Ascendio is pleased to announce a roster of fans-turned-erotica professionals who will be joining our Quill Track!
Now fans of romance and erotica, especially m/m erotica, will have an opportunity to learn more about this end of the industry, exciting changes it’s seeing, and how several Harry Potter fanfiction writers made the jump from fanfic to pro! The following guests are confirmed:
Saritza Hernandez
http://saritzahernandez.blogspot.com
E-Pub Agent extraordinaire and avid coffee-drinker, Saritza is as short and simple as this paragraph. Give her a good paranormal or fantasy romance, a giant mug of steaming Cuban coffee and a corner to put her feet up to read, and she’s one happy camper!
Saritza represents both new and established authors and is currently looking for strong erotic romance in the following sub-genres:
Paranormal, sci-fi, steampunk, cyberpunk, fantasy, BDSM, historical (emphasis on Ancient Egypt, Caribbean/MesoAmerican), intercultural and all GLBT-themed erotica for the digital marketplace. Find her submission guidelines and status on her blog: saritzahernandez.blogspot.com and follow her twitter @epubagent.
In fandom, Saritza is known as Madame Minnie, and is one of the founding members of The Quidditch Pitch.
Kele Moon
A freckle-faced redhead born and raised in Hawaii, Kele Moon has always been a bit of a sore thumb and has come to enjoy the novelty of it. She thrives on pushing the envelope and finding ways to make the impossible work in her story telling. With a mad passion for romance, she adores the art of falling in love. The only rules she believes in is that, in love, there are no rules and true love knows no bounds.
So obsessed is she with the beauty of romance and the novelty of creating it, she’s lost in her own wonder world most of the time. Thankfully she married her own dark, handsome, brooding hero who has infinite patience for her airy ways and attempts to keep her grounded. When she leaves her keys in the refrigerator or her cell phone in the oven, he’s usually there to save her from herself. The two of them now reside in Florida with their three beautiful children, who make their lives both fun and challenging in equal parts–they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Diana Copland
Diana began writing in the seventh grade, when she shamelessly combined elements of Jane Eyre and Dark Shadows to produce an overwrought Gothic tale that earned her an A- in creative writing, thanks entirely to the generosity of her teacher. She wrote for pure enjoyment for the next three decades before discovering LiveJournal and a wonderful group of supportive fanfiction writers, who after gifting her with a “Best New Author” Award encouraged her to try her hand at original gay fiction.
Born and raised in southern California, Diana moved to the Pacific Northwest after losing a beloved spouse to AIDS in 1995. She lives in eastern Washington near her two wonderful adult children and her surprisingly supportive parents.
Saritza, Kele and Diana will be participating in several panels, including the following:
Digital Publishing is not Self-Publishing
presentation: Saritza Hernandez
Friday, 2-3 p.m., Tuscan I
Digital Publishing has become a term often used synonymously with Self-Publishing. While the two worlds may crossover, they are not interchangeable! Just because the eBook is available via Kindle it doesn’t mean it is self-published. Join e-pub agent Saritza Hernandez for an illuminating discussion of digital publishing, where it differs from self-publishing and what role the literary agent plays in this new landscape.
From Fanfic to Pro
panel: Aimee Carter, Lindsay Ribar, Kele Moon, Diana Copland
Friday, 3-4 p.m., Tuscan I
Many successful authors got their start where you are — in Harry Potter fandom, writing fanfiction. Join panelists Aimee Carter, Lindsay Ribar, Kele Moon, Diana Copland and Lori Summers for a discussion of how fanfiction (and fandom!) shaped them as writers, and the journeys each one took to achieving professional publishing success.
No Closets: Erotica, Fandom & Slash*
panel: Ravenna C.Tan, Saritza Hernandez, Kele Moon, Diana Copland
Saturday, 6-7 p.m., Venetian V
Erotica has never been hotter, with the growth of Digital Publishing, increased ownership of e-readers, and M/M romance, much of it written by and targeted to a female audience, gaining popularity. Did you know that many HP fandomers are at the forefront of the industry? Join this panel of authors, publishers and agents for an in-depth discussion of industry trends, tips & tricks and how a foundation in — and continuing involvement in — writing slash fanfiction and HP fandom has shaped their careers.
*Please note this panel will admit 18+ only
Publishing 101: Ask an Agent
panel: Lindsay Ribar, Joanna Volpe, Saritza Hernandez
Friday, 11-noon, Venetian III
What do agents really want to see in a query letter? What genres and types of stories are they looking for? What are their pet peeves? Our panel of literary agents will answer these questions and more — come with your burning questions!
You Can Publish That?*
workshop: Saritza Hernandez
Saturday, 5-6 p.m., Venetian V
The GLBTQ romance genre is one of the fastest growing in the digital publishing industry and a great place to dip your toes into. If you currently write slash fanfic, your original works could be sold to publishers who can allow you to make a handsome income and keep writing about the things you love! This workshop will allow authors to have their “slash” (femme and male slash) book proposals reviewed by a literary agent who will provide guidance on how to achieve publication. Ideal for anyone who doesn’t have a complete manuscript to pitch, but would like to speak one-on-one with an agent.
*Please note this workshop will admit 18+ only
