Friday, August 24, 2012



I don't suppose I started out with the idea to write GLBTQ literature. The first time I ever really thought about it was back in about 1984-ish when I was going to college and working the phones at a local department store. To amuse myself between calls, I often had a book with me. A friend of mine gave me two of Rita Mae Brown's books, The Rubyfruit Jungle and Sudden Death. I liked the books very much except as an avid reader of romance, I wanted them to have a traditional romance novel ending -- I wanted my happily-ever-after.

The more I read, the more I realized there might be a place for a traditional romance novel with characters who happen to be GLBT. I guess I thought it might be good to write novels where sexuality is simply a characteristic of the protagonist and not necessarily a major part of the conflict of the story.

This was probably a completely naive and half-cocked (no pun intended) idea on my part. It's certainly proven more complicated than that. But I know, I remember exactly how I felt the first time someone wrote a romance novel featuring a zaftig heroine with thick glasses. That was me. And like all people who project themselves into the fantasy of a novel, and especially a romance, it was a pleasure to see myself there.

Of course that's an oversimplification. Life interfered and I went on to have kids and never really gave writing those novels a whole lot more thought -- that is,  until my children challenged me to do it in about 2007. It coincided with my first exposure to manga and anime, to yaoi, or Japanese boylove novels and I thought again, maybe the time is right. At any rate, the time was right for me.

Suffice it to say I love love stories. I love romance, and I believe everyone deserves a happy ending. Gay or straight, young or old, multiracial, multicultural, aliens, werewolves, maiden aunts, or octopus shifters. I am all about the romance, and the happily ever after.

I hope you'll jump around and see what everyone has to offer.

For my contest, one lucky winner will receive a PRINT copy of The Long Way Home! To win, please comment below, and thank you for your support! I couldn't do it without you.




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81 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 5:57 AM

    I already have a coup,e of your books and really enjoy them, so I would love to be considered in the draw. Thanks

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:15 PM

      Thanks for entering... I am about to draw, and I'm including you. So glad you enjoy them!

      Delete
  2. Lin SpringerAugust 24, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Good Morning ZAM,
    I fell into GLBT genre when I received my first e-reader. Yes, I admit I was cruising erotica in hopes of finding something with a bit more to it than your standard bodice ripper romance. I flitted from area to area checking what I liked and didn't. By some good fortune I found you and KAM about the same time and realized I had discovered my new niche. Thank you for writing such marvelous books. I hope you a long and successful career.
    Lin

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:18 PM

      Oh, KAM! I'm reading But My Boyfriend Is, and I can't stand it! She's so damned good I can't put the book down! I wrote her my very first fangirl letter. *sighs* and she wrote me back and I felt like a million bucks. This last RWA Nationals, she and I finally met and I got to have breakfast with her and meet her wife. SO MUCH FUN!

      Thanks for like our niche, and thanks especially for writing my name in the same sentence as hers. She's frisking awesome. I'm just glad to come along for the ride!

      Delete
  3. AndreaAugust 24, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Please count me in.

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  4. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    My first story of yours was epistols at dawn. But I must tell you that one of my absolute favorites is The Long way Home - I have it on all my readers/computers. Makes me laugh and cry, a perfect story!!
    Cinders1964@hotmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:19 PM

      Aw... Thanks Cinders! I love that story. Those were my boys. The psychic Puh-syclops... I loved Kevin!

      Delete
  5. AnasAugust 24, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    Please count me in, I love reading m/m romance(I blame fanfiction, because the more interesting pairing were always in the slash pile ;)

    moonsurfer123 at gmail com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      I blame Yaoi, because I discovered that before fan fiction but now I have slash goggles and I just can't get them off!

      Delete
  6. laurieAugust 24, 2012 at 9:15 AM

    i have always liked your work Z A. so count me in too for this contest!

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  7. KimberlyFDRAugust 24, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    I always love these blogs hops, getting to know new-to-me authors and a deeper understanding of my favorites :)

    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com


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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:21 PM

      I love blog hops too! So many nice new folks and it's possible with this one, there will be a few heading for GRL, so it's fun to meet people later!

      Delete
  8. LashaAugust 24, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    I love that cover! Thanks for being apart of the blog hop.

    mslasha @ gmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:21 PM

      Thanks Lasha! Love blog hops. Lotsa nice folks out there!

      Delete
  9. NastashaAugust 24, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    I just discovered you through this hop and your writing sounds great!

    stashlab at gmail dot com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:22 PM

      Thank you Natasha! I've got you entered in the contest!

      Delete
  10. Jase GlinesAugust 24, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    Finding out why people write GLBTQ literature is interesting. I love that so many people are involved. Growing up with so few books that I could relate to, characters that I could understand, was difficult. To see the way things have changed in such a short time is amazing. There is much to choose from and so many places to find them. I've read most of your books and love all of them. They are books that I can go back and reread many times and enjoy as much as the first time I read them. Thanks for writing such great books and providing me with much needed enjoyment!

