Hi everyone! It’s me, Lou Sylvre, back after a couple months’ unplanned hiatus. In fact, this post was supposed to go live last month, but due to a snafu, it never did, so I’ve updated it for a second try.

I’m guessing most of you know the MM Romance world has been and continues to be in a bit of turmoil. I still love the genre and it’s people, and I’m going to revisit that just a little before I share some news.

I’ve always thought of Dreamspinner Press as, like, the queen of everything in MM Romance. They seemed solid as a rock and unshakeable. That has proven untrue. Yes. But ‘change,’ even coming as it often does with heaping spoons of ‘trouble,’ is not the same as doom.

I no longer have books on Dreamspinner’s catalogues. Though I had hopes, after much deliberation and an honest self-check, I decided that at this particular time, the best thing I could do for my author career is request reversion of rights. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, because for me, even though we’ve had our ups and downs like any family, Dreamspinner has been ‘home.’

I’ve opted not to judge. Anyone. We don’t know all that has gone on behind the scenes at Dreamspinner to bring about calamity, and despite a bit of dodging the disclosure bullet, I do believe them when they say they are trying to make it right. The fact that they offered the opportunity to authors to reclaim their rights to their works without cost is strong evidence that their intentions are, at least, honest. On the other hand I think anger is understandable on the part of those forced to leave. Authors and their families need food, clothing, medicine, and financial security too. I’m neutral and not laying blame or calling names, and I’m just going to leave it at that.

At the same time, a lot of new things have come as a result of the shake-up of my author life—which for me actually started before all these bigger events. Now I’m as anxious/excited/nervous for the future as I am heartbroken over what is left behind.

New Stuff!

Released November 1 from Changeling Press—The first in an eight installment series: Vasquez Inc. Book 2, to be out November 21! These are the stories starring Jackie and Brian, but expect to see badass Luki and sweet Sonny stepping into secondary roles, too. Yes, Luki is still a badass, and Sonny is still that artist guy who gets things done. 🙂

A Shot of J&B: Same name as the first edition, same characters, the first half of the original book reimagined for serialization Changeling style—waiting for a cover, ebook will be out 10/26:
Gay American Dom with a fabulous sub juggles romance and bondage with Scotland Yard police work.

A Shot of Fear: Watch for cover reveal and preorder in the next week or so, and release 11/21.) The second half of the J&B first edition, made “even more chilling” than before, in the words of my editor:
A Dom learns to love while Scotland Yard claims his time and a sociopath tightens the noose on his sub.

A Shot at Living: 3rd in the serialization of the Vasquez, Inc. series. This is a brand new adventure for Jackie and Brian, never before published, expected probably December:

LA offers up mystery and terror, and a Dom meets a challenge when his beloved sub loses a leg.

Elsewhere:

Anne Barwell and I have a co-authored book lined up with NineStar Press—The Harp and the Sea, coming Summer 2020.

Robbie, a cursed 16th century Reiver, and Ian, a duty-bound Highland Warrior—only magic can bring them together on the Isle of Skye in 1745. But a hungry sea tries to reclaim Robbie, while Ian’s promise to his laird keeps a hold on him, and enemies dog them as they sail south through stormy waters. They’ll need magic, and also swords, courage, and love to bring them to a bright future together.

Anne and I are also celebrating the upcoming release of our New Zealand Romance, Sunset at Pencarrow, from JMS books in early 2020. New publisher, new edition, new cover—altogether even better than before.

Kiwi Nathaniel Dunn is in a fighting mood, but how does a man fight Wellington’s famous fog? In the last year, Nate’s lost his longtime lover to boredom and his ten-year job to the economy. Now he’s found a golden opportunity for employment where he can even use his artistic talent, but to get the job, he has to get to Christchurch today. Heavy fog means no flight, and the ticket agent is ignoring him to fawn over a beautiful but annoying, overly polite American man.

Rusty Beaumont can deal with a canceled flight, but the pushy Kiwi at the ticket counter is making it difficult for him to stay cool. The guy rubs him all the wrong ways despite his sexy working-man look, which Rusty notices even though he’s not looking for a man to replace the fiancé who died two years ago. Yet when they’re forced to share a table at the crowded airport café, Nate reveals the kind heart behind his grumpy façade. An earthquake, sex in the bush, and visits from Nate’s belligerent ex turn a day of sightseeing into a slippery slope that just might land them in love.

But for the biggest news

(from my perspective), I’m going to (gulp) self-publish!

I’ve got my engines revved up to race through some learning about the whole process, and believe me, it feels exciting. My first project will be a holiday book that I hope to have ready for release around December 1. The books will be at least a re-release of Falling Snow on Snow, but if I can swing it, it might have some extra stories, too.

So as I’ve said elsewhere, I love to learn new things and head in a new direction, and I love feeling like the creative fire in me has been rekindled after the sorrowful journey ending with, for now, parting ways with Dreamspinner—my first true love in the MM romance world. Make no mistake, my dear hope is that Dreamspinner will thrive again, and maybe someday in the not too distant future, I’ll be a Dreamspinner author again.

Love is always the answer, I think, and I’m sending it out to all involved in the changes, and all of you. Thank you so much for reading my posts and my books and just being there. As always, I will absolutely love it if you leave me your thoughts in comments.