets-clockwork.html

Now in other news this month has been the month for me to finally get my hands on print copies of some of the books I've been a part of over the past few months.

First of all the most recent book Be My Valentine - XOXO (published by House of Erotica) is now in print.

It contains my story So Oft Beguiled which is my modern take on Cupid.
Buy it from Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1783335750

Although it is still technically winter Winter Warmers (published by House of Erotica) is the perfect collection to keep you all warm on the dark nights. It contains my story A Meeting of Seasons when Autumn meets Winter and things get more than a little heated.
Buy it from Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1783333952

Finally Coming Together: Through the Storm is now out and is also in print published by Coming Together. This book marked the first time I have publicly edited stories as a whole and I loved reading all the submissions. All the proceeds of the book go toward Mercy Corps and the great work they do.

The book has some great stories in it by some amazing authors and I was so honoured to work with them.

You can buy the book from Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1494982056

Don't forget the 28th is the deadline for Valves & Vixens!

Coming Together: Through the Storm Inspiration - Teresa Noelle Roberts

Well with the popularity of my inspiration posts for The House of Erotica's Winter Warmers Collection (all of which can be found here: http://nicolegestalt.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/winter%20warmers) I have decided to do the same for the latest charity anthology Coming Together: Through the Storm. I admit since I am the editor of this book the fact that I got to not only read all the wonderful stories first but now get to find out the inspiration behind the pieces has me very excited.

So without further ado please welcome my first guest Teresa Noelle Roberts who has two stories in this anthology Storm Surge and Country Pleasures.

"Storm Surge" was inspired by my fascination with "big" weather. I'm not turned on by danger. However, I do find certain natural phenomena--big surf and a really good thunderstorm, among others--quite erotic. My husband and I have deliberately booked ocean view hotel rooms in our favorite beach town in Maine for big storms, once for a winter storm, the other for the remnants of a tropical storm predicted to bring spectacular waves. (It did.) Since he grew up in the Caribbean, he won't let me go to the beach during actual hurricanes...but left to my own devices, I might.

I admit the inspiration for "Country Pleasures" was challenging myself to write a story for a rubber-fetish anthology. It's not a kink I share. In fact, having dated someone with a potentially life-threatening latex allergy, rubber is a turn-off for me. I was at a loss for a plot until I read online that some rubber fetishists love functional rubber such as raincoats and Wellington boots. This brought to mind images of rainy days in the British countryside. That I could handle.

Links:

www.teresanoelleroberts.com

Twitter: @TeresNoeRoberts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTeresaNoelleRoberts

--

Teresa Noelle Roberts

Erotic romance…doing what comes (super)naturally

Cougar’s Courage, Duals and Donovans Book 3, new from Samhain

Knowing the Ropes, a BDSM romance

Fox’s Folly, a Duals and Donovans story

Foxes’ Den, Duals and Donovans Book 2

Lions’ Pride, Duals and Donovans Book 1

www.teresanoelleroberts.com

Twitter: @TeresNoeRoberts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTeresaNoelleRoberts

Thanks to Teresa for dropping by. 

Please don't forget that you can buy Coming Together: Through the Storm from Amazon, All Romance Ebooks and many other places. All links can be found here: http://www.eroticanthology.com/throughthestorm.htm

Competition/Give Away

If you happen to be so kind to buy the book (you should, it's really good if I do say so myself!) and then review it send me the link to my email address reliefanthology '@' gmail 'dot' com I will put you into a prize draw to win any one of my ebooks/books (you get to pick which). Which means not only do you get to donate to charity (all proceeds of Coming Together: Through the Storm go to Mercy Corps) you may well be getting two books for the price of one - and that can't be bad at all.

New Release! Coming Together: Through the Storm

Well since I only posted the table of contents it turns out moments before the book got released this is almost feeling a little like deja-vu. However it is now with great pleasure I get to announce that Coming Together: Through the Storm is now available to buy!

Table of Contents

"Captive Briseis" (Sheridan Blythe)

"And Lily Makes Three" (Leigh Ellwood)

"Take Me Like a Hurricane" (Naomi Bellina)

"Mud is Good and Wetter is Better" (Louise Nimble)

"Storm Surge" (Teresa Noelle Roberts)

"Sinkhole" (Annabeth Leong)

"Twister" (Lisabet Sarai)

"Storm Across the Prairie" (Spencer Dryden)

"Heat of the Night" (Brantwijn Serrah)

"Inside the Eye" (Skilja Peregrinarius)

"Country Pleasures" (Teresa Noelle Roberts)

"Duet" (Lady Grey)

"Thunder" (Karenna Colcroft)

The money raised from the sales of this book will go straight to Mercy Corps a group which is dedicated on bringing aid to those who need it the most after disasters around the world. 