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:23 PM

      Thanks so much Jase, I am so glad you like them. I'll keep writing em as long as people want to read them!

      Delete
  11. CorneliaAugust 24, 2012 at 5:12 PM

    Love HEA also for everyone.Thanks for the hop.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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  12. Terri HAugust 24, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    I love romance for everyone! Thanks for the great stories. :)

    terrihawk66@yahoo.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:24 PM

      Thank you! I like romance for everyone too. I'm just an old softie.

      Delete
  13. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 7:07 PM

    THE LONG WAY HOME looks gorgeous!

    vitajex(at)aol(Dot)com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:24 PM

      Oh, thank you. That cover was from Lex Valentine at Winterheart. She's just up in my head and when I need a cover, she's my girl!

      Delete
  14. Erica PikeAugust 25, 2012 at 3:40 AM

    Hah! I already connect the name "The Long Way Home" with Z.A. Maxfield. I was, like, wait...that's not the right cover. Never read that book, just had it on my to-buy list since forever ;)

    Erica
    eripike at gmail dot com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:25 PM

      Sadly my publisher left the business, and so I couldn't in good conscience use the older cover, although I liked it very much and it was nominated for an award. I have you in my contest, good luck!

      Delete
  15. UnknownAugust 25, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Thanks for joining the hop, Z.A.! It's great to hear your kids encouraged you to write! I haven't told my son what I'm writing yet. He's gay-friendly, but I don't think he'll like the idea of Mom writing erotica. :-)
    madisonparklove@gmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:28 PM

      My kids are like so funny about it. On the one hand, I have kids who really love books, and they think it's cool to tell their friends that I've written some. On the other hand, there are three teenage boys in the mix, and they die of embarrassment whenever they see the covers. I think that would be true even if there were half naked girls on them. But they're like. No mommy no! Don't show me... I think they stopped looking somewhere around Notturno...

      Delete
  16. RainAugust 25, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    Now I want to know which book had that "zaftig heroine with thick glasses". :D

    (my email is in my profile)

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:29 PM

      I read a book by Jude Devereaux where the heroine was an opera singer. I think I made up the glasses part, but I do remember her being more than a handful. And she ate! Not like a bird either.

      Delete
  17. AnonymousAugust 25, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    I hope too that one day we can see romances on book shelves that just happen to have same sex mc's, a great story is a great story who ever is in it. Love the new book cover!
    Suze
    Littlesuze at hotmail dot com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:30 PM

      That was my plan. Just one day there would be a section that says ROMANCE, and they'd all be there together, because that's where you'd put love stories. Right? (Except in literary fiction, because thats where you put love stories where people die, end up in an institution, or get eaten by bears or something.)

      Delete
  18. rwoodsAugust 25, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    Octopus Shifters! Now THAT sounds interesting. On behalf of all of us shifty octopi out there, we thank you for the shout out!

    Ryal
    ryalwoods@gmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:32 PM

      You can blame Ally Blue! Eight Arms To Hold You. Octopus shifter. (I'm right about that, I think...

      http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Arms-To-Hold-You/dp/1608200191/ref=la_B004XKCER0_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1346041940&sr=1-17

      Delete
  19. UnknownAugust 25, 2012 at 12:15 PM

    Love the blurring of lines, and making this a part of a bigger social movement. Love is for everyone....

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  20. MaryAugust 25, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Thank you for doing the hop.

    MFierydrgn2aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. booklover0226August 25, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Hi, ZA.

    I enjoyed your post; it was a great read. I have read some of your and really enjoyed them. I look forward in reading more.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:34 PM

      So glad you've enjoyed the books! Thanks for coming by! Have fun at the hop!

      Delete
  22. Tempe OAugust 25, 2012 at 6:06 PM

    It's great when our kids are a driving force behind us :c) Mine are as well, even if they aren't allowed to read my books yet. I love your stories and await the newest in the Norturno series.

    Tempe
    tempste.oriley@gmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:35 PM

      My kids have been terrific and supportive, (as well as much better at grammar than I am)

      I'm working on Matins, I promise!!! I'm sorry this has been an off year for me. We'll get it out there, and the next time I do a series, I'll write them all first!

      Delete
  23. JulianaAugust 25, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Thanks for participating in the blog hop! Loved your insightful humor!
    OceanAkers @ aol.com

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  24. wulfAugust 26, 2012 at 12:54 AM

    I'm enjoying this blog hop and all the different answers everyone is giving to the same question. Thanks for participating :)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. CameronAugust 26, 2012 at 2:13 AM

    Great to hear your kids encouraged you. My (ultra straight but tolerant of Bi-everything wife) encouraged me, to my utter amazement. But he won't be seen dead with me if I wear the T shirt I had printed with my book cover on it. (two guys kissing ... ooooh shocking!) Good post,thanks.

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:37 PM

      Hahah. Yeah. My kids. Wow. Some of those covers made their faces go up in flames! But they'd wear an I heart St. Nacho's shirt if I asked them, probably.

