Interview with Fran Lee

Fran Lee is a romance author who is published through both Ellora's Cave and Resplendence.  If you have read any of her work before, then this shall be a treat for you.  If you have not, get a pen and paper ready to write down some hot book titles you just might want to pick up ;)


What has been your favorite book to write and why?
Tough question! I really love all my books, but I think if I had to pick one favorite, it would be Out of Her Dreams...because it was my debut book. It is hot, funny, and readers and reviews liked it, as well. It's about a pro wrestler who finds his face and body plastered all over a series of hot romance books written by a timid but determined author. The fireworks when they meet are volatile and sexy.

Have you always wanted to be an author, or did you have other dreams as a child?
I dreamed of being an artist (mainly because everyone raved over my 5-year-old artwork LOL) and that persisted until I realized I wasn't really a very good artist. I could draw great horses and people, but you have to be able to draw other things, too. I started wrting romances when I was 14, but never really dreamed of being an author until I was a lot older. It sort of evolved. :-)

Do you have a muse? What inspires you to write?
I sit down at my keyboard and just start typing. I am like in a haze until I get the first couple of chapters down, and then I re-read. My 'muse' simply drags me kicking and screaming along with her. Most of the books I have published at this time were written long ago, but I never had the courage to submit them until recently. I have written three books recently, and my muse hasn't deserted me yet. I thought maybe she got tired of me waiting for 25 years to get published.

How can your fans connect with you?
I am online at: http://www.franleeromance.com/ and have a number of blog sites, plus Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and the usual suspects. . I have created a separate blogsite for every book (sorta like those big famous authors do but mine aren't highly visible and I haven't spammed the world yet...or should that be "spanned"? LOL) I have a contact page at my website. Also, all of my books are listed, with links to blurbs, excerpts, and reviews. You can reach me at: fran.lee.romance@gmail.com

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Yes...but if I were a new author I wouldn't take advice from me. LOL! Honestly, all I could say is 'never stop writing and never stop learning'. One thing I always say, when I get inquiries from aspiring authors who ask if I think their book is good enough to be published, is: My opinion isn't the one that counts. Read your book carefully. Have others who are NOT family or pals read it (make sure you can trust them) and then read novels by famous authors to compare how yours stacks up. Publishers are looking for plots, great characters, a real romance buried in the hot sex, and a believable scenario. When you believe your book is clean enough (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and strong enough, submit it. Check out the publishers' guidelines and FOLLOW them (unlike me!) Select publishers who can market that great book with a great cover. (Look through the catalog) Having a great cover makes a BIG difference in sales. Pick a publisher carefully. Avoid ones that say "We publish thousands of books a year!" because many of them are vanity press types who publish anything that is sent to them, and then make their money by selling YOU your own books to sell by yourself, and when a paper back book is priced at $20+? Arrrgh! Good luck.

Tell us about the road to your first publication, was it difficult?
No, but only because I write erotic romance, and am very flexible about edits and re-writes when necessary (after mild tantrums and kicking the carpet). I chose two high-profile, high quality e-book publishers, and subbed to both. I now have five books out with Ellora's Cave, and as of tomorrow, three books out with Resplendence Publishing. I first submitted a work to EC one year ago. I first subbed to RP nine months ago. I was lucky that these fine publishers were in the market for my kind of books. I write hot, but add a dash of humor as well.

Describe yourself in 5 words.
Oh, dear. That is harder than you would ever believe. But here goes: larger than life and sexy. ;-)
Any really good romance (or erotica) authors you want to suggest to us book addicts?
Another tough question! The publishers I write for have sooo many fabulous authors and spooo many fabulous books, that would seriously be a list as long as my arm. Check out my Romance Blog for this answer. http://franleesromanceblog.blogspot.com/



OK, WOW! I checked out Fran's blog for a list I could pull from of some good authors. Did I say "WOW"?? The woman knows how to make a list, and I, just at a glance, recongized some great authors, and some I will need to be checking out for myself.

Thanks so much Fran for taking the time to connect with your fans!

 A Brief Moment of Pleasure is Lee's newest book.  It is about a woman who is very much into the martial arts.  Except, no one takes Lisa seriously, well.. ok, one man does.  James owns a studio where he teaches the rich and famous some martial arts.  Lisa can't deny he has moves.  But soon, she just might figure out his moves off the mat as well. 

Until Next Time,
Happy Reading!