June Author of the Month Emily Alter introduction, Author Interview & #giveaway @TTCBooksandmore @emiwhat

Hey y'all, It's almost officially summer, can you believe it? It's been sweltering here in Texas for a while, so I'm a bit scared of what Mother Nature has in store for us over the next few months. And now, on to business, Allow me to introduce you to our June Author of the month, Emily Alter. She has a hot new release to share out the gate as well as an Interview, cause, inquiring minds wanna know! 

Author links and giveaway details are at the end of the post. And remember, all comments on all of Emily's posts throughout June will be entered into the giveaway. So be sure to check the blog often for new stuff from our Author of the Month for June. 

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~

Héctor enjoys his clothes, his subscription to adult websites, and fostering puppies with questionable names. 

Mario enjoys animals, video games, and the dream of a life where he doesn’t have all this shit to work through.

Their situations aren’t ideal, but one look at him, and Héctor knows he’s just not letting go.

Look at Him includes: painful first encounters, voyeurism, kink exploration, impact play (on other people), hot-tempered people who need to work on their issues, people pleasers who can’t prove their friends wrong, worried roommates, and negotiations.

Buy links: Zon US Zon UK

Where are you from, and where do you call home?

I’m from the north of Spain, even though I’ve been living in Madrid for the last three years now, and I spent most of my life in a tiny town I don’t have the fondest memories of. Where do I call home? I honestly have no idea. I love Madrid, and I’m starting to build a nest here, but I don’t know if it’s home yet. Time will tell.

What inspired you to start writing?

My love of reading, probably. I’ve been reading books since I knew how to read.

My overactive imagination, too, and the need to express everything that was going on in my life somewhere. Writing has always had a sort of cathartic feeling attached to it.

How long have you been writing?

Since I was around eight, I think, maybe a bit younger? I remember that we were spending a holiday up north, and my mother had given me her old laptop (old as in, super stocky and it had little else than a Word processor in it). I apparently wrote a fanfic before I knew what those were about Xena The Princess Warrior. I just need to find where it is now.

I’ve always been writing stories, either for myself, a blog, or a fanfic site. My publishing journey, though, started in 2017. That first book isn’t available for purchase anymore, but…I guess if you’re talking how long I’ve been writing professionally, it would be almost 5 years now.

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

This is going to be cliché, but first and foremost, write what you want, and don’t wait for the right moment to hit a specific genre. More often than not, that right moment is never going to come. 

And, surround yourself with friends in the community that can beta-read for you, give you advice, or simply laugh with you and be your shoulder to lean on when/if things get tough.

Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it?

Not often, if I’m honest. When I do have writer’s block, it’s because I’m too overwhelmed with something else going on in my life, so it’s kind of my wakeup call to start doing something about it.

What Author’s in the genre do you read? 

A lot. When it comes to gay romance, some of my go-to authors are NR Walker, Misha Horne, Kate Aaron, Debbie McGowan and Nicola Haken. When it comes to sapphic romance, I’m still figuring out who my go-to authors are, but I really enjoy Crystal Chard, Diana Kane, Ruby Grandin or Saxon Bennett.

What comes first, the plot or characters?

Characters, one hundred percent.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to tell us about?

The second book in the Golden Retrieval series! I should be editing other titles (which I am, too), but these characters keep me so energized and enthralled with their stories. I don’t wanna give too many spoilers but think: fem sub, Daddy bodyguard and sadist Dom the Daddy disapproves of.

Describe the perfect writing space.

Comfiest chair (but there has to be a couch too, because sometimes I like writing while lying on my back), background music, lack of noisy neighbors…oh, and if there’s someone to either remind me of the time or walk my dog, that would be great.

(Note: I love walks with my dog, and I never leave him without them, but they have stopped my flow more than once, and we’re talking about perfect writing spaces here.)

Do you do research for your books? If so, what does that entail? 

Depends on the book, but of course: from salary ranges, to law related visa applications, distances between cities/states/countries, universities, accessibility of fast food restaurants… Those are some of the examples I can think of. I have to say, ever since I started writing about characters set in Madrid, my life has become a bit easier.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Nine novels, and three novellas (one of which was part of an anthology, and the other one is part of a multi author series).

I hate picking favorites, though; I feel like my favorite is always the last book I’ve written. And it kind of is right now, but I also have a soft spot for Garrett, Tim and Derrick from Direction (Demands 5), and Mason (Trust, Demands 1) is still one of my favorite characters to hang out with.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I’m not sure how to answer this. I mean, I suppose I do, but I don’t have big entourages or anything like that. We’re a cozy community, though, which I really enjoy. And I love getting feedback from readers. I actually have a folder with all the five stars reviews I’ve gotten throughout the year, and it’s the best pick me up ever.

Emily Alter is a queer, kinky, and polyamorous author of both gay and sapphic literature. When she’s not writing or being a brat to someone who has consented to it, she does her bit of activism as a social psychologist and licensed sex therapist in Madrid, Spain. (any/all)

Patreon: patreon.com/emilyalter 

Amazon: amazon.com/author/emilyalter 

BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/emily-alter 

Facebook: facebook.com/itsemilyalter

Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/TheQueerLitZone

Goodreads: goodreads.com/emilyalter

Instagram: instagram.com/emiwhat_

Emily is offering two eBooks for one lucky winner (A copy of Look at Him and the prequel to the story). To be entered, simply leave a comment and congratulate the Author on her new release!

*You MUST leave your contact information >email address< to be contacted if you're name is chosen* All comments from all Author of the Month posts throughout June will be entered into the giveaway.

Follow the blog facebook page HERE and check the giveaway tab for all the current promo posts with giveaways, thanks for stopping by y'all!