12/01/09

I get to be pleased with myself today, because my short story Room 8 won the November contest at La Campanella Awards! I don't think there were many entries...but the other ones I got to read were pretty good, so it was nice to win. I'll probably be trying to participate in these monthly contests (cause I want something to do), so unless I'm just at a loss you will likely see a new short story from me every month. The December prompt is supposed to be up tonight, and I want to once again encourage others to participate...not only do I like to win, I like competition. ;)

11/16/09

YAY! My Neverland: Forsaken Dreamscape won the Le Fantasy (complete) award for Cycle One of the La Campanella Awards ( I love to win!) Thank you so much to everyone who voted and if you so fancy, go over and check out my cool banner (and the other winners as well). I'm really just so pleased that this site has emerged to honor stories that aren't romance...cause straight-up romance just isn't really my thing. I encourage others to visit over there, hang out and enter the monthly writing contests for some good fun (and a cool personalized banner if you win). Thanks again everyone!!

8/13/09

Well, I still have nothing to report on the professional side (still!), but I've just been informed that something fairly unexpected has happened. I was nominated and won a SKOW (romance) award for Jack and Jill. It won the judges' pick in the 'happily ever after' category...though I can't quite figure out exactly what that category entails. At any rate, that falls on the good side concerning things I could be hearing lately. I don't think of myself as a romance writer, but it's nice to be thought of. I didn't expect to win, so I didn't even announce the nomination so that anyone could go vote for me. But that's alright. I was nominated last year for Roses and Black Glass, but lost, so I guess it's a pleasant change. Also, thanks to whoever it was that suggested me for a nomination!

5/18/09

As most of you probably know, I haven't been very active around the site lately. The reason for this is because I recently (well, a month or so ago) queried to a few literary agents with The Needle's Eye. Nothing serious has happened yet, though so far, one agent has responded positively to my book, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. But it might still be a while before I hear anything definite from her. Anyway, until that time, I likely won't be posting anything new on the site. I will, however, keep you informed about any new developments here on my profile.

Profile:

If you've ever thought fairytale heroines were too meek, too afraid to get their hands bloody; if you've ever thought their handsome princes weren't rightfully cruel or self-centered; if you were ever afraid of the sorcerer, the step-mother, the witch, or the wolf, then you've come to the right place. I’ll wave my pen and change these things for you. And I’ll scare you all over again.

Here, you will find a collection of extended, rewritten fairytales, planned according to my own wicked tastes, spanning across the Horror/Dark Fantasy/Romance genres, and there is always a dash of Mystery. They’re certainly for mature minds. Along these journeys you will come across descriptions of violence, gore, and many sexual situations. Sometimes it is graphic. Other times it is not.

So far in my stories, this is what you will not find: You will not find same gender sex or relationships (this is, so far, and because of my own personal liking), no bestiality (though be warned that I do push the envelope with enchanted creatures, but only humanoid ones. Consider that to be what you will). You will not find graphic pedophilic situations( though there is mention of such things at times).

You will find things like murder, rape, incest, cannibalism, and those are just a few of the things. But really, it’s not much different than what the true fairytales were actually about. Mine are just a bit more straightforward with it. hehe

I don’t like to hold myself back, so if I have an idea that I think will make a reader cringe, gasp, or stare in disbelief, it’s a pretty sure bet that it’s going to end up on the screen before you. My work is, perhaps, an acquired taste. But if you’re like me – a lover of the dark and twisted, imperfect romances, and fairy tales – then you’re sure to feel right at home here.

But don’t get me wrong. There are also lessons, morals, and principles in my writing, but feel free to choose your own focus. Like the romance? Great. Love the blood? Great as well. Like it all? Well, then I just love you! ;)

Also, just so you know, there may be misspellings and so forth, but I can promise you some decent writing here. Some of the older stories need to be cleaned up a bit, but most are at ‘good enough’ status, as far as I'm concerned. Just for the record, there are a couple that I’m not too proud of. The Nutcracker Bleeds is certainly my best because it's the newest (that's completed), but I rewrote my Cinderella tale and am very proud of it now.

What do I recommend? Well, if you want something only a little bit twisted, start with Jack and Jill. Graduate to Roses and Black Glass. Think you can handle it all? The Nutcracker Bleeds is where you want to be. (It's certainly my favorite of the fairytales) Of course, there is also my new 5-book saga The Mark of Thorn, which I'm quite fond of, and am working on strenuously. Also, my original work is either a good place to start, or a good place to end. Whatever floats your rickety boat. The content of my original stories varies from not-so-dark to pretty-darn-dark, so, pick and choose.

Oh, and I do write gothic stories, but not about vampires. No no.

Yes, you may contact me through email, I love to receive feedback. Thanks for reading, and please do review no matter how old the story is!

Lani Lenore ~