      Delete
  26. Emiliana25August 26, 2012 at 6:00 AM

    I loved The long way home and have it as an ebook, but a friend who is away this weekend asked me to participate for her, so I hope this will be okay?

    emiliana25 at web dot de

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:37 PM

      So glad you stopped by, of course it's okay! I'll enter you in the drawing!

      Delete
  27. YvetteAugust 26, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Wonderful post! Count me in please.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousAugust 26, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    But I know, I remember exactly how I felt the first time someone wrote a romance novel featuring a zaftig heroine with thick glasses. That was me. And like all people who project themselves into the fantasy of a novel, and especially a romance, it was a pleasure to see myself there.

    THIS. In a world of perfect heroines with lavender colored eyes, who can eat a breakfast fit for a lumberjack but never gain weight, is so beautiful she needs no makeup AND is completely and totally unaware of her drop-dead gorgeousness... well, THAT'S fantasy, let me tell you! :-)

    The funny thing about writing M/M romances is that it lets me explore aspects of my own personality that I wouldn't even know how to *find* if I was approaching the story from a female POV. I'm sure psychologists would have a field day with that one, but there you are.

    I'm relatively new to the genre, but I've heard people mention your stories with great appreciation. Which one would you suggest I start with? :-)

    akasarahmadison at gmail dot com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:40 PM

      ZOMG those lavender eyes. Doesn't that make you just want to go BLARGH???

      I love m/m for so many complicated reasons. I'd suggest that you start with St. Nacho's if you like it a little dark, and Crossing Borders if you like it on the super sweet/humorous side. Thanks for asking!

      Delete
  29. ShirleyAnnAugust 26, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Hi Zam
    I'm a big fan I loved reading all your books.
    Please can you enter me for the Contest

    ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  30. EmilyAugust 26, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    Thanks for sharing and for participating!

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  31. nancyAugust 26, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    I am so glad your children gave you that challenge. Just to think of all the good stories that we would have missed if they hadn't makes me shudder.

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:42 PM

      Hahah. Well, I don't know if the world is better off or anything, but I am having to much fun, you know? And meeting all you new people at blog hops and things is part of what makes it fun!

      Delete
  32. Tabatha HansenAugust 26, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    I agree with you about loving love stories not matter what who is involved, as long as there is a happy ending :)

    Thank you for participating!
    Tabatha Hansen
    mmparanormalromance@gmail.com
    mmparanormalromance.wordpress.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:43 PM

      I like to read love stories, and I really don't care who is in love. I just love the whole genre of romance. Happy reading to you too!

      Delete
  33. Ryan LovelessAugust 26, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    Thank you for expressing this so well. Finding a character who is like you in romance is a wonderful thing, whether it's in appearance or experience. Combining that with a fantasy character gives you a perfect mix for a great story, but more importantly, a story to remember that can affect you in a positive way.

    Ryan

    mslovelesswrites at gmail.com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:45 PM

      I think it gives hope, and it can lift self esteem to see yourself in that positive light, you're absolutely right.

      Delete
  34. SarahAugust 26, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    So glad u ended up writing mm otherwise I would have missed some great stories and humour ;-D

    Sarah S

    Sarahs7836(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:46 PM

      Thanks Sarah! I'm loving the work. I almost feel guilty about how much I love to work, now.

      Everyone should have a job they love (that they can do in their jammies.

      Delete
  35. JoAnnaAugust 26, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    Octopus shifter? I will have to look into that one. Thanks for participating in the blog hop!

    beckerjo at verizon dot net

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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:47 PM

      Yep. Ally Blue, that was hers, wasn't it? I have been meaning to read it.

      http://www.amazon.com/Eight-Arms-To-Hold-You/dp/1608200191/ref=la_B004XKCER0_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1346041940&sr=1-17

      I love her work.

      Delete
  36. UnknownAugust 26, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks for entering!

    Lilly
    lillywriting@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. SusieQ_tooAugust 26, 2012 at 3:04 PM

    Thanks for the post, ZAM! Am really enjoying the hop thus far, Please include me in the drawing!
    seritzko AT verizon DOT net
    PS- does the print copy come with an autograph *wink*?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:48 PM

      You bet, the print copy has to come autographed or I could just send it from Amazon. It will take longer that way, but you bet!

      Delete
  38. ceaglesAugust 26, 2012 at 3:30 PM

    Hi ZAM. Great post. Thanks for being on The Blog Hop.

    Chris
    ceagles48218@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. K-lee KleinAugust 26, 2012 at 4:15 PM

    Awesome post. sweetie. I feel the same way. :)
    I want that print book so bad!
    Hugs and smooches
    K-lee
    kleemoon66 at gmail dot com

    http://chaosinthemoonlight.blogspot.ca/2012/08/rainbow-book-reviews-blog-hop-august-24.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:50 PM

      Hahah. You can get a copy at GRL if you don't get one this time, hugs you back and smooches you too!

      Delete
  40. bn100August 26, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    Very nice post.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Z.A. MaxfieldAugust 26, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    Great to meet you too, we'll no doubt run into one another again sometime soon!

    ReplyDelete

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