 

It is available to buy from:

All Romance: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-comingtogetherthroughthestorm-1394488-362.html

Amazon (UK): http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HT87I4C

Amazon (USA): http://amzn.com/B00HT87I4C

 

Other links and the main page for the book is here: http://www.eroticanthology.com/throughthestorm.htm

At less then $4 this is a great way to help a good cause and get some amazing reads. These stories are a wonderful mix of sex outdoors, steampunk, new relationships and old longer lasting relationships with a bit of spice. It's a wonderful collection and anthologies are a great way of discovering new authors so why not give it a go!

And! If you pick up this book and leave us a review send me the review link and I'll put you into a prize draw to win a book/ebook (your choice) from my own collection. So not only do you get to give to charity you also get a free book and some amazing reads - it surely can't get better?

Coming Together: Through the Storm Table of Contents

Coming Together: Through the Storm is the anthology I have edited for the Coming Together Series. This book will be out soon but in the meantime here is the table of contents!

"Captive Briseis" (Sheridan Blythe)

"And Lily Makes Three" (Leigh Ellwood)

"Take Me Like a Hurricane" (Naomi Bellina)

"Mud is Good and Wetter is Better" (Louise Nimble)

"Storm Surge" (Teresa Noelle Roberts)

"Sinkhole" (Annabeth Leong)

"Twister" (Lisabet Sarai)

"Storm Across the Prairie" (Spencer Dryden)

"Heat of the Night" (Brantwijn Serrah)

"Inside the Eye" (Skilja Peregrinarius)

"Country Pleasures" (Teresa Noelle Roberts)

"Duet" (Lady Grey)

"Thunder" (Karenna Colcroft)

I've been so honoured to work with some amazing authors and thank you everyone for submitting. 

Once the book is out I will be posting up where you can buy it and don't forget all the money from the proceeds of this book goes to Mercy Corps to help the relief effort in the Philippines. 

New Year's Guidelines 2014

Well I did this last year (need to get used to saying that now!) and enjoyed it enough to do it again this year.

If anyone wants to read last years post you can find it here: http://nicolegestalt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/new-years-guidelines.html

Writing Guidelines

• Continue to work on writing at least 1000 words a day but don't be too hard on myself for not hitting goals.
• Work with more anthologies - I'm just finishing up Coming Together: Through the Storm and have loved working with so many awesome authors.
• Hit more deadlines - I need to get work done before the last night of the deadline!
• Blog at least once a week - my net is all over the place but it shouldn't be too hard to hit that one.
• Write and enjoy it!
• Work on my networking and marketing 

 General Guidelines

• Eat regular meals.
• Try and get more paperwork organised. 
•  Become far more active
• Do more artwork.
• Have afternoon tea at least once a month! 
• Remember to focus on the small good things rather then worry about the next thing that might happen.
• Remember to take time out and relax from time to time 
• Spend time with the other half and give ourselves a break from time to time
• Make memories!

Some (most) are the same as last year but they helped me focus on what was important last year.

So what does 2014 hold?

Coming soon I have Coming Together: Through the Storm being released. This is the first multi-author anthology that I've edited and I'm very excited to be taking part in such a great cause.

At the end of January my second all female anthology will be out! I am very much looking forward to Sun, Sea And Seduction coming out as I have a lot of great memories linked with the writing of all the stories in the book. More information on this will be coming shortly so watch this space!

Finally if you are looking for an anthology to submit to February 28th sees the deadline of my call of submissions for my steampunk anthology Valves & Vixens. Click on the picture for the guidelines.

And I think for the moment at least that is enough for the first post of 2014 - hope everyone has a good one.

Quick mid-week roundup

Well it isn't a Friday! But that's okay I thought I'd pop in today and let you all know what's been going on. 

Today I am over at BDSM Book Reviews doing an interview with them the focus of which is mostly upon the wax play I write about (as can be found in Melting Point: Breaking the Mould). So don't forget to pop over there and say hi! 

The link is: http://www.bdsmbookreviews.com/2013/12/03/welcome-nicole-gestalt/ and whilst you are there why don't you take the time to read some of the great reviews they do!

Secondly when did December creep up on me? I'm sure I blinked and it was suddenly there. Well the deadline for the Coming Together: Through the Storm anthology has now passed and I'm busily working through the fabulous stories that were submitted. If you have submitted to it then I will be in touch in the next two weeks (hopefully sooner rather than later if my internet holds up!). I have loved reading all the different styles and genres that I've been sent and it's so great to see authors coming together for a good cause!

Since it is now December why don't you curl up with a good book and what would be more perfect then an anthology of winter stories perfect for the season (and guaranteed to keep you warm through the coldest nights!). 

