We've finally settled on a cover art for my novel! (For now, at least.)
Here, have a look:
Clicking on the image will lead you to the novel's home on the publisher's site.

So what do you think?

The cover art nicely captures the mood of the story, I think. Apart from that, I am terribly insecure. On the one hand, I am absolutely amazed that the people at FFP managed to find some images that somewhat looked like the main characters of 'Lovers in Arms'. On the other hand, they look nothing like I see them in my head, and a tiny part of me cringes every time I see the cover.

The cover also checks all the necessary boxes, it's easy recognizable even as thumbnail, it's not too cluttered or muted and gives an idea of the story on the very first sight. Definitely a respectable feat, considering that the imagery used is definitely not mainstream. 
And yet, still some part of me think it looks cheap. Then again, how much can you expect of an e-book that's going to sell for, I don't know, $4.99 maybe? Grarr. Can you see my hair going gray(er) over this?

By now, I mostly want everything finished and the book on sale, for good or bad, just to get rid of that terrible nagging feeling that there's still something that could have been done better. The good folks at FFP try to keep me calm and tell me that everything is fine. Is this something every author goes through at some point in time?

Over the last weeks, we have been reconsidering the title of my novel. The title we had was fine, but only once you've read the novel. As a means of advertising, as a hint to the story's content, it was a neat failure. 

So we've been back and forth over the whole issue, bouncing ideas across the pond and our respective circles (we being the good folks at ForbiddenFiction, my lovely wife and I). It is not easy to find a few words that simultaneously a) convey an idea of the novel's content, b) convey a feeling of the genre, b) are at least somewhat original, c) haven't been used a few thousand times already and d) still sound good. 

But yesterday morning on the train to a day job business appointment, I was struck by inspiration. And even though this just feels like mediocre idea #1351273 to me, everyone loves the new title. It checks al the necessary boxes, and we'll stick with it, then. 

Effective today, 'No Dead Heroes' becomes 'Lovers In Arms'. 

The novel is now off to proofreading, the cover art is being worked on, the blurb is trying to be at least as much of a bitch as the title. But we'll wrestle that one down as well, and get further to the publication. Baby steps, but very exciting. 

I just turned in the final draft of my novel, and I am still struggling to figure out how I feel about that. Excited, yes. Exhausted, a little. But also exposed, anticipative, curious, daunted. Even belligerent, a little.

For those (few) here on LJ who I haven't already bothered with the news: I'll be publishing my first 'professional' novel within the next months. A m/m historic romance, set around the Second World War in Germany, so far titled 'No Dead Heroes'. If you'd like to learn more, head over to Forbidden Fiction, the story details should be up any of these days.

I never thought I'd be publishing a novel, much less gay erotica. But hey, life's all about the surprises. It is, isn't it? Right now I feel like it is the most pedestrian, run-of-the-mill story and everyone reading it will chuckle gently and think I'm a ten-year-old or spot me for the non-native speaker that I am. Can you tell that I am a little nervous?

Well, I will be posting the news here every now and then again, so you'll be up to date if you want to.

Wish me luck!

So a few days ago, I posted a poll, asking you for your help in figuring out in which order to write my next stories. 

Winner, or at least long-time front runner, was more smut in the stables with Father Jools. I have already posted the requested 'adventure' here. 

A bit surprising, though, was the strong showing of 'Pleasure Cruise II' and 'The Windmines of Bora Bora'. But hey, that's what you got polls for. So my lovely wife and I talked through the posting schedule and posting order over the weekend, and have come up with the following roadmap: 

Next up will be 'Even Nobles Cry'. After all, we can't keep Eric and Rose and **** waiting any longer. 

Then I'll concentrate on finishing 'The Windmines of Bora Bora'. Even though 'Pleasure Cruise II' gathered the same number of votes, 'Bora Bora' happens before 'Pleasure Cruise', and introduces a duo that we will need in the next story. 

The next story would have to be 'Job Requirements', to be written by my lovely wife. Ideally, I would need to write 'The Secret Garden' before this one as well, but we're still trying to figure out if this is really necessary. But, finally, 'Job Requiremtents' will introduce the character that we need for 'Pleasure Cruise II' to make sense. 

Okay. Upon re-reading this, it still sounds complicated. Maybe a reverse diagram will help: 

'Pleasure Cruise II' -> needs -> 'Job Requirements' -> needs both -> 'Bora Bora' and probably 'The Secret Garden'

So, for now, that's the plan. Which might change anytime the muses bite, but still. Hope you enjoy, and please let me know if there's still anything unclear or when I missed anything. 

Author: Osiris Brackhaus
Story Title: Father Jools
Part: 2/2
Rating: NC-17
Configuration: m/m
Warnings: smut & magic
Word Count: 4.100 / 5.800
Setting: 'Phoenix Empire' verse, see Phoenix Empire Timeline & Index
Characters: Father Jools
Summary: Sometimes, to heal the world, one has to deflower a stable boy ...
Feedback: Yes, please!


( Father Jools, part 2 )

UPDATE: It is done, I've wasted a perfectly good afternoon on writing some Father Jools smut. Will be posted tomorrow morning. Hope it's what you all wanted. ^^

All right, everyone and her neighbor is clamouring in my ears, asking me to write some more smut with Father Jools. I can't really complain, but I've quite a lot of other stories that I have promised already.

So, I turn to you for advice.

In the poll below, I have given my current Phoenix Empire projects as options. I haven't mentioned 'Even Nobles Cry', as it is almost complete and will start posting soon.

Also, please bear in mind that the winner of this poll will be what I'll focus on writing. If inspiration bites elsewhere, I'll obey my muses, naturally. That includes me listening to my wife if she wants one of my stories finished with priority.


( To the poll )

Author: Osiris Brackhaus
Story Title: Father Jools
Part: 1/2
Rating: PG
Configuration: m/m
Warnings: Mention of sex, violence and blood magic
Word Count: 1.700 / 5.800
Setting: 'Phoenix Empire' verse, see Phoenix Empire Timeline & Index
Characters: Father Jools
Summary: As Aroona healer embedded with a Belligra platoon, Father Jools has to make a swift decision after a suicide bombing on Leichnam ...
Feedback: Yes, please!


( FIC: Father Jools )

As promised, here's the installment about the Gods of the Youh'Kai. The upcoming stories will make all the more sense now. ^^
Please enjoy, and as always feel free to ask if there's anything left unclear.


( Fictional Facts of the Phoenix Empire Part seven - Gods of the Youh'Kai )

Author: Osiris Brackhaus
Story Title: Spring Fling
Part: 1/1
Rating: M
Configuration: /
Warnings: Mention of sex and drug use
Word Count: 1.600
Setting: 'Phoenix Empire' verse, see Phoenix Empire Timeline & Index
Characters: Bobby, Wayne
Summary: Working at a holiday resort for the Spring Break rush creates a whole world of opportunities for Bobby and Wayne...
Feedback: Yes, please!

( FIC: Spring Fling )

Author: Osiris Brackhaus
Story Title: Lovers’ Day
Part: 1/1
Rating: PG
Configuration: /
Warnings: /
Word Count: 1.400
Setting: 'Phoenix Empire' verse, see Phoenix Empire Timeline & Index
Characters: Bobby, Mandy
Summary: An unpleasant encounter on a Lovers’ Day party leads to unexpected fun...
Feedback: Yes, please!

( FIC: Lovers' Day )