It can be picked up here in multiple places including Amazon (http://amzn.com/B00GMRCXG4) and All Romance Ebooks (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thehouseoferoticawinterwarmerscollection-1344464-362.html)

Coming very soon we will be running a blog tour so expect lots of posts popping up all over the place - more information about this will be announced shortly. 

Finally spurred on by the Coming Together: Through the Storm anthology I am putting together my next project which will be announced in the coming days (but don't worry this will have a much longer submission deadline) - so keep your eyes peeled for news.

Phew it's been a busy two weeks!

So for the past few weeks I've been busy getting those words down (no I wasn't taking part in NANOWRIMO but I hope all that did finished all that they wanted to do!) instead I was trying to clear the decks for putting the next process of putting together Coming Together: Through the Storm. The deadline for this charity anthology is this Saturday (or the end of it really) details can be found here: http://www.nicolegestalt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/submissions-for-coming-together-through.html (or just click on the image below)

I'm very happy and honoured to be a part of this anthology as the Coming Together project is very close to my heart so to be able to put together one of the anthologies has been fantastic. I have also loved every minute of reading the submissions as they have been coming in it is truely awe inspiring to see the different stories people can weave. 

Now in other news!! 

Winter Warmers the erotic collection by House of Erotica that contains my short story A Meeting of Seasons is also now available in print! If you click on the gorgeous cover below you will be taken straight to the print link (but if you are in America please click here instead: http://amzn.com/1783333952)

Keep an eye out for more information on the Winter Warmers collection as we will be running a blog tour from December 1st which will be great fun.

Finally

Here is a very special sneak peek of a book you can all look forward to reading when it is released in January next year. Sun, Sea and Seduction is my second all lesbian anthology and all the stories have a lovely holiday theme to them. I just love the cover!

Weekly Round Up

Well this is the second week in a row I'm actually doing a round-up but I'm not yet ready to call this a thing yet! 

This week has been very much of a blur of things. On Tuesday I sat down with my writing head on and actually managed to write over 5000 words during the day which is the best writing day I've had for a long time. I even managed to finish a submission and get well into half way of my pirate story, which is awesome because I'm really having far more fun writing it then I was expecting to. 

So the week has ended up with me submitting one story, finishing off one more and beginning Chapter 5 of a longer piece. Yet that isn't all! This week I was also asked to edit an anthology for Coming Together. They are a charity that creates erotic anthologies for different causes, if you look down the left hand side of this site you will see a few Coming Together titles (With a Twist, Alfresco, With Pride and Under Fire) all of these I have stories within. None of the contributors get any payment apart from a copy of the final pdf and the money of the sales go to the charity's picked. 

The anthology I'll be editing will be going to help Mercy Corps especially with the most recent natural disaster in the Phillipines. 

All submission guidelines can be found by clicking the picture on the left that says Coming Together: Through the Storm. This anthology will have a quick turn around due to the fact that the disaster has already happened and aid is needed now. It reminds me of Coming Together: Under Fire which contains my story Melting Point, the stories in that anthology were written in even less time and all proceeds of that anthology went and still go to helping victims of the California Wildfires. 

Finally the last bit of the news from this week is the latest House of Erotica collections is now out and available to buy. This one is called House of Erotica Winter Warmers Collections and contains my story A Meeting of Seasons which is a male/female fantasy story based around the seasons (as the name may suggest). We will be running a blog tour for this so if there are any authors/readers who would like to have us invade for a day or say please let us know and we'll send you all the information! Otherwise watch this space for information about it all. And whilst you are waiting here is the sexy front cover. 

Submissions for Coming Together: Through the Storm

This is a general call for submissions for a new anthology called Coming Together: Through the Storm. It is likely that everyone is aware of the relief effort currently happening in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan, this disaster will not get fixed in a day and so beds as much help as possible.

The Coming Together series has for many years raised money for various charities and the latest anthology will be raising money for Mercy Corps who take aid over to disaster areas around the world. The need is urgent and so there is a very short deadline on this anthology.

Title: Coming Together: Through The Storm
Editor: Nicole Gestalt
Word Count: Minimum 5k but can be very much more
Payment: Since this is a charity anthology there is no payment other than the knowledge you've helped, although all authors who have a story in it will get a copy of the final pdf.
Theme: All the stories submitted need to have a weather theme
Genre: This is an erotic anthology although I will accept romance based stories. Any pairing, gender or genre will be considered.

The No-No's: No scat, bestiality, under age sex, golden showers, rape or forced sex. If in doubt ask.

Email your submissions as a .doc,.rtf,.txt to reliefanthology 'at' gmail 'dot' com

Format of submission: Please send the submissions double spaced in Times New Roman, 12 point black font. Indent the first line of each paragraph half an inch and double space (using normal double spacing please do not add an extra line between the paragraphs). Please submit your final, complete and totally edited version of the story.

Deadline: 30th November